WILKES-BARRE TWP. — An owner is in place. The schedule is set with the exception of the exact times and dates. The Wilkes-Barre franchise in the Arena Football One league even has a coach in Shawn Liotta.
Indoor football fans now know a little bit more about the organization — the team will be called the Mavericks.
“We wanted a name that reflects the energy and excitement we plan to bring to the arena,” team owner Matt Rowland, a Misericordia University graduate, said in a press release. “The Mavericks represent a bold, fearless approach to the game, and we’re confident this team will embody that spirit on the field. We’re eager to bring a thrilling new entertainment option to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton community.”
In early September, league president Jared Widman, also a Misericordia graduate, announced the league awarded a franchise to Wilkes-Barre. The team will play home games at Mohegan Arena. Former NFL head coach Jeff Fisher is league commissioner.
League play begins March 14 with a 12-game schedule.
There are three divisions of four teams. Wilkes-Barre will play in the East Division with the Albany Firebirds, the Orlando Predators and the Nashville Kats. The Mavericks play their first two games at home against Nashville and Orlando. Wichita, Salina, Southwest Kansas and Corpus Christi are in the Central Division, while the West Division will consist of Oregon, Washington, Billings and Arizona.
Teams will play opponents within their division three times, as well as two games against an opponent from another division. Division winners advance to the playoffs with the next three teams with the best records regardless of division also qualifying.
The Mavericks will hold a tryout Jan. 4 at noon at Misericordia University Sports Dome. Prospective players can register for the tryout at play4wb.com
![It was quite a year of accomplishments, milestones and memories. We saw tremendous victories, heartbreaking defeats and the loss of several legends. In a way, it wasn’t so much different than any other year. But every year has its uniqueness. Today, we take a look back at the year that was in local sports. It […]](https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/STT-L-YESEAN-12XX-01.jpg?w=524 "It was quite a year of accomplishments, milestones and memories. We saw tremendous victories, heartbreaking defeats and the loss of several legends. In a way, it wasn’t so much different than any other year. But every year has its uniqueness. Today, we take a look back at the year that was in local sports. It […]")
![ARCHBALD — Valley View notched the first basket Saturday night and never looked back. Four Cougars scored 13 points apiece, as Valley View coasted to a 54-23 victory over Mid Valley in the Lou Camoni Tournament championship game. “Give Mid Valley a lot of credit,” Valley View coach Rob Martin said. “They came right at us and put us on our heels defensively early on. That was a bit of a problem for us, but I thought our kids responded well. “I was happy, overall, with our offense. Everybody contributed.” Cora Castellani scored the game’s first points, on a jumper […]](https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/STT-L-CAMONI-1229-03-1.jpg?w=438 "ARCHBALD — Valley View notched the first basket Saturday night and never looked back. Four Cougars scored 13 points apiece, as Valley View coasted to a 54-23 victory over Mid Valley in the Lou Camoni Tournament championship game. “Give Mid Valley a lot of credit,” Valley View coach Rob Martin said. “They came right at us and put us on our heels defensively early on. That was a bit of a problem for us, but I thought our kids responded well. “I was happy, overall, with our offense. Everybody contributed.” Cora Castellani scored the game’s first points, on a jumper […]")
![Ella Clementoni scored 19 points to lead North Pocono to a 44-23 win over host Riverside to the championship at the Taylor Lions Tournament on Saturday night in girls basketball. Celia DeCesare added eight points for the Lady Trojans (6-3). Cassidy Merrifield and Caitie Beecham each scored eight points for Riverside (5-4). West Scranton 50, Lackawanna Trail 39: Mia Tallo scored 16 points to lead West Scranton to its first win of the season and a third-place finish at the Taylor Lions Tournament. Aubrey Kerrigan scored 14 points and Zarina Mustafina added 10 points for the Lady Invaders (1-7). Ayla Seigle […]](https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/STT-L-ellaclementoni-01.jpg?w=280 "Ella Clementoni scored 19 points to lead North Pocono to a 44-23 win over host Riverside to the championship at the Taylor Lions Tournament on Saturday night in girls basketball. Celia DeCesare added eight points for the Lady Trojans (6-3). Cassidy Merrifield and Caitie Beecham each scored eight points for Riverside (5-4). West Scranton 50, Lackawanna Trail 39: Mia Tallo scored 16 points to lead West Scranton to its first win of the season and a third-place finish at the Taylor Lions Tournament. Aubrey Kerrigan scored 14 points and Zarina Mustafina added 10 points for the Lady Invaders (1-7). Ayla Seigle […]")
![Justin Blanding scored a game-high 25 points to lead Wallenpaupack to the boys basketball championship with a 55-38 win over East Stroudsburg South at the Honesdale Jaycees Tournament on Saturday at Honesdale. Blanding started the game with seven points in the first quarter and finished with eight in the fourth for the Buckhorns (6-2). Keith Stanton and Joshua Levine led East Stroudsburg South (2-7) with seven points each. Honesdale 62, Western Wayne 40: Anthony Passaro scored 12 points to lead Honesdale to a third-place finish at the Honesdale Jaycees Tournament. Rylan Montgomery added 11 points for the host team. Montgomery scored […]](https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/BasketballWebstock-1.jpg?w=600 "Justin Blanding scored a game-high 25 points to lead Wallenpaupack to the boys basketball championship with a 55-38 win over East Stroudsburg South at the Honesdale Jaycees Tournament on Saturday at Honesdale. Blanding started the game with seven points in the first quarter and finished with eight in the fourth for the Buckhorns (6-2). Keith Stanton and Joshua Levine led East Stroudsburg South (2-7) with seven points each. Honesdale 62, Western Wayne 40: Anthony Passaro scored 12 points to lead Honesdale to a third-place finish at the Honesdale Jaycees Tournament. Rylan Montgomery added 11 points for the host team. Montgomery scored […]")