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af2 Nation

by Walter L. Johnson II
June 1, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)


We have now reached the halfway point of the 2005 arenafootball2 regular season, and it's time for a midseason update. We'll go division by division, and briefly analyze each team, and its prospects for the remainder of the regular season. So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!

EAST DIVISION: The Manchester Wolves have been one of the biggest surprises of the af2 so far this season, as they are 7-1 under first year head coach Ben Bennett, who, ironically, led the Florida Firecats to the Arena Cup title last year. Meanwhile, the Green Bay Blizzard has quietly made its own impression, going 6-2, and still in the thick of the American Conference playoff race despite being slaughtered by a previously winless Birmingham Steeldogs squad, 55-26. Louisville (5-3) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (4-4) also figure to mount serious challenges for a playoff spot despite their recent struggles. And the Albany (N.Y.) Conquest (2-6) has it work cut out for it if it has hopes of reaching postseason play.

SOUTH DIVISION: While Florida (7-1) has definitely been the class of the South Division thus far in 2005, the other four teams have struggled, with all of them having a combined record of 7-25. If there's any team in the South Division besides the Firecats that could make a playoff run, it's the Macon Knights, who could still sneak into postseason play despite a 3-5 record, and a coaching change. After making the playoffs in three years as the Cape Fear Wildcats, the South Georgia Wildcats have been of the af2's major disappointments, going 2-6 despite among the league leaders in attendance this season. As for the Arkansas Twisters and Birmingham Steeldogs, who are both 1-7, they'll likely have to settle for playing spoiler in the second half of the regular season.

MIDWEST DIVISION: The Memphis Xplorers have had a fast start out of the gate, going 7-1, and moving into first place, with their lone loss coming against Quad City. On the other hand, the Amarillo Dusters have been yet another pleasant surprise in the af2 in 2005, going 5-3 in their inaugural season thus far. Oklahoma City has been a "Jekyll & Hyde" for much of the season, as the Yard Dawgz bring a 4-4 mark into the second half. The Steamwheelers have fallen on hard times of late, losing four straight contests to fall to 3-5 after getting off to a fast start. And the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings (1-7), in spite of having one of the worst records in the af2, could spoil somebody's playoff run over the season's last nine weeks, as their lone win came against Florida, the defending Arena Cup champion.

WEST DIVISION: This might be the most competitive of all the divisions within the af2, as three teams, Tulsa (6-2), Rio Grande Valley (5-3), and Central Valley (5-3), all are separated by one game in the standings. The biggest surprise out of this trio has to be the Dorados, who enter Week 10 having won four straight games after a 1-3 start. But the big question is can RGV maintain that momentum in the second half. Only time will tell. On the flip side, the defending West Division champion Bakersfield Blitz have struggled to meet expectations, as it brings a 3-5 record into the regular season's second half. As for the San Diego Riptide, that team has had its share of struggles too, going 2-6 to land in the division basement.

A LOOK AHEAD: Now that the regular season has reached the halfway point, each game becomes even more critical for teams that want to make the playoffs in August. With that in mind, let's take a look at the key games for Week 10.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (4-4) at Green Bay (6-2): The Pioneers head west to begin the second half of the regular season, taking on the Blizzard in the only Friday night game for this week. Green Bay hopes to bounce back from an embarrassing road loss at Birmingham last weekend.

Rio Grande Valley (5-3) at Oklahoma City (4-4): The Dorados look to extend their winning streak to five straight games with a win over the Yard Dawgz on the road. Last week, the Dorados overcame a 16-0 halftime deficit to defeat South Georgia on the road 39-37.

Louisville (5-3) at Quad City (3-5): The Steamwheelers play host to the Fire in this critical match-up. Quad City finds itself in a must-win situation if it has any hope of staying in playoff contention, as the Steamwheelers will try to snap a four-game skid.

Tulsa (6-2) at Central Valley (5-3): The Talons make the trip west to California to face the Coyotes, with at least a share of first place in the West Division on the line.

QUICK PICKS:

Last Week: 6-2

Season-To-Date: 50-28 (.641)

Green Bay over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

Albany over Bossier-Shreveport

Manchester over Macon

Florida over Birmingham

Memphis over Arkansas

Amarillo over South Georgia

Rio Grande Valley over Oklahoma City

Louisville over Quad City

Bakersfield over San Diego

Central Valley over Tulsa

CLOSING COMMENT: Bobby Humphrey finally won his 50th career game as an af2 head coach, as mentioned earlier, as Birmingham crushed Green Bay 55-26. The milestone came after the Steeldogs started this season 0-7. Congratulations, Coach Humphrey!



arenafootball2 Stories from June 1, 2005


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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