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Picks, Pics & Previews
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Written by Matt Karweick
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Tuesday, 25 May 2010 06:40 |
Okay, kids, it's Monday night, pictures are uploaded, so it's time for me to think about next weekend...
Last Week: 5-0
Season: 9-2
Only one game on the docket for Memorial Day Weekend, but it's a doozy.
Crush-Predators
When I think about what Semi-Pro Football should be, Eau Claire comes to mind. A fabulous facility in Carson Park, loyal and rabid fans that show up in droves, and most importantly, MEDIA THAT ACTUALLY COVERS THE GAMES! I know here in the Green Bay market, it's the Packers or GTFO. I'm guessing it must be the same in Milwaukee, Madison, and the Twin Cities. Maybe I'm just biased in favor of Eau Claire because I spent a couple of years at the UW there in the mid-90's. I have some fond memories of Carson Park: the Homecoming Game, where most of the students were in the parking lot partying and the stadium was half empty; marching at halftime of another lopsided loss (yes, I was in the band) wearing a silly looking uniform; well, let's face it, I don't remember much of those days, probably why it took me seven years to graduate...
But I digress...
The Crush and Preds have put together possibly the most intense rivalry in Semi-Pro football in the state. The proximity of both teams and sharing Carson Park as home field contributes as well. Both teams are championship caliber and have each represented one half of the first 2 Elite Bowls (Crush lost EB1; Preds won EB2). The Crush had this matchup early on, but the Preds swept the season series last year en route to the Elite Bowl Championship. In a rabid atmosphere, I believe the Preds will make it three in a row.
Preds by 4
I'm taking the weekend off, the wife won't let me shoot this game, so stay tuned next Monday for Week 4 picks...Will I finally pick the team I work for? Stay tuned... |
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Picks, Pics & Previews
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Written by Matt Karweick
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Tuesday, 18 May 2010 18:34 |
Last week: 4-2
Okay kids, Week 1 is in the books and the playoffs are set. Just kidding, we got 2 more months of this yet, thank God.
Storm @ Gladiators
The Storm held off the Force for the better part of 3 Quarters until the Defense just got plum tired and dropped the season opener. The Gladiators settled down after giving up an early score and dispached the Arctic Blast in Week 1. Defense will be key in this matchup. If the Storm can keep from turning the ball over to the Gladiators' ball-hawking D and keep their own Defense resting on the sidelines, the Storm may pull off the upset. I'll still give it to the home team.
Gladiators by 7
Stampede @ Pioneers
A battle of unbeatens take place in St. Paul. The Pioneers, fresh off their 61-0 shellacking of the Phoenix, host the Stampede, who needed an extra frame to beat the Giants last week. If the Stampede want to pull off the upset, they may need to get a few extra horses out of the stable to keep that Pioneer D at bay.
Pioneers by 14
Force @ Blast
The Force overpowered the Storm late in the game last week, and took home a W. Meanwhile, the Blast took an early lead in Green Bay, but couldn't do much else against the Gladiator Defense. I don't expect them to do much against the Force's Darkside, who combined for a bunch of INT's and a fumble last week.
Force by at least 3 TD's
Spartans @ Dragons
The Spartans invade Minnesota to take on the Dragons. The Dragons proved they belong in the NEFL by taking the Defending Champs to OT before losing the opener in Carson Park. The Spartans gave a valiant effort against the Crush before falling in battle. The high-powered Spartan Offense needs to get on track if they want to take this one. It should be another close one, but I'll give it to the home team.
Dragons by 3
Phoenix @ Giants
It may be only Week 2, but it's starting to look like it will be another long season for the Phoenix. After getting wholloped by the Pioneers, they fly south to take on the Giants, who were unable to put away the Stampede in OT. Good news for the Giants is that they will get their first NEFL win. The good news for the Phoenix is they don't play the next week.
Giants by 3 TD's |
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Picks, Pics & Previews
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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 14 May 2010 10:24 |
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Lines 5/15/2010 11:25AM | (1) Pioneers @ (10) Phoenix | Pioneers -13.5
| | (11) Blast @ (7) Gladiators | Gladiators -6.5 | | (3) Force @ (9) Storm | Force - 11
| | (4) Crush @ (6) Spartans | Spartans -3.5 | | (12) Dragons @ (2) Predators | Predators -8
| (8) Stampede @ (5) Giants
| Giants -8.5 |
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Picks, Pics & Previews
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 13 May 2010 10:50 |
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From Photographer Matt Karweick, who travels with the Kimberley Storm and is a source of knowledge on the NEFL. "Pioneers @ Phoenix
The newcomer Pioneers travel across the Mississippi to take on the Phoenix. I have a lot of love for the Phoenix, they play with a lot of heart. However, in a game against a team the caliber of the Pioneers, heart only gets you so far.
Pioneers by at least 4 TD's
Arctic Blast @ Gladiators
The Blast blow south to visit the Gladiators. The Gladiators made a surprise run to the Conference Championship Game last season, while the Blast sank to new lows in '09, only winning 1 game. Seeing how the Blast fared in their preseason matchup last week against the Spartans, things don't look too well for the Frigid Men this season, either.
Gladiators by 20
Force @ Storm
The Force make the incredibly long journey from Appleton to Kimberly to take on the Storm. The Force did enough to make it to the Elite Bowl in '09, while the Storm didn't do much damage at all. The Force look like they've not missed a step, dispatching the Wauwatosa Spartans with ease two weeks ago, while the Storm have shown improvement over the last two weeks, holding off the IFL's Rock County Gladiators and following that by pitching a shutout over the Kilbourn City Hawks. The Storm have no doubt had this date circled, starred and highlighted ever since the schedule came out. This looks like a closer game than most people would expect. I'll still give it to the Force, because...well, I may be biased, but I'm not stupid.
Force by 3
Crush vs Spartans
Both of these teams seem to have improved this off season. Both teams were dominant in their respective preseason games. The difference in this game will be defense. The Crush rely on the short passes and the run. The Spartans will kill you with the pass, then hit you with the run if you play back. I think the Spartans have the D to keep the Crush at bay.
Spartans by 7
Dragons at Predators
Another newcomer to the League, the Dragons travel to Carson Park to take on the Defending Champs. To be honest, I have no idea how the Dragons will play. If I believe wisemipro.com, the Preds will dominate. Personally, I think it will be close. It's up to the Preds to prove me wrong (are you up to the challenge?). Plus, the home turf advantage is worth at least a touchdown.
Preds by 10
Stampede @ Giants
The Stampede gallop south to Rochester to take on the third newcomer, the Giants. The Stampede suffered a loss to the Dragons last week, and I'd assume the Giants are at least as strong as the Demons (I know I'm grasping at straws here, but it's somewhat logical). Add the travel, and I'll give the advantage to the Giants.
Giants by 14" For more from Matt, check out www.mjkphoto.us |
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