PO16: Atlantic Conference Semi-Finals Preview

LANDOR KNIGHTS vs ADELPHIA PHOENIX

Their third contest of the season, it might come down to how much gas is left in the tank and who is still standing for Adelphia. Last weeks brutal matchup with another divisional rival (Giants) took its toll on the forwards by the end.

The Knights had the best record in the league. Elijah Brooks is becoming the best mobile Quarterback in the league and has defences in fits each and every week. Their version of the read-option kills them! The Phoenix defence, though, has seen him each year at least twice (sixth meeting in the last two seasons). If they’ve studied enough film they might be able to throw him off his game. Blitzing doesn’t always work, but they often throw up something new in the play-offs and I expect that here.

The Phoenix attacks with quick fast passes to the wingers, the Phoenix spread the field and try to leave gaps for the sublime Marshall Knight to pick through. The Knights are used to anticipating the plays of both QB Kelly and Knight. They will have to do something special one more time to advance.

EDGE: Knights by a field goal.

CHAKOTA WASPS vs SEAFAX STORM

In terms of experience, the Wasps are swarming with it. Still fabulous at Forty, veteran QB Billy Humphrey defies the ageing process as he deconstructs defences on a weekly basis. He has plenty of weapons to throw to too! Dre Fox and R.J. Hardy have been statistically perfect this year. The ground game has been one done by committee and it has been effective. The forwards have protected their Quarterback and opened holes all year. BUT! Seafax had the number one defence in the PFL this year. Shutdown Wingbacks, an intense run stuffing and pass rushing front line. The midfielders are stout, led by veteran Mark Markosyan in the central position. This is going to be interesting- the number one passing attack against the number one total defence in the league. One of theses teams will end up one-and-done, but will home field be enough for the Wasps?

EDGE: Wasps by a field goal. Possibly in extra-time!

PO16: National Conference Semi-Finals Preview

HALLAS STARS vs SAN ANDREAS MINERS

Drew Williams leads the Stars against the Miners for the third time this season. Offensively perfect, defensively suspect. They’ve got a lot of holes to fill and plug, they key is how much pluggin they can do. Brandon Mullen, the Miners’ Quarterback is adept at picking apart coverage and finding the mismatches. If on his game he may do this with ease.

The defending champions, the Miners, have had another great season, with few weaknesses, especially in attack. Defence is the area of concern due to nagging injuries towards the end of the season. If the defence holds and the attack keeps the prolific Stars’ offence off the field- this should be easy. Only history shows this is easier said than done. Last week saw their defence tough it out and restrict the Trojans. The Stars are a much taller order.

Even though they have home field advantage, it is hard to see the defence keeping the Miners down for too long. The Attack needs to score quickly and consistently to keep this thing tight.

EDGE: MINERS by a touchdown

POTTSBURGH CARDINALS vs BALLYMORE TIGERS

The Cardinals should have had a walkthrough of their division, with a bwlow-par challenge from the Titans and Bulldogs. However, they got a challenge in the improving Landor Rams (10-8) and nearly lost their top slot in the last few weeks of the season. A pass-heavy attack, with a dependable bend-but-don’t break defensive set-up has been the formula for success for the past few seasons, long-gone is the expensive superstar defence experiment.

The Tigers have resurfaced as a force of reckoning in the Central division. Led by Bo Mills’ decisive leadership, the team have produced some excellent football this season. A balanced running game with controlled passing has got them to this stage. On Defence, the Tigers have plenty of playmakers, all of whom can be depended on to also follow their roles correctly. They don’t take too many risks, but do pounce on opposition mistakes.

If the Tigers choose to grind it out, Mills is patient and wears the Cardinals ‘D’ into making mistakes and leaving holes open- this is a Tiger play off victory folks! If not, the dependable, efficient Pottsburgh team will leave town and move on to the Conference finals.

I think this could be the Tigers’ year- for at least one playoff victory!

EDGE: Tigers, by about a point!

NC First Round Playoff

  SAN ANDREAS MINERS 27
  ROCHESTER TROJANS 25

(San Andreas, Att: 54,888) | Sunday February 7 2016

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	ET	FT
ROCHESTER	3	3	7	12	–	25
SAN ANDREAS	7	13	0	7	–	27

Scoring:
1st Quarter:
SA- Mullen 9 pass to McComas (Clinton XP); 7-0
ROC- Turner FG 30; 7-3
2nd Quarter:
SA- Mullen 6 pass to Black (Clinton XP); 14-3
ROC- Turner FG 26; 14-6
SA- Mullen 1 pass to McComas (Kick Missed); 20-6
3rd Quarter:
ROC- Bruce 80 pass to Shelton (Turner Kick); 20-13
4th Quarter:
ROC- FGTurner 25; 20-16
ROC- FG Turner 48; 20-19
SA- Smith 65 run (Clinton XP); 27-19
ROC- Bruce 4 pass to Leon (Run failed); 27-25

The Miners moved on to the Conference Semi-Finals with a close-fought win over the Rochester Trojans. Last years shoot-out was reversed, as the defences ruled the roost this time around.  Brandon Mullen threw three touchdown passes in the first half, before Ryan Bruce brought the Trojans back with a second half rally.

AC First Round Play-off

   ADELPHIA PHOENIX  20
   MELBORG GIANTS 17

The DIY Depot Arena, Adelphia (Att: 56,000) | Sunday February 7, 2016

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	ET	FT
MELBORG	7	3	0	7	–	17
ADELPHIA	7	7	3	3	–	20

Scoring:
1st Quarter:
MEL-Hand 7 pass to Harris (XP); 0-7
ADE- Kelly 59 pass to Hart (Fernandez XP); 7-7
2nd Quarter:
MEL- FG Williams 28 ; 7-10
ADE- Carson 86 Interception Return (Fernandez XP); 14-10
3rd Quarter:
ADE- FG Fernandez 41 ; 17-10
4th Quarter:
MEL- Kelly 5 run (XP); 17-17
ADE- FG Fernandez 39 ; 20-17

The Adelphia Phoenix outlasted the Melborg Giants in a battle of wits in the First round playoff game. Their third meeting of the season was charged by both defences.

Don Brown Retires!

-Jim Murray, PFL Columnist.

A legendary coach has retired. Leading the Iomagh Steelers Raiders to multiple Crystal Bowls in the 90s were his highest point. The recent legacy in Amorgan, probably the lowest.

Following a toothless 3-15 campaign, 85-113 overall with the team, The Don has stepped down from football activities. Rather than holding a press conference, it has been announced to the press privately. Sources close to Brown say he was devastated with the last season and felt it was time for someone else to bring new blood into the team.

We wish you well Don, thanks for all the memories!

Playoffs 2016: First round previews

Atlantic Conference:

ADELPHIA PHOENIX vs MORRIGAN GIANTS

Two divisional rivals, meeting for the third time this season. This one could be brutal. The Giants defence have a really good handle on what the Phoenix like to do with their Aerial assault to open up the ground game. With quick fast passes to the wingers, the Phoenix spread the field and try to leave gaps for the sublime Marshall Knight to pick through. The Giants are adept at closing both QB Kelly and Knight down. They will have to do so one more time to advance.

Playoff Time!

Let The Playoffs Commence!

So the seedings are now complete for the 2015-16 post-season

	Atlantic Conference		National Conference
1	Landor Knights	1	Hallas Stars
2	Chakota Wasps	2	Pottsburgh Cardinals
3	Seafax Storm	3	Ballymore Tigers
4	Adelphia Phoenix	4	San Andreas Miners
5	Melborg Giants	5	Rochester Trojans

This means that the first round matches are:

AC: Melborg Giants @ Adelphia Phoenix  1pm
NC: Rochester Trojans @ Sand Andreas Miners 4.15pm

Games to be played on 7 February 2016. The winners will play the number one seeds (away) and the other games will be the number two seeds hosting the number three seeds on February 13/14 2016.

The Morning After: Week 20

Reports are coming in that the first Head Coaching casualties have come in following the conclusion of the 2015-16 regular season:

Jim Smith (Victoria Panthers) [2-16 in 2015-16, 33-39]

Jim was fired after an short meeting with team executives. Following a disasterous season, a 33-39 record over four seasons, it was considered time for the Panthers to look elsewhere for their team leadership.

Alan Wyatt (Tallassea Oilers) [4-14, 9-27]

Alan Wyatt was initially given three years-to rebuild this once great team. It seem that management grew increasingly impatient with the lack of progress. It was rumoured and reported that he had lost the locker room in November and that some players were “waiting for hime to leave so they could play for someone they believe in”.  Coach Wyatt leaves with a 9-27 record and it is rumoured that he might return to NUSA Uniball as soon as possible.