“The Homecoming” game for Mr. Brad Thurber. For all of those who’ve been around as long as I have, do you guys remember how awesome the Gladiators were and thought they were? Well, they were pretty good, don’t get me wrong. However, when I think Gladiators, I don’t think about that, I think Brad Thurber.
Brad borrowed some extra Muddog gear in the 2007 All-Star game and since then we’ve been pretty good friends. Something tells me, this is going to be like when Joe Montana returned to San Francisco. The Gladiators have been inconsistent lately, but one thing has been good and that’s their defense. The Sting had a week to figure out exactly where they belong in this year’s AAA division and I think it’s behind the veteran leadership of a throwing QB. The only problem with that—well, time. No, Brad’s not that old, but the time he has to throw the ball is not very good. For whatever reason I have belief that Brad is going to want this game more than his teammates and the Gladiators defense is going to be a little too much for the Sting offensive line. Sorry Brad.
Sting 20 Gladiators 24
Vipers @ Stampede
The Stampede got back on track on the road last week as I expected and I don’t expect them to lose too much steam. However, this Vipers team is a completely different team. They’ve got the weapons on offense to truly build off of and be relevant sooner than later. If Sherwood can just get a little time to find some of his WRs, the AA champs will be a formidable opponent for anyone.
I’ve always been a Mike Jenkins fan and I always think when he is on the field the Stampede have a chance to win. This shootout takes me back to the Vipers versus the Rockets back in the day. I like Jenkins but I promised Vipers #17 I’d pick them to win also.
I lied.
Stampede 24 Vipers 21
Matadors @ Anarchy
Just last year these two teams were battling it out to see who would win the Idaho division and enter into the Tier 1 playoffs---fast forward and these two teams are playing to win their first game. The Anarchy has battled it out but they just can’t seem to find a rhythm.
The Matadors have also battled it out, but also cannot find a rhythm. I flipped a coin on this one.
Matadors 27 Anarchy 17
Loco Express @ Mustangs
The Mustangs have to be the biggest surprise this year. They’ve carried the momentum of the Stealth game and now they really have a chance to position themselves as a top contender in the Northern division. They have the benefit of hosting the Loco Express this week who found out last week what it was like to be a “Power 4” team.
Shane Jurasek makes his debut for the Loco Express this week—will this help or hurt them I don’t know. They were already a top Northern team without him, I think by adding him they might just solidify themselves as a 1 or 2 seed in the North. However, if there is a team that can make some noise and really prove something, it’s the Idaho Mustangs.
I expect a close game and I expect Shane to make a difference—barely.
Loco Express 28 Mustangs 27
Snow Devils @ Bulldawgs
The Snow Devils travel to Jerome this week in a must-win game. With how the Northern division is playing out, they have to win the games on the road so they can battle it out with the other Montana teams. Every game is critical because with the set up of the playoffs, hosting a Utah team in the playoffs will be a huge advantage.
The Bulldawgs just can’t find the rhythm that they need. They face a decent offensive Snowdevil team, but they have a chance at a real shootout this week. What defense can make the necessary stops that they need to? I see a high scoring, no defensive strategy ball game on Saturday. Brad Cook likes to pad his stats during garbage time anyways, so this will be fun.
Bulldawgs 38 Snowdevils 42
CO-GAMES OF THE WEEK
Before my analysis of the next two games, let’s just get real. The following four teams are dubbed the “Power 4” for a reason. With the exception of my Shock squad, since 2009 one of these teams has won the championship. And also since 2009, at least 3 out of these 4 teams have played in the semi-finals. ALSO Since 2009, not one other team not from Saint George, named Stealth, Shock or Rev has played in the AAA Championship game. I mean—I guess the other predictions to claim to be ignorant. Ignorance is bliss.
Revolution @ Stealth
These two teams are familiar foes. There are a lot of the Rev defensive guys who use to run with Wissler when they were the Bears and the Heat. Guys like IK was just over with the Stealth last year so these guys know each other well. With the exception of the 2012 championship game—the REV own the Stealth.Since the Stealth was formed in 2012, they’ve only beat the Rev that one time in that championship game. And the guy who won the game for them is now on the Rev roster..again.
I’m not going to lie, even writing this write up I had to think and rethink that Harold played with the Rev, then the Stealth, then is now back with the Rev. The Stealth need a win badly after a disappointing show a few weeks ago, and the Rev are on a mission.
If Wissler is throwing 6 picks against the Stangs, he’s going to be in a load of trouble with Angel, Harold, Ghost and such lurking the secondary. The Stealth WRs have to step up. If they don’t, this game may get ugly.
Revolution 35 Stealth 21
Lions @ Shock
Any time the Shock has played against the St. George team it has been a good game. They’ve met 9 times with the team from Saint George winning 6 of those 9. However, of those 9 games, 5 of those games have been within 7 points or less. To say that this game won’t be good is just pure assumption. Based off of history—this game should be good.
Last year the Shock traveled to Saint George and held their own. After an onside kick and a dominating performance by Misi Tupe, the Rebels (now Lions) came away with a victory in double OT. This year however—you have two different teams. Everyone keeps talking about Misi and the Lions, but here’s an interesting fact: Last time a team from Saint George played a game at Granger High School against a Power 4 team, they had a very good RB play for them--- Fahu Tahi.
Fahu is currently on the Lions roster and a RBs coach at Granger (his alma mater). Fahu played with the Dixie Rebels in 2012 for one game against the Wasatch Revolution and carried the ball 15 times for 186 yards. It’s one thing when Misi has his legs and his WRs as weapons—but what if Fahu shows up? It was April 21, 2012 when Fahu last played in the RMFL--- It was May 2, 2012 when the Jacksonville Jaguars signed him.
Fahu could be the x-factor in this game, but the bottom line is—you still have to play the game. The Shock has benefitted from a weak schedule, but things are clicking on all cylinders. QB Jordan Wager is playing outstanding football and the combination of Hooper, Thomas, and Thornton is creating nightmares for secondary’s across the league. Add the fact that George Allums is running the ball at a high level makes this Shock offense scary as well.
Keys to the game won’t be who will or will not be there, but it will come down to clock management and turnovers. Both teams are statistically defensively sound and if they can force the other team’s offense to make a mistake—that truly will be the x-factor.
Sunday night I had the Lions winning over us by quite a bit—yesterday morning I had them by a TD. Today---
Shock 20 Lions 24
Ask me again who I got on Saturday, I’ll bet you I change my mind. =)
AA
Warriors 21 Diggers 14 – Elko at home.
Guardians 13 Outlawz 8 – Please—make it worth the gate fee for your fans.
-- Edited by KytoKhouang on Tuesday 21st of April 2015 06:33:18 PM
Lions@Shock will be a really interesting and fun game to watch. If Tahi plays it could be a game changer. The Lions are already scary because of their running game and improved passing game. We'll see if the Shock can handle them.
FYI: The Lions and Shock have played 2 common opponents. The results were very similar for both. The Lions beat the Cobras 39-2 and the Vipers 45-13, The Shock beat the Cobras 37-2 and the Vipers 46-8. This will be a great game.
