PFL NORTH 2020-21 PREVIEW

PFL North| Ballymore Tigers | Caligara Bulldogs | Harteford Hawks | Iomagh Steelers

The PFL North is a balanced division, in that there are two very strong teams and two very weak teams! Due to the new format, Ballymore and Caligara faced off for the championship in 2018-19. Harteford and Iomagh have been battling it out at the bottom, not what either fanbase would like.

BALLMORE TIGERS

The Tigers are still a strong team, with Cam Rogers at the helm, the Tigers are still the main team that took the title two years ago.

The defence is still the focus of the team, with a little bit of sprucing up, they could become elite in 2020. Drafted Alfred Foster to pick up from Sam Randall as the pass rusher. Patrick Harper left under FA, so Bob Taylor and Freddie Boyle will compete.

CALIGARA BULLDOGS

The defending champions are still stacked with talent, but do they have the hunger after successive Crystal Bowl appearances? Jon Palmer is a great young head coach, who let’s his experts do their jobs. If there’s no need to tinker with a winning formula, they could well be biting their foes in the playoffs. Zack Slater (QB) to Seth Slater (WR) is still an extremely good combination.

HARTEFORD HAWKS

Last season was a progression for the mean green flyin’ machine. The Hawks went from 2-16 to 6-12. This year they will look to build on that siccess (9-9?). They are a balanced team, they will need either rookie QB Aaron Murphy or Dexter Williams to come good. If the defence is stronger, it should help even out the scores too. Veteran RBs Marshall Knight and Donovan Kelly were massive upgrades for the run game.

IOMAGH STEELERS

Iomagh were a disaster last season, going 2-16, with a couple of horrendous blowouts. Off-season trades were aplenty, and they were very active in the free agent market. Brandon Mullen and Kelvin Stewart (remember when he was the golden boy?) will compete for the starting role at QB. Thomas Linderholm returns from injury to help what was a leaky front line last term. Will do well do double their victory count from last year, though.

PFL CENTRAL 2020-21 PREVIEW

PFL CENTRAL: Adelphia Phoenix | Chakota Wasps | Oakland Ravens | Rochester Trojans

The PFL Central lost the Tallassea Oilers but gained the two-time Crystal Bowl winners Adelphia Phoenix in 2020. This will be a great line-up for a strong, competitive, division.

ADELPHIA PHOENIX

The Phoenix picked up quite the coup, picking up RB Kylian Floyd in the draft. He, along with Jamal Davies (first round pick in 2018), should mean that they will have replaced Marshall Knight. QB Matt Kelly shows know sign of ageing yet, and a good receiver core means the attacking force is strong.

The defence is still a worry. The line is good, with Blake and Dez Williams being particularly strong. The midfield is mixed, whilst the back four have been suspect for the last two seasons. 50-50 to make the playoffs.

CHAKOTA WASPS

With Trent Harris or Eric Chandler at the helm, the Wasps look hot on the offensive. Neil James is a standard RB and the line is good holding off the defence just enough. Defensively, they are hit and miss, Like Adelphia, this could cost them when it counts.

OAKLAND RAVENS

With a young,dynamic QB in Tayvon Coles (from Ohara) running this team, they should pound their enemies into submission. A tough team from top to bottom. I fancy them to win the division as the most balanced team.

ROCHESTER TROJANS

The Trojans took a chance with QB Josh Hennigan, and that could easily prove to be a good move. The Trojans will need to keep everyone around him healthy. Moving on from Ryan Bruce was a good idea, now they need to be ruthless in other areas. They won’t have enough to challenge for the division this year, but should not exactly be walkovers either.

PFL EAST 2020-21 PREVIEW

PFL EAST: Bristow Bears | Landor 96ers | Melborg Giants | New Chester Knights

The 2020-21 starts on Friday 18th September, with the champion Bulldogs hosting the Tigers in the big kickoff. The PFL East doesn’t have long to wait though, as they start on Sunday September 20th. League newcomers Bristow, who replaced the outgoing Tallassea Oilers have a difficult placement.

BRISTOW BEARS

The Bears have on paper a decent squad, with some PFL journeymen and great young players. Will this be enough to get the team in the playoffs? It is unlikely, but QB Brad Robinson is accurate and they inherited deep-ball threat Edjerious Jones and RB Lamar Hall give the team more than hope. Coaching could be the key to that fine line between success and failure for the Bears.

LANDOR 96ERS

The ‘Sixers have a tremendous defence, that will play havoc with ANY team’s gameplan. The Attacking options are going to be the key. Veteran QB Kurt Sierra is injury-prone, whilst WRs Robert Johnson and Asante Brown are not getting any younger. If the ‘O’ play strong this team could very well go all the way to CB 51.

MELBORG GIANTS

The Giants are still in a bit of a rebuild mode. QB Tom Tomkowski has not been the steal that some thought he would be. His accuracy improved last year, as his running stats went down. Their vocal home support the ‘G-Fence’ will need to carry this team somewhat.

NEW CHESTER KNIGHTS

The Knights are going to be there or thereabouts once again this season, aren’t they? Elijah Brooks will always make time to find people, the plethora of receivers always keeps the passing game good and defence honest. Veteran RB Chauncey Smith will have help in 2020-21.

The Knights have a good, young defence, lead by AMF Stephen Cooks and CMF Cooper Riley. Will battle with the 96ers for the division title, now Adelphia are in the Central.

PFL Draft 2020

PFL University Graduates | Players Draft 2020

The first round selections for the 2020 PFL Draft took place on Friday 5th June in the city of Chakota.

There were a few trades, including the number two and number five pick, but the teams picked mostly as predicted.

Michago’s highly rated End Tony Boswell was selected first by the Iomagh Steelers. He is expected to bring an intensity and pass rush that has been lacking for the steel men.

Next up, new entrants the Bristow Bears (replacing Tallassea Oilers) traded their selection to the Harteford Hawks for their bookend Lock (Offensive Tackle) Paul Ortiz. This is Ortiz’s third team in only four seasons! With that selection, the Hawks picked End Eugene Webber from Alberta. Quick and great in pursuit, he is a great addition for the Hawks.

The Eregon Eagles boosted their forward line with Sam Grayson, a Lock (Offensive Tackle) from Stamford. He will be expected to immediately replace retired veteran Reggie Cobb.

Melboro surprised a few in the fourth pick on day one, they needed a good running back and it was between Oakland’s Eric Foster and Granada’s Kylian Floyd. The Giants thought that Foster’s running style suited them best so selected him. This meant that the Adelphia Phoenix were immediately on the phone to Harteford, who held the no. 5. After agreeing a swap of first round picks and a few further later picks, Adelphia held the number five pick and chose Kylian Floyd. They now have two good ball carriers in the backfield.

Another Granada graduate went next, as Winger Andre Peters was chosen by the San Andreas Sharks. Lock Mike Sanders from Alberta followed, by the Rochester Trojans.

The Ballymore Tigers boosted their ageing midfield core with Madison’s Alfred Foster, before the New Chester Knights used their acquired pick from the Ravens to get lineman Marcus McDougal (Oakland State) and then their next pick was End Harrison Walters (O’Connell).

The Hawks picked at 12, acquired in  the deal with the Phoenix. Granada’s QB Aaron Murphy was their choice. Another first-round QB to try and turn the team around.

Selection thirteen was Clementine’s Guard Kyrie Gibson, who will be spending his days blocking for the San Angelo Miners. Gibson is a hot-headed but skilled lineman. Another lineman followed at 14, where the Hallas Stars chose Cody Jackson to block for Chase Hand.

The Wasps and champion Bulldogs closed out the first round. Chakota Wasps picked DB Nate Hanks out of Oakland State’s defensive backfield. He can play anywhere in the back four spots.  The Caligara Bulldogs chose Ohara’s outstanding outside Midfielder Jerious Faulk, who they will be very pleased to have got at the end of the first round. A year ago, he was projected as a potential top five pick by some experts.

The Complete First Round:

#	Team	Player	Pos	University	Notes
1	Steelers	Tony Boswell	DE	Michago
2	Hawks	Eugene Webber	DE	Alberta	From BEARS
3	Eagles	Sam Grayson	L	Stamford
4	Giants	Eric Foster	RB	Oakland
5	Phoenix	Kylian Floyd	RB	Granada	from HAWKS
6	Sharks	Andre Peters	WR	Granada
7	Trojans	Mike Sanders	L	Alberta
8	Tigers	Alfred Foster	MF	Madison
9	Knights	Marcus McDougal	G/L	Oakland State	From RAVENS
10	Knights	Harrison Walters	DE	O’Connell
11	96ers	Darren Roberts	QB	Eregonia State
12	Hawks	Aaron Murphy	QB	Granada	From PHOENIX
13	Miners	Kyrie Gibson	G	Clementine
14	Stars	Cody Jackson	OT	Ohara
15	Wasps	Nate Hanks	DB	Oakland State
16	Bulldogs	Jerious Faulk	AMF	Ohara

Crystal Bowl 50: Bulldogs leave it late to snatch victory

Crystal Bowl 50 | PFL Championship

CHAKOTA WASPS  24
  CALIGARA BULLDOGS  25

	1	2	3	4	ET	FT
CHAKOTA	7	3	7	7	–	24
CALIGARA	6	3	3	13	–	25

1st Quarter:
CAL   FG Wright 41; 3-0
CAL   FG Wright 44; 6-0
CHA  Harris 46 pass to Tucker (Wall kick); 6-7
2nd Quarter:
CAL   FG Wright 37; 9-7
CHA  FG Wall 39; 9-10
3rd Quarter:
CAL   FG Wright 31; 12-10
CHA  Harris 27 pass to Blackmon (Wall kick); 12-17
4th Quarter:
CAL   Slater 8 pass to Morales (Wright Kick); 19-17
CHA  Harris 12 pass to Rogers (Wall kick); 19-24
CAL   Slater 36 pass to Slater (Conver failed); 25-24

The Caligara Bulldogs required two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter from QB Zack Slater to come from behind to gian redemption from last year’s title game loss.
Slater had an uncomfortable first half, completing only six of thirteen passes. RB Jeremy Franklin had gained nearly 100 yards to keep the Bulldogs competitive.

The Wasps had a good performance from Trent Harris at the helm, gaining 274 yards through the air and three touchdowns. Harris overcame a second quarter interception, to lead the team to 10-9, 17-12 and 24-19 leads. His second interception effectively ended the game with 00:54 remaining.

Going into the fourth quarter, trailing 17-12, the Bulldogs regained the lead on an 8 yard pass from Slater to Morales. The lead didn’t last long, as Harris drove the Wasps downfield through the air, completing the drive with a 12 yarder to Shyrone Rogers.

The Bulldogs, with six minutes remaining needed another drive. Franklin gained two quick first downs on draw plays. Slater then found his namesake Seth on 9 and 11 yard gains. The Wasps were in their prevent defence and it was seeping gains (Ken Anderson limped off and Stephen Schmidt was playing hurt.

With 3:47 left on the clock, Zack found Seth- the Slater-to-Slater combination once more on a quick bubble screen. Seth evaded Schmidt and ran the remaining 36 yards for the score. The Bulldogs led by one point, so they attempted a two point conversion. Slater to Martinez didn’t work this time, so it remained a one point lead.

The Wasps final drive, needing just a field goal to win, ended when Kyle Neal intercepted a pass intended for Blackmon.

In just his second year as a Head Coach, Jon Palmer has topped the Mountain, an incredible achievement.

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Coaching Casualties after Reg. Season Ends

Several Teams have announced Coaching releases following the conclusion of the 2019-20 PFL Regular Season

 

IOMAGH STEELERS

General Manager Brian Watkins decided to retain Head Coach Chuck Johnson. Following conversations on Sunday night and through Monday, both coordinators have left by mutual agreement.

Fired – Attack Coordinator: Den Simpkins
Defence Coordinator: Simon Davies

 

MELBORG GIANTS

Giants management retained Head Coach Neil Fagan, but he let both his coordinators go and will announce their replacements soon.

Fired- Attack Co-ordinator: Fred Quinn, Defence Co-ordinator: Bill Brocker

 

ROCHESTER TROJANS

Owner John Michael Westerly and Chief Executive Kerry Marshall reportedly met with General Manager Cary Young and Head Coach Will James. They have fired Coach James, along with Deputy Coordinator Dory Lewis and Defensive Coordinator Ian Rudolph

Fired- Head Coach: Will James, Deputy Offensive Coordinator: Dory Lewis and Defensive Coordinator: Ian Rudolph.

 

 

 

Final Week: What went down and who got in

PFL Regular Season | Week 20

It was the final week of the PFL season this weekend, with ten teams vying for th eeight playoff spots. Six teams were guaranteed sports, so some needed a bit of help to get in. What wasn’t secured were the Divisional titles for the PFL East and PFL West.

PFL EAST

Adelphia Phoenix 26-10 Landor 96ers

Matt Kelly threw for 404 yards and 2 TDs, along with Jamal Davies getting 102 yards on the ground as the Phoenix overtook the 96ers to top spot in the East. The Phoenix defence contained veteran QB Kurt Sierra and his supporting cast, holding them to 210 total yards on the day. (Frank Bowman just 66).

The 96ers defence held the Phoenix to 3TDs and 3 FGs, when it could have been much worse. The 96ers also lost WB Edgar Jammer for the playoffs, as he nurses a broken collarbone. Disasterous day for the Sixers.

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- Week 19 one team eliminated

We are now down to fitting ten teams into the eight playoff spots, as the Trojans loss eliminated them fro playoff contention. There’s also been some shuffling around of playoff spots.

The Sharks moved out of the no. 8 spot and are now ‘in the running, along with the Oakland Ravens. Defending champs the Ballymore Tigers are back in the eight slot.

The 96ers and Wasps have swapped the 3 & 4, as the 96ers surprisingly lost to the Giants. Whilst the Knights win over the Phoenix moved them up over them. It’s all to play for next week.

Playoff Picture- 2 weeks to go!

PFL 2019-20 PLAYOFFS |

With just two weeks remaining, the top teams have made some room in three of the four divisions. It looks like the PFL West will be decided on Prime Time TV, with the Miners hosting the Stars on Saturday 1st Feb. The Sharks, who finish at the Eagles are in control of their own destiny. Win both games and definitely in. lose one and maybe still in- lose both and quite likely to stay home.

In the East the 96ers took the lead, preventing a three-way tie at the top by beating the Knights. Instead, they hold a one game advantage over the Adelphia Phoenix. Landor are still in the wild card spots.

The Central is headed by the Wasps, who have clinched their division. The Ravens and Trojans meet this coming weekend, with the loser, at 8-9 likely to be out of the running.

The Chakota Bulldogs once again have railroaded the North division. Defending CB Champs the Ballymore Tigers are sitting just outside at 9-7. They need others to lose to get back in.

The playoff picture, at a glance: