Week 3 and the season is in full swing…Another week of PERFECTION by this meager Follower last week (4-0, bringing my year to date record at 7-0).All I’ll say is that this week doesn’t get any easier for my predictions…As of this morning the weather forecast has Saturday pegged as sunny and clear with a high of 77 degrees…delicious!!!What’s more delicious than the weather is the fact that I will be able to attend two GREAT games on tap this week…better break out the sunscreen and keep the Pepsi on ice, it’s going to be a great weekend!!!
Rebels @ Revolution
After their long road trip last week, which ended in a loss, Dixie has been awarded the opportunity to saddle up and head north again to face off against a rested Revolution club.In their two games, the Rebels have put up strong offensive numbers but as we witnessed last week in Boise, a lot of yards don’t always equate to a lot of points.The Revolution know this first hand as in their season opener they were held to one offensive touchdown (albeit the winning one with time running down).Both teams look to get their offensive production going again.The Revolution will need to depend heavily on the strong arm of its leader, Chuckypita.I expect Peterson to run some receivers deep and then look to dump off the pass to his playmakers short.Long offensive drives will help to wear down the road weary Rebels.Dixie on the other hand will look to their RBs to help grind down Revs formidable defense.With Coop and Tapuosi making the trip I expect Dixie to amass 120+ yards on the ground.Diarra will then look for opportunities to attack the Revs’ secondary and find paydirt.While both these teams have had some great battles in the past three seasons, and both have the Championship or Bust mantra, I just see this game as too one sided.Dixie is mad after last weeks upset and know that if they want to host any games deep in the playoffs they cannot afford another early loss.I see them coming out fast against the Rev who in their one game looked anything but championship material.Rebels ground-n-pound, find Stokes over the middle, and attack deep in route to a convincing victory…Rebels 26 Rev 14
Mudducks @ Spartans
Treasure Valley sits ALONE a top the AAA right now with a 2-0 record.They have beaten two teams who made the playoffs last season and now face their third in as many weeks.The Mudducks found another way to lose another game last week as they held the Stampede’s offense to 6 points…but forgot to score any points for themselves.The Muddies not only have to face a formidable team in Treasure Valley, they have to face an arguably even more formidable foe in the road to Horseshoe Bend.The Mudducks have a young and talented team but they’re facing off against a VERY experienced RMFL team that seems to be focused this season more than in years past and are ready to take down any opponent who steps onto the dandelion plagued field in Nowhere Idaho.Spartans win this one safely and leave the Mudducks looking for that elusive first victory…Spartans 28 Mudducks 9
Stealth @ Shock **GAME OF THE WEEK**
This game should be great…Both teams come into this week 3 matchup after week 1 byes and then beating up on the little sisters of the poor in week 2…Both teams amassed a lot of points and held their opponents to one score each…both teams put up over 200 yards rushing and were proficient in the passing game.Both teams are made up of multiple RMFL veterans who’ve played in big games before and understand the magnitude of this Saturday.Although the season is early, I will venture to say that whoever wins this week has the inside track to a first round bye come playoff time.These two teams are more intertwined than the casual fan may recognize.In January rumors had the Stealth’s current defense (mostly made up of the Revolutions defense from the past 3 seasons) joining the Shock.It wasn’t until late January that the Shock found out that the merger wasn’t going to happen.The Shock’s current defense has never been known as a shutdown formidable foe, but after holding the Gladiators (in Great Falls) to 16 total yards last week, will be looking to make a statement to the league that they are every bit as formidable as any of the top AAA teams’ respective defenses.The Stealth’s defense is coached by arguably the best DC in the RMFL.Ev and his men know how to wreck havoc on any opposing offense.The Stealth’s defense is made up with mostly former Revolution players and everyone knows how the Revolutions defense has owned J.Kjar and Crew in the past.With Wissler under center, and behind a mammoth offensive line, I expect the Stealth to be able to move the ball and score plenty of points.Smoke will be running around, through, and over many Shock defenders en route to what I expect to be a 100+ yard day on the ground.The Shock need to find a way to force Wissler into making a mistake and then capitalize on the field position.Although the Shock’s defense is looking for that mutual respect and will be facing off against a VERY powerful offensive attack…the main story in this game will be how does the Shock’s offense move the ball against a defense that has shut them down just about every time they’d faced each other??? I think J.Kjar is great and will make a couple plays with his legs.The difference will be if his playmakers are able to help shoulder the load.Does Mr. Everything make a triumphant return??? Does Uno Siete find run more than an out/curl/or streak route??? Does C.Cook and C.Kjar dare to cross the middle???My rankings have these teams currently pegged at #1 and #2, and because of that I could really see this game going either way.My pick comes down to the simple fact that the Shock have the best player in the RMFL touching the ball on every offensive snap.In the end, Jordan Kjar finds a way to win it at the end this time…Shock 27 Stealth 24
Stampede @ Bulldawgs
Logan faces their third road trip in as many weeks as they head up to Magic Valley to face the winless Bulldawgs.The Stampede did not traveled well in their first two games (less than 20 players both times) and so I wouldn’t expect a full team to show up in Jerome, Idaho.The Bulldawgs have faced the unquestioned most difficult schedule thus far in this young season.Having traveled to St. George and SLC to face off two of the top teams in the league.While the Stampede sit a 1-1, the Bulldawgs, even at 0-2 have shown more consistent play and have a real opportunity to secure their first victory of the season this week.Ben Landrian has thrown the ball well, completing almost 60% of his passes but most of the completions have been for short yards.For the Bulldawgs to have a chance in this game they need to get their rushing game going.The Stampede has a strong and disciplined defensive front and harnesses the bend-don’t-break mentality.On the offensive side of the ball, the Stampede are still waiting for their QB Holton to start playing to his potential.I expect the Stampede to feed Dave Williams the ball early and often to control the game and then rely on their defense to make the necessary stops to keep the Bulldawgs at bay.With Alleman back returning kickoffs and punts (and the Bulldawgs have a dismal punting average) I could see him breaking on for a decisive score.Bulldawgs fight until the end but just come up short when the clock strikes 0:00…Stampede 17 Bulldawgs 16
Well there you go…4 games, and 4 locked up predictions…I expect to attend two games this week due to the scheduling and can’t wait to fill my face with all of those delicious concessions.The Rebels/Rev game will be good early but I expect the game to be over by the beginning of the 4th quarter allowing me to stop by Carls Jr en route to Jordan High School.I full plan on the Stealth/Shock game measuring up to its early billing and can’t wait to watch the action on the field.Everyone is invited to join me and I’ll even let you buy me a round (or two) of nachos…best of luck to every team playing this week (AAA and AA because you’re all part of the RMFL) and to those teams traveling, drive safely…
