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The Coaches: Old vs. New: Sam Conlan was Gainesville's first head coach. During his five years as head coach, he never had a losing season but he only led the Gaels to one playoff appearance. After days of deliberation, the Gaels decided against offering him a new contract and offered a huge deal to former Utah coach, Britt Richard. Richard is a former Stevens Cup winner and was considered one of the best coaches in the league.
Three years later, Conlan has lead Punxsutawney to three straight playoff appearances while this is Richard’s first trip to the playoffs as coach of the Gaels. Conlan felt betrayed by the Gaels front office when he was not offered a contract after helping to build that team. Expect him to take great joy in trying to beat his former team.
The QB’s - Old vs. Old:
Nobody wanted either starting QB during the 2013 offseason. Warren Poland only received contract offers from two teams: Punxsutawney and Gainesville. Poland signed with the Phils because they offered him a million dollars more than Gainesville. The Gaels signed Damon Bishop after failing to sign Poland and only as an insurance policy if QB Lorenzo Kaplan was injured. Neither team expected much from the two FA signings,
All Poland did was have the best year in his career at 29. 19 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. Poland started 15 games and had a career high in completion percentage. He led his team to a franchise best 13-3 record and 11 game winning streak. Damon Bishop’s road to the Stevens Cup was very different. He was a backup until week 11 and only became the starter because Kaplan could not avoid interceptions. Not much was expected from Bishop and Coach Richard was quoted as saying that all he expected from Bishop was that he would not turnover the ball.
Bishop did more than that. A QB rating of 111 and an 8-2 record (including the playoffs). Bishop led the Gaels to their first division crown and first Stevens Cup appearance. At 35 years old, he is attempting to become the second QB to win two Stevens Cups and the first to win a Cup with two different teams.
The Difference Maker?
The Gaels and the Phils met in Week 14. The Gaels stormed ahead to a 21=10 lead behind a great first half from backup RB Chris Bumpers. The Phils caught fire in the second half outscoring the Gaels 17-7. Former Gaels RB Warren Bryant helped his team fight back with 112 yards and 2 Tds. Warren Poland was almost perfect going 21-26 for 274 yds.
Looking at the box score and game log could convince you that the Stevens Cup will go the same way however there is one name missing from the box score. S JJ Fedolfi. Fedolfi is by far the best defensive player on the Gaels. He is a four time pro bowler and All Pro. He missed the Week 14 matchup because of a separated shoulder. Fedolfi is now 100% and ready to go. If I was going to pick one player that could effect the game with one play it would be Fedolfi. Whether it’s from an interception, tackle or kickoff return, I expect his presence to be huge.
Prediction:
Gainesville 31-21
The Coaches: Old vs. New: Sam Conlan was Gainesville's first head coach. During his five years as head coach, he never had a losing season but he only led the Gaels to one playoff appearance. After days of deliberation, the Gaels decided against offering him a new contract and offered a huge deal to former Utah coach, Britt Richard. Richard is a former Stevens Cup winner and was considered one of the best coaches in the league.
Three years later, Conlan has lead Punxsutawney to three straight playoff appearances while this is Richard’s first trip to the playoffs as coach of the Gaels. Conlan felt betrayed by the Gaels front office when he was not offered a contract after helping to build that team. Expect him to take great joy in trying to beat his former team.
The QB’s - Old vs. Old:
Nobody wanted either starting QB during the 2013 offseason. Warren Poland only received contract offers from two teams: Punxsutawney and Gainesville. Poland signed with the Phils because they offered him a million dollars more than Gainesville. The Gaels signed Damon Bishop after failing to sign Poland and only as an insurance policy if QB Lorenzo Kaplan was injured. Neither team expected much from the two FA signings,
All Poland did was have the best year in his career at 29. 19 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. Poland started 15 games and had a career high in completion percentage. He led his team to a franchise best 13-3 record and 11 game winning streak. Damon Bishop’s road to the Stevens Cup was very different. He was a backup until week 11 and only became the starter because Kaplan could not avoid interceptions. Not much was expected from Bishop and Coach Richard was quoted as saying that all he expected from Bishop was that he would not turnover the ball.
Bishop did more than that. A QB rating of 111 and an 8-2 record (including the playoffs). Bishop led the Gaels to their first division crown and first Stevens Cup appearance. At 35 years old, he is attempting to become the second QB to win two Stevens Cups and the first to win a Cup with two different teams.
The Difference Maker?
The Gaels and the Phils met in Week 14. The Gaels stormed ahead to a 21=10 lead behind a great first half from backup RB Chris Bumpers. The Phils caught fire in the second half outscoring the Gaels 17-7. Former Gaels RB Warren Bryant helped his team fight back with 112 yards and 2 Tds. Warren Poland was almost perfect going 21-26 for 274 yds.
Looking at the box score and game log could convince you that the Stevens Cup will go the same way however there is one name missing from the box score. S JJ Fedolfi. Fedolfi is by far the best defensive player on the Gaels. He is a four time pro bowler and All Pro. He missed the Week 14 matchup because of a separated shoulder. Fedolfi is now 100% and ready to go. If I was going to pick one player that could effect the game with one play it would be Fedolfi. Whether it’s from an interception, tackle or kickoff return, I expect his presence to be huge.
Prediction:
Gainesville 31-21
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