The 2002 AF2 season was the third season of the AF2. It was preceded by 2001 and succeeded by 2003. The league champions were the Peoria Pirates, who defeated the Florida Firecats in ArenaCup III. This is also the first time that both conferences have the same division name (in that case, the American Conference Southern Division and the National Conference Southern Division, respectively). It is also the only season where both conferences have four divisions each, a la the 2002–present era of the NFL.
League info
New teams Albany Conquest, Bakersfield Blitz, Cape Fear Wildcats, Fresno Frenzy, Hawaiian Islanders, Mobile Wizards, Mohegan Wolves, New Haven Ninjas, San Diego Riptide, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers Renamed / Relocated teams None Defunct teams Baton Rouge Blaze, Iowa Barnstormers, Lafayette Roughnecks, Lincoln Lightning Total teams 34
Standings Team Overall DivisionWinsLossesPercentageWinsLossesPercentage American Conference Atlantic Division Cape Fear Wildcats1330.812620.750 Richmond Speed1240.750710.875 Norfolk Nighthawks880.500440.500 Roanoke Steam880.500350.375 Greensboro Prowlers3130.187080.000 Northeast Division Albany Conquest1330.8121110.917 Rochester Brigade790.437660.500 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers6100.375660.500 New Haven Ninjas6100.375570.417 Mohegan Wolves3130.1872100.167 Eastern Division Macon Knights1330.812510.833 Augusta Stallions1330.812510.833 Carolina Rhinos5110.312150.167 Columbus Wardogs4120.250150.167 Southern Division Tallahassee Thunder970.562730.700 Florida Firecats970.562560.455 Jacksonville Tomcats880.500730.700 Charleston Swamp Foxes790.437240.333 National Conference Southern Division Tennessee Valley Vipers1330.812510.833 Birmingham Steeldogs1150.687520.714 Pensacola Barracudas880.500660.500 Mobile Wizards0160.0000120.000 Central Division Tulsa Talons1420.875420.667 Arkansas Twisters1150.687420.667 Bossier City Battle Wings970.562330.500 Memphis Xplorers5110.312150.167 Midwest Division Peoria Pirates1150.687601.000 Quad City Steamwheelers*1060.625330.500 Wichita Stealth6100.375330.500 Louisville Fire2140.125060.000 Western Division Bakersfield Blitz970.562720.778 San Diego Riptide790.437540.556 Hawaiian Islanders5110.312450.444 Fresno Frenzy4120.250270.222
Green indicates clinched playoff berth Purple indicates division champion Grey indicates best regular season record * The Steamwheelers were banned from the playoffs for rule violations.
Playoffs
Awards and honors
Regular season awards Award Winner Position Team Offensive Player of the Year Mitch Allner Quarterback Tulsa Talons Defensive Player of the Year Kelly Snell Defensive Specialist Tennessee Valley Vipers Ironman of the Year Kevin Harvey Wide receiver/Defensive back Richmond Speed Lineman of the Year E. J. Burt Lineman Cape Fear Wildcats Built Ford Tough Man of the Year Jeff Cogell Lineman Mohegan Wolves Rookie of the Year Lincoln Dupree Defensive Specialist / Kick Returner Peoria Pirates Coach of the Year Ron Selesky Head coach Albany Conquest
ArenaCup III III Quarter 1 2 3 4 Tot Florida Firecats 7 6 12 22 47 Peoria Pirates 6 17 13 29 65 Date August 23, 2002 Arena Carver Arena City Peoria, Illinois Attendance 7,552 MVP Cornell Craig Offensive Player of the Game Cornell Craig Defensive Player of the Game Lincoln Dupree Ironman of the Game Titcus Pettigrew Winning Coach Bruce Cowdrey Losing Coach John Fourcade
ArenaCup III was the 2002 edition of the AF2's championship game, in which the National Conference Champions Florida Firecats were defeated by the American Conference Champions Peoria Pirates in Peoria, Illinois by a score of 65 to 47. Scoring Summary
References
External links 2002 af2 season Arena Cup III stats