SFL Weekly: July 26th Edition

[Dallas]

EASTERN CONFERENCE DIVISIONAL ROUND

Columbus Explorers (11-5) at New Jersey/New York Marauders (10-6)

Explorers over Marauders, 26-24

The Horde looked red hot after Tony Graziani connected with Steve Smith for their third scoring connection on the final play of the first half to give the home team a 24-13 advantage. Graziani, who announced he will retire at the end of the 2010 season, appeared to lead his team to his first playoff victory as a SFL quarterback.


Smith would end up with 12 receptions for 269 yards on the day, but was mostly clamped down in the second half. After a scoreless third quarter, Anthony Calvillo would put Columbus back into the game with a 5-yard touchdown pass to back up fullback Dionte Johnson. A pair of Smith would end up with 12 receptions for 269 yards on the day, but was mostly clamped down in the second half. After a scoreless third quarter, Anthony Calvillo would put Columbus back into the game with a 5-yard touchdown pass to back up fullback Dionte Johnson. A pair of Matt Bryant field goals would put Columbus back on top 26-24 during the 2-minute warning. New York's last attempt at a comeback would end at the Columbus 43-yard line after Marion Barber was stopped 3 yards short of the first down marker with :56 seconds remaining. Michael "The Burner" Turner, who ran for 88 yards on the day, would helo Columbus run out the rest of the clock and advance to the Eastern Conference Championship for the second year in a row.

Orlando Rockets (10-6) at Michigan Stags (13-3)

Rockets over Stags, 27-13

Michigan would head into halftime with a small 10-6 lead, with the only touchdown coming on a short roll out pass to rookie Aaron Brown at the beginning of the second quarter. A third quarter touchdown run by Kevin Smith and a deep touchdown catch by Brandon Marshall would reverse the Rocket's fortunes, putting them by 10 points with 10:41 in the second quarter. The Stags faced a 4th and goal at the 2 with 4:21 remaining in regulation before deciding to settle on a gimme field goal by Paul Edinger. The controversial decision would prove mute after Kevin Smith would score back to back runs for a total of 61-yards. The drive would be capped off by Fred Reid, making it nearly impossible for Michigan to make a comeback.

WESTERN CONFERENCE DIVISIONAL ROUND

San Antonio Marshalls (11-5) at Seattle Orcas (10-6)

Marshalls over Orcas, 24-0

Seattle entered the contest having finished out the season 6-1. The Marshalls on the other hand were facing a four game losing streak. Regardless, the Marshalls showed up in mid-season form. Tim Rattay played some of his best football in over a month, passing for 223 yards and 3 touchdowns. Selvin Young also made the most of his return to the starting line up, rushing for 119 yards on only 10 carries in a blow out victory over Seattle.

Dallas Six-Shooters (10-6) at Minnesota Freeze (15-1)

Freeze over Six-Shooters, 33-13

Things looked bright for Dallas' attempt to score an upset over the vaunted Freeze, who had swept them by 3 scores in each contest during the regular season, after Mark Grieb connected with Nate Burleson from 25-yards out during the beginning of the second quarter. Their only lead of the contest would be crushed after Jerious Norwood would put the Freeze back up 14-10 with a 6-yard run with 3:12 left in the first half. The Six-Shooter defense would hold strong until the fourth quarter, when a pair of Grieb interceptions would set up the Freeze with ample scoring opportunities. Similar to Graziani, Grieb has also stated that 2010 may be his last year in the league.

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

Orlando Rockets (11-6) at Columbus Explorers (12-5)

The Lead: A re-match of the 2009 conference championship game. The Spacemen hope their battered but disciplined secondary can keep Marques Colston in check, unlike last year when his overtime touchdown reception would send the Explorers on their way to their first SFL Championship.

The Spread: Explorers by 3.

WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

San Antonio Marshalls (12-5) at Minnesota Freeze (16-1)

The Lead: The San Antonio Marshalls were the only team to defeat the Freeze during the regular season. If Selvin Young and Tim Rattay can put on a performance like they did last week, there's no reason to believe they can't score a huge upset over Minnesota at the dome.

The Spread: Freeze by 5.

[Michigan]

Originally Posted by Dallas

Orlando Rockets (10-6) at Michigan Stags (13-3)

Rockets over Stags, 27-13

Michigan would head into halftime with a small 10-6 lead, with the only touchdown coming on a short roll out pass to rookie Aaron Brown at the beginning of the second quarter. A third quarter touchdown run by Kevin Smith and a deep touchdown catch by Brandon Marshall would reverse the Rocket's fortunes, putting them by 10 points with 10:41 in the second quarter. The Stags faced a 4th and goal at the 2 with 4:21 remaining in regulation before deciding to settle on a gimme field goal by Paul Edinger. The controversial decision would prove mute after Kevin Smith would score back to back runs for a total of 61-yards. The drive would be capped off by Fred Reid, making it nearly impossible for Michigan to make a comeback.

The Michigan Stags of the fledgling Spring Football League have asked Congress under the Sherman Anti-Trust act to investigate the League and its Commissioner, Dallas Hartwell, for crimes against humanity.

An Unnamed source inside the Republican Party tells us that Michigan has an excellent case as Kevin Smith scoring 3 TDs let alone having runs longer than 15 yards is another form of welfare being perpetrated against the American tax payer and it must be stopped.

Due to Congress being over-worked it is likely a hearing will not place until after the 2012 season commences, which more than likely means that the League will be forced to declare the Stags Champions retroactively and erase all mentions of the Orlando Rockets from the history books.

[Dallas]

I laughed hard enough to wet myself and may counter sue.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by Michigan

The Michigan Stags of the fledgling Spring Football League have asked Congress under the Sherman Anti-Trust act to investigate the League and its Commissioner, Dallas Hartwell, for crimes against humanity.

An Unnamed source inside the Republican Party tells us that Michigan has an excellent case as Kevin Smith scoring 3 TDs let alone having runs longer than 15 yards is another form of welfare being perpetrated against the American tax payer and it must be stopped.

Due to Congress being over-worked it is likely a hearing will not place until after the 2012 season commences, which more than likely means that the League will be forced to declare the Stags Champions retroactively and erase all mentions of the Orlando Rockets from the history books.

In the ridiculous news item of the week, a source close to the Stags have reported that they have hired disgraced NY politician Charlie Rangal's attorney as head legal counsel and media relations manager for the Stags. Apparently Rengal's camp will stop at nothing to detract the media from his plight and figured the best way was to have people focus on the beleagured Stags. NYC resident Stoi had no comment on the matter other than a pffft when told about the Stags claims.

In other news, the Stags have reportly also hired Rev. Jessie Jackson and former PTL leader Jim Baker as new team chaplans. The thought behind the hirings is that they needed devine intervention to win and if not a method to guilt the public into feeling sorry for them. Brilliant

[Oklahoma]

In yet MORE ridiculous news, It's been reported to Fox News that Rev. Jesse Jackson has called Michigan Stags owner Steve James and demanded that for his help against the SFL and Dallas Hartwell that James find a position in the front office for former Georgia State Director of Rural Development Shirley Sherrod.

Stay tuned to Fox News for breaking developments..

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by Tennessee

In yet MORE ridiculous news, It's been reported to Fox News that Rev. Jesse Jackson has called Michigan Stags owner Steve James and demanded that for his help against the SFL and Dallas Hartwell that James find a position in the front office for former Georgia State Director of Rural Development Shirley Sherrod.

Stay tuned to Fox News for breaking developments..

This could end up being one heck of a funny trail of comments.

[Michigan]

Originally Posted by Orlando

In the ridiculous news item of the week, a source close to the Stags have reported that they have hired disgraced NY politician Charlie Rangal's attorney as head legal counsel and media relations manager for the Stags. Apparently Rengal's camp will stop at nothing to detract the media from his plight and figured the best way was to have people focus on the beleagured Stags. NYC resident Stoi had no comment on the matter other than a pffft when told about the Stags claims.

In other news, the Stags have reportly also hired Rev. Jessie Jackson and former PTL leader Jim Baker as new team chaplans. The thought behind the hirings is that they needed devine intervention to win and if not a method to guilt the public into feeling sorry for them. Brilliant

Originally Posted by Tennessee

In yet MORE ridiculous news, It's been reported to Fox News that Rev. Jesse Jackson has called Michigan Stags owner Steve James and demanded that for his help against the SFL and Dallas Hartwell that James find a position in the front office for former Georgia State Director of Rural Development Shirley Sherrod.

Stay tuned to Fox News for breaking developments..

Mine was better and more original.

[Dallas]

SFL SHORT SHORTS

Former Orlando Rockets runningback Maurice Clarrett has signed up for classes at Ohio St. since being released from prison, it's unknown whether the former All-American will try to continue a career in football.............both Mark Grieb and Tony Graziani both appear to have seen their last action as professional football players, they likely are one of several prominent long time players who will be retiring this offseason...........meanwhile, Tennessee Copperheads' 42-year old quarterback Jeff George has said he plans on returning to football next season........several questionable calls have lead to a war of words between Michigan Stags owner Steve James and Orlando Rockets owner Jeffrey Stoicescu............Tennessee Copperheads owner Ryan Clark was seen in San Antonio, Texas over the weekend looking over the beginning of the Dallas Cowboy's training camp and sharing some words and drinks with Cowboy's owner Jerry Jones............the San Antonio Marshalls made their final SFL Territorial Draft selection in Texas Tech guard Brandon Carter.............voting has begun for the league's postseason honors.........after a year long absence, Dallas Hartwell will bring back voting for the league's Hall of Legends, favorites include Marc Boerigter, Former Orlando Rockets runningback Maurice Clarrett has signed up for classes at Ohio St. since being released from prison, it's unknown whether the former All-American will try to continue a career in football.............both Mark Grieb and Tony Graziani both appear to have seen their last action as professional football players, they likely are one of several prominent long time players who will be retiring this offseason...........meanwhile, Tennessee Copperheads' 42-year old quarterback Jeff George has said he plans on returning to football next season........several questionable calls have lead to a war of words between Michigan Stags owner Steve James and Orlando Rockets owner Jeffrey Stoicescu............Tennessee Copperheads owner Ryan Clark was seen in San Antonio, Texas over the weekend looking over the beginning of the Dallas Cowboy's training camp and sharing some words and drinks with Cowboy's owner Jerry Jones............the San Antonio Marshalls made their final SFL Territorial Draft selection in Texas Tech guard Brandon Carter.............voting has begun for the league's postseason honors.........after a year long absence, Dallas Hartwell will bring back voting for the league's Hall of Legends, favorites include Marc Boerigter, Clinton Portis, Aaron Taylor, Tee Martin, Vaughn Hebron, Mushin Muhammad, Khari Jones, Eddie Brown, Clint Dolezel, Antonio Banks, and current Utah Gizzley and former SFL Commissioner owner Victor Hell...........after an emotional 2-14 season, the Los Angeles Centurions have hired Philadelphia Eagles assistant head coach Marty Morhningweg to replace Randy Edsall as the new head coach.

[Crusaders]

Hope its the Freeze and Columbus in the final!

[Columbus]

Originally Posted by Crusaders

Hope its the Freeze and Columbus in the final!

Amen!!!

Columbus 27, Minnesota 24