Final week of the AFL season

First of all fans, I've been away from this site because I've run another computer into the ground. I've now purchased my 4th computer since 1988 and I'll probably keep this one until I destroy it too.

Let's get on with it:

This year was an unusual one for the AFL. First and foremost, the league saw its best division, the Southern Division, struggle this season. Both the Orlando Predators and the Tampa Bay Storm (Six Championships, 14 Arenabowl appearances between them, and two of the title games were Predators vs Storm) started out with dismal performances yet made the playoffs. While the Western division seemed to romp easily through the league. This year's championship game will pit two teams from the Western Division for the first time in AFL history.

It is apparent to all of us who have been watching this game for many years that the level of play is higher than it has ever been. The game is attracting better and better players. In a game that features high scores and wide open offenses, this can lead to a lot of excitement. Next year, NBC will televise AFL games to national audiences every Sunday, and the rest of the nation will get a good taste of what the game is all about.

This weekends Championship game should be an exciting one. The San Jose Sabercats, who lost only one game this season, will host their Division rival's, the Arizona Rattlers. San Jose has the #1 offense in the league, but the Rattlers are not far behind, and the Rattler defense is pretty good. Both teams love to light up the scoreboard.

Who do I like in this game? Well, the Rattlers have several key players who have two rings already; their QB Sherdrick Bonner, and WR/LB Hunkie Cooper, just to name two, and the Sabercats are relative rookies to the big game. With the possible exception of the great Barry Wagner, who has a ring and 4 appearances in ArenaBowls. Also, during the regular season these two teams met twice with the Sabercats winning the first game and the Rattlers handing San Jose it's only loss, in the second game.

All that said and done, I'm gonna take the Sabercats at home. San Jose has few weaknesses, it is strong in offense, defense, and special teams. I thought that when their starting QB got knocked out of the game and the season in that game against the Rattlers, that it would spell the end for them but back up QB John Dutton has done a fine job.

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