Pittsburgh Power



Years of Existence: 2011-2014
Venue: Consol Energy Center (Pittsburgh, PA)
Accomplishments:
2011 –
2012 -
2013 -
2014 - Playoff appearance
Lifetime Record: 33-40
Home: 15-21
Away: 18-19
Playoffs: 0-1
Average Attendance: 6,370

The Pittsburgh Power was the first Pittsburgh AFL franchise since 1990. The franchise's season opening home game was an overtime thriller won by the Philadelphia Soul on a pick six, 58-52. The Power went 7-2 in games decided by ten points or less, but losing five of their last seven kept them from winning the division. Bernard Morris emerged as the starting quarterback for a good portion of the season. throwing for 2,428 yards, 55 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Lonnell Dewalt, Jason Willis, and Michael Washington led the pack with 69 touchdowns and over 3,000 yards. Willis finished a yard shy of 1,200. Six of eight fumbles recovered by the opposition were returned for touchdowns, while Power passers were sacked 34 times. The power went 3-5 against teams that made the playoffs, and could have controlled its own destiny for a division title, but fell by twelve points at Cleveland. The most exciting Power win was at Dallas. In a 69 point fourth quarter, the Power defended a two point conversion try with ten seconds left to win 76-75. The team returned for the 2012 season. The team's first game came against Orlando on national television, where several players went on strike to protest the current agreement between the league and players. Pittsburgh would win the odd game, 40-26. Bryan Randall and Andrico Hines split time at quarterback for most of the year, combining for 3,782 yards, 69 touchdowns and 16 picks. Michael Washington was a standout at wide receiver, catching 115 balls for 1,484 yards and 34 scores. P.J. Berry amassed 1,282 yards and caught 18 scores. Chris LeFlore picked nine passes to lead the defense. Five of the team's thirteen losses came by ten points or less. The team's lone home victory came in overtime against Orlando. The Power was also awarded a forfeit victory when they traveled to Cleveland in June. Cleveland went on strike for the game and there were not enough players to begin the game. The team returned for a final year in 2013. Three quarterbacks split time: Steven Sheffield, Jordan Jefferson, and Shane Austin. The team went 4-14, with a win over Philadelphia. The team was outscored by an average of 56-40 on the season, Mike Washington caught 136 balls for 1,595 yards and 36 touchdowns. Julian Talley scored 17 times. Sergio Gilliam led the Power defense with eight picks, returning three for scores. Opponents scored 80% of the time in the red zone and converted on 52% of fourth downs, throwing only 16 interceptions all season. The team's lone home victory came against Cleveland. The year could be summed up in the final game, as the Power led Spokane 36-27 at halftime, but then were outscored 34-7 in the second half. After rumor of their demise, the team did return in 2014, making early coaching moves following a 3-3 start to the season. The Power demolished San Antonio 70-17 and followed it up with a 56-14 victory over New Orleans. After a loss at Cleveland, the Power went on a 12 game win streak to finish out the season. Tommy Grady passed for 4,717 yards, 115 touchdowns and 17 picks. Prechae Rodriguez brought in 32 scores and 1,138 yards. Kauleinamoku brought in 124 catches for 1,359 yards and 19 more scores. Former Shock player Virgil Gray picked eleven passes. The Power, despite a 15-3 record, had to go on the road in the playoffs, being stuck in a division with the 17-1 Gladiators. The Power went to Orlando and would fall 56-48. The team folded following the 2014 season. Speculation arose that the team had been fined heavily for illegally paying players.