Elite Kickoff has posted its week five preview and predictions article. Fortunately, we have a full slate of games this weekend after a slow week four. If you have anything to add, feel free to discuss it here at the forum. Thanks for reading!
http://www.elitekickoff.com/2010/04/...dictions.html/
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (1-2) at Dallas Vigilantes (0-2)
Date: Friday, April 30th
Time: 8:30PM Eastern
TV: N/A
Key Players (OKC): QB Tommy Grady, WR Anthony Hines, DB Fred Shaw
Key Players (Dallas): WR Derek Lee, WR/KR Kenny Henderson, DB Eddie Moten
EK’s Take: This is another match-up between struggling teams. Oklahoma City is 1-2, and Dallas is still looking for their first win. The Vigilantes are coming off their second bye of the season. Quarterback Collin Drafts did a nice job in his first start, throwing for 212 yards and four touchdowns. Receiver Kenny Henderson has been a nice surprise so far and is seventh in the AFL in all-purpose yards (476). Derek Lee has 18 catches for 235 yards and three scores on the year. The Dallas defense has been respectable so far, but they haven’t forced many turnovers. Eddie Moten leads the way with 11 tackles and one interception.
The Yard Dawgz had a great shot at winning last weekend’s game against Iowa, but penalties absolutely crushed them. They ended with 17, and that gives them 46 total for three games. Tommy Grady has had a nice season so far. He has thrown 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions. Al Hunt has five receiving touchdowns as well as three rushing scores, and Anthony Hines had a good game last weekend. The defense has been pretty good other than penalties, but those have come in very untimely situations. Fred Shaw is the defensive leader, and he also leads the team with 25 tackles.
On paper, these two teams match up very well. Both defenses are pretty solid, and both have enough weapons on offense to score plenty of points. The key in this game will be which team can keep from beating themselves. Dallas hasn’t been penalized as much as OKC, but they are still averaging 10 per game. The Vigilantes will be at home, and it’s hard to see them starting the season 0-3. I can’t see the Yard Dawgz cleaning things up enough to get this tough road win.
Cody’s Prediction: Dallas by 10
Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings (2-1) at Utah Blaze (0-3)
Date: Friday, April 30th
Time: 9:05PM Eastern
TV: CW30 (Utah)
Key Players (B-S): QB Raymond Philyaw, WR P.J. Berry, WR Randy Hymes
Key Players (Utah): QB Brett Elliott, WR Aaron Boone, WR Chris Francies
EK’s Take: Bossier-Shreveport is coming off a bye after starting the season 2-1. Utah has played the last three weeks, but they are still winless. Brett Elliott continues to play well for the Blaze, however. So far this year, he has thrown for 669 yards and 11 touchdowns. Aaron Boone leads the team in receptions with 25 and is also in the top-ten in the league with seven touchdowns. Receiver Chris Francies had a very good game last weekend as well. Utah’s defense has struggled mightily so far this season. They are giving up 350 yards and 65 points per game. Tour’e Carter leads the team with 22 tackles.
The Battle Wings have been one of the early-season surprises so far in 2010. Raymond Philyaw has thrown 26 touchdowns and only one interception. P.J. Berry has also been great, and he leads the AFL in all-purpose yards (674) and is tied for first in touchdowns (13). Randy Hymes came out of nowhere in the team’s last game and will be an impact player from here on out. Bossier-Shreveport’s defense, on the other hand, hasn’t been very strong. They have given up over 345 yards and 64 points per contest. Roland Cola leads the team in tackles with 27, while Roshawn Marshall has racked up 25 tackles and an interception.
This game is intriguing because Utah has a real chance to get their first win of 2010. That being said, their defense will have to step up and at least get a couple stops along the way. The Battle Wings are going to score a lot of points, and the most interesting match-up could be the Blaze offense against Bossier’s defense. Utah can stay in the game if they score 60 points, but the Battle Wings should have enough firepower on both sides of the ball to move their record to 3-1 on the early season.
Cody’s Prediction: Bossier-Shreveport by 6
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