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. Continue reading AC First Round Play-off→
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!
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. Continue reading Playoffs 2016: First round previews→
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.
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.
With a few days to go until PFL’s ‘Manic Monday’. It’s perhaps time to see who is in the hot seat in the head coaching roles in the PFL. Now bear in mind this is my opinion, time to be realistic and not get all sentimental folks!
MUST GO NOW!
Jim Smith(Victoria Panthers) [2-15 in 2015-16, 33-38 overall]
The Panthers have lost their bite. A 2-15 season (to date) is no fun for anyone. Lacking direction in attack and defence, hard to remember this was such a good team only a few seasons ago. Need to rebuild with good drafting and picking up some good veterans. Smith didn’t replace Rolle or Jones, he just simply seemed to run out of ideas.
Alan Wyatt (Tallassea Oilers) [4-13, 9-26]
The Oilers can finish with back to back 5-13 records, but that shouldn’t be enough for Wyatt to keep his job. He lost the defence, he had changed co-ordinator for this season, leading to great hopes for a turnaround. The defence has been leaky and has lacked big plays and appeared to lack motivation.
Don Brown (Amorgan Blues) [3-14, 85-112] The Don needs to retire. Sorry, but he does. This isn’t the old stomping ground that he once knew and thrived in. Defences are more mobile and attack the ball in the air, the air raiding passing attacks have reduced the impact of the run game. Iomagh have relied on second-rate Quarterbacks and Midfielders, bad forward play and they need help in their division to just..win. An injection of youth can turn this team around. His eleven years at Amorgan have been fun, but let’s not make this any harder, right?
Jeff Walker (Iomagh Steelers) [5-12, 42-83]
7 years of bad luck? No chance. This has to be the year he goes(?)! We’re beginning to wonder what Jeff might have over the owners, I mean c’mon Man! 42-84 is not screaming progress. Am I right?
Who will win the NC Central- Rochester or Ballymore? Who is going to be the number one seeds? Will Melborg and Hallas hold on? Can the Wasps catch up with the Knights and can the Miners steal the Stars’ thunder?
Who will win it all? The countdown to Crystal Bowl XLVI begins!
So, the 2015-16 season is at its half-way stage and everyone has played nine or ten games now. So lets evaluate the big winners and losers so far this season:
THE WINNERS
Carlton Wasps Attack Is there no end to the delights of the Wasps passing game?
Veteran Billy Humphrey turns 40 in December,but has still got the pose and arm strength to run this formidable attack. The run game is solid with James and Hodges splitting time and the receiving corps is stacked. Roman Powell stepping up to add to the Hardy-Fox-Wiley crew is has caused nightmares to defensive co-ordinators across the board. Anchor Hugh Tucker continues to shine as a blocker and catcher.
Hallas Stars
Missing out on the play-offs last year has made this team hungry. Drew WIlliams’ passing has been elite-level. Pass protection, formidable as ever. Amani Sanders, Kobe Snider and Kevin Grandmont have all had hot hands and blistering speed. Defensively, last years achillies heel, they have been stout. The Midfield have been regenerated and the line gets enough pressure on the opposing quarterbacks to keep things tight.
Ballymore Tigers
The Tigers were a team on the up last year, however, the growth this year has been dynamic,Okay, so they have lost their last two games, momentum needs to be restored, but this is no time to abandon them!
The Tiger defence is strong and wiley, the attack is measured. Bo Mills is finally leading a pro team at the helm- efficiently and effectively. A very balanced team who have the trojans in their sights and looking to claw their way into the play-offs.
THE LOSERS
Saint George Sharks Is this team jinxed this year? Ouch! Injuries to key attacking players have hindered this team, whilst old-age has crept up in the defensive ranks. Tell-tale cracks appeared and the defence has fallen apart. Bad timing then, that the attack has too. With QB Trent Harris and key runners Tyrone Thomas and Jeremy Lowe all out for the remainder of the season (Thomas’ career possibly) this team need to show character and win some games to show they still believe in the coaching staff.
Victoria Panthers Where did they go?
The Panthers need to run in the right direction
Will the real Victoria Panthers please show up, please show up! A team that has lost its way. Last season there were suggestions that they were playing at a level above themselves, if that was true maybe they are now all playing well beneath themselves. A 1-8 record half-way shows they need a lot of help. Somebody please start playing!
Amorgan Blues The final call on this squad, it needs last rites. Now.
They’ve gone through three Quarterbacks in nine games, winning one game. With bad coaching decisions and bad player decisions, this team needs a complete overhaul, starting at General Manager. Start over, build again. You’d hope it does not get any worse for this once storied team.
Let’s see who impresses and flabbergasts us in the next few months. The end of January seems a long way away. Much more football to come!
Oakland finished the season on a roll, playmaking Quarterback “TOM2” Tom Tomkowski has been an effective dual-threat weapon for the attack. Coupled with a good ground game, the question marks relating to the offensive line and defence.
Whether the line can block for the runners and hold off the Phoenix pass rush is to be determined. When on a roll, they give Tomkowski enough time to work his magic- sometimes barely though. The defence needs to be able to stop both the aerial threat from QB Matt Kelly and his great core of wideouts AND also Marshall Knight. Marshall has shown to be very at home in the playoff surroundings so it may prove to be a tall order.
Stopping Marshall Knight will be key to the Ravens’ success.
For the Phoenix, a leaky run defence has proved limited all year long, expect the Ravens to exploit this and gain much on the ground. If that is enough, then the Ravens move on. I give the edge to the Phoenix as home advantage will play a part.
Edge: Phoenix by a touchdown (+7)
National Conference:
Arkheim Raiders at St. George Sharks
Arkheim snuck into the playoffs this year on the back of an improved defence. The achillies heel for thepast few years, the unit was shored up and with future hall of legends member Jon Palmer possibly playing his last season- will be looking to go out with a happy swansong.
The Raiders are let by a fully-fit Kurt Sierra and he has great weapons at his disposal. A strong line and versatile halfback, in Ray Shell means the attack is potent. If the defence holds, forces turnovers, this will be close.
Saint George, on the other hand ended the season with two losses and if they don’t win, question marks will be asked about QB Trent Harris and his legion of stars on the offensive front. The defence is still strong, although lacking the star names of 2-3 years ago. Sure-tackling is key, rather than playmaking and forcing turnovers.
The Sharks should be just too strong and sorry, Raiders fans- the Raiders will be ready to build for 2015-16.
ADELPHIA PHOENIX 20
MELBORG GIANTS 17
Atlantic Conference:
Okay, so they have lost their last two games, momentum needs to be restored, but this is no time to abandon them!
The Professional Football League of Eboria 