Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League

Atlanta, GA. - It’s never too early for a look at the projected leaders going into the 2018 season.

Of course, returning APDFL National Champions, Mississippi Dynasty is No. 1, but with 2017 runner-up no longer in existence, who comes in at No. 2? Is the hype around the 2018 Prattville Patriots squad for real? Will the newcomer on the block, Augusta Ducks, continue their nationwide dominance? Will the season-opening matchups between Patriots and Ducks, Aryman and Dynasty or Kings and Lightning qualify as a “Game of the Century?” Where do the Cobras, Generals, and Jaguars fit in?

With that said, Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League brings to you 2018 Top 10. The complete preseason rankings can be found at the official home of the APDFL at www.TheAPDFL.net

March can’t get here fast enough! Here’s a look at our preseason Top 10.

1. Mississippi Dynasty

There’s a good chance the Dynasty has improved from a season ago. After being crowned National Presidents Cup Champions, it seems they simply reloaded. With the return of 2x league MVP, LeSteven Jackson, the offense will be a well-run machine. The bigger questions remain in the trenches. Both the offensive and defensive lines are Division 1 ready. Could they possibly be more dominant than they were in 2017?

2. Prattville Patriots

We’re sticking with the Patriots at No. 2. The past two seasons they have been right there knocking on the door but just couldn’t get it open. This very well could be their year. A returning secondary anchored by the Defensive player of the year, Yancey Powell, should be able to keep their opponents at bay. However, the loss of starting Quarterback Charles Drinkard could prove to be problematic.

3. Georgia Cobras

Georgia or Capital City, the Cobras will be much improved from a season ago. In 2018 the Cobras will be more effective on the offensive side of the ball as they open the season with all of their starters in place. The offense showed life in 2017 after the return of stand out Quarterback Dion Graham. Injuries prior to the playoffs, however, led to another season ending at the hands of the Patriots.

4. Louisiana Lightning

2017 record-breaking Quarterback, Jyron Walters has moved on and will be suiting up for cross-town rivalry, Crescent City Kings. The Lightning will answer questions about the Crescent City throughout the offseason in advance of the season opener at Joe Brown Stadium in New Orleans. The Lightning is looking to continue their streak of making the postseason as they have yet to not make an appearance. The Standard is higher than that for Owner/Head Coach Mike Anderson and the Lightning program.

5. Augusta Ducks

The Ducks will get to find out exactly how they compare right out the gate. Their first two games will be against 2 top 10 opponents and they will have to be at the top of their game to defeat them both. Owner/Head Coach Chris Bradley Sr. would have it no other way. A national powerhouse over the past 3 seasons, they will be tested from start to finish.

6. Crescent City Kings

Crescent City has been impressive in each of their previous seasons. Making the move from a summer league to the spring could prove to be challenging. The signing of Quarterback Jyron Walters put them in the running early and they are expected to battle for the National Conference supremacy. Their offensive attack fits a 40 points per game type profile and Walters is clearly the guy to lead that attack.

7. Tuskegee Ayrmen

Tuskegee could easily be the sleeper of the pack. Although a new team to the APDFL, their history has been very rich in the recent past. 2 championship rings in a span of 4 seasons would indicate that they have the knowledge and ability to bring the Presidents Cup to the American Conference for the first time ever. The Ayrmen open up the season at the Mississippi Dynasty in what is set to be an epic showdown.

8. Mobile Generals

The Generals spent the offseason looking for a replacement for departing Quarterback Carl Davis Jr. In conjunction, 2017 All-Star Defensive Back, Khiary Hill, has been moved back to the offensive side of the ball. How those two moves play out could possibly determine the season for the Generals.

9. Arkansas Hawks

The Hawks come into the APDFL as another new kid on the block, however, a deeper look would prove that to be false. A blend of two teams (OKC Bounty Hunters & Arkansas Ducks) that have previously had success, they may feel that a No. 9 seeding is a bit too low. The Running Back core will dominate with Reggie Arnold leading the way but a blend of two teams always seems to have some issues. Theirs will be no different.

10. Gulf Coast Gators

Gulf Coast should make a push deep into the playoffs. A blend themselves of two previous dominant teams, (Okaloosa Strykers & NWF Nightmare) they have the ability to return to dominance. The return of 2x Defensive Player of The Year, Labarron Mallory, will instantly catapult the secondary among the elite. The Gators open the season in the Commissioners Classic against a powerful Ducks team which will allow them to see exactly where they stand.