Week Ten Wrap-up

PFL | Season 2017-18 | Week Ten

Everyone has played nine games now, so, w’ere at the halfway point. Some teams will have to win out from here. Here’s what went down in the last round of matches.

Six-Appeal! The New Jorg 96ers improved to 6-3, with a 41-24 spanking of the St. George Sharks. DE Vin Marshall had three QB Marks (that’s sacks for U.S. fans) and the team forced four turnovers. On the attack, the ‘Sixers Kurt Sierra again went over 300 yards and three scores.

Slatered! The Caligara Bulldogs kept their place at the top of the PFL North, with a 21-17 win over the Eregon Eagles. This was an old rivalry game from their days together in the West. ‘Dogs QB Zack Slater found his namesake Seth Slater for a 20 yard TD with 1:19 left. JJ Peters nabbed his fifth interception of the season!

Stung! Chakota destroyed a Matt Kelly-less Adelphia Phoenix team on the road. At home in another dome, Billy Humphrey and co lasered up the scoreboard early, with five first half TD. The Wasps took their foot off the accelerator for the second half, still winning 42-17.

Stealers?! The Iomagh Steelers got caught out in the fourth quarter against the Landor Knights. The Steelers threw two late INTs, that were converted into scores as the team from the capital won out 24-10. Iomagh lead 10-7 at half-time.

Starlight! The Hallas Stars reigned supreme in the Stardome, winning 34-24 in a crucial divisional game with the San Angelo Miners. The Miners also lost their top QB, Brandon Mullen. Their season is in jeopardy.

Fired! The 1-8 Harteford Hawks didn’t play, but announced they fired OC Kurt Millen Monday morning. Head Coach Dick Jorgensen will take over as OC for the remainder of the season. If, he makes it that far…

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. 

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