Prize Fighters
Bel Air Beardogs 13
Great Plains Reapers 6
There is a concept known to the football world as "bend but don't break." It parallels a tactic used in defensive warfare where you continue to give ground to your enemy, but make them pay dearly for it. In football its about hunkering down when needed most: in the red zone.
The Bel Air defense relied heavily on this philosophy against Great Plains, twice holding them to field goals in the red zone. The Reapers first points came after being held on 1st and Goal from the 8 yard line, after obtaining only 1 yard in 3 plays. Following their 2nd field goal, they wouldn't see the Bel Air side of the field again in the game as the Beardogs came out all but impenetrable in the 2nd half.
A running attack that some believe to be inconsistent proved the trump card on the offensive side of the football. Monotony carried the load, leading the team to 184 yards rushing, the most the Reapers have given up all season and only the 2nd time a team has rushed for over 100 yards against them. Coupled with an efficient passing attack that didn't turn the ball over, Bel Air cruised to a W needing only 13 points to shut the door on a game where (like most other games this season) the defense dominated.
Great Plains can hold their heads up high though, because despite the loss they were able to put up twice as many points as the Bel Air D has given up in its last 4 games combined... 6.
Like a prize fighter who comes back from some unexpected losses early in their career, Bel Air is starting to come into their own and solidify a place in the conference's elite. Like the old boxing creed says : you gotta roll with the punches. Whats on the horizon? Yet another huge matchup in two weeks against a strong Oakland team looking to rebound from a loss against Las Vegas.
Around the League
Titans clashed around the league this week, and their power was felt as the battle for supremacy saw some collateral damage. New Brunswick's warpath to the playoffs ran right through Miami, a team many believed could turn it around after a win against Hartford two weeks ago. Waco proved once again they are among the heavy hitters, laying Spicewood low. Best of all, a true thriller at Wizard's Stadium in Oakland between the Stunners and Wizards.
Las Vegas 14
Oakland 13
Entering the 2nd half, Las Vegas found themselves down 13 to 7. In the third quarter they were able to obtain 4 first downs scattered across two drives but no points then proceeded to go 3 and out in three consecutive drives leading late into the fourth when what can only be described as a miracle occured. 1:46 left in the game, Las Vegas on their own 28 yard line beginning another drive 1st and 10 following 3 that didn't result in a first down. Quarterback Cade Johnson drops back and hits Hooker McHookerson in stride, who proceeds to beat Method Mann after the catch for a 72 and a half yard game stealing touchdown. McHookerson had both Las Vegas touchdowns in the game to along with 158 yards and the jaws of every Oakland fan that watched the game. I don't know which is worse: the fact that the game was decided by one huge play or that the huge play was made by a guy named McHookerson. He is from Las Vegas, so I guess it fits. Gut wrenching loss for Oakland who will vengefully smite Ambridge in their next game.
Miami 14
New Brunswick 34
New Brunswick has been something of an anomaly all season. They win the games they are supposed to win and all of their losses (save Spicewood) could have been decided by a few plays going the other way and those Ls become Ws. The frustration of that realization may have finally gotten to the n00bs, who straight uppercutted a Cyclones squad hoping to build some momentum after a victory over the Hellhounds. From the beginning it was obvious New Brunswick wasn't messing around, putting up 24 points before halftime. At the end, the n00bs knocked Miami unconcious with a left hook. This week, the role of left hook will be played by: Greg Martin. His line? 39 for 206 and 4 scores. He may not be the WHOLE offense, but he's a good 99% of it.
Dallas 13
Portland 10
Dallas was able to overcome 2 interceptions, a lost fumble, and three sacks allowed to claw this one out. The total yard difference was slim: 264 for Portland and 276 for Dallas. That being said, its truly an accomplishment that Dallas won this football game with a negative turnover differential. Neither team could really get a running game going, and because of that receivers Dick N. Balzonia (Portland) and trio Ormsby, Crabtree, and Dougan (Dallas) stole the spotlight. The wierdest stat in this game? It almost saw 4 different quarterbacks, two for each team, get 100 yards passing. Portland DB L. Advised Pass dominated with 11 tackles, 7 pass deflections, and an interception for 27 yards. This one is truly an example of the chips just falling Dallas's way, props to Portland on a really strong showing.
Spicewood 3
Waco 16
I'll be the first to admit I had this one circled on my schedule as the game to watch. Spicewood was working with a 4 game winning streak and, most recently, an absolute crushing of Portland. Waco's resilience proved to be too much, however, and Spicewood found themselves lassoed back to Earth. Waco didn't really dominate per se, but they were consistent, putting up points in every quarter. Top performer? Filipovic who was flawless when needed most, going 3 for 3. Wolfgang Puck had an impressive 6.1 yard rushing average on 15 carries, but failed to reach 100 yards in the game (not surprising since he only had 15 carries). Good win for Waco, who proved they can win ugly as well as bomb people like they've done in previous weeks.
RGB 14
Chicago 9
Going into the second half, Chicago had a 6 to nothing lead and their load-up-the-box-against-Awooga strategy was working to perfection. Unlucky for them, though, that backup halfback Bradley Eastcreek broke out for almost 50 yards on 6 carries and a momentum shifting touchdown. A 39 yard pass from Ward to Shakur would prove to be the nail tonight, destroying any hopes Chicago had of getting a much needed win. In this match up of a few of the leagues worsts, RGB gets the nod. Ultimately it may not have been a win they want, because Chicago may have solidified their place in the gutter (they even lost to Ambridge... enough said) and may get shipped off to BBB league next season. Unless RGB can build around its running back, they may be cursed for a few seasons to come.
Scottsdale 12
Grand Haven 17
A few weeks ago, this may not have been such an intriguing game. Now, however, the Mist v Sun Devils matchup grabbed the attention of football fans around the conference. It was absolutely overflowing with drama: could Grand Haven prove they have arrived? Could Scottsdale get a huge win to set the stage for their upcoming game against Great Plains and maintain their hopes for the playoffs? The result: Grand Haven has arrived. For the first time this season, Grand Haven displayed a potent passing offense. Receiver LIGHTNING BOLT led the way with 85 yards on 5 catches and a 48 yard touchdown. The most impressive thing about this victory is that Grand Haven was able to do it in come-from-behind fashion. Down by 9 at halftime, the Mist broke out in the 3rd quarter dropping 17 on the Sun Devils, something they weren't able to recover from.
Ambridge 0
Hartford 70
Headline: Ambridge Gets Steamrolled. What week is this again? 5? 7? 10? This headline just applies so often to Ambridge its hard to differentiate. Either way, not much to really talk about. Putting up monster numbers against Ambridge isn't something new, maybe if they can go out and recruit Chuck Norris they'll have a chance to compete.
Closing Statements
Everyone else is making their text look all pretty and what not, so I figured I'd join the pretty party with all this cool bold and underlinazation. This week, the closing statement nod goes to Grand Haven. Realistically, the playoffs are out of reach for this season but the groundwork has definitly been laid for a super highway of pain for opponents in seasons to come. The arrival of new league forums are pretty sweet too. No more USA A#7 in front of the post! Its pretty glorious actually... stay classy Western Conference.
Bel Air Beardogs 13
Great Plains Reapers 6
There is a concept known to the football world as "bend but don't break." It parallels a tactic used in defensive warfare where you continue to give ground to your enemy, but make them pay dearly for it. In football its about hunkering down when needed most: in the red zone.
The Bel Air defense relied heavily on this philosophy against Great Plains, twice holding them to field goals in the red zone. The Reapers first points came after being held on 1st and Goal from the 8 yard line, after obtaining only 1 yard in 3 plays. Following their 2nd field goal, they wouldn't see the Bel Air side of the field again in the game as the Beardogs came out all but impenetrable in the 2nd half.
A running attack that some believe to be inconsistent proved the trump card on the offensive side of the football. Monotony carried the load, leading the team to 184 yards rushing, the most the Reapers have given up all season and only the 2nd time a team has rushed for over 100 yards against them. Coupled with an efficient passing attack that didn't turn the ball over, Bel Air cruised to a W needing only 13 points to shut the door on a game where (like most other games this season) the defense dominated.
Great Plains can hold their heads up high though, because despite the loss they were able to put up twice as many points as the Bel Air D has given up in its last 4 games combined... 6.
Like a prize fighter who comes back from some unexpected losses early in their career, Bel Air is starting to come into their own and solidify a place in the conference's elite. Like the old boxing creed says : you gotta roll with the punches. Whats on the horizon? Yet another huge matchup in two weeks against a strong Oakland team looking to rebound from a loss against Las Vegas.
Around the League
Titans clashed around the league this week, and their power was felt as the battle for supremacy saw some collateral damage. New Brunswick's warpath to the playoffs ran right through Miami, a team many believed could turn it around after a win against Hartford two weeks ago. Waco proved once again they are among the heavy hitters, laying Spicewood low. Best of all, a true thriller at Wizard's Stadium in Oakland between the Stunners and Wizards.
Las Vegas 14
Oakland 13
Entering the 2nd half, Las Vegas found themselves down 13 to 7. In the third quarter they were able to obtain 4 first downs scattered across two drives but no points then proceeded to go 3 and out in three consecutive drives leading late into the fourth when what can only be described as a miracle occured. 1:46 left in the game, Las Vegas on their own 28 yard line beginning another drive 1st and 10 following 3 that didn't result in a first down. Quarterback Cade Johnson drops back and hits Hooker McHookerson in stride, who proceeds to beat Method Mann after the catch for a 72 and a half yard game stealing touchdown. McHookerson had both Las Vegas touchdowns in the game to along with 158 yards and the jaws of every Oakland fan that watched the game. I don't know which is worse: the fact that the game was decided by one huge play or that the huge play was made by a guy named McHookerson. He is from Las Vegas, so I guess it fits. Gut wrenching loss for Oakland who will vengefully smite Ambridge in their next game.
Miami 14
New Brunswick 34
New Brunswick has been something of an anomaly all season. They win the games they are supposed to win and all of their losses (save Spicewood) could have been decided by a few plays going the other way and those Ls become Ws. The frustration of that realization may have finally gotten to the n00bs, who straight uppercutted a Cyclones squad hoping to build some momentum after a victory over the Hellhounds. From the beginning it was obvious New Brunswick wasn't messing around, putting up 24 points before halftime. At the end, the n00bs knocked Miami unconcious with a left hook. This week, the role of left hook will be played by: Greg Martin. His line? 39 for 206 and 4 scores. He may not be the WHOLE offense, but he's a good 99% of it.
Dallas 13
Portland 10
Dallas was able to overcome 2 interceptions, a lost fumble, and three sacks allowed to claw this one out. The total yard difference was slim: 264 for Portland and 276 for Dallas. That being said, its truly an accomplishment that Dallas won this football game with a negative turnover differential. Neither team could really get a running game going, and because of that receivers Dick N. Balzonia (Portland) and trio Ormsby, Crabtree, and Dougan (Dallas) stole the spotlight. The wierdest stat in this game? It almost saw 4 different quarterbacks, two for each team, get 100 yards passing. Portland DB L. Advised Pass dominated with 11 tackles, 7 pass deflections, and an interception for 27 yards. This one is truly an example of the chips just falling Dallas's way, props to Portland on a really strong showing.
Spicewood 3
Waco 16
I'll be the first to admit I had this one circled on my schedule as the game to watch. Spicewood was working with a 4 game winning streak and, most recently, an absolute crushing of Portland. Waco's resilience proved to be too much, however, and Spicewood found themselves lassoed back to Earth. Waco didn't really dominate per se, but they were consistent, putting up points in every quarter. Top performer? Filipovic who was flawless when needed most, going 3 for 3. Wolfgang Puck had an impressive 6.1 yard rushing average on 15 carries, but failed to reach 100 yards in the game (not surprising since he only had 15 carries). Good win for Waco, who proved they can win ugly as well as bomb people like they've done in previous weeks.
RGB 14
Chicago 9
Going into the second half, Chicago had a 6 to nothing lead and their load-up-the-box-against-Awooga strategy was working to perfection. Unlucky for them, though, that backup halfback Bradley Eastcreek broke out for almost 50 yards on 6 carries and a momentum shifting touchdown. A 39 yard pass from Ward to Shakur would prove to be the nail tonight, destroying any hopes Chicago had of getting a much needed win. In this match up of a few of the leagues worsts, RGB gets the nod. Ultimately it may not have been a win they want, because Chicago may have solidified their place in the gutter (they even lost to Ambridge... enough said) and may get shipped off to BBB league next season. Unless RGB can build around its running back, they may be cursed for a few seasons to come.
Scottsdale 12
Grand Haven 17
A few weeks ago, this may not have been such an intriguing game. Now, however, the Mist v Sun Devils matchup grabbed the attention of football fans around the conference. It was absolutely overflowing with drama: could Grand Haven prove they have arrived? Could Scottsdale get a huge win to set the stage for their upcoming game against Great Plains and maintain their hopes for the playoffs? The result: Grand Haven has arrived. For the first time this season, Grand Haven displayed a potent passing offense. Receiver LIGHTNING BOLT led the way with 85 yards on 5 catches and a 48 yard touchdown. The most impressive thing about this victory is that Grand Haven was able to do it in come-from-behind fashion. Down by 9 at halftime, the Mist broke out in the 3rd quarter dropping 17 on the Sun Devils, something they weren't able to recover from.
Ambridge 0
Hartford 70
Headline: Ambridge Gets Steamrolled. What week is this again? 5? 7? 10? This headline just applies so often to Ambridge its hard to differentiate. Either way, not much to really talk about. Putting up monster numbers against Ambridge isn't something new, maybe if they can go out and recruit Chuck Norris they'll have a chance to compete.
Closing Statements
Everyone else is making their text look all pretty and what not, so I figured I'd join the pretty party with all this cool bold and underlinazation. This week, the closing statement nod goes to Grand Haven. Realistically, the playoffs are out of reach for this season but the groundwork has definitly been laid for a super highway of pain for opponents in seasons to come. The arrival of new league forums are pretty sweet too. No more USA A#7 in front of the post! Its pretty glorious actually... stay classy Western Conference.
