Word from the Mouth: Just Spreading Out the Delays! edition
Let me start by pointing out that this week we had multiple people screw the pooch when it came to their ref or scorekeeping assignments, so not every game has stats (ed’s note: just one in the end).
I also want to point out that Jon, who made the schedule and runs the league, was chilling at home at 8:32am while games were supposed to being played. We ended up getting started late, but in the end didn’t matter since later in the day we needed to wait for teams to change parks anyway (ed’s note: see, I knew this would happen, so I was just spreading out the delays).
It was cold this weekend, but its looking nicer for this upcoming weekend (ed’s note: though predictions have gone from 9 degrees to 4 degrees, ugh), so we should be good to go with no issues.
I know the field is pretty bad at this point, but for all the years the league has been around the field conditions this year aren’t that bad relatively. Just imagine what would have happened if we hadn’t canceled that week due to rain.
Recap
Division 1
Iron Wolves vs Outlaws (36-60)
This game was back and forth in the first half and it looked like it was going to stay that way, but Outlaws made a switch at QB from Brady to Steve and that’s when Outlaws started to pull away. It also helps that Marvin and Smuda both balled their asses off combining for 15 catches, 131 yards, 5 TDs and 6 2-point converts. Remy subbed for Iron Wolves and made his presence felt with 2 TDs on 4 catches and 110 yards. I could go into more details, but I will let Willie talk about it on the podcast this week.
Division 2
KOLB vs Udaho Idapimp (25-26)
This was a fun game to watch and seeing these 2 QBs make some of the throws they did was remarkable. No team ever pulled away with this game and it ended up coming down to the last few plays of the game. Brady drove the field for a score and gave his team a 26 to 19 lead with just under 15 minutes left. Both teams had a possession that ended on downs. Now with under 8 minutes left Jon led a scoring drive, but on this drive was one of the nicest throws I’ve seen in a while. Jon rolled right and threw an out to the left about 20 yards down field at full sprint. It was a great throw. KOLB scored, but weren’t able to get convert. KOLB now needed a big stop and quickly, but Brady got 2 first downs for Idaho which ended the game and advanced them to the finals.
Division 3
Villains vs Red Cats (37-36)
This was a fun game to watch and now imagine how much better it could have been if Avery wasn’t hurt going into the game, but he was able to play through it. More than once in the game Avery went down and it looked like he wasn’t going to be able to finish, but he found a way to. Even with a bum leg, Avery was still able to keep his team in the game scoring 2 TDs and a 2-point convert on the ground. Jeremi is a beast no matter where he lines up. This week he was at QB, next week who knows if it will be him or Terry under center. With under 2 minutes left in the game, Red Cats scored on a 5 yard pass to Nick after driving the length of the field, they went for 2 and got it making it a 1 point game. Now Red Cats needed a stop and to use their timeouts to get the ball back. The defense held and on the first play Vincent stepped in front of Avery’s pass and picked it off to end the game and Red Cats season. I’m Sure Willie will talk more about this game on the Podcast.
Division 4
Drama Club vs Jagys and Chill (32-38)
I was only able to catch the last little bit of this game and saw Drama Club allow Jagys and Chill to tie it at 32 late. Drama Club had 2 possessions after that and the first one ended in a punt and the second ended with Yannick knocking the ball away on the last play of the game in the endzone. I was able to see JF chew up the last 3:30 of the game as he marched his team down the field for what turned out to be the game winning score on a pass from JF to Yavar.
Bines Low Fat vs Top Shooters (35-12)
Bines Low Fat was just way too much for Top Shooters in this game. Bines had a 28-0 lead at half, they also started with the ball in the second half and scored on that possession to take a 35-0 lead. Late in the game Top Shooter were able to get on the scoreboard with an 11-yard pass from Mike Jaz to Paul (ed’s note: is this accurate?). That was the highlight for both those players, but it was also a very rewarding for Top Shooters as a team. Paul might not have played a huge role for this team all season, but if it wasn’t for Paul stepping up and playing a few weeks ago they would have forfeited that game and missed the playoffs because of the forfeit.
Bines Low Fat vs Jagys and Chill (26-13)
This Bines team isn’t flashy, but makes very few if any mistakes at all. JF does a good job of protecting the ball and the combination of Thomas and Mathieu as receiver is fantastic since they don’t drop balls. Thomas scored on 3 of his 4 catches in this game. On defense is where Bines strive and they managed to get 2 sacks and 4 picks. This team flies to the ball. This defense proved to be too much for JF, he was constantly under pressure and when he was able to get a pass off the defenders were all over it and when he tried to run nothing was there.
Division 5
Mimosa Crew vs Grizzlies (46-26)
Who would have thought that Mimosa Crew would come out and play like this at 8:30 in the morning? Wait, I mean 9 (ed’s note: yeah, yeah, I get it). The game started with Mimosa punting then giving up a quick and easy score before they settled in and got rolling. By halftime Mimosa had picked off Grizzlies 2 or 3 times and scored on every possession and had a 31-12 lead. Mimosa played really good defense getting 4 picks from 4 different players and Dag ran his back for a TD. This was the first time I saw Grizzles play all season and the biggest takeaway is they don’t run plays, they just line up and everyone does whatever they want (ed’s note: not sure this is true). Yes, that will work sometimes, but not against an equally athletic team.
Phoenix vs Jungle Squad (13-19)
Jungle Squad did everything they could to pull off this playoff win and it’s their first one in team history. The first half of this game wasn’t very good. Phoenix opens the scoring on their first possession then nothing by either team until the second half. Phoenix struggled inside the redzone to score, being there 2 or 3 times and walking away with zero points. Jungle Squad at half made a few adjustments and they paid off. They switched rushers on defense and started to run more crossing routes on offense. Late in the game with it tied, Jungle Squad was able to march the field and punch one in with under a minute left. Phoenix tried to answer, but there was a drop or two plus a huge sack. With a last-ditch effort, the ball was thrown into the endzone, but was batted away and just like that Phoenix goes home and Jungle Squad advances.
That’s all I have for you in the way of recaps. Thanks for reading and see you next week.
Studs & Duds
I’m only doing Studs this week because anyone who lost already feels bad that they must wait until January just to get back out there and play again.
Studs
Division 1
I hate to do this and inflate his ego even more, but Marvin Steinberg went off this week with 8 catches for 72 yards, 3 TDs and 4 2point convert plus he also made 5 tackles and had 1 pick.
Division 2
Demario Cooper hauled in 8 balls for 105 yards, 1 TD and 1 1point convert. Demario also made 2 tackles on defense.
Division 3
Jeremi Thompson O'Reilly this guy was all over the place in this game. He threw for 205 yards while completing 26 of 37 passes, 5 TDs and 1 1point convert, He also ran 7 times for 39 yards and 1 TD. On defense Jeremi made 4 tackles.
Division 4
Thomas Cote-Parent in his 2 games made 11 catches for 130 yards, 6 TDs and 1 1point convert. On defense Thomas made 2 tackles and had 1 pick.
Division 5
David St Jean went off this week getting 5 sacks on 6 tackles on defense. With the ball in his hand David went 18 of 29 for 164 yards, 2 TDs, 1 1point convert and threw 1 pick. David also ran 11 times for 42 yards and 1 TD.
There you have it my studs for week 1 of the playoffs.
Predictions
My picks were great last week, but that doesn’t matter anymore because we have reached championship weekend and it’s the last games of the season. Here are my picks.
Division 1
Outlaws vs A-Team
The winner of this game is the team that goes in healthier and I have a feeling that in this case its Outlaws. I am also assuming that Steve is playing QB and looking to get back at A-Team for them winning it all against them a few seasons ago.
Division 2
Idaho Udapimp vs Nice TDs
Nice TDs have been the favorite all season and why would I think any different this week. Nice TDs just have a bit more Dawg in them and that’s why I feel they pull it out.
Division 3
Villains vs RawSauce
They are just more athletic, and I have to assume that Jeremi will be under center again this week.
Division 4
Bines Low Fat vs High on Audibles
I just have a feeling that their experience and chemistry pulls them through in this one. I’m also thinking Avery won’t be 100% and that should also play a factor late in the game.
Division 5
Mimosa Crew vs Legendaries
I give them the edge because of leadership and I can see Ben relying on Ben and Nick early when a play needs to be made and this will allow Gordon to stay under the radar and make plays late in the game.
Jungle Squad vs Bear Hood
David is a very good runner and at the end of the day with a possible sloppy field he goes off for 100 yards on the ground.
Those are my predictions for championship weekend.
Final Thoughts
In the pros, players walk off and retire after winning a championship, but I’m not sure it has every happened in the MFL (ed's note: Max Rosenfeld retired at QB after winning a championship!). The only players I can see doing this after winning are a few players on the Outlaws. Steve has been around since the beginning of the league has won more than enough championships along with numerous individual awards over the years and has nothing left to prove plus I think he likes having his weekends free (ed’s note: he did retire, but pulled a Brady!). I can also maybe see Smuda walking away as well for the same reasons, but also dealing with more and more injuries over the years. Realistically both will be back next spring because they both love the game and will miss it if they are away for too long. (ed’s note: yeah, why are you talking about retirement!)
Before last season playoffs were set up differently with games being played in between rounds in some divisions. The way the games are now has each division getting their own time slots and games played back-to-back. It is so much better. I’m glad it’s done like this now, as this way us old folks don’t have to worry as much about pulling muscles, because of getting hot and cold repeatedly.
That’s all I have for you this week. Hope you enjoyed the article and had fun this season. Even with this being the last week of the year, we are still playing a game, so go out, have fun, and try not to kill anyone. See you Saturday.