Midseason report cards:
Naga
Salford Storm (3-5) at Alpha Beta's (1-7)
Possibly the most disappointing team this season, The Storm need to get it rolling soon or they will be watching the playoffs this season. Last weeks loss to the Deluxe may have been their undoing. Midseason grade: C-
The Betas meanwhile, they are just trying to survive their first season in AA. The stats (nearly last in both offense and defense) say their aint getting it done. Midseason grade: D
The Storm are the latest to run circles around this defense. Storm by 35.
Jakarta Yellow Devils (7-1) at Brutal Deluxe (3-5)
Let it be known the Yellow Devils are for real. The end the season with the Firebirds, Mountain Men, and Lions, which means they will be a large factor in the conference title. Midseason grade: A
The Deluxe were in the midst of what appeared to be an ugly season, but then they rose up and knocked off the Storm last week. Several winnable games appear to be left for them. Midseason grade: C-
The Devils continue on their trek towards a home playoff game. Devils by 28.
Algeria Addiction (8-0) at Cambodia Mountain Men (8-0)
Obviously the game of the week in Naga, as the last two undefeated teams battle it out for midseason supremacy. You have to give them both As at this point, having done exactly what was expected out of them. The Mountain Mens resume over the first half looks a bit stronger at this point, but this game will move one of the two to the front of the class.
Got to be a homer again. Mountain Men by 7.
Tibet Psychonauts (4-4) at Manila Cyberballers (1-7)
A couple wins have gotten the Psychonauts back in the playoff race. Their schedule has mostly consisted of the new teams thus far, so the record is perhaps a bit disappointing given this is their 2nd season in AA. Midseason grade: C
Some had high hopes for the Cyberballers this season, given their strong finish last year. Alas, that has not panned out. The losses have been ugly many times and the lone win is a 3 pointer over the Dogs. Midseason grade: D-
Tibet keeps the train rolling for one more week. Psychonauts by 24.
Hell Valley Snow Monkeys (6-2) at Phuket Water Dragons (2-6)
The Snow Monkeys probably have the toughest second half of the schedule of any Naga team so a win this week is vital. Up to this point, they have shown that they can beat up the second division teams. Midseason grade: B-
Another team with high expectations coming into the season, the Dragons have floundered through a tough first half schedule. More wins will come in the 2nd half, but the damage may be already done. Midseason grade: D
The Dragons pull off the shocker of the week. Dragons by 3.
Sumatra Sting (7-1) at Pingree Grove Pits (1-7)
Aside from the loss to the Yellow Devils, the Sting have cruised through their schedule but the tough part is on the horizon. The next three weeks are huge for them to get in playoff position before ending the season with some real testers. Midseason grade: A-
The Pits have really struggled in their second season and the second half doesnt look too promising. They will need a major overhaul soon if they want to take the next step at this level. Midseason grade: D
The Sting continue their winning ways. Sting by 20.
Mount Fiji Dogs (0-8) at Pontianak Firebirds (3-5)
Like the Storm, its now or forget it for the Firebirds, four losses in a row has put them on the verge of a lost season. This week is a given, but can they find enough wins in the second half to get back in it? Midseason grade: C-
Awful is all you can say about the Dogs season thus far. Right now, its hard to see them anywhere but A next season. Midseason grade: F
The Firebirds get the second half started big. Firebirds by 60.
Subic Bay Admirals (4-4) at Singapore J.B. Lions (7-1)
The Lions come off their first loss of the season, but they have shown that they are a legit threat to claim a home playoff game. They will have to earn it though, some tough second half games. Midseason grade: A-
The Admirals are coming off 3 consecutive tough losses. They have the potential though to put up a big total in the second half as the defense has played well in most every game. Midseason grade: B-
The Admirals catch the Lions at the right time. Admirals by 1.
Garuda
San Fran Gold Rush (7-1) at Arctic Avalanche (5-3)
In the Rushs first test of the season, they get knocked off by the Riders. They have something to prove in the second half. Midseason grade: B
The Avalanche have shown they can hold their own at AA, having knocked off several of their fellow promotees. Will be interesting to see if they can reach the playoffs, doable, but not easy. Midseason grade: C+
The Rush take out some frustrations this week. Rush by 28.
Thung Yai Tigers (3-5) at Hanoi Predators (0-8)
The Tigers have been on feast or famine all season. A few teams they can dominate, but struggling with the upper tier teams. Midseason grade: C-
The Predators already have their ticket to A (1 touchdown all season long), but the Waves may stand in their way. Midseason grade: F
The Tigers get a gift from Hanoi. Tigers by 35.
Midway Maulers (2-6) at Kyoto Samurai (1-7)
Wins over the Dragons and the Waves are all the Maulers have been able to muster in the first half. A much easier 2nd half, but the potential is bleak right now. Midseason grade: D
Even worse for the Samurai, their only success has come against Hanoi, not much to brad about over that. The will have a real tough time finding more that a win or two left on their schedule. Midseason grade: D-
Maulers add to their resume. Maulers by 14.
SBI Waves (0-8) at Palembang Tigers (7-1)
The rebuilding of the Waves is going to take some time. They will be back in AA soon, but perhaps not next season. Midseason grade: F
The Tigers have a Riders, Toys, and Rush stretch coming up so they have a shot at making some noise. The first half loss to the Avalanche raises some doubt though. Midseason grade: B+
No test this week for the Tigers. Tigers by 50.
Tibetan Drunk Monks (3-5) at Sault Ste Marie Metalheads (8-0)
The Metalheads still must show they can get past the Riders, Toys, and Rush but you cant argue with their first half success no one has been within 30 of them. Midseason grade: A
Drunk Monks are fun to watch anyways. They have been somewhat competitive throughout a tough first half schedule. Should be some wins coming in the second half. Midseason grade: C
No win for the Monks this week. Metalheads by 35.
The Pretenders (3-5) at Shanghai Cheetahs (4-4)
The Pretenders have struggled against the top teams but the second half schedule is very favorable for a playoff run. Midseason grade: C-
The Cheetahs are keeping their heads above water at this point and have the potential to make a run at a playoff spot. Midseason grade: C
The Pretenders make their move. Pretenders by 10.
Garut Fire Horses (3-5) at Shanghai Shadow Dragons (3-5)
You never know what you are going to get out of the Horses. Each big win seems to be followed by a disappointing loss. Midseason grade: C
The Shadow Dragons either get blown out or do the blowing. I am afraid there is more of the former on their horizon. Midseason grade: C-
The Horses show up this week. Horses by 20.
The Elephant Riders (7-1) at Thailand Cheap Toys (7-1)
Aside from that opening day loss, the Riders have been perfect, including a big win over the Rush last week. Midseason grade: A-
The Toys only blemish was an unexpected loss to the Horses. The next two weeks (Riders & Rush) will determine just how unexpected it was. Midseason grade: B+
The Riders keep the foot to the metal. Riders by 3.
Naga
Salford Storm (3-5) at Alpha Beta's (1-7)
Possibly the most disappointing team this season, The Storm need to get it rolling soon or they will be watching the playoffs this season. Last weeks loss to the Deluxe may have been their undoing. Midseason grade: C-
The Betas meanwhile, they are just trying to survive their first season in AA. The stats (nearly last in both offense and defense) say their aint getting it done. Midseason grade: D
The Storm are the latest to run circles around this defense. Storm by 35.
Jakarta Yellow Devils (7-1) at Brutal Deluxe (3-5)
Let it be known the Yellow Devils are for real. The end the season with the Firebirds, Mountain Men, and Lions, which means they will be a large factor in the conference title. Midseason grade: A
The Deluxe were in the midst of what appeared to be an ugly season, but then they rose up and knocked off the Storm last week. Several winnable games appear to be left for them. Midseason grade: C-
The Devils continue on their trek towards a home playoff game. Devils by 28.
Algeria Addiction (8-0) at Cambodia Mountain Men (8-0)
Obviously the game of the week in Naga, as the last two undefeated teams battle it out for midseason supremacy. You have to give them both As at this point, having done exactly what was expected out of them. The Mountain Mens resume over the first half looks a bit stronger at this point, but this game will move one of the two to the front of the class.
Got to be a homer again. Mountain Men by 7.
Tibet Psychonauts (4-4) at Manila Cyberballers (1-7)
A couple wins have gotten the Psychonauts back in the playoff race. Their schedule has mostly consisted of the new teams thus far, so the record is perhaps a bit disappointing given this is their 2nd season in AA. Midseason grade: C
Some had high hopes for the Cyberballers this season, given their strong finish last year. Alas, that has not panned out. The losses have been ugly many times and the lone win is a 3 pointer over the Dogs. Midseason grade: D-
Tibet keeps the train rolling for one more week. Psychonauts by 24.
Hell Valley Snow Monkeys (6-2) at Phuket Water Dragons (2-6)
The Snow Monkeys probably have the toughest second half of the schedule of any Naga team so a win this week is vital. Up to this point, they have shown that they can beat up the second division teams. Midseason grade: B-
Another team with high expectations coming into the season, the Dragons have floundered through a tough first half schedule. More wins will come in the 2nd half, but the damage may be already done. Midseason grade: D
The Dragons pull off the shocker of the week. Dragons by 3.
Sumatra Sting (7-1) at Pingree Grove Pits (1-7)
Aside from the loss to the Yellow Devils, the Sting have cruised through their schedule but the tough part is on the horizon. The next three weeks are huge for them to get in playoff position before ending the season with some real testers. Midseason grade: A-
The Pits have really struggled in their second season and the second half doesnt look too promising. They will need a major overhaul soon if they want to take the next step at this level. Midseason grade: D
The Sting continue their winning ways. Sting by 20.
Mount Fiji Dogs (0-8) at Pontianak Firebirds (3-5)
Like the Storm, its now or forget it for the Firebirds, four losses in a row has put them on the verge of a lost season. This week is a given, but can they find enough wins in the second half to get back in it? Midseason grade: C-
Awful is all you can say about the Dogs season thus far. Right now, its hard to see them anywhere but A next season. Midseason grade: F
The Firebirds get the second half started big. Firebirds by 60.
Subic Bay Admirals (4-4) at Singapore J.B. Lions (7-1)
The Lions come off their first loss of the season, but they have shown that they are a legit threat to claim a home playoff game. They will have to earn it though, some tough second half games. Midseason grade: A-
The Admirals are coming off 3 consecutive tough losses. They have the potential though to put up a big total in the second half as the defense has played well in most every game. Midseason grade: B-
The Admirals catch the Lions at the right time. Admirals by 1.
Garuda
San Fran Gold Rush (7-1) at Arctic Avalanche (5-3)
In the Rushs first test of the season, they get knocked off by the Riders. They have something to prove in the second half. Midseason grade: B
The Avalanche have shown they can hold their own at AA, having knocked off several of their fellow promotees. Will be interesting to see if they can reach the playoffs, doable, but not easy. Midseason grade: C+
The Rush take out some frustrations this week. Rush by 28.
Thung Yai Tigers (3-5) at Hanoi Predators (0-8)
The Tigers have been on feast or famine all season. A few teams they can dominate, but struggling with the upper tier teams. Midseason grade: C-
The Predators already have their ticket to A (1 touchdown all season long), but the Waves may stand in their way. Midseason grade: F
The Tigers get a gift from Hanoi. Tigers by 35.
Midway Maulers (2-6) at Kyoto Samurai (1-7)
Wins over the Dragons and the Waves are all the Maulers have been able to muster in the first half. A much easier 2nd half, but the potential is bleak right now. Midseason grade: D
Even worse for the Samurai, their only success has come against Hanoi, not much to brad about over that. The will have a real tough time finding more that a win or two left on their schedule. Midseason grade: D-
Maulers add to their resume. Maulers by 14.
SBI Waves (0-8) at Palembang Tigers (7-1)
The rebuilding of the Waves is going to take some time. They will be back in AA soon, but perhaps not next season. Midseason grade: F
The Tigers have a Riders, Toys, and Rush stretch coming up so they have a shot at making some noise. The first half loss to the Avalanche raises some doubt though. Midseason grade: B+
No test this week for the Tigers. Tigers by 50.
Tibetan Drunk Monks (3-5) at Sault Ste Marie Metalheads (8-0)
The Metalheads still must show they can get past the Riders, Toys, and Rush but you cant argue with their first half success no one has been within 30 of them. Midseason grade: A
Drunk Monks are fun to watch anyways. They have been somewhat competitive throughout a tough first half schedule. Should be some wins coming in the second half. Midseason grade: C
No win for the Monks this week. Metalheads by 35.
The Pretenders (3-5) at Shanghai Cheetahs (4-4)
The Pretenders have struggled against the top teams but the second half schedule is very favorable for a playoff run. Midseason grade: C-
The Cheetahs are keeping their heads above water at this point and have the potential to make a run at a playoff spot. Midseason grade: C
The Pretenders make their move. Pretenders by 10.
Garut Fire Horses (3-5) at Shanghai Shadow Dragons (3-5)
You never know what you are going to get out of the Horses. Each big win seems to be followed by a disappointing loss. Midseason grade: C
The Shadow Dragons either get blown out or do the blowing. I am afraid there is more of the former on their horizon. Midseason grade: C-
The Horses show up this week. Horses by 20.
The Elephant Riders (7-1) at Thailand Cheap Toys (7-1)
Aside from that opening day loss, the Riders have been perfect, including a big win over the Rush last week. Midseason grade: A-
The Toys only blemish was an unexpected loss to the Horses. The next two weeks (Riders & Rush) will determine just how unexpected it was. Midseason grade: B+
The Riders keep the foot to the metal. Riders by 3.
