FAT DADDY CA$H’S CORNER
Week 2
The Alpha vs Zeta showdown ended in a draw? How can that possibly be? After all, everyone knows Zeta>Alpha>CPL … but maybe times are changing. Or, maybe everyone was still nursing New Years Eve hangovers.
It’s tough to judge though since it was such a whacky week. Several prominent Zeta teams laid eggs in Week 1 (cough – PPP – cough – Sevilla – cough) while two of last year’s cellar dwellers, Antwerp and Black Forest, made big statements. Meanwhile supposed rookie powerhouse the Rippers tripped over their own two feet against the Grizzlies.
With inter-conference play behind us, Alpha and Zeta will try to refocus on one another. Several big games loom as teams will try to avoid slipping into an 0-2 hole.
This week on the Corner we’ll recap Week One’s best games, look ahead to Week Two and unleash the first Power Rankings of the season. So let’s get to it!
Week 1 Rewind:
A Team of Ice & Fire vs Toulouse Aviators:
Ice & Fire didn’t start their Week 1 showdown with the Rookie Aviators as they had hoped. With Toulouse stifling the Ice & Fire ground game, ATOIAF fell behind early and entered the fourth quarter trailing by 5 points.
But on just the first play of the final stanza, HB Tyrlon Lannister dashed 11 yards untouched into the end zone to give his team the lead:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=290878&pbp_id=1750699
On the very next drive, the Ice & Fire defense, which had been picked on all game, came up with a play of their own to seal the come from behind win. The Aviators had been marching down the field for what looked to be the go-ahead score. On the 14th play of the impressive drive, HB Candy Toss coughed up the ball and LB Sandor Kane returned it 98 yards for the score:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=290878&pbp_id=1751445
The win starts Ice & Fire off hot while Paris is left kicking themselves for letting one get away.
Edinburgh Black Knights vs Berlin Blitzkrieg:
The Black Knights had the Blitz on the ropes for much of this unexpected shootout. Heading into the 4th quarter, the Black Knights took an early 19-16 point lead thanks to a K.C. Riordon’s 47 yard FG.
But that’s when the fun started …
Berlin took the preceeding kick off and marched 67 yards down the field, chewing up over 5 minutes off the clock. HB Bush’s 1 yard TD plunge gave Berlin the narrow 23-19 point lead. The Black Knights wasted little time as on the very next play from scrimmage, HB Cedell Davis Jr took a pitch and raced 65 yards to pay-dirt:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=290881&pbp_id=1739915
Suddenly trailing by 3, Berlin found fireworks of their own to answer the bell. 24 seconds and 2 plays later, Berlin QB Jake Dope threw a quick dart to HB Jesse C who turned the short pass into a 58 yard dash to the end zone:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=290881&pbp_id=1740267
The score wound up breaking the Black Knights’ back and allowed Berlin to hold on to the narrow win.
Power Rankings: Week 2
Zeta Conference:
1. Berlin Ballers (1-0)
The defending WEPL Champions picked up right where they left off as they dominated an Aberdeen team that many expect to be a serious playoff contender in Alpha this season. While the 41-10 score was impressive, it doesn’t paint the picture as to how utterly dominating the Ballers looked in this one. The defense was lights out, racking up 12 sacks, 20 hurries, forcing 2 turnovers while holding Aberdeen to -38 yards rushing and under 300 yards passing. With defensive play like that it’s easy to overlook the solid debut of Berlin’s new QB Dimitri Makarov who completed 61% of his passes for 340 yards 1 TD and 1 INT.
2. Korb Destroyers (1-0):
The runner up in Zeta last year had an equally impressive Season 7 debut as they thrashed the Wembley Warriors 31-0. The Korb ground game was lights out, compiling 261 yards and 3 TDs on 51 carries. The Korb defense, as usual, was up to the task, racking up 10 hurries, 5 sacks while holding the Warriors to a mind-boggling 150 yards of total offense. With a big game against the suddenly rejuvenated Annihilators up next, Korb will have an opportunity to challenge Berlin for the Number 1 spot.
3. Rotterdam Roughnecks (1-0):
Rotterdam drew one of the toughest inter-conference match-ups as they were forced to travel into the Saw Mill to take on the Lumberjacks. Despite being out-gained nearly two to one by the WuJax, the new look Roughneck secondary took advantage of 2 Woodridge INTs (returning 1 for a TD) to help secure the 29-24 point upset for Rotterdam. More impressive than beating Woodridge was the fact that Rotterdam accomplished this while their normally potent offense looked pedestrian, racking up a mere 234 yards. Perhaps it’s a sign of change in Rotterdam – if the defense can continue to play as well as they looked in Week 1, Rotterdam could be looking at a serious title run in Season 7.
4. Stockholm Meatballs (1-0):
Stockholm’s new look, three-headed rushing attack carried the Meatballs past the Red Bandits with little trouble in Week 1. Despite a slow start by QB Gunn Slinger, the Meatballs managed to hang 20 points in the second quarter on the over-matched Red Bandits and leaned on their defense to do the rest. The Stockholm defense was impressive, racking up 2 INTs while holding the Red Bandits to just 72 yards on the ground and under 300 yards total on the day. Still, before the Meatballs can be considered serious contenders, their offense needs to find a way to be more consistent. A big match-up with Black Forest in Week 2 will go a long ways towards telling us just how good (or not so good) this batch of Meatballs really is.
5. Black Forest Mercenaries (1-0):
Making perhaps the biggest jump since last season, Black Forest finds themselves in the top 8 for the first time in their WEPL career thanks to their shocking 34-0 dismantling of the Alpha powerhouse Paris Philharmonic. Truth be told the Mercs started this turn around at the end of last season with a re-vamped coaching staff and several big Free Agency signings. The new look Black Forest defense was impressive, holding the normally potent Paris offense to a staggering 140 yards of offense while racking up 9 sacks. The offense wasn’t too shabby either as they pounded Paris with 52 rushes for 123 yards – setting up the deep strike passing attack which accounted for 251 yards of their team total 374.
6. Antwerp Annihilators: (1-0):
Antwerp was close to being relegated last season and suddenly find themselves a the number 6 spot. Surely I’m high, right? Not so fast. This under-achieving Season 6 team came roaring out of the gates, pounding the Stuttgart Nighthawks 59-20. Antwerp rolled up 519 yards of offence and 28 first quarter points and forced the Nighthawks to abandon their normally powerful rushing attack. The ‘Twerp defense was up to the challenge of a Nighthawk passing attack as they forced 4 sacks, 7 hurries and 2 INTs. The big win over a playoff team might be just the confidence boost Antwerp needs as the Destroyers roll into town in Week 2.
7. PPP Longnecks (0-1):
The Longnecks are the lone winless team in the Top 8, a move that has more to do with their talent than their performance in Week 1. QB Levi Jackson was simply rusty (read: Atrocious) against E-City, tossing 3 INTs (2 of which were returned for TDs) and completing under 50% of his passes. Jackson’s early struggles put the Longnecks in a hole which they simply couldn’t recover from. If not for a 21 point 4th quarter surge, the Longnecks would have been humiliated even more on the scoreboard. Despite this poor showing, the Longnecks still have great talent (and in fact out-gained the Mercs 368 to 310 in the loss) and should be a playoff team once again. With the struggling Grass Root Divots up next, they’ll have a chance to get healthy in Week 2.
8. Rivals Mainboard Pimps (0-1):
Lyon and Ice & Fire fans are ripping out their hair right about now. How can I have two 1-0 teams rated below two 0-1 teams? Well, I’m playing a hunch. The Pimps underwent a front office change in the off season as well as some name changes for their eccentric HB Lee Suggs (sorry, I won’t call Chad Johnson Ocho-Cinco and I won’t call Lee Suggs Mike Imoh or whatever he’s going by this week). The changes have improved the Pimps’ team speed (scary thought) but have hurt the team chemistry. This showed on the field against the reigning Alpha Champs as the Monarchs opened up an early lead and coasted to the 45-40 victory. However, the Pimps showed promise, especially with their new QB Para b00n who tossed the rock for 342 yards and 4 TDs. Once the Pimps’ rushing game gets back on track they’ll be in the top half of the playoff field once again.
9. Lyon Dynasty (1-0):
Lyon opened their season with an impressive win over the Lake Charles Who Dats. The stout Dynasty defense had pitched a shut out for the first 54 minutes of the game but two late Who Dat scores ended those dreams. Still, the defense was impressive, tallying 10 sacks, 15 hurries, 1 INT while holding Lake Charles to -5 yards rushing on 37 carries. The Lyon offense was a different story as they were unable to move the ball consistently, punting 7 times and amassing just 267 yards of offense. But defense wins championships, right? We’ll soon find out …
10. Ice & Fire (1-0):
Ice & Fire gets no respect. I know this. And now I’ve disrespected them by putting them at 10th despite their heroic efforts against the Aviators in Week 1. So allow me to explain: They are notched below the Longnecks and Pimps based on talent and one notch below the Dynasty based on the quality of their first week opponent. Fair? Probably not. But I think it might be an accurate rating at this point in time. Of course, Ice & Fire can prove me wrong by knocking off the Ballers in Week 2.
11. Edinburgh Black Knighs (0-1):
The Black Knights get the top spot of “the rest” here based on their narrow defeat at the hands of the Blitz. Truthfully, from 11 to 15 it’s extremely difficult to accurately rank them after just one game. In their 1-point loss, Edinburgh looked sharp against one of the top teams in WEPL as their defense held the Blitz to under 300 yards while the offense displayed great balance with their passing and rushing attack. While it’s never good to lose, a close loss to one of Alpha’s best should give the Black Knights something solid to build from.
12. Sevilla Naranjas (0-1):
It might be harsh to drop last season’s playoff Naranjas below the rookie Black Knights, but the decision was based on the quality of the opponent they faced in Week 1. While the Black Knights came within 1 point of beating the Alpha veteran Blitz, the Naranjas dropped a game to the rookie Paris Dream Boats. Sevilla couldn’t get out of their own way against the Dream Boats as they tossed 2 INTs, both of which were returned for TDs. Despite out gaining Paris 467 yards to 295, Sevilla just didn’t look in synch out there. Like the Longnecks, they could easily bounce back – but with the Dynasty and Ballers on deack, Sevilla is staring an 0-3 start right in the face.
13. Paris Musketeers (0-1):
Paris struggled in Season 6 but showed signs of life down the stretch which gave their fans hope for a playoff push in Season 7. Things did not get off as smoothly as Paris hoped as they dropped a defensive heartbreaker to the rookie Dresden Dragons. The question remains whether this game shows how good Dresden is or how mediocre Paris is. I’d like to think that Dresden is that good and this was just a speed bump for Paris’s resurgence this season – however the Week 2 match-up with the Roughnecks will answer that question more clearly.
14. London Rippers (0-1):
A lot is expected of the Rippers’ debut season in WEPL, however their 27-17 loss at the hands of the Graz Grizzles put an early crimp in those hopes. The match-up with the Grizzlies was a rematch of the AAA Conference title game, only this time Graz was able to shut down the London rushing attack while racking up 374 yards of offense themselves. For the Rippers, they are left with more questions than answers. Their Week 2 match-up with Edinburgh will give them a chance to jump up in the rankings but they don’t face a veteran Zeta team until Week 4 – meaning it’ll be some time before we know just how good (or how bad) the Rippers really are.
15. Grass Root Divots (0-1):
After a tough 0-2 pre-season, the Divots drew a brutal Week 1 match-up against the mighty Black Watch. It wasn’t pretty despite the closer-than-expected score. The Divot offense was stuck in the garage for the game, only managing to put up 119 yards of offense on a meager 50 plays. Unable to sustain drives, the Divots punted 12 times and the only time they found the endzone was when D’Wayne McRichardson picked off an errant Black Watch throw and returned it 49 yards for the score. Things won’t get easier this week as the hungry Longnecks are up next.
16. Multiple Scorgasms (0-1):
Ouch. That’s all you can say after the 55-10 drubbing the Aggies delivered to Multiple in Week 1. With too many CPU players on the roster and a floundering chemistry, the Scorgasms need to act fast to fill the holes in their roster before they fall too far behind in the race to avoid relegation. With the Pimps up next, it won’t get any easier this week.
Alpha Conference:
1. London Monarchs (1-0):
The reigning Alpha Champions keep their top spot after thoroughly dismantling the Pimps 45-40 in Week 1. The Monarchs’ offense showed no signs of slowing down as they piled up 529 yards including 419 yards through the air while only punting once. The only cause for alarm, as it was last year, is on the defensive side of the ball. While the Monarchs D played great for 3 quarters, they waivered in the 4th quarter surrendering 28 points and over 250 yards in just those 15 minutes. The defense will have to be better as the high-flying Aggies come to town in Week 2.
2. Black Watch (1-0):
Black Watch has unfinished business to handle in Season 7 after their unceremonious dismissal in the second round of the playoffs last year. Black Watch is one of the most talented teams in WEPL and looked it as they pounded the Grass Roots Divots in Week 1. Black Watch racked up 430 yards of offense while their stellar defense held the Divots to just 119 yards. A big match up against the Nighthawks is on deck and should give the Black Watch another opportunity to wash the taste of Season 6 out of their mouths.
3. Berlin Blitzkrieg (1-0):
Berlin is just happy to be 1-0 – regardless of how ugly the win was. After all, the last thing anyone on Berlin wanted was a repeat of their 0-4 start in Season 6. Truth be told, the Blitz did not look all that impressive against the rookie Black Knights as they failed to crack 300 yards of offense while surrendering 361 yards on defense. I’m willing to write that off to opening week rust and thus I rank them slightly higher than others might. Still, with tough match-ups against Aberdeen and Stuttgart up next, the Blitz will have a chance to prove they belong in this rarified air.
4. E-City Mercenaries (1-0):
E-City stunned the Zeta Conference by dismantling the mighty Longnecks 33-28. The game was much more one sided than the score indicates as PPP scored 21 of their 28 points in the final quarter. Still, the win is a big step forward for an E-City club that struggled most of last season and wound up watching the playoffs rather than participating in them. It’s too early to read too much into this win, especially considering how PPP outgained the Mercs in yardage, however the quality win makes it impossible to rank them any lower than 4 for now.
5. Woodridge Lumberjacks (0-1):
Woodridge gets this spot based on two things: reputation and quality of their Week 1 opponent. It’s no secret that Woodridge is one of the most talented teams in WEPL even if some of their luster has worn off the past three seasons. And losing to the dynamic Roughnecks 29-24 is nothing to be ashamed of. I know Aggies, Dresden and Dream Bolts fans will cringe and cry foul, but the Wujax are more talented on paper and thus get the nod here. A big game with the Philharmonics is on deck – it’s a must win game for both teams which should make for a fun afternoon.
6. Fightin’ Texas Aggies (1-0):
The Aggies looked great in their 55-10 thumping of the Scorgasms. I was tempted to rank this explosive offensive juggernaut higher, but Multiple is a team in disarray right now and by the end of the season the win might not look as impressive as it does now. With the Monarchs up next, Week 2 promises to be another high-scoring affair for Texas..
7. Dresden Dragons (1-0):
Color me impressed with the Dragon defense in Week 1. Their 15-13 slugfest with the Musketeers left both sides black & blue and could set the tone for a surprise playoff run for the Dragons. Of course, before we can seriously talk playoffs, the Dragons need to get a win against a playoff team from Season 6. Unfortunately they won’t get that chance until Week 3 when the Philharmonic come to town. But defense supposedly wins championships and if Dresden can continue to get lights out play from their D, they could shoot up these rankings in a hurry.
8. Paris Philharmonic (0-1):
Like the WuJax, Paris steals a Top 8 spot based more on their reputation than how they looked in Week 1. Unlike the WuJax who lost a hard fought game to Rotterdam, Paris got their tails handed to them by the surprising Black Forest Mercenaries 34-0. In the game Paris just looked lost, only managing 140 yards of offense. I might be a sap for ranking them this highly, but I think Paris will bounce back from this loss – and quickly. Unfortunately they won’t have too much time to rest as the WuJax are up next.
9. Graz Grizzlies (1-0):
The Grizzlies got their revenge against the London Rippers in Week 1 as they knocked off the team that ended their season 6 trophy hunt. Graz looked impressive as they put up 375 yards of offense on a team who many expect to be a playoff contender in Zeta this season. It was a plesant change of pace for the Grizzlies who were 0-2 in the playoffs against Korb and Stockholm. But, like many of the rookie clubs, questions remain as to how good the Grizzlies really are. With a game against the Dragons up next, we may have to wait till Week 3’s showdown with the Monarchs to see how they stack up against Alpha playoff veterans.
10. Paris Dream Bolts (1-0):
Yes, Paris beat a playoff team in Week 1. Yes, Paris looked great in doing so. And yes, I’m ranking them 10th behind two 0-1 teams – one of which looked horrible in Week 1. Why? Because I’m not sure what sort of team Paris really is. While it’s true they beat Sevilla by 10 points, they also surrendered 467 yards while only gaining 295 themselves. Is this a team that got lucky? Or are they for real? Time will tell.
11. Stuttgart Nighthawks (0-1):
I was tempted to put AWC in this spot, but I’m cutting Stuttgart some slack based on their playoff run last year. Still, the Nighthawks 59-20 embarassment against the Annihilators is certainly cause for some alarm. The Nighthawks were unable to get their normally potent rushing game going and their passing game ended in disaster. While 1 loss is not the end of the world, unless the Nighthawks can find their running game, they are in for a rough start to the year with games against Black Watch and the Blitz looming.
12. Aberdeen Wrecking Crew (0-1):
Aberdeen didn’t get off to the fast start they wanted as they, like every other WEPL team, hit a buzz saw in the form of the Berlin Ballers. The new Aberdeen QB, Laser Rocketarm, was pressured 20 times and sacked 12 more making for a very sore morning-after. Even worse than AWC’s pass protection was the lack of superstar Jimmy Johnson’s name on their own stat sheet. The star DE was held in check, failing to rack up a single hurry or sack. Yikes! It’s tough to read too much into this loss as Berlin has a way of making teams look lost, however with the Blitz up next Aberdeen will have to find a way to get Johnson more involved in order to avoid going 0-2.
13. Toulouse Aviators (0-1):
The Aviators lost a heartbreaker to Ice & Fire in Week 1 and is one of the tougher teams for me to slot this week. Like many of the rookie WEPL Teams, I’m not certain if the loss was more to do with how mediocre they are or how good their opponent was. Truth be told, the Aviators have talent on the roster and showed it off against Ice & Fire, but at the end of the day they still lost a game to a team who hasn’t qualified for the playoffs themselves yet. That may not bode too well.
14. Wembley Warriors (0-1):
The Warriors wanted to avoid the woes they faced in Season 6 but instead they wound up looking downright poor against a powerful Korb club. While it’s true that Korb is a great team and will make plenty of teams look lost this season, the Warriors have to find a way to put up more than 150 yards of offense if they hope to end their playoff drought. With the Red Bandits up next the Warriors will have a chance to get healthy fast.
15. Dinas Red Bandits (0-1):
Dinas almost drew the short straw and got the last spot. But that would have had more to do with their uninspired finish to Season 6 than how they looked against Stockholm in Week 1. In fact, the Red Bandits looked decent in stretches against Stockholm. Though the question remains whether that was because Stockholm has slipped or because the Red Bandits have improved. It’s too early to tell.
16. Lake Charles Who Dats (0-1):
Lake Charles was the most erratic team to rank in Alpha last season and they look to be on that path once again in Season 7. Lake Charles was thoroughly outclassed by Lyon in Week 1 but I wouldn’t put it past them to bounce back and knock off the Dream Bolts in Week 2. Lake Charles is just that frustrating – to us prognosticators at least.
Week 2 Previews and Predictions:
Alpha Conference:
Lake Charles Who Dats (0-1) at Paris Dream Bolts (1-0):
Who knows which Lake Charles team will show up … I certainly don’t. And who knows how good the Dream Bolts really are? I doubt this game will tell us. Still, I’m going to go out on a limb with this one:
Lake Charles gets the upset, 20-17.
E-City Mercenaries (1-0) at Toulouse Aviators (0-1):
E-City gets a chance to validate their upset of PPP by picking on one of the new kids on the block. Look for the Mercs to take it right to the Aviators who are still stinging from their Week 1 loss.
E-City wins 33-20.
Aberdeen Wrecking Crew (0-1) at Berlin Blitzkrieg (1-0):
This is a big game for AWC who can ill afford another slow start to the season. The Blitz will be looking for a more consistent game after their narrow escape last week. If Berlin can find a way to pressure Rocketarm, AWC could be in for a long day.
Berlin wins another tight one, 28-24.
Stuttgart Nighthawks (0-1) at Black Watch (1-0):
Stuttgart has a huge mountain to climb to avoid going 0-2. Black Watch is one of the league’s best and won’t be taking any prisoners. The Nighthawks cannot afford to be one dimensional this week as they have no shot unless they get their running game going. Even if they do, it’ll still be tough to pull off the upset here.
Black Watch get the W 33-17.
Graz Grizzlies (1-0) at Dresden Dragons (1-0):
To steal a catch phrase, this is a match-up of diaper dandies as the Grizzlies and Dragons battle it out to see which rookie Alpha team is the king of the hill. I admit I don’t know enough about either team to make a good guess here. But I did like what I saw of Dresden’s D so that’s the horse I’m riding.
Dresden wins a brawl 19-17.
Woodridge Lumberjacks (0-1) at Paris Philharmonic (0-1):
I was tempted to put this as the Game of the Week as both teams have high hopes for deep playoff runs and would hate to start the year 0-2. That being the case, this should make for high drama in Paris. This is really a coin-flip game for me as I think both teams are close to even on paper and certainly have the ability to beat anyone in WEPL. But since I have to pick one, I’m going to go with the team that looked less rusty.
Woodridge wins 28-17.
Dinas Red Bandits (0-1) at Wembley Warriors (0-1):
Neither team looked sharp in Week 1, but the Warriors are fighting a bigger drain in team Chemistry. Wil that make the difference? I’m not sure. But I suspect Dinas finds a way to get the upset here.
Red Bandits win 20-18.
Zeta Conference:
Korb Destroyers (1-0) at Antwerp Annihilators (1-0):
What a great test for the newly confident Annihilators as an old rivalry is renewed. Korb has the talent to win the whole ball of wax this year and has a habit of making good teams look foolish. For Antwerp, a win here would erase any lingering doubts about their abilities left over from Season 6. As improved as Antwerp is, I don’t think they get this one done.
Korb wins 24-13.
Ice & Fire (1-0) at Berlin Ballers (1-0):
Ice & Fire would love to be the team that knocks off the Ballers in Season 7. Both the Ballers and Ice & Fire coaching staffs are some of the best game planners in GLB and should be able to cook up something special. I expect this one to be closer than you might expect, but the Ballers are too hot right now for the Ice.
Berlin wins 30-19.
Paris Musketeers (0-1) at Rotterdam Roughnecks (1-0):
Paris is staring 0-2 in the face as they roll into Rotterdam this week. Paris will need to find a way to score TDs rather than FGs on the improved Roughneck defense to have a shot – but I don’t see that happening this week.
Rotterdam wins 33-9.
Sevilla Naranjas (0-1) at Lyon Dynasty (1-0):
Lyon has a great chance to get off to a 3-0 start with a soft schedule to open. However they can’t afford to overlook the Naranjas who, despite their Week 1 loss, are still a dangerous team. The Lyon defense will have to repeat their efforts of last week to have a chance – and I think they will.
Lyon wins 28-13.
Rivals Mainboard Pimps (0-1) at Multiple Scorgasm (0-1):
The Pimps will get a chance to get healthy this week against the rebuilding Scorgasms. This one might get ugly.
Pimps 55-17.
Edinburgh Black Knights (0-1) at London Rippers (0-1):
A big match up here as both rookie clubs are looking to avoid starting Season 7 in an 0-2 hole. I have to ride the more talented Rippers in this one.
Rippers win 29-27.
Grass Root Divots (0-1) at PPP Longnecks (0-1):
This is a must win game for the Longnecks as the start of their schedule is much softer than their finish. Starting the year 0-2 could de-rail their plans for a top 4 seed. That’s bad news for the struggling to adjust Divots.
Longnecks win 33-20.
Games Of The Week:
Fightin’ Texas Aggies (1-0) at London Monarchs (1-0):
Offensive football fans will be in luck for this one as both the Aggies and Monarchs sport two of the top units in the Conference. And since neither team plays defense terribly well, the scoreboard operator should be plenty busy. This will be a big test for the Aggies who desperately want to knock off one of the big boys to show they are a serious threat. I look for this to be a good game, but in the end the Monarchs are just too good for the Aggies right now.
Monarchs win 44-39.
Black Forest Mercenaries (1-0) at Stockholm Meatballs (1-0):
This one promises to be another great. Stockholm got off to a slow start against the Red Bandits last week and can’t afford to do the same against the re-loaded Mercenaries this week. BFM will put up a good fight here and with a win could vault themselves to the upper echelon of Zeta. Still, I have to ride the Meatballs and their great defense in this one.
Stockholm wins a nail-biter, 28-27.
Week 2
The Alpha vs Zeta showdown ended in a draw? How can that possibly be? After all, everyone knows Zeta>Alpha>CPL … but maybe times are changing. Or, maybe everyone was still nursing New Years Eve hangovers.
It’s tough to judge though since it was such a whacky week. Several prominent Zeta teams laid eggs in Week 1 (cough – PPP – cough – Sevilla – cough) while two of last year’s cellar dwellers, Antwerp and Black Forest, made big statements. Meanwhile supposed rookie powerhouse the Rippers tripped over their own two feet against the Grizzlies.
With inter-conference play behind us, Alpha and Zeta will try to refocus on one another. Several big games loom as teams will try to avoid slipping into an 0-2 hole.
This week on the Corner we’ll recap Week One’s best games, look ahead to Week Two and unleash the first Power Rankings of the season. So let’s get to it!
Week 1 Rewind:
A Team of Ice & Fire vs Toulouse Aviators:
Ice & Fire didn’t start their Week 1 showdown with the Rookie Aviators as they had hoped. With Toulouse stifling the Ice & Fire ground game, ATOIAF fell behind early and entered the fourth quarter trailing by 5 points.
But on just the first play of the final stanza, HB Tyrlon Lannister dashed 11 yards untouched into the end zone to give his team the lead:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=290878&pbp_id=1750699
On the very next drive, the Ice & Fire defense, which had been picked on all game, came up with a play of their own to seal the come from behind win. The Aviators had been marching down the field for what looked to be the go-ahead score. On the 14th play of the impressive drive, HB Candy Toss coughed up the ball and LB Sandor Kane returned it 98 yards for the score:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=290878&pbp_id=1751445
The win starts Ice & Fire off hot while Paris is left kicking themselves for letting one get away.
Edinburgh Black Knights vs Berlin Blitzkrieg:
The Black Knights had the Blitz on the ropes for much of this unexpected shootout. Heading into the 4th quarter, the Black Knights took an early 19-16 point lead thanks to a K.C. Riordon’s 47 yard FG.
But that’s when the fun started …
Berlin took the preceeding kick off and marched 67 yards down the field, chewing up over 5 minutes off the clock. HB Bush’s 1 yard TD plunge gave Berlin the narrow 23-19 point lead. The Black Knights wasted little time as on the very next play from scrimmage, HB Cedell Davis Jr took a pitch and raced 65 yards to pay-dirt:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=290881&pbp_id=1739915
Suddenly trailing by 3, Berlin found fireworks of their own to answer the bell. 24 seconds and 2 plays later, Berlin QB Jake Dope threw a quick dart to HB Jesse C who turned the short pass into a 58 yard dash to the end zone:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=290881&pbp_id=1740267
The score wound up breaking the Black Knights’ back and allowed Berlin to hold on to the narrow win.
Power Rankings: Week 2
Zeta Conference:
1. Berlin Ballers (1-0)
The defending WEPL Champions picked up right where they left off as they dominated an Aberdeen team that many expect to be a serious playoff contender in Alpha this season. While the 41-10 score was impressive, it doesn’t paint the picture as to how utterly dominating the Ballers looked in this one. The defense was lights out, racking up 12 sacks, 20 hurries, forcing 2 turnovers while holding Aberdeen to -38 yards rushing and under 300 yards passing. With defensive play like that it’s easy to overlook the solid debut of Berlin’s new QB Dimitri Makarov who completed 61% of his passes for 340 yards 1 TD and 1 INT.
2. Korb Destroyers (1-0):
The runner up in Zeta last year had an equally impressive Season 7 debut as they thrashed the Wembley Warriors 31-0. The Korb ground game was lights out, compiling 261 yards and 3 TDs on 51 carries. The Korb defense, as usual, was up to the task, racking up 10 hurries, 5 sacks while holding the Warriors to a mind-boggling 150 yards of total offense. With a big game against the suddenly rejuvenated Annihilators up next, Korb will have an opportunity to challenge Berlin for the Number 1 spot.
3. Rotterdam Roughnecks (1-0):
Rotterdam drew one of the toughest inter-conference match-ups as they were forced to travel into the Saw Mill to take on the Lumberjacks. Despite being out-gained nearly two to one by the WuJax, the new look Roughneck secondary took advantage of 2 Woodridge INTs (returning 1 for a TD) to help secure the 29-24 point upset for Rotterdam. More impressive than beating Woodridge was the fact that Rotterdam accomplished this while their normally potent offense looked pedestrian, racking up a mere 234 yards. Perhaps it’s a sign of change in Rotterdam – if the defense can continue to play as well as they looked in Week 1, Rotterdam could be looking at a serious title run in Season 7.
4. Stockholm Meatballs (1-0):
Stockholm’s new look, three-headed rushing attack carried the Meatballs past the Red Bandits with little trouble in Week 1. Despite a slow start by QB Gunn Slinger, the Meatballs managed to hang 20 points in the second quarter on the over-matched Red Bandits and leaned on their defense to do the rest. The Stockholm defense was impressive, racking up 2 INTs while holding the Red Bandits to just 72 yards on the ground and under 300 yards total on the day. Still, before the Meatballs can be considered serious contenders, their offense needs to find a way to be more consistent. A big match-up with Black Forest in Week 2 will go a long ways towards telling us just how good (or not so good) this batch of Meatballs really is.
5. Black Forest Mercenaries (1-0):
Making perhaps the biggest jump since last season, Black Forest finds themselves in the top 8 for the first time in their WEPL career thanks to their shocking 34-0 dismantling of the Alpha powerhouse Paris Philharmonic. Truth be told the Mercs started this turn around at the end of last season with a re-vamped coaching staff and several big Free Agency signings. The new look Black Forest defense was impressive, holding the normally potent Paris offense to a staggering 140 yards of offense while racking up 9 sacks. The offense wasn’t too shabby either as they pounded Paris with 52 rushes for 123 yards – setting up the deep strike passing attack which accounted for 251 yards of their team total 374.
6. Antwerp Annihilators: (1-0):
Antwerp was close to being relegated last season and suddenly find themselves a the number 6 spot. Surely I’m high, right? Not so fast. This under-achieving Season 6 team came roaring out of the gates, pounding the Stuttgart Nighthawks 59-20. Antwerp rolled up 519 yards of offence and 28 first quarter points and forced the Nighthawks to abandon their normally powerful rushing attack. The ‘Twerp defense was up to the challenge of a Nighthawk passing attack as they forced 4 sacks, 7 hurries and 2 INTs. The big win over a playoff team might be just the confidence boost Antwerp needs as the Destroyers roll into town in Week 2.
7. PPP Longnecks (0-1):
The Longnecks are the lone winless team in the Top 8, a move that has more to do with their talent than their performance in Week 1. QB Levi Jackson was simply rusty (read: Atrocious) against E-City, tossing 3 INTs (2 of which were returned for TDs) and completing under 50% of his passes. Jackson’s early struggles put the Longnecks in a hole which they simply couldn’t recover from. If not for a 21 point 4th quarter surge, the Longnecks would have been humiliated even more on the scoreboard. Despite this poor showing, the Longnecks still have great talent (and in fact out-gained the Mercs 368 to 310 in the loss) and should be a playoff team once again. With the struggling Grass Root Divots up next, they’ll have a chance to get healthy in Week 2.
8. Rivals Mainboard Pimps (0-1):
Lyon and Ice & Fire fans are ripping out their hair right about now. How can I have two 1-0 teams rated below two 0-1 teams? Well, I’m playing a hunch. The Pimps underwent a front office change in the off season as well as some name changes for their eccentric HB Lee Suggs (sorry, I won’t call Chad Johnson Ocho-Cinco and I won’t call Lee Suggs Mike Imoh or whatever he’s going by this week). The changes have improved the Pimps’ team speed (scary thought) but have hurt the team chemistry. This showed on the field against the reigning Alpha Champs as the Monarchs opened up an early lead and coasted to the 45-40 victory. However, the Pimps showed promise, especially with their new QB Para b00n who tossed the rock for 342 yards and 4 TDs. Once the Pimps’ rushing game gets back on track they’ll be in the top half of the playoff field once again.
9. Lyon Dynasty (1-0):
Lyon opened their season with an impressive win over the Lake Charles Who Dats. The stout Dynasty defense had pitched a shut out for the first 54 minutes of the game but two late Who Dat scores ended those dreams. Still, the defense was impressive, tallying 10 sacks, 15 hurries, 1 INT while holding Lake Charles to -5 yards rushing on 37 carries. The Lyon offense was a different story as they were unable to move the ball consistently, punting 7 times and amassing just 267 yards of offense. But defense wins championships, right? We’ll soon find out …
10. Ice & Fire (1-0):
Ice & Fire gets no respect. I know this. And now I’ve disrespected them by putting them at 10th despite their heroic efforts against the Aviators in Week 1. So allow me to explain: They are notched below the Longnecks and Pimps based on talent and one notch below the Dynasty based on the quality of their first week opponent. Fair? Probably not. But I think it might be an accurate rating at this point in time. Of course, Ice & Fire can prove me wrong by knocking off the Ballers in Week 2.
11. Edinburgh Black Knighs (0-1):
The Black Knights get the top spot of “the rest” here based on their narrow defeat at the hands of the Blitz. Truthfully, from 11 to 15 it’s extremely difficult to accurately rank them after just one game. In their 1-point loss, Edinburgh looked sharp against one of the top teams in WEPL as their defense held the Blitz to under 300 yards while the offense displayed great balance with their passing and rushing attack. While it’s never good to lose, a close loss to one of Alpha’s best should give the Black Knights something solid to build from.
12. Sevilla Naranjas (0-1):
It might be harsh to drop last season’s playoff Naranjas below the rookie Black Knights, but the decision was based on the quality of the opponent they faced in Week 1. While the Black Knights came within 1 point of beating the Alpha veteran Blitz, the Naranjas dropped a game to the rookie Paris Dream Boats. Sevilla couldn’t get out of their own way against the Dream Boats as they tossed 2 INTs, both of which were returned for TDs. Despite out gaining Paris 467 yards to 295, Sevilla just didn’t look in synch out there. Like the Longnecks, they could easily bounce back – but with the Dynasty and Ballers on deack, Sevilla is staring an 0-3 start right in the face.
13. Paris Musketeers (0-1):
Paris struggled in Season 6 but showed signs of life down the stretch which gave their fans hope for a playoff push in Season 7. Things did not get off as smoothly as Paris hoped as they dropped a defensive heartbreaker to the rookie Dresden Dragons. The question remains whether this game shows how good Dresden is or how mediocre Paris is. I’d like to think that Dresden is that good and this was just a speed bump for Paris’s resurgence this season – however the Week 2 match-up with the Roughnecks will answer that question more clearly.
14. London Rippers (0-1):
A lot is expected of the Rippers’ debut season in WEPL, however their 27-17 loss at the hands of the Graz Grizzles put an early crimp in those hopes. The match-up with the Grizzlies was a rematch of the AAA Conference title game, only this time Graz was able to shut down the London rushing attack while racking up 374 yards of offense themselves. For the Rippers, they are left with more questions than answers. Their Week 2 match-up with Edinburgh will give them a chance to jump up in the rankings but they don’t face a veteran Zeta team until Week 4 – meaning it’ll be some time before we know just how good (or how bad) the Rippers really are.
15. Grass Root Divots (0-1):
After a tough 0-2 pre-season, the Divots drew a brutal Week 1 match-up against the mighty Black Watch. It wasn’t pretty despite the closer-than-expected score. The Divot offense was stuck in the garage for the game, only managing to put up 119 yards of offense on a meager 50 plays. Unable to sustain drives, the Divots punted 12 times and the only time they found the endzone was when D’Wayne McRichardson picked off an errant Black Watch throw and returned it 49 yards for the score. Things won’t get easier this week as the hungry Longnecks are up next.
16. Multiple Scorgasms (0-1):
Ouch. That’s all you can say after the 55-10 drubbing the Aggies delivered to Multiple in Week 1. With too many CPU players on the roster and a floundering chemistry, the Scorgasms need to act fast to fill the holes in their roster before they fall too far behind in the race to avoid relegation. With the Pimps up next, it won’t get any easier this week.
Alpha Conference:
1. London Monarchs (1-0):
The reigning Alpha Champions keep their top spot after thoroughly dismantling the Pimps 45-40 in Week 1. The Monarchs’ offense showed no signs of slowing down as they piled up 529 yards including 419 yards through the air while only punting once. The only cause for alarm, as it was last year, is on the defensive side of the ball. While the Monarchs D played great for 3 quarters, they waivered in the 4th quarter surrendering 28 points and over 250 yards in just those 15 minutes. The defense will have to be better as the high-flying Aggies come to town in Week 2.
2. Black Watch (1-0):
Black Watch has unfinished business to handle in Season 7 after their unceremonious dismissal in the second round of the playoffs last year. Black Watch is one of the most talented teams in WEPL and looked it as they pounded the Grass Roots Divots in Week 1. Black Watch racked up 430 yards of offense while their stellar defense held the Divots to just 119 yards. A big match up against the Nighthawks is on deck and should give the Black Watch another opportunity to wash the taste of Season 6 out of their mouths.
3. Berlin Blitzkrieg (1-0):
Berlin is just happy to be 1-0 – regardless of how ugly the win was. After all, the last thing anyone on Berlin wanted was a repeat of their 0-4 start in Season 6. Truth be told, the Blitz did not look all that impressive against the rookie Black Knights as they failed to crack 300 yards of offense while surrendering 361 yards on defense. I’m willing to write that off to opening week rust and thus I rank them slightly higher than others might. Still, with tough match-ups against Aberdeen and Stuttgart up next, the Blitz will have a chance to prove they belong in this rarified air.
4. E-City Mercenaries (1-0):
E-City stunned the Zeta Conference by dismantling the mighty Longnecks 33-28. The game was much more one sided than the score indicates as PPP scored 21 of their 28 points in the final quarter. Still, the win is a big step forward for an E-City club that struggled most of last season and wound up watching the playoffs rather than participating in them. It’s too early to read too much into this win, especially considering how PPP outgained the Mercs in yardage, however the quality win makes it impossible to rank them any lower than 4 for now.
5. Woodridge Lumberjacks (0-1):
Woodridge gets this spot based on two things: reputation and quality of their Week 1 opponent. It’s no secret that Woodridge is one of the most talented teams in WEPL even if some of their luster has worn off the past three seasons. And losing to the dynamic Roughnecks 29-24 is nothing to be ashamed of. I know Aggies, Dresden and Dream Bolts fans will cringe and cry foul, but the Wujax are more talented on paper and thus get the nod here. A big game with the Philharmonics is on deck – it’s a must win game for both teams which should make for a fun afternoon.
6. Fightin’ Texas Aggies (1-0):
The Aggies looked great in their 55-10 thumping of the Scorgasms. I was tempted to rank this explosive offensive juggernaut higher, but Multiple is a team in disarray right now and by the end of the season the win might not look as impressive as it does now. With the Monarchs up next, Week 2 promises to be another high-scoring affair for Texas..
7. Dresden Dragons (1-0):
Color me impressed with the Dragon defense in Week 1. Their 15-13 slugfest with the Musketeers left both sides black & blue and could set the tone for a surprise playoff run for the Dragons. Of course, before we can seriously talk playoffs, the Dragons need to get a win against a playoff team from Season 6. Unfortunately they won’t get that chance until Week 3 when the Philharmonic come to town. But defense supposedly wins championships and if Dresden can continue to get lights out play from their D, they could shoot up these rankings in a hurry.
8. Paris Philharmonic (0-1):
Like the WuJax, Paris steals a Top 8 spot based more on their reputation than how they looked in Week 1. Unlike the WuJax who lost a hard fought game to Rotterdam, Paris got their tails handed to them by the surprising Black Forest Mercenaries 34-0. In the game Paris just looked lost, only managing 140 yards of offense. I might be a sap for ranking them this highly, but I think Paris will bounce back from this loss – and quickly. Unfortunately they won’t have too much time to rest as the WuJax are up next.
9. Graz Grizzlies (1-0):
The Grizzlies got their revenge against the London Rippers in Week 1 as they knocked off the team that ended their season 6 trophy hunt. Graz looked impressive as they put up 375 yards of offense on a team who many expect to be a playoff contender in Zeta this season. It was a plesant change of pace for the Grizzlies who were 0-2 in the playoffs against Korb and Stockholm. But, like many of the rookie clubs, questions remain as to how good the Grizzlies really are. With a game against the Dragons up next, we may have to wait till Week 3’s showdown with the Monarchs to see how they stack up against Alpha playoff veterans.
10. Paris Dream Bolts (1-0):
Yes, Paris beat a playoff team in Week 1. Yes, Paris looked great in doing so. And yes, I’m ranking them 10th behind two 0-1 teams – one of which looked horrible in Week 1. Why? Because I’m not sure what sort of team Paris really is. While it’s true they beat Sevilla by 10 points, they also surrendered 467 yards while only gaining 295 themselves. Is this a team that got lucky? Or are they for real? Time will tell.
11. Stuttgart Nighthawks (0-1):
I was tempted to put AWC in this spot, but I’m cutting Stuttgart some slack based on their playoff run last year. Still, the Nighthawks 59-20 embarassment against the Annihilators is certainly cause for some alarm. The Nighthawks were unable to get their normally potent rushing game going and their passing game ended in disaster. While 1 loss is not the end of the world, unless the Nighthawks can find their running game, they are in for a rough start to the year with games against Black Watch and the Blitz looming.
12. Aberdeen Wrecking Crew (0-1):
Aberdeen didn’t get off to the fast start they wanted as they, like every other WEPL team, hit a buzz saw in the form of the Berlin Ballers. The new Aberdeen QB, Laser Rocketarm, was pressured 20 times and sacked 12 more making for a very sore morning-after. Even worse than AWC’s pass protection was the lack of superstar Jimmy Johnson’s name on their own stat sheet. The star DE was held in check, failing to rack up a single hurry or sack. Yikes! It’s tough to read too much into this loss as Berlin has a way of making teams look lost, however with the Blitz up next Aberdeen will have to find a way to get Johnson more involved in order to avoid going 0-2.
13. Toulouse Aviators (0-1):
The Aviators lost a heartbreaker to Ice & Fire in Week 1 and is one of the tougher teams for me to slot this week. Like many of the rookie WEPL Teams, I’m not certain if the loss was more to do with how mediocre they are or how good their opponent was. Truth be told, the Aviators have talent on the roster and showed it off against Ice & Fire, but at the end of the day they still lost a game to a team who hasn’t qualified for the playoffs themselves yet. That may not bode too well.
14. Wembley Warriors (0-1):
The Warriors wanted to avoid the woes they faced in Season 6 but instead they wound up looking downright poor against a powerful Korb club. While it’s true that Korb is a great team and will make plenty of teams look lost this season, the Warriors have to find a way to put up more than 150 yards of offense if they hope to end their playoff drought. With the Red Bandits up next the Warriors will have a chance to get healthy fast.
15. Dinas Red Bandits (0-1):
Dinas almost drew the short straw and got the last spot. But that would have had more to do with their uninspired finish to Season 6 than how they looked against Stockholm in Week 1. In fact, the Red Bandits looked decent in stretches against Stockholm. Though the question remains whether that was because Stockholm has slipped or because the Red Bandits have improved. It’s too early to tell.
16. Lake Charles Who Dats (0-1):
Lake Charles was the most erratic team to rank in Alpha last season and they look to be on that path once again in Season 7. Lake Charles was thoroughly outclassed by Lyon in Week 1 but I wouldn’t put it past them to bounce back and knock off the Dream Bolts in Week 2. Lake Charles is just that frustrating – to us prognosticators at least.
Week 2 Previews and Predictions:
Alpha Conference:
Lake Charles Who Dats (0-1) at Paris Dream Bolts (1-0):
Who knows which Lake Charles team will show up … I certainly don’t. And who knows how good the Dream Bolts really are? I doubt this game will tell us. Still, I’m going to go out on a limb with this one:
Lake Charles gets the upset, 20-17.
E-City Mercenaries (1-0) at Toulouse Aviators (0-1):
E-City gets a chance to validate their upset of PPP by picking on one of the new kids on the block. Look for the Mercs to take it right to the Aviators who are still stinging from their Week 1 loss.
E-City wins 33-20.
Aberdeen Wrecking Crew (0-1) at Berlin Blitzkrieg (1-0):
This is a big game for AWC who can ill afford another slow start to the season. The Blitz will be looking for a more consistent game after their narrow escape last week. If Berlin can find a way to pressure Rocketarm, AWC could be in for a long day.
Berlin wins another tight one, 28-24.
Stuttgart Nighthawks (0-1) at Black Watch (1-0):
Stuttgart has a huge mountain to climb to avoid going 0-2. Black Watch is one of the league’s best and won’t be taking any prisoners. The Nighthawks cannot afford to be one dimensional this week as they have no shot unless they get their running game going. Even if they do, it’ll still be tough to pull off the upset here.
Black Watch get the W 33-17.
Graz Grizzlies (1-0) at Dresden Dragons (1-0):
To steal a catch phrase, this is a match-up of diaper dandies as the Grizzlies and Dragons battle it out to see which rookie Alpha team is the king of the hill. I admit I don’t know enough about either team to make a good guess here. But I did like what I saw of Dresden’s D so that’s the horse I’m riding.
Dresden wins a brawl 19-17.
Woodridge Lumberjacks (0-1) at Paris Philharmonic (0-1):
I was tempted to put this as the Game of the Week as both teams have high hopes for deep playoff runs and would hate to start the year 0-2. That being the case, this should make for high drama in Paris. This is really a coin-flip game for me as I think both teams are close to even on paper and certainly have the ability to beat anyone in WEPL. But since I have to pick one, I’m going to go with the team that looked less rusty.
Woodridge wins 28-17.
Dinas Red Bandits (0-1) at Wembley Warriors (0-1):
Neither team looked sharp in Week 1, but the Warriors are fighting a bigger drain in team Chemistry. Wil that make the difference? I’m not sure. But I suspect Dinas finds a way to get the upset here.
Red Bandits win 20-18.
Zeta Conference:
Korb Destroyers (1-0) at Antwerp Annihilators (1-0):
What a great test for the newly confident Annihilators as an old rivalry is renewed. Korb has the talent to win the whole ball of wax this year and has a habit of making good teams look foolish. For Antwerp, a win here would erase any lingering doubts about their abilities left over from Season 6. As improved as Antwerp is, I don’t think they get this one done.
Korb wins 24-13.
Ice & Fire (1-0) at Berlin Ballers (1-0):
Ice & Fire would love to be the team that knocks off the Ballers in Season 7. Both the Ballers and Ice & Fire coaching staffs are some of the best game planners in GLB and should be able to cook up something special. I expect this one to be closer than you might expect, but the Ballers are too hot right now for the Ice.
Berlin wins 30-19.
Paris Musketeers (0-1) at Rotterdam Roughnecks (1-0):
Paris is staring 0-2 in the face as they roll into Rotterdam this week. Paris will need to find a way to score TDs rather than FGs on the improved Roughneck defense to have a shot – but I don’t see that happening this week.
Rotterdam wins 33-9.
Sevilla Naranjas (0-1) at Lyon Dynasty (1-0):
Lyon has a great chance to get off to a 3-0 start with a soft schedule to open. However they can’t afford to overlook the Naranjas who, despite their Week 1 loss, are still a dangerous team. The Lyon defense will have to repeat their efforts of last week to have a chance – and I think they will.
Lyon wins 28-13.
Rivals Mainboard Pimps (0-1) at Multiple Scorgasm (0-1):
The Pimps will get a chance to get healthy this week against the rebuilding Scorgasms. This one might get ugly.
Pimps 55-17.
Edinburgh Black Knights (0-1) at London Rippers (0-1):
A big match up here as both rookie clubs are looking to avoid starting Season 7 in an 0-2 hole. I have to ride the more talented Rippers in this one.
Rippers win 29-27.
Grass Root Divots (0-1) at PPP Longnecks (0-1):
This is a must win game for the Longnecks as the start of their schedule is much softer than their finish. Starting the year 0-2 could de-rail their plans for a top 4 seed. That’s bad news for the struggling to adjust Divots.
Longnecks win 33-20.
Games Of The Week:
Fightin’ Texas Aggies (1-0) at London Monarchs (1-0):
Offensive football fans will be in luck for this one as both the Aggies and Monarchs sport two of the top units in the Conference. And since neither team plays defense terribly well, the scoreboard operator should be plenty busy. This will be a big test for the Aggies who desperately want to knock off one of the big boys to show they are a serious threat. I look for this to be a good game, but in the end the Monarchs are just too good for the Aggies right now.
Monarchs win 44-39.
Black Forest Mercenaries (1-0) at Stockholm Meatballs (1-0):
This one promises to be another great. Stockholm got off to a slow start against the Red Bandits last week and can’t afford to do the same against the re-loaded Mercenaries this week. BFM will put up a good fight here and with a win could vault themselves to the upper echelon of Zeta. Still, I have to ride the Meatballs and their great defense in this one.
Stockholm wins a nail-biter, 28-27.
