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by Spark Wonup
Lawrence Sun Times
Montreal (13-1): Seasons of dedication are finally paying off for CRex and the Firebirds. Montreal boasts the league's best record and has been touting such all season. QB Bruce Cote has arrived in full force and combined with TE phenom Archie Lake and a solid receiving corp has one of the IFL's brightest futures in sight!
On defense Everett Rose leads a crew with talent at every stage and success against the run and the pass.
Why Montreal will win it all: The same reason they're 13-1 - they're playing the 2017 season better than any other IFL team.
Why they'll see an early exit: Injuries are plentiful at the wrong time in the season. After a regular season lambasting of the IFL the Firebirds could enter the post-season bringing a knife to a gunfight.
Cleveland (11-3): Led by one of the IFL's classiest in Corey Perkins who happens to be protected by stand out veteran Lamont Shepard, the Clawz still appear to have overachieved this year and will have a tough time in the AC playoffs despite a possible 1st Round bye. Their run defense is better than average and their pass defense has allowed an impressive 6.26 yards/attempt thus far totalling only 16.0 points/game allowed - though I expect those numbers to rise when facing the AC's best.
Why Cleveland will win it all: Cleveland currently has ZERO injuries and toppled one of the NC's best in the Lions mere weeks ago.
Why they'll see an early exit: Cleveland just isn't on the level of some of the league's most talented teams right now.
Murfreesboro (10-4): The Mules are the only defense better than the Clawz right now allowing 15.9 points/game. Phantoms Phans understand the value of defense and Murf seems to have it figured out! You could say the defense is led by veteran Freddie Whitaker however the truth is this is a bunch of above average talents playing outstandingly as one unit. On any given play one of eleven can be the one to make the big play! Murfreesboro is home to perhaps the best receiving corp in the IFL with first-ballot HOFer Otis Peterson at the helm. This team could be dangerous in January!
Why Murfreesboro will win it all: Five starting caliber receivers will be too much for any IFL team to contain. Injuries aren't a concern for the Mules entering the post-season.
Why they'll see an early exit: This team will have to be beaten "straight up". They won't be shooting themselves in the foot.
Norfolk (9-5): Ahhh... The Phantoms of the AC... Once again the IFL's All-Time best after this past week's results... The Vipers consistently have a top-notch pass defense and 2017 is no different as this time the Vipers are the league standard for opponents completion percentage and yards/attempt! Jon Cavazos is feeling the Norfolk vibe after a rocky start. Having 2nd year All-League talent Darrell Logan doesn't hurt!
Why Norfolk will win it all: r00k has done it twice before and has the best pass defense in a passing league. Two very real fears for IFL opponents!
Why they'll see an early exit: Norfolk is playing great but is pretty thin and could be derailed by a team with superior depth. Injury at almost any starting position and there's a big drop-off to #2.
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I'll try to do Boston and Portland on my NC report next week, if not later tonight if I get into FOF. I had this started and figured I'd post it before the next set of games while it still makes sense, assuming it makes sense since I didn't proofread it.
Lawrence Sun Times
Montreal (13-1): Seasons of dedication are finally paying off for CRex and the Firebirds. Montreal boasts the league's best record and has been touting such all season. QB Bruce Cote has arrived in full force and combined with TE phenom Archie Lake and a solid receiving corp has one of the IFL's brightest futures in sight!
On defense Everett Rose leads a crew with talent at every stage and success against the run and the pass.
Why Montreal will win it all: The same reason they're 13-1 - they're playing the 2017 season better than any other IFL team.
Why they'll see an early exit: Injuries are plentiful at the wrong time in the season. After a regular season lambasting of the IFL the Firebirds could enter the post-season bringing a knife to a gunfight.
Cleveland (11-3): Led by one of the IFL's classiest in Corey Perkins who happens to be protected by stand out veteran Lamont Shepard, the Clawz still appear to have overachieved this year and will have a tough time in the AC playoffs despite a possible 1st Round bye. Their run defense is better than average and their pass defense has allowed an impressive 6.26 yards/attempt thus far totalling only 16.0 points/game allowed - though I expect those numbers to rise when facing the AC's best.
Why Cleveland will win it all: Cleveland currently has ZERO injuries and toppled one of the NC's best in the Lions mere weeks ago.
Why they'll see an early exit: Cleveland just isn't on the level of some of the league's most talented teams right now.
Murfreesboro (10-4): The Mules are the only defense better than the Clawz right now allowing 15.9 points/game. Phantoms Phans understand the value of defense and Murf seems to have it figured out! You could say the defense is led by veteran Freddie Whitaker however the truth is this is a bunch of above average talents playing outstandingly as one unit. On any given play one of eleven can be the one to make the big play! Murfreesboro is home to perhaps the best receiving corp in the IFL with first-ballot HOFer Otis Peterson at the helm. This team could be dangerous in January!
Why Murfreesboro will win it all: Five starting caliber receivers will be too much for any IFL team to contain. Injuries aren't a concern for the Mules entering the post-season.
Why they'll see an early exit: This team will have to be beaten "straight up". They won't be shooting themselves in the foot.
Norfolk (9-5): Ahhh... The Phantoms of the AC... Once again the IFL's All-Time best after this past week's results... The Vipers consistently have a top-notch pass defense and 2017 is no different as this time the Vipers are the league standard for opponents completion percentage and yards/attempt! Jon Cavazos is feeling the Norfolk vibe after a rocky start. Having 2nd year All-League talent Darrell Logan doesn't hurt!
Why Norfolk will win it all: r00k has done it twice before and has the best pass defense in a passing league. Two very real fears for IFL opponents!
Why they'll see an early exit: Norfolk is playing great but is pretty thin and could be derailed by a team with superior depth. Injury at almost any starting position and there's a big drop-off to #2.
******
I'll try to do Boston and Portland on my NC report next week, if not later tonight if I get into FOF. I had this started and figured I'd post it before the next set of games while it still makes sense, assuming it makes sense since I didn't proofread it.
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