The 2014-2015 KRFL Super Bowl matchup is set. The Atlanta Alligators vs. the Salem Steers.
Let's review how we go here:
During the off-season, the Alligators acquired QB Russell Wilson in a trade with Cleveland filling in the missing piece for a franchise that has come up short in recent years. Despite modest passing numbers, Wilson led a rag tag group of over-achieving running backs to over 2600 yds in rushing with a 5 yd per carry average. Their grind it out philosophy of keeping the games close led them to a 12-4 regular season record where they won games by a scant 4.2 point average margin. Atlanta barely squeaked by Lakeland (final score: 16-15) to face the juggernaut that was Penn State who at 15-1 were presumptive favorites to win out. The conference championship was not without a little controversy as QB Josh McCown's tired arm led to the second-half substitution of turnover prone Geno Smith and an Atlanta victory. The league is still sorting through the ambiguous usage penalties defined by the game engine but has certified Atlanta's remarkable win.
Salem shares the same ball control offensive approach as Atlanta. In a season where high-powered passing attacks seemed to dominate, it is noteworthy that the old school formula of run first and often then play good defense yielded the two contenders. Salem's success this year was a mild surprise as they traded away some key players in the off-season and appeared to be settling in for a re-building year. With a winning record at the season's midpoint, Salem made aggressive trades to obtain Colin Kaepernick, Victor Cruz, Marcel Reece and Tony Gonzalez and solidify a roster with some major offensive holes. At 13-3, the Steers were the second-seeded team going into the playoffs and beat Waunakee before facing the perennially strong New York Hitmen in the conference championship. A bit of luck helped them there as coach Jeff Paulson recalls: "I am still not sure how we slowed down New York and Peyton Manning. It took a fumble at the one year line, and then a 94 yard run to beat him. In our first playoff game. They were moving up and down the field, yet twice we stopped them inside the ten yard line and they had to settle for field goals. They could have easily blown us out." Opposing coach Cliff Dolgins reported the game changing play occured with NY up 13-7 when at "3rd and 1 at the 1 yard line Reggie Bush fumbles and 2 plays later Chris Ivory takes it 96 yards and momentum changes."
Game Preview
With two teams that are so similar, the slight differences will likely determine the winner. Salem clearly has the better defense while Atlanta has an edge in the passing game. Salem coach Paulson said at his press conference that "they have two of the best wide receivers in all of football [Pierre Garcon and Dez Bryant]! That is going to be a very tough matchup for us. We are going to have to double team those two often and even that will only slow them down a little." Atlanta coach Valentino Montalbano (speaking through a translator) says "their lines of attack and defense are what scare me most." The keys for the game for him are keeping the the score close and timely passing from QB Wilson with the Salem secondary being "the only [weak area] in a "not unbeatable" Salem [team]." For Paulson, the Steers must limit turnovers. "Atlanta is going to put some points up on the board, and we have to be able to move the ball and match them. We have to figure out a way to slow down their two stud wide receivers and not allow their run game to go wild. Finally, we have to make those big plays at the right time. Guys have to step up at the right time."
A big congratulations to both teams for getting to the big game and a bigger congrats to everyone in the KRFL for making this another fun and successful season.
|
