The Great Wall of Bel Air
Bel Air Beardogs 24
Grand Haven Mist 0
The Great Wall was constructed over several generations to repel threats to the people of China. It was the greatest defensive structure in Ancient history and, though ultimately ineffective, held the powerful Mongols at bay for years. Bel Air has its own Great Wall : a defense that has only given up 3 points in their last 4 games.
The Great Wall of Bel Air has only allowed double digit points in 3 of the 10 games played this season, two of which were losses. There is no absence of pressure on the Bel Air defense, but in recent weeks it has come into its own and proven it can carry the team to wins against some of the leagues toughest competition.
Despite a 3 interception day, the passing attack of Bel Air showed up in a big way when both Beard OG and Furious Monotony were held relatively in check. The Big Ticket had his best game, yard-wise, thus far with 245 and two TDs to go along with the aforementioned interceptions. Pops Racer and Deep Fried were the major beneficiaries of Ticket's arrival, combining for 19 catches for 193 yards and a TD (most of which belonged to Racer).
Defensive backs Sandman, Walker, and Filth all added interceptions of their own to even the turnover ratio.
The cause for concern comes from two places. First, the fact that usually consistent kicker Mikey Black went 1 for 4 with misses from 23, 40, and 40.5 yards. Second, the amount of pressure put on the defense to win games. Comparatively, Bel Air was only able to post 24 points against significantly weaker competition while their two of their greatest playoff competition, Waco and Great Plains, both posted 70+ against their weak opponents.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
This week was like the anti-soap opera: no drama. Most of the games were decided by point differentials of at least 20 (5 of 8). Great Plains, Waco, Bel Air, and Scottsdale all goose egged their opponent and Spicewood held Portland to just a field goal. If it weren't for Miami and New Brunswick, there wouldn't be much to talk about this week. Both of those teams played arguably stronger teams very tough. In New Brunswick's case, they are fighting for their playoff life.
Great Plains 72
Ambridge 0
If you throw 12 passes, how many do you expect to complete? 8 or 9 right? Thats a solid percentage. Mason Cambria has higher expectations than you weaklings. He says 12! With a perfect 100% completion percentage and 182 yards, Cambria had one of the best performances of ANY quarterback in the league this year. His quarterback rating was thru the roof. Yes it was against Ambridge, but all the passes were still where they needed to be and they were all catchable balls. The running game was amazing, as are all running games against Ambridge, and the Reapers scored like 50 touchdowns (I lost count). Who said there isn't a bye week in GLB?
Waco 71
RGB 0
Okay so if you've ever read my article you know that Hugh Laurie is pretty good and that I'm a fan. Today was no different as he crushed RGB with 331.5 yards, 5 touchdowns, and an impressive 72.7 completion percentage. Theboy Marlowe and Doc Smooth benefitted most, each finishing with 100+ yards and at least one score. Puck and Tippit? 100+ and multiple touchdowns. Total yards comparison: Waco 600 RGB 81. **yawn**
Scottsdale 44
Chicago 0
Total net yards: Scottsdale 524 Chicago 79.5 (see the end of Waco recap). Laluche, Spence, Slaughter = big games. Chicago net rushing yards : 1. **YAWN**
Spicewood 42
Portland 3
Stew to Vilkkumaa is becoming an every game occurance, and this one was no different as they connected for another touchdown in blowout fashion for the Longhorns. No Spicewood back reached 100 yards but the team committied (yes, I just made up a word) its way to 261 rushing yards for the game. **YAAAAAAWN**
New Brunswick 6
Dallas 9
Wait... did I miss a zero somewhere? 60 to 9? 90 to 6? I don't think I did... which means there was actually a CLOSE GAME this week. Dallas started the scoring in the 2nd with a 39.5 yard field goal. NB answered with a 43 yarder in the beginning of the 4th (43 yards is no joke!). How did Dallas respond? By hitting a 43.5 yard field goal! Certainly New Brunswick couldn't outdo that mark, right? Wrong. A 46.5 Allison field goal tied the game with only 1:58 left in the 4th. In absolute and total dramatic fashion on the last play of the game, Dallas won with an 18 yarder that demoralized n00b fans and severly hurt their playoff aspirations. Unlike the other games this week, the n00bs and Red Raiders came to please... and please they did!
Hartford 6
Las Vegas 20
The best way to describe this game is "good old fashioned beat down." It wasn't decided by turnovers, it was decided by clock management and a tough rushing game. The Las Vegas running attack and the 172 yards they gathered were all Las Vegas would need to seal the deal while the Stunner D held the Hellhounds to only 2 field goals in the first half, an no points in the 3rd and 4th quarters. The Hartford D earns some credit for keeping the game close, but the O couldn't ever take advantage of the opportunity.
Oakland 22
Miami 14
Go Jackson (HB Mia) didn't have a huge game yardwise, but his two scores kept Miami in this game. If this were Thanksgiving, Oakland would be giving thanks to Seth Logan's consistency as his 5 field goals were desperately needed in a game where Oakland couldn't really finish drives. They managed 339 yards of total offense, but couldn't finish drives. All things considered, the game wasn't really as close as the score indicates. It wasn't until 2:46 in the 4th that the Cyclones scored their 2nd touchdown which was quickly answered by another Wizard field goal and eliminating most of the hope Miami had built in their last drive. Lets give credit where credit is due, however, and say thank you to Miami for staying competitive in a game we all thought was decided before the first snap. They even gave up 2 turnovers to Oakland's 1. Thank you Miami for making an otherwise boring week a little bit more interesting!
CLOSING STATEMENTS
This week's action is sponsored by : yawn. Talk about boring, other than New Brunswick v Dallas and Oakland v Miami there wasn't much in the way of competition. Pretty boring week but I will say this (and I've said it before): Beware Spicewood. They crushed a... we'll say mediocre to average... Portland team. Portland isn't top tier, but they definitly aren't league worst either. The point differential of Portland / Great Plains was 31 (39 against Spicewood). Portland / Oakland? 14. Portland / Bel Air? 17. Spicewood sent a message, just like they have been for the past several weeks: they are coming on... fast. Mark your calendars, because Spicewood may be the giant killer.
Bel Air Beardogs 24
Grand Haven Mist 0
The Great Wall was constructed over several generations to repel threats to the people of China. It was the greatest defensive structure in Ancient history and, though ultimately ineffective, held the powerful Mongols at bay for years. Bel Air has its own Great Wall : a defense that has only given up 3 points in their last 4 games.
The Great Wall of Bel Air has only allowed double digit points in 3 of the 10 games played this season, two of which were losses. There is no absence of pressure on the Bel Air defense, but in recent weeks it has come into its own and proven it can carry the team to wins against some of the leagues toughest competition.
Despite a 3 interception day, the passing attack of Bel Air showed up in a big way when both Beard OG and Furious Monotony were held relatively in check. The Big Ticket had his best game, yard-wise, thus far with 245 and two TDs to go along with the aforementioned interceptions. Pops Racer and Deep Fried were the major beneficiaries of Ticket's arrival, combining for 19 catches for 193 yards and a TD (most of which belonged to Racer).
Defensive backs Sandman, Walker, and Filth all added interceptions of their own to even the turnover ratio.
The cause for concern comes from two places. First, the fact that usually consistent kicker Mikey Black went 1 for 4 with misses from 23, 40, and 40.5 yards. Second, the amount of pressure put on the defense to win games. Comparatively, Bel Air was only able to post 24 points against significantly weaker competition while their two of their greatest playoff competition, Waco and Great Plains, both posted 70+ against their weak opponents.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
This week was like the anti-soap opera: no drama. Most of the games were decided by point differentials of at least 20 (5 of 8). Great Plains, Waco, Bel Air, and Scottsdale all goose egged their opponent and Spicewood held Portland to just a field goal. If it weren't for Miami and New Brunswick, there wouldn't be much to talk about this week. Both of those teams played arguably stronger teams very tough. In New Brunswick's case, they are fighting for their playoff life.
Great Plains 72
Ambridge 0
If you throw 12 passes, how many do you expect to complete? 8 or 9 right? Thats a solid percentage. Mason Cambria has higher expectations than you weaklings. He says 12! With a perfect 100% completion percentage and 182 yards, Cambria had one of the best performances of ANY quarterback in the league this year. His quarterback rating was thru the roof. Yes it was against Ambridge, but all the passes were still where they needed to be and they were all catchable balls. The running game was amazing, as are all running games against Ambridge, and the Reapers scored like 50 touchdowns (I lost count). Who said there isn't a bye week in GLB?
Waco 71
RGB 0
Okay so if you've ever read my article you know that Hugh Laurie is pretty good and that I'm a fan. Today was no different as he crushed RGB with 331.5 yards, 5 touchdowns, and an impressive 72.7 completion percentage. Theboy Marlowe and Doc Smooth benefitted most, each finishing with 100+ yards and at least one score. Puck and Tippit? 100+ and multiple touchdowns. Total yards comparison: Waco 600 RGB 81. **yawn**
Scottsdale 44
Chicago 0
Total net yards: Scottsdale 524 Chicago 79.5 (see the end of Waco recap). Laluche, Spence, Slaughter = big games. Chicago net rushing yards : 1. **YAWN**
Spicewood 42
Portland 3
Stew to Vilkkumaa is becoming an every game occurance, and this one was no different as they connected for another touchdown in blowout fashion for the Longhorns. No Spicewood back reached 100 yards but the team committied (yes, I just made up a word) its way to 261 rushing yards for the game. **YAAAAAAWN**
New Brunswick 6
Dallas 9
Wait... did I miss a zero somewhere? 60 to 9? 90 to 6? I don't think I did... which means there was actually a CLOSE GAME this week. Dallas started the scoring in the 2nd with a 39.5 yard field goal. NB answered with a 43 yarder in the beginning of the 4th (43 yards is no joke!). How did Dallas respond? By hitting a 43.5 yard field goal! Certainly New Brunswick couldn't outdo that mark, right? Wrong. A 46.5 Allison field goal tied the game with only 1:58 left in the 4th. In absolute and total dramatic fashion on the last play of the game, Dallas won with an 18 yarder that demoralized n00b fans and severly hurt their playoff aspirations. Unlike the other games this week, the n00bs and Red Raiders came to please... and please they did!
Hartford 6
Las Vegas 20
The best way to describe this game is "good old fashioned beat down." It wasn't decided by turnovers, it was decided by clock management and a tough rushing game. The Las Vegas running attack and the 172 yards they gathered were all Las Vegas would need to seal the deal while the Stunner D held the Hellhounds to only 2 field goals in the first half, an no points in the 3rd and 4th quarters. The Hartford D earns some credit for keeping the game close, but the O couldn't ever take advantage of the opportunity.
Oakland 22
Miami 14
Go Jackson (HB Mia) didn't have a huge game yardwise, but his two scores kept Miami in this game. If this were Thanksgiving, Oakland would be giving thanks to Seth Logan's consistency as his 5 field goals were desperately needed in a game where Oakland couldn't really finish drives. They managed 339 yards of total offense, but couldn't finish drives. All things considered, the game wasn't really as close as the score indicates. It wasn't until 2:46 in the 4th that the Cyclones scored their 2nd touchdown which was quickly answered by another Wizard field goal and eliminating most of the hope Miami had built in their last drive. Lets give credit where credit is due, however, and say thank you to Miami for staying competitive in a game we all thought was decided before the first snap. They even gave up 2 turnovers to Oakland's 1. Thank you Miami for making an otherwise boring week a little bit more interesting!
CLOSING STATEMENTS
This week's action is sponsored by : yawn. Talk about boring, other than New Brunswick v Dallas and Oakland v Miami there wasn't much in the way of competition. Pretty boring week but I will say this (and I've said it before): Beware Spicewood. They crushed a... we'll say mediocre to average... Portland team. Portland isn't top tier, but they definitly aren't league worst either. The point differential of Portland / Great Plains was 31 (39 against Spicewood). Portland / Oakland? 14. Portland / Bel Air? 17. Spicewood sent a message, just like they have been for the past several weeks: they are coming on... fast. Mark your calendars, because Spicewood may be the giant killer.
Last edited May 15, 2008 08:12:12
