The Stockton Lightning
are a professional arena football team. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conferenece of the arenafootball2 (af2).
The Lightning joined af2 2006 as an expansion team. They play their home games at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California and are coached by Chad Carlson.
The Stockton Lightning's principal owner is Michael Reinsdorf.
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STOCKTON LIGHTNING TICKETS
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History
The Lightning were formed 2005 and joined af2 in 2006, lead by President Dan Chapman and Operator Michael Reinsdorf. The team name was announced at a November 2005 press conference at Valley Brew Restaurant, after a "Name The Team" contest and revealing of the team's black, red, gray and white colors. Richard Davis was also announced as the first head coach in franchise history.
The first-year team featured players that were local to the area, they included; James Newson, Josh Wallwork, Kenyatte Morgan and Lyndell Hawkins. Morgan was the player who recorded the first touchdown in franchise history, a seven-yard pass from
Quarterback Josh Blankenship, in a 41-40 loss to the eventul
ArenaCup winners, the
Spokane Shock. However, two weeks later, the Lightning recorded the first win in franchise history, when they beat the
Quad City Steamwheelers 60-46.
The Lightning finished 5-11 in their first season, falling just short of playoffs. After the season they hired new head coach
Doug Murray, who was introduced to the media at a September 2006 press conference by his friend and rival head coach Fred Biletnikoff, Jr. who wore a Lightning hat.
The
2007 season started the way 2006 had, with a loss on the road in Spokane. But, things turned around mid-season as they began to win games, a total of six. However, the season ended with losses in the last four games, missing the playoffs for the second straight year.
The Lightning didn't improve in
2008 as they had hoped and finished 5-11. Once again, missing the playoffs.
Statistics
Season-by-season records
Note:
W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties''
| Season
| W
| L
| T
| Finish
| Playoff results
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| 2006
| 5
| 11
| 0
| 4th NC West
| --
|
| 2007
| 6
| 10
| 0
| 5th AC West
| --
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| 2008
| 5
| 11
| 0
| 4th NC West
| --
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| 6
| 10
| 0
| 3rd NC West
| Lost NC Round 1 (Spokane)
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| Totals
| 22
| 43
| 0
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* = Current Standing
Players of note