Game Preview: Week #13 Saskatoon Raiders @ Blacksburg Ballers

Saskatoon Raiders (6-6)
@
Blacksburg Ballers (12-0)

BLACKSBURG, VA – With a home playoff game locked, the Ballers look to continue their winning ways and extend the streak to 13 straight victories against the Saskatoon Raiders. The Raiders are coming off a loss against the Moose Island Sofa Kings and will have a very difficult time against the explosive offense and killer defense that is the Blacksburg Ballers. The Ballers currently have a 2 game lead on first and a victory against Saskatoon and Mt. Oread in the following week, Blacksburg can clinch 1st place in the Western Conference with 2 games still remaining in the regular season.

The History So Far…

The Ballers had a very tough time the last time these two teams met 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.

Team Stats

Blacksburg Ballers

Points Per Game: 44.6 (3rd in League)
Points Allowed Per Game: 6.7 (1st in League)
Passing Yards Per Game: 279.8
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 186.1
Rushing Yards Per Game: 160
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 34.4 (No Touchdowns Allowed)

Saskatoon Raiders

Points Per Game: 29.2
Points Allowed Per Game: 13.5
Passing Yards Per Game: 209.1
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 225.8
Rushing Yards Per Game: 148
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 66.6

Key Ballers

Khari Jones

Khari is coming off an off week that saw him throw too many incompletions. Last time these two teams met, Khari threw 3 interceptions and will definitely need to step up his game in order for the team to pull through today. Khari also has the additions of Ryan Betesta and John Wilson who have been an integral part of the Ballers passing success.

BJ

If its one thing that the Raiders can’t do, its stop the tight end and BJ is one of the best TE’s in the league. BJ has 41 catches for 358.5 yards this season including 4 touchdowns.

Michael Beasley

The Raiders have a balanced offense that can go either way. Its going to be up to MLB Michael Beasley to lead the charge against Eddie King who is a powerful running back that loves to plow over defenses. Beasley is having one of his best seasons amounting 44 tackles, a sack, an interception and a forced fumble.

Aaron Wilson

The Raiders have 19 touchdowns on the ground while the Ballers have allowed none. Wilson will have his eye on the prize all game long and has the ability to be a big playmaker at any moment. King loves to run to the right side and Wilson be there to meet him head on.

Record Watch

Jesse Lumsden is 1 touchdown away from tying another of Alex Casino's records, this one for rushing touchdowns. The Ballers have proven their dominance as a pass first offense but in Lumsden could break out for a long one or could take advantage of the redzone to bring in the scores and the record.

Beast Baily is one interception away from tying his single season interception record. Slasher Evans is also two interceptions away from tying the record.

Khari Jones is just 91 yards away from breaking his single season record for passing yards and should have this record broken easily in the first quarter.

Interesting Notes

- The Ballers defense has allowed no rushing touchdowns and only 4 passing touchdowns. Of the 4, only one has been over 6 yards and that was the 73.5 yard score by Phoenixville at the end of the game. The only other touchdown allowed by the Ballers was an interception returned for a touchdown against Forumopolis.

- The Ballers defense leads the league in interceptions with 36.

- The Ballers are tied for the fewest amounts of field goals allowed with 13.

- Khari Jones leads the conference in passing yards and touchdowns.

- Ryan Betesta is currently third in the league for receiving yards and leads the conference in receiving yards. John Wilson is tied for 1st in receiving touchdowns for the Western Conference with 8.

- Troy Westwood leads the conference in field goals made and extra points made. Mr. Man is second in the conference for punt average.

Las Vegas Projections

The odds are definitely in the Ballers favor with a projected score of 35-8 for the Ballers. In all other games this week, the favorites are slated to win outright with the closest game being Forumopolis against the North American NDLers with Forumopolis to win 28-16.

The Raiders had a great season in season 2 with a 12-4 record before losing to Mt. Oread in the first round of the playoffs. Things have changed dramatically since then as the struggling team has only won 6 games so far this year with their only victory with substance against the Mooresville Anglers. This is almost an entirely different Ballers team that takes the field with many new additions to the team that should spell doom for the Raiders who are fighting to make the playoffs.