The Florence Phantoms are having their final tryout for the upcoming 2009 season.

On a cold Saturday morning, more than 40 people flocked to The Byrnes Schools for an opportunity to play professional football. They weren’t running drills to get on the roster of just any team, but the defending American Indoor Football Association champions — the Florence Phantoms.

The American Indoor Football Association has awarded expansion franchises to two teams in Utah. Ogden and Orem, Utah are the newest cities to be introduced to indoor football. The teams are approximately 80 miles apart and will compete next season.

Two weeks ago, Tavares Bowens was given a Gatorade bath by his players after his Florence Phantoms after routing Wyoming for the American Indoor Football Association championship.

More than 4,500 fans flocked to the Florence Civic Center Friday night to witness something that seemed unfathomable nine months ago. Once a team in total disarray, the Florence Phantoms faced Wyoming with not only an American Indoor Football Association title on the line —- but a shot at history as well.

On Thursday, Florence coach Tavares Bowens and Wyoming coach Dan Maciejczak stood side by side along the sidelines at an empty Florence Civic Center.
Tonight, the pair will be on opposite sidelines directing their teams as the Phantoms and Cavalry butt heads for the AIFA championship.

Last year at the Florence Civic Center, the Lakeland Thunderbolts captured the first American Indoor Football Association championship 54-49 behind four touchdowns passes from Aso Pogi.

During their nine-game winning streak, the Florence Phantoms have relied on a defense that has stymied opponents and an offense that can score at will.
While Omar Jacobs, A.J. Bennett and Larry Thompson have garnered headlines on both sides of the ball, there are several players who have been easily overlooked.

When the Florence Phantoms hit the field Friday night to take on Wyoming for the American Indoor Football Association championship, fans at the Florence Civic Center will see a group of players who have taken various, if not unconventional, routes to get to this point.

The Florence Phantoms have spent an entire season proving people wrong.

When the Florence Phantoms roll into the Sovereign Center tonight to face Reading for the American Indoor Football Association Eastern Conference championship, the game might have a league championship feel.

During their six-game winning streak, the Florence Phantoms have punished their opponents on both sides of the ball.
For the season, the Phantoms have outscored their opponents 47-31 on average, and they will put everything on the line tonight when they head to Concord, N.C. to face Carolina in the regular-season finale.
A win over the Speed coupled with a Reading loss to Baltimore Monday night will give Florence (9-4) home field advantage throughout the American Indoor Football Association playoffs.

FLORENCE — Any fan who watches the Florence Phantoms practice at the Florence Civic Center or The Byrnes Schools will see a team having loads of fun doing what they love the most.

The Florence Phantoms would take a division title over a rivalry trophy any day. On Saturday, they got both.
And because of what happened several states to the north, the Phantoms, who disposed of Augusta 56-22 at the Florence Civic Center, are in a position to do something really big for themselves.
Because of Reading’s 66-26 win over Erie on Saturday night, Florence (9-4) can wrap up the top seed in the AIFA Eastern Conference and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs by winning at Carolina next Saturday night.

It’s never too late to renew an old rivalry.
After a two-year sabbatical, the I-20 Cup will be defended when the Florence Phantoms and Augusta Colts square off tonight at the Florence Civic Center.
Augusta has taken the first three games in a series which dates back to when the Phantoms were in Myrtle Beach as a member of the World Indoor Football League.