Rocky Mountain Football League

Week 7 Predictions

Well we’re down to the final three weeks of the regular season (yes I know there’s technically four weeks left if you count Memorial Day, and yes I know that there is a game on that weekend “Stealth at Gladiators” but for the most part we’re down to the final three weeks…).  We’ve clearly set who will be participating in the playoffs (once again, I know MATHEMATTICALLY the Bulldawgs are still in the hunt but let’s be reasonable here) and now it’s just down to those six teams fighting for the final positioning.  With the top two teams getting a first round bye, and with all the nicks and bruises that go along with an RMFL AAA season, that first round bye could be HUGE to rest up and prepare for the final march.  Also, I think the #3 team will be every bit as much of a title contender as #1 and #2 and therefore think that the teams fighting for the #5 and #6 spot really want a shot at the #4 team in the first round…anyways…back to my predictions…Last week was another 4-0 round for me which makes my season total a staggering 27-0…not bad…This week presents a couple gems as I could see a couple teams pulling off the upset (according to rankings).  With only one game in SLC this week there’s no hiding the fact that I’ll be at Jordan High School watching the Revolution take on the Shock…Kyto’s friends run an excellent concession stand and I’m looking forward to getting my grub on…Weather.com says high 60’s Saturday evening and dry…A PERFECT NIGHT FOR FOOTBALL!!!  Now onto the predictions…

Gladiators @ Stampede

A rematch of the two teams that “bucked” the system and remained in AA even after winning their initial AA Championship…in 2010, these two teams met in the Semi-Finals (going off of memory here, and considering that I don’t “Follow” AA, that memory is VERY hazy…) up in Great Falls.  The Stampede didn’t travel well (not much has changed…) and their leading QB didn’t make the trip.  The team banded together and kept the Gladiators at bay for most of the game but ended up losing a close one (something like 16-6 if I remember correctly…which I probably don’t)…some people called out the Stampede for throwing that game (to remain in AA) but Logan made it clear that was NEVER their intention as they took the leap of faith the following season and joined the Big-Boys…the Gladiators went on to win the AA Championship that season…along with another one the following year before they begrudgingly made the move up…Now these two teams get to face off again…but this time it won’t be close.  Logan has found it’s moxy on Offense with the return of Jenkins and are planning on pushing all three of their final opponents to the edge in hopes of securing a first round home game…The Gladiators traveled to Pocatello last week and were trounced by the Rebels.  It pains me to see a team from Montana struggle this bad in the AAA as I know they have some great talent and organizations up North, however; I have no doubt that come this time next season the Gladiators will find more comfort in their games against AA opponents as this move up to AAA came a year too late… Stampede 38 Gladiators 6

Spartans @ Bulldawgs

If any team needed a bye week last week it was the Spartans…and hopefully they used it to heal up (pay off any misc. travel dues from the week prior) and prepare for the final half of the season.  At 3-2, the Spartans still mathematically could obtain a first round bye, but more than likely they’re focusing on hosting a game in the first round, as traveling would all but be the end of them.  The Bulldawgs looked TERRIBLE last week in SLC versus the Revolution.  Their offense line had more leaks than Julian Assange, their QB was limited to half-a-leg, their punt coverage took the week off, and their defense forgot who to tackle…The Spartans are a solid team and are undoubtedly looking forward to get back to their winning ways after two back-to-back beat downs in SLC.  I foresee Lewis running wild on the Bulldawgs, turning in his best M.Vick performance (over 100 yards rushing and 200 yards passing) as the Spartans show Idaho it’s only TRUE AAA team and topple Magic Valley in Jerome…Spartans 28 Bulldawgs 9

Stealth @ Rebels **GAME OF THE WEEK**

What a game…the winner of this matchup will all-but secure a first round bye (definitely lock up at least the promise of hosting a first round game) while the loser will most likely lose the chance of a sitting idly by while the bottom 4 playoff teams beat up on each other.  The Stealth have yet to leave the comforts of Salt Lake city as all of their games have either been at home (Granger High School) or on the road against teams in SLC (at Granger, at Jordan) so I’m curious to see how they travel.  Another thought to consider is the fact that next week they have to travel again up to Great Falls, Montana.  They will cover the spectrum of the RMFL in two weeks.  I doubt they’re worried about traveling next week as 20 players will more than suffice and traveling to St. George isn’t always considered “travel” as much as it is often looked at as a “vacation.”  With a roster of 70+ REAL players I think the Stealth travel well this week (40+) as they know that securing a win on Saturday all but guarantees that they won’t have to leave SLC again come the playoffs.  Dixie has been putting up juggernaut type numbers on offense as they lead the next closest team (Shock) in total yards/game by almost 100 yards!!!  The Stealth have a strong defense (2^nd in Team Defense) but have given up almost 5 yards/carry against running backs this season and have yet to face a trio like their going to see on Saturday.  Rumor has it that Diarra Fields is out with a broken ankle and won’t be back until mid-June…this could mean that the Rebels pass attack (3^rd in the RMFL with 219 yars/game) could be seriously limited as their backup, AJ Martinez is NO Diarra Fields…with the almost speculated injury to Stokes, it’ll be tough for the Rebels to push any aerial assault and keep their offensive attack balanced.  This will allow the Stealth to load the box and go “heavy” on the Run-Happy Rebels.  Wissler has been consistent in his passing this season and I expect him to try and take a couple chances on some homerun balls this week as an early lead could ultimately be the difference in this game.  If the Stealth get up quick and force the Rebels to rely on the arm of AJ, Dixie could find itself in trouble.  This game is going to be great and I know some major collisions are going to take place at Walter Brooks stadium Saturday night…the team that can take care of the ball and limit any major mistakes will squeak out the win.  Due to the injuries the Rebels are facing, I see this game as VERY winnable one for the Stealth.  Dixie’s defense is going to have to play lights-out and the rushing attack will have to forge forward if the Rebels have any hope of not traveling again.  This game will come down to the last 4 minutes and with that I foresee a REBEL NATION MIRACLE on the horizon as Dixie pulls it off late…Rebels 24 Stealth 23

Revolution @ Shock

In 2009, the Wasatch Revolution played their first game as an organization…it ended in an upsetting 21-17 loss to the Utah Shock.  The Revolution extracted their revenge later that season (when it mattered most) as they destroyed the Shock in the AAA Championship game (49-32).  The Revolution/Shock have gone on to meet up every year during the regular season, and each game has ended in a convincing Revolution victory (17-7 in 2010 and 27-13 in 2011).  It could be argued that since that inaugural loss, the Revolution have had the Shock’s number…this week they meet again, but for the first time ever…the Shock will be favored to win…Wasatch merged with the Utah Bears this season and needless to say it’s been a “learning” experience as it seems that every week you get a different performance from the Revolution (very Bear-ish…).  Last week, after being called out, the Rev defense put on a clinic as they accounted for 11 sacks, and wrecked havoc on the opposing team (Bulldawgs) all day.  The Rev face a much better team this week but there is no doubt that the defense is looking forward to the matchup.  Charlie Peterson has been very…well…Chuckypita-like this season as he’s currently the #3 ranked QB in the AAA.  There’s no doubt that he relies on his two big-time receivers in Lang and Dawson (as they make up 52% of his completions) with a host of others (11 to be exact) picking up the rest of the slack.  Trevor Jensen has been a bright spot for Chuckypita as he may only have 6 receptions, but 4 of them have been for TDs.  The Revolution’s rushing attack hasn’t been as strong as in past seasons but I think that Drage is directing the offense through the air more so and putting the full weight of the offensive production squarely on his QB’s shoulders.  The Shock currently lead the league in scoring (38 points/game) but after coming out strong in their first couple games have slipped each week.  Looking at their margin of victories, every game they won, but by a steady FEWER points…could this be the week that the tides flip???  Jordan Kjar has been very impressive this season as he leads all QBs in both passer rating (130) and passing touchdowns (16).  Like the Revolution, the Shock also depend heavily on their two top receivers (Cook and Thornton) to produce most of the receptions (59% of the teams receptions).  This however is largely due to injuries that the Shock have encountered (C.Kjar out for the season along with Hooper hurt for the last few games).  The running game had been strong for the Shock until they started losing all their RBs to the infamous injury-bug as well.  This game will pit two teams who firmly believe they belong at the top and want to prove it this Saturday.  The Shock’s defense just gave up 340 yards passing last week to the Stampede and now have to face an even more potent offense.  The Rev’s defense is still looking for their signature win against a quality team and plan on corralling J.Kjar this week.  I expect this game to be close, and actually be lower scoring than you would think given both teams average 30+ points/game.  The Shock keep their undefeated season alive but the Revolution make it close…Shock 20 Revolution 17

There you go…as I mentioned above, there’s a couple game on the slate that could really go either way…will my streak come to an end Saturday night???  Well, it’s up to all of you playing on the field to determine that…As always, best of luck to EVERYONE playing this Saturday and safe travels to all those on the road.  The season is drawing to a close here shortly and hopefully everyone can heal up for what is sure to be an exciting playoffs…

Enjoy…