As we head into 2016, lets take a look back at how 2015 will be remembered.
After a disappointing 2014 inaugural campaign, Gene, Paul and Doc started off 2015 by hiring Joe Windham to be the new CEO of the LA KISS. Windham previously was the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Arizona Rattlers. During his 4 years in the desert, Windham won the ArenaBowl three times and, in 2013 was the AFL’s ‘Executive of the Year’. Windham brought his ArenaBowl championship experience and mentality to the front office of the LA KISS and instituted many positive changes on and off the field.
Nevertheless, the LA KISS continued to struggle in the beginning of the 2015 season. Plagued by injuries and roster turnover, the LA KISS started the season winless in their first 9 games. At the start of the 2nd half of the season, the LA KISS began to turn things around when they went on the road and beat the Portland Thunder. The next week they went into San Jose and beat the previously undefeated SaberCats. This overtime thriller was undoubtedly the most exciting game of the season, as the LA KISS beat the SaberCats by a score of 48 to 42. This was the only blemish on the SaberCats season, they went on to win the rest of their regular season games and were the 2015 ArenaBowl champions.
The LA KISS thrived in the middle of the season; they had a stretch where they won 4 out of 6 games that put them in the midst of the playoff hunt. This included wins at home against the Spokane Shock and the Las Vegas Outlaws. Unfortunately, the LA KISS were unable to keep the momentum going into their final road trip of the season. They lost 2 nail-biters, to the Arizona Rattlers and the Tampa Bay Storm, by a combined deficit of just 17 points.
The LA KISS’ 2015 season ended with a loss at home to the San Jose SaberCats. The LA KISS finished the season with a 4-14 record; however, they significantly improved during the 2nd half of the season. This offseason CEO Joe Windham has looked to continue this momentum, as he has acquired many tenured AFL veterans to the 2016 roster.
There were a number of bright spots for the LA KISS during the 2015 season; fan favorite Donovan “Captain” Morgan unquestionably shined the brightest. “Captain” Morgan continued to dominate the league; he lead all AFL wide receivers in receiving touchdowns (44) and average yards per reception (15.7). During the season, Morgan became only the 10th player in AFL history to surpass the 11,000 receiving yards mark and is now 9th on the AFL’s all-time receiving yards leaderboard (11,270). Morgan also cracked the 10 top all-time leaderboard in career receiving touchdowns with 249; he is 1 touchdown away from being the 8th player in league history to reach the 250-career receiving touchdowns milestone.
Wide receiver Tom Gilson, in his first full season in the AFL, had a breakout season. He recorded 54 receptions for 549 yards and 7 touchdowns and was a constant of the receiving core.
On the other side of the ball, Rayshaun Kizer and Josh Victorian emerged as defensive leaders. Kizer led the team in 3 major defensive categories: total tackles (71.5); pass breakups (21); and interceptions (5). Victorian, in just 8 games, made his presence felt; he tallied 22 total tackles and 4 interceptions. His 52-yard interception return was the longest interception return of the AFL season.