Dateline…11/29/2005
Then there were four, er I mean three?…
Week 12 cleared the playoff picture up for at
least three teams and basically crammed the rest of the field
into two suitcases and one carry-on. Teams like the Lampshades,
Leviathans, Lightening, have locked in their playoff spots.
Although they would all like to keep winning, it is not necessary
for their survival over the next two weeks. Then there is a
group of 5 teams with 8-4 records, followed closely by the Jagermeisters
at 7-5, and then by a pack of 3 teams at 6-6 still hoping for
a shot at the last coveted playoff spot.
The talk of the week is the match-up of the
Carolina Muddogs vs. the Barenjagers. The Barenjagers were 22point
underdogs and it appeared to be a wash. That was until Todd
Heap decided to have an incredible game against the Bengal’s
scoring almost 18points in his individual performance. This
alone was not enough for the Barens as they were still hanging
on by a thread. After Sunday, the Muddogs entered Monday Night
Football with almost a 17point lead and watching a tough Pittsburgh
defense hold off the only undefeated team of the Colts. This
was to be the game of the season and it may have saved the Barenjagers.
The Barens needed Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt to have a solid
performance and hoping that there were more field goals than
extra points. Only in our wildest dream could this come true…and
it did. Vanderjagt put up a season high 18points, nearly doubling
his best game this season. In the end, this was just enough
to shut down the Muddogs.
If they Muddogs had won, then they would have
been a virtual locked in the playoffs. Now they are grouped
in with the 8-4 pack trying to break away.
The Barenjagers are now part of a group hoping
beyond hope to have the Cinderella season and make their way
to the playoffs. They are 6-6 and need every win and point they
can muster. In the end, this still may not be enough but only
time will only tell if they survive. The stage has been set
and the next two weeks could be incredible.
Only in the PTL…
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Pat Clancy is the General Manager for the Raleigh Lightening
and freelance writer. Any questions or comments can be sent
to pscpm@yahoo.com. Pat Clancy has been a member of Phi Mu Alpha
since the Spring of 1995
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