First Round Playoff Preview
Keith Murphy
Monday July 28, 2003
American Conference
Mohegan at Cape Fear
The third seeded Cape Fear Wildcats (10-6) host the sixth seeded Mohegan Wolves (10-6) Saturday in Fayetteville. The Wildcats managed to fight off Greensboro down the stretch to win the Atlantic division. An 0 and 4 stretch in June and early July cost them a first round bye. The ‘Cats boast the fifth best overall offense in af2 and hope to use their offensive prowess and the home field advantage to move to the second round.
The sixth seeded Mohegan Wolves (10-6) spent the bulk of the season chasing Albany in the Northeast division. The Wolves have the top ranked scoring defense in af2, allowing an average of only 38.7 points per game. The Wolves will need a huge defensive effort to stop the ‘Cats and advance. This is Mohegan’s first playoff appearance.
Florida at Macon
It’s “déjà vu all over again” in Macon as the fourth seeded Knights (10-6) and the fifth seeded Firecats (10-6) tangle in the playoffs. Last season, the Firecats upset the Knights in the second round of the playoffs. This season, the Knights have been unable to find a way to beat Florida, dropping two regular season games to the Firecats. The Knights seem to have finally put it all together as evidenced by last weekend’s win over top seed Tennessee Valley. Macon will have to have a big game from quarterback Jermaine Alfred and OS Jacquez Rumph if they are to advance.
The Florida formula for success is simple: a smothering defense and an offense that plays mistake-free football. Last season, the Firecats used this formula en route to the conference championship game. The ‘Cats also find a way to create turnovers, boasting a +19 turnover margin this season, second best in the league. However, the ‘Cats are, once again, facing an uphill battle if they hope to win the cup.
Second Round Games
Top seeded Tennessee Valley (14-2) and second seeded Albany (13-3) earned not only a bye this week but the right to host the semi-final games next week. The second round match-ups depend upon the outcome of the first round games. Tennessee will host the lowest advancing seed, Albany the highest. The winners of the second round games will advance to the Conference Championship games.
National Conference
Witchita at Hawaii
The sixth seeded Witchita Stealth (8-7-1) travel to the islands to take on the third seeded Islanders (10-6). These two teams split two regular season meetings, each winning on their home turf. These two teams are nearly statistically identical and match up well with one another.
Hawaii, West division champions, are making their first playoff appearance in franchise history. The Islanders lead the league in rushing offense averaging over 50 yards per game. As unusual as this may be in the arena game the Islanders’ rushing game may prove to be a critical advantage in the game.
Arkansas at Bakersfield
The fourth seeded Arkansas Twisters (9-7) host the fifth seeded Bakersfield Blitz (8-7-1) in what will be their second matchup of the season. The Twisters knocked off the Blitz 44-37 in week seven. The Twisters boast the top Total Defense in af2 allowing an average of only 208 yards per game.
On the other side of scrimmage, the Blitz boast the third ranked total defense allowing only 211 yards per game. The two teams are also ranked first and second in pass defense. This battle of top defenses could come down to the team that makes the fewest mistakes as both squads excel at forcing turnovers. The two teams also rank high in turnover margin; with Bakersfield coming in at +8 turnovers and Arkansas at +6. Both teams are looking for their first playoff win.
Second Round Games
Top seeded Quad Cities and second seeded Tulsa earned not only a bye this week but the right to host the semi-final games next week. The second round match-ups depend upon the outcome of the first round games. The ‘Wheelers will host the lowest advancing seed, the Talons the highest. The winners of the second round games will advance to the Conference Championship games.
Dr. Murphy has nearly 20 years of media experience ranging from radio to the Internet. He has served as webmaster for two AF2 teams and the football team at Fort Valley State University. He is a professor at FVSU and directs www.bunniwerks.org, a non-profit rabbit rescue organization. He has been commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel. Murphy is also serving as a first party editor of af2 stories for ArenaFfan. For more information about Dr. Murphy see: www.keithmurphy.info
