Playoff Predictions
The DSFL Playoffs are hard to predict because there are so many great teams competing, although to any hardcore fan of the NSFL it is quite obvious who the true champion will be. The San Antonio Marshals have been a dynamic power house all season long and have gone on a seven game win streak to mark the end of a fantastic run filled with record setting moments and astounding sportsmanship. Some of the highlights for the team have been defensive backs Bucky Barnes and Oskar Ludvig as well as tandem Kevin Fitzpatrick and Marquise Brown. I see the Marshals easily handling the Luchadores in the first round to gain home field advantage in the finals.
On the other side of the country we will see Portland take on Kansas City in a match up that isn't quite so easy to predict. The Coyotes will probably gain the upper hand simply due to being more well built all around, even against the Pythons incredible run game from rookie back Elijah Lagerfield. KC will meet the Marshals in the finals where San Antonio will, with superior game planning and elite raw talent, over ride the Coyotes great run for the Ultimini.
Root for the Underdog
Although above I supported the Kansas City Coyotes to win the northern conference title in the DSFL, I believe that the Portland Pythons have just as good of a chance at taking it home as the Coyotes do. While I believe that Kansas is more well rounded in general, there is definitely the potential for the key points of the Pythons team to be integral parts to them winning the game. When you look at their roster, their is a number of players and performances that come to mind, but some of the most obvious are found on both sides of the ball.
Elijah Lagerfield has been absolutely amazing for the Pythons all season long, topping the league in rushing yards for a run first offense behind veteran quarterback Cole McCoy who has primarily been a heavy passer in the past. Alongside these two players are two defensive studs in linebacker Barnaby Earl and safety Alexander Thibault. These two future stars have been redefining strong defense for the Pythons all season long, and could easily make or break the game for this team if they have a strong performance. If the Pythons can pull themselves together and work as a cohesive unit, there is no doubt in my mind that they could be taking home the championship trophy.
That Magic Moment
Picture this in your mind. The clock is winding down with the under dog, away team trailing. It's a Cinderella story in the making as the teams sensational veteran quarterback makes a giant pass in the dying second of the game, and as the ball bounces off the finger tips of defenders the unexpected rookie receiver snags the ball and scores the touchdown to win the game. It's happened in every football movie ever, and is the dream of every quarterback and receiver to have ever picked up the ball. Leading your team to greatness is an unquestionable desire. While, for the Luchadores this dream came true against the Marshals. But not for the quarterback or receiver, it came true for the kicker.
There is really no way to paint the southern conference final in a light that doesn't make it seem dull and void of heart. While the fans waited for magic to happen, the Luchadores lined up two points behind with three minutes left and knocked in a field goal to secure the lead before playing tight defense and keeping the Marshals out of the end zone. In a moment that should have been magical, we were instead left wondering where the clock was going, and wishing for something more to happen. A disappointing end to an amazing season in San Antonio.
[b]Match Up Nightmares[b]
One match up that has been heavily touted through the entire season is the combined efforts of the Marshals secondary against any quarterback that they may face. The Marshals have prided themselves on building an elite defensive back unite consisting of stars like Egan Winter, Storm Woods, Bucky Barnes, and rookie corner back Oskar Ludvig. The four have been tearing up opposing quarterbacks since their first game in the league and have even set records for defensive touchdowns returned with their blistering speed. This secondary will meet the Luchadores offensive passing from Penner to Flash in what will be an exhilarating match up.
No matter where Flash tries to find open field, and no matter how trained of eye Penner is, this tandem will be unable to work with the use of the Marshals back field. The Luchadores will be forced to play a run heavy game so as not to be swarmed by the elite defensive backs, and thus will knock them out of their pattern of strong air play. The Marshals defense really is the perfect counter for this pass first offense, and it will be brilliant to watch this heated rivalry play out Monday night when everything comes to an end.
The DSFL Playoffs are hard to predict because there are so many great teams competing, although to any hardcore fan of the NSFL it is quite obvious who the true champion will be. The San Antonio Marshals have been a dynamic power house all season long and have gone on a seven game win streak to mark the end of a fantastic run filled with record setting moments and astounding sportsmanship. Some of the highlights for the team have been defensive backs Bucky Barnes and Oskar Ludvig as well as tandem Kevin Fitzpatrick and Marquise Brown. I see the Marshals easily handling the Luchadores in the first round to gain home field advantage in the finals.
On the other side of the country we will see Portland take on Kansas City in a match up that isn't quite so easy to predict. The Coyotes will probably gain the upper hand simply due to being more well built all around, even against the Pythons incredible run game from rookie back Elijah Lagerfield. KC will meet the Marshals in the finals where San Antonio will, with superior game planning and elite raw talent, over ride the Coyotes great run for the Ultimini.
Root for the Underdog
Although above I supported the Kansas City Coyotes to win the northern conference title in the DSFL, I believe that the Portland Pythons have just as good of a chance at taking it home as the Coyotes do. While I believe that Kansas is more well rounded in general, there is definitely the potential for the key points of the Pythons team to be integral parts to them winning the game. When you look at their roster, their is a number of players and performances that come to mind, but some of the most obvious are found on both sides of the ball.
Elijah Lagerfield has been absolutely amazing for the Pythons all season long, topping the league in rushing yards for a run first offense behind veteran quarterback Cole McCoy who has primarily been a heavy passer in the past. Alongside these two players are two defensive studs in linebacker Barnaby Earl and safety Alexander Thibault. These two future stars have been redefining strong defense for the Pythons all season long, and could easily make or break the game for this team if they have a strong performance. If the Pythons can pull themselves together and work as a cohesive unit, there is no doubt in my mind that they could be taking home the championship trophy.
That Magic Moment
Picture this in your mind. The clock is winding down with the under dog, away team trailing. It's a Cinderella story in the making as the teams sensational veteran quarterback makes a giant pass in the dying second of the game, and as the ball bounces off the finger tips of defenders the unexpected rookie receiver snags the ball and scores the touchdown to win the game. It's happened in every football movie ever, and is the dream of every quarterback and receiver to have ever picked up the ball. Leading your team to greatness is an unquestionable desire. While, for the Luchadores this dream came true against the Marshals. But not for the quarterback or receiver, it came true for the kicker.
There is really no way to paint the southern conference final in a light that doesn't make it seem dull and void of heart. While the fans waited for magic to happen, the Luchadores lined up two points behind with three minutes left and knocked in a field goal to secure the lead before playing tight defense and keeping the Marshals out of the end zone. In a moment that should have been magical, we were instead left wondering where the clock was going, and wishing for something more to happen. A disappointing end to an amazing season in San Antonio.
[b]Match Up Nightmares[b]
One match up that has been heavily touted through the entire season is the combined efforts of the Marshals secondary against any quarterback that they may face. The Marshals have prided themselves on building an elite defensive back unite consisting of stars like Egan Winter, Storm Woods, Bucky Barnes, and rookie corner back Oskar Ludvig. The four have been tearing up opposing quarterbacks since their first game in the league and have even set records for defensive touchdowns returned with their blistering speed. This secondary will meet the Luchadores offensive passing from Penner to Flash in what will be an exhilarating match up.
No matter where Flash tries to find open field, and no matter how trained of eye Penner is, this tandem will be unable to work with the use of the Marshals back field. The Luchadores will be forced to play a run heavy game so as not to be swarmed by the elite defensive backs, and thus will knock them out of their pattern of strong air play. The Marshals defense really is the perfect counter for this pass first offense, and it will be brilliant to watch this heated rivalry play out Monday night when everything comes to an end.
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