#8 Saskatoon Raiders (9-7)
@ #1 Blacksburg Ballers (16-0)
BLACKSBURG, VA - There is a mighty buzz in Blacksburg as the Ballers prepare for the first home playoff game in team history. The fans are very excited and jumped on the chance to pick up tickets for this momentous event. The Blacksburg Ballers cruised through the regular season with a perfect 16-0 record and earned themselves top spot in the Western Conference with a 3 game cushion over Thunder Bay and Mt. Oread. My how the tables have turned this season as the preseason power rankings placed Blacksburg at #6 and Saskatoon at #1 and now Blacksburg sits at #1 and Saskatoon, having a rough season and barely sneaking into the playoffs, snatched up the #8 seed. A rematch from week #13 will have the crowd hoping for some deja vu as the Ballers look to advance deep in the playoffs.
Let the Festivities Begin
The Blacksburg Ballers have gone all out this week to show their appreciation for the great fans of Blacksburg and celebrate this historic event. A 16-0 regular season and the first home playoff game doesn't come very often and this is definitely a moment to celebrate. Here are a list of the events planned for tomorrows game:
- Pre-game tailgate party with a local battle of the bands.
- The release of special "perfect season" collector's editions jerseys for sale. Many Ballers will be on hand for autograph signings including Khari Jones, Ryan Betesta, Speed McLovin', Beast Baily and Aaron Wilson to name a few.
- The Ballers will also unveil their special home playoff jerseys and will be giving an honorary jersey to team owner Mike, Offensive Co-ordinator rbetesta and Defensive Co-ordinator kb2120 for their accomplishments this season.
- Prior to the game, there will be a video montage showcasing the highlights of the season on the road to the undefeated season set to Bon Jovi's "We've Got It Going On".
- At Half-Time, there will be a special awards presentation to quarterback Khari Jones and kicker Troy Westwood for their individual league awards.
- There will also be a half-time performance by the Viriginia Tech marching band.
- The after-party will be hosted at the Viriginia Tech campus's gymnasium with all proceeds from ticket sales going towards local amateur football clubs.
There have also been talks in bringing in some more local musical talent as the Ballers go further into the playoffs. Springfield-raised Dave Grohl has been contacted and this could bring the Foo Fighters in for a half-time show. Hip-hop stars Timbaland and Chris Brown have also been noted as possiblities as Timbaland is a Virginia Beach native and Chris Brown hailing from Tappahannock. The Ballers are willing to go out for their fans who have shown them great support in the 3 seasons so far.
The History
The Ballers had a tough time when these two teams met for the first time in week 12 of season 2. The Ballers were held to 226 yards, only 46 on the ground, while giving up 324 yards in total and 111 on the ground. The key to the game was 3 interceptions thrown by Khari Jones and a fumble lost. Willie Beamon kicked off the scoring with a 6 yard score to Deacon Moss. Eddie King ran the ball in 6 yard score to extend the lead. The Ballers would get a boost by a TouchdownsOnly Owens score from Khari Jones but that would be the only points they would score as the Raiders would cruise to a 24-6 victory.
The Ballers would return the favour in week 13 of season 3 shutting the Raiders down in a decisive 31-3. The Ballers defense would show up to play and held the Raiders to 165 yards total and only 33.5 yards on the ground. Forcing two fumbles and picking off the ball twice, the Ballers offense would be given plenty of opportunities to score. The offense would have trouble punching the ball in having to settle for 5 field goals before Russell Roch punched it in the third. He would add a second score in the 4th and Troy would add on his 6th field goal of the game after missing his first extra point of the season.
Playoff History
The Ballers have not had very much success in the playoffs and Khari Jones in particular. This is the 3rd time coming into the playoffs and the first home game (#8 seed in season 1, #6 seed in season 2). Season 1 would see Khari go pass wild on the Drinkin Hellraisers throwing for over 328 yards but only scoring once. A missed 18 yard field goal would be the difference as the Hellraisers would win 17-16. Season 2 would spell even worse trouble for the Ballers after finishing up with a better record, a rivalry match against Thunder Bay would prove to be too difficult for the Ballers. Khari had his worst performance of the season completing 50% of his passes and throwing a career high 3 interceptions. The Ballers defense would give up 28 points, a team record, as Thunder Bay scored 4 times on the ground. A late passing touchdown would be the only touchdown for the Ballers as they fell 28-13. Could the third time be the charm?
Saskatoon is no stranger to the playoffs having returned here for the 3rd time as well. They do have a playoff win under their belts but were upset in the first round of season 2. After having an excellent season and finishing 12-4, the Raiders would find more than they could handle in the Mt. Oread Hawk Stars as the Stars sent them home packing early with a 20-16 victory. In the first season, the Raiders defeated Phoenixville in the first round before being dominated by the Yukon Gold Rush in the second round 23-7.
Team Stats
Blacksburg Ballers
Points Per Game: 44
Points Allowed Per Game: 5.9 (1st in League)
Passing Yards Per Game: 281.9
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 168.7
Rushing Yards Per Game: 158.4
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 31.8 (No Touchdowns Allowed)
Saskatoon Raiders
Points Per Game: 27.3
Points Allowed Per Game: 13.5
Passing Yards Per Game: 204.8
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 223.8
Rushing Yards Per Game: 151.9
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 68.9
Key Ballers
Khari Jones
After putting up monster numbers this season, including 2nd place in the league for passing yards and third in touchdowns, the pressure is on for Khari to lead this team to the promised land. The signing of John Wilson, BJ and Ryan Betesta have catapaulted Khari's game to another level. Khari's been here before and hopefully now, the playoff jitters are gone because Khari needs to be on his game for this team to go deep in the playoffs. His last playoff game was arguably one of the worst games of his career against a very tough Thunder Bay team. Khari will look to use the home-field advantage to his favour. After posting big numbers last week against Vancouver, Khari looks in prime form to start the playoffs.
Troy Westwood
Troy's also had a tough time in the post-season, missing a crucial field goal in season #1. Troy has rebounded and led the league in field goals this year with 67. Last time these two met, Troy was 6 for 6 and the Raiders defense will try to hold the Ballers to field goals which puts the pressure on Troy to be absolutely perfect once again.
Aaron Wilson
An integral part of the last victory over Saskatoon, Aaron Wilson contained Eddie King like no one else has done before. Aaron was all over the field for 9 tackles and he will definitely be keeping an eye on Eddie King once again and try to hold him to as few yards as possible.
Beast Baily
The Ballers record holder for pass deflections and interceptions gave Willie Beamon a tough time the last time these two teams met and Baily looks on his game once again and could be adding a few more interceptions into his totals column.
The Ballers players and fans are more fired up than ever and after going 16-0 in the regular season, no one is even thinking about the possibility of a Raiders upset victory. The Ballers will look to channel this energy and reward the fans with an explosive game with the hopes of many more playoff games down the line.
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