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Missed the BFL Bowl, check out the Highlights of the Icebergs win. BFL Bowl VI For more BFL Highlights, Check out or Video Section Videos! Also, Check out some of the best Photos of 2003 Photos! |
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| The Fear Factory is an opinion column that includes indepth analysis of the BFL. All Fear Factories are writen by Sean. Sean plays on the Fear and is a commentator during BFL games. His opinions may not nessessarily be that of the BFL. | ||
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Welcome to the Fear Factory. In this, the special edition of the Fear Factory, I am going to give you, the BFL fan, a comprehensive report on what is going to happen this season. I'm whipping out the crystal ball, analyzing results and final scores for every one of this season's game, including the post-season. So sit back, and get ready for… THE FEAR FACTOR BFL 2003 CAMPAIGN ANALYSIS I.
The BFL Season I. The 2003 BFL Season Eight teams will begin the 2003 season, all with their eyes on a spot in BFL Bowl VI. But who will make it there? Read on folks, read on. A. Interleague Matchups These games are often huge in order to determine who makes the playoffs. The Gamblers and Sparrows, victors in their first game, both went on to the playoffs. A first win is vital to start the season off on a good note. BFL THROWOFF 2003: Old Stage Sand Storm vs. Snowhill Icebergs The first game of the new season will be accompanied by the fanfare due Throwoff. From competing in the last Throwoff game, it's a nerve wracking experience. Both teams walk onto the field with a tremendous weight, as Charlie wants to get his first win, and the Icebergs want to win their first ever game. Charlie will give it his all, as always, but beginner's luck will carry the day in this Throwoff matchup, by a count of Icebergs 62, Sand Storm 51. Buttonwood Gamblers vs. Smith Crusaders Two of last year's playoff squads meet in a huge inter divisional matchup. The Gamblers are the superior team, but so were the Dragons when the Crusaders knocked them off. This will come down to the wire, with the Gamblers taking it on a last second field goal in an offensive struggle. Final score, Gamblers 80, Crusaders 77. Congress Bulldogs vs. Norton Black Knights Two evenly matched teams will go to war, with the all-important first victory on the line. It will be the speed of the Black Knights against the defensive ability of the Bulldogs. Ultimately, in something of an upset, defense prevails, as the Bulldogs win 56-49. Victory Fear vs. Pelham Sparrows Perhaps the most interesting game of the inter-divisional matchups, the defending BFL Champions come into town to play against a very similar squad in the Fear. The Sparrows do not dominate games, instead tending to play teams close, and win in the long run. This strategy will keep the Fear in the game, as the Fear also tend to play close. The Sparrows have a bit better defense, but the Fear score a lot, negating either team's advantage. The main advantage for the Sparrows is experience, but, with a season under the Fear's belt, this'll be an interesting game. Since it's my column, I'll call the upset in a shootout, Fear 84, Sparrows 81 B. All Star Game IV- North vs. South The All Star Game makes its return to the BFL in what should be in an interesting matchup. The Black Knights, Icebergs, Gamblers, and Fear take on the SandStorm, Bulldogs, Crusaders, and Sparrows in what looks like a classic offense versus defense clash. All four South division teams have the ability to put up big numbers, while the Bulldogs, SandStorm, and Sparrows are known for putting up a tight defense. While defense may win championships, offense wins games, and thus, the South shall prevail by a count of 77-70 C. Divisional Matchups- Week Two Important games for each team. The winners in Week One want to keep winning, and those who lost need a win desperately. It should be an exciting week of BFL action Smith Crusaders vs. Old Stage Sand Storm Despite Rich's 3-0 season last year, we cannot forget that the Sand Storm nearly ended the ride. As was his custom, Fernandez needed a last-second heroic play to upend Charlie. Charlie has vowed a BFL Title this season, and while that may seem a bit out of reach, this game is not. Charlie captures his first BFL victory in a major upset, in a typical low-scoring Sand Storm game, 55-49. Snowhill Icebergs vs. Norton Black Knights The newcomer to the league, sitting at 1-0 as per my prediction, faces off against the Norton Black Knights. The Bulldogs would be fortunate to win last week, and if they do in the real season, John Tang will not be pleased here. With the best endurance and speed in the BFL, Tang will steamroll the competition, by a count of 94-77. Buttonwood Gamblers vs. Victory Fear Believe me, I have this date circled on my calendar. I lost by seventeen to Karpel at Throwoff last year, and the pain is still there. Despite that, the Gamblers have been playing as well as anyone in the BFL for a few years now. Gamblers take it, by a closer final score of 89-80. Congress Bulldogs vs. Pelham Sparrows. It's very likely my predictions could be wrong, and the Sparrows could be 1-0 here, and the Dawgs 0-1. Either way, it doesn't especially matter, since Ken seems to own Andy in these regular season matchups. Look for it to be closer than usual, but the Sparrows prevail at home, 77-70. D. Divisional Matchups- Week Three This is it. It all comes down to this to determine playoff spots. By my predictions, the only team without a win is the Crusaders, and as far as I can tell, they aren't eliminated from playoff contention yet. It's a week of high octane matchups, with playoff spots on the line. Norton Black Knights vs. Victory Fear The South division's playoff picture will clear up a bit here, as everyone in the division is 1-1. The Black Knights are an awesome team, yet they tend to play conservative at times, going for field goals when they could easily score touchdowns. This contrasts greatly with my style of self-sacrifice and flopping around like a dead fish to make catches. Tough game, but I think I can win this thing. Final score, Fear 77, Black Knights 74. Smith Crusaders vs. Pelham Sparrows In last year's playoffs, the Crusaders were eliminated by the Sparrows, so Fernandez craves revenge. Still, it's extremely hard to pick against the defending BFL Champions. The Sparrows are the most balanced team in the league, and so they will win, dropping Rich to 0-3 after a 3-0 season, testament to the parity in the BFL, by a score of 63-56. Old Stage Sand Storm vs. Congress Bulldogs HUGE game for Andy to prove he's not a choke artist. If he wins this game, by my predictions, he's in the playoffs. In last year's infamous "Night Game", he crushed Charlie. This, however, will fire up the Superthug, and get him ready to play his best football, since HE has a playoff spot on the line as well. This has the makings of a classic BFL game, and, in my opinion, could be the Game of the Year if Charlie is on. This WILL go to OT, and end there, with a final score of 85-84, the Bulldogs finally capturing their elusive post-season spot. Snowhill Icebergs vs. Buttonwood Gamblers A Gamblers win here makes them the #1 seed in the playoffs. Icebergs win probably at least guarantees them a playoff spot. The Gamblers have proven why so many call them to take the whole shebang, and that's not going to stop here. Unless Mark C. executes the Dragon Strategy in this Battle of the Marks, Karpel takes the win and the #1 seed, 91-77. With Week Three done, let's figure out the playoff picture! The Gamblers are obviously in at 3-0, as the #1 seed and South Division champions. Meanwhile, in the North, the Sparrows and Bulldogs have each won two games, but the Sparrows win over the Bulldogs makes them the North Division Champions, and second seed. This leaves the Bulldogs and Fear to battle it out over who is #3 and #4. Since the first two tiebreakers don't apply, it comes down to points ratio. The Bulldogs put up a total of 211 points, and gave up 210, making their ratio 1.00476:1. For the Fear, their total points were 241, while giving up 244, for a ratio of .9877 to 1. The Bulldogs capture the third playoff seed, leaving the Fear at fourth, to play the fifth seed in the Wild Card game. But against who? The Black Knights, Icebergs, and Sand Storm are all in contention at 1-2. Sand Storm are eliminated in the initial tiebreaker, as they lost to Icebergs opening day. Black Knights and Icebergs are left, and since the Knights beat them, the Knights capture the elusive fifth playoff seed. E. Wild Card Matchup- 4 vs. 5 Victory Fear vs. Norton Black Knights For the second straight week, these two teams will go at it, this time, with a game against the Gamblers on the line. While I've made great strides in my two BFL seasons, Tang's simply too damn good to lose twice in a row. Despite my valiant efforts this season, the 2003 Fear season ends here at the hands of the Black Knights, 70-64. F. Semifinal Games- 1v. 4/5, 2 vs. 3 Buttonwood Gamblers vs. Norton Black Knights After defeating the Fear, Tang hops from the frying pan into the fire. This is going to be another excellent game between two of the BFL's best athletes. This one may hit overtime, and in fact, I will predict it, with the Gamblers finally prevailing after a hard-fought 70-68 OT victory. Congress Bulldogs vs. Pelham Sparrows The Sparrows are the BFL's most consistent team. There, I said it again. That said, this is the Bulldogs first trip to the playoffs, and they are going to be fired up. Still, the Sparrows are just too good on this day, winning the game by a count of 77-73. G. BFL Bowl VI Buttonwood Gamblers vs. Pelham Sparrows This is it, BFL Bowl VI! The defending BFL Bowl Champions must face the Buttonwood Gamblers, who have finally made it to the big dance. As good as Ken has been over the BFL's history, I don't think even he can deny Mark Karpel his first championship. For the Gamblers, this is judgment day, and they will come through on top, 68-65, in another classic BFL Bowl. II. Preseason Award Predictions These are my predictions for the BFL's biggest honors, the Go-Go Award, and Commentator of the Year. Go-Go Award (MVP): I think that this award will go to John Tang of the Norton Black Knights. He has the schedule to do some SERIOUS damage in the BFL this year, and is due for a huge year after last year's disappointing campaign. Other candidates are Sean Williams of the Victory Fear, Charlie of the Sand Storm, and possibly even newcomer Mark Cantora of the Icebergs. Commentator of the Year: Marko Marbella. As good as I am, he's better. He has the good announcer voice, constantly good diction, and the ability to go all the way. In our own words, "UNNNN! BEEEEE! LIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEVABLE!" III. Photo Day Update This column has been written over a long period of time, and I'd like to use this space to make some team updates from Photo Day, and the shocking events that occurred there. Gamblers: Lost to the Melody, 35-34, in an outstanding Photo Day Matchup. Sparrows: Lost to the Koala, 13-7. *snicker* I'm liking my first game more and more…. Fear: Defeated the Marbles 21-0. Sorry Marko, but you're just not a good warmup. Marbles: Hey, Marko's still one of the top commentators in the BFL… Produce: Good debut for Chris, but there was no spearing! SandStorm: Went 2-0 by beating Chris and the Bulldogs, has lost a good deal of weight, and has some newfound speed. He may be set to destroy all of the predictions I made above. Bulldogs: Tough loss to Charlie, but he has his off days every now and then. Icebergs: Looked EXTREMELY good. He runs pro-style patterns, and is tall. Could make a big impact. Crusaders: Opposite of Icebergs. V. Closing Thank you for reading through this LONG preseason edition of the Fear Factory! As always, I'm Sean Williams, and I'll be back with more coverage after Throwoff 2003! This is the BFL! High Powered Football! Don't miss out! BFL
2003 Publications |
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