Round 1: 4-0
Round 2: 2-0
Playoffs: 6-0
Well, guys. It really doesn't get much bigger than this. The clash of the Titans. A rematch of one of the best game the regular season saw play out. If this game is half the game the first meeting was... it will be a damn good way for Alpha to determine its representative in the successive cakewalk over the Zeta representative.
South Yorkshire Stars at Transylvania Bloodsuckers
Passing
Jason Coker of Transylvania--an MVP candidate despite his team running the ball many 4th quarters throughout the season is about to step on the field in the biggest game of his career. Would you believe this guy threw 1 TDs and 4 INT's last regular season? Look at him now. 35 TD's to 18 INT's and almost 4700 yards. What a success story. Considered by many to be the league's top player, he definitely has proven to be a hell of a weapon from the pocket. With a player like Coker out there, it's easy to forget about the "other guy".
The only problem is that this "other guy" is far from just another qb. SoYo's Donny Sullivan is #2 in WE7 in passing yardage and TD's. (25TD's/15INT) While the margin is quite significant between himself and Coker, he is still a viable candidate for your next-best. Not too shabby a thing to bring to the field when facing the top qb in the league, huh?
Advantage: Bloodsuckers
Rushing
The Bloodsuckers rushing game is often ignored. But while not exactly an incredible threat, it is nothing to be scoffed. Landon Ridd is a mere 14th in the league in yardage, but he is 3rd in TD's, amassing 25--a number that would've placed him in the op of Zeta. The Bloodsucker's #2 Anton Shuguth finishes 21st in yardage and slightly better in TD's. They're no cupcakes.
But where does the problem lie? The problem lies in SoYo's RB Tandem. Deacon Peterson has obtained 2100 yards and 35 TD's despite a near-even split in carries with Brock Lovelace... who also amassed 27 TD's en route to 1700 yards for himself. What does that combo get you? It gets you the #1 and #2 RB in the league in TD's and the #1 and #2 RB in the conference in yardage. Scary.
Advantage: SoYo
Receiving
Also squaring off is a more low-key battle of receivers. Frank Fitchard and Jeremy Jones of the 'Suckers comprise the #1 and #5 player in receiving yards in WE7. Conversely, yours truly--Power Forward-- and Luca Brasi finished a respectable but far from equal 4th and 15th.
Advantage: Transylvania
Kicking/Punting
Here is an oft-overlooked area of the game. kicking.
Neither teams' Punters have seen much action. SoYo punting only 67 times for the season with the Bloodsuckers one-upping them with a 57-punt outing. However, the SoYo punter, Faas Wilkes, has averaged 28.2 yards per punt versus his Bloodsucker counterpart Eddie Marquez' 25.5 ypp. Huge difference? No way. Have games been decided by less? Absolutely.
As far as kickers go, this one is a bit more even. SoYo's jack mccormick has yet to attempt a 0-19 yarder this season on his way to a 7/8 postseason with a lone miss from 50+. Bloodsucker Van Tiffin missed primarily from 40+ in an excellent regular season but has only posted a 2/5 showing in the postseason. Because of this, combined with the punting average...
Advantage: SoYo
Offensive Line
Both teams have dominant offensive lines. They wouldn't be where they are without it. The difference is in the style. The Suckers' main goal is to protect their qb. The SoYo OL want to put your ass on the ground. 1125 pancakes in the regular season for SoYo. What? Yes, you read that right. 1125. William Johnson set a new GLB record of 371 pancakes in a single season. Anyone want to line up opposite this guy in the 'ship? Their lowest finisher in pancakes was 27th, including the top 2 finishers and 3 of the top 10.
The Bloodsuckers line is quite adept at giving their prize horse time to fire it downfield. They've only allowed 5 sacks on the season. However, SoYo is number 2 in the league in sacks. problem? Yep. None of SoYo's 19 sacks came against the Bloodsuckers. These guys know what they're doing.
Advantage: SoYo
Defensive Line
The SoYo DL is the only one in the conference to amass double digit sacks for the season finishing with 19. Dingles Berries the SoYo DT has finished with 10 sacks, alone. That's more than any other team in Alpha. Additionally they finish top in the conference in Hurries with 127. That's alot. Where does Transylvania match up in these categories? 6 Sacks and 77 hurries.
The two DL's do their part to contribute to the top 2 rushing defenses in the league, so it's obvious the Bloodsuckers DL knows how to get he job done without putting up the flashy stats.
Advantage: SoYo
Linebackers
The SoYo squad holds the level advantage here. But that doesn't always matter. As mentioned in the above section, both teams are outstanding at defending the rush. That has to be an equal accreditation to the LB corps. Both teams are about even on Forced fumbles... which can't only be credited to the LB's, but nonetheless.
Advantage: Push
Secondary
The two secondaries are almost interchangeable. SoYo leads in INT's, but Suckers lead in PD's. The two are almost equal in yardage allowed. Too close to call, for sure.
Advantage: Push
Overall and Special Notes
-These teams are 1 and 2 in Fewest Missed Tackles, Total TD's, Points Scored, Fewest Punts, Passing TDs, Rushing TDs, Rushing yards Allowed
-SoYo leads league in: Offensive Plays, Pancakes, Total TDs, Points Scored, INT Ret TDs, 30-39 FG's, XPM, Fewest FG Allowed, Punt Returns, Rushing yards, Rushing Avg, Rushing TDs, Rushing Yards Allowed, Rushing TDs Allowed, Fewest Hurries Allowed, Sacks, Fewest Kick Returns
-Bloodsuckers lead the league in: Passing yards, Completions, Completion %, Yards per Attempt, yards per Completion, Passing TD's, Receptions, Average YAC, Fumble Return TD's, Fewest Punts
-SoYo is #2 in the league in: Points Allowed, Fumble Recoveries, Hurries, PR Yards, Passing TDs, Fewest Punts
-Bloodsuckers are #2 in the league in: Total TD's, Points Scored, XPM, Rushing TDs, Rushing Yards Allowed
Overall, i scored this a 2-4 win for SoYo in the matchups. The Return Game will be the wildcard here, as i am not going to attempt to dissect that. It could be the difference. The one key stat that is obviously worth consideration is the fact that the Bloodsuckers, riding the longest winning streak in the league, won this matchup in the regular season, handing SoYo it's only loss of the year. Will revenge be enough of a factor to get a SoYo win? Will history repeat itself? It's a tough call. On thing is for sure, though. All things considered.. is anyone really surprised this is who it's coming down to? It's a shame both teams have to be in the same conference, really. And as a SoYo player, i have nothing but respect for the Bloodsucker players. you guys are a hell of a team. Possibly the best around--SoYo included. but one thing is for sure... when I glance across my teammates... and as I analyze this game... I really can't lie and say I think we're going to lose. It should be a game for the ages, but I am going to try to be as unbiased as possible in this prediction (though it may come off that way).....
SoYo by 10. On to WE7 Championship vs the Trombones.
Round 2: 2-0
Playoffs: 6-0
Well, guys. It really doesn't get much bigger than this. The clash of the Titans. A rematch of one of the best game the regular season saw play out. If this game is half the game the first meeting was... it will be a damn good way for Alpha to determine its representative in the successive cakewalk over the Zeta representative.
South Yorkshire Stars at Transylvania Bloodsuckers
Passing
Jason Coker of Transylvania--an MVP candidate despite his team running the ball many 4th quarters throughout the season is about to step on the field in the biggest game of his career. Would you believe this guy threw 1 TDs and 4 INT's last regular season? Look at him now. 35 TD's to 18 INT's and almost 4700 yards. What a success story. Considered by many to be the league's top player, he definitely has proven to be a hell of a weapon from the pocket. With a player like Coker out there, it's easy to forget about the "other guy".
The only problem is that this "other guy" is far from just another qb. SoYo's Donny Sullivan is #2 in WE7 in passing yardage and TD's. (25TD's/15INT) While the margin is quite significant between himself and Coker, he is still a viable candidate for your next-best. Not too shabby a thing to bring to the field when facing the top qb in the league, huh?
Advantage: Bloodsuckers
Rushing
The Bloodsuckers rushing game is often ignored. But while not exactly an incredible threat, it is nothing to be scoffed. Landon Ridd is a mere 14th in the league in yardage, but he is 3rd in TD's, amassing 25--a number that would've placed him in the op of Zeta. The Bloodsucker's #2 Anton Shuguth finishes 21st in yardage and slightly better in TD's. They're no cupcakes.
But where does the problem lie? The problem lies in SoYo's RB Tandem. Deacon Peterson has obtained 2100 yards and 35 TD's despite a near-even split in carries with Brock Lovelace... who also amassed 27 TD's en route to 1700 yards for himself. What does that combo get you? It gets you the #1 and #2 RB in the league in TD's and the #1 and #2 RB in the conference in yardage. Scary.
Advantage: SoYo
Receiving
Also squaring off is a more low-key battle of receivers. Frank Fitchard and Jeremy Jones of the 'Suckers comprise the #1 and #5 player in receiving yards in WE7. Conversely, yours truly--Power Forward-- and Luca Brasi finished a respectable but far from equal 4th and 15th.
Advantage: Transylvania
Kicking/Punting
Here is an oft-overlooked area of the game. kicking.
Neither teams' Punters have seen much action. SoYo punting only 67 times for the season with the Bloodsuckers one-upping them with a 57-punt outing. However, the SoYo punter, Faas Wilkes, has averaged 28.2 yards per punt versus his Bloodsucker counterpart Eddie Marquez' 25.5 ypp. Huge difference? No way. Have games been decided by less? Absolutely.
As far as kickers go, this one is a bit more even. SoYo's jack mccormick has yet to attempt a 0-19 yarder this season on his way to a 7/8 postseason with a lone miss from 50+. Bloodsucker Van Tiffin missed primarily from 40+ in an excellent regular season but has only posted a 2/5 showing in the postseason. Because of this, combined with the punting average...
Advantage: SoYo
Offensive Line
Both teams have dominant offensive lines. They wouldn't be where they are without it. The difference is in the style. The Suckers' main goal is to protect their qb. The SoYo OL want to put your ass on the ground. 1125 pancakes in the regular season for SoYo. What? Yes, you read that right. 1125. William Johnson set a new GLB record of 371 pancakes in a single season. Anyone want to line up opposite this guy in the 'ship? Their lowest finisher in pancakes was 27th, including the top 2 finishers and 3 of the top 10.
The Bloodsuckers line is quite adept at giving their prize horse time to fire it downfield. They've only allowed 5 sacks on the season. However, SoYo is number 2 in the league in sacks. problem? Yep. None of SoYo's 19 sacks came against the Bloodsuckers. These guys know what they're doing.
Advantage: SoYo
Defensive Line
The SoYo DL is the only one in the conference to amass double digit sacks for the season finishing with 19. Dingles Berries the SoYo DT has finished with 10 sacks, alone. That's more than any other team in Alpha. Additionally they finish top in the conference in Hurries with 127. That's alot. Where does Transylvania match up in these categories? 6 Sacks and 77 hurries.
The two DL's do their part to contribute to the top 2 rushing defenses in the league, so it's obvious the Bloodsuckers DL knows how to get he job done without putting up the flashy stats.
Advantage: SoYo
Linebackers
The SoYo squad holds the level advantage here. But that doesn't always matter. As mentioned in the above section, both teams are outstanding at defending the rush. That has to be an equal accreditation to the LB corps. Both teams are about even on Forced fumbles... which can't only be credited to the LB's, but nonetheless.
Advantage: Push
Secondary
The two secondaries are almost interchangeable. SoYo leads in INT's, but Suckers lead in PD's. The two are almost equal in yardage allowed. Too close to call, for sure.
Advantage: Push
Overall and Special Notes
-These teams are 1 and 2 in Fewest Missed Tackles, Total TD's, Points Scored, Fewest Punts, Passing TDs, Rushing TDs, Rushing yards Allowed
-SoYo leads league in: Offensive Plays, Pancakes, Total TDs, Points Scored, INT Ret TDs, 30-39 FG's, XPM, Fewest FG Allowed, Punt Returns, Rushing yards, Rushing Avg, Rushing TDs, Rushing Yards Allowed, Rushing TDs Allowed, Fewest Hurries Allowed, Sacks, Fewest Kick Returns
-Bloodsuckers lead the league in: Passing yards, Completions, Completion %, Yards per Attempt, yards per Completion, Passing TD's, Receptions, Average YAC, Fumble Return TD's, Fewest Punts
-SoYo is #2 in the league in: Points Allowed, Fumble Recoveries, Hurries, PR Yards, Passing TDs, Fewest Punts
-Bloodsuckers are #2 in the league in: Total TD's, Points Scored, XPM, Rushing TDs, Rushing Yards Allowed
Overall, i scored this a 2-4 win for SoYo in the matchups. The Return Game will be the wildcard here, as i am not going to attempt to dissect that. It could be the difference. The one key stat that is obviously worth consideration is the fact that the Bloodsuckers, riding the longest winning streak in the league, won this matchup in the regular season, handing SoYo it's only loss of the year. Will revenge be enough of a factor to get a SoYo win? Will history repeat itself? It's a tough call. On thing is for sure, though. All things considered.. is anyone really surprised this is who it's coming down to? It's a shame both teams have to be in the same conference, really. And as a SoYo player, i have nothing but respect for the Bloodsucker players. you guys are a hell of a team. Possibly the best around--SoYo included. but one thing is for sure... when I glance across my teammates... and as I analyze this game... I really can't lie and say I think we're going to lose. It should be a game for the ages, but I am going to try to be as unbiased as possible in this prediction (though it may come off that way).....
SoYo by 10. On to WE7 Championship vs the Trombones.
