PFL | 2017-18 | Mid season review
After ten weeks of action, everyone has played 9 matches, half the 2017-18 schedule.
It’s the prefect time to stop and assess each teams progress or decline/descent since the start of the season. There may be some surprises, there certainly have been for us here at the PFL front office…
PFL EAST
Adelphia Phoenix (3-6)
The Phoenix have had an off year, after losing QB Matt Kelly since week 5. The attack hasn’t been up to scratch under Greg Wayne and the defence has looked below average.
The team were better than this on paper, but were 2-2 when Kelly went down.
New Chester Knights (5-4)
The defending champions have stuttered through this season. Nothing is particularly off, if you look at the nine games. Perhaps it is the absence of luck, which was in abundance last season.
Melborg Giants (4-5)
The Giants started off 0-2 and have had to battle hard to stay relevant in 2017. QB Chase Hand has been very inconsistent and the new pass catchers have been somewhat of a let down so far. Strong defence, they just need to stop taking a play or two off each game. Concentration will be key to making the playoffs.
Landor 96ers (6-3)
Wow! Kurt Sierra to Asante Brown going downtown! The offence has really stepped up and looked on top this season. Frank Bowman has returned to his old form.
The defence is totally on fire. Madison in the middle and Vin MArshall up front, this team causes havoc with game plans. Definitely ahead of where we thought they would be right now.
PFL CENTRAL
Chakota Wasps (8-1)
The Wasps have given everything so far, Billy Humphrey has been on fire in perhaps his last year(?) looking amazing for someone who will be 42 on Boxing Day!
Asamoah and Brooks lead a strong stingy wasp defence!
Oakland Ravens (7-2)
The option team! Tom Tomkowski has led the attack. Won their first seven with their bruising smash-mouth, ball-control and run it down the throat game plan. Daunte Fulcher has been a beast.
Rochester Trojans (5-4)
Tallassea Oilers (3-6)
It’s a rebuilding year. Edjerious Jones is one fine receiver, he is going to become a league legend if he keeps this up. Will be getting ready for next season.
PFL NORTH
Ballymore Tigers (4-5)
The Tigers have lacked consistency again this year. The PFL North has been a dog/catfight and injuries stacked up in the early going. They aren’t the team of two years ago and without QB Bo Mills firing on all cylinders, they won’t be for the remainder of the season.
Caligara Bulldogs (5-4)
Back the dogs to be on top in the dogfight! Caligara have shown they have the cojones for the PFL North. Zack Slater is always looking good in the pocket, a testament to his great blocking Forwards. Franklin on the ground gives the team balance and a brutal edge. The defence is stacked with meanness, led by former ‘Dog legend Jon Palmer as DC.
Harteford Hawks (1-8)
Oh. Dear. Hawks have been more like pigeons this first half season. Hard to find positives on a team without 100 points on the board and only one win. They’ve got to get better, play better, work harder, be stronger, be competitive. The fans want more, they deserve more. Horrendous.
Iomagh Steelers (3-6)
The Steelers started off 2-0 and looking like a contender, so what happened?
We guess that a) Their gameplan was straight off of the 1980s and it stunned teams early, b) nobody told them they were average or b) they took placebo pills and it helped them in the first handful of games. 3-6 seems about right for them. Tough in defence, but lacking any bite on the attack at all.
PFL WEST
Eregon Eagles (4-5)
The Eagles are very competitive, they have a balanced attack and a mean edge to their defence. Lamar Jenkins have given Cameron Reed another great target out there, whilst HB Toby Carter ploughs through holes created by the Forwards and FB Jim Young. Feel better than a 4-5 team right now.
Hallas Stars (7-2)
Hallas are one of the top teams and they continued form where they left off last season. Williams is spraying the ball around and the defence always seems to do enough to stay on top in games, even when overmatched. One real blemish was to Adelphia, where they were embarrased.
San Angelo Miners (4-5)
The Miners were looking to be a rival in the West until Brandon Mullen went down. This takes them from a .500 team to below that. Improved defence to last year, but they may get stretched now.
St. George Sharks (3-6)
There are simply no excuses for this talented team being 3-6. Trent Harris is healthy, they have good forwards on offence and defence, they played hard. Is it simply down to bad luck? Well, no, they have the worst back four in the league (secondary for US fans). They have been porous against deep passing teams. They conceded 41 to the ‘Sixers and Stars and 48 to the Miners (with Mullen). They’ve simply got to fix this.