Championship Games Preview

[Paul-London]

Mexico at Birmingham

The two teams met earlier this season away in Mexico and the Aztecs won 20-17.  This time its in Birmingham where the Fire have been strong all year.  They have a great rushing attack and an effective passing attack as Joe Hamilton is now 26-4 his last 30 starts !  Mexico had a great performance last week, sometimes resting players doesnt help as they appear rusty when they do start but the rest the Aztecs gave their players helped as they appeared rejuvenated and had huge games.  QB JT O'Sullivan was near perfect last week and WR Sam Aitken had one of the best performances of a WR in the playoffs.  Who will win this game ?  Its going to be a tight one and probably low on points, the Fire nudge this one because they are at home.

Birmingham by 3

Amsterdam at Berlin

These two EFC East rivals meet for a third time, the Admirals won both victories, the last one coming in Week 13 in which the Admirals defense shut down the much vaunted Berlin offense away in Berlin !  The Thunder have been on fire with 2 straight victories and last weeks win over Scotland was perfect.  They can be so explosive on offense, Amsterdam managed to shut that down in Week 13 but will Week 16 prove lucky for Berlin ?  The Thunder are full of momentum and their huge home crowd should help but the Admirals have a lot of playoff experience and were in the FWL Bowl last year.  This one is very close to call, Amsterdam beating Berlin twice this year should get the nod but Berlins momentum could be enough.  If the Admirals great defense shuts down Berlin like it did a few weeks ago though the Admirals could cause an upset.

Berlin by 1

[Niki]

Amsterdam at Berlin

These two EFC East rivals meet for a third time, the Admirals won both victories, the last one coming in Week 13 in which the Admirals defense shut down the much vaunted Berlin offense away in Berlin !  The Thunder have been on fire with 2 straight victories and last weeks win over Scotland was perfect.  They can be so explosive on offense, Amsterdam managed to shut that down in Week 13 but will Week 16 prove lucky for Berlin ?  The Thunder are full of momentum and their huge home crowd should help but the Admirals have a lot of playoff experience and were in the FWL Bowl last year.  This one is very close to call, Amsterdam beating Berlin twice this year should get the nod but Berlins momentum could be enough.  If the Admirals great defense shuts down Berlin like it did a few weeks ago though the Admirals could cause an upset.

Berlin by 1

Berlin rush attach vs Admirals rush def:
week 6 in Amsterdam: avg 2.8 and Cobourne 13 for 43 1td (total rushing yards 18 for 50)
week 13 in Berlin: avg 5.3 and Cobourne 10 for 30 1 td (total rush attack was 16 for 84 and QB jeff Rowe 2 for 45)

Amsterdam was the only EFC team play off team that beat Berlin. In the division I was the only team that Berlin beat both games and was able to shut down the rush attack, made 16 sacks in two game.

It will be a close call especially since both my TE are still injured

[Michel-Birmingham]

AUW!!!

[Aztecs]

AUW!!!

Great effort by the Aztecs!  Despite a slew of injuries on the defensive line, the defense shut down Birmingham's offense most of the game, one exception coming when CB Devon Harper was shaken up, and the Fire dorve for a TD through the air.  Harper came back in the second half and made a crucial interception, which led to a FG and made it a two score lead for Mexico in the 4th quarter.

HB Eric McCoo had over 100 yards rushing, and FB Ian Smart scored on 3rd and goal, where he has been great this season, since taking over for Maurice Hicks.

The special teams were fantastic. Punt returner Willie Quinnie had another great game, and Kicker Joe O'Donnell made the difference in scoring by hitting 4 out of 4 field goals!