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Week Ten
Top Five
1. Phoenix Riders (8-1) - W 24-7 over Utah Bees - LW #1
An ugly win is still a win. The offense struggled to move the ball, but the defense caused three turnovers. Next week the Riders stay on the road to face the (5-4) Denver Grizzlies. Phoenix won the first match up, week one, 34-21. I expect a similar finish.
2. Baltimore Bulls (8-1) - W 38-17 over Boston Fighting Irish - LW #2
The Bulls defense gave up over 400 yards but QB Gabe Mathews was nearly perfect. The Baltimore signal-caller threw for 273 yards on 21/24 passing, three touchdowns and a fourth quarter 5-yard touchdown run. This might be the MVP of the league. Next week they host the (3-6) Brooklyn Hitmen.
3. St. Paul Bandits (8-1) - Bye Week – LW #3
The Bandits rested this week, and probably spent some extra time in the film room studying their next opponent. For Week 11, the Bandits host the (5-4) Dakota Totems. The last time these teams played, Week 1, Dakota won 42-39. I expect the Bandits to get their revenge.
4. New Orleans Stingrays (7-2) - Bye Week - LW #5
The Stingrays will look to extend their win-streak to four next week against the (4-5) Waco Warhawks. These teams played earlier this season, with New Orleans winning 23-17 in overtime. Should be a good one.
5. Kalispel Stags – (7-2) - W 30-3 over Port City Steam - LW NR
Back in the top five! The Stags dismantled the Steam this week. Superstar Tight End Buddy Offord caught five passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. Next week the Stags host the (3-6) Washington Bombers. The Stags beat the Bombers 23-7 earlier this season.
Bottom One
1. Charlotte Knights - L 17-23 to Gainesville Gaels in OT
Over-time losses always hurt, especially when you are 0-10 on the season. Next week the Knights are on a bye, and will rest up for the stretch run. Their first opponent, is at home against the (2-7) Port City Steam. I'm calling it now. Knights win.
Game of the Week
Wow. Nailed this prediction. What a game. Two of the leagues best teams. Yuma trailed 10-17 going into the 4th quarter, but then scored 35 straight points to finish out the game. Crazy. Big win for the Aces, as they are now tied with San Fransisco for the NC West lead at (5-4). The loss separates Camden from South Maryland in the NC East.
Week 11s "Game of the Week" is between the (8-1) St. Paul Bandits and (5-4) Dakota Totems. A loss this week, dropped the Totems into a group of four teams, all (5-4), fighting for the NC Wild Card. To keep pace, they will have to win. The Bandits however, are sitting comfortable at (8-1), but if they want homefield in the playoffs, they have to keep up with (8-1) Baltimore.
Player Spotlights
This weeks offensive spotlight is on Dakota Totem Wide Receiver Jerry Frye. The second-year WR out of Illinois had 13 catches, 235 yards and a touchdown. The impressive performance was not enough for the Totems to win however.
This weeks defensive spotlight is on Pearl Harbor Defender Linebacker Vernon Abrams. The linebacker played four seasons in Utah before coming to Pearl Harbor. He had 1.5 career sacks. Last season, his first with the Defenders, he had 16 sacks. This season, he has eight, including four on Sunday in the 9-13 loss to Brooklyn.
Extra Points
1. Special Teams is very important. However, the Gainesville Gaels (3-7), are proving that you also need a good offense and defense to win. The Gaels have arguably the best Punt Returner in Scottie Smith, who leads the league in PR average. The Gaels have arguably the best Kick Returner in JJ Fedolfi, who leads the league in KR yards and is second in average. Both have a return for a TD this season. The Gaels Punter, Ralph Vought, was franchised this off-season. The Gaels Kicker, Darrell Dakis, was the first kicker taken in this years draft.
2. I'm on a bye this week, and then I play three straight road games. Damn.
Top Five
1. Phoenix Riders (8-1) - W 24-7 over Utah Bees - LW #1An ugly win is still a win. The offense struggled to move the ball, but the defense caused three turnovers. Next week the Riders stay on the road to face the (5-4) Denver Grizzlies. Phoenix won the first match up, week one, 34-21. I expect a similar finish.
2. Baltimore Bulls (8-1) - W 38-17 over Boston Fighting Irish - LW #2The Bulls defense gave up over 400 yards but QB Gabe Mathews was nearly perfect. The Baltimore signal-caller threw for 273 yards on 21/24 passing, three touchdowns and a fourth quarter 5-yard touchdown run. This might be the MVP of the league. Next week they host the (3-6) Brooklyn Hitmen.
3. St. Paul Bandits (8-1) - Bye Week – LW #3The Bandits rested this week, and probably spent some extra time in the film room studying their next opponent. For Week 11, the Bandits host the (5-4) Dakota Totems. The last time these teams played, Week 1, Dakota won 42-39. I expect the Bandits to get their revenge.
4. New Orleans Stingrays (7-2) - Bye Week - LW #5The Stingrays will look to extend their win-streak to four next week against the (4-5) Waco Warhawks. These teams played earlier this season, with New Orleans winning 23-17 in overtime. Should be a good one.
5. Kalispel Stags – (7-2) - W 30-3 over Port City Steam - LW NRBack in the top five! The Stags dismantled the Steam this week. Superstar Tight End Buddy Offord caught five passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. Next week the Stags host the (3-6) Washington Bombers. The Stags beat the Bombers 23-7 earlier this season.
Bottom One
1. Charlotte Knights - L 17-23 to Gainesville Gaels in OTOver-time losses always hurt, especially when you are 0-10 on the season. Next week the Knights are on a bye, and will rest up for the stretch run. Their first opponent, is at home against the (2-7) Port City Steam. I'm calling it now. Knights win.
Game of the Week
Wow. Nailed this prediction. What a game. Two of the leagues best teams. Yuma trailed 10-17 going into the 4th quarter, but then scored 35 straight points to finish out the game. Crazy. Big win for the Aces, as they are now tied with San Fransisco for the NC West lead at (5-4). The loss separates Camden from South Maryland in the NC East.
Week 11s "Game of the Week" is between the (8-1) St. Paul Bandits and (5-4) Dakota Totems. A loss this week, dropped the Totems into a group of four teams, all (5-4), fighting for the NC Wild Card. To keep pace, they will have to win. The Bandits however, are sitting comfortable at (8-1), but if they want homefield in the playoffs, they have to keep up with (8-1) Baltimore.
Player Spotlights
This weeks offensive spotlight is on Dakota Totem Wide Receiver Jerry Frye. The second-year WR out of Illinois had 13 catches, 235 yards and a touchdown. The impressive performance was not enough for the Totems to win however.
This weeks defensive spotlight is on Pearl Harbor Defender Linebacker Vernon Abrams. The linebacker played four seasons in Utah before coming to Pearl Harbor. He had 1.5 career sacks. Last season, his first with the Defenders, he had 16 sacks. This season, he has eight, including four on Sunday in the 9-13 loss to Brooklyn.
Extra Points
1. Special Teams is very important. However, the Gainesville Gaels (3-7), are proving that you also need a good offense and defense to win. The Gaels have arguably the best Punt Returner in Scottie Smith, who leads the league in PR average. The Gaels have arguably the best Kick Returner in JJ Fedolfi, who leads the league in KR yards and is second in average. Both have a return for a TD this season. The Gaels Punter, Ralph Vought, was franchised this off-season. The Gaels Kicker, Darrell Dakis, was the first kicker taken in this years draft.
2. I'm on a bye this week, and then I play three straight road games. Damn.
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