Mid - States Football League Based in Chicago , the MSFL currently consists of 16 teams ; ten in Illinois , three in Indiana , and three in Wisconsin . Three teams have won national semi - pro football championships under the MSFL banner ; the Detroit Seminoles in 2002 and the Chicago Thunder in 2006 and 2008 . 1999 . The MSFL began in 1999 with five teams ; the Chicago Mavericks , Chicago Panthers , Force of Illinois , Indianapolis Warriors , and Metro East Stallions . The Force were crowned the MSFL ' s first champion with their 27 - 8 win over the Warriors in the championship game . 2000 . Although the Metro East Stallions folded after only one season , the MSFL was able to double in size by adding the Detroit Seminoles , Michiana Saints , and Michigan Huskies from the Michigan Football League , as well as the new expansion team the Lake County Steelers . Having won back - to - back MFL titles , the Seminoles carried their success to the MSFL , capping the first perfect season in league history with a championship win over the Force of Illinois , 35 - 14 . 2001 . 2001 was by far the MSFL ' s most tumultuous season , with the Chicago Mavericks and Force of Illinois leaving ( while the Mavericks folded , the Force merged with the Will County Buccaneers to form the Will County Force and play one season in the Mid Continental Football League ) . Although the Dowagiac Dawgs and Milwaukee Marauders joined that season , it saw the Chicago Panthers , Michiana Saints , and Michigan Huskies fold before year ' s end , once again reducing the league size to four times . Once again , the Detroit Seminoles reigned supreme , capping another perfect season with another title game win , defeating the Marauders by a score of 43 - 10 . 2002 . After the troubles of the preceding season , the MSFL rebounded in 2002 . In addition to the Force of Illinois returning , the MSFL took on the Lansing Lightning ( previously independent ) , Cook County Punishers ( previously of the Chicagoland Football League ) , Chicago Lawmen ( Tri - State Football League ) , and the newly - formed Milwaukee Avalanche ( replacing the Milwaukee Marauders , who had joined another league ) . However , it was the Detroit Seminoles who got their third straight MSFL crown and perfect season , with this championship being over the Punishers by a score of 27 - 7 . 2003 . Never having lost a game in their MSFL tenure , the Detroit Seminoles decided to move to the Mid Continental Football League for stronger competition . In addition , the Lansing Lightning moved to the Lakeshore Football League , the Indianapolis Warriors had previously announced their return only to drop out before the year ' s start , and the Dowagiac Dawgs and Milwaukee Avalanche both folded because of illness having struck both teams ' owners . The MSFL added the Cook County Jaguars to fill in the lineup ; however , it was the Chicago Lawmen who came away with the MSFL title that year , defeating the Cook County Punishers 9 - 0 . 2004 . The MSFL took 2004 off as commissioner Marc May got sick and the Chicago Lawmen , Cook County Jaguars , and Cook County Punishers all shut down . For that season , the Force of Illinois and Lake County Steelers played in the Chicagoland Football League . 2005 . 2005 saw the MSFL return with arguably the strongest team line - up in the Midwest . Although the proposed Milwaukee Rage , Dwight Blitz , Kankakee Bisons , Maywood Gators and Lincoln Tigers would never play a single MSFL down , the new MSFL had three teams which had won league titles the previous year ( Chicago Thunder , Leyden Lions , and Roscoe Rush ) , three more which were league runners - up the prior season ( Force of Illinois , Illinois Firehawks , and Indiana Titans ) . In addition , two had won league titles in 2003 ( Chicago Falcons and Lake County Chiefs ) . All these joined the Kankakee Seminoles , Chicago Wolverines , Bolingbrook Stallions , Bolingbrook Buccaneers , Central Indiana Bears , and Lake County Steelers to make the MSFL a strong and competitive circuit , with the climax coming in the championship game with the Chicago Thunder defeating the Indiana Titans by a score of 17 - 7 . 2006 . Although the Roscoe Rush left the MSFL to compete in the Ironman Football League , 2006 saw two new teams join ( the Mid - State Steel and the Lafayette Lions ) . Nonetheless , that year showed a battle of past and present dynasties compete for the MSFL title , with the Chicago Thunder defeating the Force of Illinois in overtime for the championship after both teams had played to a 21 - 21 tie in regulation . 2007 . For 2007 , the MSFL welcomed the Racine Threat and Northern Illinois Cowboys . However , the ending proved to be more of the same , with the Chicago Thunder once again winning the league championship , this time over the Bolingbrook Buccaneers by a score of 36 - 7 . 2008 . Although the Force of Illinois shut down , their owner Howard Huntington decided to stay as MSFL Commissioner . The Mid - State Steel and Indiana Titans returned from their respective hiatuses , with the Kankakee Plowmen joining the party . In what can be considered the greatest game in MSFL history , the Chicago Thunder defeated the Leyden Lions 26 - 21 to claim their fourth straight league title . 2009 . 2009 saw the Chicago Mustangs , Indianapolis Stampede , McHenry County Pirates , Kilbourn City Hawks , and Lincoln - Way Patriots join , as well as the Bolingbrook Buccaneers change their name to the Joliet Buccaneers . For the first time in six years , a team other than the Chicago Thunder won the MSFL title , as the Racine Threat defeated the Lincoln - Way Patriots 34 - 14 . 2010 . In 2010 , the Roscoe Rush will return to the MSFL , and the MSFL will welcome the legendary Racine Raiders into their fold , forming a cross - town rivalry with the defending MSFL champions Racine Threat . 2011 . In 2011 , the MSFL announced that the Lake Geneva Generals and the Springfield Foxes have both been accepted as the newest members of the Mid - States Football League for the upcoming 2011 season .