183:. The Explorers tied for 1st place with the Grand Rapids Blazers, who also had an 8–1–1 record. During the season, Joliet had defeated Grand Rapids 34–16 in their season opener at home and tied the teams 10–10 playing at Grand Rapids on October 7, 1965. Following the regular season, two teams played a two game playoff for the championship. On November 7, 1965, at
187:, Joliet won the first game 7–3 in front of 4,600 fans. On November 14, 1965, Joliet captured the championship with a 12–6 victory at Grand Rapids. LeRoy Adams, Chuck Billings, Art Dillard, Ed Francois, Ken McGhie, Bill Mundee, Walt Nichols, Ron Parr and Togo Silvani of Joliet were named to the 1965 All–PFLA team
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Webb threw for 840 yards with 9 touchdown passes on the season. The Omaha
Mustangs won the PFLA championship game, defeating the Des Moines Warriors. LeRoy Adams, Ollie Cromwell, Ralph Fahey, Ed Francois, Dave Mulderink, Bill Mundee and Togo Silvani of Joliet were awarded positions on the 1966 All–PFLA team.
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and changed their moniker to become the Joliet "Chargers" for the 1967 season. In 1967, the
Alabama Hawks won the Western Division with a 9–3 record and hosted the league's championship game at Milton Frank Stadium, losing 31–20 to the Joliet Chargers, who had won the Eastern Division with a 10–2
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and the
Lincoln Comets franchise did not return to league of America play and were not replaced, with the league playing with five teams in 1966. The Joliet Explorers placed third in the standings with a record of 6–4, playing under head coach Bob Webb. Also serving as the Joliet quarterback, Bob
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In their final season of play, the Joliet
Chargers captured the Pro Football League of America championship and fullback Paul Hudson of Joliet was named the PFLA's Most Valuable Player. To begin the 1967 season, the PFLA expanded, adding the
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In their first season of play, the Joliet
Explorers won the 1965 Pro Football League of America championship. The Explorers ended the regular season with a record of 8–1–1 record, playing under head coach
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The 1967 Joliet
Chargers were noted to have played home football games at "West Jefferson Stadium." This identification corresponds to the street location of Joliet Memorial Stadium.
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The 1966, Joliet
Explorers continued PFLA play and finished in third place in the five–team league. For the 1966 league season, the Rock Island Raiders franchise became the
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franchises joined the Joliet
Explorers as charter members of the league. The PFLA evolved from the disbanded United Football League and began play in the fall of 1965.
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239:. Opened in 1951, Joliet Memorial Stadium is still in use as a multi-purpose stadium. It is located at 3000 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois.
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and had a winless season. Joliet finished the 1964 season with a record of 0–14. The head coaches were Joe
Petruzzi (0–4), Rocco Tarsitano (0–6) and
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770:"ATI Field at Joliet Memorial Stadium | Sports & Athletic Facilities | Facilities | Joliet Park District"
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expanded to include some PFLA teams, but the Joliet franchise did not continue play in the
Continental Football League.
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record. LeRoy Adams, Paul Hudson, Walt Nichols and Sam Parham of the Chargers were named to the 1967 All–PFLA team.
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The PFLA began play in 1965, with the Joliet Explorers becoming a charter franchise in the six–team league. The
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156:(0–3). The Explorers placed fourth in the Eastern Division, won by Indianapolis Warriors with a 10–4 record.
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136:(PFLA) and played the next three seasons in the league. The 1967 Joliet Chargers were an affiliate of the
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and Oklahoma City Plainsmen franchises as expansion members. The 1967 league played in two divisions and
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The Pro Football League of America permanently folded following the 1967 season. In February 1968, the
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returned to coach Joliet. In May 1967, the Joliet franchise became an affiliate of the
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In the 1964, 1965 and 1966 seasons the Joliet Explorers played football home games at
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https://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/10-05-347.pdf
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In the 1964 season, the Joliet Explorers played the final season of the eight–team
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Moackler, Jim (November 14, 1966). "27-7 Loss To Warriors In Playoff".
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678:"1966 Pro Football League of America Awards - Pro Football Archives"
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535:"1965 Pro Football League of America - Pro Football Archives"
660:"1966 Joliet Explorers (PFLA) - Pro Football Archives"
570:"1965 Joliet Explorers (PFLA) - Pro Football Archives"
717:"1967 Joliet Chargers (PFLA) - Pro Football Archives"
499:"1964 United Football League - Pro Football Archives"
639:"1966 Omaha Mustangs (PFLA) - Pro Football Archives"
481:"1964 Joliet Chargers (UFL) - Pro Football Archives"
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132:. In 1965, Joliet became charter members of the
813:American football teams disestablished in 1967
556:"1964-1967 Joliet Explorers / Joliet Chargers"
305:Rocco Tarsitano (0-6-0) / Jack Morton (0-3-0)
828:Professional Football League of America teams
808:American football teams established in 1967
116:was the final nickname of the professional
833:Sports clubs and teams in Joliet, Illinois
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128:played the 1964 season as members of the
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520:. Associated Press. February 7, 1965.
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823:1967 disestablishments in Illinois
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747:. February 5, 1968. pp. 2–3.
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516:"UFL West Clubs Form Own Loop".
818:1967 establishments in Illinois
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124:from 1964 to 1967. The
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150:United Football League
130:United Football League
75:United Football League
518:The Indianapolis Star
167:, Lincoln Comets and
558:. December 21, 2014.
303:Joe Petruzzi (0-4-0)
165:Grand Rapids Blazers
90:Eastern (1964, 1967)
461:(1967, Asst. Coach)
173:Rock Island Raiders
161:Des Moines Warriors
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60:Home stadium
429:Jack Morton
405:Levert Carr
231:The stadium
154:Jack Morton
82:(1965–1967)
66:(1965–1967)
55:(1965–1967)
33:Established
802:Categories
467:References
447:Jesse Vail
423:Gary Lewis
417:Alvin Hall
399:Bob Briggs
384:Jesse Vail
334:Jesse Vail
209:Jesse Vail
181:Jesse Vail
459:Bob Zeman
411:Roy Curry
358:Bob Webb
441:Pat Shea
106:(1) 1967
87:Division
49:Based in
215:of the
144:History
455:(1967)
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425:(1964)
419:(1964)
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407:(1967)
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273:Coach
270:Finish
258:League
77:(1964)
71:League
41:Folded
366:1967
343:1966
313:1965
281:1964
255:Year
171:and
112:The
44:1967
36:1964
378:1st
355:3rd
330:1st
298:4th
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261:W
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