Fall '10 Schedule

9/23 Thursday 8pm Highlanders
10/4 Monday 10pm Martindale
10/7 Thursday 10pm Seedmen
10/14 Thursday 9pm Salvidors
10/21 Thursday 9pm Gunners
10/28 Thursday 8pm Highlanders

Predators Lose And Win, #45 And #2 Lead The Way

The Predators had a successful night playing in their first double header. After losing 6-31 to the Gunners they won 34-6 against the Seedmen. Against the Gunners the score looks bad and in the final 10 minutes they played bad. However, the Predators found themselves down 6-13 at halftime and with 12 minutes left in the game they were 1st and goal from the 5. #2 Long who was everywhere on the night, caught a 3rd down pass at mid field and made the normally sure handed Gunners miss the pull and took it down to the 5. The Predators had a chance to tie it up but couldn't manage to pick up 5 yards in four plays. After the turnover the wind came out of the sails and the Predators began to force things and the Gunners scored three times in the final ten minutes. #45 Price had 1 TD and 2 INT's against the Gunners and continually moved the ball against their defense. The Predators picked up 4 first downs in the game and were in scoring position many times. The defense also played well forcing them into 3rd and 4th situations however they didn't convert and they look to get better.

Against the Seedmen the Predators exploded both offensively and defensively. #2 Long had 2 TDs, 1 Point After and 1 INT against the Seedmen, both TD's being half the field and also getting another INT in the first game. He also made many other big catches. #45 Price who threw 6 TDs and 3 INT's on the night (5 TD's, 1 INT against Seedmen, matching a Predator record) played very well finding open receivers against both teams. #1 Clark also made his presence felt exceeding his total receptions last season against the Seedmen alone with 5 catches, 1 TD and an extra point. #15 Starosta also got into the mix making a few catches and scoring his first TD in a Predator uniform. #52 Oberhaus broke up passes defensively and also made an impact offensively as well. #33 Price score a TD in both games and also contributed a sack in the Predator effort tonight. And lets not forget about #12 Wolny making his first appearance making beautiful pull after beautiful pull. Many in the stands thought Spiderman was wearing the red and gold.

The Predators took a 22-0 lead at halftime against the Seedmen. They also had a great great drive at the end of the first half with 1:15 on the clock and one time out. #45 Price move the Predators down field but couldn't convert as time expired on the Seedmen 5 yard line. They didn't score but the drive was impressive. They extended the lead to 34-0 with 11 seconds before the mercy rule but a Seedmen receiver got behind a Predator defender (no names please!) for a deep TD, extending the game for a final two minutes.

It was a successful night for the Predators even with the loss. The Predators had fun and stayed healthy throughout the night. The season is still young and the Predators are 1-2. They will suit up again next week and try to even their record as they face.........I don't remember who they play but for the Predators, it doesn't really matter.

Week 2

The Predators head into week 2 facing a double header. They will face the Gunners in the first game and the Seedmen in the second game. The Seedmen will be hungry for a win against the Predators because last time they met the Predators eliminated them from the playoffs last fall. Tonight we will see the first of #12 Wolny in a Predator uniform and #52 Oberhaus is coming back to the squad as "The Reinforcement." The Predators will be without #7 Brown and #8 Wagar because simply, their pansy asses. It should be an exciting night as #45 Price will back under center for the first time since last fall. Stay tuned because in back-to-backs the Predators are double trouble!

Opener is Ugly!

The Predators lost 6-31 to Martindale on opening night. The game started off good when #2 Long intercepted a pass that set them up in good field position. #33 Price capitalized when #7 Brown found him in the end zone and put them up 6-0. After that Martindale's loud mouth QB wore down the defense. The Predators continually put them in 3rd and 4th situations but the Predators couldn't stop them when they needed to. Offensively the Predators only threatened to score one more time in the game but they turned it over on downs. Defensively the Predators couldn't match up personnel wise. Martindale took advantage of miss matches and the Predators really couldn't do anything about it. The Predators are now planning a new strategy offensively and defensively management better pull something out of their ass! We will see as the season moves along.

Fall '10 Preview

The last time we heard from the Predators the team had unraveled and season 4 appeared questionable. But as usual the Predators picked themselves back up and want to go even further and look to fist fight each other at the end of this season. The Predators come into this season thinner than ever (roster wise) with only seven player and one sub when needed. They hope to have a great season and finish with a winning record.

At quarterback they will use #7 Brown and #45 Price. Both have performed well at times and both have had some rough nights. The recievers the Predators will rely on this season are #1 Clark, #8 Wagar, #15 Starosta, #33 Price, carreer leading touchdown scorer #2 Long (16), and new comer #12 Wolny. The Predators are relying on Wolny to bring lots of defense and even more jokes for the Predators to enjoy. Who knows what they'll do on defense? I'm not even sure management does.

Whatever happens this season the Predators will have fun and win as many games as possible and give the refs shit. Opening night kicks off tonight at 10pm when the Predators battle Martindale.

Predators Update

Spring 09 (10 games, 1-9)
Points For 58
Points Against 227
PPG 5.8
Opp PPG 22.7

Fall 09 (11 games, 6-5)
Points For 121
Points Against 133
PPG 11.0
Opp PPG 12.1

Spring 10 (10 games, 3-7)
Points For 151
Points Against 244
PPG 15.1
Opp PPG 24.4

Spring 10 Statistics
Receiving (Record #2 Long-9, Fall 09)
#45 Price-7 TDs
#33 Price-5 TDs
#2 Long-4 TDs
#8 Wagar-3 TDs
#11 Brown-3 TDs
#1 Clark-1 TD

Passing (Record #7 Brown-19, Spring 10)
#7 Brown-19 TDs, 13 INTs
#8 Wagar-3 TDs, 3 INTs
#2 Long-1 TD
#33 Price-1 INT

Sacks (Record #33 Price-12, Fall 09)
#33 Price-8
#10 Piskac-3

Interceptions (Record #2 Long, #27 Clapper, #52 Oberhaus-5, Fall 09)
#11 Brown-2
#45 Price-2
#1 Clark-1
#2 Long-1
#8 Wagar-1
#33 Price-1
#52 Oberhaus-1

Season Ends In Frustration

The Predators lost again by twenty some points to a good team. They tried to mix it up and go with a different strategy on both sides of the ball, but it didn't go the way they hoped. The Bumslingers were smart and strategic and chipped away at the Predators defense. Three of their five TD's came on 4th down conversions. Two of which were long passes where the Predators had breakdowns in coverage. Offensively the Predators came with a different approach. #33 Price handled the snaps and played okay. By no means did he light up the defense, but he tried to open up the offense and get players into position to succeed. #7 Brown played the utility back and threw for a TD and a INT and also made a few solid runs for the offense. The Predators had trouble getting into a mix, but that is expected when you are trying new things. They did a nice job at the beginning of the second half when #33 Price drove them down to the one. He hit #15 Starosta over the middle that picked them up a first down. Later he hit #11 Brown on a 3rd down that got them down to the one. #7 Brown capitalized when he found #45 Price on 4th down for a TD. Defensively for the game the Predators wanted to play better, but missed assignments and penalties hurt their chances to get back into the game. The new formation they used worked well and disrupted what the Bumslingers wanted to do, but it still wasn't enough. The only real Predators highlights on the night was immediately after the game ended. They had just lost their fourth straight game, ending the season with a disappointing 3-7 record. The team began to pack up their gear and to put it lightly, some where a bit frustrated.

#45 Price identified the elephant in the room, #7 Brown and #33 Price let their emotions be felt, and the rest of the Predators watched as the squad came to the breaking point. The season was over and the Predators were a mess. Midway through the season the Predators were holding it together and somehow it all fell apart. The Predators were 3-3 and in playoff position. They got blind sided in the game of the season by the Green Footballs(with a ringer) and the season snowballed out of control. They got creamed in week 8, then lost to the Highlanders(winnable game) and finally got out played badly in the finale.


At this point season 4 is a question mark. The Predators need a roster that can show up and compete no matter who's the opposing team. As the the Predators have learned, this league is more physical then they thought and every team badly wants to win. This season the Predators took a big step backwards from last season. The future seemed bright and the Predators were excited about what would happened next after last season. But as this season closed moral was the lowest it has ever been. The excitement for next season just wasn't there. The season is over and you are what your record is, and for the Predators that's 3-7. What happens next? Well, I can't see the Predators packing it in just yet.

Week 10

This week the Predators play the third place Bumslingers. The last time the teams met the Predators lost 6-27. They are a very good team and regularly make the playoffs when they play in the league. They are big and have an excellent QB. The Predators come into the game 3-6 and on a three game losing streak. The Predators will come with a new look both offensively and defensively. The Predators will be out #8 Wagar this week, so #15 Starosta will come back to the offensive side of the ball. Defensively the Predators will also be changing things up. They will move a few players around and experiment with some new formations. The season has taken a turn for the worse and the Predators need to shake things up. We will see what they have in store tonight, when the face the Bumslingers at 9pm.

Losing Streak Grows Larger

The Predators (3-6) losing streak is now at three as they lost Sunday to the Highlanders (2-6) 19-25. The Highlanders scored on every possession but their last two in each half. One of which they were just trying to run out the clock. Their quarterback picked apart the defense and the Predators couldn't adjust. Changing personnel mid drive has worked well for the Predators this season, but it hurt them on this night. Offensively the Predators did a decent job moving the ball, but two turnover on downs were the difference on the scoreboard. The loss really hurts the Predators chances of making the playoffs. The Predators still want to get in, but if they can't beat the worst team (record wise), they don't really deserve to be there.

On the first drive the Predators turned the balls over. They picked up a first down but then couldn't punch it in. On the next series the Highlanders got to work moving the ball down field easily. By way of multiple slants the Predators couldn't defend. Their flag pulling in the game was solid. They didn't miss many and it forced the Highlanders to continually execute, too bad they did. They scored on the series and led 6-0. The Predators came back quickly chipping away at the defense. They struck it big when #8 Wagar found #45 Price deep down the middle of the field for a TD, giving Price the team lead with six on the year.

On the next series the Highlanders again moved the ball down field throwing short over the middle. Then at mid field they hit a long one over the middle for a score. Putting them up 12-6. The Predators are configuring a new defense because their regular defense has become stale and has been picked apart three straight weeks. The Predators got the ball back and answered again. On the first play #7 Brown found #8 Wagar deep down the right sideline for another big score. The point after gave the Predators a 13-12 lead.

The Highlanders moved the ball down field again hitting quick slants and putting them into position to score with little time on the clock. Good defensive plays in the end zone by #2 Long and #11 Brown held the Highlanders from scoring. Giving the Predators a one point lead at half time.

The Highlanders got the ball as the second half began and moved it down field. They converted on fourth down at mid field with a good pass and catch. Then after a couple of plays #10 Piskac picked up a unnecessary roughness call and gave the Highlanders 1st and goal from the ten. The Predators forced the Highlanders into 4th down and the Predators called for a personnel change. The personnel before the change held the Highlanders out three straight plays and where in the entire series. The Predators should've stood pat and gave them one more play. Personnel switches have been something that helped the Predators throughout the season, but in this case it came back to bite them. The Highlanders scored putting them up 19-13. The Predators came back firing. Using their quick pitch plays, which gave #7 Brown and #8 Wagar the option to run, put them in a double threat and opened up the field for receivers. It resulted in the Predators moving the ball effortlessly down field. The Predators scored from one yard out when #7 Brown bench pressed the ball to #33 Price immediately after the snap, evening the score 19-19.

The first play of the next series was the play of the night. #11 Brown appeared to get picked on the play and the Highlanders hit another quick slant that resulted in a very long touchdown catch. The referees never seem to call picks right up on the line of scrimmage. The Predators are currently putting that cheap stuff in the playbook. The play was a punch in the face and the Predators did not recover.

The Predators got the ball back and moved the ball well early in the series. #11 Brown and #33 Price made the most of short passes picking up yards after the catch. They converted a first down then fell right back into their love for deep passes. Three consecutive deep pass incompletions ended the drive and gave the ball back to the Highlanders with little time remaining. The Highlanders slowed down #33 Price from getting to the quarterback on the drive and for the entire game with good blocking and quick passes. They did a nice job of making #33 Price a non factor defensively. They picked up a quick first down and ran the ball until they turned it over with six seconds to go. The Predators nearly answered on the final play as they had a long catch and run, but a flag was pulled 15 yards from the goal line. The game ended at 19-25.

This was a difficult loss for the Predators and most likely ended their playoff chances. There is still one game this season and you know the Predators will dust themselves off and get back out onto the field. Next week look for the Predators to mix things up both offensively and defensively. They are looking to go with different personnel at different positions the rest of the way. Defensively they are going to add a two LB, two CB and one S formation. Which is different from their one LB, two CB, and two S look. They will look to combine their White and Red defense into one defense. The defense is designed to help on quick, short routes. They will still have their normal defenses but add a much needed new one. Offensively they will move more into a quick pitch offense utilizing #7 Brown's and #8 Wagar's passing and running abilities. It is also designed to get #2 Long and #45 Price more involved. They both have combine for 10 TD's, but the Predators have not gotten them involved enough. Look for some players to switch sides of the ball because the Predators are going with a new look. The season hasn't gone the way the Predators have hoped. Though breaks, along with a ringer QB, have snowballed the season out of control, but the Predators love to play and will continue to do so, next week, and in the future.

Week 9

The Highlanders (1-6) are an experienced squad with the comish of the league at quarterback, so you know their going to get the calls. But the Predators (3-5) are used to getting shafted by calls so it shouldn't make a difference. Their QB is crafty like an experienced vet, but is banged up from injuries over the years. The rest of their team has some age to them but they do have some youth and speed. One thing that has been apparent is the Highlanders can catch the ball. We have seen some great catches by their receivers this season. Their defense is disciplined as well. They do not possess superior athleticism, but they play organized zone defense. They have even shown zone in the goal line. They've shown an almost bubble like goal line zone defense. Where they overload the flats with corner backs and the safeties play behind them, with the linebacker covering the deep middle. It is an interesting concept because most teams try to attack the sidelines in goal line situations. It does make the defense extremely vulnerable in the short middle, especially short catch and runs. Offensively they attack short like most teams and give their specialists the task of picking up the yardage they need to move the chains. If the effort in the flag pulling department isn't better than last week, then you can chalk up another loss for the Predators. A loss tonight will come with extra baggage, a losing season and practically certain playoff elimination.

Last week the Highlanders lost a tough 14-20 game against the Salvidors. It was tied at the half, but they couldn't muster enough up in the second half. The first half ended as a Highlander player caught a 3 yard pass, 60 yards from the end zone, just trying to wind down the clock, and he nearly took it all the way for the score, making several Salvidor players miss in the process. The Highlanders are smart and they appear to stick together even know their season isn't going as planned. The Predators need to be ready for this game and should expect a hungry Highlanders team that will scratch and claw for a win.

Last week the Predators were on a high coming off a bye and comfortably in 4th place. They played two games and lost both of them. The first against the Green Footballs who with the win leaped frogged the Predators in the standings. The second was a 0-35 beat down by the Gunners and put them in an even deeper hole. Overall last weekend the offense played extremely poor football. #7 Brown had his hand in much of it. He was short on his deep throws against the Green Footballs that prevented deep receptions of getting to the end zone. And against the Gunners his passes were high, wide or short. He did throw many good passes, but when he did the Predator receivers did a good job of dropping them. #2 Long, #11 Brown and #45 Price need to be accountable and finish off throws by catching them if the pass is in range. The defense also played way below expectations. #33 Price and #52 Oberhaus missed way too many flag pulls, giving opposing offenses bonus yards with the extra opportunity. #1 Clark also played his first couple of forgettable games by having a disappointing weekend with missed assignments in the secondary that hurt the defense. The lone bright spot last weekend was the play of #8 Wagar, who against the Green Footballs threw a TD, caught a TD and intercepted a pass.

Going forward if the Predators perform the fundamentals better then they will play much more effectively. If they make smarter decisions passing, not drop so many passes, make flag pulls quickly and knock down passes when the opportunity is there then they will win. It may sound like a broken record but when things start to go the wrong direction, go back and remind yourself the basic principles of the game and think about the core fundamentals of being successful. Let's see what the Predators can do tonight as they get back off the turf to play against the Highlanders at 9pm.

Back to the Drawing Board

In week 8 the Predators once again fell victim to the Gunners. On both sides of the ball the Gunners played well. They made quick flag pulls on the Predators and their quick striking offensive plays were working at full strength. The attitude was good for the Predators going into the game and they felt they had a game plan to compete. But it obviously wasn't good enough and the lack of execution hurt them. The final score was 0-35.

The Predators will now go back to the drawing board and see if they can get it going again next week against the Highlanders (1-6). The Highlanders have struggled this season but have lost 3 of their 7 games by less than one score. Their one win came when they beat down the Falcons 33-8. At this point in the season with two games to go the Predators are in fifth place at 3-5. They are one spot out of the playoffs behind the 4-4 Green Footballs. After the Predators play the Highlanders they will finish with the Bumslingers, who are 5-3 and beat the Predators 27-6 a few weeks ago. The Green Footballs last two games are against Team Ice (5-2), who just lost to the Bumslingers and their QB was nowhere to be found, and the Salvidors (3-5), who are the only other team still eligible to make the playoffs. The Green Footballs beat the Salvidors 33-25 in week six. But just because a team beats another team one time doesn't mean it will happen again, just ask the Predators. The Salvidors play the Gunners for their ninth game, so you can pretty much count them out of the playoffs. They also lost to the Gunners 35-0 their first go around.

But what if all three teams end up with the same record you ask? Well I will tell you. The tie breaker always goes to head-to-head match ups. But the Predators are 1-1 against the Green Footballs you ask? Well, let me clear that up too. If both teams are tied head-to-head then the tie breaker goes to point differential for the entire season. Currently the Predators (-63) are 14 points behind the Green Footballs (-49). Both teams do not have an easy road the final two games. The Predators most likely need to win both of their final games to give themselves a chance. The Green Footballs need to finish 1-1 in their final two and play poorly to give the Predators the chance to sneak past them.

The Predators now need help to get into the playoffs. They knew a win over the Green Footballs would put them on cruise control going into the playoffs and a loss would back them into a corner. And what makes it worse is management got wind that the ringer QB (last falls championship runner-up QB) the Green Footballs got to play called off work to come play against them because the Green Footballs Captain (#24) knew they couldn't beat the Predators without him and the league may not see that QB again the rest of the way. It goes to show you this is not real football, anything can happen, ringers could show at any time and the Predators always need to be ready. A few weeks ago the Green Footballs called on a couple other quarterbacks, who played on championship teams (Ticknors), to come and play for one game to get wins, and they did. Management also got wind that the Gunners were not really good buddies or family, like the Predators, before playing together. They were built to dominate the league, and that they do. So don't hang your heads Predators.

Week 8

The Predators play the Gunners in week 8. They are 7-0 and carving up the league. They are the model team in the PFL and the Predators know how they have to play to beat them. In the past the Gunners have gotten into the Predators heads. The Predators need to focus on their game and not worry what the other team is saying. It is always good to play the Gunners because it really gives a team a measurement of how good they can play. They play tonight at 9pm.

Predators Blow Opportunity, Lose 21-30

The Predators came into this game knowing a win would put them in great position of making the playoffs. They also knew a loss would put them on the outside looking in. The Predators lost the game 21-30 and fell to 5th place in the standings. They fell behind early and ran out of time, pushing to get back into the game. The game started rocky when the Predators turned the ball over on the first possession and the Green Footballs capitalized going up 0-6. On the next drive the Predators answered when #11 Brown made a circus TD catch on the right side of the field. The ball was tipped a couple times and #11 Brown grabbed it and tipped toed both feet in bounds. #11 Brown had a good game and showed great effort from start to finish. The Predators tied the game 6-6, but was unfortunately the only time they were close to leading. After that the Green Footballs QB dissected the Predator defense. Recognizing man and zone defenses after the snap and constantly making smart decisions placing the football in the best possible situation. The Predators struggled making flag pulls and plays on passes the entire night. The Green Footballs gave the Predators many gifts early on by dropping numerous passes. If not for those the Predators may have gotten blow out. #33 Price, who got 2 sacks in the game, played well early pulling the Green Football QB's flags but was just a split second late time after time after time. #33 had two misses on the QB the entire night and both were very costly. One turned into a huge TD early in the second half that put the Green footballs up 24-6.

Then the Predators started their push. They moved the ball well the entire night with all Predator receivers contributing. #8 Wagar found #45 Price on a deep throw down the middle where it looked like a possible INT, but #45 bear clawed the pass out of the defenders grasp and found a way to scored. The play really ignited the Predators and started the come back push. #8 Wagar, who had a monster breakout game, threw a TD, caught a lateral for a TD and also had an interception. He's getting stronger as the weeks go by and is really starting to look comfortable wearing the red and gold. #45 Price, who had the outstanding circus catch, also made a couple other great catches. One in the first half down the sideline and he nearly took it to the house. It would have been good if he did because later on the series #7 Brown's pass to #2 Long was intercepted in the end zone. The Predators struggled getting #2 Long involved in the game, and for the last couple weeks. He made one mistake early that hurt the Predators, but they need to get him more involved. His defensive play has been solid. Anyone who attends Predator games should try to remember when the last time a pass has even been thrown down the deep left half of the field. It is difficult.

On the next defensive series after the #8 Wagar to #45 Price TD, the Predators caused their only turnover for the game when #8 Wagar intercepted a Green Footballs pass. The Predators answered on the next series when #11 Brown made a great call in the huddle suggesting the hook and ladder. #2 Long and #8 Wagar made it happen when #2 Long caught it clean and placed it perfectly in #8 Wagar's gut and #8 Wagar made one defender miss and took it for a score.

At this point the Predators cut the deficit to 21-24, but the defense couldn't make the stop. There were a number of defensive breakdowns in the game. In the first half two Predators missed flag pulls and the Green Footballs had a long catch and run for a TD. In the second half the Predators forced the Green Footballs into a fourth and long situation and appeared to have made the stop, but a receiver got behind the Predators secondary and made a nice diving catch that kept the drive alive. On the final defensive series the Predators forced the Green Footballs into a fourth and one and couldn't make the stop. The Green Footballs then continued the drive getting within five yards of a score with two plays to go. After a sack on 3rd down, the Predators gave themselves a chance forcing the Green Footballs into a 4th and 10-15. Down 21-24 with a little more than one minute to play the Green Footballs threw a long pass back across to the other side of the field into a crowd of players and the Predators couldn't knock it down.

The game ended and the Predators were disappointed. They made some uncharacteristic mistakes on defense that hurt them. Offensively they moved the ball pretty good, but the deep passes against man that worked so well earlier in the year didn't work as well in this game. They were a little off at times and couldn't take advantage.

At this point in the season the Predators are now on the outside looking in. After a 0-9 franchise start the Predators are just 10-9 since, playing .500 ball. Management knows it's important to stay positive and build on the things you do well, but sometimes you have to look in the mirror and be realistic. The Predators want to be a top team but you are what you record is and that is a sub .500 squad. And by no means is it from a lack of not trying. The Predators have good players that want to win but something is not right. Management hasn't got the job done and if the Predators want to go to the next level changes need to be made. That goes for decision making and personnel on the field. The Predators show flashes of excellent play, but numbers don't lie and they are currently a 3-4 team and 10-9 over their last 19. We know the Predators will never give up and they love playing together, but how long is too long when you do the same thing over and over and expect a different result, but the result remains the same?

As a team the Predators will move on from this difficult loss and put it behind them. They must do it quickly because they face the Gunners (7-0) on Monday night.

Week 7

This week the Predators play the Green Footballs. Last time the teams met the Predators won convincingly 41-6. The Green Footballs were win less at the time but they have improved since that game. They beat the Salvidors like the Predators, but the Predators struggled a bit more with the Salvidors. The Green Footballs have added a few players to their squad to boost output and it has certainly worked. The Predators need to be conscious of the Green Footballs and not look past them to Mondays game against the Gunners. The Green Footballs are a team with nothing to loose and that's always a scary thing. The Predators are currently 3-3 and with two difficult games left on the schedule, this game becomes even more important. Five wins will almost definitely put the Predators in the playoffs, due to tie breakers, so the Predators need to take care of business tomorrow night. They originally thought they would try to rest some players trying to gear up for the Gunners game. But realistically the Green Footballs game is in many ways more important for overall season success than the Gunners game. The Predators need this win to get into the playoffs and when they do the Gunners will be there waiting. They don't neccessarily need to beat the Gunners right now. It would be nice and all that, but at this point it will not make or break the season. A loss to the Green Footballs tomorrow could break the season. They don't want to put themselves in a poition where they have to beat the Gunners or the Bumslingers. The Green Footballs are the next team on the schedule and the Predators will not take them lightly. They will play their best units and then once the game is over they can start examining the next opponent. The Predators are heavily favored to win this one. Some may say this is uncharted waters for the Predators. It will be interesting to see how well they handle being heavy favorites. Will they answer the call and hammer the Green Footballs again, or will they lay an egg and put themselves in position of missing the playoffs? We will see tomorrow night at 7pm when the Predators face the Green Footballs.

Predators Rally in Second Half!

The Predators came into this game confident but the first half wasn't in the game plan. The Predators found themselves down at halftime 0-7. It was difficult to swallow at the time, but the Predators stuck together as a team and bulldozed the Salvidors 19-14. Every flag pull, block, pass, catch, defended pass that was made by a Predator tonight contributed to this big win that puts the Predators at 3-3 and in 4th place(final playoff position) with a one game lead over the rest. The Predators hold tie breakers against the Falcons, Green Footballs and Salvidors. The only team they don't have the tiebreaker is the Highlanders, who going into this weekend had a 1-3 record. This win was extremely big and the Predators got it done!

From the very start of the first half the Predators moved the ball effectively. They moved the ball all the way down field and on 4th and goal #7 Brown and #2 Long couldn't convert the score. The Predators held the Salvidors on the next series and was a foreshadowing of how the defense was going to play all night. Numerous times the Predators had their backs to the wall and answered the call stopping the Salvidor offense. The only time in the first half they didn't was when a Salvidor caught a short pass and falg pulls were missed and he nearly took it the length of the field. The Salvidors converted on the opportunity and found themselves up 7-0. On the next series the Predators again moved the ball down field and again missed the opportunity to score when #8 Wagar barely missed a #7 Brown throw. The rest of the first half the Predators defense played bend don't break defense holding the Salvidor offense out of the endzone.


In the second half the Predators played outstanding team football. They executed on offense and defensively swallowed up the Salvidor offense. Defensively the Predators played their best game of the season. The Savidors came into the game with a good game plan and knew where they wanted to go with the ball. It was like they played two games the day before. They threw the ball short and forced the Predators to make quick flag pulls. The Predators struggled a bit in the first half, but in the second they cleaned up their play and frustrated the Salvidors. They switched from zone to a straight man and it was extremely effective. #10 Piskac was making his standard, full stretched diving pulls and also making plays disrupting passes. #52 Oberhaus came to play as usual making pulls and nearly intercepting a pass in the end zone. #1 Clark added another solid performance as he deflected at least three passes in the second half. Nearly intercepting two of them. #2 Long also played well covering the Salvidors big man, making the player seem nonexistent in the game. The rest of the Predators helped out defensively, including #15 Starosta who made some pulls and will get more comfortable on the defensive side the more he plays. By switching to man in second half really put a strangle hold on the Salvidors for the game, but it also gave the Predators more confidence in their man defense against teams down the road. They will probably mix man and zone together and really keep offenses on their heels from now on. On the first series the Predators forced the Salvidors into a punt. The Predators immediately answered by moving the ball down field. #2 Long, #8 Wagar, #11 Brown, and #33 Price all contributing on the series. #7 Brown completed the drive when he hit #11 Brown on the side lines for a Predator score. The Predators again stopped the Salvidor offense and immediately went back to work. Building off the previous series they continued to pass short and pick up yards after the catch. #33 Price struck it big when #7 Brown found him in the flats, #45 Price made a great block and #33 Price sneaked through two Salvidors and took it to the house. The Predators led at this point 13-7. Along with the TD, #33 Price gave the Predators 2 sacks in the game. The second came after the Predators took the lead. The Salvidors were driving in Predators territory when #33 pulled the flag, forcing a 3rd and long that wasn't converted when #52 Oberhaus nearly intercepted the pass. The Predators got the ball back and once again moved the ball efficiently down the field. #7 Brown, who played well the entire game, drove the Predators down the field and found #45 Price for his 3rd TD in the game. #7 Brown threw one interception in the first half but stayed composed and had a solid second half throwing 3 TD's, giving him 14 TDs, 4 INTs in the last 4 games. The defense bailed him out in the first half, but that's what good teams do. They play together and win together and that's what the Predators are all about. The Salvidors scored once more late ending the scoring and the game 19-14.

The Predators are now 3-3 and in good position going into the bye week. Their defense and offense appear to take it to another level each week and yesterday was no exception. This game may have been a turning point for the Predators this season. They found themselves down at halftime and the balls or calls just didn't seem to be in their favor. But they stuck together and refused to lose. The Predators are excited to be 3-3 and still in the hunt for the title. If they continue to try to improve every week, who knows, they may just find themselves playing for the title at seasons end.

Week 6

The second half of the season for the Predators (2-3) gets going tomorrow night as they play the Salvidors (2-2). The Salvidors should be coming into this a bit sore as they play a double header on Sunday. But the Predators will still need to be focused and ready to attack as soon as the first pigskin is snapped. The Salvidors are a team made up of two former teams; BAMF and Seedmen. They are fellow Hornets and good guys, but the Predators are going to treat them as if they are prey and it's dinner time. The Predators have not seen the Salvidors play, but from their scores and what has been heard threw the grape vine, they play decent defense and they struggle to move the ball. They barely beat the Falcons in double overtime and they were outscored by the Gunners and Bumslingers 0-62. The Predators didn't fair much better against those teams, being outscored 6-52, but crushed the Falcons 31-12. Last season when the Predators played BAMF the Predators played arguably their worst game in franchise history. After the game one of the BAMF players stated that the Predators run all their plays to the middle of the field. And since the Salvidors are mostly BAMF players, the Predators should be aware that the Salvidors may run their defense with this in mind. The Predators should stick to the game plan and try to go inside and outside as usual. The Predators just need to not make that same mistake twice (forcing the ball in the middle). Defensively the Predators will most likely stay in their Red D. In the past against teams that struggle offensively, the Predators have stayed in Red and haven't needed to run anything else. This is what management expects tomorrow night. They have an inexperienced QB and their specialists are good, but not what the Predators saw last week. With the way the schedules are looking these teams are going to be neck and neck when this season is closing, and a win and a head to head tie breaker advantage in the standings makes this game even bigger. The Predators are better than the Salvidors and they should and need to win tomorrow night. The Predators were also better than BAMF and we all know how that game ended. The Predators need to come to play tomorrow and not make the same mistakes they made against BAMF. In many ways this game can be some redemption for that BAMF lose. There has been 24 loses that the Predators have been through, and the only one management still hangs their over is that 0-7 lose last October 7th. It won't be complete redemption, but it will be a start. Even if knees are blowing out like tires going down a road made of nails, finish the job Predators....Period! The teams battle Monday night at 9pm.

Predators Humbled Again, Lose 6-27

The Predators were looking to take it to the next level this week against an experienced Bumslingers team, but were eventually worn down in the end. The Predators had their chances, but were not able to capitalize when it mattered most. The breaks and calls did not go their way, but sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way. The game was closer than the 6-27 score, which is becoming a theme against good teams that the Predators dislike. The Predators are getting closer, but it is taking longer than they would like. They need to keep working together and figuring out new ways to attack defenses. They found a new way tonight, which is something to build on.

At the start of the game the Predators were ready. They forced the Bumslingers into a fourth down situation at mid field and stopped them on downs. Unfortunately the offense struggled to get going early. The Bumslingers struck first, taking a 0-7 lead. But, the Predators came back fighting. They moved the ball all the way down field when #7 Brown found #2 Long on a fourth and goal touch down catch. It was an eight play drive(most a team can have on drive), where they converted two fourth down situations. The point after #8 Wagar was called out on a traditional bang-bang play. The toes looked like they touched down first, but the ref called the heel out. This was one of the breaks that didn't go their way. The series was something the Predators can build on. They answered on a long drive, after an opponents score, that took everyone executing properly when the pressure was on. The Predators know now they can move the ball effectively against good teams. The next step is doing it consistently. The rest of the first half was a chess match. Good defensive play by the Predators kept them in it at half time, they were down 6-7.

At the start of the second half the Predators struck big when #11 Brown took it the length of the field juking and jiving his way for a Predator lead. But a flag guarding penalty was called on the play bringing it back. It was an extremely questionable call, borderline at best, and turned out ultimately being the biggest play of the game. Tough break for #11 Brown, who has really anchored the Predator receiving corp through the first five games. The Predators ended up punting and the Bumslingers dipped and dunked short passes all the way down field. They took advantage of the soft spots in the normally reliable Predator Red Defense. They kept hitting the slots on quick pop passes and they continually picked up a chunk of yards after. The Predators adjusted and slowed the Bumslingers down. The drive came to climax when the Predators forced a 4th and goal form the 15 yard line, down 6-7. The rush seamed effective when the quarterback released the ball off his back foot 25 yards from the goal line, but it wasn't effective enough when a Bumslinger receiver out leaped the Predator secondary and scored. After the extra point, the Predators found themselves down 6-14. Another tough break, that didn't go their way. On the next offensive series the wheels on week 5 came off when #7 Brown threw a interception deep in Predator territory and gave the Bumslingers first and goal from the 4. They scored on the second play and went up 6-20 with eight minutes to go. The Predators put themselves in Bumslinger territory two more times, but were stopped on downs when 4th down passes hit the turf on 4th and goal. The Bumslingers scored once more late ending the scoring at 6-27. It was a bitter defeat, but there were positives in the game.

Management really noticed one thing in this game. When the Predators play good offensive teams(Gunners, Team Ice, Bumslingers), the QB continually hits receivers short and lets the receivers do the dirty work. The players that they hit short are quick, agile players and normally make the first player miss. These teams hardly turn the ball over mainly because they throw short and put themselves in 3rd-4th and manageable situations. They don't rely on their QB to make accurate passes deep down field every play. These teams have their QB make those throws on 3rd-4th and manageable situations, when the defense is on their heels. The Predators have continually had trouble with this concept. They have flashes of doing it well. But against good teams the game plan goes awry early and they try to continually force deep passes in an effort to get back in the game in a single play. But it doesn't work that way. So far this season the Predators have shown they have two players that can make the first defender miss in #11 Brown and #33 Price. They also have shown they have two receivers that can catch passes down field and on the sidelines in #2 Long and #45 Price. They also have a utility player who has shown he can do both and pass as well in #8 Wagar. The Predators offense is actually playing its best ball ever. But they need to take it to another level. They found a solid play today that #8 Wagar said "it really got the O flowing," and he was certainly right. The Predators ran the same play over and over and moved the ball down field effortlessly. Yes, it is true they didn't score on those series, but it showed them another plan of attack that's effective to use against good teams. One thing they saw tonight is they can be effective throwing short early to #11 and #33, getting yards after catch, putting them in 3rd-4th and manageable situations. Then they can open up slants, posts, outs, comebacks to #2 and #45 with what ever the defense is giving them because the defense is closing in on the #11 and #33 short routes, making passes easier to for #7 Brown. Is what they found tonight the answer to their prays, probably not, but they are continually getting better because they pick up a clue or two every time they play. And the defense always gets left out of these blogs more than the offense. That's because they are playing very well the last three weeks. They played solid again tonight as usually and #1 Clark, #10 Piskac and #52 Oberhaus effort did not go unnoticed, as they play primarily on defense.

The Predators are currently 2-3 and for now hold the final playoff spot. After this week finishes out who knows where they'll be in the rankings, but it is shaping up that the final playoff team will have five wins when the season comes to a close. And with rematches against Gunners and Bumslingers in the final five games, makes next weeks battle against the Salvidors even bigger. They are a Highland based team like the Predators and we certainly all know what happened the last time the Predators faced a Highland based team.....

Week 5

The Predators are heading into week 5 on a two game winning streak and in 4th place in the rankings, up two spots from last week. After scoring only 7 points in the first two games and giving up 65, the Predators bounced back in the next two games scoring 62 points and giving up only 19. A lot of the credit is due to the play of #7 Brown at quarterback. After throwing 1 TD, 6 INT in the first two games, he has been on a tear in the last two throwing 10 TD, 2 INT. Credit is also due to the Predator receivers. The attack has been balanced with #2 Long, #33 Price, and #45 Price all scoring three TD's so far. #1 Clark, #8 Wagar, and #11 Brown have also been major contributors offensively, all scoring 1 TD. Defensively so far the Predators have gotten better every week since Team Ice took them to the shed in week 1, scoring an embarrassing 40 points against the defense. But the next week the defense put forth a respectable effort against the Gunners, and the last two weeks the defense wasn't scored on until late in the games when the outcome was already decided. The secondary has played excellent lately, batting down passes and making pulls quickly. #11 Brown has led the way with 2 INT. #1 Clark, #2 Long, #45 Price, and #52 Oberhaus have also added an INT. The Predators are playing well and want to keep it going this week against a good Bumslingers team.

The Bumslingers are currently in 3rd place with a 3-1 record. They have big specialists and their QB gets the ball out fast and accurate. They rely on many timing routes and the QB is good at looking off the defense. Defensively, making pulls and staying home in their zone will be major objectives to get a win this week. Offensively the Predators will definitely see zone this week. In the two games management has seen, all the Bumsingers played defensively is zone. Receivers will need to find the soft spots and passes need to be accurate because INT's are always on high alert against a zone. The Predators have never been playing better on offense and they are looking forward to this challenge against the Bumslingers. The Bumslingers only loss came against the Gunners, losing 19-6. The game wasn't close but to their credit they are currently the only team to score against the Gunners through 4 games. The Predators drove the length of the field against the Gunners but came up two yards short from scoring. If you look at the evidence put in front of you as the Predators have been playing it is obvious to see that they are getting better and more organized. As management analyzes the progress the Predators have made so far in two and a half seasons it is becoming more and more clear that the Predators are beginning to rise to the top as they become more and more experienced. In the first season they were the bottom feeder. In season two they became the best middle of the road team. This season they are still middle of the road, but getting a win this Sunday against the Bumslingers would elevate them into the 2nd teir of teams (Bumslingers, Martindale(not playing). The Predators goal is to head to the top with the best of the best. With teams like Gunners, Team Ice, and Ticknors(not playing). To get there it won't happen overnight, but the Predators will take it one game at a time and will get back to work this Sunday at 5:30pm, when they face the Bumslingers.

Predators Dominate in 41-6 Win!

The Predators came into Week 4 expecting to win and they definitely did so beating the Green Footballs 41-6. From start to finish the Predators crushed the Green Footballs. They executed brilliantly on offense with every Predator contributing. Defensively, their Red Defense could have been a demonstration on how to play a two deep zone coverage. With the defense back on track, and the offense playing better than it ever has in team history (36 ppg avg. last two games), the sky's the limit for the Predators.

The Predators dominated from beginning to end. The first score came on the first drive when #8 Wagar hit #33 Price on a long HB pass. #52 Oberhaus intercepted a pass on the following series and returned it to the 5, before running out of steam. He really made his presence known, coming back from injury, by making pulls and knocking down passes. #2 Long caught the next TD by way of a #7 Brown pass. #33 Price caught another deep one from #7 Brown capping off a 2 TD, 1 sack(safety) performance. He's looking more and more comfortable as the weeks go by. #2 Long caught the next two TD's, a deep and a short catch from #7 Brown. Giving him a Predator record 3 TD's in one game. The Predators will hopefully see him in back-to-back games this season. There has been talk he likes the track better than the Gridiron. The final score came when #7 Brown found #8 Wagar on a deep pass down the middle of the field, giving #7 Brown another 5TD performance. With the TD catch #8 Wagar became the first Predator to pass and catch for a TD in the same game. With him and #52 Oberhaus back from injury and approaching mid season, the Predators could really do some damage in this league.

Defensively the Predators played great. They executed their Red Defense by the book. The secondary led the way with 3 interceptions. #2 Long and #52 Oberhaus had the first two and #1 Clark had the last. #1 Clark continues a strong Spring 2010 campaign. Playing big as of late, scoring his first TD last week, snagging an interception this week, and making accurate pulls all season. He's getting better and better the longer he wears the red and gold. #10 Piskac also played solid at the CB position. Since making the move to CB #10 Piskac has has been more accurate on pulls and has disrupted passes on numerous occasions. The Predators also got their first safety on the season when #33 Price pulled one midway through the first half. The defense is now really coming together and the Predators look forward to their next opponent. They will be tested more defensively next week against a more experienced team that uses many timing routes.

We have seen the last two weeks the Predators have gotten their main offensive weapons on track. #11 Brown has been the most steady of the bunch, leading the team in receptions, recording 1 TD, and snagging 2 Int. on defense). With players coming back strong from injuries, great QB play, and a heavy rush, the Predators are looking strong and they now salivate in anticipation for their next opponent. Their confidence has grown the last two weeks by way of smart play and contributions from everyone that wears the Predator uniform. There are very good players in this league, but it takes a great team to win a championship. The Predators feel they are that team and all the pieces are starting to fall into place them. The Predators will enjoy this win, then take the next step in their journey to the championship as they play a solid Bumslinger team next Sunday.

#7 Brown Throws 5 TDS, Predators Win Big!

The Predators faced the Falcons in week 3. They heard they were young, athletic, and complainers. Well, they were young, they were complainers, but they weren't exactly athletic all around. The Predators came to play and torched the Falcons 31-12. #7 Brown completed pass after pass en route to a Predator record 5 TD performance. #45 Price, who came back early off of injury, played huge hauling in 2 TD catches and snagging 1 interception. From start to finish the Predators controlled the ball and frustrated a disorganized Falcon offense. The Falcons, who offensively struggled to move the ball the entire game, even poked fun at #7 Brown's offensive wrist band before the game started.

On the opening drive the Predators set the tone for the entire game when #11 Brown deflected a Falcon pass, which was intercepted by #45 Price. The Predators took full advantage of the mistake when #7 Brown found #33 Price in the front corner of the end zone, converting the first score of the game. The Predators continued their solid play defensivley in the first half, forcing the Falcons to punt. The Predators scored their second touchdown when #7 Brown found #11 Brown in the back of the end zone to put them up by two scores. #11 Brown, who once again led the Predator attack on both sides of the ball, made multiple catch and runs and flag pulls. At this point the Falcons got a little irritated and tried to get dirty, pushing and should checking #11 Brown and #45 Price. But the Predators swatted them away like flys on a hot summer day. On the next possession the Predators came up big defensively. The Falcons moved the ball and had an apparent first down, but #10 Piskac sacrificed his body, as he always does, and took a stiff arm to the chin as he pulled the flag forcing a penalty and a fourth and short situation. On the next play the Falcons completed a pass and the player put a stutter step on #33 Price. #33 Price gained his composure and chased down the Falcon, pulling the flag a yard from the first down marker, forcing the turnover. Immediatley after, #7 Brown found #1 Clark down the left sideline for another Predator score. Putting them up 19-0 at halftime.

In the second half the Predators continued their offensive assault. Completing multiple passes over the middle. By way of #11 Brown, #15 Starosta and #45 Price. Then #7 Brown found #45 Price deep down the middle of the field for for his Predator record setting 4th TD of the game. Which was only fitting that he threw his record setting pass to #45 Price, who held the Predator record for TD passes in a game with 3(twice). The Falcons moved the ball more efficiently in the second half when the Predators where in their "soft" red defense. They scored once and the Predators immediately answered when #7 Brown once again found #45 Price down the left sideline for the final score of the game.

As the game ended the Falcons got cheap. Putting shoulders into Predators and ultimately lost their cool getting into it with one of the referees. Benches cleared and words were exchanged but the Predators came out victorious. One Falcon(yellow jersey) was suspended for the their next game and it is the first time a player has been suspended in the Pinnacle Flag League in four years. It seems fitting that it happened against the Predators.

This game was a must win for the Predators and they showed their season is just beginning. With the most difficult part of the schedule behind them, the sky's the limit for the Predators, and with #2 Long, #8 Wagar and #52 Oberhaus scheduled to return for week 4, the Predators will be at practically full strength as mid season is approaching. The Predators are hungry and becoming more organized, healthy and stronger as the weeks go by and they will build off this win. Only time will tell what the Predators can accomplish this season, and I bet it's more than any anyone expects.

Week 3

The Predators are coming off a very difficult first two weeks. The two teams they played are the likely favorites to play for the title. The first week was more rocky, but last week the Predators showed improvement. Overall, the Predators got stronger defensively from weeks 1 to 2, but they are not playing the caliber of a winner's bracket team. Offensively, the Predators need to put the ball in the end zone. It would be a huge boost in confidence if the Predators could put multiple offensives scores on the board. The Predators haven't done that in five straight games (last time 12-0 week 8 win against Seedmen). This week the Predators play the Falcons. From what we have heard, the Falcons are young, athletic and complainers. The Predators basicly don't have any details on this team. The Falcons could have the best quarterback and a ferocious defense. The Predators will need to come to play and be ready for anything, including the kitchen sink! The bottomline is the Predators need a win. They have been knocked down and its time to get back up. It is a must win week 3 and the Predators are out for blood. The blood bath begins at 5:30pm, when the Predators will hunt the Falcons.

Gunners Beat Predators 25-0

The Predators ended up losing to the Gunners by four scores, 0-25. It definitely isn't the outcome the Predators are looking for, but there were many positives that came out of the game. It is always difficult to lose to the same team five straight times, especially when it is against the three time champs and they win in such a classless fashion. The Predators never quit during the game and kept their composure throughout. They made some mistakes and had some questionable coaching decisions in the second half and it ultimately turned out looking ugly.

In the first half the Predators played good defense. They were making pulls and putting pressure on the QB. The Gunners scored on a long drive, but the Predators didn't make it easy for them. Two plays after the score, the Predators turned the ball over deep in their own territory and it led to another quick Gunners score. Offensively in the first half, the Predators did a nice job of completing passes, but it wasn't enough to get them into scoring position. They had many penalties that halted drives and they were too much to overcome. The Predators were in the game at halftime down 0-13.

The Predators started with the ball in the second half and they drove the ball down to the Gunners goal line. They had a fourth and three and were unable to convert when a #7 Brown pass slipped through #2 Long's hands. It was a tough missed opportunity. #11 Brown, who led the Predator attack both offensively and defensively, made many nice catch and runs and also had 2 interceptions and many pulls. #1 Clark also played well defensively converting on pulls when the opportunities presented themselves. It was also good to see #33 Price back from injury. He made many catches and moved around well. But on defense, especially in the second half, he didn't have the extra step he needed to fluster the Gunner QB. It resulted in too much time for the Predator defensive backs to cover the field and the QB made them pay. The Predators also started going for it on 4th down with more than ten minutes left and it resulted in Gunner scores. A coaching mistake that will not happen again. #7 Brown also seemed to improve his game. He completed a number of passes to many receivers, but with one costly interception, there is still room for improvement. But in his defense, a couple of good passes where wasted by Predator receivers. One to #33 Price down the right sideline where he stopped on the play. It was also good to see #2 Long for the first time this season. He made some catches, especially a nice one deep in the second half. #10 Piskac also played well defensively. He broke up a couple passes and stood his ground from the CB position.

If you look at the game overall, the Gunners scored twice in each half. Only one of their scores was a full drive that started on their ten, which was the first score. The other score in the first half was on a turnover deep in Predator territory. In the second half, they scored on a Predator mistake in coverage and the final score was after the Predators went for it on fourth down and left the Gunners deep in Predator territory. Take away the first half turnover, the mistake in coverage, and the decisions to keep going for it on fourth down and the Predators are in the game 0-7. And the Predators went for it three straight times in their territory and the Gunners only got one score. Then if you add in the drop pass on fourth down in the end zone early in the second half and the Predators are in the game. Furthermore, defensively a faster, more confident on his knee #33 Price in a month when the Predators meet the Gunners again will be a added boost. To go even farther, the Predators are out two players and lost another one again tonight in #8 Wagar, who will get more used to the game and his output will increase tremendously. The Predators will also be getting #15 Starosta more involved as the season goes along, as he is also new to the squad.

A win is there for the taking. It is spelled out right here in front of you. The Predators will move on from this lose and come even stronger next week. They need to get a win on the board and jump start this season. The Predators will get back on track and salvage this season. They will take it one game at a time and get it done. It starts this Sunday at 10pm.

Week 2

Nobody in the league has a start to their season quite like the Predators. Out of the gates the Predators play two of the best teams and those two games will show just how far the Predators can go. In week 1 it did not go very well, the Predators tried to keep it close but eventually were worn down by Team Ice in the second half. In that game it was the first time 40 points were scored against a Predator team in 21 games. This week it does not get any easier. The Predators are going up against the Gunners, who currently hold three straight titles. The Predators need to be much better on pulls and not turn the ball over to be successful. The Predators know if they do these things they will be successful against any team. But the real question is, can they actually do that? The answer is probably not. This will be the fifth meeting against the Gunners and the same old, tired result is likely. The Predators will likely struggle to get pressure on the QB. Then once the pass is thrown the Predators will most likely not put themselves in close proximity to the receiver to make the pull quickly, and kill the play, before the Gunners speed and athleticism makes them pay. And they will likely force passes and drop passes which will result in turnovers and punting situations. The final score will look something like this. First meeting against Gunners, 2-25, second, 0-34, third, 13-33, and last seasons semi final, 0-35. So you can bet on that the Predators will find themselves down three to five scores when the final whistle blows. The Predators have three main objectives to the game. First, the Predators need to put consistent pressure on the QB and get him off his rhythm. Second, once the ball is thrown they need to be on the receiver when the ball gets there to make the pull, because as we've seen, the Gunners are faster and better in space than the Predators. Ending plays as quickly as possible is huge if the Predators are going to have a chance. Third objective, offensively zero turnovers, no dropped passes and completing a string of consecutive passes to keep drives going, which will keep the ball out of the Gunners hands. If the Predators can do those things they will find themselves in the game at the end. If not, we will likely see another end result that you saw above.

To make matters worse. The Predators will not have #45 Price (shoulder), and #52 Oberhaus (hand), playing today. Two important players in the Predator attack. #33 Price will be a game time decision. One thing we know about the Predators is that they never give up. When the chips are stacked against them they have found ways to win and keep their playoff hopes alive. A solid performance tonight is just what the Predators need. To prove they can compete with the best of the best would really boost moral and give them a jump start to the rest of the season. What will we see from the Predators? Will it be the same old result on the score board or will the Predators meet the challenge? We will find out tonight at 10pm when the Predators battle the Gunners.

Predators Get Iced! Lose 7-40

Going into the season opener the Predators knew they had some stiff competition. Team Ice was coming off a disappointing Semi Finals lose and was hungry to get back to their winning ways. Team Ice capitalized on Predator turnovers and played crisp, organized offense en route to a 40-7 victory. Defensively, the Predators did not show their usually hard nose, bend don't break defense. Team Ice took advantage of extra time and gaping holes in the Predators zone defense. Team Ice converted on big play opportunities and they were too overwhelming for the Predators. Offensively, the Predators moved the ball relatively effectively, but with three turnovers and two turnover on downs, the Predators couldn't do enough to keep it close.

In the first half the Predators did a better job than in the past completing passes, but struggled on first downs completing passes, which ended up forcing them into third and long situations, which they could not convert. #1 Clark, #8 Wagner(Wagar), #11 Brown and #45 Price all caught multiple receptions in the game, but the Predators couldn't put together multiple solid plays in row to complete an overall successful drive in the first half. Defensively, the Predators had trouble containing Team Ice's offense. Along with two costly turnovers, which led to scores, the Predators faced a 0-13 deficit late in the first half. The Predators did stop Team Ice on downs as time expired at the end of the first half to give them hope at half time for a possible comeback.

In the second half the Predators played better on offense. Moving the ball into to scoring position. #7 Brown found #45 Price for a touchdown on the right side and #11 Brown converted the point after. But the Predators squandered two other possessions in scoring position, which led to Team Ice touchdowns. Defensively in the second half the Predators continued to struggle stopping Team Ice's offense. They tried to make plays to get back into the game and ultimately led to Team Ice scores. Team Ice scored one more touchdown as time ran down and the final score resulted as a 7-40 lose.

Although the score was ugly, the Predators did many things to build on. The offense moved the ball and a few times put them in scoring position. But turnovers once again was the Predators achillies heel. The defense did not play to their potential, but history shows the Predators will get that corrected. The Predators also had two key players out and lost another, #52 Oberhaus, early in the game which affected the final score.

The season is young and the Predators will come back to fight another day. Next week it doesn't get any easier as they play the three time defending champion Gunners. They have the best quarterback, best specialists, best defense and will truly be a measuring stick for the rest of the season. Only time will tell how the Predators respond to a humbling week 1.

2010 Spring Schedule

Sunday April 18th, 5:30 vs. Team Ice
Monday April 26th, 10:00 vs. Gunners
Sunday May 2nd, 10:00 vs. Falcons
Sunday May 9th, 10:00 vs. Green Footballs
Sunday May 16th, 5:30 vs. Bumslingers
Monday May 24th, 9:00 vs. Salvidors
Sunday June 6th, 7:00 vs. Green Footballs
Monday June 7th, 9:00 vs. Gunners
Sunday June 13th, 9:oo vs. Highlanders
Monday June 21st, 9:00 vs. Bumslingers

Playoffs
Sunday June 27th
Monday June 28th
There are 8 teams in the league. Top 4 go to Winners bracket and bottom 4 go to Toilet bracket. TBA on which date is the winners bracket and toilet bracket. If we win the first round in either bracket on that day you play a double header immediately following.
Lets have fun this season and most importantly, stay healthy.

Week 1

To kick off the season the Predators will face Team Ice in week 1. Last season the Predators lost to Team Ice 7-27 in a game that was much closer than the final score indicated. The Predators scored on their first possession (only time happened in franchise history) and was within one score with 10 minutes remaining in the game. A turnover in scoring position, then two quick scores by Team Ice quickly deflated the Predators and Team Ice won the game. For the first three quarters of the game the Predators played one of there best games against a very good opponent. The Predators will need a similar effort to have a chance in this one.

Team Ice is coming off a disappointing 3rd place in last falls season. After finishing with an 8-1 record and getting a first round by in playoffs, they unexpectedly lost in the semi finals to finish 3rd in the league. Team Ice will be very hungry to get back on the winning track, so the Predators will need to be ready. Offensively, the Predators will need to play mistake free. Team Ice last session had a rusher who wasn't very fast, but made accurate pulls on the QB when he got close. It's possible they have upgraded the position. Their specialists were also good so the Predators will need to be prepared.

The Predators will come with #7 Brown at QB. #1 Clark, #8 Wagar, #10 Piskac, #11 Brown, #15 Starosta, #45 Price and #52 Oberhaus will play the rest of the specialist positions. The Predators will be without #2 Long, who has family obligations, and #33 Price, still battling injury, for this game. Defensively, #10 Piskac will rush, #52 Oberhaus will play LB, #1 Clark and #45 Price will be at CB, and #7 Brown, #8 Wagar, and #11 Brown will round out the defense at the safety position. Team Ice has a very good QB, who is extremely accurate, but is not the fastest player in the league. The Predators will need to get pressure on the QB and make pulls to be successful.

The Predators will need to play well and give all they have to get a victory because they could be looking at a possible 0-2 start with a Week 2 match up against the Gunners, who are three time defending champs. The Predators battle Team Ice today at 5:30.

Spring 2010 Preview

Predators Session 3 is about to get underway. The Predators are excited for the new session and look forward to challenge. The Predators are coming off a solid 6-5 session where they advanced to the semi-finals. Last session could be characterized as a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs. But overall, the Predators stayed the course and achieved their pre session goals. But last session was last session and this session, expectations are even higher.

This session the Predators hope to get back in the winners bracket and advance to play for the championship. The Predators strength once again coming into this session is the defense. They will need similar output to build on what they did last fall. They will look to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks and force errant throws. And if the pass is completed, they will look to make pulls quickly and stop big plays before they start. Offensively during the off session, Predator management examined strengths and weaknesses of the team and the way in which the game is played. Management designed a fresh offensive philosophy to maximize the skills the Predators exhibit. They will look to control the ball and tempo more effectively and hope the end result is more points at games end.

The Predators have many solid players returning to the squad and some new ones to help make the Predator attack even more explosive. New, familiar faces to the team are O.P.'s (Original Predators) #10 Piskac and #11 Brown. #10 Piskac will help the Predators defensively with his quick feet and flag pulling abilities. #11 Brown we saw briefly last session in the playoffs, where he was brought up to play due to a plague of injuries the Predators suffered. He will be asked to increase the Predators offensive output and also help on defense. Other new players are #8 Wagar and #15 Starosta. #8 Wagar brings speed, arm strength, and soft hands to the team and the Predators will use those skills in a variety of ways. #15 Starosta brings a cannon on his right shoulder and the Predators will hope to to utilize that as the session progresses. He will also help the squad at the center position. The rest of the Predator roster includes; #1 Clark, #7 Brown (last sessions Most Improved), #33 Price (formerly #50), #45 Price, #52 Oberhaus (last sessions Defensive Player of the Year), and current Predator MVP #2 Long. With this roster the Predators session looks bright, but that's why they play the games.

The Predators first opponent is still unknown, but the session will get under way this Sunday, when the Predators will once again put on the red and gold. Look for the Week 1 Preview which will be out at weeks end.

Predators Franchise Update

Session 3 for the Predators has been postponed until the spring. The Predators will go into session 3 with a 7-14 record in two sessions as a team. Last session they finished 6-5 and placed 4th in the league. Predator management has been drawing up new defenses and offensive plays to add new wrinkles to their attack. There will be a lot of turnover on the roster this session and the Predators are sad to see players go, but they will need come together and push forward into another fun filled session. During the offsession the Predators have emphasized scoring more offensively. So much of their concentration has been on strengthening the offense. We will see what the Predators have in store once April is winding down.

Predator Team Records

Pinnacle Spring 09

Record 1-9
Points For 58
Points Against 227
Points Per Game 5.8
Opp PPG 22.7

Rec. Touchdowns
#2 Long-3
#50 Price-2
#19 Sterowski-1
#7 Brown-1

Passing Touchdowns
#7 Brown-3
#45 Price-3
#27 Clapper-1

Sacks
#50 Price-6
#10 Piskac-5

Pinnacle Fall 09
Record 6-5 (4th)
Points For 121
Points Against 133
Points Per Game 11.0
Opp PPG 12.1

Rec. Touchdowns
#2 Long-9
#27 Clapper-4
#45 Price-1
#50 Price-1

Rushing Touchdowns
#42 Clapper-1

Passing Touchdowns
#45 Price-8
#7 Brown-7

Sacks
#50 Price-12
#45 Price-4
#53 Wlotzko-2

Interceptions
#52 Oberhaus-5
#27 Clapper-5
#2 Long-5
#42 Clapper-2
#1 Clark-1

Defensive Touchdowns
#7 Brown-2
#52 Oberhaus-1

Post Season Stats

Touchdowns
#27 Clapper-1

Passing touchdowns
#7 Brown-1

Sacks
#45 Price-1

Interceptions
#2 Long-1