Why is this such a big deal?
Since Fall 2009 (my first in the league) there have been 16 finals. This means that 32 teams have made it to the final dance. A total of 10 QB's have made it to the Finals in that time. 8 of those QBs are still active. In a league which currently fields 32 teams only a quarter of the QBs get that far. Most of the QBs on the list have multiple appearances with the lone exception being Matthew Pramberger. Charlie Klose has the most appearances during that span with 8 (7 titles), followed by Brandon Feinstein (5 appearances - 1 win). Bato Andino has the second best winning percentage (behind Klose) by winning in 3 of his 4 appearances. Two of the Finals QBs have not won a league title (Stone-Pramberger). It should be noted that in all of the seasons I have been associated with the league, only three QBs league wide have not been in the B playoffs (Klose, Feinstein, and Millan). This statistic is especially noteworthy because the three of us have all fielded new teams in 2017 (I'm done patting myself on the back). Of the other five finalist QBs, three have won the B's (Gluck, Stone, Sasso).
Making the MCFFL Finals is a big deal. Our league is the most competitive around. It is well organized, well officiated, and well played. I focus on the QBs because the reality is, if you don't have a good one your chance of even going to the finals is next to none (see Justin Canceledseason). Good luck to the semi-finalist...Time for the picks
A Playoff
8am Money Team v Elite - The defending champs saw themselves shaken to their collective core when they saw themselves having to defend a game winning two point conversion against Suicide Squad. It is the type of performance that awakens the passion of men that have been here before. Elite's path to this point was far easier with an easy win over an HMC Elite team that had to come from behind against the Wildcats before their game against the real Elite squad. They planned the work and then worked the plan against my team. These two played one another during the season with Elite eventually succumbing to Money Team. Rematches always prove to be tougher endeavors for the team that won the first game. It seems odd that Money Team requested an 8 o'clock game. They aren't known as early risers so my best guess is that this request was made to accommodate players with multiple games in other leagues. Elite's players were eliminated early in Burlington which makes Mercer their sole focus. The two quarterbacks in this game are cool customers. They never get too high nor do they get too low. Money Team has encountered every situation imaginable during their time together. Elite is new and flying high, but things always get tighter this time of year. Between the experience, the confidence and the wake up call in their last game Money Team will be one step closer to earning that money.
11am Commission v Irish - The Commission game against the Saints was a contentious affair. The first half saw the two teams swapping touchdowns as it appeared that defense was an afterthought. Things got much tighter in the second half. The saints (as always) found themselves on the wrong end of questionable calls. I mean it never seems to me that the Saints lose because the other team was better that day, but what do I know? What I can say is that of the four QBs remaining Joe Falkowski means the most and has played the best for his team. The Irish cruised along to an easy victory against the Nukes. The best thing to come out of that game was the memes posted mocking the defensive ability of Warren Oliver. This game is exploring new territory for both teams. More so for the Commission who feature only two players with a Finals appearance on their MCFFL resume. The Irish have been plugging along quietly all season. They have some of the most explosive football athletes in the league. At times they can be dynamic on offense and stifling on defense. The Commission probably sport the best QB left in the league (besides all the QBs on the Longhorns). Even with Falkowski playing his best, I do not see how the Irish with a full squad does not come away going to the championship.
Warriors will beat the Old Dogs and the Longhorns MIGHT beat You gone Learn Today. After that game the Warriors will mudstomp whoever they play the following week. This is the "B"est I can do for you!