CRYSTAL BOWL 55- RAVENS vs KNIGHTS

CRYSTAL BOWL 55 : OAKLAND RAVENS 48-29 NEW CHESTER KNIGHTS

	1	2	3	4	F
NCK	0	7	6	16	29
OAK	13	14	14	7	48

1st Quarter:
OAK Webster 1 pass from Coles (XP); 0-7
OAK Alvarado 51 FG; 0-10
OAK Alvarado 46 FG; 0-13
2nd Quarter:
OAK Fulcher 2 pass from Coles (XP); 0-20
NCK Gordon 2 pass from Brooks (XP) ; 7-20:
OAK Booker 8 pass from Coles (XP); 7-27
3rd Quarter:
OAK Cruz 18 pass from Coles (XP); 7-34
NCK Barber 83 kickoff return (2pt- run failed); 13-34
OAK Fulcher 2 run (XP); 13-41
4th Quarter:
OAK Cruz 71 pass from Coles (XP); 13-48
NCK Gordon 4 pass from Brooks (2pt- Brooks pass to Jackson); 21-48
NCK Jackson 27 pass from Brooks (2pt- Brooks to Bocanegra); 29-48

Missed FGs
Alvarado 54 OAK, Clemons 45 NCK

The Oakland Ravens claimed their second back-to-back Crystal Bowl championships with a stunning display at the StarDome in Hallas.

QB Tayvon Coles threw five touchdown passes in the rout.

The match started slowly with both teams going three-and-out and punting the ball away. The Ravens then progress on a long drive that culminated in Tayvon Coles finding fullback Webster for the score. The Knights could not move the ball and after another punt the next possession ended when QB Elijah Brooks through an interception. Both resulting changes of possession ended with Raven field goals. It was 13-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Intercepted!

The second quarter, saw the Knights start to move the ball but stall on third down. The Ravens then made it 20-0 when Coles found Dante Fulcher in the end zone from two yards out. All of a sudden a sens of urgency took over the Knights. Brooks and RB DeMario Gordon started to gain first downs and there was finally some rhythm in the New Chester Attack. The Knights got on the board when Elijah Brooks threw to DeMario Gordon, also from 2 yards out. The Ravens matched that score and took the wind out of the Knights’ sails to go in up 27-7 at the half. Coles led the attack down to the 8 yard line, before finding Booker for another touchdown toss.

Ravens’ WR Booker takes it in the endzone`

Following the rowdy halftime show with Year of the Dragon (YOTD) and The Overmorrows, the game restarted. The Knights moved the ball downfield, but when stopped on the third down, kicker Clemons missed a 45 yard field goal attempt. The Ravens took over and added to their lead when Coles found Cruz for an 18 yard score. That made it 34-7. The ensuing kick off was taken to the house by Barber for an 83 yard kickoff return touchdown. The Knights went for a double, but Gordon was stopped short.

The Ravens advanced the ball in a slow and steady fashion and extended their lead when Dante Fulcher rumbled in from two yards to make it 41-13. That ended the third period.

Dante Fulcher had 106 yards on the ground and two scores in total

The Knights soon had a five score lead when Coles (on his last pass of the game) found Cruz again and he broke two tackles and scarpered 71 yards for a sixth touchdown and a 48-13 scoreline.

The Knights managed to get two late (or too late?) touchdowns and two-point conversions with Brooks finding Gordon and then Julius Jackson (deuces with Jackson and Bocanegra).

The Ravens were worthy winners and will be favourites to threepeat! This was the first Crystal Bowl loss for the NC Knights, previously 5-0 in the big game.

MVP Tayvon Coles completed 26 of 32 passes for 348 yards and 5 scores. RB Dante Fulcher had 106 yards on the ground (25 carries) and tow scores (1 run/1 catch).

It was a long day for Elijah Brooks

For the losing side, Elijah Brooks was 32 of 44 for 299 yards, with 3 TDs and 2 INTs. Julius Jackson has 10 catches for 119 yards, 1 TD and 1 2-pointer.

Celebration time!

2025 SF2: KNIGHTS SURPRISE HOSTS HALLAS TO BOOK CRYSTAL BOWL PLACE

HALLAS STARS 31-34 NEW CHESTER KNIGHTS

	1	2	3	4	F
NCK	7	14	7	6	34
HAL	0	9	9	13	31

1st Quarter:
NCK Jackson 46 pass from Brooks (XP) ; 0-7
2nd Quarter:
HAL Walden 38 FG; 3-7
NCK Gordon 39 run (XP) ; 3-14:
HAL Grandmont 71 pass from Hand (2pt- failed); 9-14
NCK Bocanegra 44 pass from Brooks (XP) 9-21
3rd Quarter:
HAL Walden 50 FG; 12-21
NCK Gordon 61 run (XP); 12-28
HAL Butleer 5 pass from Hand (2pt- failed); 18-28
4th Quarter:
HAL Smith 3 run (2pt- failed); 24-28
NCK Clemons 41 FG ; 24-31
NCK Clemons 33 FG ; 24-34
HAL Grandmont 24 pass from Hand (XP); 31-34

The New Chester Knights made the Hallas Stars pay for a slow start and missing three two-point attempts in the second semi-final match.

The Knights scored on their opening drive, when Julius Jackson caught and short pass from Elijah Brooks and he took it 46 yards to the house. The

Elijah Brooks was on fire

The Stars opened the second quarter with a field goal, before the visitors made it 14-3 with DeMario Gordons 39 yard run. The Stars cut the lead before the half when Kevin Grandmont caught a pass in stride and took it in from 71 yards. The Stars gambled on cutting the lead to three points, but RB Smith was stuffed on an inside run.

Grandmont’s long 71 yard TD catch.

The Knights made it 21-9 to end the half with another Elijah Brooks TD pass, this time to fifth-choice wideout Bocanegra, After half time, The Stars added another three, before Gordon blasted the Stars’ defence with a 61 yard scoring rush. That made it 28-12.

DeMario Gordon was hard to tackle

The Stars would not give up and drove into the Knights redzone, capping an 80 yard drive with a 5 yard pass to Butler. They then missed the convert with Hand failing to find Snider. Following a short drive and punt, the Stars cut the lead to four following Smith’s 3 yard run. Again, the Stars went for two and failed, though.

The Knights controlled the ball on the ground and kicked two field goals to make it 34-24. The Stars made a late drive and pulled within three, when Chase Hand found Grandmont for a 24 yard scoring catch. They kicked the extra points. With 38 seconds left, and no time-outs the stars falied on the onside kick attempt and the Knights ran out the clock.

The Knights will face the Oakland Ravens in CB55!

2025 SF1: OAKLAND CAPITALISE ON SIXERS’ MISTAKES

OAKLAND RAVENS 39-36 LANDOR 96ERS

	1	2	3	4	F
LAN	17	10	9	0	36
OAK	10	14	6	9	39

1st Quarter:
OAK Alvarado 47 FG; 3-0
LAN Tomlins 69 pass from Osbourne: 3-7
LAN Huggins 42 FG; 3-10
OAK Cruz 22 pass from Coles; 10-10
LAN Chaplin 3 pass from Osbourne; 10-17
2nd Quarter:
OAK Fulcher 8 pass from Coles (XP); 17-16
OAK Fulcher 53 run (XP); 24-17
LAN Huggins 45 FG; 24-20
LAN Bryant 50 pass from Osbourne (XP) 24-27
3rd Quarter:
LAN Huggins 33 FG ; 24-30
OAK Snorkle 9 pass from Coles (XP missed); 30-30
LAN Kruger 29 pass from Osbourne(XP blocked) ; 30-36
4th Quarter
OAK Alvarado 44 FG 33-36
OAK Alvarado 39 FG ; 36-36
OAK Alvarado 47 FG ; 39-36

The Oakland Ravens came back in the fourth quarter to shock the Landor 96ers 39-36 as time expired. The last-second field goal was made possible as Tayvon Coles found Benjamin Snorkle, who immediately got out of bounds and one second remained. Alvardo’s third filed goal of the final quarter got the Ravens through.

Fulcher goes on a long run

The 96ers got off to a hot start, scoring 17 points in the first quarter. QB Michael Osbourne threw two TD passes, to Tomlins and Chaplin, along with a Huggins Field goal. The Ravens had opened the scoring with a field goal and had a major of their own. The Ravens found it hard passing as pass-rusher master Vin Marshall was causing havoc with the aired game.

96ers DE Vin Marshall Marked (sacked) Tayvon Coles three times.

The game was 27-24 at the half. The Sixes scored nine points in the second half, being shut out in the fourth quarter. The defending champions took long drives and ended up with a field goal and a turnover. That interception, with 2;58 remaining and the 96ers with a three point advantage could have ended the game. The Ravens defence shut down the 96ers attack and forced a punt. The Ravens then tied it up at 36 with a field goal and 39 seconds remaining. Sixers’ RB Chapman fumbled on the third next snap and the ball was at midfield. The Ravens had the ball and Coles found Snorkle on an out pattern who stepped out with the ultimate second remaining, The Sixers called a time out, but it did not ice Alvarado- who kicked the Ravens back into the big finale.

Snorkle had seven catches for 108 yards, TD..

Dante Fulcher gained 124 yards on the ground (1 TD, another receiving TD) as the Ravens overcame the odds, when they had looked out of it. Osbourne threw for 404 yards and 4 scores, but had one pick for the visitors. Ravens’ QB Tayvon Coles gained 339 through the air and guided the defending champions when they most needed it.

The Ravens waited on who they would get to meet in Crystal Bowl 55.

2025 PLAYOFFS- QUARTER-FINAL REVIEWS

The 2024-25 regular season ended, with the eight teams selected for the playoffs. The seven games would decide the 2025 Champions.

QF1- LANDOR 96ERS 34-23 ADELPHIA PHOENIX

Chandler ran back a 96 yard pick-six!

The number three seed Landor 96ers knocked out the six seed Adelphia Phoenix in the post-season opener. The Sixers scored four touchdowns and two field goals in a dominant display, overrunning the Phoenix in the second half.. The first half had been a tight tough affair and was 17-17 at the intermission. A seventeen point fourth quarter from the banged-up hosts was enough to seal an away trip for the semi-finals.

QF2 CALIGARA GIANTS 15-41 NEW CHESTER KNIGHTS

Running Back Gordon runs in the end zone

The upset of the round occurred in Caligara. The number four seed Giants were slight favourites over the number five seed Knights. New Chester got off the mark quickly, when Elijah Brooks found Julius Jackson for a 55 yard catch and run. The Giants punted from a three and out. The Knights marched right down the field again, with DeMario Gordon running in from 1 yard out. The Giants got two points on the board due to a rogue when Brooks was tackled in the end zone by Baker.Jackson scored again following a Caligara fumble on their next possession. All of a sudden it was 21-2 and it was 28-8 at half-time.

The damage had been done in the first quarter. Brooks passed for 309 yards and three touchdowns as the Knights waltzed into the final four.Giants’ QB Zack Slater threw for 254 yards 1TD and 1 INT.

QF3- OAKLAND RAVENS 42- 27 BALLYMORE TIGERS

Dante Fulcher gained 103 yards on the ground as Oakland pushed around the Ballymore defence.

The defending champion Oakland Ravens kicked off their playoff defence with a fine home-win over Ballymore. Firing on all cylinders from the off, the Ravens jumped out to a 14-3 lead following TDs from RB Dante Fulcher and QB Tayvon Coles. The Tigers score two more field goals to bring it back to 14-9, but they struggled in the red zone against the dominant Raven defence.

The Tigers closed the gap in the middle of the fourth quarter with two quick scores. All of a sudden it was 34-27 and the Tigers were within one score. The onside kick was recovered by the Ravens, who ran down the clock and then scored again to put the game out of reach. This guaranteed a home semi-final tie against Landor.

QF4: HALLAS STARS 33-28 ST. GEORGE SHARKS

The Hallas Stars were ready.

The number one seed Stars saw off a Sharks comeback to complete a three-game season sweep over their divisional rivals.

The Stars controlled the first-half and lead 17-3 at the break, following a pair of touchdown tosses from veteran QB Chase Hand to Kevin Grandmont. The score moved on to 26-6 following a field goal and a unconverted Kobe Snider catch. The Sharks finally got rolling on the offense and Brad Carson threw touchdown passes to Sergeant and Gibbs with one two-point conversion. The Stars rolled down the field, milking the clock and scored again on Hands pass to Watkins- 33-20.

The Sharks scored again with 9 seconds remaining and got the two-point conversion (Hand to Collins) to bring it to 33-28. The onside kick was recovered by Hallas, who ended the game with a kneel down.

Chase Hand threw for 347 yards and 4 touchdowns (no picks). Brad Carson had 303 yards, 2TDs and 2 passes intercepted. Player of the Game was wideout Kevin Grandmont, who had 10 catches for 193 yards and two scores.

Hallas Stars Quarterback Chase Hand had 347 yards through the air.

Semi-Final Matchups

The Semi-finals were now set, top seed Hallas will host NC Knights and the Oakland Ravens will continue to defend their crown, against the Landor 96ers.

New Look for PFL for the 2024-25 season!

With the new apparel deal with Adidas underway, the PFL has a new look for the 2024-25 season. The kitmakers have worked with all twenty teams to either preserve the looks or create updated looks for the 2020s.

The PFL rules committee had been one of the strictest in modern sports with no logos visible in the main areas. From 2024 onwards, the league has removed the ban on logos and team names text, along with relaxing the mandatory usage of the ‘TV’ numbers on shoulders or sleeves.

Team have been allowed to have multiple kits and will still be able to have both teams wearing coloured shirts, however… there are more restrictions for 2024-25 onwards as several complaints were made regarding colour-blindness involving shades of green and red or purple and black. The PFL Commissioner’s Office will have the final say each game.

Adelphia Phoenix

Landor 96ers

The PFL is ready to go!

(Editor: Yeah we know this is a year late, the players have been waiting for too long as Maximum Football was delayed and the CFB 25 didn’t work for me!)

Playoff expansion from 8 to 10 teams for discussion in off-season

PFL HQ | reporter Ryan Solis

The PFL is looking at expanding the postseason playoffs from eight to ten teams for the 2025-26 season. A proposal was selected and will be looked at by the Rules Committee.

The expansion, following the increase of teams back to twenty (16 in 2017-21, 18 in 2022-23) would follow the old system, Six teams would receive first-round byes – the four divisional winners and top two runner-up qualifying . #7-#10 would be in the play-in round. Seed numbers 7 and 8 would get home games against seeds 10 and 9 respectively.

This would increase the number of regular+ post-season games from 187 to 189.

PFL COMMISH: SOME RULE CHANGES, BUT NO INCREASE TO REGULAR SEASON- 18 GAMES THE MAX

PFL Commissioner Paul Johnson announced that there will be some more rule changes over the next couple of years as the game modernises in the 2020s. Commissioner Johnson however ruled out any increase in games or the length of the regular season. “We think we have the right formula right now. Eighteen games over twenty weeks, with those off weeks set out just seems to work for everyone. I think eighteen regular season games is the maximum we can go for, any more may be shortening careers or diluting the quality.” he said. “In any real sense, we have to look at the 1100+ players and how they can manage with a long season without losing any quality. The player’s union (PFLPU) are in agreement with where we stand as we have increased opportunity to fringe players as the league has expanded both the number of teams, roster spots and reserve/practice squads.”

PFL Commissioner Paul Johnson

Potential Rule Changes
According to Commissioner Johnson, the Competition and Rules Committee (CaRC) will be assessing over the next few years whether changes are required to kick-offs, onside punts, quarterback protection, extra point placements, etc.

The League and CaRC in particular are always looking at whether changes made to gridiron leagues across the world would benefit the Eborian code.

New apparel deals include increased safety in terms of padding and helmets, but a little tinkering of the rules may be in order in the name of player safety.

How the season runs (April – March)
The PFL season is divided into sections. Following the Crystal Bowl in March, the transition to a new season begins the following month. There is a 30-day signing period for contracts of existing players, followed by a 30-day free agency period. June see the PFL player drafts, with both the University player’s draft and the International player’s draft.

Players are left to their own devises up until the last week/10 days of July. First comes the initial team activities and then a full month of camps.

Pre-season (2 games)
Pre-season games are in the first two weeks of September (sometimes it includes the last few days of August).

Regular Season (18 games over 20 weeks).
The regular season sees the twenty teams play their 18 games over 20 weeks. The two by-weeks for teams are scheduled in the weeks 5-9 and then also 12-16 ( with four teams having a bye each week). This means everyone has a relatively even distribution of games and rest periods.

Games are hosted on Sunday afternoons, Friday, Sunday and Monday nights.

Post-Season (3 knock-out rounds over 4 weeks)
Eight teams make the play-offs currently, with quarter-finals, semi-finals and then after a one-week wait- the PFL Championship, the Crystal Bowl.

PFL COMMISH: FUTURE IS LOOKING BRIGHT FOR PFL

“The future is looking bright” claimed PFL Commissioner Paul Johnson, when asked on the outlook of the league this past week. With the expansion back to twenty teams, new deals in place for apparel, streaming and general broadcast, the Commissioner was perhaps right to be in such an openly buoyant mood. Seven years have been a long time in this league.

Back in 2017, following several team scandals and tax issues, the league had to contract back to sixteen teams. The league was still valuable, but there was a concern over the loss of teams. Of the four who left back then, two have now returned: the Pottsburgh Cardinals and the Victoria Panthers.

Two new league members have come from the Eborian Football Conference (EFC): the Annapolis Oilers and Logan’s City Broncos.

Former Commissioner David Thomas resigned in 2020 and Paul Johnson was brought in. Johnson has made a lot of positive moves and has generally become well liked, even though he has been tougher on player fines and suspensions than his predecessor. With a work stoppage avoided in both 2023 and 2024 when the PFL Player’s Union (PFLPU) were in dispute over guarantees on contracts, Commissioner Johnson has proved his mettle so far.

Last year the league brought in nearly ß4 bn (approx 2 bn GBP/2.5bn USD) and should hit that mark either this season or next.

PFL Commissioner Paul Johnson

With more games being played (207 including pre- and post- season games) the increased revenue has been easy to identify. Popularity in the PFL domestically has been up the past two years. A strong competitive league will help the viewership hold steady.

CB54 Oakland Ravens defeat Caligara Bulldogs in the big game

Crystal Bowl 54- March 3, 2024

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	FT
OAK	10	7	3	7	27
CALI	3	14	0	7	24

Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter
OAK Snorkle 23 pass from Coles (XP); 7-0
CAL Young FG29; 7-3
OAK Beasley FG34; 10-3
2nd Quarter
CAL Harvey 6 pass from Slater (XP); 10-10
OAK Snorkle 69 pass from Coles (XP); 17-10
CAL Harvey 64 pass from Slater (XP); 17-17
3rd Quarter
OAK Beasley FG 33; 20-17
4th Quarter
OAK Tinsley 36 INT return (XP); 27-17
CAL Rogers 39 pass from Slater (XP); 27-24

The Oakland Ravens beat the Caligara Giants 27-24 in a very good game. Led by QB Tayvon Coles, the Ravens executed a great offensive game plan and opened the scoring with a Coles pass to Anchor Benjamin Snorkle.

Snorkle makes his first TD grab

The Ravens defence caused a lot of problems and knocked QB Slater off his rhythm for most of the game.

Giants QB Slater was harassed during the game, but still had two TD passes (and 2 INTs)

Following a field goal apiece, the Giants came back with a Zack Slater pass to Mike Harvey that levelled things up at 10-10. Snorkle then caught a short pass and raced 69 yards for another touchdown. The Giants through another Harvey reception (64 yards) tied it all up at 17-17 before half-time.

Tayvon Coles commanded the pocket and threw for two TDs leading the Ravens to victory

Into the second half the Ravens took the lead with another field goal in the third quarter followed by a pick six from defensive back Tinsley.

Defender Tinsley runs back his interception for the game sealing pick six.

The Giants pulled back within three points with a late Shyrone Rogers catch and run. There was still time on the clock, but a handover (turnover on downs) enabled the Ravens to run out the clock and claim the championship.

CRYSTAL BOWL 53: EXTRA TIME DRAMA!

Crystal Bowl 53 | 5 March 2023

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	ET	FT
HALLAS	7	3	7	10	0	27
BRISTOL	3	7	7	10	6	33

Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter
HAL Grandmont 8 pass from Hand (XP)
BRI Wright FG 39
2nd Quarter
BRI Wilde 2 Run (XP)
HAL FG Jones 44
3rd Quarter
BRI Morales 7 pass from Robinson (XP)
HAL Smith pass from Hand (XP)
4th Quarter
HAL FG Jones 50
BRI Michaels 4 pass from Robinson (XP)
BRI FG Wright 41
HAL Smith 40 pass from Hand (XP)
Extra Time
BRI Hall 39 td run

The Bristol Bulldogs needed extra time to vanquish the Hallas Stars, runners-up for the second season running and third time in seven seasons.

The Stars took the lead on the opening drive going 75 yards in seven plays and ending with Chase Hand finding Kevin Grandmont from 8 yards out.

Grandmont reels in the first Touchdown pass.

The Bulldogs came back with a field goal, before the weather changed from sunny but cold, to a deluge of rain.

The second quarter saw Fullback Stephen Wilde go in from two yards and Hallas equalise with a field goal. 10-10 at half-time.

Both teams scored a touchdown apiece in the third quarter- as Robinson found Morales in the end zone and Chase Hand threw a short toss to Antonio Smith who went all the way, 17-17 at three-quarter time.

The Stars started the fourth quarter by breaking the tie with Jones’ field goal. The Bulldogs then turned the ball over on a Robinson fumble and the Stars were in great field position. The Hallas drive ended though in nothing. Hand’s pass was intercepted in the endzone as CB Aaron Price leaped in front of Amani Sanders.

Price intercepts Chase Hand’s pass for Sanders

The Bulldogs took the ball down the field on a tough long drive, culminating in Robinson finding Anchor (TE) Jonathan Michaels from four yards out.

As the Stars were shut down by the Bulldogs’ defence, the ‘Dogs looked to run down the clock. Bristol did take good time off the clock, but had to settle for a 19 yard field goal to take the lead to 27-20. There was 1:58 remaining.

!:58 was more than enough time for the Stars to level it up and force extra-time. Hallas scored with Antonio Smith’s 40 yard dump off pass, that he took advantage of Vickers’ and Price’s slips in the mud.

In Extra Time, the Stars were forced off the field with a disappointingly quick three-and-out. Two incomplete passes were forced with Vickers and Neal deflecting the ball.

With it all set up for next score wins, the Bulldogs started flexing their muscles as they were built for the wet conditions much better than Hallas were. Hall and Angelo Elliot started to pick up first downs on runs. Then from the 39 yard line, Lamar Hall sealed the win as he busted through to the outside and sprinted to the end zone. That was it, 33-27 to the Bulldogs.

Lamar Hall was outstanding on the ground.

Bulldogs QB Brad Robinson threw for 272 yards and two TDs, whilst RB Lamar Hall gained 143 yards on the ground from 26 carries and had the winning touchdown. Receivers Amani Sanders had 7 catches for 90 yards and Dennis Morales had 5 for 57 and one score.

Chase Hand threw for 369 and 3 TDs, but ended up on the losing side again.

Chase Hand, the Stars’ QB went 28 for 38/ 367 yards with 3 TDs and 2 interceptions. There was not too much on the ground with Antonio Smith gaining 69 yards on 17 attempts. Grandmont had 8 grabs for 120 yards and Sanders had 5 for 117.

Defensively, the Stars’ Theo Squibb recorded 11 tackles and a fumble recovery. Randall quick had 9 tackles and forced a fumble. Quick and DT Latavius Gill got QB Marks (sacks). The ‘Dogs were led by Aaron Price (8 tackles) Kyle Neal and Michael Thomas (5 apiece). Thomas, McCoy and Harrison recorded Marks. Price and Danny Ellis had interceptions.

Bulldogs QB Brad Robinson