Champs in trouble? (1-2)

By Ryan Solis, PFL Correspondent.

The defending Champion Landor Knights have lost two games in a row. Was the week one defeat of the Tigers a fluke? Are they in trouble, with perhaps a championship hangover?  I guess only time will tell and it may be a little early to suggest an empire is falling down, but it is telling on the field. If there isn’t change soon, the Knights may be looking at giving up those repeat plans.

Here are three reasons to panic right now:

1. The Forwards are not blocking, injuries and inexperience are showing up front. QB Elijah Brooks has little time to let a play develop. He’s making plays with his legs as the the pocket frequently breaks down. He’s gonna get killed out there!
2. The defence is leaking yards and plays. The Bulldogs attack stayed on the field for over 70 plays (47 running) on Sunday,  meaning the Knights ‘D’ were also on the field for 70 plays. They have been stretched and are to this point, beaten down.
3. Everyone knows how they play. The Knights have been somewhat predictable this season, if the defence knows what they do, they are going to try and shut that down.

And here are three reasons to be optimistic:

1. They have time on their side. There are another fifteen games to go- and two rest weeks. Plenty of time to iron out any wrinkles and get players healthy.
2. Receiving core- there’s too many players to cover. Even when shutting down most of the Knights’ attack, Shyrone Rogers came up with 10 grabs for 243 yards!
3. They don’t have to play the Stars or Bulldogs again this season, barring the playoffs. Two losses on the road are not the end of the world. They can still win lots of games, especially the 8 remaining home games.

 

 

 

Sunday Sizzlers!

PFL Week 3 | Sunday games

We thought we would be  in for a treat- and we were yesterday. In the late afternoon game, Adelphia marched over Hallas, 37-13 at the Stardome. Matt Kelly threw for three TDs and Drew Williams was picked off three times. The game was very entertaining to watch- easy on the eye as both teams moved the ball. It was perhaps the four turnovers that stopped the scoreline being so close. But hey, it was good Sunday watching for the neutral.

Matt Kelly passed for 258 yards , in a very much improved performance than last week- where Oakland shut the passing game down. Marshall Knight gained 141 yards on the ground. The Stars could not protect the ball, which was their undoing (three picks and a fumble from Williams).

Then, for the Sunday Night Game, we had a very close 26-20 win for the home team in Caligara, as the Bulldogs beat the defending champions Landor Knights. The Bulldogs dreamt up the perfect game plan, running nearly 50 times (47 atts) and commanding the time of possession- at nearly 40 mins. By doubling down on Rashaan Johnson, Landor had to find other options.  Although Shyrone Rogers had 10 catches for 241 yards- 79 on the first pass play and 49 on their penultimate drive. He WAS the Landor offence.

Zack Slater completed 17 of 23 passes, for 246 yards and one score. Jeremy Franklin gained 101 yards (28 atts) for the ‘Dogs. An Old school approach won out the day.

Ryan McKenzie was quiet on the day for the Knights, gaining only 32 yards, and key to the fightback, fumbled a pass from Brooks, which the Bulldogs recovered.

Zack Slater drills a TD pass to Max Buchanon. 

Week one wrap-up

PFL Week 1 | Roundup

The first week of the 2017-18 Season has been completed. Here is the rundown of the game played from Friday to last night.

In the opener, the Landor Knights started off with a 24-20 win over the Ballymore Tigers at Knights stadium. Elijah Brooks and Ryan McKenzie looked at home in the opener. The defences for both teams looked stacked.

The Oakland Ravens knocked off the Adelphia Phoenix in Adelphia, 17-14. The Ravens’ defence locked down the Phoenix attack, whilst a good ground game saw the visitors pull through in a low-scoring game.

The Melborg Giants lost 16-26 to the Caligara Bulldogs at Bulldogs Stadium in Caligara. The Bulldogs looked legit against a very balanced Giants team. Chase Hand was picked off twice in unusual fashion, he had three turnovers on the day.

Edjerious Jones took over the headlines in the Tallassea Oilers‘ 27-29 loss to the hosting St. George Sharks. The Tallassea rookie shone with 8 catches for 155 yards and three scores, including an opening 66 yard catch. Not a bad way to introduce yourself to the league!

Rochester Trojans destroyed the visiting Harteford Hawks 41-3 in their season opener. Ryan Bruce had three TD passes, Ray Shell had two on the ground. The Hawks looked ill-prepared from the kickoff.

The Eregon  Eagles defence picked off three passes in the first half in their loss to the Chakota Wasps 13-26. The Eagles had plenty of opportunities inside the 20, but the Wasps’ defence played very strongly in the red zone.  Wasps’ 41-year old QB Billy Humphrey said he was disgusted with himself, afterwards (re- the picks).

The Iomagh Steelers caused the shock of the weekend by beating the perennial contenders- San Angelo Miners at Steel City. The well-organised defence  shut-down the pass-happy Miners attack. Up front, the Steelers’ forwards gave time and space to run and pass through a clock-managing, efficient offence.

And last night, the New Jorg 96ers came into Hallas and pulled off an early coup over the Stars. Rookie DE Vin Marshall got his first QB Mark, whilst new 96er QB Kurt Sierra ran the passing game and the ‘Sixers pulled off the 34-24 win.

MNG: ‘Sixers edge Stars in Hallas

PFL Week 1| Monday Night Game | EBC Television

  NEW JORG 96ERS  34

  HALLAS STARS  24

The New Jorg 96ers walked out of the Stardome with a victory tonight in the season’s first Monday Night Game on EBC.

Kurt Sierra debuted at Quarterback for the ‘Sixers, running the offence well. Frank Bowman was effective on the ground too. On the  defensive side, they battered Stars’ QB Drew Williams all night long. Williams also had to miss out a few plays following a big hit by veteran hitman Ray Madison.

96ers DE Vin Marshall recorded his first PFL QB Mark, which we think is the first of many.  The Stars receivers had a tough time all evening, with the mixes of coverages and presses designed to through them off. If worked- enough.

It won’t get any easier for the 0-1 Stars, they have another home game with the defending Champion Landor Knights next Sunday.

The 1-0 ‘Sixers move on to Oakland next week. That should be a good battle to watch!

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PFL West 2017 Preview

Season 2017-18 | PFL West

In the West, they will be happy to have lost the Bulldogs in the re-classification this off-season. They proved pesky in divisional ties all year round. With the Eagles still a little unknown (and maybe paying for trading away the prospect of Vin Marshall) we think it comes down to the other three this year. Hallas lost the Crystal Bowl in March, but have lost before and come back. Adversity is not always a speciality of Saint George or San Angelo- which is why we give the Stars the edge in here.

EREGON EAGLES

The Eagles traded the number one pick- the chance of having Vin Marshall to gain some players with experience. Will they come to rue that day? They have a decent attack now and with Play-making midfielder Jeff Holliday bouncing back from injury, should be much improved from their disastrous 2016 (2-16 record). The defence can be stout- i they all put their shifts in. Is this enough to make any waves in a pass-friendly division? Can they cover everybody? We don’t think they’ll do enough this year.
Predicted finish: 4th

HALLAS STARS

Hallas are Crystal Bowl contenders, so have to figure to be in the top two for 2017. With Drew Williams having more weapons than just Amani Sanders- it seems a little unfair on pass coverage defences this year. They keep tinkering with the defence to keep pass protection confused, with crazy blitzes or zones springing up from time to time. The Stars should play a starring role in 2017, getting back should not be too difficult. No CB losing hangover for them.
Predicted finish: 1st

SAINT GEORGE SHARKS

The Sharks are ready, coming off a mildly disappointing 2016- with Trent Harris behind Centre. This is time for this team to preach togetherness, no more arguing on the sidelines or too the media (or social media). If they can get behind one-another for 18+plus games, will be in the final four. There, we said it.
Predicted finish: 2nd

SAN ANGELO MINERS

Poor San Angelo, after winning Crystal Bowl XLV it’s been tough for them. Brandon Mullen needs better protection from an ageing line. Will some new blood be enough to keep them battling for their QB? Defensive backfield is questionable, but otherwise is blessed with enough talent up front on defence. Just missing out on play-offs due to losing close divisional ties.
Predicted finish: 3rd

PFL North 2017 Preview

2017-18 Previews | PFL North

The PFL North is the home of smashmouth football in the PFL. The problem, sometimes is that they spend so much time beating up eachother that they don’t really make any moves in the post-season. It is a development year for both Harteford and Iomagh, so it is really between Ballymore and Caligara for the divisional title. This is the one division where we feel second place may not get you in the play-offs.

BALLYMORE TIGERS

The Tigers had a bad run last year, with a injury plague tearing apart the often stifling defence. When they had the ball, plays often broke down too quickly, meaning Bo Mills took a lot of unnecessary shots. Better forward play will make this team play-off bound. We think they might just make it.
Predicted finish: 2nd

CALIGARA BULLDOGS

The Bulldogs bounced back last season, following some dire performances since Sean Wallace retired in 2012. Zack Slater has arrived! The Slater-2-(Seth) Slater combo has opened up the attack nicely. The defence is a tough as always, perhaps even nastier than before. Should make enough early ground to win-out this division.
Predicted finish: 1st

HARTEFORD HAWKS

Harteford can always surprise you, but not this year. The new logo will look great, but don’t think it’ll bring any razzle-dazzle to this somewhat stagnant team.
Predicted finish: 3rd

IOMAGH STEELERS

Iomagh haven’t been that great for a few years now. The continued instability at the front office and at QB means we are not set for another dynasty , yet, or perhaps even for a while. Cam Rogers was let go, which was a chancey move. Read: Development year.
Predicted finish: 4th

PFL Central 2017 Preview

The PFL Central is going to be interesting as this is a season when the tides could be turning as the Wasps say goodbye to a legend, the Oilers say ‘Hello’ to Edjerious Jones- so,  the Trojans and Ravens will be vying to knock off the Wasps as undisputed kings of the Central Division.

CHAKOTA WASPS

The Wasps have one more season with legendary record-setting QB Billy Humphrey, he still has a great supporting cast around him for his final shot at a third Crystal Bowl title. The defence is a little flat, though. This could prove once again, as the Achilles heel of Humphrey’s legacy- great on attack, dodgy in defence. Head Coach Wally Dawson will hope that he has enough in defence to make it through. We think its 50-50 this year.
Predicted finish: 3rd

OAKLAND RAVENS

The Ravens are a tough team, no doubt. From the front lines to sidelines to special teams- they are tough everywhere. We feel that this could be the year when everybody else feels just how tough they are. “Tom2” (Tom Tomkowski, QB) has settled down and as he matures, is showing us to be a better player. Better decision making in the final third will elevate  this team to the play-offs.
Predicted finish: 2nd

ROCHESTER TROJANS

Rochester have a very balanced team, they play old-fashioned play-action football. It’s very effective when you have a QB like Ryan Bruce at the helm. Still, they may need some great plays on defence, but as the best overall unit in the division- this division is surely there’s for the taking.
Predicted finish: 1st 

TALLASSEA OILERS

Edjerious Jones is gonna make plays. He looks like an  absolute beast of a wideout. This is good news for the oilers. The  bad news is that they are not truly settled in who is going to be throwing the ball to him. When that’s settled- all good for Tallassea.  Sorry Oiler fans, not this year- but they are getting much closer. Keep the faith!
Predicted finish: 4th

PFL Draft: Full First Round Rundown

PFL Draft | PFL HQ

The first sixteen players have been selected from the 2017 PFL Draft. Here are the super sixteen selections:

Round 1

#	T#	TEAM	PLAYER	UNIIVERSITY	CONF.
1	1	96ers*	DE Vin Marshall	O’Connell	AEC
2	2	Oilers	WR Edgerious Jones	Eregonia	Gt. Western
3	3	Hawks	QB Dexter Warren	Clementine	SAC
4	4	Eagles*	OG Mario Justice	New Jorg	GEC
5	5	Steelers	OT Mike Watkins	Alberto	SAC
6	6	Tigers	DE Jermaine Fletcher	Amorgan	GEC
7	7	Phoenix	DT Dez Williams	New Jorg	GEC
8	8	Bulldogs	C Alan Smith	Ohara	G-Ten
9	9	Giants	WR DeSean Berry	Olaskas	G-12
10	10	Sharks	QB Dre Nalen	Stamford	Gt. Western
11	11	Ravens	WR Zeke Hampton	Mayona	SAC
12	12	Miners	WB Champ Sommers	Granada	SAC
13	13	Trojans	MF Calvin Smith	Ohara	G-Ten
14	14	Wasps	QB Eric Chandler	Olaskas	G-12
15	15	Stars	MF Theo Squibb	Eregonia	Gt. Western
16	16	Knights	C Max Holloway	Michago	G-Ten

Dexter Williams going at three was a bit of a surprise, as was Calvin Smith being in the first round. Dre Nalen fell to no.10, the Sharks deciding they could not pass up this opportunity.

The 96ers and Oilers do have potential game-changers (or game-breakers) on their hands. Two stud players that really stood out in this class of 2017.
Most teams you can say have upgraded well with the first round selections.
The proof. though, will be when we see those players suit up and go at it, later this year.

 

 

Brooks features on new PFL game cover

PFL Video Games | PFL | Elijah Brooks

After capping off a near-perfect season with the New Chester Knights, Elijah Brooks is being honoured on the consoles, as he is the cover star of Supreme Sports Video Game for the upcoming season: PFL Prime Time Football 2018, which is available from 1st September 2017.

2017 PFL Draft Preview

The PFL Draft Review 2017

128 Players to be picked over the next week, new stars made, team needs to be adressed. The PFL Draft is almost upon us…so here we go!

Draft Order & Team Needs 2017