Good Morning, SupaNation.
There's a whole lotta playoffs going on and it's exciting to finally be enjoying the cool breeze, the college ball and now even the NFL. Football fever is finally upon the rest of the country- though we've been in full swing for nearly 4 months now. There will be some great games this weekend and I can't wait to read your scores and details- so let's get to it.
Indianapolis Tornados @ OK Thunder
At first glance, the Thunder are amazing. The numbers they've put up in a very competitive league are very impressive- until you see how they did it. The Thunder have scored more than 50 points 5 times- but did so against the worst teams in the GDFL. It would be a mistake to take this team lightly, though. It's still the best team in the league. With that in mind, the Tornados have likely come to the end of the road. The depth and size of the hosts- especially in the trenches- will wear the visitors down early. Great season for the Tornados nonetheless.
Thunder 36
Tornados 13
Kosciusco County Mustangs @ West Central Wildcats
The Mustangs have to a great extent outperformed expectations this season. Close followers of the IFL knew that the team would be in a rebuilding phase this season and it's clear that they've made the most of things. The Wildcats could not be any different in that respect. They are head and shoulders above every other team in the IFL and still have not come close to their potential. This game will not be at all close, but it will be a reflection of the overall quality of organizations in the league.
Wildcats 51
Mustangs 6
Indiana Hitmen @ Indiana Cutters:
The Hitmen ended up with the best team in Michiana in 2011 and unlike years passed, that's not saying much. Like Western Ohio, this region is saturated with too many small teams which water down rosters and leave a less than optimal product on the field. The Cutters have again put together an impressive season- unless you count their games with the WCW. Agains the WCW, the Cutters have been outscored 13-100, but against the rest of the league, they are 8-0 and have outscored their opponents 164-66. They'll have more than enough in the tank to mop up the visitors, but will certainly have to settle for runner up in the IFL.
Cutters 34
Hitmen 12
Joliet Buccaneers @ Indiana Generals
The Generals faced their own mortality last week and have spent the week regaining focus. The Buccs come to the Nap with the worst record in the MSFL and will certainly be in line for significant punishment from the spurned Generals.
Generals 48
Buccs 6
Lake County Steelers @ Springfield Foxes
I feel like I write these words every year about this time- but the Steelers have not had the year in 2011 that they'd hoped. The organization has proved over the years (with some notable bumps in the road) that it is solid and worthy of its longevity. Perhaps the time has come to look at another league affiliation. The Foxes are mediocre, but have been tough at home and will prove more than enough for the visiting Steelers.
Foxes 28
Steelers 6
Mad River Stallions @ Tri County Raiders
The Stallions are now a clear contender for the CRFL crown. The team still does not have all of its proverbial ducks in a row- especially on offense- but has proved over the last two months that they can beat anyone in the league. The Raiders have been in every game they've played, but can never seem to close the deal. This one's easy for the Stallions- next week won't be.
Stallions 26
Raiders 10
Miami County Blitz @ Indy Renegades
The Blitz of years past is all but gone, and the 2011 incarnation never seemed to find its way- especially on defense. The Renegades certainly are not what they were in 2010, but have put together a very competitive and respectful (especially on offense) squad this season. The long trip down to the Nap will cost the Blitz 10 extra points in margin of loss.
Renegades 38
Blitz 10
Midwest Force @ Delaware County Revolution
The Midwest Force have played like the very best team in the CRFL in 2011, but they've not been that impressive- especially down the stretch. On paper, this should be an easy pick- and it is- but not in the way that most expect. The Force will lose their first game of the year to a Revolution team that is still finding its own way.
Revolution 27
Force 20
Michiana Warriors @ Miami County Vipers
The Michiana Warriors have certainly gotten my attention. Since the beginning of August, the team has looked like a completely different squad and one bound to make noise come the post season. The Vipers have been able to score points, but just can't stop anyone consistently. And of course, the special teams situation has been a nightmare at times. The Vipers would have locked this game up back in July, but it's a stone lock the other way in September.
Warriors 28
Vipers 6
Indiana Cardinals @ Allen County Dark Knights
The Cardinals are vying for the top spot in Indiana going into the playoffs and the Knights are hoping to stay out of the basement in Ohio. Even as host, the Knights have no chance in this game. The Cards have the best defense in the CRFL and travel well. The Knights have played much better late in the season- but won't have enough, even at home.
Cardinals 26
Knights 13
Lima Warriors vs. Ohio Eagles
It's already time to crown a champion in the HFL and as has been the tradition for nearly ten years now, the Lima Warriors find themselves in another title game. The difference in 2011 has been that the league features several VERY good teams- in a league with 6 divisions, each division crown won at least 8 games and 3 division winners were undefeated. Now come the Ohio Eagles- a close relative to the new-defunct MOJ. The Eagles have played a very very tough schedule and emerged with two close losses and 8 impressive wins. One would have to say that Eagles have had the tougher road to the title game, having beaten two previously unbeaten teams back to back. The Warriors are, of course, more experienced and deeper- but the Eagles are no spring Chickens. This HFL title will mean more than all of the previous trophies on the Warrior mantle- a victory hard won over a formidable opponent. This HFL league crown is truly something to be proud of, and in 2011, it will belong with the Lima Warriors.
Warriors 28
Eagles 20
WesDel Warriors @ Union City Indians
Beef's boys are for real and the rest of the Tri Eastern Conference now knows it. The Indians will get the wind at their backs later in the season this year than in the past with a weak Warriors team coming to town. The Indians will have many close games down the pike, but for now they can enjoy being 4-0 for the first time in anyone's memory and doing it in style.
Indians 38
Warriors 6
Hey Hey Gang! We don't have too many more of these left, so please enjoy yourselves and leave it all on the field. Bring back details of your accomplishments (and struggles) and as always, in all things, be sure to make your mommas proud!
Bucs forfeited. They're not showing up.
Generals 2
Bucs 0
Renegades 40 Blitz 8
Vipers 20. Warriors 16
cards 18-0. played all qrts with a running clock. refs showed up an hr late, and didnt have lights so had to do what we had to do to get it in. good, clean, FAST lol game. good luck getting in to the playoffs
The game Knights vs. Cards also was 12 min qtrs plus a running clock, tried to beat night fall
Great job Vipers for beatin a mouthy warrior team and allowing me to now say I told you so!
i said only game warriors good win the rest of season was the knights and can we say no ship hahaha
funny thing is is them guys of course we talk its a cometition... but the warriors showed much class and played a damn good game
In an epic battle, The Ohio Eagles knock off the third undefeated team in a row, defeating the Lima Warriors 20-0 in Perry, Ohio. This was a defensive struggle with the score locked at zero until less than 4 mins in the game. Lima has a great team and this was the best game I have ever been involved with.
Very hard to beat a championship caliber team with five interceptions and a lost fumble. Game deadlocked at zero until 3:46 left in the game. Hats off to the Eagles and they will represent the HFL well in Florida.
can tell its sept. football....generals, wolfpack, tornados and lima all go down in last couple wks. hats off to all those teams on great seasons
Generals 2
Bucs 0
Ok well that is sad to say the least but here is the real thing about this.
All these leagues pound their chests and proclaim to be the best run, most professional, least trash talking. Lets just see what the MSFL does about this Bucanneer team that walked off the field against the Steele and then failed to even show up in Indianapolis for the Generals game.
I don't think there will be any penalty at all and they won't have to any to anyone even though they have cost the Generals lots of money.
Another example of an owner that has no business running a team.
