af2 Playoff Preview
Jason Moyer
Wednesday August 3, 2005
The teams are split into two conferences, similar to the AFL’s system. Six teams from each conference qualified for the playoffs with the top two seeds earning a first-round bye. Following is a look at the team-by-team breakdown and predictions for the upcoming playoffs, broken down by conference.
American Conference
#1 Florida Firecats (14-2): Florida recorded an 8-1 record against playoff teams this season and has won their last five games. The Firecats finished the season second in scoring defense allowing 39.8 points/game, while scoring 45.1 points/game on offense. Quarterback Chris Wallace (80 passing TD’s), Magic Benton (105 receptions), and Steven Gorrie (345 rushing yards) are key players for the defending champion Firecats.
#2 Manchester Wolves (12-4): Manchester posted a league high 10-game winning streak. The Wolves have an 8-4 record against playoff teams, but have stumbled to the gate finishing 2-2 in their last four. The Wolves allowed the third lowest points this season 42.9 points/game, but recorded only 12 sacks, the fewest in af2. J.J. McKelvey led the league with 138 receptions, and Jake Eaton is the second highest rated passer.
#3 Louisville Fire (11-5): Louisville comes into the playoffs on a roll. They are undefeated in their last five games, defeating three playoff teams in that stretch. Matt Sauk led the league with 99 touchdown passes. Rob Mager was Sauk’s favorite receiver as the two connected for 39 touchdowns. Lineman Andrew Tippins recorded 4.5 sacks and five forced fumbles in only seven games this season.
#4 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (9-7): Wilkes-Barre/Scranton went 5-7 against playoff teams this season. The Pioneers have settled on Brian Snyder as their quarterback after replacing Kyle Rowley. Rocco Forgione set team records with 104 receptions, 1363 yards, and 32 touchdowns. Last seasons Rookie of the Year J.R. Thomas missed five games with a broken ankle, but is healthy for the playoffs.
#5 Green Bay Blizzard (9-7): Green Bay limps into the playoffs 1-3 in their last four games, with the win coming against 3-13 South Georgia. The team’s strength is its defense, finishing second with 29 interceptions and tied for third with a +11 turnover ratio. Ryan Bowers led the team with nine interceptions. Quarterback Johnny Turman led the offense with 68 passing touchdowns.
#6 Macon Knights (8-8): Macon was just 1-7 versus playoff teams this year. They are 3-1 in their last four games, but none of those wins were against quality opponents. Offensive Specialist Chris Johnson led the team with 113 receptions, ranking eighth in the league. Matt Jackson posted nine interceptions on defense. Quarterback Lionel Hayes protects the ball well throwing 70 touchdowns while suffering 15 interceptions.
American Conference Predictions:
1st Round games:
#3 Louisville vs. #6 Macon: Freedom Hall is unavailable next weekend forcing the game to be played in Macon. Despite this fact, look for Matt Sauk to the lead the Fire to victory against the Knights
#4 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton vs. #5 Green Bay: These teams split their regular season series 1-1 with each team winning on the road. Green Bay is stumbling into the playoffs and the Pioneers have home field. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton wins a tight one.
2nd Round games:
#1 Florida vs. #4 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton: Florida’s defense will be too much for the Pioneers inconsistent offense. Florida heads to the conference championship game winning easily at home.
#2 Manchester vs. #3 Louisville: The Wolves will look to avenge a week 15 loss to Louisville. The Fire may be hot, but Manchester is too talented to let this one get away. Manchester advances in what could be a classic.
American Conference Championship:
#1 Florida vs. #2 Manchester: It is hard to pick against the defending champions, but Manchester is the more talented team. Former Florida coach Ben Bennett provides the advantage as the Wolves move onto ArenaCup 2005.
National Conference
#1 Memphis Xplorers (13-3): Memphis finished the league with the best scoring offense and defense in the league, 55.8 and 37.8 points/game respectively. Khreem Smith recorded 17 sacks and Dahnel Singfield snared 11 interceptions. Brian Snyder led the league with a 123.1 passer rating. Their only downfall could be a 5-3 record against playoff teams.
#2 Tulsa Talons (11-5): Tulsa finished strong with a 3-1 record in their last four games, with all of the victories against playoff teams including a 44-41 win against #1 Memphis. The Talons finished third in the league in scoring with 55.6 points/game. Quarterback Josh Blankenship tied for third with 89 passing touchdowns. Donovan Morgan lead the entire league with 57 touchdowns and has great size at 6’3" and 205 pounds.
#3 Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (10-6): Oklahoma City finished 7-5 against playoff teams this year, after starting 0-4 against those squads. They are 3-1 in their last four, including a 77-52 drubbing of first round opponent Amarillo. Quarterback Craig Stickland leads the offense and is the leagues fourth rated passer. Jarrail Jackson finished third in the league with 1,636 receiving yards.
#4 Rio Grande Valley Dorados (10-6): Rio Grande Valley is one of only two teams in the playoffs to give up more points than they scored. The Dorados finished third in the league with 28 interceptions. WR/DB Marquis Floyd is one of the more talented two-way players in the league. Floyd finished tied for third with nine interceptions and ranked ninth with 1,452 receiving yards.
#5 Quad City Steemwheelers (9-7): Quad City will play a playoff game on the road. That is big news around af2. The Steemwheelers like their first round opponent, Rio Grande Valley, gave up more points than they scored. Quarterback Sam Clemons ranked third with a 66.2% completion percentage. Travis Burns finished with 109 receptions good for ninth in the league. Matt Forbes picked off nine passes on defense.
#6 Amarillo Dusters (8-8): Amarillo limps into the playoffs on a four game losing streak. The Dusters finished second in the league in scoring with 55.8 points/game, but 16th in scoring defense. Chris McCollister led the league in receiving yards with 1,866. Julian Reese is the leagues fifth rated passer with a 113.6 rating. Joe Massey tied for third in the league posting 6.5 sacks on the season.
National Conference Predictions:
1st Round games:
#3 Oklahoma City vs. #6 Amarillo: Oklahoma City swept the season series against Amarillo and is 8-2 in their last 10 games. The Dusters lack of defense will be too much to overcome. Oklahoma City wins going away.
#4 Rio Grande Valley vs. #5 Quad City: Both teams gave up more points than they scored. Another rarity is that these two teams did not meet during the regular season. Look for Quad City’s experience help them gain the victory.
2nd Round games:
#1 Memphis vs. #5 Quad City: Memphis led the league in scoring offense and defense, along with sacks, interceptions, and turnover ratio. Only a Steemwheeler fan would pick Quad City. Memphis advances.
#2 Tulsa vs. #3 Oklahoma City: Two talented teams, but somebody has to lose. Oklahoma is 7-1 in their last eight games against playoff opponents. A team with momentum can be very dangerous. Oklahoma City wins on the road.
Conference Championship:
#1 Memphis vs. #3 Oklahoma City: A grueling contest against Tulsa leaves Oklahoma City exhausted against the leagues top team. Memphis is 7-1 at home and has too much talent for the Yard Dawgz.
ArenaCup 2005
Memphis Xplorers vs. Manchester Wolves: A game worthy of championship status. Memphis defense could be too much for the Wolves to handle. Manchester can win if they play a perfect game. Perfect games are hard to come by. Memphis wins the championship.
Who do you got?
Jason Moyer is an elementary school teacher in the western New Jersey area. He is an avid follower of the Arena Football League and has been covering the Philadelphia Soul with ArenaFan.com since 2005. Jason resides in Whitehall, PA with his wife and daughter.
