It's playoff time in indoor football, sort of...
by Danny Burnham
Published on July 9, 2009 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
While one league has already finished play, another is in the midst of post season play, and two more are winding down their regular season. In this installment of Indoor Football Weekly, we'll cover all of the bases, and I'll bet we can do it in less than 480 words. Let's start with the guys who are already done.
While I was asleep, the CIFL finished their season on June 28 with the Chicago Slaughter taking top honors. The Slaughter defeated the Ft. Wayne Freedom 49-40 in the CIFL Championship game. With the win, head coach Steve McMichael and his boys wrapped up a perfect season with a record of 14-0. Can anybody out there say we didn't see that coming?
Currently in the semi-final round of their playoffs, is the AIFA. On Monday, the Columbus Lions will host the Reading Express in the Eastern finals, while Utah Valley will hit the road to Wyoming to take on the Cavarly on Friday.
Last week Columbus defeated South division rival Fayetteville, 45-36, while Reading handed Baltimore a 50-20 drumming in the North.
Out west, Wyoming hammered Ogden 63-10 and Utah Valley thumped New Mexico 59-21 to wrap up the regular season. Now I know what you're thinking. Yes folks, the four-team west was finishing its regular season after the east started its playoffs. Who are we to question that?
The IFL is wrapping up their season this week, and the divisional front runners look as good as any in the sport. Billings (12-1), El Paso (11-2), Maryland (10-4), and Omaha (10-3) lead their respetive divisions. There are however three teams who have, or will qualify for the playoffs with less than .500 records. Fairbanks, could pull to an even 7-7 mark with a win over Alaska in the final week of the season, while Colorado (5-9) and San Angelo (5-8)will just skate in well below that.
In the SIFL, Louisiana is the class of the field late in the season with a 12-1 record. Austin sits in 2nd place at 8-2, and Acadiana holds the 3rd spot at 6-4. There are no other teams with even a .500 record in the league, but with the less than stellar record of 1-8 Texas can earn the fourth playoff spot with a victory over Austin or if Houma loses to Acadiana. Another group of world beaters, the Houma Conquerors can nab the fourth spot with a win over Acadiana, or a Texas loss to Austin. Texas has the head to head tiebreaker over Houma with a with a +5 point differential.
That's it. And in only 479 words. I told you I'd make it less than 480. Go out and watch a game near you this weekend.
Indoor Football League Stories from July 9, 2009
- It's playoff time in indoor football, sort of... - OSC Original by Danny Burnham
- This Week in the IFL - IFL
- Thurman Thomas To Attend Raiders Practice Tonight - Rochester Raiders
- Lightning Girl MVP's of the Week - Sioux Falls Storm
- 5th Annual Jersey Off the Back Silent Auction - Sioux Falls Storm
- Tommy Staples Named IFL Special Teams Player of the Week - San Angelo Stampede Express
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.
