What we have remaining are four teams that made it this far last season (HMC, Irish, Elite, and Saints), two teams who have never been here (Blue Bulls and Way2Crafty), and two veteran teams that have been through the playoff struggles before (Warriors and Overachievers). The NFC has four legitimate contenders heading into the second round. Each team has their strengths and limited weaknesses. I mean no disrespect when I say the AFC has three evenly matched teams and one team that still has to prove it belongs. We're a long way from the finals, but the next step is taken here...
A Playoff
Field 1
8am HMC Elite v Irish - I was joking after my win that I was going to schedule the game as early as possible because of the Irish's Penchant for straggling in. The reality is, it is going to be 95 degrees out on Sunday and I am not trying to be under that sun playing to advance. You are welcome. Last week my team was down 7-6 at halftime against a very game Lions team. The second half saw my team's defense tighten their belts in close situations while the offense score on plays that were either extended or broken. The Irish jumped out on Suicide Squad in their game and then watched as the never say die SS came to within a point of the Irish before finally succumbing to Irish's immense athleticism. We played the Irish earlier this season coming out with a bruising 13-6 loss. These two teams are not strangers to one another and I suspect another close game is on the horizon.
9am Elite v Saints - not the second round scenario these teams had in mind. Generally, you want to avoid your hardest competition for as late as possible in the playoffs. Especially, if there is another team capable of eliminating said team. The rivalry between Charlie and Brandon is fierce. With the Saint loss at the end of the season and Way2crafty's winning the division now the two foes get to play one another in the second round. This season is typical of Brandon's approach to the Spring. Play drunk, don't play, play sober and tell everybody that you don't know who is showing up from week to week. Elite is living up to their name as they have followed up last season's championship with a 9-1 record and a #1 seed. The team has no real (ass) holes and they sport the best QB in the league along with playmakers Kaleem Smif, Mikey ?, the ageless Shaun Jelin, and AJ Thomas. The Saints match them up and down the lineup with Cory Onorati, Amir Duncan, Tony Abate, and Brandon Johnson. Brandon and his Saints are probably the best bet to keep Charlie and Shaun from getting their 10th title. I think the dynamic duo get one step closer by 10AM
10am Blue Bulls v Warriors - One of these teams is not like the other. Which one of them doesn't belong? One of these teams is doing their own thing... Blue Bulls should change their name to Blue Bulls FIT. Yes they have played a soft schedule, but have you seen what they have done to the teams they have beaten? These are not 3 point nail-biters. These are standard old fashion ass whoopings. They did it again with a big rematch win over the Spartans. Now they get to face the hottest team in Mercer. Not hot like look good, unless you like your QB's chunky or your WR boney. The Warriors are the 1 on the Elite 9-1 record. They followed up a solid regular season with a cum-from-behind (no pause) win over last season's fall runners-up. On paper this game looks like it will be a one-sided felch-fest. Looks like the Blue Bulls will end the season felching the Warriors to the conference finals.
11am Way2crafty v Overachievers - Whew that was close. A season of miraculous strides was almost cut short when they were learnin on the field. YGLT showed heart and a can-do spirit against a team many felt was superior. Alas, Kenny put on his hardhat and took the boys to work as Way2crafty erased a two score deficit and won the game by the slimmest of margins. Overachievers won by 34 against an undermanned Team USA. These two faced off a few weeks ago with Way2crafty coming away with another impressive win against a seeming championship contender. In a week of evenly matched games this might be the most evenly matched. Sunday will be a scorcher and way2crafty will be at an advantage aerobically. However, this is a rematch. I think the lesson of the last OA loss will be enough to get them to win this game and potentially do better than my team for the first time since they dumped me like a hoe after senior prom.