Warrior General Games

#8 Salford Storm at #1 Sumatra Swarm:


Sumatra Swarm:

The Swarm (14-2) were a pretty good team last year, but surprised the entire league this season by transforming into a true powerhouse.

Offense: Led by a terrific rush blocking frontline, captained by Matt Ogier and Jay Brady, Hal McGlothin average a staggering 8.86 yards per carry and broke 194 tackles on his was to 140 first downs and 71 touchdowns. Make no mistake about it, the running game is Sumatra's bread and butter.
That doesn't mean the Swarm will hesitate to air it out when needed, with Larry Ballstar and top receiver Chase Ingme combining for some great plays in clutch 3rd and long situations.

Defense: The Swarm is very dangerous on defense, having no shortage of weapons. Top of the class is Orvyle Redbacker, a pass-rushing specialist who loves to makes QB's miserable, he has 7 sacks and 16 hurries on the season, including 3 forced fumbles.

Lockdown Pick(SIX) also lives up to his name, having intercepted 11 passes, including taking two of them back for touchdowns. He also is a hell of a shutdown artist, deflecting 46 passes, and if you do catch, better hang on tight, as he's also capable of popping it free as his 2 forced fumbles attest.

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Salford Storm:

They weathered a tough season, but Salford (9-7) is back again in the playoffs, and with a little (okay, a lot) of luck could make some waves in the postseason.

Offense: Having trailed a lot of games against the conference's better teams, Salford favors its passing game. The Storm has some very capable players here, favoring a mid-short passes with some good results. Backup QB, Leunidas Dashall, is perhaps their most reliable QB, finds quality receivers like Martin Preuss and Jack E. Moon with regularity.

Skinny Joe is also a star for the Storm team, a multidimensional threat, who is a dangerous running back, and as a capable receiver for the team's passing game.

Defense:

The Storm has some great individual defenders, but the team lacks solid cohesion as a whole. Standouts on the team are Bren Smith Jr. who has been a monster on the gridiron with 7 forced fumbles.

Adren Aline has also been tremendous with 23 hurries and 23 sacks to match. Crazy Charlies and Fatman Jones are tough as nails cornerbacks, and can hang with any receiver in the league.



PREDICTION: In the Battle of the "real SS", there can be only one. Salford is just happy to have made the dance, while Sumatra aspires to be queen of the ball. The Swarm mops up the Storm easily, as they gear up for some tougher competition in round 2. SWARM by 35

#7 Hiroshima Radiation at #2 Algeria Addiction

Algeria Addiction:

Who knows what Algerians(14-2) are doing all the way in South East Asia, but the only thing these guys are addicted to is winning. Considered the conference favorite at the start of the season, the Addiction must be a little disappointed they don't enter the postseason as the top seed, but a tough loss to cross-conference rivals Bangkok Blue Demons to finish out the regular season, meant a 3 way tie for best record, and the tie-breaking system went against them.

Offense: Algeria have a very balanced offense and can exploit teams both in the ground and through the air. Runningback tandem Phillip JayFry and Muddylake have been workhorses this season, forcing teams to devote resources to stop the run, so star QB Joe Kane can air it out to his armada of quality receivers. I.P. Funnycolours and Stumpy Marshall are especially dangerous in anything less than lockdown coverage.

Defense: Their defense is top-notch, and has been good enough to get them victories even when the offense misfires. Mike Keim is a genuine beast of a player, giving QB's everywhere nightmares. He has 26 sacks and 34 hurries for the year.

Ball Hawking, Nick Feely, and Kristoph Olczak provide some of the best coverage protection out there, and have all gotten their fair share of picks this season.

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Hiroshima Radiation:

While not quite yet in the league's top tier, the Radiation (10-6) is a solid team that is developing nicely and isn't going away anytime soon. A little more experience and a couple more key pieces to the puzzle, and this team is playing for championships.

Offense: The Radiation is another superbly balanced team that can execute both the ground and air game. Both of their runningbacks, Charlie Tripper and Cambell Dorsett, are starter quality and have punished opposing defenses all season.

St Quixote Del Sol is an expert at finding the open man, and has found a brilliant target in WR Plaxico Moss. Careful, cornerbacks, this guy will break your ankles.


Defense: Tu BuKu (22 sacks, 9 hurries) Sack Preacher (17 sacks, 20 hurries), and Fatso Mcburger (7 sacks, 16 hurries) make sure opposing quarterbacks don't get much if any time to execute plays.

If they do get a throw off, they better hope they didn't throw it in star cornerback Champ Woodsen's direction. Besides deflecting passes, he has a penchant for interceptions and forced fumbles.




PREDICTION: The Addiction were favorites going into this season for a reason, and it's because they are very fucking good. Hiroshima has a solid team, and will surely be back to the playoffs next season, but just don't have enough juice to be more than a bump in the road to Algeria.
ADDICTION by 17

#6 Mongolian Horde at #3 Krungthep Garudas:


Krungthep Garudas:
After missing the playoffs in their inaugural season, the league did not expect much of the Garudas (14-2). Managing to keep the whole team together again for a second season, plus a key acquisition in CB Dexter Matsukado allowed the team to not only compete but knock off giant after giant. Compiling a 12 game win streak at one point, their only 2 losses came against the conference's best two teams.

Offense:

Excellent blocking across the line, and solid secondary blocks by their FB's and TE's have enabled Donko von Punchstania and his 'backup' Yuri the Axe to combine for exceptional yardage and touchdowns this season. They may be lower level than some top level running backs, but you can't argue with their results - these two get the job done.

This in turns opens up the passing lanes for duel QB's Ekapob Ukritnukun and Madrak Ironhide to exploit opposing team's thinning coverage as the game goes on. Lucky McNutt has down wonders for field positioning, and Josef Grigorovich makes the most of the redzone opportunities.

Defense:

Krungthep's defense has flabbergasted opposing offenses all season long. They are rock solid at the line with standouts Mike Strecker & the Boris Brothers stopping most plays before they get started.

Middle of the field is a no man's land, as Faulcon Delacy & Moose Mchammer put the fear into receivers and runningbacks alike.

Trying to go long can be frustrating too, as CB Born Jason, FS Al Capwn and CB Stim Violentlee are always a threat to score points on badly thrown balls.

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Mongolian Horde:
The Horde (11-5) are even better than their record suggests, and aim to prove it in the postseason. Despite losing to the Garudas 20-31 earlier in the season, the Mongolians have rebounded and are salivating at their chance to avenge the loss.

Offense:

Chris Rucker, Stevie McRun and Johnny Stryzkalski are not the best backs in the league, but they get the job done. By doing the dirty work on the ground, they make it difficult for defenses to completely focus on trying to shut down the gem of the Horde's attack - their passing game.

Captained by one of the league's best QBs, Rexy "Sexy" Grossman, the Horde has multiple targets to give covering Defenses fits. Magnum Airwalker and Jimmy Lightning get the most attention (and deservedly so), but they have scoring threats all the way to the bottom of their depth chart. You might slow these guys down, but you won't stop them.

Defense:

L.J. Lawson II is a frenzied berserker at the line, and punches through most pockets, but where this team really excels is in their mid and long range pass coverage. They have several players including CB Jamar Wall II, and SS Crazy Aver that are shutdown capable, and all of them are interception threats. A solid LB crew makes sure they get the support that they need.



PREDICTION: This will be a knockdown, dragout fight, a real scrap between two teams that are both ready and worthy to advance. The two sides will trade punches, but it will be the Garudas flying on victoriously when time runs out. GARUDAS by 6

#5 Ho Chi Minh Hookers at #4 Padang Lightning:

Padang Lightning:
One of the top Alpha teams last season, great things were expected of the Bay Area Riders. Unfortunately, the owner and agent of several key players on the team went AWOL with regularity, eventually losing the team to inactivity.

The Riders under direction of old GM/new owner Big Poppa regrouped under the Padang Lightning (12-4) banner and set off to continue their winning ways. An otherwise stellar season was marred by close defeats against Krungthep, the Horde, and Algeria, but the team bounced back, and showed they were more capable than ever of contending by defeating league leaders, Sumatra Swarm.

Offense:

This team is able to do many things well, but where it really shines is on the ground. LenDale Jameson leads backups Darian McFadden and Dash Dasher as a dangerous trio, that only the league's best defenses have a chance to stop. With a massive offensive line, these guys have a chance to steamroll anybody.

A smart and selective QB in Paul Walker allows the Lightning to take advantage of the attention their premier running game receives, by surgically hitting the weak spots in opponent's coverage. Damon Dash has been instrumental in accruing yards and first downs, and is always a threat inside the redzone.

Defense:

Captained by standout CB Brad Hennessey, the Lightning defense may not have the headline players of other top teams, but are solid across the board and not to be underestimated. This team plays tough, team-style D, and is a force to be reckoned with.

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Ho Chi Minh Hookers:
Considered a "bubble team" at best at the beginning of the season, the Hookers(11-5) have raised eyebrows game after game, and hustled their way into a 5th place finish. Wins against top teams like the Mongolian Horde and Hiroshima Radiation have proven that this team is far more than a fluke.

Offense:

The Hustlers rely on their highly rated rushing attack to wear out opposing defenses and maintain good ball possession. So far the strategy has worked like a charm, although their passing game, which looks solid on paper, has yet to be truly tested.

Supported by a dominant O-line, Brock Flannigan and Jimmy Dolin have been putting up incredible numbers all season. Either one is a threat to take it all the way on any given play.

Chaz Winstonberger isn't a flashy QB, but he's a quiet killer, getting his work done on simple yet effective plays. You'll often find him scanning the field for favored targets Henry Gwaltney-Devine and Welcome Home Tyrone, who despite being lower level than most opposing CB's are able to get open and complete the first downs.

Defense:

Dylan McKay, Kimbo Slice, and Kunta Kinte lead their pass rushing pack into scaring the bejeezus out of QB's. While CB Mvp Madison and FS Kenny Flanagan keep things in control in the backfield. Again, the Hookers don't sport too many big names or flash here, but as a team they are brutally efficient.


PREDICTION: The Hookers should be proud of their accomplishments this season. They've overachieved and took the league by surprise, and they can hold their heads high. That being said, the Lightning is just too (pa)dang good of a team to lose in the first round. The Hookers challenge them, but the Lightning rides on. LIGHTNING by 10

#8 Davao Destructobots at #1 The Elephant Riders:

Elephant Riders:
One of the league's best teams, the Elephant Riders(14-2) staved off a bunch of hungry and talented challengers to secure the conference's top spot. The Lightning gave them a scare in their last game, but luckily for them, they won't have to face them (if at all) until the league Championship Game.

Offense:
These guys are experts of executing both the rushing and passing attack and have top-notch tools at nearly every position.

Neil O'Fallon has been using and abusing defenders all year, as his astounding 300+ broken tackles and 58 touchdowns will attest to.

Ryan Andersen and backup, Warpesurge Quirk might not be the most skilled of QB's, but they get great protection and have a plethora of superstars to air the ball out to. With receivers like WR Franky Foster and TE Black Dwarf, they can relax knowing that as long as they toss the ball in their general area, these guys will bring it down for a first down (or more.)

Defense:

CB's Bernie Sapp and Eddie Nash lead a solid group of backs in preventing anything but small gains being made by opposing offenses. At the line, DT Wylde Young keeps teams honest, and LB Elijah McPhetridge is an master of confusing QB's with well timed blitzes.


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Davao Destructobots:
This team might be the best #8 seed in GLB history, the Destructobots (10-6) are much better than their record suggests, having beat top teams like the Gold Rush and Metalheads, and suffering very close losses (5 points or less) against elite squads like the Flames, Hustlers, and Blue Demons. Make no mistake, if Davao gets a few lucky bounces, they are more than capable of upsetting any team in their bracket.


Offense:

These guys favor a balanced attack, and have the arsenal to really pound their opponents. Deuce Anderson is a top QB who has little trouble finding quality receivers like WR BJ Endjone and TE Ace Anderson for easy yardage.

On the ground they rely on the muscle and grit of their O-line to give HB Johnny Breakaway and FB Sheepus Le Guedin the time and space they need rocket to first down after first down.

Defense:

Their SS Roland Stark is one of those guys who seems to be everywhere at once, and he's usually in the thick of most of Davao's stops. His counter part FS The Olive is also very dangerous, having picked off 9 throws this year and deflected just as many.

Their pass rushers haven't put up impressive numbers this year, but they put up enough pressure to allow their secondary to have their way with most opponents.


PREDICTION: This will no doubt go down to the wire. When these two teams fought it out earlier season, the margin of victory was only 4 points. Davao almost won then, but ran out of time in a 4th quarter comeback. They've been dreaming of a rematch since, but are they strong enough to surpass the Elephant Riders? Davao has a bright future ahead of them, but they're not there yet. ELEPHANT RIDERS by 9

#7 Sault Ste Marie Metalheads at #2 Hong Kong Hustlers:

Hong Kong Hustlers:
The Hustlers (14-2) championed by Zebo13 have no doubt the biggest and loudest mouths in the forums, but having tied for league's best record and a #2 playoff seed, they have plenty to mouth off about. They need to spend the next few days focusing on the game plan though, the Metalheads beat the Hustlers in their own stadium in Week One of the season, and will prove a touch match up again.

Offense:

These guys like to pound defenses with their bruising offensive line and high caliber running backs. HB Dirk Diggler is their biggest threat, but he has a large supporting cast to give him time to catch his breath, and also pose a danger of their own.

Tony Fastpass is a strong if not exceptional QB, and has some of the best targets in the conference to throw to. Among them, the WR's Brent Sanders, Tyler Friesen and Michael Hands are best at punishing teams that dare show blitz or stack the box.

Defense:

The Hustler defense has been superb all season long, and has given the offense a chance to win each and every game. In the two games that Hong Kong lost this year, the defense gave up a total of 10 points combined. That's solid D.

Their line see most success at the ends, with DE's Old English and Gabe Brause standing out most games. In the secondary, they are dangerous all over, with nearly every man on the field capable of picking one off. Freddy Fingers leads the team in interceptions but there are many others as just as good.

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Sault Ste Marie Metalheads:
The Metalheads(11-5) were in contention most of the season for a top playoff seed, spiraled down to #7 after losing 3 out their last 5 games. Never mind that those 3 teams were some of the best in the league, if they want to repair that damage and gain face, they will have to upset Hong Kong in the playoffs. Don't doubt their ability, these guys are good in a scrap.

Offense:

The have the means to do it offensively. An excellent balanced attack means they can adapt to opposing teams strengths and challenge their weaknesses.

Marcellus Idehi is their main back and has done an outstanding job rushing for 124 first downs and averaging 7.41 yards per carry.

This of course spreads most teams' secondaries pretty thin, as they cluster to aid in stopping the run. Lucas Spaceman may not be the leagues best QB, but he's talented enough to find open receivers in one on one coverage. The Metalheads should do well in 3 receivers sets, with WR's Fizerul Lohman, Wii-Bey Brice and KC Bailey all more than capable in hauling in passes, but is Spaceman good enough to avoid the inevitable blitzes that will come?

Defense:

Where this team really shines is on defense. Ultra Kill is a man among boys, compiling 39 sacks on the season along with 4 forced fumbles including one he took back for a touchdown.

In the backfield CB's Tony Nochalito, Lawrence Daniel and Eraserhead are all capable of shutting down receivers and scoring points for the team. LB Walter Sobchack makes sure to pick up whatever slack these guys leave him, and does an excellent job of stopping plays in the middle.


PREDICTION: Metalheads are better team than 7th, and are good enough to upset any team in Zeta. The Hustlers though have talked big all season, and have too much riding on the line to get knocked off in the first round. A riveting game, and certainly one to watch, but the Hustlers find a way to get it done. HUSTLERS by 7

#6 Xi'an Xplosivo at #3 Bangkok Blue Demons:
In another epic match-up, these two weapons of mass destruction settle the score by pounding the crap out of each other. Bangkok owns the better record, but Xi'an looks just as good on paper, if not better and has proven they belong in the conference elite with quality regular season wins against the Metalheads and Destructobots, as well as edging out Alpha powerhouse Krungthep in a preseason scrimmage.


Bangkok Blue Demons:

The Blue Demons(14-2) have been a top contender all season long, and it's no wonder as they have the capacity to dominate on both sides of the ball. The difference between the #1 team and the #6 team in beta is often declared on slimmer margins than a coin flip, and the Blue Demons have the goods to go all the way.

Offense:

Bangkok looks to pass first and with play maker QB Justgivea Yuengling at the helm it's obviously a strength. Blessed with a multitude of great players to throw to, guys like TE Thing Thing and WR Forest "The Flash" Gump, make the Blue Demons a threat to score nearly every time they throw the ball.

Halfback tandem Mik Oxbig and Ferrari Testarossa combine for a powerful ground delivery system. Not a lot of flash, but they get the 1st downs when needed, and are always a threat to bust through to the endzone.

Defense:

FS Biscella is a top threat, having run back both interceptions and fumbles for scores. DE Romulox Tarmonster gets it done at the line, while LB Marcel Leadbetter prowls the midfield for offensive mistakes and easy turnovers.

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Xi'an Xplosivo:
The Xplosivo(11-5) is a very good team that is finally receiving their due respect from the rest of the league. Unfairly excluded when commentators have discussed Zeta's big 6, Xi'an has beaten some excellent teams this season, and even in defeat have managed to generally keep the score close and play competitively.

Offense:

The feature a balanced system with a slight emphasis on running the ball. HB's Tom Van Calster and backup JJ Blaze pound the ball with the help of a solid O-line to lighten the load for their aerial unit.

Leading the passing game is star QB Don Knight, who is spoiled for choice with three top WR's on the roster in Daniela Hantuchova, Jeremy Drew, and DeAndre Cash. TE Mitchell McCulloch has also excelled in getting open on the rare occasion those three are covered up.

Defense:

DT Mongo Haris is a force on the line and does major damage to opposing teams early and often. If the offense manages to get around him, they face heavy interference from a solid secondary, led by equally deadly CB's Dave Muskett and Ceptor Bennett.

PREDICTION: Xi'an is good enough to beat Bangkok, but I like the Blue Demons chances better. Bangkok was triumphant at the X Spot in a week 15 game, with a solid 15 point win. If Xi'an wasn't able to capitalize on the chance they had in front of a home crowd, they are going to have a tougher time in front of the playoff frenzied masses watching at the Demon Pit. BLUE DEMONS by 12

#5 Singapore Flames at #4 San Fran Gold Rush:

San Fran Gold Rush:
The Gold Rush (10-3) might as well be called the Gold Pass, because they are equally dangerous in the air as on the ground. They are ferocious defenders as well, giving even seasoned offenses fits in trying to execute normally simple plays. Despite a 5th place finish due to some unexpected tough losses against Davao and the Metalheads, this team has the ability and confidence to make a run for the league trophy.

Offense:

The Gold Rush feature a trio of strong backs led by HB Jonas Ara and FB Devin James. These guys are workhorses, and the only reason they aren't putting up the numbers of some of the leagues bigger running stars is because they get 1/3 the carries.

The Offensive Line of San Fran is solid gold as well, equally comfortable in providing pass protection or opening lanes for their runners. They are the heart of this team, and Chad Allen (147 pancakes) and crew give opposing D-linemen nightmares.

QB Chazz Michael Michaels is an efficient if unspectacular thrower, but the real gems here are found in WR John Taylor, who catches anything and everything that comes near him. The Gold Rush also has a solid squad of junior receivers that punish teams who decide to double team Taylor.

Defense:

Voltron may be the world's suckiest moderator, but he's built a DE that can compete with the league's best. Rawr Rawr hogs the limelight for the Gold Rush, with 22 sacks, 35 hurries, 4 forced fumbles and an interception to round things off for the season. As good as he is, he has an excellent supporting cast that allows him to make the plays that really matter.

On coverage plays, CB LikeWhite OnRice is a multidimensional threat, deflecting over 41 passes, intercepting 7, and if an opponent is able to make it through that, he's also popped loose 2 fumbles for the year. A solid player, he captains a secondary that puts team effectiveness first, and personal glories second.

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Singapore Flames:
A fast paced and exciting team to watch, the Flames (12-4) are hot enough to burn anybody. With solid players at virtually every position, with a little luck they could go very far in the postseason, perhaps all the way.

Offense:

As strong as their rushing game is, Singapore excels in the air. QB Jonny Cannonshow is a remarkable talent and has made a business of embarrassing star cornerbacks and safeties all season long. He gets good pass protection too, and is smart on his feet, so blitz him at your peril.

WR trio Evan Sizzla, Goto Guy, and Roman Van Der Gun make him look even better than he really is, all of them capable of burning coverage and making exceptional plays in clutch situations.

On the running front, HB Tank Gibson shares the load with HB Rob Gibson, with Gore being the more glamorous of the two. Don't let the 12 rushing TD's fool you into thinking he's one dimensional, he's also a favorite redzone target for Cannonshow, hauling in 3 TD receptions this season.

Defense:

Defensively, the Flames are a little weaker and this might be their Achilles heel in the playoffs. DE Sack Attacker has been a tremendous weapon for them, accruing 16 sacks and 24 hurries for the year, and SS Arch Attacker has forced 5 fumbles and one pick, but besides Sack and Arch they lack for true stars. This doesn't mean they want for good players, on the contrary they have excellent defenders, they are just perhaps a notch below most of the other playoff teams.


PREDICTION: San Fran plays tough, but Rawr Rawr and gang are unable to put enough pressure on Cannonshow to truly rattle him. Graced with enough precious seconds to find his receivers down field, the Flames make enough big plays to smelt the Gold Rush and advance into the next round. FLAMES by 3.

Awesome write-up Fool.
Can't wait for the Sing/SF write up. I may learn something new about my team.

Brilliant write up! I always look forward to these predictions.

Great work as always. Can't wait for the rest.

Sweet he's doing the scouting for us

Great write up Fool, you keep impressing us. We are lucky to have you (no homo)

holy shit.

i'm impressed by the amount of time put into the picks each week, but this is taking it to a whole new level.

well done, sir.

Rexy Will win it all for the Horde this year!