2014 Bemidji Axemen season

The 2014 Bemidji Axemen season was the team's first season as a professional indoor football franchise and first in the Indoor Football League (IFL). One of nine teams competing in the IFL for the 2014 season, the Bemidji, Minnesota-based Axemen were members of the United Conference.

2014 Bemidji Axemen season
OwnerChris Kokalis & Ross Ladehoff
General managerChris Kokalis
Head coachRobert Fuller
Home fieldSanford Center
1111 Event Center Drive
Bemidji, Minnesota 56601
Results
Record5–9
Conference place3rd United

Founded in August 2013 as an expansion team, the Bemidji Axemen began play in February 2014 with the start of the 2014 IFL season.[1] Under the leadership of co-owners Chris Kokalis and Ross Ladehoff plus head coach Robert Fuller, the team plays their home games at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota.[2]

Off-field moves

On October 14, 2013, the Axemen announced Robert Fuller as the team's first head coach. Fuller has eight years of indoor football experience, including the last two seasons as head coach of the Green Bay Blizzard. He was honored as the Indoor Football League Coach of the Year in both 2011 and 2012.[3]

Bemidji acquired their field turf from a defunct IFL team in Ohio and refurbished and repainted the surface before their first home exhibition game.[2] On January 20, 2014, the team announced that naming rights for the field were sold to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe for their Palace Casino and Hotel. As such, the team plays its home games on "Palace Casino Field inside the Sanford Center".[4]

The team is working with medical and athletic training services provider Sanford Bemidji to monitor the condition of players for potential treatment of concussions and brain injuries.[5]

Roster moves

On September 20, 2013, the Axemen announced the signing of their first player, kicker Scott Enos. He played college football with the University of Hawaii and his professional experience includes a stint with the Cedar Rapids Titans.[6]

The team held public tryouts on November 23–24, 2013, at the West Saint Paul Regional Athletics Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.[7] On December 3, the team announced the signing of offensive lineman Chuck Palonis, linebacker Jory Johnson, wide receiver Maurice Patterson, and defensive lineman Maurice Hamption.[8]

On December 14, Bemidji signed defender DeQuan Starling, wide receiver Darnell Williams, and quarterback Joshua Aakre. The team also announced that they had acquired wide receiver Ryan Balentine in a trade for future considerations with the Green Bay Blizzard.[9]

Awards and honors

On February 26, 2014, the IFL announced its Week 1 Players of the Week. Bemidji Axemen defensive back DeQuan Starling received an Honorable Mention for defense.[10] On March 5, 2014, the IFL announced its Week 2 Players of the Week. Bemidji Axemen defensive back and kick returner De'Markus Washington each received an Honorable Mention for special teams play.[11]

On March 19, 2014, the IFL announced its Week 4 Players of the Week. Bemidji Axemen quarterback Hunter Wanket was named as the Offensive Player of the Week. Wide receiver Ryan Balentine received an Honorable Mention for offense, linebacker Jory Johnson received an Honorable Mention for defense, and kick returner De’Markus Washington received a second Honorable Mention for special teams play.[12] On March 26, 2014, the IFL announced its Week 5 Players of the Week. Bemidji Axemen wide receiver Nick Truesdell received an Honorable Mention for offense. Linebacker Jory Johnson received a second Honorable Mention for defense.[13]

On April 2, 2014, the IFL announced its Week 6 Players of the Week. Bemidji Axemen linebacker Jory Johnson received his third Honorable Mention this season for defense. Kicker Zach Pulkinen received an Honorable Mention for special teams play.[14] On April 16, 2014, the IFL announced its Week 8 Players of the Week. Bemidji Axemen defensive back De’Markus Washington received his third Honorable Mention of the season, but first for defense rather than special teams play.[15] On April 23, 2014, the IFL announced its Week 9 Players of the Week. Bemidji Axemen wide receiver Ryan Balentine received an Honorable Mention for offense. Defensive lineman Montez Robinson received an Honorable Mention for defense. Kicker Zach Pulkinen received an Honorable Mention for special teams play.[16]

Schedule

Key:   Win   Tie   Loss   Bye

Pre-season
Week Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location
Score Record
1 Friday February 7 7:05pm Cedar Rapids Titans L 30–42[17][18] 0–1 Sanford Center[19][20][21]
2 Saturday February 15 7:05pm at Cedar Rapids Titans L 11–22[22] 0–2 U.S. Cellular Center[18][23]

Regular season

All start times are local time

Week Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location[24]
Score Record
1 Saturday February 22 7:00pm Green Bay Blizzard W 40–36[25][26][27] 1–0 Sanford Center[28]
2 Saturday March 1 7:00pm at Nebraska Danger L 43–19[29][30][31] 1–1 Eihusen Arena[32][33]
3 BYE
4 Saturday March 15 7:05pm Wyoming Cavalry W 92–49[34][35] 2–1 Sanford Center[36]
5 Friday March 21 7:05pm Nebraska Danger L 38–48[37][38][39] 2–2 Sanford Center[40][41]
6 Saturday March 29 7:05pm at Cedar Rapids Titans L 37–48[42][43][44] 2–3 U.S. Cellular Center[45][46]
7 BYE
8 Friday April 11 7:05pm at Wyoming Cavalry W 33–14[47][48][49] 3–3 Casper Events Center[50]
9 Saturday April 19 7:05pm at Cedar Rapids Titans L 57–60[51][52][53] 3–4 U.S. Cellular Center[54][55]
10 Friday April 25♥ 7:05pm Green Bay Blizzard W 42–36 4–4 Sanford Center[56][57]
11 Saturday May 3 7:00pm at Green Bay Blizzard W 66–61 5–4 Resch Center
12 Saturday May 10 7:05pm Tri-Cities Fever L 50–51 5–5 Sanford Center
13 Saturday May 17 7:05pm at Sioux Falls Storm L 13–34 5–6 Sioux Falls Arena
14 BYE
15 Saturday May 31 7:05pm Texas Revolution L 27–43 5–7 Sanford Center
16 Saturday June 7 7:05pm Cedar Rapids Titans L 43–49 5–8 Sanford Center
17 Friday June 13 7:30pm at Green Bay Blizzard L 32–52 5–9 Resch Center

♥ Rescheduled from April 26 due to arena scheduling conflicts[56]

Roster
2014 Bemidji Axemen roster
Quarterbacks
  • 14 Joshua Aakre
  • 18 Cody Kirby

Running backs

  •  6 Warren Matthews Jr.
  •  7 DeMario Pippen

Wide receivers

  •  4 Ryan Balentine
  •  3 Philander Browder
  • -- Sheldon Galloway
  •  5 Josh Jarboe
  • 15 David Lewis
Offensive linemen
  • 66 Terrence Clark
  • 70 Kadre Pinder
  • 72 Chuck Palonis

Defensive linemen

  • 94 Jordan Morgan
  • 97 Rony Nelson
  • 99 Torlan Pittman
  • 98 Caesar Rodriguez
Linebackers
  • 28 Jory Johnson
  • 15 Derek Rose

Defensive backs

  •  2 Lamar Allen
  • -- Byron Best
  • 12 Brandon Clarke
  • 21 A. J. Downs
  •  8 Mike McMillan
  • 13 Gary Wilburn

Kickers

  • 34 Zach Pulkinen
Injured Reserve
  • 92 Nate Douglas DL
  •  5 Hunter Wanket QB

Transfer List

  • 36 Jajuan Harley DB

Refused to Report

  • 90 Maurice Hampton DL
  • 88 Darnell Williams WR

rookies in italics
Roster updated June 5, 2014
25 Active, 5 Inactive

→ More rosters

Standings
2014 United Conference
W L T PCT PF PA GB STK
y - Sioux Falls Storm 1310.9297545000.0L1
x - Cedar Rapids Titans 1130.7866895972.0W2
Bemidji Axemen 590.3575926248.0L5
Texas Revolution 3110.21453264110.0L2
Green Bay Blizzard 2120.14361576911.0W1

References
  1. Hittinger, Jack (August 20, 2013). "It's official: Bemidji gets IFL franchise". The Bemidji Pioneer. Bemidji, MN: Forum Communications. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  2. Kayser, Zach (January 14, 2014). "A turf first: Crews installing Axemen playing turf will make up the rules as they go along". The Bemidji Pioneer. Bemidji, MN: Forum Communications. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  3. Miller, Pat (October 14, 2013). "Fuller named Axemen's first coach". The Bemidji Pioneer. Bemidji, MN: Forum Communications. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  4. Kayser, Zach (January 20, 2014). "A partner in the Palace: Casino lands naming rights for field for Bemidji Axemen". The Bemidji Pioneer. Bemidji, MN: Forum Communications. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  5. Wesley, Bethany (February 1, 2014). "Ahead of the game: Axemen players, trainers take brain injuries seriously, take baseline tests Friday". The Bemidji Pioneer. Bemidji, MN: Forum Communications. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  6. Hittinger, Jack (September 20, 2013). "INDOOR FOOTBALL: Axmen sign first player: Kicker Scott Enos". The Bemidji Pioneer. Bemidji, MN: Forum Communications. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  7. "Axemen to hold tryouts in St. Paul". The Bemidji Pioneer. Bemidji, MN: Forum Communications. October 22, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
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  10. "Kickoff Weekend Players of the Week Announced". Indoor Football League. February 26, 2014. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
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