1. Ghost Riders In The Sky - 256 (-) (11)
2. Angola Spider Monkeez - 218 (-)
3. Somalia Pirates - 214 (-) (2)
4. Dar es Salaam Warrior Kings - 140 (-)
5. Cairo Emperors - 124 (+2)
6. Boston Dogs - 112 (+2)
7. Angola Blood Diamonds - 106 (-1)
8. Port Harcourt Playmakers - 90 (NEW)
9. Pangani Peckerwoods - 56 (+1)
10. Dakar Dragons - 44 (NEW)
Teams also receiving votes: South African Ridgebacks - 26, The Chad OchoCinco - 16, Seychelles Island Sea Wolves - 10, Equatorial Guinea Experience - 6, Somalia Warlords - 6, African Fever - 4, Kickin Djibouti - 2
Teams dropping out of the Top 10: The Chad OchoCinco, South African Ridgebacks
Week 4 Game of the Week:
#3 Somalia Pirates vs. #5 Cairo Emperors
Other Games to Watch:
#7 Angola Blood Diamonds vs. The Chad OchoCinco
#8 Port Harcourt Playmakers vs. Seychelles Island Sea Wolves
#9 Pangani Peckerwoods vs. South African Ridgebacks
Cape Town Crusaders vs. African Fever
Ghost Riders In The Sky (3-0): GRitS was born last year through the merger of two of APLs top teams, CC and TLGoT. Expectations were high, but as with all mergers it usually takes 1 season to regain that chemistry that made the individual teams work so well together. They did finish the regular season 11-5 and defeated some of Elephant's best, including the eventual league champion DD. They made the playoffs and lost in the 1st round to those same champs, nothing to be ashamed of. In the offseason Rjssob and The Highwayman did their homework and brought in some high caliber players and GMs from well known teams such as WWR, DD, and LOL, as well as other major squads now currently in the WPL to fill in their few needs. With their final pieces in place, GRitS are now ready to make their run for it all. If the early games are any indication, everything is currently going as planned.
Angola Spider Monkeez (3-0): ASM are the lone remaining APL representative of The Evil Empire, a vast conglomerate of premiere teams and owners spread throughout GLB. With his extensive network in place Outlawz was able to bring in some deadly weapons to help fulfill his evil designs of APL tyranny. But with great power comes great expectations, and The Dark Lord had to be displeased with ASM's first round loss to DeS in the playoffs last year. I'm sure Outlawz has been warned that failure is not an option this season. Whether due to fear for his life or promises of great riches and glory if he succeeds, Outlawz has lead his Spider Monkeez to an impressive start this season, including a very solid victory over SAR last week. The Dark Lord must be pleased indeed.
Somalia Pirates (3-0): A nemesis of The Evil Empire, The Pirates are a perennial APL playoff team, making the post season 6 seasons in a row. They also single-handedly destroyed The Empires best chance at a recent APL title 2 seasons ago when they defeated LOL in the Elephant Championship Game. Year in and year out, Akat fields a championship caliber team, a testament to his leadership skills. They have never lost more than 6 games in any season since their inception and they have earned a brutal reputation of taking their intensity up 10 notches come playoff time. It doesn't matter who beats them during the regular season, The Pirates can defeat anybody anywhere when all of the chips are on the line. This year looks to be no different as they have easily dispatched Top 10 teams two weeks in a row. They hope to make that 3 weeks in a row as they face Cairo today in perhaps their toughest challenge of the year. But have no doubt, The Pirates are always bloodthirsty for a good fight.
Dar es Salaam Warrior Kings (3-0): I try my best to be an unbiased reporter when I do my write ups, but Dar es Salaam is hands down one of my favorite teams to root for in APL. They have been here from the start and Shalubis has competed every single season while presenting himself and his team with a level of honor and integrity almost unmatched in GLB. I've had the pleasure of playing in both Conferences in my 5 seasons in APL, and I must admit the one thing that bummed me out when I switched from Lion to Elephant was the fact that I wouldn't see DeS on my team's regular season schedule every year anymore. I have never heard one person say one negative thing about Shalubis, and that character is reflected in his powerful squad. The last 4 seasons they have really come into their own and were only kept out of the League Championship game by WWR, one of the greatest APL teams ever. I'm sure DeS would have rather had another shot at The Rhinos in their yearly quest for the gold, but then again, if they can finally take that final step and win it all this year, they can exact their revenge on WWR in the World League next season.
Cairo Emperors (3-0): Another team who has been in APL since the beginning. If there was a squad I would choose to replace DeS with on my schedule, it is Cairo. They were one of APL's finest from the beginning, making the playoffs 6 out of 8 seasons. They probably would already have gold around their waists, but like DeS had their nemesis in The Rhinos, The Emps were stopped by The Evil Empire and LOL early on. Unlike LOL, The Emperors did not have a large network to draw upon to field their team, but regardless they were able to hold their own and were 10 points away from making the Big Show while building a team from scratch. Every season the leadership of this squad put's their team in position to make the playoffs at the end of the year, and this season look to be no different. Ken1, and Seorang have already won APL's most exciting game of the season in Week 2 over a strong Warlords squad. I can't wait to see who wins their matchup today between Cairo and The Pirates, the winner of this game has to be a favorite to have at least 1 home game come postseason time.
Boston Dogs (3-0): Every season we have at least one squad come up from the AAA ranks that everyone already knows about on the Pro level. Some of these squads have gone on to write their names in the APL's history books already...DD, WWR. Others have taken their place among the APL elite year in and year out, SP, SISW. This year's class may be the best ever, and leading the pack are The Dogs. In little more than 6 seasons they have fought their way up from level A and now find themselves ranked 6th at the Pro level in their inaugural year. A very fine achievement to be proud of that's for sure. But if past pro seasons are any indication, The Dogs will have their work cut out for them. Even great past APL champs had rough 1st years after making the switch from AAA to Pro. WWR went 6 - 10, DD didn't make it out of the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs for 3 seasons before winning their title. The Dogs are off to a great start, but their schedule is backloaded with APL teams. There are several very strong newly promoted teams in APL this year, but the true test will come when they face battle hardened squads with more than a few pro seasons under their belts. But The Dogs are right in the mix and should be able to make a good showing of themselves in their rookie season.
Angola Blood Diamonds (3-0): If there has ever been a bigger enemy of The Evil Empire, then I don't know him. Vegas has carried the banner from day one for anything that goes against LOL, ASM, and their allies. If you are new to the APL let me tell you.... you missed a lot hahahaha. As a card carrying member of The Empire myself I'm getting a headache just thinking about it. Let me get a beer.... Ok I had 2 beers and decided it's not worth getting into. The past is the past and hell Vegas even changed his name. The way his team is going this year he should have changed his name 5 seasons ago
ABD are off to their best start in 5 seasons, capped off with a week 1 victory over SISW. The Blood Diamonds have been in APL since the day it was created and an argument could be made that they are one of it's most dedicated teams. They haven't made the playoffs in 4 seasons, they had to battle for their victories week after week year after year... but yet here they still are 11 seasons later, undefeated after 3 games. They didn't fold or didn't ask to get demoted like scores of other teams have done in those past 11 seasons. They fought and clawed and stayed true to the cause. I've said it in the past and I'll say it again, love him or hate him, you gotta respect Vegas for his pure tenacity and dedication. Hopefully he's ready for a very angry Ocho Cinco squad this week. If ABD wins this one, there can be no doubt that they are for real this season.
Port Harcourt Playmakers (3-0): PHP are yet another AAA promotee who comes with a lot credentials. They were the African AAA#1 Lion Conference champs last season, and lost a heartbreaker in the Championship game to the #10 Dakar Dragons. They are a team who are used to winning and have picked up right where they left off last year. They make their APL poll debut at #8 with their great win over The Fever, the first battle of what I am sure will become a bitter rivarly in APL. Something we can never have enough of. But this week SErebel11 and PHP are facing their 1st real test against SISW. The Sea Wolves stumbled out of the gate but righted the ship last week, this game will be closely watched by all the GMs in Lion. With the unprecedented number of fantastic additions coming up from AAA this season, it is really hard to rank who goes where in the pecking order. This game will be a big one in helping to decide that order.
Pangani Peckerwoods (3-0): The Cinderella story of this short season. PP enter their 3rd season in APL having passed through some rough waters. Their first two seasons in APL have been arduous to put it mildly. Nine wins in 32 games can break even the most hardy of owner. But my hats off to Jrock33 and his staff. They didn't give up and fought the good fight, and now have run off 3 wins in a row to start season 11. That's 33% of the total wins they had in 2 years combined. WOW!!! Now their amazing turnaround gets put to the immediate test against The Ridgebacks. SAR lost a brutal battle against one of the leagues best in ASM and were kicked out of the Top 10 as a result. Pangani will be hard put to it indeed to hold onto their #9 position, a spot that SAR wants. Another highly anticipated APL game this week.
Dakar Dragons (2-1): The champ is here! Yes The Dragons were the African AAA#1 Champs last season and their arrival in APL was accompanied with more fanfare than probably any other AAA promotee this season. Unfortunately for them the schedule gods did not smile on them as much as their AAA brethren, and they had to face The Pirates early on in the season. They did rebound well and have another chance to gain a win today, a win they desperately need because the following 5 games are as ugly as it gets. GRitS, ABD, SoA, BD, and KD. Yikes!! I guess we all know who's been sleeping with the schedule makers sister now. Ask JDawg where that gets you... it never ends well. You never want to piss off the schedule maker Ok I'm wandering a bit, I always get a little punchy at the end of these long posts, I don't know why I keep doing it to myself haha. Ok focus Toad!! Head1 and his Dragons are solid from top to bottom. They know how to win and are well run, both much needed qualities at the pro level. Things may get a little rough for them in the near future, but I believe they will be a household name in APL for seasons to come.
Ok I'm spent. Sorry it's so late but these damn things always seem to take waaay longer than I think they will. God I wish I just stayed up and wrote it last night. Ok Good Luck today everybody!!! See you Monday with a much shorter version of the poll, and thanks to all of you for the great number of voters we had this week!! Great job
Toad Out
2. Angola Spider Monkeez - 218 (-)
3. Somalia Pirates - 214 (-) (2)
4. Dar es Salaam Warrior Kings - 140 (-)
5. Cairo Emperors - 124 (+2)
6. Boston Dogs - 112 (+2)
7. Angola Blood Diamonds - 106 (-1)
8. Port Harcourt Playmakers - 90 (NEW)
9. Pangani Peckerwoods - 56 (+1)
10. Dakar Dragons - 44 (NEW)
Teams also receiving votes: South African Ridgebacks - 26, The Chad OchoCinco - 16, Seychelles Island Sea Wolves - 10, Equatorial Guinea Experience - 6, Somalia Warlords - 6, African Fever - 4, Kickin Djibouti - 2
Teams dropping out of the Top 10: The Chad OchoCinco, South African Ridgebacks
Week 4 Game of the Week:
#3 Somalia Pirates vs. #5 Cairo Emperors
Other Games to Watch:
#7 Angola Blood Diamonds vs. The Chad OchoCinco
#8 Port Harcourt Playmakers vs. Seychelles Island Sea Wolves
#9 Pangani Peckerwoods vs. South African Ridgebacks
Cape Town Crusaders vs. African Fever
Ghost Riders In The Sky (3-0): GRitS was born last year through the merger of two of APLs top teams, CC and TLGoT. Expectations were high, but as with all mergers it usually takes 1 season to regain that chemistry that made the individual teams work so well together. They did finish the regular season 11-5 and defeated some of Elephant's best, including the eventual league champion DD. They made the playoffs and lost in the 1st round to those same champs, nothing to be ashamed of. In the offseason Rjssob and The Highwayman did their homework and brought in some high caliber players and GMs from well known teams such as WWR, DD, and LOL, as well as other major squads now currently in the WPL to fill in their few needs. With their final pieces in place, GRitS are now ready to make their run for it all. If the early games are any indication, everything is currently going as planned.
Angola Spider Monkeez (3-0): ASM are the lone remaining APL representative of The Evil Empire, a vast conglomerate of premiere teams and owners spread throughout GLB. With his extensive network in place Outlawz was able to bring in some deadly weapons to help fulfill his evil designs of APL tyranny. But with great power comes great expectations, and The Dark Lord had to be displeased with ASM's first round loss to DeS in the playoffs last year. I'm sure Outlawz has been warned that failure is not an option this season. Whether due to fear for his life or promises of great riches and glory if he succeeds, Outlawz has lead his Spider Monkeez to an impressive start this season, including a very solid victory over SAR last week. The Dark Lord must be pleased indeed.
Somalia Pirates (3-0): A nemesis of The Evil Empire, The Pirates are a perennial APL playoff team, making the post season 6 seasons in a row. They also single-handedly destroyed The Empires best chance at a recent APL title 2 seasons ago when they defeated LOL in the Elephant Championship Game. Year in and year out, Akat fields a championship caliber team, a testament to his leadership skills. They have never lost more than 6 games in any season since their inception and they have earned a brutal reputation of taking their intensity up 10 notches come playoff time. It doesn't matter who beats them during the regular season, The Pirates can defeat anybody anywhere when all of the chips are on the line. This year looks to be no different as they have easily dispatched Top 10 teams two weeks in a row. They hope to make that 3 weeks in a row as they face Cairo today in perhaps their toughest challenge of the year. But have no doubt, The Pirates are always bloodthirsty for a good fight.
Dar es Salaam Warrior Kings (3-0): I try my best to be an unbiased reporter when I do my write ups, but Dar es Salaam is hands down one of my favorite teams to root for in APL. They have been here from the start and Shalubis has competed every single season while presenting himself and his team with a level of honor and integrity almost unmatched in GLB. I've had the pleasure of playing in both Conferences in my 5 seasons in APL, and I must admit the one thing that bummed me out when I switched from Lion to Elephant was the fact that I wouldn't see DeS on my team's regular season schedule every year anymore. I have never heard one person say one negative thing about Shalubis, and that character is reflected in his powerful squad. The last 4 seasons they have really come into their own and were only kept out of the League Championship game by WWR, one of the greatest APL teams ever. I'm sure DeS would have rather had another shot at The Rhinos in their yearly quest for the gold, but then again, if they can finally take that final step and win it all this year, they can exact their revenge on WWR in the World League next season.
Cairo Emperors (3-0): Another team who has been in APL since the beginning. If there was a squad I would choose to replace DeS with on my schedule, it is Cairo. They were one of APL's finest from the beginning, making the playoffs 6 out of 8 seasons. They probably would already have gold around their waists, but like DeS had their nemesis in The Rhinos, The Emps were stopped by The Evil Empire and LOL early on. Unlike LOL, The Emperors did not have a large network to draw upon to field their team, but regardless they were able to hold their own and were 10 points away from making the Big Show while building a team from scratch. Every season the leadership of this squad put's their team in position to make the playoffs at the end of the year, and this season look to be no different. Ken1, and Seorang have already won APL's most exciting game of the season in Week 2 over a strong Warlords squad. I can't wait to see who wins their matchup today between Cairo and The Pirates, the winner of this game has to be a favorite to have at least 1 home game come postseason time.
Boston Dogs (3-0): Every season we have at least one squad come up from the AAA ranks that everyone already knows about on the Pro level. Some of these squads have gone on to write their names in the APL's history books already...DD, WWR. Others have taken their place among the APL elite year in and year out, SP, SISW. This year's class may be the best ever, and leading the pack are The Dogs. In little more than 6 seasons they have fought their way up from level A and now find themselves ranked 6th at the Pro level in their inaugural year. A very fine achievement to be proud of that's for sure. But if past pro seasons are any indication, The Dogs will have their work cut out for them. Even great past APL champs had rough 1st years after making the switch from AAA to Pro. WWR went 6 - 10, DD didn't make it out of the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs for 3 seasons before winning their title. The Dogs are off to a great start, but their schedule is backloaded with APL teams. There are several very strong newly promoted teams in APL this year, but the true test will come when they face battle hardened squads with more than a few pro seasons under their belts. But The Dogs are right in the mix and should be able to make a good showing of themselves in their rookie season.
Angola Blood Diamonds (3-0): If there has ever been a bigger enemy of The Evil Empire, then I don't know him. Vegas has carried the banner from day one for anything that goes against LOL, ASM, and their allies. If you are new to the APL let me tell you.... you missed a lot hahahaha. As a card carrying member of The Empire myself I'm getting a headache just thinking about it. Let me get a beer.... Ok I had 2 beers and decided it's not worth getting into. The past is the past and hell Vegas even changed his name. The way his team is going this year he should have changed his name 5 seasons ago
ABD are off to their best start in 5 seasons, capped off with a week 1 victory over SISW. The Blood Diamonds have been in APL since the day it was created and an argument could be made that they are one of it's most dedicated teams. They haven't made the playoffs in 4 seasons, they had to battle for their victories week after week year after year... but yet here they still are 11 seasons later, undefeated after 3 games. They didn't fold or didn't ask to get demoted like scores of other teams have done in those past 11 seasons. They fought and clawed and stayed true to the cause. I've said it in the past and I'll say it again, love him or hate him, you gotta respect Vegas for his pure tenacity and dedication. Hopefully he's ready for a very angry Ocho Cinco squad this week. If ABD wins this one, there can be no doubt that they are for real this season.Port Harcourt Playmakers (3-0): PHP are yet another AAA promotee who comes with a lot credentials. They were the African AAA#1 Lion Conference champs last season, and lost a heartbreaker in the Championship game to the #10 Dakar Dragons. They are a team who are used to winning and have picked up right where they left off last year. They make their APL poll debut at #8 with their great win over The Fever, the first battle of what I am sure will become a bitter rivarly in APL. Something we can never have enough of. But this week SErebel11 and PHP are facing their 1st real test against SISW. The Sea Wolves stumbled out of the gate but righted the ship last week, this game will be closely watched by all the GMs in Lion. With the unprecedented number of fantastic additions coming up from AAA this season, it is really hard to rank who goes where in the pecking order. This game will be a big one in helping to decide that order.
Pangani Peckerwoods (3-0): The Cinderella story of this short season. PP enter their 3rd season in APL having passed through some rough waters. Their first two seasons in APL have been arduous to put it mildly. Nine wins in 32 games can break even the most hardy of owner. But my hats off to Jrock33 and his staff. They didn't give up and fought the good fight, and now have run off 3 wins in a row to start season 11. That's 33% of the total wins they had in 2 years combined. WOW!!! Now their amazing turnaround gets put to the immediate test against The Ridgebacks. SAR lost a brutal battle against one of the leagues best in ASM and were kicked out of the Top 10 as a result. Pangani will be hard put to it indeed to hold onto their #9 position, a spot that SAR wants. Another highly anticipated APL game this week.
Dakar Dragons (2-1): The champ is here! Yes The Dragons were the African AAA#1 Champs last season and their arrival in APL was accompanied with more fanfare than probably any other AAA promotee this season. Unfortunately for them the schedule gods did not smile on them as much as their AAA brethren, and they had to face The Pirates early on in the season. They did rebound well and have another chance to gain a win today, a win they desperately need because the following 5 games are as ugly as it gets. GRitS, ABD, SoA, BD, and KD. Yikes!! I guess we all know who's been sleeping with the schedule makers sister now. Ask JDawg where that gets you... it never ends well. You never want to piss off the schedule maker
Ok I'm wandering a bit, I always get a little punchy at the end of these long posts, I don't know why I keep doing it to myself haha. Ok focus Toad!! Head1 and his Dragons are solid from top to bottom. They know how to win and are well run, both much needed qualities at the pro level. Things may get a little rough for them in the near future, but I believe they will be a household name in APL for seasons to come.Ok I'm spent. Sorry it's so late but these damn things always seem to take waaay longer than I think they will. God I wish I just stayed up and wrote it last night. Ok Good Luck today everybody!!! See you Monday with a much shorter version of the poll, and thanks to all of you for the great number of voters we had this week!! Great job
Toad Out
Edited by killertoad on Aug 23, 2009 16:07:50
Edited by killertoad on Aug 23, 2009 16:01:58
Edited by killertoad on Aug 23, 2009 15:59:41
Edited by killertoad on Aug 23, 2009 15:58:54
Edited by killertoad on Aug 23, 2009 15:57:52
