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GG Crush and good luck moving forward

your guys just wanted it more than my guys. You were always pushing for one more yard while my guys were dropping passes.

Rawls gets Salem into title game

Jerry Rawls swept around the right end for 2 yards for the go-ahead touchdown and, in the process, swept the Salem Witches into the EFL Championship Game with a 23-19 win over Gothenburg. Salem may have led for only 13 seconds in the game, but they were the only 13 seconds that mattered.
“Oh man, this feels great,” said Rawls, whose only other carry on the night registered a 2-yard loss. Rawls also caught a pair of passes for 80 yards in the game, including a 41-yarder in the first half to give the Witches their first points of the contest. Michael Thomas finished 26-for-39, slinging the rock for 274 yards and 2 TD’s in the contest.
Gothenburg jumped to a 10-0 lead behind a 41-yard field goal and Richard Adams’ 2-yard touchdown run. William Bingham added 50 and 33-yard field goals in second quarter to give the War Eagles a 16-7 lead at intermission.
Thomas pulled Salem closer about 6 minutes into the second half as he snapped off a 27-yard TD pass to Laurence Powell, but Bingham pushed the lead back to 5 points with a 23-yard kick with 10 minutes remaining.
Gary Parsley drilled a kick form 36 yards out with 4:21 to play to set up the late drama. While the Witches were held in check by the Gothenburg defense for much of the day, they wore down the War Eagle defense with 21 of their 54 offensive plays coming on their final 2 possessions, during which time they gained 135 yards of offense to finish with 312 for the game.

Opposite Salem in the championship contest will be Columbus City. The Assassins used a touchdown run by Jon Silva, a TD reception by Thomas Napier and a trio of Edward Jackson field goals to score a 23-13 win over the Canton Crush.
Napier’s 3-yard catch late in the first half elevated Columbus City to a 13-10 halftime lead. The score stayed that way until the fourth quarter when Silva bulled his way in from a yard out to push the Assassin lead to 10 points. Canton countered with a 23-yard field goal with just over 7 minutes remaining. The kick came at the tail end of a 12-play, 71-yard drive that was facing a 4th and 4 situation.
“You’ve got to kick it there to get it down to a one score game,” said Crush coach Lamont Bittner in the postgame conference. “Of course, you want the touchdown when you get that close, but our defense had played well enough to that point that I felt we could get a stop and get the ball back again. We can’t score 10 points on one play so the goal in that situation is to get the scoreboard back to a margin we can match.”
Bittner’s instincts turned out to be correct as the Crush defense conjured up a three-and-out. They didn’t prove to be on point moments later, however. Faced with yet another 4th and 4 scenario, this time at his own 22, the Canton coach decided to roll the dice despite there being nearly 4 minutes remaining in the game. Quarterback Willie Coyne’s pass found wide receiver Bryan Bell, but the fourth-year player out of Georgia Tech came up a yard short of the line needed to be gained. Columbus City converted the field position into an easy field goal to reinstate the two-score lead.
“We had a good play called, but Columbus City got some pressure up the middle and he had to release it before Bell could drive past the line to gain and hook back,” Bittner said of the play.
Salem (15-3) and Columbus City (16-3) will be meeting for the first time since the season opening contest of the 2031 season. Oddsmakers have installed the Assassins as a 4-point favorite in the game.
The Witches have appeared in five EFL championship games previously, winning twice, but the team has not progressed this far since the 2023 season. Columbus City will be making its first-ever title game appearance.

RAWLS CASTS A WINNING SPELL FOR SALEM

Jose McCauley took the game’s first play from scrimmage 75 yards to the end zone and the Salem Witches barely stumbled from there in a 31-16 championship game victory that delivered the franchise its third title banner.

Playing at home for the title game, the Assassins answered late in the first quarter with an Edward Jackson field goal and then took a momentary lead on the first play of the second quarter as Kirk Bryant hauled in a 3-yard scoring pass from Nicholas Castle. But then the Jerry Rawls show began.

After scoring on a late run to get the Witches into the championship game, Rawls did everything in his power to make sure they won it as well. Rawls pulled in touchdown passes on plays covering 29 and 90 yards to lift Salem to a 21-10 advantage. Jackson added a field goal just before intermission trim the Witches’ lead to 21-13 at intermission.

Gary Parsley hit a chip-shot field goal for the only points of the third period, but got answered with 9 and a half minutes remaining in the game by Jack’s 17-yard kick, which made it an 8-point game once more and set the stage for possible excitement down the stretch.

Those dreams of a late score to deadlock the game were crushed by a meticulous Salem offense. The Witches responded to the danger by marching 75 yards in 12 plays, burning more than 7 minutes off the clock in the process. Fittingly, it was Rawls again on the score, this time carrying the ball in from one yard out.

For the night, Rawls finished with 208 all-purpose yards, coming off four receptions and five carries.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM RED and MRS. RED!

Although I don't know any of you beyond your screen names and little blips that you've occasionally shared about your "real" lives (do any of us actually have those any more...?), I just wanted to take a moment to stop and wish you all the best in this holiday season. I know 2020 has been a crazy, effed-up year for us all, and I hope this finds you all in a comfortable spot surviving and riding things out as best you're able. I just wanted to take the time to thank all of you who are a part of this league, because your participation in this league has made the events of this past 9 months just a little more palatable to easier to ride out. So to my rivals, opponents, adversaries and, most of all, friends who share a love for the game -- thank you and happy holidays from me. And from Mrs. Red, her deepest thanks for being here so that I haven't been able to take up any pandemic hobbies that involve power tools...

NOBODY'S PERFECT

There will be no undefeated teams in the EFL this season as the two remaining perfect clubs, Lyon and Atlantic City, both stumbled in Week 7. Both fell by roughly 2 TD margins to teams who entered the night with 2-4 records.

Now all eyes turn toward Tallahassee and Tacoma as the only teams in the league still searching for the taste of victory this season.

MID-SEASON CHECK-UP

STARS CONFERENCE
Halas – The Lyon Kings (6-2) hold a 1-game lead over Toronto, but both of those teams have dropped two straight contests, leaving the door open for a back-half run by Reno, currently 4-4. Toronto might actually have the inside the track though with a back half schedule featuring opponents who struggled to just 22 wins in the front half of the season. Twelve of those wins were by Lyon as the two teams have yet to play this season. Lyon and Reno each feature schedules with opponents who have won the average 32 wins thus far.

Brown – This has become a 2-team battle as Natchitoches (7-1) and Rochester (6-2) stand clear. The two teams need to play each other twice and, for Rochester fans, a sweep would be nice considering they feature one of the most brutal final 8 schedules in the league as their opponents won 41 times (compared to just 28 wins for Natchitoches’ remaining opponents.

Shula – Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Parlor City and Salem are battling head to head with 7-1 records atop the division. They are 4 games ahead of the next-closest and like many of the divisional battles, will face off twice in the back half of the year. The remaining schedule favors Salem, but only by a slim margin (30 wins vs. 32 by Parlor City opponents).

Walsh – Atlantic City (6-2) is two games clear of Boise (4-4) and features a last-half schedule that managed just 26 wins thus far. Boise will have to navigate the ledger with a slightly stronger than average remaining schedule (33 wins), but does hold a head-to-head win against the Golden Sharks and can pull within a game if they complete the season sweep in a couple weeks.

STRIPES CONFERENCE
Knoll – Perth (6-2) finds itself in an odd position with a 2-game lead over both Brooklyn and Glendora (each 4-4). What’s more, the Wallabies will be finished with games against that pair after this week’s game against the Dragons. The Wallabies’ schedule is a little above average (33 wins) and stronger than the remaining games by its challengers, but Brooklyn (27 wins) and Glendora (31 wins) have to beat up on each other twice, which could impede both teams’ efforts to gain ground.

Landry – Rancho Cucamonga and Coos Bay, both 5-3, are locked in a battle for the division. They have two dates against each other, but won’t see many other teams that flashed success in the front half of the season. The Cobras’ remaining foes won just 23 times in the front half of the season, one game more than what the Red Rocks’ remaining challengers have to show for the first eight weeks.

Parcells – Winterhood (7-1) is a game clear of Milwaukee (6-2). They’ll duke it out twice down the stretch with the Warriors possessing the more challenging schedule down the final 8 weeks (38 opponent wins to 33 for Milwaukee foes).

Gibbs – Columbus City (6-2) holds a 2-game margin over Mt. Washington. They’ll play twice as part of a back-half schedule that shows the Coyotes with a slightly softer route home (28 opponent wins vs. 33 for the Assassins’ opponents).

SIX GAMES TO GO

STARS CONFERENCE
Halas – Lyon (8-2), Toronto (6-4)…Kings took a big step toward a divisional title with a 16-13 win over the Spartans. The two teams have a return engagement still, but that contest and a game against 6-4 Rochester are the Kings’ only remaining games against teams with winning records at present. Toronto is on the correct number of wins for a wild card slot. The Spartans have back-to-back winless opponents coming up and don’t see a winning record until the Week 16 clash with Lyon.

Brown – Natchitoches (9-1) is 3 games clear and gets its first meeting with pursuer Rochester (6-4) in a game that could virtually lock up the division or inject some drama into the proceedings. The Americans, in pursuit of a wild card spot, have perhaps the most brutal of any remaining schedule, drawing Winterhood (9-1) and Lyon (8-2) in addition to their two dates with the Snappers.

Shula – Salem (9-1), Parlor City (8-2)…both teams are in good shape despite having to hit each other twice still. Parlor City is 2 games clear in the wild card chase, so even if they suffer a sweep at the hands of Salem, they aren’t doomed. Salem also has a game against 7-3 Columbus City before the regular season closes.

Walsh – Atlantic City (8-2) is 3 games clear of Boise and Wellsville. The Golden Sharks have both games against winless Tallahassee on their dance card, as well as games against Knoll Division cross-overs Brooklyn (6-4) and Perth (8-2)

STRIPES CONFERENCE
Knoll – Perth (8-2) is 2 games up as the Wallabies look to head to the playoffs for the first time in 11 seasons, but still have stiff competition coming from Atlantic City (8-2) and Winterhood (9-1). Brooklyn (6-4), which split with Perth this season, is hoping for a stumble as it sits with a schedule where only this week’s game against Atlantic City (8-2) features an opponent with a winning record at the moment. The Bombers are on the correct number of wins currently to challenge for the last wild card slot in the Stripes.

Landry – Rancho Cucamonga (7-3), Coos Bay (7-3)…these two face off this week, so the winner will surge forward in the standings while the loser might be in a three-way battle for two wild card positions. They’ll play a second time as well before things become official. Neither team has another opponent at better than 4-6 remaining.

Parcells – Winterhood (9-1) is cranked up and rolling with a squad that averages 46.5 points per contest and steamrolls opponents into submission. They hold a 3-game lead over Milwaukee (6-4) who is in a wild card fight. The two teams meet once, but the Wild have a 41-6 hill to climb if they want revenge. The Warriors also have Perth and Rochester with winning records in their future. The Wild have Natchitoches (9-1) in addition to their divisional contest.

Gibbs – Columbus City (7-3) is the only winning record in the division and is 2 games in front of Mt. Washington (5-5). Those two teams play twice in the next 3 weeks in a series that could either throw the division wide open or help the Assassins to feel comfortable about the playoffs. A date with the 9-1 Witches is also in the cards. If Mt. Washington can score the sweep, things would be looking good against a schedule where no other opponent is presently better than 3-7.

Drama building in the Stripes...Rancho Cucamonga and Coos Bay play to a tie to remain deadlocked atop the division. Mt. Washington defeats Columbus City in their first encounter, setting themselves up for a shot to pull ahead in the divisional chase when the rematch occurs.

STARS CONFERENCE
IN: Salem (12-1), Atlantic City (11-2)
LEADING: Lyon (10-3) is a game up on Toronto (9-4), but has to still play Spartans one more time in Week 16 in a game that is looming larger. Natchitoches (10-3) has been swept by Rochester (9-4), who must endure a pair of opponents with 10+ wins in the final 3 weeks.
WILDCARDING: Parlor City (10-3), Toronto, Rochester, Boise (7-6).
Parlor City has a game remaining against Salem, but would be expected to cruise in its two other contests. Toronto has the friendlier schedule in its head-to-head race with Rochester for the other slot right now. Boise is not mathematically eliminated, but would need an almost cosmic alignment of good fortune to slip onto the bracket.

STRIPES CONFERENCE
IN: Winterhood (12-1), Columbus City (9-4)
LEADING: Perth (10-3) is 2 games up on Brooklyn (8-5), but draws a date with Winterhood that could potentially see that gap shrink to a single game. Rancho Cucamonga (9-3-1) scored 9 points in the final minute of its game against Coos Bay (8-4-1) to grab the driver's seat in that division with a remaining schedule that doesn't feature an opponent with more than 5 wins.
WILDCARDING: Coos Bay, Brooklyn, Milwaukee (8-5), Glendora (6-7), Mt. Washington (6-7)
Coos Bay will not play a winning record the rest of the season, which should protect their post-season interests, but do need to watch out for Glendora attempting to sneak in the back door. Brooklyn plays postseason contenders Glendora and Boise still. Milwaukee has a Week 15 date against Natchitoches lurking as a potential stumbling block. Glendora has the two aforementioned contenders to wade through while Mt. Washington has a slate that sets up nice for ending the season with three consecutive W's.

STARS CONFERENCE

IN – Lyon (11-3), Salem (13-1), Parlor City (11-3), Atlantic City (12-2)

ALSO IN – Either Natchitoches (11-3) or Rochester (9-5)

WILD CARDING – Natchitoches/Rochester non-divisional champ, Toronto (9-5)

We don’t know if Salem or Parlor City is the division champ yet, but we know both are playoff bound. Natchitoches needs just a tie or better against either Milwaukee (8-6) or St. Louis (4-10) to wrap up the Brown division title. That leaves the Americans (vs. Boston, vs. Winterhood) and the Spartans (vs. Las Vegas, at Lyon) duking it out for the final wild card spot.

STRIPES CONFERENCE

IN – Winterhood (13-1) has locked in home field advantage. Rancho Cucamonga (10-3-1), Perth (10-4) and Columbus City (9-5) are all in.

THE MOSH PIT – Coos Bay (9-4-1), Brooklyn (8-6), Milwaukee (8-6), Glendora (7-7), Mt. Washington (7-7)

Three divisional champions have been crowned. We don’t know if the Cobras are in as a wild card or division champion, but they hold the tiebreak edge over Coos Bay, so a win over 0-14 Tacoma this week will lock them in for a first-round home game as divisional champs. The Red Rocks need to win either at Glendora or at New Jersey to secure a postseason date of some sort. That leaves the other four teams all scrambling for 1 playoff spot. Remaining schedules…Brooklyn (vs. Wellsville, at Boise), Milwaukee (vs. Natchitoches, at Canton), Glendora (vs. Coos Bay, vs. Santa Fe), Mt. Washington (at New Jersey, at San Diego)