WEEK 6 SFL NEWSLETTER
- Cameron Irvine
- Aug 2, 2014
- 5 min read
Feature of the Week
Crabs building a dynasty
When Tim Johnston first discovered the SFL, he wasn't quite sure what he discovered. Flash forward a mere four months later and the Baltimore Crabs sit atop the SFL standings with a chance to become the first team to start a season 4-0.
Many things have set Baltimore apart from other franchises as the premier team in the SFL. They're the Dallas Cowboys of the league with a lot of flare and a lot of dollars behind their operation only the Crabs aren't 8-8. Johnston's staff has also helped Baltimore - the only team with two coordinators working alongside an owner.
Not only has the team garnered big-time support, the players have responded and are playing top-notch football. Elliott Snider should pass up Pete Bruschi atop the running back leaderboards this week with OKC on a bye - he hasn't had a sub-200 yard game yet. Orlando has played one more game than Baltimore, otherwise Nick T. Quick would likely stand atop the charts in receiving yards. If Wes St. Clair wasn't having the greatest season that a SFL quarterback has ever had, Mike Dazzo would stand tall on that board as well.
Baltimore leads the league offensively averaging 38 points per game, 574.3 yards per game, 259 yards rushing per game, and 28:57 in time of possession. With all the help and support a sim franchise could ask for, the Crabs have a chance to make history. However, it's early. The team still lacks a signature win after escaping New York in the opener with a record-long field goal, catching Kevin Walker on his worst night of his career, and in a way had the game handed to them last week in Dallas.
They'll look to get that signature win this week against Kailua, who is feverishly trying to turn their season around after a 55-6 beatdown against New York in Week 5. Whether the Crabs ever win a title or not, their staff and their fans expect this type of playoff-caliber football for years to come.
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CHAMPIONS CLASH: Walker, Redfeather go head-to-head in Orlando
Sunday August 3 — San Francisco (1-2) @ Orlando (2-2), noon CT
All-time series: Series tied 1-1
Milestone tracker: Kevin Walker needs 4 yards to join Joseph Redfeather as the only two quarterbacks to throw for 7,000 yards in a career. He also needs 25 completions to join Refeather as the only two quarterbacks to throw 600 completions in a career. Lorenzo Allen needs 2 grabs to become the 8th receiver in league history with 100 catches. He's in only his second season as a WR.
ORLANDO — Last time San Francisco came in to The Dome, they were obliterated. Don't think they've forgotten. That 40-14 loss rings in the ears of San Francisco's faifthful as they try to pull the upset Sunday over the defending champs.
It will be the first time two championship-winning signal callers will face each other in league history. Both have fallen out of the top three in QB rating this season, however, so in a way both QB's will be trying to show Sunday they've still got the stuff to get it done.
It's not the best match-up for San Francisco, as Redfeather will go up against the league's best passing defense this year, while Orlando's run defense is 7th best against the run. San Francisco's last in rushing offense. The Bulldogs defense also has had trouble taking advantage of mistakes - 0 points off turnovers in the first 3 games. Orlando has turned the ball over a league-high 16 times in 4 games.
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NEW ENERGY: Wyverns practices have been loud, Crabs head West
Sunday August 3 — Baltimore (3-0) @ Kailua (1-2), 3 pm CT
All-time series: First meeting
Milestone tracker: Yuiya Aiba needs 13 receiving yards to join the 2,000-yard club. Nathaniel Graison needs 5 tackles to reach 100 for his career.
KAILUA — Kailua players have hung a 55-6 banner out at Landmark Coliseum this week at practice. The worst defeat in league history is fresh in the minds of Kailua, who's trying to turn the ship around and shock the league's hottest team - the undefeated Baltimore Crabs.
A tall-task awaits on both sides of the ball but Kailua knows they'll have to play better defensively. The Wyverns defense gives up the most points in the league (33.7) while Baltimore scores the most (38.0). It starts with Koyama Shigeaki, who only has 9 tackles, 3 passes defended and 0 interceptions in 3 games, replacing Koma Keleka. He'll be matched up against Nick T. Quick, who has nearly 500 yards in 3 games. That rookie v. rookie battle could decide the game.
Kailua has home-field advantage. They went 3-1 last year at home, going 1-1 in overtime games - their only loss to Orlando in OT 27-24.Their 1-0 at home to start the season and will need a lot of home-cookin' to put the Crabs back on what could be a very long plane ride home. It'll be a beautiful day for football: 80* at kickoff.
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HOME SWEET HOME: Knights return to Metro, face winless Dallas
Monday August 4 — Dallas (0-3) @ New York (3-1), 6 pm CT
All-time series: Series tied 2-2
Milestone tracker: We apologize, the milstone tracker for this game was incorrect in the newsletter. Please see the stat page to see where players stand all-time.
BUFFALO - Dallas and New York will meet for the fifth time Monday night. In the previous 4 meetings, all 4 home teams have won. Metro Stadium proved to be comfortable for the Knights two weeks ago against Kailua, and they'll look for the same magic again.
Wes St. Clair's season so far has been historical to say the least. The best quarterback rating in a SFL season has been 111.4. St. Clair's through the first three games: 126.5. The best completion percentage in a SFL season has been 74%. St. Clair's through the first three games: 87%. His brilliance, although stopped last week by OKC, has helped New York to a three-game winning streak.
For Dallas, they are just trying to get a season that has been full of controversy around. English is finally expected to get more carries this week. If he doesn't the Stars fans may just simply stop showing up. English is averaging the 2nd highest yards per carry average in the league (6.7) but has the least carries of any running back in the league (36). Getting him involved could start a move in the positive directon for the league's struggling franchise.
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