10-0, THREE MORE TO GO

The USFA Playoffs begin this weekend and the Warriors will closely monitor the Wild Card game in West Virginia.

By Joel Renner

Lima Warriors Chief Staff Reporter

8/10/07 – LIMA, OH -- Before getting to the serious matter at hand, previewing the upcoming USFA playoffs, let us bask once more in a task already accomplished: The Lima Warriors posting a perfect 10-0 record in the regular season.

On Saturday, in the final game of the regular season, the Warriors completed what might be the greatest regular season in franchise history, scoring six touchdowns and blowing out the Motor City Soldiers 47-0.

Consider some of the veteran players involved in the organization that have waited so long for a perfect regular season.  Justin Henderson, who threw the three TD passes, split time at QB last season; receiver Bobby Huttis, who caught the opening TD, missed time due to a car accident last season; Kaene Runion, the tight end who caught the TD in the third quarter, bulked up to switch positions this year.  The Warriors defense also shined as cornerback Wayne LeGrant, picked off an interception with 11:42 in the fourth quarter, leads the team with six interceptions in his fourth season; and the rest of the defense played another lights out game to post the sixth shutout of the season.  The Warriors roster is littered with star players and high-caliber talent, most of whom have paid their dues and deserve the honor of an undefeated season.

According to the United States Football Alliance bylaws, the tournament brackets of the USFA are made up of six teams from each of the league’s two conferences, the Eastern and the Western, following the end of the 10-game regular season.

The first round of the playoffs is dubbed the Wild Card Round. The 3rd-seeded division winner hosts the 6th seed wild card, and the 4th seed hosts the 5th. The 1st and the 2nd seeds from each conference receive a bye in the first round, which entitles these teams to automatically advance to the second round, the Divisional Playoff games, to face the Wild Card survivors. Unlike most tournaments, with a predetermined bracket, each round of the playoffs is 're-seeded'; the highest surviving seed always hosts the lowest surviving seed, the second-highest hosts the second lowest, etc.  One difference between the USFA and the MLFA (Warriors’ former league) is that the proximity of teams in the USFA playoffs will not be accounted for after each round as was in the MLFA playoffs.  This system fits the Warriors because it removes the possibility of two higher seeded teams removing each other early in the playoffs based solely on location to one another.

The two surviving teams from the Divisional Playoff games meet in Conference Championship games with the winners of those contests going on to face one another in the USFA Championship.  The USFA Championship site will alternate between conferences with this year’s Western Conference Champion to host the contest.  This also means that the Warriors have home-field advantage with the possibility of hosting the most important game in franchise history at Lima Stadium.

Here’s a look at round one playoff bracket and predictions.

WFC WILD CARD

BUTLER COUNTY AT AKRON

The two teams have not matched up this season and have both been streaky teams.  Two weeks ago, the Jagz were torched by the Gladiators 37-7 in Morgantown in a game that wasn’t that close.  The Warriors beat Akron in week two 28-0 in blowout.  Akron threw for 68 yards in that game, but did have a quick defense and looks to that side of the ball for easy scoring opportunities.  Both of these games were on the road and the Jagz will take comfort at their home field.  The Blazers nearly missed the playoffs after closing their season with three straight losses and will also have trouble with Akron’s offense.  Akron finished with the better record but both teams have heart.  The only way the Jagz lose is if Blazers’ quarterback Dustin Howard puts together a remarkable game to pull off the upset.  JAGZ WIN.

SOUTHERN OHIO AT WV CRASH

The Patriots that aren’t suspended after their altercations and league-breaking actions bring their bad self and quick defense into this matchup, but they might as well turn around and take them back home.  The Crash will come in with home-field advantage and something to prove.  And while the Patriots still might crack off a solid offensive game, it will be a “quiet” one and they’ll need to wear down the Crash with a pounding running attack.  The Crash have a physical defensive front that will not be pushed around or intimidated by the Patriots’ running game or offensive line, as some teams clearly have been.  The Crash will control the tempo, especially after last week’s bye week and will be able to have all of the comforts of home on game day.  CRASH WIN. 

EFC WILD CARD

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AT PITTSBURGH 

This figures to be the ugly duckling of the first-round games, yet it gets attention on Saturday night because the Warhawks have been close in many games despite their poor record.  Both teams would love to escape with a win any way possible.  No matter what the score is or how long the game takes, both teams are well-organized and are pleased to be in the playoffs so early in their short existence.  The Warhawks enter the playoffs at an unprecedented 2-7 and they’ll have to open up their passing attack to pull off the upset.  The Pride won the earlier matchup 19-0 behind a talented running attack.  The Warhawk’ players didn’t find out about making the playoffs until last weeks game and are set out to show the USFA that they deserve to be there.  The Pride has confidence and home field advantage on their side and overall has a better chance of advancing.  PRIDE WIN.

PENN OHIO AT LACKAWANA

Penn Ohio has been through some rough times this season and looks to avenge two losses earlier in the year to the Dynasty.  A 33-28 win on June 16 followed by a 27-6 win on July 7 has the Dynasty confident.  Home field advantage will again play a part and a huge amount of focus and manpower will be needed by the Raiders to pull this one out.  Penn Ohio has notably improved to end the season, but face a team poised to make a run.  This is the game of the week for the first round and should be the closest in the scoring column.  DYNASTY WIN.

Click here for a the complete playoff bracket.