Racine Threat @ Chicago
Thunder (MSFL)
Additional reporting courtesy Racine
Threat
In a game that can define what a season is made of the
Racine Threat will travel to Chicago to face off against
the three-time MSFL Champion Chicago Thunder. The
Thunder who have yet to lose a game in their MSFL days.
The Threat, on the other hand, have seen championship
opportunities come and go and have yet to finally
capture the elusive title.
While
this
may not be the championship game, the Threat believe
this game will define everything they have worked for
this season. It should be a test of defensive fortitude
with the Thunder outscoring opponents 183-6 and the
Threat giving up only 42 points (21 of which came in
their only loss). With speed and strength the Threat
look to get their running game back on track behind Greg
Sanders. The Thunder counter punch with a
backfield nicknamed the 44-33 Express led by
fullback Mark Mika and tailback Shawn Sierra.
Last
season the Thunder blew into Racine with force and
walked away with a 42-7 victory. The Threat tried
to counter in the playoffs but ended up falling short
13-7 in the Windy City.
Game time is 7:00pm at Hanson Stadium in Chicago.
Burlington Blue Devils @
Roscoe Rush (IFL)
Despite being the number two seed,
Burlington has yet to get respect. Even the IFL
website coined last weekend's double-overtime victory
over the #3 Wauwatosa Spartans "an upset". Roscoe
has been a dominant force most of the year, and the
assumption is that this match up will mirror the regular
season meeting between the two teams: 45-6 in favor of
the Rush.
However, the Blue Devils evidently
made some adjustments following that week 9 drubbing.
In back to back weekends, they beat the vaunted Spartans
on Wauwatosa home turf 20-6 and 13-7. Roscoe, on
the other hand, has been as consistent as consistent can
be. Their 48-14 win over the #4 McHenry Pirates in
the opening round of the playoffs served notice that
this team is clicking on all cylinders right now.
The IFL will be hosting this game for
the second straight weekend, denying the Rush hosting
rights. Burlington will travel with a strong fan
base, but never count out the Rush supporters.
Rumors abound that Rush tailback DJ Spencer may miss the
game for personal reasons. Roscoe's offense my
suffer some, but this match-up should ultimately be
about defense. Whoever stands stoutest when the
offenses threaten will emerge victorious and challenge
the Madison Mustangs (probably) in the Iron Bowl.
Game time is 7:30pm Saturday at
Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Illinois Firehawks @ Beloit
Titans (GMFL)
Beloit is headed for the playoffs at 8-1 and as the
probable #1 seed in the Midway conference, but they will
have to get through the Firehawks to ensure that
opportunity. The Titans have impressed mightily in
their first season, and are poised to make a lot of
noise deep into the post-season.
The Firehawks will enter Beloit at
6-3, with two losses coming at the hands of the other
8-1 team, the Chicago Cardinals. Not a team to be
trifled with, they bring one of the GMFL's best defenses
with them to take on the Titans, the Midway's best
offense. Both teams are playing for playoff
positioning, so expect nothing to be left in the tanks.
Game time is 3:00pm Saturday in
Beloit.
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