East Carolina Torch

East Carolina Torch
Current season
Established 2015 Play in North Carolina East Carolina Torch
Helmet Logo
League/conference affiliations
American Indoor Football (2016) Northern Division (2016) Supreme Indoor Football (2017) American Arena League (2018–)
Team colors	Red, gold, black, white
Personnel
Owner(s)	Chris McKinney[1]
Head coach	Chris McKinney
Team history
Triangle Torch (2016–2017) East Carolina Torch (2018)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Playoff appearances (1)
SIF: 2017
Home arena(s)
Dorton Arena (2016–2017) Duplin County Events Center (2018)

The East Carolina Torch is a professional indoor football team playing in Kenansville, North Carolina, with home games at the Duplin County Events Center. The team was originally the Triangle Torch in Raleigh, North Carolina, and named after the larger Research Triangle region. The Torch initially began as an expansion franchise of American Indoor Football (AIF), however following the 2016 season, the AIF ceased operations, leaving the Torch to find a new league. The Torch joined the reorganized Supreme Indoor Football for the 2017 season and the American Arena League for the 2018 season.

The Torch was the third indoor football team to play in Raleigh, after the Carolina Cobras of the Arena Football League (2000–2002) and the Raleigh Rebels of the Atlantic (later American) Indoor Football League (2005–2006). A team called the Carolina Bombers were set to begin play as a member of the Ultimate Indoor Football League for 2012, but folded before ever playing a single game.

History

Triangle Torch logo (2016–2017)

In August 2015, it was announced that an expansion team called the Triangle Torch would begin play in Raleigh, North Carolina,^[2] with home games to be played in Dorton Arena.^[3] The team was originally owned by George Stuphen, whose son played for the Alabama Hammers. Stuphen decided to bring a team to Raleigh due to talent in the area.^[2]

The Torch opened up their inaugural season with a 55–33 victory over the Winston Wildcats on March 20, 2016.^[4] Following the 2016 season, American Indoor Football ceased operations, and the Torch were left without a league.

In September 2016, Supreme Indoor Football (SIF) listed the Torch as a member. The Torch later confirmed they had joined the SIF on October 28. The team was sold in 2017 to David Foster, Harold Turner, and head coach Chris McKinney.^[5]

After going undefeated through the 2017 SIF season, the team lost the championship game to the Cape Fear Heroes. Not long after the game, the Torch announced they would be leaving the SIF. One month later, they were added to the newly formed American Arena League (AAL). Prior to the start of the 2018 AAL season, the Torch lost owners Harold Turner and David Foster to other business opportunities, leaving coach Chris McKinney as the sole owner from the previous season's ownership transition. In March 2018, the Torch also announced via social media they would have to play the season nearly 90 miles from Raleigh in Kenansville, North Carolina, at the Duplin County Events Center. With the new location, the team changed its name to the East Carolina Torch.^[6]

The Torch opened the 2018 season on the road with a 28–38 loss to the High Country Grizzlies before winning their first home game 51–12 over the Upstate Dragons. The team canceled and forfeited their second home game on May 5 against the Cape Fear Heroes. They won 69–6 over the AAL affiliate travel team Carolina Cowboys at home. In the following game at the Richmond Roughriders, they lost and had two players suspended for the rest of the season an illegal low block on a receiver in motion.^[7] After a 2–3 record and three home games remaining, the Torch canceled the rest of their 2018 season on May 26.

Following the 2018 season, the Torch have began calling themselves the Capital City Torch but, as of August 2018, do not have a lease for an arena in the Raleigh area.^[8]

Current roster

Triangle Torch (black jerseys with and red and yellow accents) vs. Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (gold jerseys with black accents) during a game at Dorton Arena, March 25, 2016

Staff

Statistics

Cheerleaders

The Torch's official cheerleading squad is the Torch Hunnies Cheerleaders.^[10] The Torch Hunnies, directed by Christin Cox, dance at the Torch's home games.^[11]

References

External links

• East Carolina Torch official website