CRYSTAL BOWL 51 PREVIEW

Crystal Bowl 51- Adelphia Phoenix vs Caligara Bulldogs
Sunday 28th February 2021, 6pm at Adelphia’s DIY Depot Arena

The 51st Crystal Bowl is a matchup of two powerhouses- one old and one new. The storied franchise, the Bulldogs have more pro football titles than anyone else in Eborian history. They are making it three trips in a row this year, having lost the first to the Tigers and beating the Wasps last March.

The Phoenix, who only joined the league in 2008 are appearing in the big game for the fourth time, having won two of their previous games. Chip Bailey, 61, who has been the Head Coach since 2010, has once again taken the offensive guru-ness to new levels with the 2020-21 attack.

ADELPHIA ATTACK vs CALIGARA DEFENCE:
Quarterback Matt Kelly, a 13 year veteran, has lots of help around him in Jayson McGuire, Kyle Walters, Patrick Schwartz (Anchor, TE in US) and Jamarcus White. The two-headed run game is fronted by rookie sensation Kylian Floyd and backed up by Jamal Davies. Both can catch passes too. The O-Line is solid, not spectacular. Fullback Jon Lucas runs, blocks so well and, of course, catches passes too.

In the playoffs there’s been a reliance on Anchor Patrick Schwartz on third downs and when the receivers are well covered. The Bulldogs will need to cancel him out as an option.

The Bulldogs ‘D’ boasts ALL-PFL players, Shareece Franklin, Calvin Thomas and Jason Randle will cause headaches to the front line. The secondary is strong, with Nick Williams, Kyle Neal and J.J. Peters starring.

EDGE: Adelphia Attack, by a small margin. A close call.

CALIGARA ATTACK vs ADELPHIA DEFENCE
Quarterback Zack Slater was a second round pick in XXXX. He has gone on to prove all doubters wrong as the Bulldogs reach there third consecutive Bowl appearance. His namesake, Seth, is the Star receiver who attracts a lot of double coverage. This helps Mike Harvey and Dennis Morales to find open spaces. Veteran Anchor Mark Martinez is a good safety valve to have. Slater is nursing an elbow injury to his non-throwing arm, which may distract him slightly.

Similarly to the Phoenix, the ‘Dogs have a good ground game. Jeremy Franklin and Glen Norman share duties, with Franklin the number 1. The O-Line is one of the league’s best. veteran Shyrone Hall stands out at LT.

The Phoenix defence was mainly built in the last five drafts – DT Dez Williams commands the middle, whilst Ends Eddie Blake and Terrell Houston are always useful. The midfield (Linebackers) is stacked with tackle-machine Michael Keys lining up with Charlie Clayton and rookie Keith Walker. The secondary is boom or bust. When on they shut down, when off they seem to fall apart. Which one turns up on Sunday?

EDGE: The Bulldogs eek out, with a great O-line to protect Slater, it should be advantage Caligara.

SPECIAL TEAMS: This is evens, good kickers, punters and long snappers. Returners Mike Harvey (Bulldogs) and Jamarcus White both had two return TDs this season.

COACHING: Chip Bailey has the edge on coaching experience with 11 years in the PFL and three CB trips, Jon Palmer has experience as a player and coach at the big game. Palmer prodigious rise from defence co-ordinator to head coach has culminated in three bowl appearances in his first three seasons! How much of last year’s success was pure motivation from failing the year before? That remains to be seen.
Advantage to Adelphia due to longevity of Bailey.

OVERALL– This seems to close to call on paper, but we’ll give the advantage to the experience of the Bulldogs in this one. Their third trip in a row, they will be prepared. Expect a high-scoring affair with the Bulldogs coming out on top, maybe in additional time.

SEMI-FINALS REVIEWED – CB51 TEAMS SET

Crystal Bowl Playoff Semi-Finals | PFL

On Valentine’s Day, the PFL brought the Eborian public the playoff semi-final double-header. It might not have been romantic, but it was some good hard-fought action.

SEMI-FINAL 1;

ADELPHIA PHOENIX	31	F
NEW CHESTER KNIGHTS	20

The Adelphia Phoenix went into ‘blackout mode’ for the semi-final- and it worked a treat for them. The Phoenix defence shut down the Knights as the offense scored three touchdowns in the first half. QB Matt Kelly passed to Anchor (TE) Patrick Schwartz for a long score and to Kyle Walters for a second. Rookie running back Kylian Floyd scored on the ground from three yards out. At Half-time it was 21-3.

Patrick Schultz got open and beat the coverage to score a touchdown in the first quarter.

The Knights rallied for ten points at the beginning of the 3rd Quarter, with Elijah Brooks scrambling in from 8 yards, plus a field goal. To answer, though, the Phoenix ran a 80 yard drive, culminating in another Kelly pass to Schwartz.

The fourth quarter started with another field goal from the Phoenix to make it 31-13. The Knights scored a consolation TD late in the game, when Brooks found Rogers from 7 yards out. It just wasn’t enough.

The Phoenix would now host the winners of the second semi-final.

SEMI-FINAL 2:

CALIGARA BULLDOGS	27	F
BRISTOW BEARS	24

The Bulldogs eeked out a win against the Bears in a stormy, snowy Caligara on Snday. The Bears led several times and looked that they might sneak an upset for the second consecutive week.

Jeremy Franklin burst through to get the Bulldogs into the endzone for the first time.

It took QB Zack Slater to shake off an early pick six and bring the ‘dogs back with 4th quarter drives for a field goal and winning touchdown to his namesake Seth Slater. The Bears’ final drive ended with a game-tying 54 yard field goal falling agonisingly wide with 00:08 left.

The Bears left it all out on the field and will be raring to go for next season. Their return to the league was phenomenal!

The Bulldogs were battered (Zack Slater- elbow, Morales- Knee) but will take time off to get ready for an imposing visit for the Crystal Bowl, the third time there’s been a ‘home side’ in the championship finals.

CRYSTAL BOWL 51 NOW SET

Crystal Bowl will take place on 28th February 2021 at 6:00pm local time from Adelphia’s DIY Depot Arena.

QF WEEKEND- TOP SEEDS FALL EARLY AT HOME

PFL Post-season | Play-off Quarter-finals

The Quarter-final weekend was a memorable one, with four interesting games. We ended the dreams of four teams, leaving us with the final four teams for next weekend.

QUARTER FINAL 1:

HALLAS STARS	32	AET
NEW CHESTER KNIGHTS	35

The Hallas Stars suffered another devastating home defeat as the Knights came from behind to win on the road. Chase Hand had a great first half with the Stars, but they faded, especially in the fourth quarter. The Knights came back from 32-17 and 29-24 to take the lead late on.

The Stars levelled things up at the death, so an additional period was called for. In ET, the Stars went three and out, leaving the Knights to march downfield and Potter kicked the game winning field goal from 24 yards out.

QUARTER FINAL 2:

LANDOR 96ERS	27	F
BRISTOW BEARS	29

The number 8 seeds pulled off a huge upset on Saturday night as the came from behind to beat the heavily favoured Landor 96ers in the capital.

Bears QB Brad Robinson was in tremendous form on Saturday.

The number one seeds had beaten the Bears in both divisional matchups this season, so it was third time that was the charm for Bristow. The Sixers led 17-16 at the half and 20-19 after three, with Frank Bowman getting two scores on the ground, before Kurt Sierra found Asante Brown for a TD in the final period. The 96ers led 27-26 with 2:18 left to play.

QB Brad Robinson threw for 256 yards and 2 TDs. He was instrumental on the final drive, producing the field position for kicker Rick Bell to kick his fifth , and game winning field goal. The team from the Capital bowed out in a historic night for the Bears.

QUARTER FINAL 3:

CALIGARA BULLDOGS	35	F
OAKLAND RAVENS	20

The Ravens blew a 14 point first quarter lead to the number 2 seed Caligara Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon. Dante Fulcher scored on a 76 yard screen pass and then a 4 yard run as Oakland stormed out in front.

The Bulldogs comeback began in the second quarter with a 88 yard drive, capped off with a 2 yard Tony Franklin run. Zack Slater then threw TD passes to Mark Martinez and Dennis Morales. It was 21-14 at the break. Ravens QB Tayvon Coles was intercepted at the end of the half.

The Bulldogs attack is cool in the face of pressure.

In the second half , the Ravens could only muster up two field goals, whilst the Bulldogs scored two more touchdowns, via Franklin and a Seth Slater reception.

QUARTER FINAL 4:

ADELPHIA PHOENIX	31	F
BALLYMORE TIGERS	17

Ballymore got off to a great start in Adelphia , with Tito Hawkins busting out a 49 yard touchdown run in the first minute. The Phoenix equalised when Matt Kelly connected with Anchor (TE) Patrick Schwartz from 2 yards out. Both teams traded touchdowns and field goals, with it tied at 14-14 at the half, 17-17 after three.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Matt Kelly hit Kyle Walters to take their first lead of the game. On the subsequent drive, Tigers’ QB Cam Rogers threw a pick-six to Phoenix defender Adrian Sheppard (39 yards). That was it for the Tigers.

Matt Kelly threw for 323 yards and 3 Touchdowns in the win.

Semi-Finals
That means that, following rule changes for 2020-21 onwards, the re-seeding occurs as the no.1 team were eliminated. The revised bracket means home games for Adelphia and Caligara.

Caligara Bulldogs vs Bristow Bears
Adelphia Phoenix vs New Chester Knights.

The winners will face off in the Crystal Bowl at Adelphia’s DIY Depot Arena.

Final week: Who needs what to happen?

As we approach the final weekend of the PFL regular season, there are a few things still to be settled as the 8 playoff spots will be claimed. Starting off in the PFL East, there’s potential for a three-way tie involving the Phoenix, Knights and 96ers. If the Phoenix beat the 96ers on Sunday, they will have the edge, based on divisional record. All three will qualify. If the Phoenix lose, they will be needing other results to go their way.

In the Central, the Wasps can confirm the no.3 spot if they beat the Ravens- who need to win to get in, along with the Sharks, Phoenix and/or Sharks losing! If the Wasps lose, as do the 96ers- they still get seed no.3.

Playoff picture after Week 17

With three games each to go (all divisional match-ups), there are eleven teams in contention for the eight playoff spots.

The division champions all get a home game. The next best four teams will complete the bracket. Rankings, similarly to the NFL are by record. In the PFL Central it looks like the Ravens and Trojans are both requiring to win out- they face each other in week 19. The Wasps and Bulldogs have already both secured the division titles in the Central and North, respectively.

In the West, the Miners and Stars are equal at 11-4. The Sharks cannot win the division, as tiebreakers already head against them.

The PFL East has three strong teams. a few weeks ago, the Phoenix and 96ers were jostling for top spot. Now, the Landor Knights are right up there at 9-6, equal with the Phoenix. The 96ers have a one game lead. All play against one another, so it will be an interesting climax to the season.

 

Crystal Bowl XLVIII: The Game.

Crystal Bowl XLVIII: The PFL Championship 2017-18|

  ROCHESTER TROJANS 28
  NEW JORG 96ERS 41

	1	2	3	4	ET	FT
ROCHESTER	7	14	0	7	–	28
NEW JORG	14	7	3	17	–	41

From the Cherry Bowl Stadium, Granada.

1st Quarter:
NJ – Johnson 17 pass from Sierra (Gold XP); 0-7
NJ – Brown 25 pass from Sierra (Gold XP); 0-14
ROC- Shell 16 pass from Bruce (Turner XP); 7-14
2nd Quarter:
NJ – Jammer 29 interception return (Gold XP); 7-21
ROC- Shell 2 run (Turner XP); 14-21
ROC- Philips 27 pass from Bruce (Turner XP); 21-21
3rd Quarter:
NJ – Gold FG 37; 21-24
4th Quarter:
NJ – McKeown 89 fumble recovery return (Gold XP); 21-31
NJ – Brown 18 pass from Sierra (Gold XP); 21-38
ROC- Philips 60 pass from Bruce (Turner Kick);28-38
NJ – Gold FG 25; 28-41

The Rochester Trojans turned the ball over five times in a slightly one-sided second half performance at the Cherry Bowl stadium. QB Ryan Bruce threw four interceptions- all to POTG WB Edgar Jammer, one returned for a pick six.

The ‘Sixers started off at breakneck speed, being 14-0 after two Kurt Sierra touchdown tosses; to Johnson and Brown. The Trojans first three possessions ended with three and outs and an interception. They started off running away from DE Vin Marshall and his pass rushing prowess. They were playing in to the New Jorg Defence’s hand- who dared them to throw the other side to – Jammer.

Following Frank Bowman’s fumble, the Trojans got one back with a Ray Shell catch and run for sixteen yards. The Trojans then gave up the pick six, before rallying with a Shell running TD and Ryan Bruce’s pass to Philips. It was tied at 21 at the half.

After the halftime show featuring Ellie Winters and Monstersauce, the game restarted with defences on top. Vin Marshall and the ‘Sixers front seven locked down the Trojans.
It took a defensive play to open the game back up, and it happened following Ray Shell’s fumble. The ball popped up into the hands of Defensive End Marco McKeown, who returned it 89 yards for the score.

Kurt Sierra then topped the day off with a second scoring pass to Asante Brown. The Trojans pulled one back when Philips broke through for a 60 yard score.

The New Jorg 96ers were crowned the champions of the PFL for the third time. With that defence, how many more can they get?

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CB XLVIII Preview

Rochester Trojans vs Landor 96ers| Sunday March 4th 2018.

The  big game is almost upon us, here are the key matchups:

QB Ryan Bruce vs ‘Sixers Defence

Ryan Bruce has been calm and composed as he led the number 7 seed past number one and two seeds away from home. He has not faced a defence like this before. Rookie DE Vin Marshall has broken pass rushing records and been a revolution to this defence. ‘Can Bruce buy enough time to get the passes off?’ will be key question we look to on Sunday. WR Jason Galant is listed as probable for the game, after limping out of the semi-final.

QB Kurt Sierra & Asante Brown vs Trojans Defence

Kurt Sierra has been a master of the aerial arts throughout his career, but has he played this mystery scheme of the Trojans. Coordinator Ian Rudolph has dreamed up some creative systems to confuse both the Wasps’ and Stars’ attacks. If Sierra and co can figure it out, they will be hard to beat. Asante ‘Downtown’ Brown is perhaps the best open field receiver.

Trojans Run Game

The Rochester run game has depth, both Ray Shell and DeAngelo Jenkins gained 1,000 yards, as they marched through the defences as the top running tandem. You don’t get a down off where you can be facing a top runner. The 96ers will need to rotate their line to keep fresh if the Trojan ground game gets going.

So how will it all play out next Sunday? Who are you picking?

Quarter-Finals: A legend bows out, Bulldogs best champs, semi-finals set.

PFL PLAYOFFS 2018 | Road to the Crystal Bowl

The quarter-finals are in the bag and we are down to the final four teams.  With one Sunday left to prove the teams worthy of the Crystal Bowl, it is time to step up!

Rochester Trojans 30- 27 Chakota Wasps

We may have seen the end of an era, with Billy Humphrey, 42, perhaps playing in his last PFL game. His opposite number, Ryan Bruce led a commanding performance in the Wasps’ Nest. Completing 20 of 30 for over 300 yards and three scores, Bruce showed the playoff poise that he has lacked in his previous attempts. If he can do this in Hallas, the Trojans will be going to the big one!