When the schedules were released this year, many were alittle upset that these 2 would meet so late in the year for the first time. And then, when the preseason rankings came out, with the #1 Empire and the #2 Seadogs, people started to think. Week by week, there was anticipation to see if both these teams could make it out both 5-0 before meeting. And finally, there was cheering everywhere as week 5 ended, leaving the 2 without a loss.
"Everyone in the league was talking about it, it was crazy. I'm not involved in any way with the whole thing, but as a player I can't wait to watch that Flex Game"
- Sean #7 Diamonds
Sean, and millions more are expected to partake in watching this clash of titans event. It is predicted to be the highest grossing Regular Season game ever, and also the most people at a Regular Season game with London National Stadium being, by far, the biggest stadium in the league. The DBL is definitely happy about this surge of interest brought on by this match, they have even made a couple of commercials parodying "Twilight" with Team Williame and Team James ads. So why so much interest in this rivalry? Definitely the history.
The Seadogs and Empire started out kinda left out in the North with the Margays and Dizzy Devils raging playoff rivalry, so they were kinda rivals by default. The Empire whooped upon the Seadogs 13-4 in their first 6 seasons bumping heads in what was the most lopsided division W/L in the league. The Seadogs then went on an impressive 5-1 streak to get us to the present day 14 Empire, 9 Seadogs. The biggest reason these 2 draw so much intrigue is Williame. After the big Seadogs fallout, Williame, being the prized young future face of the franchise, was left distrusting the Seadogs and signed to the rival Empire. James of the Seadogs was just a rookie watching all this unfold. Deutch and Williame left and left him in charge of this young team. The Seadogs turned many heads the next year, going 6-4 and making the playoffs. They split the season series with the new Vincent/Williame Empire. The first game was all Williame showing out in New York, but the 2nd game was Lewis leading the Seadogs over Mean Green in a must-win in London. This year, its even more personal.
Williame is the sole leader of the Empire now and James is the sole leader of the Seadogs. Former teammates going head to head. These 2 teams have very different playing styles. The Empire have star performances usually from Williame, and sometimes from Lawrence. The Seadogs win as a team like always. The Empire had many close calls this year, while the Seadogs have won all but 1 set this year easily. It can be said, however, that the Seadogs haven't played any real contenders until now.
Prediction: I think it will be a Seadogs victory, too much pride and defending at home in London to overcome the momentum for the Empire.
Soundbites:
"I been had this game circled, underlined AND highlighted, I am ready to go!"
-Williame #6 Empire
"It's just another game for us as a team, I understand the implications but we're just out to win"
-James #11 Seadogs
"The world will see how blessed this club is, and how outright better we are"
-Ian McInnis - Owner of the Seadogs
Watch Flex Games of the Week 6: New York Empire vs. London Seadogs on ZBS 5pm ET
