Coming into this week, I am 7-3 for the entire season with my picks. That makes me #1 in the league in picks, only because nobody else gets to make picks. After this week, I intend to be 17-3 and go 10-0 with my picks. Momma’ always told me I was #1, now I have the stats to prove it. I’ve been hearing a lot of chirping on the sidelines that some players don’t like my picks. Do what the HeadHunterz did and prove me wrong then. Until then I’m picking above .500 chumps!
Brothers in Arms vs House Dawgs (9:00am)
This one on paper looks to be a great matchup, but honestly we think
it’s going to pretty fare margin of victory. I have seen Brothers in
Arms do some pretty crazy stuff in the past few weeks and they are
sitting in second place at (3-1); but the House Dawgs look like they
are the BIG DOG in the TFFL. Quarterback DF Littlejohn is the front
runner for the Offensive MVP of the league; and with targets like
Brandon Stokes, Stevenson, Lanier and Hazzard……..good luck to a
defense that likes to go for the big play. But let’s not get ahead of
ourselves in this matchup; the BIA crew has NFL built receivers and
it’s own version of Littlejohn in MVP race candidate Terrance Topps (7
TDs in last 2 games). Topps is a smart player who knows when to make
the big throw, and has had great decision making thus far. With LB
David Whitefield and possibly the return of Cameron Cates, it could be
a crazy day on the scramble train early.
I think the Dawgz will have too much “veteran leadership” to lose this
game and continue the undefeated streak right into the possible #1
seed in the TFFL playoffs.
Dawgs 39 Brothers in Arms 28
House Dawgs vs Winston Salem Predators (9:50am)
Well, Well, Well…….the old saying that sometimes after a big win you
can have the “Hangover” affect. I could see this happening early in
this game if new Predators QB TJ Peele can make something happen on
offense. Captain Chris Plouffe returns from a 3 week hiatus in
Arizona, and will bring back the attitude the Predators have been
missing. The problem here will be simply this……who can matchup against
Littlejohn? If the Predators make him pass the ball, it will be a
feather in their cap and can help the chances to sneak a victory out.
However…..no team this season has stopped him and his offense (#1 in
TFFL in points scored per game). The Dawgz will come out sloppy, and
the Predators will take an early lead I see. However, this will go
away very quick late in the first half and it could get ugly.
Dawgs 44 WS Predators 19
Carolina Bengals vs Brothers in Arms
This is a game that will be for the lovers of “physical” style flag
football, so get your popcorn ready. We see the BIA squad taking a
loss in the first game of the day, and the coaching staff turning up
the heat early on EJ Ward. If brothers in arms can get to the QB
through the tough line of the Bengals; he has been known to throw some
interceptions.(4 TDs and 3 INT).The Bengals struggled twice this year
against quick mobile quarterbacks (Littlejohn and Shook), so this
could be of benefit for the nimble Terrance Topps. However, the
Bengals are predators in their own sense…meaning they are BALL HAWKS
and have taken numerous turnovers to the house for points (Franklin
Terry). I think the Bengals SHOULD win this game, however it will be
purely up to the QB PLAY of EJ WARD and/or Xavier Carrington to
determine if they are serious about winning this game. Both teams have very aggressive defenses so we see a low scoring affair. Fellas…..bring your mouth pieces. It’s going to get rough.
Carolina Bengals 17 Brothers in Arms 15
Burlington Bombsquad vs WS Predators
Simply put….the WS Predators have to win this game to help
solidify their spot in one of the #7 or #8 seeds in the TFFL playoffs.
Losing the early game to the House Dawgs has put them in a tight and
tough situation. The bad thing is…..that they have to face Offensive
MVP candidate Jeremy Davis (17 TDs and 0 INT) and Defensive MVP
candidate Alex Winters (LB). The WS Predators will piece together a
few solid plays/drives in this game if they can get the ball to the
playmakers and let them run. Predator WR Sean Bennett has had a solid
season, but I am not sure if the possession style offense is going to
churn up enough points versus a hungry and loud bombsquad defense.
Rusher Earl Wallace has been held pretty quiet lately, only totaling 1
sack in last weeks loss to Brothers in Arms. The WS Predators have
some beef up front and this should be a fun one to watch on the
interior lines. Predator linebacker Kevin McGowan really has stepped
up his play in the last few games, and we hear the Rush brothers
calling his name over and over again….I think the Predators have the
heart to compete, but I could see this grenade blowing up in their
hand. In Chris Plouffe’s return his Predators will come up short but expect him to have double digit pulls, I’m calling it.
Bombsquad 40 WS Predators 16
Carolina Bengals vs GSO Predators
This could be the game of the week (3-1) vs (3-1), and this will a
battle from whistle to whistle. Last week saw the NEON GREENIES take a
hard loss as quarterback Earl Sams simply looked like he never woke
up, having a couple interceptions get taken back for points. The
Bengals will be coming off a solid win versus the other (3-1) team in
TFFL; so we have an interesting matchup. This game will be a slobber
knocker, and could really come down to which team makes the CRUCIAL
mistake. The predators defense is one of the fastest (When they are
all there) in the TFFL, with PRO LEVEL defensive backs and the fastest
rush in the TRIAD (Beasley and Beach). But the one thing the Bengals
bring to a game is the physicality up front with
(Baker/Parker/Petty) coming at you with size, tenacity and pure
strength. We’re excited about this potential Championship, and I think
this game will come down to the final minute. Speed and finesse (Baker) will be going up against pure monstrous power (Baker/Petty) in what I think…IS…the game of the year. Predators are pissed off they squandered a game away last week to the HeadHunterz and come out on top of their game, I got them by 2 points!
GSO Predators 26 Carolina Bengals 24
GSO Predators vs Burlington Bombsquad
The predators coming off a close win vs the powerhouse Bengals and may just
role into this game with a tad of confidence. When the Predators are
rolling they are a team that can hang with anyone in the state, but
when this team comes out slow it takes them a while to wake up. With
both teams having a steller passing game, this one is going to come
down to an unsung hero in our opinion and it’s the LB play. LB Antwan
Washington and LB Alex Winters will be responsible for containing the
underneath routes of both teams speedsters; and this is going to be a
great matchup. Jeremy Davis hasn’t really faced a tough defense in my
opinion, and this will show us if Davis is ready for the top spot!
Watching Earl Wallce chase Earl Sams, and Rod Beasley going at Jeremy
Davis is going to be like watching Football in a Beer House made of
More Beer! I think it comes down to QB Play here in the clutch, and
Davis is my guy at the moment……he is the ELI MANNING of TFFL. Dude
just plays smart!
Bombsquad 33 Predators 30
Sabercats vs Headhunterz
Coming off last weeks HUGE win the Headhunterz with one more win can
most likely stamp a playoff birth; but the opposite is on hand in
Sabercat camp. Coming off a tough loss to the #1 team in the league,
the Sabercats are looking for a “COMPLETE GAME”. QB Ricky Duke
continues to give consistant play, however he has had a couple very
costly turnovers close to the goalline. The Sabercats have found a
hidden gem in receiver Justin Bennett (3 TDs vs House Dawgs), but they
need to continue feeding this guy the ball and not be scared to let
him go JUMP FOR IT. The sabercat defense is one word in my opinion
“POREOUS” , there are simply to many holes for these guys to make
changes without robbing “peter” to pay “paul”. The headhunterz confuse
the hell out of me, I really want to pick them but I need to
know which HH team will show up. When (ATH) Barry Flood is on the
field, this offense moves and he gives QB Zeek Sanders some added
confidence in his passing ability. I am pleased to see Sanders growing
as a QB, as we previously stated that his QB play was subpar. Former
Elon standout Brandon Wiggins has really shown us that he is a top LB
in the TFFL, by intercepting 2 passes for scores last week
(Predators). The Headhunter team has TOP 3 Talent, and if they can
continue to GROW and MESH as a unit…this could be a top 3 team in the league.
HeadHunterz 23 Sabercats 18
Blackout vs Whitsett Warriors
The Warriors finally win a game, and they finally come out passing the
ball. This is something Sal told you kids to do; and it darn
sure worked. Now you get to continue this passing fun against one of
the leagues worst defenses. But please beware, that Will Bender and
Luke Ledwill like to play PICK POCKET to errant throws. This is going
to be a fun game with two young teams going at each others throats. If
the Warriors can find a way to SPY Blackout QB CJ Shook, they can make
some headway in this game. If they choose to sit back on their heels;
the blackout offense can score quick and often. The one intangible
that no one is talking about here, is that the majority of the
blackout team is coming fresh off a UNCG intramural championship and
confidence is high. The loser of this game will be put in a must win
situation in the last 2 games as they continue to scrape and claw for
the last few playoff spots. Warriors will come out hot and heavy, but
then blackout will close the drapes. Sorry guys……you may want to turn
the light back on. I will go ahead and call it….Josh Morehead of the Warriors will have a top 5 play of the week.
Blackout 29 Whitsett Warriors 17
Blackout vs Sabercats
#Team Blackout will be coming off the high of the 1st win of the year,
and the Sabercats will face another must win situation. This one is
going to be a fun game to watch, as QB Ricky Duke and his band of
receivers will face a tough strong group of defenders. If the
sabercats can contain Shook and force him and/or Jeremey East to throw
the ball this one could fall into the favor of the Cats. Blackouts
defense has had a hard time defending inside the 10 yard line, and
with Hines Ward like receiver/center Ronte Gamble this could lead to a
huge day. The Sabercat defense can get better if they start giving
more consistency, but this isn’t the game to be experimenting to much.
As that kind of science experiment can leave you wondering how you got
down 21 points to Shook and Blackout. This one will be a nail biter
right down to the last play, I am saying whomever gets the ball last
in this game wins. We will go with the Sabercats and Ricky Duke! Captain Jay Winton is ready to get his teams’ 2nd win of the season.
Sabercats 28 Blackout 26
Whitsett Warriors vs Headhunterz
The Headhunterz are one of the most physical teams in the TFFL, and
the warriors want to try to be physical but lack the strength to
compete with the big boys (FOR NOW). This one will be interesting as
LB Sean Moore (WW) is one of the leagues best flag pullers, against
Zeek Sanders one of the more mobile signal callers. Brandon Wiggins
will most likely find ways into the young Jarius Moorehead’s passing
attack, and he has a way of disrupting crossing routes like they were
a bad habit. I want to pick the warriors in this game, because they
have all the talent and they are learning the scheme. But it’s just
going to come down to controlling the line of scrimmage, and Sideline
Sal just doesn’t see the offensive line being able to hold back
Seaberry and Wiggins…..This one could get ugly and it could get ugly
fast if the warriors aren’t careful. The Moreheads (Billy, Jarius, Josh) will need big games to keep it close.
Headhunters 38 Warriors 12
Sideline Sal’s Picks of the Week do not represent the entire opinion of the TFFL, they are just the opinion of 1 casual observer from the sidelines. If he picked against your team, make sure you prove him wrong this Saturday.
