WEEK 0

Written by Jeb Harrison & edited by the RMFL Staff

(FULL/ORIGINAL VERSION IS ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE)

After a season of parity, this week will clear up the playoff picture. For the most part, the top 6 teams have all beaten each other. There is no clear front runner and the championship could go to any team. All games this week are “games of the week” and "must wins".

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Anarchy 5-1 @ MUSTANGS 4-1  

The Anarchy versus The Mustangs Round 2. The Anarchy need to win this week to guarantee a playoff spot. A loss here and a couple wins by the Outlaws and/or Cobras and the Anarchy could be knocked out of the Tier 1 Playoffs. If the Anarchy win, they will most likely host the Mustangs in the first round of the playoffs. The Anarchy are beat up. They lost their 2017 All-Star fullback, Kael Koompin to a broken ankle last week at SASA. 2017 All-Star funning back/defensive back, Treyton Palmer is out for the season as well. The Anarchy will be looking to some unproven dudes to carry the load for the rest of the season. 2017 League MVP, Jarik May looked healthy last week playing free safety. He had two interceptions and was able to shut down any passes over the middle. The Anarchy will need to find an answer to run the ball with Koompin out. He was a huge factor in creating holes for Anarchy running backs. The Mustangs look like they are peaking at the right time. The Mustangs nemesis is travel but  that didn’t slow them down last week at SASA. They were able to put the beat down on the Wyoming Outlaws. The Mustangs have a bunch of solid running backs but last week I saw Kamino Ward. The dude is by far their best running back. He is a big, fast and strong runner. He had 22 carries for 135 yards and 1 touchdown last week against a tough Outlaw defense. That is definitely eye opening. I don’t see any holes in the Mustangs' defense. They are really tough upfront and have good defensive backs. Points are going to be hard to come by this week for both teams. The Mustangs have benefited from having last week off because of the Vigilantes forfeit which gave them time to get healthy. Mustangs quarterback, Kevin Wolfe struggled at SASA with only 4 of 16 passes for 52 yards. The Mustangs will need to get the run game going against the Anarchy. The last time these two teams faced off, the Mustangs running game was held to low numbers. However, Wolfe did hit Gary Tyler for a pair of scores. Expect tough defense and a low scoring game. The only prediction I can make here is “soreness.”

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Cobras 3-2 @ XTREME 3-3 

The Billings Xtreme traveled well to SASA and gave the Davis Vipers all they could handle. Dj Bergen is playing well lately. The Xtreme quarterback has been putting up points and good numbers. After some early season struggles, the Xtreme are playing good football right now. The Xtreme have locked up the Montana division and will most likely hold the #3 seed. The Utah Cobras are still in the hunt to win the Utah division. The Cobras will need to win out versus the Xtreme & the Wyoming Outlaws to get the conference title. Utah Cobras quarterback, Hans Hatchett has played mediocre for most of the season. His touchdown to interception ratio is 6-8 and he has only completed 40% of passes. The Cobras run game has been solid this year. Their running back Okeye (John) Nyondweh is leading the league in rushing. If the Xtreme can shut down the Cobras run game and force Hatchett to beat them, I like Xtreme's chances. However, the Xtreme will need to score points. The Cobras have a lot of playmakers. The wide receiver trio of Ladale Jackson, Illiot Alexander and Jordan Smith will eventually break out and put up points. The Cobras typically travel well but I think the road trip, the first week of June and a surging Montana squad will knock off the Cobras and their chances of the Tier 1 trophy.

Xtreme 26 - Cobras 12

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Outlaws 3-2 @ VIPERS 4-2

The Outlaws did what nobody thought they could do a couple weeks ago. They knocked off the Vipers. The Outlaws pass coverage on Vipers' wide receiver, Stireman was stellar. Stireman was held to only one touchdown catch. The Outlaws were able to run the ball with moderate success but for the most part they relied on their defense. The Outlaws were able to make a few offensive plays when they needed to. I don’t think the Vipers were ready to play the Outlaws last time they came to play. If the Vipers lose here, their chances of  the division title and playoff spot become really difficult. I thought the Outlaws would put up a better showing at SASA. In the second half, I don’t think they got a first down or crossed midfield. Their defense was on the field the whole game and the Mustangs were able to run on them. The Outlaws have yet to win a tough game outside of Wyoming. The Vipers now know that they can’t just show up and win this week. I think the Vipers get vengeance and roll up the Outlaws. Outlaws prove me wrong.

Vipers 34 Outlaws 6

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Vigilantes 2-4 @ MONSTERS 2-4 

MONSTERS WIN AND HAVE EVERYONE'S RESPECT!. 

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Good Luck and travel safe.