Storm Go Coast to Coast, Head to Albany 2-0

The Southwest Kansas Storm have started the 2025 season off on the right foot, winning their first two games of the season against Nashville and Washington. During these two games the defense has been playing at a championship level forcing a combined 13 turnovers including 9 interceptions. They have also scored 4 defensive touchdowns. Not wanting to be left out of the party, Daquan Bailey-Brown also found the end zone on a kickoff return putting the special teams on the board as well.

Revenge Game in Albany

In 2024 the Storm were asked to travel to Albany with last minute notice and do-so in a whirlwind scenario that had them facing arguably one of the most talented teams in the league without their best defensive back. While they did have warning this season, they were still faced with an added challenge.

After initially having been scheduled a bye week in week one after kicking off the season against Nashville, the news about Arizona folding meant they were asked to travel to Washington and play the first Vice TV game on Sunday night.

Then in a short week they were asked to travel to Albany for a Friday night game. Along the way they ran into engine trouble on their bus and wound up stuck for a stretch as their bus was looked at by a shop. With just 4 days between games, the team had minimal time to prepare for the Firebirds, and they will face them in their house once again.

Looking back to the 2024 season Albany dismantled a short-handed Storm team 66-15. In 2024 both teams were dramatically different. With different signal-callers under center and vastly different rosters there could be an argument made that both teams upgraded at the most important position on the field.

Quarterback Battle Should be the Story of this Game

The Firebirds brought back a familiar face signing Sam Castronova away from the San Antonio Gunslingers led by former Empire Head Coach Tom Menas after he spent a year setting IFL records. One of the most decorated quarterbacks in any indoor football league, Castronova is mobile enough to do damage on the ground, but he can also throw the ball with the best of them.

The same could be said for Jalen Morton who is on pace to go head-to-head with Castronova for league MVP if he isn’t signed by an outdoor team during the season. Through two games he has accounted for a total of 6 passing touchdowns, and 4 rushing touchdowns. Compiling around 400 total yards in two victories.

Last season there were times when the Storm looked overmatched in their game against Albany. This year the game should look a lot different. Morton is as good as they come indoors, and the Storm’s wide receiver group is dangerous top to bottom. The Storm Front defense is on fire, and the special teams unit is always a threat to score points.

Match-Ups to Watch

While the Firebirds have made some big-time changes to improve their team, they also watched as one of their key offensive playmakers and a defensive coach moved on. Darius Prince has traded in Firebird orange and black for the double-blue of the Corpus Christi Tritons. He was also followed by Dwayne Hollis. The pair had played together for years and that relationship helped lure Hollis away from the Firebird coaching staff and back onto the field for a new franchise.

With that being said, the match-up to watch in this one is the Storm wide receiver group against the Firebirds defensive backfield. While the Firebirds have multiple 6’1 and 6’2 defensive backs, the Storm feature a pair of players at wideout that stand 6’5. This includes Shiloh Flanagan who is quickly becoming a better player by the week. A former basketball player, he has shown sure-hands while making acrobatic catches, and an ability to high-point the ball over defensive backs at times.

Dee Wash got off to a rough start in 2025, but the always steady veteran bounced back in week one against Washington. His route running, and veteran savvy could prove to be a huge asset as the Firebirds secondary features several players who are new to arena football.

Daquan Bailey-Brown’s speed could take the top off the defense and open up the middle of the field. I also expect to see him involved in the ground game once again.

While it may not be as a receiver, Logan Wright has been a crucial part of the passing game keeping Jalen Morton upright and slinging it. His ability as a blocker has been crucial to the Storm’s performance on offense, and they will need him to keep it up in week two if they hope to find victory once again.

How to Watch

This game kicks off at 6:00 pm CT on Vice TV. So far this season the AF1 have put the Storm at the front of their roll out for the season. Not only did they participate in the Week 0 Kick off game, and their first Evergreen Now stream, they also were on the flexed into the first Vice TV game in week 1. Now they follow that up with their second of six nationally televised Vice TV games in week 2, and only the second Vice TV broadcast of the season. 

Thanks to some digging from one of the prominent AF1 reporters, Zach Keilman, it has come to light that the cheapest platform to watch Vice TV on is Frndly TV at a $7.99 a month subscription fee, complete with a free one week trial. 

https://x.com/ZachKeilman/status/1901356239277400342

https://try.frndlytv.com/

Win, Lose or Draw Albany Could be Making Moves by Monday

With the UFL making final cuts on Thursday, Albany had three players whose rights they hold become available. This includes two former members of that Storm Front defense. Center Sean Brown, Defensive Lineman Marquise Lawson-Greenwood, and Linebacker/Fullback Vincent DiLeo were all released by their respective UFL teams. All three of these players could be upgrades for the Firebirds, but to say that any of these positions are currently lacking talent would be an overstatement.

As is always the case, Albany is again one of the best teams on paper in their respective league. With multiple players who came down from outdoor leagues like the NFL, CFL, or UFL across the board, coupled with some of the best players from around the arena football landscape, like the aforementioned Castronova, or Duane Brown who played a pivotal role for the Outlaws in the championship game.

However, with over 80 players coming available overnight, Albany may not be the only team seeing an upgrade midseason.

Change of Culture

Looking back to 2023, the Southwest Kansas Storm was a completely different franchise. The standards were different. The team playing in the Champions Indoor Football League, finished the seasons 3-7 with Brandon Venson as the head coach. Heading into 2024 the Storm cleaned house letting go of their coaching staff, and moving forward with a nearly entirely new roster.

In 2024 they hired Gary Thomas, who instantly brought with him higher standards across the board. From the talent on the field, to the way the team carried themselves, and even the coaching staff. Tapping his background at the college ranks he brought in some coaches he was familiar with; Pat Callahan and Anathan Gibson whom he had worked with during his time at Dodge City Community College, and Jason Scheck a veteran indoor football coach who had spent time with the Dodge City Law in the past.

Coach Callahan assumed Assistant Head Coach/Secondary coaching duties; Coach Gibson remains a Defensive Line specialist with the Storm while simultaneously handling a similar role in the college ranks. Coach Scheck was brought on as the Defensive Coordinator and Linebacker Coach.

This staff installed a new culture expecting success from Day one, and this translated early on. Despite the team ending the season 4-5, there was only one game on their schedule that ended in larger than a one score deficit. Although they lost 5 games, 4 of those games were lost by a combined 10 points. A new age in Storm football was upon Dodge City.

In 2025 the team added Marcos Gutierres as their offensive line coach helping develop a young offensive line. This has helped the team start off hot, beating a very talented Nashville Kats team despite some errors. In week one they blew out the Wolfpack in Washington as they cleaned up some of the mistakes made in week zero. Albany remains the first true test for a team that has come a long way since their 3-7 season in 2023. This game could be a statement game, and if the Storm find victory in this one, there will be no denying they are among the best teams in any league.

Regardless of what happens today, it is clear the media world has taken notice of the Storm's new found identity.