*S25 - Week 1 - Maple's Money Picks

[dogwoodmaple]

Welcome to the first edition of Maple’s Money Picks!

Each game week, I’ll pick all of the ISFL games and I hopefully won’t regret keep track of my record throughout the season.  Each week, I'll designate one pick as my Maple's Money Pick which will be worth double points.


Week 1

Philadelphia Liberty (0-0) at Baltimore Hawks (0-0)

• These Mid-Atlantic rivals are less than a two hour drive from each other, but the homefield advantage carries the Hawks to a 1-0 start.  Chika Fujiwara throws zero interceptions, completes 65%, and the Liberty have no answer.
  

Pick:   by 7
Player of the Game: QB Chika Fujiwara  


Yellowknife Wraiths (0-0) at Chicago Butchers (0-0)

• This one is going to come down to the wire and could end up being a postseason rematch.  I just rewatched The Mandolorian Season 1, so the pick here has to be Baby Yoda and the Butchers.  My confidence level is not high with this one.
  

Pick:  by 3
Player of the Game: RB Baby Yoda  


Sarasota Sailfish (0-0) at Colorado Yeti (0-0)

• There are some things I simply will not do.  Eat blue cheese, order pancakes instead of waffles, and pick against the Yeti when they're at home.  I'm a big fan of this Sailfish roster, but they're simply too far inland to compete in Colorado.  I doubt the real Yeti dines on Sailfish as a part of their diet, but they will tonight.
  

Pick:  by 1
Player of the Game: K Silver Banana  


Arizona Outlaws (0-0) at New Orleans Second Line (0-0)

• New Orleans may need their third or fourth line to compete with the Outlaws tonight.  Arizona goes down to Cajun' Country and gets a nice season-opening win against New Orleans.  Look for the Outlaw to sceauxre, sceauxre, and sceauxre.
  

Pick:  by 10
Player of the Game: QB Jay Cue  


Berlin Fire Salamanders (0-0) at New York Silverbacks (0-0)

• Expansion time!  This will be maybe the most fun matchup to watch as we're dealing with two expansion teams facing off in year one.  The Fire Salamanders get out to an early lead, but the Silverbacks extinguish their flame behind some timely defense and a raucous homefield crowd.
  

Pick:  by 8
Player of the Game: RB Ashley Owens  


San Jose Sabercats (0-0) at Orange County Otters (0-0)

• The Champs are here!  San Jose will head to the O.C. with freshly polished Ultimus rings and some pep in their step as they start their title defense.  But the Otters have revenge on their mind as they try to get pay back for their ASFC Championship Game loss to the Sabercats last season.  This game will come down to which mascot can float on their back for longer periods of time, which of course favors the Otters.
  

Pick:  by 3
Player of the Game: QB Suleiman Ramza  


$$$ MAPLE'S MONEY PICK $$$
Honolulu Hahalua (0-0) at Austin Copperheads (0-0)

• Honolulu travels to the Lone Star State to take on the Copperheads to kick off the S25 season.  I don't know if it's the jetlag or the gameplan, but the Flyin' Hawaiians show up flat against Austin.  The Copperheads' defense shows up in a big way to shut down any hopes of an early season road win for the Hahalua.  Feeling great about my first Maple's Money pick behind a venomous performance from the Copperheads.
  

Pick:   by 10
Player of the Game: WR Eddie Jeeta

[Asked Madden]

Not accurate but great read. Love the stuff you're putting out.

[retrospace111]

your first mistake was betting on Cue