Our journey together this season is coming to an end this weekend in Boise Idaho, it culminates with the AA Division Championship game between the Boise Generals and the Great Falls Gladiators. Also on Saturday on the same field are the All-Star festivities. It is ironic to me that both of the teams I probably showed the least love to this season made it to the championship. But both teams deserve to be there, both have had spectacular seasons in their divisions. And both teams are filled with some pretty solid players. I want to say congratulations to all of the teams in this league; top to bottom your teams and owners should be proud of another successful season in the RMFL no matter how far you made it. Also for all those players selected to the All-Star game, congratulations, travel safe, play hard, and don't get in too much trouble Saturday night in Boise.
AA Championship Game
Great Falls Gladiators at Boise Generals - Generals 31-21
The Boise Generals led by BJ Rhode (my pick for AA MVP) are in the AA Championship game in just their second season in the league. After a first round exit from the playoffs last year they have virtually cruised through them this year with victories against the Utah Cobras and Idaho Matadors. Rhode had another spectacular year, passing for 2327 yards with 33 touchdowns and only 9 interceptions. Leading the league in all passing categories and leading the league with a 65.2 completion percentage. He leads an offense that is #1 in passing, scoring, and overall team offense. He is big, mobile, and fluid, he has a great pocket presence and has a great touch on the routes that require it. Have I mentioned the monster-receiving core they have yet? Jerry Smith, Britt Hall, and TJ Acree have all accounted for 28 touchdowns on the season. Smith alone has had his second successful season in the RMFL leading the league. The offense is efficient, moves at will, and possesses some impressive straight-line speed.
The Generals defense is impressive, big, fast, and strong. Brooks Engstrom leads them with 35.5 tackles. They particularly impressed me with their preparation in facing the Matadors for the second time this season. They are disciplined and are very good at getting penetration with their front seven. Guy Givens and Joel Gunstream are both capable of getting a crucial sack when needed. And on the back end Cam Hall is a ball hawk that is not afraid to lay the wood on a ball carrier. It felt like he was in on every tackle this past weekend. This defense is cohesive and difficult to push around. We are talking about the #1 ranked defense in the league that has only surrendered 22 points on the year. Impressive. Look for names like Quentin Bates, Zac Jockumsen, and Brian Seehawer to have their names called as well when the run down the ball carrier. Another thing that impressed me was the lateral speed their linebackers possess.
The Great Falls Gladiators are led by a comeback story some could say. But how could a QB who has hovered at the top of this league forever now be considered a comeback story? Well, after missing some time due to injury this season he was able to accomplish what not many QB's in this league could. Shane Jurasek came back from injury and led his team through the second half of the season and to the championship game, defeating the Anarchy and Bulldawgs to get there. He is fourth in the league in passing yards, #2 in touchdowns and #2 in completion percentage with 64.3 behind only BJ Rhode. If anyone knows Jurasek they know he does not panic, he is poised, and is not afraid to make the crucial throw. His favorite target is Marshanye Haynes who has accounted for over 500 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year. Terri Love, Matthew Gambrell, and Jermaine Saunders are some of his other targets of choice. Don't sleep on Matthew Kennerson though because he is more then capable of making a big play for them whether it be rushing or receiving. The Gladiators are 4th in team offense, and scoring. They have a top ten rushing attack and have the 7th ranked defense in the league.
On defense they are led by Mike Pease who leads the team with 34.5 tackles. But they gang tackle by committee that includes Benard Ayon, Matt Cable, and John Repko. These guys are hard hitters who like to tackle together and force the opposing QB to panic and it will be interesting to see how they handle the offensive line of the Generals. In defending the pass they have 8 different players who have one interception on the year. But their standout has to be Renayuard Dunn with 8 pass deflections on the season. This is another big, fast, and extremely tough defense that has only given up 73 points on the year.
My Analysis
This one will be interesting. The defensive backfield of the Gladiators is going to get a workout for the second straight week. They surrendered over 20 points to the Bulldawgs and a lot of passing yards. If they do that with the Generals they will lose Saturday. It is no secret that you have to shut down the Generals passing attack to beat them. I don't see the rushing attack being a problem for the Gladiators in this game. I could see this becoming an ole fashioned shoot out between these two offenses. I give the edge to the Generals on the defensive end and special teams. Special teams will have an impact on the game, I do believe the Gladiators offense will put up some points because this will be the best QB the Generals will face on the season; second to Bourner who they had running for his life most of the game this past Saturday. The ultimate factor will most likely be the battle in the trenches in this game; whichever defense gets the most pressure on the opposing QB could have the edge in defending the pass. The Generals were able to slow down the Matadors front seven by using quick screens at times and I think they will look to do that again this week. Both of these QB's are going to have to play their most efficient games of the season and be ready to jump on that horse when they need to. Another factor to keep an eye is the experience factor in this one. The Gladiators organization has been here before and I expect them to be fully prepared to do battle.
TURK OUT>>>>>>People always ask me "were you funny as a child?" Well...no
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Man a tough question. I honestly struggled with this one, went back and forth on it all week. In the end I believe this one is going to be close. Possibly a defensive stand or a special teams play making the difference. With the history and experience that Great Falls has. I may have decreased the deficit. But let me say even though I picked Generals by ten I would not be surprised if Jurasek and company shines because of that experience and shocks the league...would it be a shock though?
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Show me a gracious loser...And I will show you a bus boy...
Shane, as it turns out, the football gods have shined down upon me and I will be on hand for the game. It will be a pleasure to shake your hand definitely. You just won't know it's me sir! I look forward to watching you play! Good luck!
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Show me a gracious loser...And I will show you a bus boy...
what Side you gonna sit on Turk? You should do a write up on allstar and championship game afterward.Ooooo and a write up on them Boise girls.:) One Love
what Side you gonna sit on Turk? You should do a write up on allstar and championship game afterward.Ooooo and a write up on them Boise girls.:) One Love
Haven't decided yet, I will for sure be checking out the ladies, I have heard an awful lot about the Boise night life as well, I hope it doesn't disappoint! I will be looking to have a little fun after sitting out in the heat all day! Should be a blast all together.
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Show me a gracious loser...And I will show you a bus boy...
