So perhaps there are just no dominant teams in the conference, but the West is looking much tougher than the East at the moment, with even their middle of the pack able to challenge the top contenders. Just what I am gathering so far. Congrats to our new #1, the Memphis Maulers. Laval, I must say that I am impressed. You guys are doing a lot better than I anticipated, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see you scrape by with a victory next game.
1. Memphis Maulers (5-0) – Three solid victories in a row, capped by a 73-17 victory over the Algoma Arena Rockers, allowed Memphis to supplant the Battletoads as “the team to beat”. Memphis had a hard time through the air this week, so they took the path of least resistance and got it done on the ground, with Ahmad Galloway leading the charge to the tune of 283 yards and 3 touchdowns on 38 carries. That man must be tired after that load. With over 100 pancakes by the O-Line, it is no wonder Memphis had success running the ball. Defensively, LB Teddy DeMauler had a great day, with 6 tackles including 2 sacks and 2 passes defensed. Memphis enters a weaker middle schedule portion and could stay at the top for a while.
Up Next: Toronto Punishers
2. Tradewest Battletoads (5-0) - The Battletoads found themselves in a battle, eventually overcoming the Laval Lumber with a fourth quarter touchdown to win it 34-28. It was the Brett Gunslinger to Lil Spoon connection which carried Tradewest to the win, with 7 connections for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns. LB Figaro Sabin had a huge game for the Battletoads, ending three Laval drives in Tradewest territory, including a game ending interception in the final two minutes, with Laval driving downfield. Sabin ended the day with 10 tackles, 5 passes defensed and the game saving interception.
Up Next: Algoma Arena Rockers
3. Nova Scotia Snakes (5-0) – Nova Scotia handily downed the Lancaster Hustlas 73-28 and take the top Eastern spot over the Yellowknife Rented Mules with the win. QB Jay Knight tossed for 366 yards and 5 touchdowns on the day, with WR Speedy Quix catching 4 for 157 yards and 1 touchdown. HB Justin Michaels had 228 yards and 3 touchdowns on the day, but fumbled twice. CB Please Enjoy was working overtime in the game, recording 9 tackles, 10 passes defensed, and an interception. HB BOB THE BRICK had over 300 all purpose yards on the day, averaging 7 YPC rushing and 26 yards per return on the day.
Up Next: Blackrock Reapers
4. Yellowknife Rented Mules (5-0) – The Mules rode out the Toronto Storm easily, finishing up the day 82-10. QB Ruffian Symonds had a huge game, throwing for 269 yards and 5 touchdowns. But once again, the rushing attack of HB Mark Triplett and HB Marshawnn Lynch crushed the opposing team, combining for 379 yards and 4 touchdowns. SS Sebastian Tanner had a standout day on defense, recording 4 tackles and an interception returned for a touchdown. CB Smokey Brooks averaged 21 yards on punt returns, breaking off for a total of 146 yards on the day. Yellowknife finally faces a bit of competition this week, with the Lincoln Lucky coming to town.
Up Next: Lincoln Lucky
5. Gaffney Indians (5-0) – Gaffney held off a hard charging Grise Fjord ^^^Kodiaks^^^ team to win 38-34 in a key Western Battle. Gaffney’s QB Dig It had a great game, completing 16 passes for 279 yards and 2 touchdowns. HB Tony Raper managed to find some running room against the stout Kodiak defense, and finished with 107 yards on the ground, while contributing another 69 yards receiving to go along with 2 touchdowns on the day. Amazingly, Raper managed to accomplish this nearly by himself, with the Gaffney Indian line not recording a single pancake on the day. Gaffney hasn’t run into any real competition until now, and this close fought battle has some fans of the Indians worried about what the future might hold, with Laval team coming up that is hungry for a win following two tough games.
Up Next: Laval Lumberjacks
6. Westwood Bruins (4-1) – Westwood is rounding out the playoff picture in the West with a powerful showing in their 41-0 shutout of the B.K. Thunderbirds. It was another balanced day offensively for the Bruins, with QB Randall Cunningham Jr. throwing for 203 yards and 3 touchdowns, while HB Ray House ran for 144 yards and 1 touchdown on the day. Sir Mustard Ketchup saw most of the action receiving for Westwood, catching 11 balls for 164 yards and 2 touchdowns. DE Granite Wall had another big day, recording 3 sacks and hurrying QB Jack Oneil 4 more times. With 7 sacks in his past two games, Wall is showing himself to be a force on the defensive line. It is a battle of the 4-1’s to see who gains sole possession of 4th place this week for the Bruins.
Up Next: Marley’s Pot Puffing Ingredients
7. Laval Lumberjacks (3-2) – The Lumberjacks continue to fall in the conference standings, but not in our hearts, as they maintain their 7th seed following an impressive showing against the previous number one Tradewest Battletoads. Laval actually outgained the Battletoads on the day, but not where it counts, with the final score reading 28-34. QB Mister Mann had a nearly flawless game, throwing for 379 yards and 2 touchdowns, with his one interception coming on the final drive in his attempt to overthrow the titans. HB Roadkill Rage was the top rushing back on the day, recording 107 yards and 1 touchdown on only 9 carries. Laval might have created a blueprint for other teams to beat the Battletoads with this impressive performance. The Lumberjacks travel to The Reservation for the final game of their brutal triple header, where they hope to escape with their scalps if not a win.
Up Next: at Gaffney Indians
8. Lincoln Lucky (4-1) – Lincoln pounded on the Sacramento Terror, winning 69-10. Lincoln more than quadrupled Sacramento’s offensive production, with QB Eric Washa leading the way on the strength of his 412 passing yards and 6 touchdowns. HBs Yuri Excalibur and Kobe Hall had nearly identical days, both averaging 6.2 YPC, for 136 yards and 129.5 yards respectively and a touchdown each. WR Leon Edwards had a monster game, catching 10 balls for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns. DE Cale Holscher was the star defensively, registering 7 sacks on 9 tackles and adding another 7 hurries to finish the day strong. Other than a little bit better showing on kick coverage, there was little the Lucky could do better next time around. Sitting comfortably in third, Lincoln travels to The Stable to face a very strong, if untested, Yellowknife Rented Mules team this week.
Up Next: at Yellowknife Rented Mules
9. Niagara Assassins (3-2) – Niagara bounces back from the bubble in a big way, downing the previously undefeated Hamilton Lightning 24-13, shutting them out in the second half. The score doesn’t tell the tale however as Nigara dominated all sides of the ball, with QB Sakuragi Hanamichi throwing for 376 yards and 1 touchdown to lead the way. Hanamichi’s 81.8% completion percentage is especially impressive, considering the Lightning’s managed to hurry him 12 times on the day while actually taking him down 3 more times. With such a porous offensive line, such a high completion rate is truly a remarkable feat. One has to be worried at the Assassins chances with that offensive line, but they managed to control the game regardless. The Niagara defense was solid on the day, holding Hamilton to 250 yards, while hurrying QB Joe Kane 10 times. Though this game was a big win for Niagara, the weak offensive line play still raises questions about how good they really are. Regardless, with such a cake schedule remaining, they should have a lot of chances to figure it out before their next big game.
Up Next: at Sacramento Terror
10. Hamilton Lightning (4-1) – Hamilton couldn’t get the offense working in the second half, falling to the Niagara Assassins 13-24. The offense couldn’t get moving well at all most of the game actually, with QB Joe Kane scrambling for his life and the offensive line unable to create room for HB Lukas Omelanczuk. The one place Hamilton outplayed Niagara was on special teams, with CB Marcus Baby Boy taking three kick returns for 81 yards. With such a poor showing, Hamilton has to be worried moving forward and has to be thankful they aren’t playing in a much deeper Western Conference.
Up Next: Philadelphia Legends
On the bubble: Marley’s Pot Puffing Ingredients (4-1)
West Game of the Week: Gaffney Indians (5-0) vs. Laval Lumberjacks (3-2)
East Game of the Week: Yellowknife Rented Mules (5-0) vs. Lincoln Lucky (4-1)
1. Memphis Maulers (5-0) – Three solid victories in a row, capped by a 73-17 victory over the Algoma Arena Rockers, allowed Memphis to supplant the Battletoads as “the team to beat”. Memphis had a hard time through the air this week, so they took the path of least resistance and got it done on the ground, with Ahmad Galloway leading the charge to the tune of 283 yards and 3 touchdowns on 38 carries. That man must be tired after that load. With over 100 pancakes by the O-Line, it is no wonder Memphis had success running the ball. Defensively, LB Teddy DeMauler had a great day, with 6 tackles including 2 sacks and 2 passes defensed. Memphis enters a weaker middle schedule portion and could stay at the top for a while.
Up Next: Toronto Punishers
2. Tradewest Battletoads (5-0) - The Battletoads found themselves in a battle, eventually overcoming the Laval Lumber with a fourth quarter touchdown to win it 34-28. It was the Brett Gunslinger to Lil Spoon connection which carried Tradewest to the win, with 7 connections for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns. LB Figaro Sabin had a huge game for the Battletoads, ending three Laval drives in Tradewest territory, including a game ending interception in the final two minutes, with Laval driving downfield. Sabin ended the day with 10 tackles, 5 passes defensed and the game saving interception.
Up Next: Algoma Arena Rockers
3. Nova Scotia Snakes (5-0) – Nova Scotia handily downed the Lancaster Hustlas 73-28 and take the top Eastern spot over the Yellowknife Rented Mules with the win. QB Jay Knight tossed for 366 yards and 5 touchdowns on the day, with WR Speedy Quix catching 4 for 157 yards and 1 touchdown. HB Justin Michaels had 228 yards and 3 touchdowns on the day, but fumbled twice. CB Please Enjoy was working overtime in the game, recording 9 tackles, 10 passes defensed, and an interception. HB BOB THE BRICK had over 300 all purpose yards on the day, averaging 7 YPC rushing and 26 yards per return on the day.
Up Next: Blackrock Reapers
4. Yellowknife Rented Mules (5-0) – The Mules rode out the Toronto Storm easily, finishing up the day 82-10. QB Ruffian Symonds had a huge game, throwing for 269 yards and 5 touchdowns. But once again, the rushing attack of HB Mark Triplett and HB Marshawnn Lynch crushed the opposing team, combining for 379 yards and 4 touchdowns. SS Sebastian Tanner had a standout day on defense, recording 4 tackles and an interception returned for a touchdown. CB Smokey Brooks averaged 21 yards on punt returns, breaking off for a total of 146 yards on the day. Yellowknife finally faces a bit of competition this week, with the Lincoln Lucky coming to town.
Up Next: Lincoln Lucky
5. Gaffney Indians (5-0) – Gaffney held off a hard charging Grise Fjord ^^^Kodiaks^^^ team to win 38-34 in a key Western Battle. Gaffney’s QB Dig It had a great game, completing 16 passes for 279 yards and 2 touchdowns. HB Tony Raper managed to find some running room against the stout Kodiak defense, and finished with 107 yards on the ground, while contributing another 69 yards receiving to go along with 2 touchdowns on the day. Amazingly, Raper managed to accomplish this nearly by himself, with the Gaffney Indian line not recording a single pancake on the day. Gaffney hasn’t run into any real competition until now, and this close fought battle has some fans of the Indians worried about what the future might hold, with Laval team coming up that is hungry for a win following two tough games.
Up Next: Laval Lumberjacks
6. Westwood Bruins (4-1) – Westwood is rounding out the playoff picture in the West with a powerful showing in their 41-0 shutout of the B.K. Thunderbirds. It was another balanced day offensively for the Bruins, with QB Randall Cunningham Jr. throwing for 203 yards and 3 touchdowns, while HB Ray House ran for 144 yards and 1 touchdown on the day. Sir Mustard Ketchup saw most of the action receiving for Westwood, catching 11 balls for 164 yards and 2 touchdowns. DE Granite Wall had another big day, recording 3 sacks and hurrying QB Jack Oneil 4 more times. With 7 sacks in his past two games, Wall is showing himself to be a force on the defensive line. It is a battle of the 4-1’s to see who gains sole possession of 4th place this week for the Bruins.
Up Next: Marley’s Pot Puffing Ingredients
7. Laval Lumberjacks (3-2) – The Lumberjacks continue to fall in the conference standings, but not in our hearts, as they maintain their 7th seed following an impressive showing against the previous number one Tradewest Battletoads. Laval actually outgained the Battletoads on the day, but not where it counts, with the final score reading 28-34. QB Mister Mann had a nearly flawless game, throwing for 379 yards and 2 touchdowns, with his one interception coming on the final drive in his attempt to overthrow the titans. HB Roadkill Rage was the top rushing back on the day, recording 107 yards and 1 touchdown on only 9 carries. Laval might have created a blueprint for other teams to beat the Battletoads with this impressive performance. The Lumberjacks travel to The Reservation for the final game of their brutal triple header, where they hope to escape with their scalps if not a win.
Up Next: at Gaffney Indians
8. Lincoln Lucky (4-1) – Lincoln pounded on the Sacramento Terror, winning 69-10. Lincoln more than quadrupled Sacramento’s offensive production, with QB Eric Washa leading the way on the strength of his 412 passing yards and 6 touchdowns. HBs Yuri Excalibur and Kobe Hall had nearly identical days, both averaging 6.2 YPC, for 136 yards and 129.5 yards respectively and a touchdown each. WR Leon Edwards had a monster game, catching 10 balls for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns. DE Cale Holscher was the star defensively, registering 7 sacks on 9 tackles and adding another 7 hurries to finish the day strong. Other than a little bit better showing on kick coverage, there was little the Lucky could do better next time around. Sitting comfortably in third, Lincoln travels to The Stable to face a very strong, if untested, Yellowknife Rented Mules team this week.
Up Next: at Yellowknife Rented Mules
9. Niagara Assassins (3-2) – Niagara bounces back from the bubble in a big way, downing the previously undefeated Hamilton Lightning 24-13, shutting them out in the second half. The score doesn’t tell the tale however as Nigara dominated all sides of the ball, with QB Sakuragi Hanamichi throwing for 376 yards and 1 touchdown to lead the way. Hanamichi’s 81.8% completion percentage is especially impressive, considering the Lightning’s managed to hurry him 12 times on the day while actually taking him down 3 more times. With such a porous offensive line, such a high completion rate is truly a remarkable feat. One has to be worried at the Assassins chances with that offensive line, but they managed to control the game regardless. The Niagara defense was solid on the day, holding Hamilton to 250 yards, while hurrying QB Joe Kane 10 times. Though this game was a big win for Niagara, the weak offensive line play still raises questions about how good they really are. Regardless, with such a cake schedule remaining, they should have a lot of chances to figure it out before their next big game.
Up Next: at Sacramento Terror
10. Hamilton Lightning (4-1) – Hamilton couldn’t get the offense working in the second half, falling to the Niagara Assassins 13-24. The offense couldn’t get moving well at all most of the game actually, with QB Joe Kane scrambling for his life and the offensive line unable to create room for HB Lukas Omelanczuk. The one place Hamilton outplayed Niagara was on special teams, with CB Marcus Baby Boy taking three kick returns for 81 yards. With such a poor showing, Hamilton has to be worried moving forward and has to be thankful they aren’t playing in a much deeper Western Conference.
Up Next: Philadelphia Legends
On the bubble: Marley’s Pot Puffing Ingredients (4-1)
West Game of the Week: Gaffney Indians (5-0) vs. Laval Lumberjacks (3-2)
East Game of the Week: Yellowknife Rented Mules (5-0) vs. Lincoln Lucky (4-1)
Last edited Nov 20, 2008 10:16:14