Average Attendance: 2,563
The Huntington Heroes were added rather late to the list of 2006 expansion teams, but managed to have some success. The Heroes began their season at 5-2 and finished at 9-5. Huntington was 1-5 against teams that made the playoffs. The Heroes made the final playoff spot in the North and lost at Reading, 56-23. The team almost didn’t play this game, as the AIFL found that players were being overpaid. Because Johnstown had released their players for the season, Huntington was still allowed to play. Following the 2006 season, the Heroes tried to join the World Indoor Football League, but pulled out when closer franchises did not come to fruition. The team got out to a 3-4 start, but won seven straight to get a chance to host a playoff game. The team would have to defeat Canton in Ohio in the regular season finale to host the Legends the following week. The Heroes attempted a long field goal to break a 50-50 tie on the final play of regulation. The kick was blocked and trickled through the enzone for a Legends safety as time expired. The Heroes offered the Legends financial incentives if Canton would let the Heroes host the following week’s game, but Canton didn’t go for it and defeated Huntington 76-43 in the divisional playoff round. The Heroes were led by quarterback Darnell Kennedy to a 5-1 start to the 2008 season. However, disaster struck. Players were not paid, and on April 25th, several did not make the trip to Florence. The Heroes that made the trip lost 66-12. The team fell apart, losing several players and coaches. The team finished the season winning just one of their final eight regular season games, but qualified for the playoffs. It was another game at Florence, and another Phantoms rout. This time the Phantoms won 55-9.
