2016 Georgia Firebirds season

2016 Georgia Firebirds season
OwnerGridiron Central Group
General managerTerence Fowler
Head coachDavid Daniels (fired on March 21, 0-1 record)
Antwone Savage (interim)
Home fieldAlbany Civic Center
100 West Oglethorpe Boulevard
Albany, GA 31701
Results
Record3–5
Division place5th
Playoff finishDid not qualify

The 2016 Georgia Firebirds season was the first season for the American indoor football franchise, and their first in American Indoor Football.

On November 18, 2015, the Firebirds finalized the contract with the city of Albany, Georgia, and the Albany Civic Center, to play indoor football for the 2016 season.[1] Prior to becoming an indoor team, the organization had played in various semi-pro outdoor leagues.

On March 20, 2016, the Firebirds lost their first ever game in franchise history. The following day, Daniels was fired as the Firebirds head coach, replaced by Antwone Savage.[2]

On May 14, 2016, the Firebirds were forced to forfeit their final game at the Savannah Steam due to transportation issues.[3]

Schedule

Key:   Win   Tie   Loss   Bye

Exhibition

All start times are local to home team

Week Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location
Score Record
1 Wednesday March 9 7:00pm Capital City Cobras W 42–22[4] 1–0 Albany Civic Center
2 Saturday May 7 7:00pm South Carolina Ravens W 73–24[5] 2–0 Albany Civic Center

Regular season

All start times are local to home team

Week Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location
Score Record
1 BYE
2 BYE
3 BYE
4 Sunday March 20 4:00pm at Columbus Lions L 0–86[6] 0–1 Columbus Civic Center
5 Saturday March 26 7:00pm Atlanta Vultures L 38–40[7] 0–2 Albany Civic Center
6 Saturday April 2 7:00pm Savannah Steam W 43–34[8] 1–2 Albany Civic Center
7 Monday April 11 7:05pm at Myrtle Beach Freedom W 49–20[9] 2–2 Myrtle Beach Convention Center
8 Sunday April 17 7:05pm at Florida Tarpons L 31–52[10] 2–3 Germain Arena
9 Saturday April 23 7:00pm Myrtle Beach Freedom W 56–43[11] 3–3 Albany Civic Center
10 Saturday April 30 7:00pm Columbus Lions L 19–73[12] 3–4 Albany Civic Center
11 BYE
12 Saturday May 14 7:00pm at Savannah Steam L 0–2 (forfeit)[13] 3–5 Savannah Civic Center
13 BYE
14 BYE

Standings

2016 AIF Southern standings
Team W L PCT
y – Columbus Lions 8 0 1.000
x – Florida Tarpons 7 1 .875
x – Myrtle Beach Freedom 4 4 .500
x – Savannah Steam 3 5 .375
Georgia Firebirds 3 5 .375
Central Florida Jaguars 2 6 .250
Atlanta Vultures 1 7 .125

References

  1. ^ Carlton Fletcher (November 18, 2015). "Georgia Firebirds, city of Albany finalize arena football pact". www.albanyherald.com. Albany Herald. Archived from the original on November 26, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  2. ^ "Firebirds Announce New Coach". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. March 21, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  3. ^ "Wheels derail the Firebirds game vs Savannah". WTOL 11. May 14, 2016. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  4. ^ Jake Wallace (March 9, 2016). "Firebirds introduce themselves with exhibition win". www.walb.com. Frankly Media and WALB. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  5. ^ Timothy Threadcraft (May 7, 2016). "Georgia Firebirds romp past South Carolina". www.albanyhearald.com. Albany Herald. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  6. ^ Dana Barker (March 20, 2016). "Lions trounce Firebirds". www.mcall.com. Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  7. ^ Time Morse (March 26, 2016). "Georgia Firebirds show improvement but fall 40-38". www.albanyhearald.com. Albany Herald. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  8. ^ Nolan Imsande (April 3, 2016). "Georgia Firebirds earn first victory". www.albanyhearald.com. Albany Herald. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  9. ^ "Georgia Firebirds win again". www.albanyhearald.com. Albany Herald. April 11, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  10. ^ "Georgia Firebirds fall to Florida". www.albanyhearald.com. Albany Herald. April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  11. ^ Nolan Imsande (April 23, 2016). "Change at QB leads Georgia Firebirds to victory". www.albanyhearald.com. Albany Herald. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  12. ^ Timothy Threadcraft (April 30, 2016). "Columbus Lions rout Georgia Firebirds again". www.albanyhearald.com. Albany Herald. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  13. ^ Theo Dorsey (May 14, 2016). "Wheels derail the Firebirds game vs Savannah". www.kmov.com. Frankly Media and KMOV. Retrieved May 16, 2016.