Week 9 Preview

Last divisional games wrap up this week. The DBL nation focuses on the very confused Midwest where anyone can win. Any team can get a secured spot in the playoffs, any team can miss it. Any team can win the division. This division has always been known as the leaderless anything goes division and this year is no different. Should be fun. Each division could be won this week. A Skylarks win. A Gold win. An Empire win. But the Midwest is a completely different tangled web.

#4 (5-3) @ (6-2) #2

The first matchup between these Western teams proved to be worth the billing in a 3 set match win for the Gold. Both teams are still highly ranked but reeling from losses last week. The Phactory needs to end this skid before playoff time comes so they don't end up in the Play-In blackhole. The Gold have pretty much clinched playoffs but could win the division outright with a win here. I say the Pharoahs are ready to rev up again and the Gold are still questioning themselves after a confusing loss to the Dragonfish.
Prediction: PHA
All Time: PHA- 8 GOLD- 16

(4-4) @ (2-6)

First matchup in week 4 was a really messy affair. The Margays played ok, and the Seadogs played very well. Now, the Margays cannot afford to play ok, so I tihnk we will see a swift defeat of the home team. The Margays can't let this playoff oppurtunity slip away.
Prediction: MAR
All Time: MAR- 9 SEA- 14

#3 (5-3) @ (2-6) 

This game could easily spell disaster for the Cat's who are in the lead of trying to avoid the Play-In. The Toros are always great on paper, but that 10-1 loss says the real story. I think the Cat's will get back on a roll and finish out the season with W's.
Prediction: CATS
All Time: CATS- 17 TOR- 9

MidWeek MidWest

(4-4) @ (5-3) #8

The Reapers have a history of ending the Interceptors win streaks. In the playoffs last year they ended INT's perfect season. This season in week 2, they ended the Interceptors 12 game regular season win streak. Now, the stakes aren't so high for a streak, but it is still very high for the Playoffs. With a win and a Scarlet Ember loss, the Interceptors could win the division crown. The Reapers need to shake a surprising 3 game skid as they hope to simply make the playoffs that they are projected to win by some. The have quite a task with the Interceptors and Skylarks in their way. 

Prediction: INT

All Time: REP- 13 INT- 16

(4-4) @ (5-3) #5

The Scarlet Ember have fallen twice since their win in Chicago sent them to #1 in the league. They have split every division series this season, so according to that law they will lose. But the Scarlet Ember probably have the best chemistry to talent ratio in the league. And they are more talented than the Gremlins. The Gremlins never give up, they keep finding themselves year after year in 4-4, 3-5, situations this late in the season. This time they hope to pull through and remarkably make the playoffs. I think the Scarlet Ember are just a little too strong this year though. 

Prediction: SE

All Time: GRE- 11 SE- 13

*******

#7 (5-3) @ (3-5)

The Dizzy Devils can't seem to find their potential. The Empire just keep winning, 4 of 5 last games. It seems that DD are more talented but this team is all over the place. Aleksandr is having a renaissance season and he is getting great support from his team. I see an easy pickings. 

Prediction: EMP

All Time: EMP- 16 DD- 11

#6 (5-3) @ (1-7)

The Diamonds really are an elite team. Many people don't see it when they play, but this team is probably better than the team that made it to the Conference round last year. The Silverbacks are completely not the team that made the Play-In last year. This should be a cake walk, the Diamonds are pretty much on fire right now. 

Prediction: DIA

All Time: DIA- 13 SB- 12

(1-7) @ (7-1) #1

The first game in week 5 was a suprise tough match. The Dragonfish have to be feeling themselves right now, "bring us the next #1!". But Paolo and friends are no match for the talent on this team. The Skylarks have oddly been under stated this year probably because everyone knows they are a threat, a serious scary unbeatable monster. The Cat's gained more fame than the Skylarks just for stealing a win from them. But I think, in retrospect, everyone will call this the year of the Skylarks, a bit incorrectly. A win, gets them that division title and probably a secure #1 seed. 

Prediction: SKY

All Time: DF- 13 SKY- 14

Week 8 Recap

The Phactory gets shown up on national TV again. The #1 Gold lose to the #16 Dragonfish, may be the first time that has ever happened. The Toros get completely obliterated by a winless team at home, there is no way that unit stays together now. The Gremlins push back out of the grave and send the Reapers reeling into uncertainty with the rest of the Midwest. The Margays fold in the big time again, lose sight of division title.

Flex Game of the Week 8

#5 (5-3) @ (7-1) #2

7-10<

(1-7) @ (2-6)

>10-1

(5-3) @ (5-3) #4

>13-10

#1 (6-2) @ (1-7)
>4-10

(2-6) @ (3-5)
>10-6

#8 (5-3) @ (5-3) #3
>10-7

(4-4) @ (4-4) #6
>10-6

RTP Flex Week 8

(5-3) @ (4-4)
>10-4

Saturn® Player of the Week

Paolo #21 Dragonfish

Exp: 4 yrs Uni: Brasil
Thrw: 3 Out: 3 Cth: 3 
Spearheaded the ridiculous defeat of the #1 Gold while his team was ranked #16.

Week 8 Preview

Some big showdowns taking place this week, many potential playoff scuffles. The week begins with #5 Phactory to travel to Saturn Station to take on the #2 Skylarks. The Interceptors go to Nebraska to try and knock down the faltering Scarlet Ember. The Flex game of the week has a battle for the top of the North with the Margays hosting their biggest game in years!

Flex Game of the Week 8

#5 (5-2) @ (6-1) #2

Charlie and the squad has been much talked about now they are really getting their time in the spotlight. They faltered badly against the powerful Diamonds. The Skylarks came from a loss against the Cat's and a horrible victory against the Toros. Both of these teams are trying to pick up their steam from the beginning of the year. Whoever wins this game will be in the drivers seat for a #1 seed (Don't tell the Gold). I think the Skylarks are resting for the playoffs, they will give away this game.
Prediction: PHA
All Time: PHA- 5 SKY- 4

(0-7) @ (2-5)

The Toros showed their talent last week, with a swift 1st set victory over the mighty Skylarks. they will continue this and try to close out this season very strong as they have invested everything in this season. The Silverbacks have just been rotting. something went so sour 2 years after triumphantly winning the West and after a pretty good season last year. So much for the Kenneth/Semere rivalry!
Prediction: TOR
All Time: SB- 3 TOR- 4

(4-3) @ (5-2) #4

The Interceptors smell playoffs! They were just messing around early in the season coming from such a long stressful Championship run. I expect them to continue upward and avoid a play-in game going into the playoffs. The Scarlet Ember have played their hearts out to get to #1, but I don't think they can handle the intense RTP play. Expect another 2-setter from the INT.
Prediction: INT
All Time: INT- 16 SE- 14

#1 (6-1) @ (0-7)

Gold v Dragonfish is an almost yearly barn burner. But this time around, the Gold are looking to enjoy their time in the Florida sun. The Dragonfish really have no chemistry, Paolo can only do so much. The Gold are easily the true #1 in the league, Desmond is playing on all cylinders and Travis has truly rediscovered what it means to play as a team. Gold in 2 sets. 

Prediction: GOLD

All Time: GOLD- 6 DF- 8

(1-6) @ (3-4)

Watch out for this game. The Dizzy Devils, having just won the biggest game of the season, may overlook this game. The Seadogs are a bunch of young guys, this is their first time in DC, every game they give their all. I see a close game, but a big blow to DD's resurgence plans. 

Prediction: SEA

All Time: SEA- 13 DD- 14

#8 (4-3) @ (5-2) #3

This may be the Play-In Preview. Especially if the Cat's mess around and lose in New Orleans. The Diamonds might be surging now after such a swift defeat of the surprise Pharoahs, remember when they were a surprise? But I think the Cat's are really strong, they still have the need to prove themselves as a true threat. Maybe Sebastian will come out of his slumber....

Prediction: CATS

All Time: DIA- 4 CATS- 4

(3-4) @ (4-3) #6

Two bad losses in a row for the Reapers. A once unstoppable team melts down in the North. Now it is time to get back on the horse and reclaim their role as one of the best 4 teams in this league. The Gremlins had a good little run, but this skid is unreversable. They don't have the personnel to counter Jason and Reid. What am I saying!? If Casey goes off, this could be a 3 setter, get your popcorn ready in this rivalry final promised game at OKC!

Prediction: REP

All Time: GRE- 10 REP- 14

RTP Flex Week 8

(4-3) @ (4-3) #7

The Margays have had flex games before, but this one is to stamp out the Empire for good and take the North crown for the first time ever. They are the only organization without one division title. The Empire did fall to the Margays at home a couple weeks ago in a swift 2 sets. But after such a great win over the Reapers, the Empire are set to take back their season from the early failure this season. The hex will remain, the Empire are just trained to win big.

Prediction: EMP

All Time: EMP- 16 MAR- 10

Official Week 8 Championship Prediction

 v. 

 Gold win 3-2