Hello, and welcome to the Week 8 Edition of the East Europe AA #4 Power Rankings! Well, we're at the halfway point of the season, and I don't think anyone could have predicted how things would shake out, even myself. While certain teams remain stalwart entrants into the top ten, holdovers from disappointing losses in the playoffs, a few teams have popped up to surprise everyone with their resiliency and determination.
Game of the Week
#31 Longreach Wildcats vs. #28 Prague Panthers
Just because these two teams sit at the bottom of the Power Rankings doesn't mean their game was any less meaningful or worth watching. With Longreach hoping to finally get that elusive first win and Prague trying to grab a second, both teams had it all on the line when the opening whistle sounded.
Going into the 4th quarter, Longreach looked to be in control. They were up 17-13 after having just scored the go-ahead touchdown. But Prague would not go down without a fight, as on the ensuing drive they managed to get within range of K David Urry, who booted a 39-yard field goal to pull them within 1. Both teams couldn't get anything going on their next possessions, and Longreach ended up going three and out with just over 7 minutes left in the half. With that possession, Prague managed to complete three straight passes for at least 7 yards to bring them within field goal range once more. Urry converted a 39.5-yard field goal, and Prague found themselves in control once more. Once again, both teams went three and out on their next possessions, but Longreach had one more chance to get the win. With 1:54 left in the game, they got the ball back on their own 41-yard line. Three straight plays of 10, 9.5, and 6 yard gains put them in very good position if only they could get a few more yards to get within their kicker's range. But it was not to be. A dropped pass, a mere 1-yard gain, and a clutch deflection by Prague CB Carvante Curry on 4th & 3 gave Prague the win.
End Result: Prague wins, 19-17
Power Rankings
My Power Rankings rely heavily on what you have done within the last 4 games. So sometimes even if you win you might find yourself not going too far if another team happens to drop a bad 'number' from their last 4 and replaces it with a good number. They're a fair as I can mathematically make them. If you have any questions, just mail me and I'll do my best to answer.
The Top Ten
1. Lowell Bengal Tigers (8-0) Last Week (LW): #1
With the halfway point of the season here, I don't think anyone can argue that Lowell is currently the team to beat in Alpha. They've had three very convincing wins over winning Alpha teams, which puts them far and away at the top of the Power Rankings. Things don't get any easier for them though, as the next three matchups come against winning teams looking to unseat the undefeated Bengal Tigers.
Last Game: vs. Texas Aggies, won 32-10
Next Game: vs. Moscow Vandals (6-2)
2. London Head Hunters (8-0) LW: #2
London is now the last remaining undefeated team in Zeta conference thanks to Hat Creek's win over the Berserks today. They face the winless Scorpions next before a three game stretch against some really good teams so they have at least one more week to bask in the glory that is the #2 spot of the Power Rankings.
Last Game: vs. C-Town Hoodlums, won 30-6
Next Game: vs. Subotica Scorpions (0-8)
3. Krakow Cows (7-1) LW: #6
Krakow jumps up three spots in the Rankings as they find themselves where they feel they belong, as the best 1-loss team in AA4. They face Alpha cupcakes, the London Dolphins this week but this might be the last easy game they have all season.
Last Game: vs. Fehérvár Enthroners, won 27-13
Next Game: vs. London Dolphins (0-8)
4. Minsk Ninjas (7-1) LW: #4
Minsk holds on to their #4 spot in the Rankings after blowing out the Cossacks. They spend the rest of the season alternating tough teams with not-so-tough teams, and seek to run the table so that they can get a rematch against the Tigers in the playoffs.
Last Game: vs. Warsaw Cossacks, won 30-0
Next Game: vs. Charleston Roadwarriors (3-5)
5. Warsaw Warriors (7-1) LW: #9
The Warriors bounce back into the top 5 of the Rankings after beating the team that took their Rankings spot last week, the Buckaroos. They face a struggling Coyotes team this week before back-to-back games against two very strong teams in the Storm and the Berserks.
Last Game: vs. Grodno Buckaroos, won 35-13
Next Game: vs. Haguenau Coyotes (4-4)
6. Volgograd Berserks (7-1) LW: #5
The Berserks were handed their first loss this week at the hands of the Cattle Company, but they don't fall too far thanks to still having 7 wins on the season. Their matchup against the Buckaroos this week will have more than a few eyes trained on it, as this could be a likely matchup during the playoffs.
Last Game: vs. Hat Creek Cattle Company, lost 13-20
Next Game: vs. Grodno Buckaroos (6-2)
7. Hat Creek Cattle Company (6-2) LW: #13
The Cattle Company vaults into the the Top Ten of the Rankings after playing spoiler to two undefeated teams in a row. They hope to ride the crest of their recent wave of success against The Look and the Radionuclides before a week 11 contest against top Zeta team, the Head Hunters.
Last Game: vs. Volgograd Berserks, won 20-13
Next Game: vs. The Look (6-2)
8. Grodno Buckaroos (6-2) LW: #3
The Buckaroos take a big dive in the Rankings after losing big to the Warriors. This actually might play right into the hands of their management, as they have tried to keep a low profile as they prepare for what they hope is a deep playoffs run. They'll have to get past the Berserks first, a team that is likely out for blood after being handed their first loss on the season.
Last Game: vs. Warsaw Warriors, lost 13-35
Next Game: vs. Volgograd Berserks (7-1)
9. St. Petersburg Storm (6-2) LW: #11
The Storm once again find themselves in the Top Ten of the Rankings as their 'defense first' mindset has allowed them to grind out a 6-2 record for the mid-season. They go up against the Tire Irons this week before their toughest challenge of the season against the Warriors.
Last Game: vs. Haguenau Coyotes, won 23-13
Next Game: vs. Sydney Tire Irons (1-7)
10. Moscow Vandals (6-2) LW: #7
The Vandals find themselves just barely in the Top Ten after losing to the Outlaws this week. It certainly doesn't get any easier this week either, as they find themselves face-to-face against the #1 Bengal Tigers. Despite a solid showing so far this year, the Vandals just might be a bit overmatched here.
Last Game: vs. Tallaght Outlaws, lost 3-17
Next Game: vs. Lowell Bengal Tigers (8-0)
Hanging on
11. The Look
12. Moscow Bears
13. Chernobyl Radionuclides
14. Fehervar Enthroners
15. Texas Aggies
16. Tallaght Outlaws
Looking up
17. Tricity Hares
18. Charleston Roadwarriors
19. NISSA Dauphins
20. Haquenau Coyotes
21. Carluke Cobras
22. Prague Panthers
Lying down
23. Bratislava Vampires
24. International Players
25. Leicester Lynxes
26. Sydney Tire Irons
27. Warsaw Cossacks
28. Florida Buccaneers
Six feet under
29. Longreach Wildcats
30. C-Town Hoodlums
31. London Dolphins
32. Subotica Scorpions
Game of the Week
#31 Longreach Wildcats vs. #28 Prague Panthers
Just because these two teams sit at the bottom of the Power Rankings doesn't mean their game was any less meaningful or worth watching. With Longreach hoping to finally get that elusive first win and Prague trying to grab a second, both teams had it all on the line when the opening whistle sounded.
Going into the 4th quarter, Longreach looked to be in control. They were up 17-13 after having just scored the go-ahead touchdown. But Prague would not go down without a fight, as on the ensuing drive they managed to get within range of K David Urry, who booted a 39-yard field goal to pull them within 1. Both teams couldn't get anything going on their next possessions, and Longreach ended up going three and out with just over 7 minutes left in the half. With that possession, Prague managed to complete three straight passes for at least 7 yards to bring them within field goal range once more. Urry converted a 39.5-yard field goal, and Prague found themselves in control once more. Once again, both teams went three and out on their next possessions, but Longreach had one more chance to get the win. With 1:54 left in the game, they got the ball back on their own 41-yard line. Three straight plays of 10, 9.5, and 6 yard gains put them in very good position if only they could get a few more yards to get within their kicker's range. But it was not to be. A dropped pass, a mere 1-yard gain, and a clutch deflection by Prague CB Carvante Curry on 4th & 3 gave Prague the win.
End Result: Prague wins, 19-17
Power Rankings
My Power Rankings rely heavily on what you have done within the last 4 games. So sometimes even if you win you might find yourself not going too far if another team happens to drop a bad 'number' from their last 4 and replaces it with a good number. They're a fair as I can mathematically make them. If you have any questions, just mail me and I'll do my best to answer.
The Top Ten
1. Lowell Bengal Tigers (8-0) Last Week (LW): #1
With the halfway point of the season here, I don't think anyone can argue that Lowell is currently the team to beat in Alpha. They've had three very convincing wins over winning Alpha teams, which puts them far and away at the top of the Power Rankings. Things don't get any easier for them though, as the next three matchups come against winning teams looking to unseat the undefeated Bengal Tigers.
Last Game: vs. Texas Aggies, won 32-10
Next Game: vs. Moscow Vandals (6-2)
2. London Head Hunters (8-0) LW: #2
London is now the last remaining undefeated team in Zeta conference thanks to Hat Creek's win over the Berserks today. They face the winless Scorpions next before a three game stretch against some really good teams so they have at least one more week to bask in the glory that is the #2 spot of the Power Rankings.
Last Game: vs. C-Town Hoodlums, won 30-6
Next Game: vs. Subotica Scorpions (0-8)
3. Krakow Cows (7-1) LW: #6
Krakow jumps up three spots in the Rankings as they find themselves where they feel they belong, as the best 1-loss team in AA4. They face Alpha cupcakes, the London Dolphins this week but this might be the last easy game they have all season.
Last Game: vs. Fehérvár Enthroners, won 27-13
Next Game: vs. London Dolphins (0-8)
4. Minsk Ninjas (7-1) LW: #4
Minsk holds on to their #4 spot in the Rankings after blowing out the Cossacks. They spend the rest of the season alternating tough teams with not-so-tough teams, and seek to run the table so that they can get a rematch against the Tigers in the playoffs.
Last Game: vs. Warsaw Cossacks, won 30-0
Next Game: vs. Charleston Roadwarriors (3-5)
5. Warsaw Warriors (7-1) LW: #9
The Warriors bounce back into the top 5 of the Rankings after beating the team that took their Rankings spot last week, the Buckaroos. They face a struggling Coyotes team this week before back-to-back games against two very strong teams in the Storm and the Berserks.
Last Game: vs. Grodno Buckaroos, won 35-13
Next Game: vs. Haguenau Coyotes (4-4)
6. Volgograd Berserks (7-1) LW: #5
The Berserks were handed their first loss this week at the hands of the Cattle Company, but they don't fall too far thanks to still having 7 wins on the season. Their matchup against the Buckaroos this week will have more than a few eyes trained on it, as this could be a likely matchup during the playoffs.
Last Game: vs. Hat Creek Cattle Company, lost 13-20
Next Game: vs. Grodno Buckaroos (6-2)
7. Hat Creek Cattle Company (6-2) LW: #13
The Cattle Company vaults into the the Top Ten of the Rankings after playing spoiler to two undefeated teams in a row. They hope to ride the crest of their recent wave of success against The Look and the Radionuclides before a week 11 contest against top Zeta team, the Head Hunters.
Last Game: vs. Volgograd Berserks, won 20-13
Next Game: vs. The Look (6-2)
8. Grodno Buckaroos (6-2) LW: #3
The Buckaroos take a big dive in the Rankings after losing big to the Warriors. This actually might play right into the hands of their management, as they have tried to keep a low profile as they prepare for what they hope is a deep playoffs run. They'll have to get past the Berserks first, a team that is likely out for blood after being handed their first loss on the season.
Last Game: vs. Warsaw Warriors, lost 13-35
Next Game: vs. Volgograd Berserks (7-1)
9. St. Petersburg Storm (6-2) LW: #11
The Storm once again find themselves in the Top Ten of the Rankings as their 'defense first' mindset has allowed them to grind out a 6-2 record for the mid-season. They go up against the Tire Irons this week before their toughest challenge of the season against the Warriors.
Last Game: vs. Haguenau Coyotes, won 23-13
Next Game: vs. Sydney Tire Irons (1-7)
10. Moscow Vandals (6-2) LW: #7
The Vandals find themselves just barely in the Top Ten after losing to the Outlaws this week. It certainly doesn't get any easier this week either, as they find themselves face-to-face against the #1 Bengal Tigers. Despite a solid showing so far this year, the Vandals just might be a bit overmatched here.
Last Game: vs. Tallaght Outlaws, lost 3-17
Next Game: vs. Lowell Bengal Tigers (8-0)
Hanging on
11. The Look
12. Moscow Bears
13. Chernobyl Radionuclides
14. Fehervar Enthroners
15. Texas Aggies
16. Tallaght Outlaws
Looking up
17. Tricity Hares
18. Charleston Roadwarriors
19. NISSA Dauphins
20. Haquenau Coyotes
21. Carluke Cobras
22. Prague Panthers
Lying down
23. Bratislava Vampires
24. International Players
25. Leicester Lynxes
26. Sydney Tire Irons
27. Warsaw Cossacks
28. Florida Buccaneers
Six feet under
29. Longreach Wildcats
30. C-Town Hoodlums
31. London Dolphins
32. Subotica Scorpions
Last edited Jun 26, 2008 11:53:07
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