AND THEN THERE WERE TWO…

ODE TO THE OTHER 19 TEAMS NOT PLAYING SATURDAY NIGHT…

RMFL – Those who are fans of the popular reality CBS show, “Survivor” will recall that prior to the final showdown “Tribal Council”, the show allows the final two contestants to go down memory lane and remember the 15, 16 some odd contestants that had been eliminated before them. As all of the talk begins to swirl around the big game on Saturday night and the two undefeated superteams that will play in it, let us also not forget the many fine teams that played in the RMFL in 2005, their hopes, dreams, successes and ultimate failures that put them camping, fishing, boating, golfing… or in the stands while the Madison Lionz and the Rhino-Raiders vie for the most coveted trophy of all, the RMFL’s Silver Pigskin.

A few words, therefore for each of the fallen 19 teams, bottom to top:

GLACIER KNIGHTS (0-8): For those who followed the Knights in the 2004 season, you have to admit that the 2005 version was marked improvement… although their record does not do them justice. They did win a game in 2004, against the hapless Mountain Home Bengals, at home, but what the 2005 team improved on was in more quality lineman, a better offense and arguably one of the best players in the entire league in Jason Zielanski. Zielanski lead the RMFL in tackles and kick-off return yards. He performed on offense and defense and helped move this team to the next level. Albeit slowly, the Glacier, Montana area is waking up to the game of football and as this team builds from the foundations already laid, it will soon become a difficult opponent for anyone they play. Other key players that played their guts out in 2005: Scott Ruda, Red Dutton, Russ Taylor, Sheldon McCool, Shane Bear, Austin Owens, Andrew Wilson, Allen Solenberg, Kevin Reed, Kevin Brown, Steve Biggs, Matt Kinsella and Beau Herman… Thank you!

SNAKE RIVER SABERCATS (0-8): Although to some, the Snake River Sabercats were just another 0-8 team in a weak division, I have no doubt that for those who played them, they will receive a lot more respect than that, especially at home. For a first year team, the Sabercats were incredible hosts with one of the better facilities in the league and sportsmanship to go with it. They boast two of the top offensive players in the league in running back/quarterback, Tyler Collingwood and wide receiver, Cody Bates. Collingwood lead the team in rushing and was their most effective quarterback and Bates was 5^th in the league in receiving. Also, linebacker Matt Frye finished 7^th in the league in tackles and is an all-star caliber player squeezed out positionally because of the Sabercats poor defensive showing and a number of top-ranked linebackers in the north. The biggest problem the Sabercats faces was on defense, ranking last and accounting for their poor finish in 2005. With a great management structure and a prime football location, expect more and bigger things from the Sabercats in 2006. Other key players that played their guts out in 2005: Brett Smith, Matt Reynolds, Shawn King, Presi Solis, Jeff Valenzuela, Bill Dees, Don Needs, Ben Rowe, Justin Brotherton and Andy Frasier… Thank You!

COLORADO SCORPIONS (1-7): The Colorado Scorpions were arguably the most underachieved team in the league in 2005. Although opening the season with a humiliating 75-0 loss to the Wasatch Wildcats, followed up with a home game forfeit due to improper coordination for their home game officials, they proceeded to make some noise in 2005. Beating and effectively eliminating the Vipers at home and, with the exception of a 36-0 blowout loss at the Salt Lake Nemesis, none of their other 5 losses were by more than 6 points. Imagine what this team could have been able to do with consistent coaching and team management? Mike Christensen did a fine job not only moving to quarterback from wide receiver to help make the offense go after losing original team GM and quarterback, Zane Newitt to what many Scorpions will say “who knows?” Christensen rode the great hard running of Jeff Dotson and some stellar defensive play from the likes of Zen Callihan (51 tackles), Rudi Nailer (3-1/2 sacks) and all-star Luke Gunn (6 interceptions) to a respectable 2005, setting the foundation for a great run in the 2006 season. Other key players that played their guts out: JT Armedariz, Adam Jetter, Ed Johnson, Scott Walston, Eric Easterbrook, Jeremiah Griffith and Micah Mobley…. Thank You!

BRIGHAM CITY DEVIL DOGS (2-6): The football team that took a second vote to make it into the RMFL proved they belonged by beating two other expansion teams and staking a respectable 2-6 record behind the only true winged-T offense in the league and a battering ram defense than, unfortunately, just had little defense against the pass. Starting in the all-star game at fullback will be the Devil Dogs one true stud in Randy Bushnell. Bushnell finished 7^th in the league in rushing as well as leading the Devil Dogs in sacks with 4. The team actually has significant talent in most positions, they simply will need to figure out how to stop other teams from passing on them and perhaps adjust the offense for a more effective passing scheme, an almost absolute requirement for success in today’s RMFL. Regardless, the Devils Dogs had a solid first season and should look for more good things to come in 2006. Other key players that played their guts out: Luke Eyre, Nate Jeppson, Nick Jensen, Josh Clawson, Nathan Taylor, Cade Mund, Bryce Vicars, Dave Curtis, Adam Whitaker, Trip Landau, Todd Earnest and Cody Anderson…. Thank You!

GREAT FALLS GLADIATORS (2-6): Everyone that played the Great Falls Gladiators had nothing but respect for this teams defense, however, with an offense that finished 20^th in the league, averaging less than 150 yards a game, including second in the league in sacks allowed with 33, the fine defense of the Gladiators was often placed in pressure cooker situations with short fields to defend with offenses that grew in confidence as the games wore on. The 2-6 decent finish is obviously qualified by the fact that both wins were against the 0-8 Knights, however, the Gladiators have to know that their otherwise dismal season could be turned around significantly with a couple of key offensive lineman… and a quarterback. Just how hard could that be for ’06? Their biggest stud, defensive lineman, Mike Pease is all-star bound and deservingly so after leading the team in tackles with 46 and recording 6-1/2 quarterback sacks to finish tied for 8^th in the RMFL in that category. Pease was also utilized often as the teams fullback and scored two touchdowns and rushed for over 100 yards. Other key players that played their guts out: Mike Rhode, Sam Morgan, Reid Merriweather, Carlos Uresti, Joe Reza, Brad Thurber, Keon Pinckney, John Garcia and Chad Kennedy…. Thank You!

MORGAN MARAUDERS (2-6): I think probably the best 2-6 team of the bunch, fell probably just a little shy of finishing 4-4 and making the playoffs in 2005. The Marauders were probably the most interesting of the expansion franchises, especially early in the season when Mitch Clark was healthy and terrorizing defenses. Clark almost single-handedly beat the Kamas Valley Muddogs in the first game of the season. Then after losing to the Blitz and a road game to Pocatello, the Marauders beat Colorado in Colorado and stood 2-2 at mid-season before dropping their final 4 games. Not coincidentally, Mitch Clark did not play in any of the final 4 games, one of which was a hard fought 21-19 loss to the Wolverines (who finished 5-3) in which the Marauders lead 19-0 in the 3^rd quarter. With Clark gone, the Wiscombe brothers, Joe and Ben stepped up even more and will represent this exciting new franchise in the 2005 all-star game. Other key players that played their guts out: James Morgan, Colby Ball, Aaron Preece, Jason Ball, Brax Tomney, Robbie Morrison, Jeff Trussell, Jeremiah Rawson, Ashton Hoopes and Mike Mellot…. Thank You!

VIPERS (3-5): Absolutely, no contest, the most under-achieving team of all had to be the Vipers. After storming back at the end of the 2004 season, falling just shy of a playoff birth AND then picking up a number of talented, key players from the folded playoff team, the Layton Pitbulls, the Vipers were poised to have a great season in 2005. In my own pre-season projections, I had the Vipers finishing 4-4, making the playoffs and ranked 9^th of the 21 teams. Heading into the last week, however, they were 2-5 and already eliminated. That, after a solid 2-1 start in which they beat the playoff bound Wolverines decisively 17-2. Had they held their own in the opening home game against the Magic Valley Bulldawgs, the would have been a perfect 3-0 to start the season and I might not be talking about them at this point of this article. Things even still looked pretty good after losing for the first time to the Nemesis and then holding tight for a great effort in a 16-7 loss to the Rhino-Raiders. But back to back losses to the lower ranked teams of Kamas Valley and Colorado did in the Vipers and no amount of Running Kyle Curtis could do or no amount of defense Mike Christensen or Matt Peterson could play could change any of that. Other key players that played their guts out: Colby Cook, Nick Coates, Nash Montoya, Chris Norton, Josh Christensen, Matt Christensen, Jim Greene, Troy Peterson, Chris Jones and Mike Holley…. Thank You!

KAMAS VALLEY MUDDOGS (3-5): Besides the team that wins on Saturday night, no team in the RMFL will finish the season with more excitement for their accomplishments than will the Kamas Valley Muddogs. The Muddogs seemed a little “put out” by their pre-season ranking of 19^th and desperately wanted to go out and prove the egregious error. However, after being dropped in the opener by 17^th ranked Morgan and a 34-10 loss to the Salt Lake Nemesis, things got a little quiet in Muddog land. Beating the Devil Dogs and having the game finish ugly accomplished two positive things for the Muddogs. First… they won. Second, some negative influences may have been extricated from the ranks leaving players that respected the game and respected each other free to improve and grow together as a team. Which they did. They held the Rhino-Raiders to their lowest offensive output of the season, only 14 points, before going on to post victories against rival the Vipers and a great road win at Colorado. Filling in for the Magic Valley Bulldawgs on a playoff trip to Missoula even ignited this franchise even more as 13 proud players held a first quarter lead of 6-0 against a team of 60 players who were home before eventually falling to the Raptors 28-6. Those 13 studs who played their guts out were: George Allums, Will Faleola, Fielding Dunn, Larry Jones, Gary Smith, Kyto Khouang, Ben Begay, Chris Miles, Dillon Hofteling, Chris Hooper, Andrew Stapley, Vino Dela Cruz and Cale Sheppard…. Thank You!

IDAHO MATADORS (3-5): The Matadors had some real surprises in their first season, starting with a tough opening game loss to the 3-time RMFL champion, Idaho Falls Mustangs at home. The Mustangs had nothing but good things to say about this team after that game and the Matadors went on to play a number of tough games before finishing the season beating the Magic Valley Bulldawgs and effectively taking away so much excitement and energy from that team, they did not make the trip as the #12 seed in the RMFL playoffs. Although the Matadors only wins came against the 0-8 Sabercats and the last game upset of the 4-4 Bulldawgs, they played tough in each of their losses and set the tone for the 2006 campaign. Offensively, William Earl played great from the tailback spot and Tom Bennett performed well at times in what he is calling his final season in the RMFL, directing the victory over the Bulldawgs with an outstanding game to seal the Bulldawgs fate. Jerry Smith had a great season in the RMFL and was arguably one of the top 5 receivers in the league who simply played on a low visibility team. The defense was solid (ranked 10^th overall) with Yharmaan Williams leading the way with 9 interceptions and a trip to the RMFL All-Star Classic. Other key players that played their guts out: Nevada Grassi, Brad Chase, Chris Brown, Shane Jackson, Nick Russell, Justin Howell, Joel Gunstream and last, but certainly not least, Jess Hernandez…. Thank You!

MAGIC VALLEY BULLDAWGS (4-4): The Magic Valley Bulldawgs hit an all-time low in their 8 seasons as a team in 2005 when they failed to even attend a playoff game they had qualified for. Boasting one of the best offenses in the league and an underrated defense, the Bulldawgs were poised to make noise in the playoffs once again after an off-year in 2004. According to Bulldawg management, not enough players could commit to make the game competitive and the Bulldawgs withdrew. This is a franchise that started the season with a big road victory over the Vipers before a couple of tight and close losses to eventual final 4 finishers, Boise and Madison. The Bulldawgs spent most of the middle of the season getting into solid playoff position, winning 3 of their next 4, including a 29-10 victory over the Idaho Matadors; the team that would eventually drop them from a nearby road playoff game to a long road playoff game with a finishing victory over the Bulldawgs. Before the season, Mike Manning declared 2005 to be his last season, likely turning the reigns over to Jeff May. However, I hope that Manning, one of the RMFL’s greatest competitors that I have ever seen, plays one more season. This RMFL all-time great should finish his career battling, like he has for 6 seasons; that would be the right way to go out. Other key players that played their guts out: Kelly Nebeker, Lonnie Edwards, Rick May, Jeff May, Brad Slater, Cole Meiners, Jeriah Nay, Dario Azevedo, Taryn Pullin, Rowdy Hakes, Gabe Ostyn, Sonny Wilkinson and last, but not least, Travis Hobson…. Thank You!

SALT LAKE NEMESIS (4-4): The Salt Lake Nemesis probably had as many expectations as anyone going into the 2005 season. Coming off a solid 2004 in which they defeated the Helena Titans on the road in the first round of the playoffs and scored 28 points against the Rhinos in a losing cause in the semi-finals, the Nemesis looked to be a couple of pieces shy of a championship contender in 05. In a sense, they certainly did not disappoint. This season they seemed to either win big, or lose well. Beating Kamas Valley, Colorado, the Vipers and Morgan all by more than a couple of touchdowns, they lost close to Idaho Falls and the Wolverines and had a couple of tough games with the Wildcats and Blitz. But, once again, they came back and won the first playoff game on the road before falling to the Rhino-Raiders by an almost identical score to 2004. Nate Cone seemed to make a difference for the Nemesis after switching from defense only over to quarterback. His play even seemed to spark the play of Marvell Smith and what had been an anemic Nemesis rushing attack. Cone was also a force in special teams as was Cody Jamison who lead the team in receiving. Dan Cruser paced the defense, but it was Harold Regan who stole the show as the teams human highlight reel, leading the RMFL with a record 9 interceptions, returning 6 for touchdowns. Other key players that played their guts out: Rocky Jann, David McCoy, Quinton Case, John Filmore, Dave Lundberg, Jason Valesquez, Jerry Mecham, Milton Gale, Nate Tengen and Lance Paxman… Thank You!

POCATELLO PREDATORS (4-4): The regular season game the Predators played against the Idaho Falls Mustangs, ending with a Mustangs victory was so close (Mustangs won 7-0) that I believe it is safe to say that… all other things being equal… had league-leading rusher, Travis Boden stayed with his Pocatello teammates and not gone to the Mustangs, these teams fates might have been exactly reversed. This is almost the definition of an MVP, but it certainly spells out the delicate balance that existed between these two close rivals. The Predators had a reasonably ho-hum regular season, winning all the games they would expect to win and losing the ones they might expect to lose. They would certainly have played the Roughriders tougher, maybe even won, had they got their team together quicker. The team that competed with Idaho Falls in the regular season was hitting on all cylinders… the team that played the Mustangs in the playoffs was a patch work affair that missed star quarterback, Jeff Belnap who had a great season behind a questionable offensive line and, for most of the game, the leagues second leading receiver and RMFL all-time receptions and scoring leader, Brock Gunter. Troy Sutton, who has my vote as the toughest and most versatile player in the league (pound for pound) played more bruising tailback along with some great defense all season. This team lost big at the end, but what they gained was the knowledge of how it could be… if they get together quicker in 2006. Other key players that played their guts out Travis Goodwin, Matt Culbertson, Gliff Garbett, Trent Sutton, Jonny Fisher, Ron Bennett, Dustin Aldous, Scott Marshall and Chris McIntyre…. Thank You!

UTAH BLITZ (5-3): Something happened to the Utah Blitz team during the course of the 2005 season, and probably only the Utah Blitz players will ever really understand what. Clearly this was a solid football team. I saw them play the Utah Wolverines in the regular season game and was verily impressed with their power running game using Danny Gagnier and Levi Vagana. This seemed to be their mode of operation in building a record of 4-1 just past mid-season, the only loss being a miraculous conversion return by the Wolverines that may have meant the season for both teams, the most dramatic play of the season. With two big losses to the Rhinos and Wildcats seemed to start it all. It was during that same time that Blitz management ran into problems with the RMFL on stat reporting; a problem that resulted in fines and penalties heading into their season finale with the Kamas Valley Muddogs. Although, the Blitz made good on all debts, crushed the Muddogs, knocked off the high-powered offense of the Titans in the playoffs and played the Madison Lionz fairly tough on the road in the quarter-finals, there still seemed to be not the same loose, confident team that built the 4-1 (almost 5-0 start). The Blitz have some off-season fence-mending and a field to secure in the off-season, but there is certainly plenty of talent for this team to contend in 2006. Other key players that played their guts out: Phil Fil, Mike Tooa, Ryan Lang, Jeff Labounty, Wes Perrine, Hugo Anderson, John Farrington, Dustin Reid, Dannon Handcuff, Zane Church, Nathan Mackey, John White, Dennis Glasker, DJ Heinze, and Fisa and Sione Tuatonga. Thank You!

UTAH WOLVERINES (5-3): When Dustin McCammon scooped up the blocked extra point attempt by the Blitz and returned it for 2 points to win the game in the most dramatic play I have seen in a regular season game, I felt like this just might be the play to pull the Wolverines out of what seemed like a funk. Losers of their opener at home to the Vipers, who finished 3-5, by a 17-2 score and then beating Colorado by a forfeit, the Blitz game meant even more for a franchise who was one of the top 4 elite in 2004. However, the Wolverines had to come from behind to beat both Morgan and Salt Lake and had one blowout victory over the Devil Dogs to go along with losses to the championship game contenders, Rhinos and Lionz. The Wolverines, however, seemed poise to advance in the playoffs as the offense had come alive behind Joey Collins, James Neslen and Tigger Edwards and the defense had always been strong behind emotional and team defensive leader, Matt Shoda. But, no miracles like the comeback win over Boise in last years playoffs as the Wolverines were victimized themselves by a phantom trip to star safety, Jeremy Smith, allowing a big catch setting up the game-winning touchdown by the Nemesis in closing out the Wolverines 2005 season. The Wolverines must figure out how to make their offense better (ranked 16^th) and stay on top with their defense (ranked 12^th) if they are to reverse the 2005 trend and regain elite status in 2006. Other key players that played their guts out: Roger Shulze, Andrew Butler, Jeremy Smith, Jeff Munoz, George Liti, Dave Barrett, Mike Junkins, Kelly Tohara and Josh Redfern…. Thank You!

HELENA TITANS (5-3): The 2004 defending Montana champions had to be as excited as anyone with the pre-season developments with the new team in Missoula, Montana. But could they ever have guessed that this new team would hang two losses on them, sending them all the way to northern Utah for the opening round of the RMFL playoffs? Or, would they even have thought that there prolific #1 ranked offense could be stymied by the Utah Blitz? The Helena Titans opened up the 2005 campaign with plenty of confidence. It seemed to me that they hadn’t changed much personnel, but that they had simply believed that the few they added, in addition to the ones that have been getting it done year after year would be enough. Jeremy Ewan, in my mind made a big difference to this offense. Ewan is probably the league’s most versatile fullback, combined with Justin Clement, the Titan backfield was great. The Titans, however, were victimized by the weakness of their own schedule. The combined record of the teams they beat for their 5 wins was 6-26. The Combined record of the teams they lost to: 18-6. Translation: “beats weak teams, loses to good team”… “must solve in 2006.” Other key players that played their guts out: Shane Jurasek, Dave Garza, Bryan Hilborn, Steve Rice, Justin Lamb, Landon Lamb, Eric Sellars, Spencer Steiner, Dan Roope, Mike Moe, Shane Stephenson, Ken Sanford, Brad Johnson, Aaron Ferron and Donny Kaneshiro…. Thank You!

MISSOULA RAPTORS (6-2): For those who have not had a chance to really peruse the Missoula Raptor web site should do so. Specifically look for a section that has a lot of photos of their games. Please note the stands. For the many who did not get a chance to attend a Raptor game, this team has done so much right in 2006 as an expansion team… including winning. The Raptors shot out of the gate and won their first game against state rival Helena, 33-31 in Helena. Even after a humiliating home loss to the Wasatch Wildcats, the Raptors continued to win. Clearly the champions of the state of Montana, finishing the season 6-0 against in-state rivals. Unfortunately, the Raptors were 1-3 against Idaho and Utah teams, with the only victory coming in the first round of the playoffs against a seriously under-staffed, but pesky, Kamas Valley team. The Missoula Raptors not only had a great first season, they had the greatest first season in RMFL history, where success should be measured team excitement and community support as much as wins. The most amazing thing to me was when I had heard that after they had been having 80+ players attend regular practice and as their first game approached and many of them were fearing the gloom and doom of being told that they were only allowed 60 to suit up per game; by special request through the RMFL for this expansion franchise, approved by their first opponent, Ron LaTray and the Glacier Knights, the Raptors were okayed to allow all 80+ players to suit up for the game. A local reporter told me on the phone that he was at the practice when the news came to the team. He said that the cheer that went around those players was “deafening”. And of those 80+ that were cheering, you had to know that at least 40+ of them were still not going to see much, if any, time on the field… and they knew it, but didn’t care at the time. What a great story about guys that really do love the game of football. Other key players that played their guts out: Justin Nixon, Buckie Brawley, Nate Stephens, Gavin Johnson, Grant Roman, Nick Lumpkin, Tad Sheridan, Jamie Jones, Rapheal Roberts, Greg Graham, Tony Sanderson, Dave DeCoite, Tyler Boaz, Max McCracken, Bryan Hughes, Rajiem Seabrook, Brian Gollnick, Brian Smith, Ben Nelson, Jeff Hecht and Nick Adams…. Thank You!

IDAHO FALLS MUSTANGS (6-2): As an Idaho Falls resident and a former quarterback, playing in this offense would be a dream come true. The Mustangs boast the league’s leading receiver in Travis Boden; what defense would not have to respect a play-action fake to that guy? At wide receiver, the Mustangs may have the fastest player in the league in Brandon Reed (hopefully we will see on July 30^th) and the #1 ranked offensive line in the RMFL! No wonder Mustang quarterback, Donavan Ard has no intention quitting play ever! The Mustangs 2005 season could all probably be summarized in the outcome of a single game. Madison. This is a game that the Mustangs had won… were winning, decisively. The Mustangs held a 33-13 halftime lead and the Lionz were trying to win with back-up quarterback, Todd Barber who had struggled some in the first half. Had the Mustangs held on to win and not succumbed to 23 unanswered second half points, the Mustangs would have finished 7-1, seeded 2^nd, and all other things being equal, would have been hosting the Utah Blitz and not Wasatch in the quarterfinals, setting up a Madison rematch (with a victory) in the semi-finals. A whole different scenario than what played out leading to their 37-7 shelling by the Wildcats in the playoffs. The Mustangs showed some chinks in their defensive armor during 2005, particularly with the 49-47 victory over Helena. As the offense looks to be one of the best in the league for years to come, the Mustangs will have to address their defense in the off-season to have a chance to collect their unprecedented 4^th RMFL championship in 2006. Other key players that played their guts out: Sean Powell, Doug Brasier, Rayce Bird, Scott Brown, Steve Elfering, Jason Carlyle, Scott Worthington, Dusty Hawker, Jason Lawson, Justin Weaver, Rye McAffee, Tyson Poulsen, Vince Barzee and Mike Brown…. Thank You!

BOISE ROUGHRIDERS (7-1): There was much off-season talk about the Boise Roughriders and a potential game with the Rhino-Raiders. It had never happened before. When the schedule came out, pitting these two teams against each other in week #2, the excitement mounted. Many felt like THIS could be the year and THIS could be the game. After the Rhino-Raiders swarmed the Roughriders in a 42-14 route, a game which saw defending two-time RMFL Defensive MVP, Zac Jockumson go down for the season, it could have been a very big pin in a very big Roughrider balloon. But it was not. The Roughriders proceeded to win the rest of their games, including several hard fought games with the Bulldawgs and Matadors, a couple of very worthy foes. That combined with the Pocatello Predators opening win, the Roughriders had a respectable list of victims on their win list. The quarter-finals playoff game, they added the Missoula Raptors. However, the Roughriders with their great defense (Ranked 4^th) could simply not get past the one weakness in their game… passing offense. Aaron Blakely, who finished second in the league in rushing, even after missing most of 2 game of playing time was not enough to overcome an extremely lopsided interception to touchdown ratio from their passing game. That, of course combined with the fact that Madison was hitting on all cylinders last week at home in routing the Roughriders to end their season. The Roughriders will have to find either a new quarterback… or, an offensive that works for the quarterbacks they have, otherwise, it could be another season of “coming close” for the Roughriders, but no Silver Pigskin. Other key players that played their guts out: Maurice Sapp, Shawn Mares, Sheridan Hodson, Brian Stogsdill, Sean Thompson, Bob Mares, Reashard Howard, Dane Knickrehm, Austin Callison, Afa Faraimo, Ryan Weaver, Chance Leeds, Tony McPherson, KC McKenzie, Todd Rietmann and Sean McBride. Thank You!

WASATCH WILDCATS (6-2): The Wildcats and Boise Roughriders had one thing in common, they both only lost to undefeated teams. However, the Wildcats losses were far closer than the Roughriders’ losses. Losers of a 16-13 regular season road game to Madison, a 20-14 regular season road game to the Rhino-Raiders and a 24-9 semi-final game to the Rhino-Raiders the Wildcats proved that they were a top team in the Rockies and will not have too much to “tweak” in the off-season to be the favorite to win the RMFL championship for the second time in 2006. Probably the Wildcats two biggest stars were Marcus Whalen on offense who finished 8^th in the league in rushing in only 5 games of play and Jasen Ah You on defense, who also missed a few games of play. Both missed the road game at Madison that could have been the difference as to whether or not they would still be playing on Saturday night. If they would have beaten Madison, all other things being equal, they would have had the #2 seed in the playoffs and been hosting Madison in the semis and instead of no home playoff games, would have had two. Getting key players to the biggest games of the season will always be a challenge for any RMFL GM and amongst the elite of the RMFL, it could be the difference in winning and losing. Before the season, the Wildcats almost demanded the most difficult schedule possible… and they got it. This team fought hard and played well and deserves the respect of the league and will have another shot at the title in 2006. Other key players that played their guts out: Sim Tiatia, Tony Saunders, Justin Walker, Chris Carter, Jam Mategi, Jared Harward, Setema Gali, Matt Stroshine, Sam Trulock, Matt Taliulu, Brandon Preece, Jonathon Olsen, Jay Fletcher, Wes Amitoelau, Jason Savaiinaea, Isreal Arciniega, Ben Arciniega and Jeff Wissler. Thank You!