Montgomery Flames

Flames helmet and logo

The **Montgomery Flames** are an American professional football team based in Montgomery, Alabama. They are members of the east division of conference one in the North American Continental Football League. The Flames appeared in the first Raven Bowl of all time, but lost to the Milwaukee Guardians 25-28. They rebounded in the second season and defeated the Toronto Tracers 42-24.

The team was established in 2023 after the creation of the NACFL along with the El Paso Tigers, Orlando Ocelots, Cancun Cavers, Rochester Magicians, Milwaukee Guardians, Toronto Tracers, and the Vancouver Astronauts.

The club has gone 67-47 in regular season franchise history and 5-4 in their playoff experiences.

## Roster

* **10** *Tim Reynolds*
* **14** Kyle Trask

**Running Backs**
* **33** Jim Henderson
* *vacant*

**Wide Receivers**
* **7** *Rev Brady*
* **9** Septon Jameison
* **5** Brandon Locke
* **1** *Thomas Victory*
* **11** Deshaun Tuckman

**Tight Ends**
* **84** Sceptre Kremlin
* **85** J.R. Hendrix

**Offensive Linemen'**
* **89** *Everett Woodson*
* **99** *Commodore Albatross*
* **67** Peter Ashley
* **72** *Thomas Webster*
* **95** Bill Kittner
* **64** Enson Falgo
* **92** *Estra Commons*
* **86** *Cinna Potry*
* **83** Entri Gunner

**Linebackers**
* **15** Olsen Holmes
* **22** Will Lucas
* **2** *Lockett Winston*
* **19** Briskett Young
* **12** Fred Warner

**Defensive Backs**
* **23** Jalen Ramsey
* **22** Colton James
* **37** Carnage Thames
* **26** Adrian Amos III
* **27** Holmgren Rock
* **35** DeAndre Zeze

**Special Teams**
* **8** Austin Butler

**Practice Squad**
* Currently vacant

*Rookies in italics*
Roster updated March 1, 2022

## Team history

### Matt LaFleur - Jimmy Garoppolo era: 2023-2026

#### 2023: 12-0 and Raven Bowl appearance

Matt LaFleur was fired by the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League following the 2022 NFL season and was subsequently hired by the Flames as head coach. The hiring was considered one of the smartest moves in franchise history. LaFleur proved he was given the right job, as he went undefeated with one of the projected-worst teams in the entire league. In the debut season of the Montgomery Flames, they were the only undefeated team and their record is still only one of two teams who went undefeated during a regular season.

The Flames were heavy Raven Bowl favorites in the 2023 playoffs and the favorites were for a reason as the Flames demolished the Tigers in the first round of the playoffs, advancing to the Raven Bowl against the Milwaukee Guardians. After a great season, the Flames lost to the Guardians 25-28 in Raven Bowl I.

They were ranked first in the official NACFL final power rankings following the 2023 season.

#### 2024: 10-2, Raven Bowl II championship

After Matt LaFleur undoubtably proved himself as the best head coach in the NACFL, he showed constant support of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, former backup quarterback of Tom Brady, and Garoppolo proved himself in 2024. He went 378-523 for 4,487 yards, 43 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Garoppolo led the Flames to a 7-0 start in the regular season, but ultimately fell to 10-2 by the start of the playoffs.

Garoppolo continued to impress in the playoffs and devastated the Orlando Ocelots in the first round of the playoffs. The Flames advanced to Raven Bowl II and won the game against the Toronto Tracers 42-24. Garoppolo was named NACFL MVP following the season.

They were ranked first in the official NACFL final power rankings following the 2024 season.

#### 2025: 9-6, 15 week regular season, loss in Wild Card round

The Flames started off at a slow start, going 0-3 in their first three games. They were projected to receive the No. 2 overall draft pick in the 2026 NACFL draft because of their failures. Even so, the Flames rebounded and became one of the best teams in the NACFL. The Flames went 9-3 in their last 12 games and proved themselves ready for the playoffs.

The high hopes of the Flames came to a swift start when they led 21-0 at halftime in a Wild Card playoff game against the El Paso Tigers, but the second half did not replicate the first. Following three interceptions and a poor performance by Jimmy Garoppolo and the offense, the Flames lost 21-24 on a game-winning field goal.

They were ranked seventh in the official NACFL final power rankings following the 2025 season.

#### 2026: 8-7, loss in Wild Card round

Montgomery was reportedly "on the fringe" of searching for a new quarterback prior to the 2026 season, but ultimately decided against it. This was because of LaFleur's advice of keeping Garoppolo. In the 2026 draft, the Flames selected wide receiver Brandon Locke out of the University of Tennessee with their round one draft pick. This proved to pay off.

Brandon Locke broke multiple records with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback, with 2,012 receiving yards total and 11 touchdowns during the regular season. It was an international record in receiving yards, let alone a rookie, including all professional gridiron leagues and Locke was named Offensive Player of the Year for his success.

The Flames went 8-7 even with the Garoppolo-Locke chemistry and made the playoffs after defeating the Milwaukee Guardians in the regular season finale and clinching the playoffs with that victory. Even with their regular season success, Montgomery was shutout by the El Paso Tigers, 0-24, as Garoppolo played poorly and threw four interceptions.

Because of Garoppolo's importance and recent playoff failures, Montgomery began negotiating with certain teams around the league and eventually reached a deal with the Vancouver Astronauts. They traded Garoppolo for the No. 6 overall draft pick in the 2027 NACFL draft.

### Entrance of Kyle Trask, Matt LaFleur's down years: 2027-2029

#### 2027: 5-10, Kyle Trask's entrance and first losing record in franchise history

Kyle Trask, a former NFL quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, notably a backup for Tom Brady, was signed by the Flames during the 2026 offseason and was named the starter for the 2027 season. Montgomery used their two first round picks on tight end Sceptre Kremlin and linebacker Briskett Young. Montgomery was praised by the NACFL following the 2027 season for the best 2027 draft picks with Kremlin, Young, and cornerback Colton James.

Trask's performance was heavily underwhelming, as he went 310-564 for 3,320 yards, 24 touchdowns, and a ridiculous 20 interceptions. After the 5-10 season, Trask was expected to be waived or traded, but this never occurred. The Flames finished 5-10 without a playoff berth and missed the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and Matt LaFleur's NACFL career.

The Flames and Matt LaFleur were highly criticized for trading Garoppolo so early following the 2027 season and their failures. It was noted by ESPN as "the biggest mistake Montgomery has ever made". The Flames received the No. 4 overall draft pick for the 2028 NACFL draft because of their regular season failures in 2027.

#### 2028: 6-9, slight improvement and entrance of Septon Jameison

With the No. 4 overall draft pick in the 2028 NACFL draft, the Flames selected wide receiver Septon Jameison. The draft pick was considered the sixth best draft pick of the 2028 season.

Kyle Trask played similarly as in the 2027 season, but the Flames' rushing stats improved immensly with the signing of running back Jim Henderson. Jim Henderson ran for 2,609 yards and 18 touchdowns during the regular season of 2028. He was considered the fifth best player in the NACFL following the final power rankings of the NACFL season.

The Flames barely earned a playoff berth but lost in the Wild Card round.

Following the 6-9 regular season for the Blazes and the second consecutive losing year, the team wanted to trade or waive Kyle Trask. Montgomery was reportedly in negotiations with the Portland Bolts of the North division, but a full agreement was never met and on Matt LaFleur's choice, Kyle Trask was named the starter for the 2029 season.

The Flames finished twelfth in the final official NACFL power rankings.

#### 2029: 7-8, failure in playoffs

Although Trask was named the starting quarterback for the 2029 season, the Flames guaranteed that if they missed the playoffs for the third time consecutively that Trask would be replaced.

Trask did improve, going 412-578 for 4,622 yards, 42 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. In the regular season finale for Montgomery, they started 7-0 vs. the Vancouver Astronauts, but ultimately lost 14-17. The Flames finished 7-8 on the year and had a losing record for the third time consecutively. The Flames lost in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

After the heartbreaking end to Montgomery's season, the Flames didn't trade or waive Kyle Trask. Montgomery instead traded players to the El Paso Tigers to receive the No. 1 draft pick in the 2030 NACFL draft. It was speculated that the Flames would draft Arch Manning out of Texas, who was part of the Manning family football dynasty.

### Flames' return to Raven Bowl contention: 2030-present

#### 2030: 10-5, entrance of Tim Reynolds and break of losing streak

Although it was assumed the Flames would select Arch Manning with the No. 1 overall draft pick, but Manning fell to the No. 12 overall draft pick and was selected by the Louisiana Pelicans, ironically Manning's wish. Instead, the Flames selected Tim Reynolds of the University of Nebraska and it was later praised as one of the best choices in the NACFL draft. Arch Manning performed poorly, especially compared to Reynolds and was underwhelming.

In Tim Reynolds debut, the NACFL was proved wrong for their accusations of Reynolds being a terrible draft pick. Reynolds went 28-35 for 265 yards, 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions in the Flames' Week 1 victory against the Orlando Ocelots 45-17. For his success, Reynolds was named Week 1 Offensive Player of the Week.

As the Flames finished the regular season 10-5 and made the playoffs for the first time in four years, the Flames beat the Guatemala Relentless in the Wild Card round and the Orlando Ocelots in the Divisional Round before losing to the Panama Steamrollers, the eventual Raven Bowl champions. Montgomery finished second in the final NACFL power rankings.