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CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPSWow, Sunday night games provided some great entertainment.
oke: In the American Conference, there were two teams that took care of business during the regular season (and who also earned early first round byes). Yes, Norfolk and Portland had great regular seasons but have found themselves scratching their nuts and will now be looking from the sidelines at the AC Championship game between Murfreesboro and Iowa City -- two teams that clawed their way into division championships on the last week of the regular season. :behindsofa: In the National Conference, everyone expected Lawrence to move on and indeed they will as they took care of business vs. Lansing (for the second straight year in a playoff game). However, there weren't many that expected the mash unit from Vermont to demonstrate to the rest of the conference "that there really isn't any reason to look beyond the NC East for bench marks for championship football." Yes, Little Rock, fell victim to a third upset on Sunday evening and finds that scratching one's balls from the sidelines isn't any fun.
:arrow: The AC game ... defense and more defense from both teams. Iowa City led the league in many defensive categories and that element has always been a staple of the franchise. Murfreesboro showed that their defense is pretty staunch also. After stunning Anchorage in the wild card game, they marched right on and intercepted Norfolk three times, blocked two field goals and caused two fumbles. Since both teams also have some pretty respectable talent on offense to boot, it is anyone's guess who will come out on top. The Snipe Hunters welcome the oppoturtunity for home field -- but it may not be a big thing since the Mules didn't feel any pressure in front of the 79,800 screaming fans at Norfolk - the most to attend an Imperial League playoff game!
:arrow: The NC game. One team that does relish its home field position is Lawrence . The Phantoms just do not lose at home and one has to go all the way back to 2008 to find when the Phantoms have faltered on their turf. Scarry, you betch ya. But of all the teams, the Mountainers are the ones who are least in awe of this record. They have visited Lawrence too many time in division play and just don't get involved in all that hype anymore. "Been there", they say. In fact they rather enjoy their roles as giant killers and have find it better to play off their own story of "poor ol' me, look at all these injuries." And at this point in time, they have absolutely nothing to lose. Lawrence is favored, but Sepulveda thinks that its time to send the last of the four top seeds to the sidelines and looks forward to the sight of Tobias Stanfield scratching below the waist too!
Your kudos, advice and wise-ass remarks are welcome. These teams are only one game away from the Imperial Bowl.
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