Sideline Sal’s Picks of the Week for Week 5

This weeks edition comes in mourning for the poor Gatorade bottle that was crushed in the stampede of players to hold each others’ hands during the BIA/Bengals scuffle. Everybody please take a moment of silence for the gatorade bottle that was impaled by a cleat. For 4 weeks it provided wonderful service to many. It’s a very sad time.

But now onto the real games at hand this week….before I get started OL’ SIDELINE SAL is 15-5 for year and that makes me almost physic. So hold on tight and please try not to get your panties in a bunch this week ladies if I dog your team!

Whitsett Warriors vs Brothers in Arms (9:00AM)

This is an interesting matchup that has two very young and very athletic teams at two very different points in their respective tenures in the TFFL. The Brothers in Arms took two big L’s (Losses vs House Dawgz and Bengals); and the Warriors (Losses vs Blackout and HeadHunterz) lost both contests as well. The brothers are a solid team full of size and speed, but they don’t have a LEADER who wants to step up and coral these young stallions. (Hence the situation last week).

What Sideline Sal wants to see from these guys is some maturity in game situations, and understanding that sometimes you simply just get beat on plays. QB Terrance Topps has really shown that he can make the big play, and has made analysts forget about the Alex Settle controversy. Topps needs to find a way to make sure he can avoid the speed rush of Josh Morehead. The Whitsett Warriors are in a three way tie for the 8th and final seed in the TFFL Bowl Playoffs. If they win, they need some help from the Winston Salem predators to get invited to the big dance. But if they lose; we will be seeing them in June for the Monster Classic. The warriors have done a better job of getting the speedy guys the ball, and going away from the 1950s style running game…….If Brothers in Arms can mature on the field, I see them making a statement in this game and hitting a stride going into the TFFL Bowl Playoffs. If they stick by their name and truly act as brothers on the field, they could go far. For the Warriors, if Josh Morehead can elevate his game, his team could rally around him and maybe sneak out a win.

Brothers in Arms 24 Warriors 18

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Sabercats vs WS Predators (9:50AM)

This game could mean even more if the Whitsett Warriors upset Brothers in Arms in the 9:00am game. This one is literally the other part of this playoff picture that could get quite fun to watch develop over the 2 hour time period. Let’s talk about the Ricky Duke led Sabercats first; simple fact…..WIN AND YOU ARE IN. If the sabercats can find a way to block Kevin McGowan and Chris Plouffe they stand a solid chance to win this game; but if they are allowed to roam free I see Sean Bennett eating up flags like a morning at Bojangles for Albert Haynesworth. The predator secondary has recently stepped up big after intercepting MVP candidate DF Littlejohn in the loss last week; and if they can limit Justin Bennett and Ronte Gamble they may have a chance. Ronte Gamble-vs-Sean Bennett is going to be the match-up of the game. The great possession WR Gamble against the ultimate flag puller in Bennett. Predator QB TJ Peele has added a spark, but I am not sure if he can do it alone against a hungry Sabercat defense. I am going to side with the former Winston Salem Champions from years past in a very tight OVERTIME game.

WS Predators 30 Sabercats 24

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Headhunterz vs HouseDawgz(10:40AM)

This game really doesn’t have to many playoff implications, but it does let Zeek Sanders test his “Has he arrived” talk with TFFL analysts. I have to say that I doubted Sanders, and he has helped silence my criticisms with his outstanding play as of late. (11 TD and 2 INT). But my question to Wiggins, Seaberry and Lesesene; is what are the plans to contain DF Littlejohn? This guy has not been stopped, and really hasn’t been contained all too well in 6 games so far this season (30 TDs). If the defense of the Headhunterz can limit Littlejohn to become a passer it can help there cause. But every time we say you have to make Littlejohn pass to win…he throws 5 TD’s and wins anyway.

The House Dawg defense has struggled to stop teams all year, but they have some serious talent all over. The addition of Jordan Hazard at rusher has changed the dynamic of this defense; the Hunterz need to place someone quick on this kid……NOT A BIG LINEMAN! I simply find it hard to pick against the leagues top offense when they are scoring roughly ALL THE TIME. The only thing the Hunterz can hope to have happen, is that Zeek Sanders has the game of his life. While he doesn’t need to, since the playoff spot is secured, it will be a huge confidence boost to the QB.

House Dawgz 38 HeadHunterz 21

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Blackout vs Predators (11:30AM)

This is the game that has UPSET ALERT written all over it, but it’s going to take big plays all game to match the intensity the Safety shirts bring. Something that originally puzzled me, was the Blackout switching to QB Jeremy East; but it’s really starting to allow CJ Shook to get the ball in space which is just scary. The addition of Spencer Lebbano (the ref, apparently he is halfway decent on the field) has allowed Blackout some experience on the defensive side; and has opened up big plays for Luke Ledwill(Starsky) and Josh Hulin (Hutch). The question is how is East going to react when Defensive MVP candidate Rodney Beasley and his band of brothers is coming PSP fast at him from whistle to whistle?

If East/Shook can find ways to make safe passes; and then allow the Blackout receivers some room to create they can score with anyone in this league. However, if they fall into the same boat as former league leader Jeremy Davis (QB: Bombsquad), it could be a long interception filled day for the young QBs. For the predators offense the plan is very simple, and that is to play smart mistake free football, get the ball to Ra’Mel Workman and Johnny King and let them worry about it. Don’t throw the ball up because Bender/the fowler brothers/Gilyard love to go after errent passes like “SHARKS” in the water. Earl Sams has played himself into a solid #2 TFFL Bowl Playoff position; however he can help his all-star chances with a solid performance in this game. Blackout snuck into the play-offs last week, however I believe the Green Squad flips the switch back on…..

Predators 28 Blackout 14

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Carolina Bengals vs Burlington Bombsquad (12:20PM)

One team that TFFL analysts were shocked to see get whooped last week was the Bombsquad; and even more shocked to see QB Jeremy Davis throw 6 interceptions! Davis who is still having an All-Star caliber year needs the support from the Bombsquad defense to slow the passing game from whichever Bengal QB finds his way into the game. It’s going to be a great matchup watching Earl Wallace vs Marlon Petty and Gene Carrington vs Alex Winters in my opinion so get your popcorn ready. I really like what I see with the Bombsquad; but I think the Bengals experience is just going to be too much for this matchup.

One of the matchups that will be interesting, is going to be who is on TFFL MVP Candidate Darius Cobb or what two players are on him. The one way we could see this game making a turn for the worst for the Jungle Cats, is if the bombsquad can pressure Carrington/Ward and force them to make errant passes over the middle. The Bengals are coming into this game pretty hot, and the Bengals are coming off a tough loss. Experience wins this late season game in ol’ Sals opionin. The Bombsquad feel like a younger version of the Bengals. Once the Bombsquad has played several seasons together, this could be a battle of the heavyweights. Until that day, we’ll stick with our pick of the Bengals.

Bengals 30 Bombsquad 16