Rocky Mountain Football League

With the last week of the season, just as in most leagues in America, we have teams who have only pride to play for while we have teams who are still playing for the post season.  The Idaho Division is still up in the air as far as seeding goes and there is still one team that needs to be eliminated from the post season.  The other two divisions are set for the most part and this week’s games are for the fun of it.

Montana Division: This division is set with the Blaze taking the #1 seed based on the points allowed tie breaker and the Phoenix holding down the #2 seed even with a loss this week.

Snow Devils (2-5) @ Phoenix (6-1): The Phoenix are peaking at the right time and are looking good for a deep post season run.  They have taken themselves out of the shadow of the Blaze and should finish strong hitting the post season in stride.  With the Snow Devils traveling and this being the last game of the season, I see a Snow Devil squad looking to play hard to the last whistle, but not enough talent or endurance to hold on against the Phoenix.  Phoenix 40+ Snow Devils 7

Bullets (3-4) @ Bearcats (0-7): The Bullets should be looking to finish their freshman season on a strong note, even though they are traveling to Helena.  The Bearcats have just been outmanned this whole season and are probably looking to just get out of this season and start building for the next.  The Bullets should pull away starting out the second half and finish in the .500 club (which is really good for a freshman year).  Bullets 28 Bearcats 7

Utah Division: The Utah Division is also set with the Oilers taking the #1 seed and the Stampede taking the #2 spot.  The only way this changes is with an Elko victory over the Oilers and Elko putting up 39+ points.

Cobras (4-3) @ Vipers (1-6): The Cobras are out of playoff contention with 2 losses in a row to the Stampede and the Oilers.  I know Jaye well enough to know that he will not take a .500 season this year, especially with starting out with such high hopes.  The question of this game is how well the Cobras will play.  Knowing they have no chance of a post season, this team could end up losing this game by going through the motions.  I just don’t see Jaye letting it happen though.  Cobras 28 Vipers 0

Oilers (6-1) @ Warriors (1-6): The Warriors freshman season is coming to an end and I would call it pretty successful.  Sure, they only won A game, but they made some good strides through the season.  The Oilers are coming to an end of regular season with their first ever playoff appearance on the horizon.  As long as the Oilers keep their eyes on this game and stop themselves from looking over the hedge at what’s on the horizon, they should get out of Elko with an easy victory.  I will say this though; we have all been victim to looking past a team that is not worth our attention and ending up with a loss.  I will also say it’s easier to do knowing you have the playoffs coming to your home town soon, so be careful.  Oilers 30+ Warriors 10

Idaho Division: Well, this playoff bracket is closer to being set after last week, but still not all the way.  The only knowns thus far are this: the Matadors will hold the #1 seed in Idaho and the Guardians, Sabercats and Diggers are out of playoff contention.   We also know that one of the Vikings, Mustangs or Generals will not be invited to post season play (I gave the Anarchy a bye on this since they are 40 points better in Points Against in these 4 teams).  This could all come down to points allowed as to who is left out and if that is the case, the Generals would be the probable victims of this tie breaker (on a side note, this is where strength of schedule comes into play since they play the Matadors twice, they have a tougher schedule opponents win % wise).

Mustangs (4-3) @ Anarchy (5-2): (GAME OF THE WEEK) The Mustangs are playing for the possible 4^th seed for the playoffs while the Anarchy have the #2 seed held down with a victory.  Will the Anarchy just cruise into the playoffs and look past this game? I would say no. This is hard hitting team that takes pride in every play.  The last time these two teams met, it was decided by 1 TD.  The Mustangs are without Koby (brought to light in last week’s post) which may hurt them in this game as no matter what you think about him as a person, he is an athlete and a playmaker.  All in all, I just don’t see the Mustangs holding up against the Anarchy in Arco and the Mustangs will be hoping for a Diggers and Matador win as they hold the tie breaker against the Vikings.  Mustangs 14 Arco 21

Vikings (4-3) @ Diggers (2-5): The Diggers are coming off of a loss to the Matadors and elimination from the post season.  With that being said, they also have the opportunity to avenge a May 12^th loss at home and not only finish the season strong, but possibly eliminating the Vikings from the post season as well (with a little help from the Mustangs and Generals). The Diggers sophomore season hasn’t lived up to the high hopes left with a playoff appearance from last year and I see them trying to end it on a high note.  The Vikings seem to be the better team, however, and should walk away with a W and probable 3^rd seed for the post season. Vikings 21 Diggers 7  

Sabercats (2-5) @ Guardians (0-7): A game for pride in Idaho with no playoff implications.  Sorry, folks, but this should be a boring game with the Sabercats taking over early and never looking back. The Guardians should look to build on this season and I am hoping they can pull off two touchdowns this game.  Sabercats 50+ Guardians 14

Generals (4-3) @ Matadors (7-0): (Other GAME OF THE WEEK) A rematch from a close/emotional game from a month ago.  The Generals are playing for the post season.  They need the W and either a Mustangs or Vikings loss to guarantee them an extra week of play.  They have a quick fire offense that is all about getting the ball into their receiver’s hands quickly and let them be the athletes they are to make a play.  They exploited the Matador defense a month ago and put up 38 points all the while having a very productive offensive day.  The Matadors are locked in at the #1 seed for Idaho and are holding the overall #1 seed, but stand to fall to the overall #3 or #4 seed if they lose this game (due to points allowed).  They are looking to hold home field advantage through June and also want to finish that unprecedented (for the team) undefeated regular season.   Although the Generals are a new team, these two teams are definite rivals with each other as there are friends both on the field and coaching on the sidelines of both these teams.  I see this being another tight game coming down to the last possession just like last game.  One more key thing to note on this game, it is incredibly difficult to beat a good team twice in one season.  This should be one hell of a game!!