The 2009 Erie RiverRats season was the third season for the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) franchise.
In August, 2008, Liotta resigned as coach of the RiverRats and left to coach the Wheeling Wildcats. In September 2008, the RiverRats named Steven G. Folmar as the franchise's second head coach. In December 2008, owner Jeff Hauser sold the team to a group of local businessmen, headed by Jeff Plyler, Bob Foltyn and Frank Herman. The RiverRats had to replace many players on the roster, as most of the 2008 roster followed Liotta to Wheeling. As a result of all the changes, the RiverRats struggled all season to score points, resulting in offensive coordinator Paul Pennington's resignation after an 0–3 start. After dropping to 0–7, the RiverRats got their first win of the season on a last second field goal by Joe Lindway. The RiverRats ended up finishing with a 3–11 record, and missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Schedule
Regular season DateOpponentHome/AwayResultMarch 15Baltimore MarinersAwayLost 32–60March 28D.C. ArmorHomeLost 30–34April 4Carolina SpeedAwayLost 12–38April 11Reading ExpressAwayLost 13–47April 18Harrisburg StampedeHomeLost 31–34April 26Reading ExpressHomeLost 48–66May 2Fayetteville GuardAwayLost 28–58May 10Baltimore MarinersHomeWon 53–50May 23Harrisburg StampedeHomeWon 54–44May 30Harrisburg StampedeAwayLost 29–53June 6Carolina SpeedHomeLost 21–51June 13Reading ExpressAwayLost 27–45June 20D.C. ArmorAwayLost 28–47June 27Florence PhantomsHomeWon 60–20
Standings Team Overall DivisionWinsLossesPercentageWinsLossesPercentage North Division Reading Express1130.786820.800 Baltimore Mariners950.643820.800 Harrisburg Stampede4100.286460.400 D.C. Armor4100.286370.300 Erie RiverRats3110.214280.200 South Division Columbus Lions1130.786820.800 Fayetteville Guard860.571550.500 South Carolina Force770.500460.400 Carolina Speed770.500460.400 Florence Phantoms680.429460.400 West Division Wyoming Cavalry1220.8571220.857 Utah Valley Thunder1130.7861130.786 Ogden Knights4100.2864100.286 New Mexico Wildcats1130.0711130.071
Green indicates clinched playoff berth Purple indicates division champion Grey indicates best league record
References