Dallas, TX(AP): 5 weeks are officially in the books here in season 4 and we are starting to see who are the contenders and who are the pretenders and approaching the mid way point these next few games may mean everything to deciding the last few playoff spots. Thier also have been suprises in both leagues, some good and some bad. Those dissapointing need to step it up and fast before they see the season fade before their very eyes.
Looking at the top of the West standings their isn't a suprise. Both the Honolulu Beach Boys(5-0) and the Timpanogos Thunder(5-0) are undefeated and tied on the top. Thier record may be perfect but it wasn't as easy as some would suspect. HBB hade two close games, the first against a tough SLUGs team and then a seven point escape against PTP last week. The Thunder almost dropped a week 1 game vs. the Toxins but since then have shown no signs of slowing down. One of the biggest suprises so far this year is the Aurora Seminoles. After being relegated last season they have come out with a bang starting 4-1. Many experts think that this a fluke as they have played the 4 weakest conference teams the Bugs, the Crow, the Mountain Lions, and of course the slow building Lancers. As they are just about to go into the meat of their schedule we will see if they can compete or if they will fall to the bottom of the conference. The Western playoff race is currently very confusing. The teams see to be working in groups of 3s. 3 4-1 teams, 3 3-2 teams, 3 2-1 teams and 3 1-4 teams. As of now it looks as if 7 teams gunning for the final 3 spots in the West. Experts have confirmed that Honolulu, Timpanogos, Possum Trot, Long Beach Dub, and even the 3-2 SLUGs have have proven they will clinch a spot. Experts also believe that the 4 teams that seem to be out of contention are Montana, Palmetto, Minnesota and Lakewood. That leaves Aurora, Mighty, Chicago, Houston, Virginia, Birmingham, and the long shot Dallas. When asked why Dallas was still in the Hunt they had this to say. They only have played 1 of the bottom 4 and have played 1 clinching team (HBB) and thugh they lost to Mighty they are the best middle team and all they need is 8th not 6th. This may be true but the Hitmen's ultimate blow may be their one point loss to Houston. "It may decide the last spot, Salizy13 owner of the Hitmen said, if we both tie for the 8th spot they move on and we are out just because of that one game". A very good point. As we move on to the this week their are a few games to point out. The top teams are mainly playing the bottom teams even though the Timpanogos Aurora game will give us a more accurate read on the Seminoles. The Toxins Plauge game also intrigues many as the Toxins have played so many teams well this year. The biggest games though is the only onee between teams in the middle 7. When the Hitmen travel East to take on the Bears. This game is bigger for the Hitmen because many think if Dallas loses this winnable game they are knocked out of contention. Birmingham needs to win too because a loss wouldn't mean elimination but losing one of their few should win games would be a big blow. Experts have predicted that spots 1-8 will go like this:
1. Honolulu
2. Timpanogos
3. Long Beach Dub
4. Possum Trot
5. Eugene
6. Mighty
7. Chicago
8. Houston
Its still anyones game though.
Now turning to the East where I am a bit more clueless. Coming into the season their were four teams expecting to lead the pack. The Bearphins, Krakens, Vulcans, and Blaze. The pre determinned path was supposed to have an undefeated battle in week 15 for the East regular season crown between Awsomeville and New Jersey. Awsomeville delivered but when the Blaze dropped a 31-20 game to the Krakens Awsomeville sparked trash talk all over the league. The Blaze ultimately decided that they would let the game in week 15 decide who was better rather then arguing about it. Now their are 3 teams at 5-0 since the Blaze dropped one. Their are 3 other teams sitting at 4-1 also. The Fight, Saints and Supreme. The Fight gave both Crecent City and Bonita their only losses while the Fight dropped one to the Bearphins. Experts have analyzed the conference and have confirmed that 3 teams have punched their ticket Awsomeville, Tampa Bay and Saint Paul. They also said that the winner of this weeks Fight-Blaze game will also get into the Playoffs. Experts also say 6 teams, yes 6, are done. They are the Chips, Hitmen, Night Trippers, FalCoons, Sabres and Hezbollah. That leaves 5 spots and only 7 teams. The 8th spot currently is the closest as both Ottowa and Ole Miss are tied at 2-3 with Philadelphia nipping at their heels at 1-4 but have only played 1 of the 6 bottom teams. As mentioned earlier the 4-7 spots are all tied as each team is 4-1 though the Fight own the tiebreaker over both the Saints and Supreme. Experts agree that these teams will have to slip alot if they want to miss out of the playoffs falling behind the 8-10 teams. Every game this week seems to be huge besides the Bearphins-Hezbollah and the Supreme-FalCoons game. The first game between the Fight and Blaze will decide who punches their ticket to the top and who runs the risk of eventually getting passed by one of the 8-10 teams. Then the battle of the undefeateds between the Krakens and Vulcans will decide who joins the Bearphins at 6-0 and who falls into the confusing 3-7 spots. Then the Saints vs. Outbreak will decide if the Outbreak will slip away from the 8 spot or if the Outbreak can drop the Saints down into the 8th place race. The Ole-Miss-New Orleans game may not seem that big but if the Rebels drop it they may find themselves sitting in the 9 spot all year long. The Hitmen-Pigeons is important simply becuase a Phiadelphia loss means they will fall out of the 8th place race. The last game between the Chips and Sabres may be important because a win puts the Chips at 2-4 and a possible shot at getting the 8th spot. Experts think that the standings will look like this at the end of the year.
1. Awsomeville
2. Tampa Bay
3. New Jersey
4. Saint Paul
5. 10 Yard
6. Crescent City
7. Bonita
8. Ole Miss
I hoped you enjoyed this weeks press release
Looking at the top of the West standings their isn't a suprise. Both the Honolulu Beach Boys(5-0) and the Timpanogos Thunder(5-0) are undefeated and tied on the top. Thier record may be perfect but it wasn't as easy as some would suspect. HBB hade two close games, the first against a tough SLUGs team and then a seven point escape against PTP last week. The Thunder almost dropped a week 1 game vs. the Toxins but since then have shown no signs of slowing down. One of the biggest suprises so far this year is the Aurora Seminoles. After being relegated last season they have come out with a bang starting 4-1. Many experts think that this a fluke as they have played the 4 weakest conference teams the Bugs, the Crow, the Mountain Lions, and of course the slow building Lancers. As they are just about to go into the meat of their schedule we will see if they can compete or if they will fall to the bottom of the conference. The Western playoff race is currently very confusing. The teams see to be working in groups of 3s. 3 4-1 teams, 3 3-2 teams, 3 2-1 teams and 3 1-4 teams. As of now it looks as if 7 teams gunning for the final 3 spots in the West. Experts have confirmed that Honolulu, Timpanogos, Possum Trot, Long Beach Dub, and even the 3-2 SLUGs have have proven they will clinch a spot. Experts also believe that the 4 teams that seem to be out of contention are Montana, Palmetto, Minnesota and Lakewood. That leaves Aurora, Mighty, Chicago, Houston, Virginia, Birmingham, and the long shot Dallas. When asked why Dallas was still in the Hunt they had this to say. They only have played 1 of the bottom 4 and have played 1 clinching team (HBB) and thugh they lost to Mighty they are the best middle team and all they need is 8th not 6th. This may be true but the Hitmen's ultimate blow may be their one point loss to Houston. "It may decide the last spot, Salizy13 owner of the Hitmen said, if we both tie for the 8th spot they move on and we are out just because of that one game". A very good point. As we move on to the this week their are a few games to point out. The top teams are mainly playing the bottom teams even though the Timpanogos Aurora game will give us a more accurate read on the Seminoles. The Toxins Plauge game also intrigues many as the Toxins have played so many teams well this year. The biggest games though is the only onee between teams in the middle 7. When the Hitmen travel East to take on the Bears. This game is bigger for the Hitmen because many think if Dallas loses this winnable game they are knocked out of contention. Birmingham needs to win too because a loss wouldn't mean elimination but losing one of their few should win games would be a big blow. Experts have predicted that spots 1-8 will go like this:
1. Honolulu
2. Timpanogos
3. Long Beach Dub
4. Possum Trot
5. Eugene
6. Mighty
7. Chicago
8. Houston
Its still anyones game though.
Now turning to the East where I am a bit more clueless. Coming into the season their were four teams expecting to lead the pack. The Bearphins, Krakens, Vulcans, and Blaze. The pre determinned path was supposed to have an undefeated battle in week 15 for the East regular season crown between Awsomeville and New Jersey. Awsomeville delivered but when the Blaze dropped a 31-20 game to the Krakens Awsomeville sparked trash talk all over the league. The Blaze ultimately decided that they would let the game in week 15 decide who was better rather then arguing about it. Now their are 3 teams at 5-0 since the Blaze dropped one. Their are 3 other teams sitting at 4-1 also. The Fight, Saints and Supreme. The Fight gave both Crecent City and Bonita their only losses while the Fight dropped one to the Bearphins. Experts have analyzed the conference and have confirmed that 3 teams have punched their ticket Awsomeville, Tampa Bay and Saint Paul. They also said that the winner of this weeks Fight-Blaze game will also get into the Playoffs. Experts also say 6 teams, yes 6, are done. They are the Chips, Hitmen, Night Trippers, FalCoons, Sabres and Hezbollah. That leaves 5 spots and only 7 teams. The 8th spot currently is the closest as both Ottowa and Ole Miss are tied at 2-3 with Philadelphia nipping at their heels at 1-4 but have only played 1 of the 6 bottom teams. As mentioned earlier the 4-7 spots are all tied as each team is 4-1 though the Fight own the tiebreaker over both the Saints and Supreme. Experts agree that these teams will have to slip alot if they want to miss out of the playoffs falling behind the 8-10 teams. Every game this week seems to be huge besides the Bearphins-Hezbollah and the Supreme-FalCoons game. The first game between the Fight and Blaze will decide who punches their ticket to the top and who runs the risk of eventually getting passed by one of the 8-10 teams. Then the battle of the undefeateds between the Krakens and Vulcans will decide who joins the Bearphins at 6-0 and who falls into the confusing 3-7 spots. Then the Saints vs. Outbreak will decide if the Outbreak will slip away from the 8 spot or if the Outbreak can drop the Saints down into the 8th place race. The Ole-Miss-New Orleans game may not seem that big but if the Rebels drop it they may find themselves sitting in the 9 spot all year long. The Hitmen-Pigeons is important simply becuase a Phiadelphia loss means they will fall out of the 8th place race. The last game between the Chips and Sabres may be important because a win puts the Chips at 2-4 and a possible shot at getting the 8th spot. Experts think that the standings will look like this at the end of the year.
1. Awsomeville
2. Tampa Bay
3. New Jersey
4. Saint Paul
5. 10 Yard
6. Crescent City
7. Bonita
8. Ole Miss
I hoped you enjoyed this weeks press release
