by Howie Hanson AF1 Midseason Rock Star players, coaches, cheer teams and facilities: Coach of the Year: Cedric Walker, Kentucky League MVP: Sam Castonova of Albany. Nashville QB Tyler Kulka remains in the running. Best WR: Darius Prince, Kentucky. Second in the league in receiving yards (553), touchdown receptions (12) and receiving yards per game (92.2) Best RB: Shannon…
Category: Howie Hanson
AF1 Weekend Preview: Separation Season Begins
by Howie Hanson The Arena Football One regular season enters another important weekend Saturday with three games carrying playoff implications and added urgency as teams begin separating themselves in the standings. Last week’s results continued reshaping the AF1 race. The Nashville Kats blitzed the Minnesota Monsters 58-28 Friday night at Amsoil Arena, while the Kentucky…
How Sam Castronova Became Arena Football’s Defining Quarterback
by Howie Hanson Sam Castronova is the best quarterback in Arena Football One. Nobody in the modern arena game combines his production, efficiency, championships, league awards and sustained winning across multiple leagues. The numbers only strengthen the argument. Through his first two regular-season games with Albany this season, Castronova has completed 44 of 65 passes for…
AF1 Week 5: Monsters Escape, Firebirds Dominate
by Howie Hanson Minnesota 31, Michigan 28 OT Aiden Johnson connected on a 29-yard field goal on the Monsters’ first possession in overtime at The Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan. Minnesota quarterback Ja’Vonte Johnson threw two touchdown passes and completed 17 of 32 passes for 135 yards for Minnesota (3-1). Phoenix Sproles caught five passes for 56 yards and…
Monsters QB1 Johnson looking to stack strong offensive performances
by Howie Hanson There was a revealing moment after practice Wednesday morning when Minnesota Monsters quarterback Javonte Johnson evaluated his own play with the kind of blunt honesty players and coaches usually deliver behind closed doors. “Horrible, for sure,” Johnson said of his performance through three games, including a 7-of-24, 97-yard, three-touchdown effort in last…
When the Metrics Start to Mean Something
AF1’s latest engagement numbers suggest a league moving from curiosity to consistency. by Howie Hanson There’s a number that makes sports executives puff out their chest and reach for a microphone. Then there’s the kind that makes you pause, squint a little, and admit something real might be happening. Arena Football One is walking into that…
When the Schedule Stops Being Polite: HTN’s First Real Test
by Howie Hanson There’s a moment in every season — usually right about now — when the schedule stops being polite and starts telling the truth. For Home Team Network, that moment lands Saturday. Four games. One day. First year on the Arena Football One contract. No easing into it anymore. Just go. “We’ve been circling this week…
AF1 Statistical Leaders: QB’s Drive Early-Season Race, But No Runaway MVP Entering Week 4
by Howie Hanson Through three weeks of the Arena Football One season, the numbers tell a familiar story: quarterbacks dominate the landscape, wide receivers finish the work, and no single player has fully separated from the pack. There is production everywhere. What there is not — at least not yet — is a clear, undisputed…
Undefeateds Collide as AF1 Heads Into Week 4
by Howie Hanson Arena Football One enters Week 4 with four games this weekend. Note: Statistics cited are through three weeks and do not include numbers from the Week 3 Minnesota at Michigan game, which were not reflected in league totals as of noon Tuesday. Saturday The Albany Firebirds (3-0) visit the Washington Wolfpack (0-2) at Angel of the Winds…
Howie: Arena Football One reports surge in early-season digital viewership
by Howie Hanson Arena Football One on Tuesday announced a sharp increase in digital viewership during the opening weeks of the 2026 season, pointing to continued growth in the league’s digital audience. Through the first three weeks of play, AF1 reported a 1,445% rise in total views compared with the same period in 2025. The…