#5 Forumopolis Fighting Llamas
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#1 Blacksburg Ballers
BLACKSBURG - Its hard for a team to continue to impress the critics after posting a 16-0 season but Blacksburg did it After having an incredible regular season, the Ballers hosted their first home playoff game against the Saskatoon Raiders and looked close to perfect, securing a 60-6 victory after only beating Saskatoon 31-3 in the regular season. The Ballers fans will be in for a treat this week as the Ballers get ready to host the 2nd round playoff game between the Ballers and the Fighting Llamas. The Ballers won the matchup earlier in the season 30-10 as Khari Jones had one of the best games of the season, despite an interception returned for a touchdown. The Ballers defense has been unstoppable as of late and have not allowed a touchdown in the past ten games and look to contain TJ Sweetness and the Llamas and move on to the Conference Championship.
The Playoffs
The Blacksburg Ballers opened the playoffs with a bang as Khari Jones had his best game of the season netting 316.5 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. The running game took off with 155.5 yards and a touchdown for each of the HBs and Russell Roch. The defense was also on fire, picking the ball off 4 times and forcing 1 fumble and holding Eddie King to 15 yards on the ground. The Raiders were hoping for a better result after the last time these two met but the Ballers chanelled the energy of the Ballers fans and delivered a knockout blow to the struggling Raiders.
Forumopolis enter the playoffs as a #5 seed and got the opportunity to play Phoenixville in the first round and won a tight one by a last minute field goal. A strong defensive effort by Forumopolis kept them in the game, forcing 4 fumbles and an interception and the only score of the game for Phoenixville would come from a kick return for a touchdown by Speed Speedy. Forumopolis saw great success running the ball for over 175 yards but had a tough time with the pass, throwing 20 incompletions and less than 200 yards. Its the final score that counts as Forumopolis advances with a 19-16 victory.
Playoff Stats
Forumopolis Fighting Llamas
Points Scored Per Game: 19
Points Allowed Per Game: 16
Passing Yards Per Game: 167.5
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 158.5
Rushing Yards Per Game: 178
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 104.5
Blacksburg Ballers
Points Scored Per Game: 60
Points Allowed Per Game: 6
Passing Yards Per Game: 316.5
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 179.5
Rushing Yards Per Game: 155.5
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 12
Key Matchups
Khari Jones vs Llamas Secondary
After having two average games against Saskatoon and Mt. Oread in the regular season, Khari Jones returned to his true form against Vancouver and playoff-Saskatoon and has looked spectacular. Last time these two met, Khari lit it up against this secondary for 345.5 yards. They did manage to pick a ball off and return it for a touchdown but that is the last interception Khari has thrown. He also connected for 3 touchdowns in that game. The Ballers receivers have looked better as well and if Forumopolis wants to win, they are going to have to shut down the pass cause Khari is just too good right now.
Gideon Starorzewski vs Ballers offensive line
Gideon is quite possibly the most feared DE in Canada and the likely defensive MVP of the western conference but you wouldn't be able to tell that by his last performance against the Ballers. Gideon amounted 4 tackles and 3 hurries but did not get his hands on Khari at all. He's hoping to improve on those results and force Khari into some bad situations but this offensive line is intent on protecting Khari. After allowing only 5 sacks in the regular season, they allowed Khari to drop twice against Saskatoon and have vowed to not let this happen again against Forumopolis.
The energy in Blacksburg is electrifying as the fans are so excited to be a part of this. They've waited and struggled through two early departure seasons and are being paid in full for their great fan support. The Ballers have used this energy to catapult their game to another level and with Mt. Oread and Thunder Bay out of the way, the Ballers are the clear cut favourite to win the West. The Ballers are looking to not disappoint the fans and pull away with another decisive victory.
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