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A Trivial Bytes Preview of Imperial Bowl IXJust last season, there were two teams than many thought would be paired off in a “grand daddy of them all” championship bowl game. Both of these teams were only one game away from perfect regular seasons … and at 15-1, both were poised to take no prisoners until they met each other in the Imperial Bowl. After a first round bye, Norfolk, the 15-1 wonder from the AC, lost to Murfreesboro right off the bat in the second round. After its bye, Lawrence, the 15-1 wonder from the NC, easily advanced versus Lansing but stumbled against the eventual IFL Champion, the Vermont Mountaineers. The game of the century was not to be.
:arrow: One year later, and now these same two teams are now poised to settle up on what was set up in 2010.
The Lawrence Phantoms and the Norfolk Vipers are two teams that are very similar in nature. Both feature high profile quarterbacks, a haunting running attack, and knock-out blows delivered by their receiving corps. Both also feature stubborn and unsung defenses. Points allowed in the regular season: Phantoms #1, Vipers #3. Total Yards Allowed: Phantoms #1, Vipers #6. And on special teams, Lawrence’s Dana Glover and Norfolk’s Percy Brenner are wild cards that can change any game with the touch of the ball.
Both are lead by coaches that have been to the big one before. Lawrence’s Howie Mooberry will try to bring the Phantoms their first crown. He succeeded in doing that for Norfolk in 2006 and 2008. But Mooberry was let go earlier this season by the Norfolk organization in a very controversial move and with one year left on his contract. Norfolk replaced Mooberry with Tyrell Nichols from St. Louis. Nichols is also no stranger to the Imperial Bowl either as he led St. Louis to a championship in 2005. Mooberry has the all-time IFL record with 116 wins and 45 losses. Nichols is third with 96 wins and 62 losses. But the media are feasting on the fact that Mooberry is facing his old team that canned him. He refuses to make this a focus … but the fact of the matter, it is the elephant in the room.
The two teams did face each other in the regular season. Lawrence handily destroyed the Viper swagger by a score of 38-6 and even though the teams have the same type of weapons, the previous meeting leaves several questions unanswered. How could Norfolk be that vulnerable? Can Lawrence concoct another brilliant plan against a team that is making an unprecedented 4th trip to the Imperial Bowl? When it is all said and done, it just might come down to who has the ball in their hands last - Tobias Stanfield or Harold “Finger” Lozier? Both signal callers lead the IFL with 4th quarter comebacks.
Make your prediction and tune in on Sunday for a great match-up when Imperial Bowl IX kicks off.
gameplan is in and I don't plan on revisiting it.
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