3-WAY BATTLE IN MONTANA, RESURGENCE OF THE RMFL’S “PERIMITER” TEAMS AND PARITY, PARITY, PARITY MAY HIGHLIGHT FIRST AA SEASON IN RMFL…BUT TITLE MAY BE VIPERS’ TO LOSE

 

RMFL Team Reviews/Projections: by Jared Neumeier

 

PLAYERS!! READ THIS FIRST!!

 

This preview is NOT the official word from your coaches on who will start and who will not!  Every position is competed and will continue to be competed at each practice and each game.  If you are hearing differently from your coaches lately, take THEIR word for it, not mine!  .

 

RMFL – The rivalries and true battles in the RMFL truly be heating up in 2006, particularly in the new AA division.

 

Of all of the years that I have previewed the RMFL, this was absolutely the most difficult job I have ever had. Although I think Glacier may yet be another year away from competing, I would not be surprised at the final order of the other 11 not one bit.  From the best assessment I can make, these teams are fairly well matched… from top to bottom. I would be very surprised, however, with the areas MVP from ’05 on the team, if the Knights do not surprise one or two opponents at home and avoid a winless 2006.

 

In Montana, there is no question that the number and type of players that left the Montana champion Raptors for the Blaze is significant. Based on the 2005 finish, the Raptors should automatically walk into this AA division as the proverbial “team to beat”… but they won’t.

 

I expect the Bitterroot Blaze to make a serious statement in their first year. There is just too much talent on that team for them not to.  The Colorado Scorpions have also made a serious move upwards, and benefiting from the remote location advantage, I expect them to sweep their home games and pick up at least one road victory.

 

The Muddogs have the defense and the Sabercats have the offense to make playoff runs.  These teams will figure into the playoff mix all season long.  The Bulldawgs, Marauders, Gladiators and Rockets just have enough questions not to fit as nicely into the top 7 rankings of the other teams.  I’m slightly more confident in the top 5 and if the Scorpions don’t win all of their home games or they don’t win one of their long road games and the Muddogs do struggle on offense, the Bulldawgs and Rockets are very in the thick of it.

 

With Missoula expected to fall on a bit more difficult times, look for the rise of the Helena Titans. That’s right, I expect this team to return to the best of the state.  I don’t believe they have more talent than the Blaze or more pride, unity or spirit than the Raptors, but they have at least as much… and they have been together longer AND they have more offensive weapons than the other in-state competitors.

 

My pre-season pick for #1 however, will be Rex Stacey and his Vipers.  The Vipers have all of the elements on offense including a big and powerful offensive line to support an array of backfield and wide receiver talent. This, combined with the unquestioned best defense, at least going into the season and they have to be considered the most likely team to beat. I do, however, expect them to lose a regular season game or two and they will not be invincible in the playoffs.

 

In fact, any team that qualifies for the playoffs, and there will be 6 of them, 3 from each conference, will have a legitimate shot at the title.  Sit back and enjoy the ride…!!!!

 

PLAYOFF ANALYSIS:  Based on the assumptions and rankings herein, the Raptors, Blaze and Titans qualify for the playoffs in the Northern Conference while the Vipers, Scorpions and Muddogs qualify in the Rocky Mountain Conference. If this actually did happen exactly as I have pre-ranked, the first round would pit the Muddogs at the Scorpions and the Raptors at the Blaze.  I would definitely have to take the home teams in this scenario, however, the Muddogs seem to travel well and the Raptors really wouldn’t be traveling at all, so the edge wouldn’t be by much.  The Titans would then host the Scorpions and the Vipers would host the Blaze.  This sets up a long trip for the Scorpions and a big advantage for the Titans who I’d have to pick easily.  The Vipers and Blaze would be a GREAT game, obviously the Vipers would have the edge, but I wouldn’t count on anything with these 12 teams. The Northern Conference will get to host the Championship game this season by a pre-determined decision. The Championship game would then rotate to the top ranked Rocky Mountain Conference team in 2007.  In this scenario, if the Scorpions upset the Titans, then the Vipers/Blaze winner would host the championship. All bets are off… Every team is 0-0 right now and the season ahead should be full of surprises.  Let your team be the one that makes those surprises happen!!!

 

TEAM PRE-SEASON RANKINGS:

 

1 – Vipers                                           2 – Helena Titans

 

 

3 – Bitterroot Blaze                          4 – Grand Junction Scorpions

 

 

5 – Missoula Raptors                        6 – Muddogs

 

 

7 – Snake River Sabercats              8 – Morgan Marauders

 

 

9 – Magic Valley Bulldawgs            10 – Great Falls Gladiators

 

 

11 – Bear River Valley Rockets     12 – Glacier Knights

 

 

 

 

                                      DIVISIONAL PROJECTIONS

 

Northern

W

L

GB

Helena*

6

2

-

Bitterroot*

5

3

1

Missoula*

5

3

1

Great Falls

3

5

3

Glacier

1

7

5

Mountain

 

 

 

Vipers*

7

1

-

Grand Junction*

5

3

2

Muddogs*

4

4

3

Snake River

4

4

3

Morgan

3

5

3

Magic Valley

3

5

3

Bear River Valley

2

6

4

 

* Would qualify for playoffs