Aaahhhhhh…Summer is creeping right in and we’re coming to the end of another great RMFL season.With two weeks to go in the regular season, all 6 spots (seeding) are still up for grabs as only the post-season participants have been decided.This week provides us fans a few big games to enjoy as playoff positioning is on the line…I’ve booked my hotel and plan on heading south early Saturday morning to take in what I expect to be a classic battle between the Shock and Rebels.I’ll be sure to hit the local Iceburg before heading over to the game as the weather report calls for 100 degree temperatures Saturday afternoon in Utah’s Dixie.On the other end of the state, the Revolution will be competing in what I expect to be an entertaining game in Logan with the winner sitting in the drivers’ seat for hosting a first round game.The Mudducks will be looking for their first win of the season up in Jerome Idaho, and the Spartans will take their longest road trip of the season to face off versus a proud yet winless Gladiator squad.
Yep, there’s no question we have some great games ahead of us this weekend and as a fan I can’t wait to check the RMFL Twitter page Saturday night and get updates on all of the scores.With two weeks of regular season games left I also can’t help but feel a little nostalgic as I know that I will never write about the RMFL again.My predictions have been SPOT ON this season and I hope to keep that record clean throughout this season and deep into the playoffs.I do feel a little “upset special” twitch creeping up on me but haven’t decided if that’s the analyst…or fan inside me…Well, enough with my ramblings and onto the only predictions that matter…
Spartans @ Gladiators
Treasure Valley proved that “their back” with a BIG win over their only instate foe two weeks ago versus Magic Valley.The Spartans’ offense was on the mark as they accrued their most points to date.With Nik Lewis under center, the Spartans provide a real combo as defenses have to respect his ability to rush as much as they have to watch for his passing attack.The Gladiators are almost through with this season and are undoubtedly looking forward to their time off…however, there’s no question that they’d like to provide the Great Falls Faithful a competitive game in their last home game of the season.Problem is that the Gladiators are equally as bad on offense and defense and so neither side can count on the other to come up with a big play when they need it most.The Spartans may not travel well this week but the Stealth proved last week that with 18 athletes, you can still drop 50 on the Gladiators.I see the Spartans playing this game close as to not allow any mistakes happen which will lead to points; as points against will matter in a couple of weeks when the playoffs start seeding.Spartans win this one comfortably and its not as close as the score may indicate…Spartans 28 Gladiators 7
Revolution @ Stampede
Wasatch hasn’t been playing great ball against any halfway decent opponent and now they have to travel to Logan and face a team that has been improving greatly over the past 3 games.The Stampede have lost 2 of their last 3 but those two losses have come at against the top two teams in the league, and in both games the Stampede proved to be quite the opponent.The Revolution have yet to win a team with a winning record so don’t let what they’ve done in the past fool you and make you think they’re an elite team this season.Chuckypita has done “okay” by his standards but this offense should be scoring in droves.Even with the enigmatic offense, it’s the Revolution DEFENSE that has been the biggest disappointment this season.Logan comes into this game knowing that a win is very possible.Jenkins is playing great and the Stampede defense is playing their best ball of the season.Jenkins and Logan’s offense will be able to move the ball against this flailing imposter defense but yardage doesn’t equate to points.The Rev SHOULD be able to score 20+ against this defense IF AND ONLY IF they remain balanced in their attack (GIVE PALOA THE BALL!!!).I believe that Wasatch can run the ball against the Stampede and that controlled running game will setup the pass.Mr. Bigplay has GUARANTEED a victory this week and that makes me feel confident in the Rev as he’s never let me down before…this game could really go either way but I think the Rev find a way to win it at the end…Revolution 24 Stampede 22
Mudducks @ Bulldawgs
Wow…I really don’t know what to say about this game.The Bulldawgs host their final home game of the season and they get to do it against a winless Mudducks team.The curious thing about the Mudducks record is that outside of 2 games (Shock, Rebels), they’ve been VERY competitive and have had multiple chances to win the game. The Bulldawgs haven’t been as competitive in most of their games (outside of their win vs Great Falls and their OT loss vs Logan) and I see that disparity as the difference in this game.The Mudducks will be able to move the ball against the banged up Bulldawg defense and moving the ball will end up in a lot of points.This Mudduck team may be the best team with the worst record EVER in the history of the RMFL.0-6 doesn’t define this team and I foresee them changing that pattern this Saturday.Mudducks 33 Bulldawgs 13
Shock @ Rebels**GAME OF THE WEEK**
The top two teams in the league (according to the only rankings that matter) face off this Saturday night in Utah’s Dixie.KSL.com is reporting the weather to be a “crisp” 100 degrees…yummy!!!It was nice of the Dixie Rebels to play the gracious host role and allow the Shock to wear their home jerseys this Saturday (all black)…but let’s get to the game…The Shock have been the most impressive and consistent team this season.Their offense has scored 31+ points each game and currently average close to 39 points/game.The Rebels have been more up-and-down than normal as they’ve had to travel quite a bit and have been cursed with the injury bug.This game means A LOT to both teams as if the Rebels win, they secure the #1 seed throughout the playoffs and will undoubtedly be comforted to know that they won’t have to hit the road again until next season…while if the Shock win, they too will secure the #1 seed.I think the win for the Shock means more than the #1 seed as beating the Rebels will be a big accomplishment as they’ve been beaten badly by them 3 out of the past 4 times they’ve played.This game will come down to two things:Can the Shock’s offense score more than 14 points against the Rebels (they haven’t broken that point barrier since 2009 vs Dixie), and can the Shock’s defense contain the Rebels vaunted rushing attack.With Fields still injured and Stokes at less than 100%, Dixie won’t have much of a passing attack and so they’ll have to rely heavily on their stable of running backs.Fortunately, they have 4 SOLID RBs who can carry the load.The Shock want to score quick and often and force the Rebels to start passing the ball while the Rebels will want to control the game and keep it close (similar to what they did versus the Stealth).If this game comes down to the final 4 minutes I give the edge to the Rebels as they’ve proven time after time that they know how to finish games…BUT…I think the game will be decided before then as this Shock team is focused and ready.The injuries are too much to overcome for the Rebels as the Shock pull away late…Shock 27 Rebels 17
Well…there you have it…another week of predictions and another week of EXPECTED PERFECTION!!!Good luck to all the teams playing this weekend and safe travels to everyone as all 4 of the visiting AAA teams have relatively long road trips ahead of them.Anyone who will be at the Rebels-Shock game come and find me at Iceburg for the pregame and I’ll let you buy me a raspberry shake…
Mad respect Follower... Just sad I wont see a playoff write up on the Ducks in your final year... Best of luck to ya and thanks for the write-ups. Ducks #13
In a year of bickering, rumored departures, and an overall low excitement level in the RMFL, The Follower's preditions and ranking have definitely been a bright spot. And while picking the winners of RMFL games isn't nearly as hard as picking NFL games, having a perfect record is quite impressive! Follower has done a fantasic job this year!
I'm going to venture a guess that Sarge saying the Shock will be wearing White has something to do with the prescribed Black-out that the Rebels have requested from their fans on their facebook page. I don't think they want their fans colors to match the Shock's uniforms
Shock and Rebels- I know I'm not the follower, but do you think this.is a good reflection of what the fans will see tonight? http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2012/06/02/rebels-and-shock-face-off-in-battle-for-first-place/
Don't feel bad over your blemish (Game #1)! 97% - 3% on the picks, I'm going to say that someone stepped out on a limb. A $10 bet would have got you $323.33 in Vegas if I'm doin my math right.
Haven't heard a final from the Reb-Shock game yet, is it Final 26-20? Sounds like a hell of a game.
Yes that was the final and yes it was I just finished writing my article on the Shock @ Rebels game and when my editor gets it posted you all will be able to at least see my perspective on how the game went.
Follower's prediction on the Rebels-Shock game was right and wrong. He was right in that he said if it "comes down to the final 4 minutes I give the edge to the Rebels" Here's my article if you'd like to read more http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2012/06/03/rebels-pull-a-few-tricks-from-their-sleeve-to-secure-victory/
Let me quickly say CONGRATULATIONS to the Gladiators and Rebels for doing what 32 previous teams couldn't this year...prove me wrong!!!
My record now carries a blemish (34-2 overall this season) which means that I can forget about the "perfection" and focus on making some REAL predictions.
Great Falls, I cannot say congratulations enough...you beat a team that NEEDED the win and REQUESTED to play you on that exact date to secure your first AAA victory and you did it in your final home game. While it wasn't at Memorial Stadium, I'm sure your hometown faithful still appreciated the opportuntiy to celebrate.
Dixie, another commendable performance. While the crowd wasn't as large as I had hoped (I'd estimate somewhere between 800-1000 people in attendance) they were every bit as raucus as one could hope for. Great Job Sarge...your angry birds game ate up my childrens allowance for the week :) All I'll say is hopefully throwing all your eggs in on that game (playing Fields and Stokes) doesn't hurt you for your post season run. You have two weeks to rest/heal up...get busy
Everyone else...one more week of regular season football...and for MANY of you, this will be my last week ever mentioning your name/team on this board...
you idiot! you obviously dont know how the rebels work! Wayne, Andy, Sarge all work together to run this team. They do a great job and have accomplished all they have said plus a lot more.
you would be lucky to have Sarge, Wayne, Andy as the owners of your team.
on top of that wayne & andy coach the defense and offense. so take your stupid comments somewhere else
