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Over a Cup of Coffee

by Jerry Hewitt
April 5, 2010 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)


Playoff bound?

This morning I want to take a few minutes and look at the early playoff picture in the AIFA. The league just finished its 5th week of play and a picture is starting to develop. From a competitive standpoint, from East to West this appears to be the best season to date for the AIFA. The league is split up into two divisions, East and West which makes it easier to see the puzzle and how the pieces are fitting together.

The Baltimore Mariners are off to their best start ever at 4-0 and look to have a place in the playoffs reserved, but others are nipping at their toes. They may lead the East today, but Harrisburg at 3-1 will have a say in the final standings. The Mariners are number one in the AIFA in scoring, averaging 65.2 points per game while Harrisburg is 6th at 38.2 per game. On defense the Mariners are ranked 4th in allowing 29.8 points per game, but that ranking is first in their division. Harrisburg comes in two spots below Baltimore at 6th and 33.5 points.

Baltimore's success is going to be determined by focus, if they can clearly look at just the next game and no further, they control their own destiny. Harrisburg on the other hand just has to keep winning and of course beat Baltimore in their one remaining game against each other May 2nd in Baltimore.

Both Reading and Richmond might slip in as division champs if either Baltimore or Harrisburg fall on hard times, but from what I've seen those 2-2 teams only stand where they are at the lower end of the Eastern Division because it is very weak. Of the three on the bottom, only Erie might improve enough to get into the playoff picture.

Out West the picture isn't quite as clear, and for the first time in AIFA history it may be more than just a one team race. The Wyoming Cavalry are 3-0, but the new boys on the block have sent a message to Wyoming that winning the West will not be the easy trip of years past. San Jose at 2-0 looms large on the Cav's radar as the two face each other for the first time April 16th in Casper.

Wyoming is second in points scored with 61.3, but is followed by San Jose with 58.0. On the defensive side, Wyoming is 7th, allowing 36.7 per game while San Jose is tied for first at 24.3. The problem for both San Jose and Wyoming may not be each other, but those two Washington teams, Yakima and Wenatchee, as both have shown themselves to be very competitive on the field.

The West this season is the more competitive of the two divisions. Any one of four teams might get the top spot, although Wyoming and San Jose have to be considered the favorites. On the bottom, the Arctic Predators have the last spot secured and nobody will challenge them for last place. Ogden, on the other hand, with Coach Coleman will improve. They may not make the playoffs, but won't just be an easy win for those looking to get a playoff spot.

Its good for once to see the Western Division of the AIFA more competitive, although I feel both Baltimore and Harrisburg are better teams than any out west.

Maybe a small thing

It always gripes me that indoor teams aren't more proud of the sport. Indoor football is much different than arena football. It's a slap in the face to both, in my opinion, when indoor teams bill themselves as arena football. If nothing else, the league they play in should put a stop to any team using the word 'arena.' It's an insult to both leagues and does nothing to improve the visibility of the indoor football name.

I'm proud to be a fan of indoor football, though I have no problem with arena. It's just not my cup of tea. Those who use the 'arena' name in promoting themselves clearly are not proud of the type of ball they play and feel using the 'arena' name makes them sound better. I'm not going to get into the argument of which style is better, that's not the issue. The issue is simple: if you chose to play indoor or arena, call it what it is.

I would ask the AIFA, CIFL, IFL, SIFL and the AFL to all band together and see that their teams don't blur the lines of either style by using the terms 'arena' or 'indoor' in error.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow I'll look at the CIFL and SIFL playoff pictures.

This article and more archived at The Indoor Football Report located at www.IndoorFootballNetwork.com Comments about this article or suggestions can be made to indoorbowl@yahoo.com



American Indoor Football Association Stories from April 5, 2010


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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