Detroit Seminoles

The Detroit Seminoles American football club is a Mid Continental Football League team based in Detroit, MI.

Franchise History

The Detroit Seminoles are one of the premier elite teams in semi-pro football history. Since their inaugural season in 1994 - as the Highland Park Seminoles (later changed that season to the Detroit Seminoles) - the "Noles Nation" have enjoyed one of the highest winning percentages in all of minor-professional football and are arguably one of the most recognized semi-pro programs in the country. Detroit's commitment to excellence is extensively documented, with the Noles perennially finishing in the top ten in most national polls for a decade. Amongst their trophy case of achievements are: Current Back-To-Back MLFN (Minor League Football News) National Championships in 2002 and 2003 - 1 Runner-up USFA National Championship in 1998 - 6 consecutive league championships, ( 2 Michigan Football League Championships, 3 Mid-States Football League titles, and last seasons coveted 2003 Mid-Continental Football League - one of the top leagues in the country. Perhaps, the Noles greatest accomplishment was a regular 52 game winning season streak, which saw the Noles not losing a single league game (MFL, MSFL, or MCFL) since 1996. That streak came to a stunning end last season, when the Seminoles were defeated by the Indiana Mustangs 17-14 on the road to end one of the most amazing streaks in semi-pro history. The lost served as a wakeup call to the Noles as the "Seminole Juggernaut" refocused and powered to another league championship - defeating the reigning 2002 MCFL Champion, Cleveland Lions in a thrilling 2003 MCFL Championship (21-17). The 11-1 Detroit Seminoles were than invited to defend their 02 MLFN National Championship where they defeated a powerful, 12-1 Minnesota Maulers in Miami, Florida to capture the 03 Championship, and accomplish the rare back-to-back national title feat. This season the Noles will go for the three-peat in National Championships - and its 7th consecutive league championship.

1994 Season

The expansion new Highland Park Seminoles play their first innuagural game defeating the Muskegon 13-6 under the war slogan of "HYPE 94". The new Detroit based semi-pro team dazzles the semi-pro world garbed in the similar uniforms and helmet of the well known Florida State Seminoles (with all the swagger) - Eighty plus Seminole warriors descend out of a smoke-filled tunnel with a flaming Seminole Indian spear and begin the well known chant that would serve as their battle cry for many more years. The Seminoles first ever play from scrimmage is an 8-yard gain to former University of Michigan and former Miami Dolphin tailback - Jesse Johnson. The Seminoles - loaded with former Division I/II players - would finish the season at an impressive 7-1 and one of the top teams in the Michigan Football League

1995 Season

"WARPATH 95", saw the Highland Park Seminoles officially change their name to the "Detroit Seminoles". The Noles (7-2) (8-3 overall) battled with then national power Flint Falcons 8-0 (37 game National winning streak) in the Eastern Division before eventually succumbering to league champion, Kalamazoo Tornadoes (Runner-up 1995 USFA National Champions) in the MFL semi-finals (21-12).

1996 Season

The "Cinderella tale of two Seasons. " -Under the war chant of "BLITZ 96", the Seminoles suffered its worst MFL season to date, (4-4) losing 4 close games by not more than 7 points. The regular season would end under similar circumstances. The Seminoles surrendered to the Grand Rapids Crush in the MFL playoffs.· November 1996 - The second season (national playoffs), however, proved to be the genesis point of the Detroit Seminoles becoming a formidable recognized national power. After a major reconstruction of the Seminoles lineup, the Seminoles became the Cinderella surprise story of the national tournament scene, by defeating several league champions to make it to the MidWest Tournament National Championship game. The Noles would eventually lose (21-16) to MFL and perennial national power Flint Falcons in a great contest set amidst a driving snow storm. The Detroit Seminoles 1996 team, however, served notice to rest of the country finishing with a seemingly average overall record of 7-6, but respectively ending up 24th in the national semi-pro coaches poll.

1997 Season

The Noles 97 campaign was a mission to prove that the 96 post-season cinderella run was no fluke. Well, the Noles did that - and then some! The Seminoles fielded one of the top teams in the country, unveiling a high-octane offensive and a defensive swarm that lit up scoreboards and destroyed opponents with extreme efficiency. The Seminoles finished the season undefeated (8-0 MFL) and 14-2 overall. The only bad thing was - the two games they lost, just happened to be championship games (MFL, MWT) to respectively the Down River and Racine Raiders. The breakthrough season, however, was filled with many highlights: They beat 1996 MFL and National Champion Down River Raiders for the regular season championship. Also, In the national playoffs they defeated, the then undefeated and #1 in the nation Southern Michigan Timberwolves and #4 Huntington (WV) Hawks - both at their respective fields.

1998 Season

The Seminoles 1998 "Championship 98" slogan - was indeed prophetic. The Seminoles steamrolled through the MFL regular season annihilating each opponent in fashion unprecedented in Michigan Semi-Pro Football History to finally capture its first MFL title - winning the championship game - 58 -0 against the overmatched , but game - Jackson Bombers. Championship 98 also was without a doubt the crowning jewel in the young Seminole history - and without question, the Noles greatest season to date. If not for a some fantastic heroics in the USFA national championship battle at Marlboro against the - 4 time defending national champion Shamrocks, (Noles lost 31-35) the 98 Seminoles team could arguably be considered one of the greatest teams in semi-pro history. The Detroit Seminoles were ranked #1 in the land in most every poll (before loss in USFA final), the Seminoles finished the season at a remarkable 15-1 (# 2 in the country) - but a closer look into the numbers unveiled a dominance of which had not been seen in the Midwest since the old Racine Gladiator (WI). The Seminoles shattered almost every statistical category offensively - and defensively in the 23 year history of the MFL. Offensively they averaged 55 points a game obliterating the MFL All-Time record with 723 total points. Defensively they were even more impressive. Get this - the Seminoles gave up a grand total of 19 points - THE ENTIRE SEASON over a 10 game regular season (including 7 consecutive shutouts). The Seminoles continued its 98 juggernaut in the MidWest National Tournament capturing the teams first Midwest National Championship Tournament title, after 3 straight appearances (losses) in the championship game. When the smoke had finally cleared only the 15-0 Detroit Seminoles and 4-time defending champion - 15-1 Marlboro Shamrocks - were left standing in the USFA National Championship game. The Seminoles ultimate season fell one victory short, as the Noles loss to Marlboro on the road in a 35-31 thriller to lose the 98 National Championship contest. The Seminoles 98 season - however - will never be forgotten.

1999 Season

The 1999 season had the Seminoles hard-pressed to repeat and duplicate the remarkable feat of the 98 season. The only way they could do that was - to win the national championship. The Seminoles began their assault on the national championship, going undfeated in league play again, and capturing its second consecutive MFL championship. The Noles ship seemed steady and right as the Seminoles cruised through the early season dominating opponents with the same efficiency of the "Championship 98" season. A trip to nationally ranked "The Force", of Illinois, however, would prove costly and fatal to the Noles plans come tournament time. The contest pitted two nationally ranked opponents - the # 2 ranked Seminoles and the # 7 ranked Force of Illinois - and it proved to be as good as advertised. In a sea-saw offensive epic- battle Seminoles were outdualed in an ole-fashion midwest showdown - being upset by the Force - 35-28 at Illinois. The Midwest Tournament saw the Seminoles draw the #1 in the nation (14-0) and arch - bitter rival - Southern Michigan Timberwolves - in the semi-finals at Monroe, MI. Despite two previous close tournament wins by the Noles over the T'Wolves - in 97,and 98 - the T'Wolves brought to the table an explosive offense lead by former Heisman candidate - Major Harris - former University of Michigan star tailback - Ricky Powers, 5 time All-American receiver - Roy Granger - and an aggressive defense that pummeled the MCFL on their way to their 3rd MCFL title. For all who witness the contest - never has a game been dominated so convincingly by one team - only to lose. The 99 Midwest Tournament semi-finals saw the Detroit Seminoles dominate the contest on offense out running and out passing the T'Wolves- and equally on defense - holding Major Harris to 3 completions in 21 attempts for 36 yards. If the Noles could only take away 3 plays in their history - they all might be in this game. It was a trio of ill-fated plays and execution that served as the deciding factors in the Noles most painful, crushing loss in recent history. A 35 yard TD reception by Granger on a trick receiver screen pass - a 33 yard fumble recovery for TD on a Seminole option - and the topper - a 4th and inches FB denial inside the T'Wolves 2 yard line in the 4th quarter - would serve as three plays that turned the tide of Noles dominance of the contest - and set into motion the doomful conclusion that would end in a 19-14 defeat to end the chance to return to the USFA National Championship game. The Noles end the season a respectable 13-2.

2000 Season

The beginning of the "new" Millennium saw the "end" of the Michigan Football League. The Michigan Football League was the longest tenure league in the Midwest and most of the country. With 20+ seasons of semi-pro football under its belt, the MFL chose to go defunct and close its doors - and possibly reorganize at another future date. The Seminoles were effected more than any team by the MFL's demise. The Seminoles were the two-time defending MFL Champion and now they were without a league. Enter the Mid-States Football League — an 8-team Midwestern-Chicago-based league — with teams spanning Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. The Detroit Seminoles were welcomed with open arms by the MSFL — the new upcoming and exciting league in the Midwest. The immediate rival was the new nemesis - the 1999 Mid-States Champion — The Force of Illinois — coincidentally the team — that upset the Seminoles in 99 ending a 30+ regular season winning streak. The Seminoles millennium campaign was amptly named - "Rage 2000" — because that's what they brought to the MSFL in 2000 - complete Rage! The Seminoles went undefeated winning its entire scheduled slate of games — including a mid-season showdown game with the Force winning 21-10 and the Championship MSFL title game 35-14 to claim its third championship in as many years. The Seminoles continued through the post-season entering the Midwest National Tournament for the 5th consecutive year. The Noles looked to maintain pace with the Racine Raiders as "THE" most winningest semi-pro team in the Midwest National Championship history. Unfortunately, after impressive victories over the Mid-Continental Football League Runnerup — Jackson Bombers 35-21 and the Lakeshore Football League Champion — 44-0 — the Seminoles were thrashed by the Racine Raiders 55-25 in the Midwest National Championship title game — to end the Noles season at 15-1.

2001 Season

The Detroit Seminoles 2k1 season was a really weird season and one of early frustration. The young Mid-States League was plagued by expansion woes and many league membering teams suffered financial difficulties - prompting the Force to merge with the Will County Buccanneers and move the Mid-Continental Football League - and several membering teams to close shop and reorganize. The only content of the 2001 MSFL season was the Detroit Seminoles. The Noles remained steady as a rock - completing a 2001 campaign - white-washing the MSFL, going undefeated for the astounding 4th straight year. The Seminole juggernault was equally unstoppable during the playoffs and defeat the upstart Milwaukee Marauders - 43 -10 in the Championship game - to capture its unprecedented 4th consecutive league title - tying the Lansing Crusaders - as the most decorated team in Michigan semi-pro history. The Seminoles quest for the National Championship, however remained elusive - as the Noles machine was dethrotled and the nationally ranked Seminols were eliminated by the highly touted - and top nationally ranked - Jackson Bombers in a Midwest National Championship semi-final classic (44-35). The Detroit Seminoles finished the season once again as one of the top teams in the country at 14-2. The have one an amazing 12+ games the last 5 seasons ranking them amongst the three winningest programs in the nation with the Marlboro Shamrocks (MA) and Racine Raiders (WI).Note: The Seminoles last regular season league lost was a 6-28 lost to the - then Nationally ranked - Flint Falcons in 1996 at Flint. The Seminoles have won 46 consecutive regular season league games - one of the tops in the nation - and look to add to that total in the upcoming 2002 season.

Head coaches

*Bennie Morris: 1994 - 97
*Winfred Cadell: 1998
*Carlton McPhail: 1999
*Norris Jackson: 2000 - 2004, 2006 - 2007
*Mark Lindsay: 2005
*Ted Serama: 2008 - present

eason-by-season records

-
1994|| 7 || 1 || 0 || |
-
1995|| 7 || 3 || 0 || |
-
1996|| 7 || 6 || 0 || |
-
1997|| 12 || 2 || 0 || |
-
1998|| 15 || 1 || 0 || |
-
1999|| 13 || 2 || 0 || |
-
2001|| 15 || 1 || 0 || |
-
2002|| 12 || 1 || 0 || |
-
2003|| 12 || 1 || 0 || |
-
2004|| 13 || 2 || 0 || |
-
2005|| 13 || 1 || 0 || |
-
2006|| 8 || 1 || 1 || |
-!Totals || 148 || 24 || 1
colspan="2"| (including playoffs)

External links

* [http://www.detroitseminoles.org/ Detroit Seminoles official web site]