What Is 2013 Iowa Barnstormers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Iowa Barnstormers football team competed in the Indoor Football League (IFL) as a member of the United Conference, finishing the regular season with a 9–9 record and losing in the first round of the playoffs.

Key Facts

The 2013 Iowa Barnstormers played in the Indoor Football League (IFL) under head coach Joe Brannen
They finished the regular season with a 9–9 win-loss record
The team played home games at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa
They qualified for the playoffs but lost 48–45 to the Nebraska Danger in the first round
Quarterback Jonathan Randle led the team with 2,758 passing yards and 57 touchdowns

Overview

The 2013 Iowa Barnstormers were a professional indoor football team based in Des Moines, Iowa, competing in the Indoor Football League (IFL). Coached by Joe Brannen, the team represented the Barnstormers' continued presence in the IFL after transitioning from the Arena Football League in 2011.

During the 2013 season, the Barnstormers played in the United Conference and aimed to improve on their previous playoff appearance. Despite a balanced regular season, they advanced to the postseason but were eliminated in the first round.

Head coach Joe Brannen led the team through a competitive 18-game regular season schedule, striving for consistency in offensive execution and defensive discipline.
The Barnstormers finished the 2013 regular season with a 9–9 record, securing a playoff berth as the fourth seed in the United Conference.
Home games were played at the Wells Fargo Arena, which provided a strong fan presence and averaged over 8,000 attendees per game.
Quarterback Jonathan Randle threw for 2,758 yards and 57 touchdowns, leading the team's offensive efforts throughout the season.
The team’s playoff run ended in the first round with a 48–45 loss to the Nebraska Danger, a narrow defeat that concluded their 2013 campaign.

How It Works

The Iowa Barnstormers operated under the standard structure of the Indoor Football League, featuring a 14-week regular season, specialized rules for indoor play, and a single-elimination playoff format.

Season Format: The IFL regular season consisted of 18 games per team from March to July, with standings determining playoff qualification. The top four teams in each conference advanced.
Game Rules: Indoor football features an 85-foot wide field, 50-yard long with rebound nets, and eight players per side. This creates a faster-paced, high-scoring game compared to outdoor football.
Playoff Structure: The 2013 IFL playoffs included eight teams total—four from each conference—with single-elimination rounds culminating in the United Bowl.
Player Roster: Each team carried around 20 active players per game, including specialists for offense, defense, and kicking; the Barnstormers relied heavily on veteran leadership and depth.
Coaching Strategy: Head coach Joe Brannen emphasized aggressive passing and quick defensive reads, adapting tactics weekly based on opponent weaknesses and injury reports.
Home Field Advantage: Playing at Wells Fargo Arena gave the Barnstormers strong crowd support, contributing to a 6–3 home record during the 2013 season.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2013 Iowa Barnstormers' performance against other top teams in the United Conference:

Team	Record	Points For	Points Against	Playoff Result
Nebraska Danger	12–6	1,052	938	United Bowl Runner-Up
Sioux Falls Storm	13–5	1,123	847	United Bowl Champions
Iowa Barnstormers	9–9	984	976	Lost in First Round
Omaha Beef	7–11	892	1,014	Did Not Qualify
Wichita Wild	5–13	837	1,066	Did Not Qualify

The table highlights that while the Barnstormers had a balanced scoring differential, they trailed conference leaders in consistency and defensive efficiency. Their 9–9 record reflected a middling performance, with just enough strength to reach the playoffs but not advance further.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was significant for maintaining the Barnstormers' reputation as a competitive IFL franchise despite financial and roster challenges common in indoor football.

The team demonstrated resilience by reaching the playoffs despite a mid-season 3-game losing streak that threatened their postseason hopes.
Quarterback Jonathan Randle’s performance solidified his status as one of the IFL’s top passing leaders for the year.
Attendance figures showed strong local support, with an average of 8,200 fans per game, indicating healthy market engagement.
The Barnstormers’ continued operation helped sustain professional football in Iowa, providing entertainment and community outreach programs.
Player development during the season contributed to several athletes moving to higher leagues, including the Arena Football League and CFL.
The season underscored the challenges of small-market teams in maintaining financial and competitive stability in indoor football.

Overall, the 2013 Iowa Barnstormers season reflected both the opportunities and obstacles inherent in professional indoor football, serving as a case study in regional sports sustainability.