The Elite Eight
1(1) - East St. Louis Tire Fires(15-1) - ESL tore through this season with only 1 bad game, and halfback Beav Nizzle took home the rushing titles once more. Now the only question is, how far can these guys go? An experienced playoff team(10-3 all time, 1 Championship) but each one of those losses has come in the conference championship game, which brings up the question, can they actually finish?
2(2) - Bandar Lampung Pigskin Pirates(14-2) - The Pirates have been picked by many to win it all since the offseason, and locked up the second seed in an effort to acheive that goal. This team seems to play some of it's best ball this time of year, and has won some huge playoff games in the past. If Gavin Dunn can continue his play from the regular season when it matters most, the Pirates will be tough to beat indeed.
3(3) - Bangkok Seamen(13-3) - Do they care, or do they not care? The only thing that keeps Bangkok from being the favorites is the number of inactive's on this roster. If the effort is there from the players and coaching staff, Bangkok could very well be hoisting there 3rd Pro championship trophy. If not, they'll be lucky to make it past the first round.
4(7) - Queensland Flash(11-5) - The young Flash team secured a home playoff game against all odds this season. They've shown the ability to run the ball consistenly and play good defense. They had there lumps this season, but if they learned from there mistakes, could make a title run.
5(4) - Pennsylvania Silver Knights(11-5) - They had there struggles throughout the season, but did enough to earn the fifth seed. After blowout losses to Bangkok and East St Louis, I questioned this teams ability to compete. But they really turned it on down the stretch run, and rebounded after a 3pt loss to Queensland to win 6 straight. Did they build enough momentum down the stretch to help carry them through 3 more games?
6(5) - Phuket All(11-5) - This team is still very good in my opinion, and George Harver is a bonafide superstar....in the regular season. In the playoffs, Harver's career stats(63.4 rating 59% passing 6TD to 14ints). They also haven't been able to beat a Bangkok team that has plagued them since season 2. Is this the year they shake there playoff curse?
7(6) - Singapore Marauders(11-5) - These guys can play with anyone in the league, and have possibly the best one two punch with backs Meth Head and Light Movement. Meth Head is a superstar, and Light Movement has done a great job as well. This team will go as far as the legs of there HB's will take them.
8(8) - Niagara Jeanhorns(8-8) - The Jeanhorns are back in the playoffs again and should be proud of a great season and definitely one they should build on. These guys have come a very long way this season, and should only improve from here. With nonthing to lose and a playoff win(or many) being icing on the cake, the Jeanhorns get there shot at having a cinderella run.
Playoff Caliber
9(9) - Pattaya Partisans(8-8) - This is a talented team, that just never got it going this season and couldn't find consistency. I definitely think they will be back to form next season and looking to make amends.
A few pieces away from the playoff hunt
10(11) - Chaiyaphum Gothic(7-9) - This team got a big win over the Flash, and was solid all season. A good offseason and they might catch up to the playoff teams
11(10) - Macau Gamblers(6-10) - A good team despite there record, they only lost games to the top 9 teams. With a big FA or two, this team could be in the playoff hunt once more.
The rest
12(12) - Xi'an Dragons(4-12)
13(13) - Holbrook Roadrunners(4-12)
14(14) - Tokyo Whalers(2-14)
15(15) - Spokane Vandalizers(1-15)
16(16) - Taiwan Royals(0-16)
Matchups
David vs Goliath
Niagara at East St Louis
These two met in week 14, and ESL rolled to a 41-14 victory. In season 4, the Tire Fires defeated the Jeanhorns 43-28. The Jeanhorns have had a great season, and will need to pull out all the stops this game to have a shot at winning. The leader of ESL's dominant run game, Beav Nizzle is having his best season to date(3150 total yards 62 TDs 7.5 avg) and if the Jeanhorns can't slow him down, it could get ugly in a hurry.
Niagara 10 ESL 38
Rookie of the Year?
Pennsylvania at Queensland
There's two thing you know going against Queensland. They are going to try and pound the ball down your throats, and have a tendancy to find a way to win. PSK came on strong the second half finishing 6-2, but one of those losses was vs the Flash(24-21). This game is also a match up of the two rookie Pro teams just to add another twist to things. Kip Keino(2891 total yards 58 TDs) should be the key to both teams gameplans.
PSK 28 Queensland 27
Round 1 Game of the Week
Singapore vs Bandar
Earlier this season, Bandar beat up on Singapore 31-13. In season 4, Singapore defeated Bandar 23-14. This game will be won in the trenches. Singapore will be looking to get Meth Head going while preventing the long drives that killed them last time. Bandar will try to utilize all there weapons and force turnovers on the defense. The key matchup though just could be special teams as Bandar can be downright deadly(4 KR 12 PR TD)
Singapore 17 Bandar 14
So we meet again?
Phuket at Bangkok
This is a matchup with alot of history behind it. Season 2 Bangkok wins 23-7 and 24-9. Season 3 Bangkok wins 19-13 and 25-13. Season 4 Bangkok wins 44-37 and 62-13. When they played this season, Bangkok won 27-12. I would call this a rivalry game, but it's hard when one team has always won. If Phuket wants to beat Bangkok, which i'm sure they do, this is there best shot as Bangkok doesn't seem quiet the same this season. However, neither does Phuket.
Phuket 10 Bangkok 41
1(1) - East St. Louis Tire Fires(15-1) - ESL tore through this season with only 1 bad game, and halfback Beav Nizzle took home the rushing titles once more. Now the only question is, how far can these guys go? An experienced playoff team(10-3 all time, 1 Championship) but each one of those losses has come in the conference championship game, which brings up the question, can they actually finish?
2(2) - Bandar Lampung Pigskin Pirates(14-2) - The Pirates have been picked by many to win it all since the offseason, and locked up the second seed in an effort to acheive that goal. This team seems to play some of it's best ball this time of year, and has won some huge playoff games in the past. If Gavin Dunn can continue his play from the regular season when it matters most, the Pirates will be tough to beat indeed.
3(3) - Bangkok Seamen(13-3) - Do they care, or do they not care? The only thing that keeps Bangkok from being the favorites is the number of inactive's on this roster. If the effort is there from the players and coaching staff, Bangkok could very well be hoisting there 3rd Pro championship trophy. If not, they'll be lucky to make it past the first round.
4(7) - Queensland Flash(11-5) - The young Flash team secured a home playoff game against all odds this season. They've shown the ability to run the ball consistenly and play good defense. They had there lumps this season, but if they learned from there mistakes, could make a title run.
5(4) - Pennsylvania Silver Knights(11-5) - They had there struggles throughout the season, but did enough to earn the fifth seed. After blowout losses to Bangkok and East St Louis, I questioned this teams ability to compete. But they really turned it on down the stretch run, and rebounded after a 3pt loss to Queensland to win 6 straight. Did they build enough momentum down the stretch to help carry them through 3 more games?
6(5) - Phuket All(11-5) - This team is still very good in my opinion, and George Harver is a bonafide superstar....in the regular season. In the playoffs, Harver's career stats(63.4 rating 59% passing 6TD to 14ints). They also haven't been able to beat a Bangkok team that has plagued them since season 2. Is this the year they shake there playoff curse?
7(6) - Singapore Marauders(11-5) - These guys can play with anyone in the league, and have possibly the best one two punch with backs Meth Head and Light Movement. Meth Head is a superstar, and Light Movement has done a great job as well. This team will go as far as the legs of there HB's will take them.
8(8) - Niagara Jeanhorns(8-8) - The Jeanhorns are back in the playoffs again and should be proud of a great season and definitely one they should build on. These guys have come a very long way this season, and should only improve from here. With nonthing to lose and a playoff win(or many) being icing on the cake, the Jeanhorns get there shot at having a cinderella run.
Playoff Caliber
9(9) - Pattaya Partisans(8-8) - This is a talented team, that just never got it going this season and couldn't find consistency. I definitely think they will be back to form next season and looking to make amends.
A few pieces away from the playoff hunt
10(11) - Chaiyaphum Gothic(7-9) - This team got a big win over the Flash, and was solid all season. A good offseason and they might catch up to the playoff teams
11(10) - Macau Gamblers(6-10) - A good team despite there record, they only lost games to the top 9 teams. With a big FA or two, this team could be in the playoff hunt once more.
The rest
12(12) - Xi'an Dragons(4-12)
13(13) - Holbrook Roadrunners(4-12)
14(14) - Tokyo Whalers(2-14)
15(15) - Spokane Vandalizers(1-15)
16(16) - Taiwan Royals(0-16)
Matchups
David vs Goliath
Niagara at East St Louis
These two met in week 14, and ESL rolled to a 41-14 victory. In season 4, the Tire Fires defeated the Jeanhorns 43-28. The Jeanhorns have had a great season, and will need to pull out all the stops this game to have a shot at winning. The leader of ESL's dominant run game, Beav Nizzle is having his best season to date(3150 total yards 62 TDs 7.5 avg) and if the Jeanhorns can't slow him down, it could get ugly in a hurry.
Niagara 10 ESL 38
Rookie of the Year?
Pennsylvania at Queensland
There's two thing you know going against Queensland. They are going to try and pound the ball down your throats, and have a tendancy to find a way to win. PSK came on strong the second half finishing 6-2, but one of those losses was vs the Flash(24-21). This game is also a match up of the two rookie Pro teams just to add another twist to things. Kip Keino(2891 total yards 58 TDs) should be the key to both teams gameplans.
PSK 28 Queensland 27
Round 1 Game of the Week
Singapore vs Bandar
Earlier this season, Bandar beat up on Singapore 31-13. In season 4, Singapore defeated Bandar 23-14. This game will be won in the trenches. Singapore will be looking to get Meth Head going while preventing the long drives that killed them last time. Bandar will try to utilize all there weapons and force turnovers on the defense. The key matchup though just could be special teams as Bandar can be downright deadly(4 KR 12 PR TD)
Singapore 17 Bandar 14
So we meet again?
Phuket at Bangkok
This is a matchup with alot of history behind it. Season 2 Bangkok wins 23-7 and 24-9. Season 3 Bangkok wins 19-13 and 25-13. Season 4 Bangkok wins 44-37 and 62-13. When they played this season, Bangkok won 27-12. I would call this a rivalry game, but it's hard when one team has always won. If Phuket wants to beat Bangkok, which i'm sure they do, this is there best shot as Bangkok doesn't seem quiet the same this season. However, neither does Phuket.
Phuket 10 Bangkok 41
Last edited Oct 23, 2008 10:47:52
