Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League

20 Feb 2020
By: Bernard Hunt

Phenix City, AL – The time has arrived! The 2020 season is upon us and it’s time to put up or shut up. The Twitter fingers and Facebook Stars will have to prove that their skills are as advertised. The season will kickoff this weekend with the 2020 Commissioners Kickoff Classic as we bring to you 2 action packed games that are sure to bring a great deal of excitement to the stadium.

The classic will showcase two newcomers to the APDFL as the Central Florida Gators & Columbus Storm will both take to the field for their first official APDFL contest. Both teams look to be competitive and have what it takes to be contenders in the East.

The Gulf Coast Gators will be playing in their first Commissioners Kickoff Classic while the East Alabama Predators will be playing in their second consecutive classic game. Both teams made it deep into the post season in 2019 and will look to return in 2020.

Let’s take a look at the Commissioners Kickoff Classic Predictions:

(2) Gulf Coast Gators (0-0) vs (9) Central Florida Gators (0-0)
Phenix City, AL
4:00 PM EST
Although both games have the potential to be an instant classic, this one could possibly be on its way to being a contestant for game of the year. “The Gator Bowl” as it has been deemed, will see these two teams out of the state of Florida fighting for the right to be called the “TRUE” Gators of the APDFL. CF Gators may not be recognized by many among the APDFL however, they have a rich history of success and being on top. One thing that they excel in, as is known in the state of Florida, is speed. The CF Gators have that type of, ‘Now you see me…. Now you don’t’ kind of speed. Most opponents simply can’t match up. However, the GC Gators, aren’t most opponents. Both teams come into this match up with defenses that are stingy at best. Yards are hard to come by for their opponents and their rushing defenses hold their opponents to under 100yds weekly. The defensive front of the GC Gators is stout. For CF to be victorious they will need to win the battle in the trenches. Without a doubt this will be the toughest match-up to date for this offensive line and if they don’t step up they don’t win. The key to the game for Gulf Coast will be QB Tyrone Jones and his elusiveness. Central Florida secondary has a tendency to come off of receivers against scrambling QB’s and that could pose a problem against a QB like Jones.

The key to the game for Central Florida is all about the match-up within the match-up. APDFL fans across the globe were excited in 2020 to see the match up of WR, Lavon Downs face CB Amos Tatum in the Presidents Cup Championship. That match-up pales in comparison to the treat fans will receive in this game this weekend. CF Gators All-purpose Athlete, Darshaun Ford-Smith, is a true speedster. A Tyreek Hill of sorts with the ability to take the top off of any coverage and the speed to turn a 1-yd reception into a 90-yd touchdown run while leaving his defender 20-yds behind him. However, this isn’t an ordinary game and the individual across from him won’t be an ordinary CB. GC Gators All-purpose Athlete, Labarron Mallory, is a true man-to-man lock down corner and won’t be intimidated by speed. A big & physical CB will make Ford-Smith fight for every step from start to finish. The possibility of any 50/50 balls are typically 80/20 in his favor. Then again, with that defensive line breathing down QB Frank Snead Jr. neck, it could make for a hard afternoon.
Gulf Coast Gators – 28
Central Florida Gators – 12

(6) East Alabama Predators (0-0) vs (8) Columbus Storm (0-0)
Phenix City, AL
7:00 PM EST
This one could easily be called a grudge match to say the least. There is no better way to kickoff the start of the season than to face a cross town opponent that you have suited up with for years. Unless of course, you add lots of trash talk into the mix and several wagers. In steps the Storm!

The Storm will take to the field for the first time this weekend as they face team owner, Charles Drinkards, ex-team. A game that has been much anticipated and greatly talked about. However, one can not talk their way into a victory. The Predators surpassed the expectations of everyone expect their own in 2019 and are destined to continue on that upward momentum in 2020. Defensive Linemen/Linebacker Ronderius Hooks & Linebacker Matthew Kelly, led a defensive attack that spent much of 2019 in their opponents backfield. On the offensive side of the ball, the Predators will utilize a dual attack to control the game. They have the ability to run and/or pass and can control the line of scrimmage.

The Storm come into their first ever game with a young and fresh roster. Chemistry will be important if they are to be victorious in their first outing and they will need to find a way to control the trenches. On paper, they match-up well at the skill positions and if QB Tarvaraska Davis has the necessary time to find his receivers, they could be set for the upset victory. However, the Predators pressure will be just a bit too much to overcome.
East Alabama Predators – 20
Columbus Storm – 16

There you have it!! The Commissioners Kickoff Classic Predictions are in and like I always say, don’t hate the predictions, simply PROVE THEM WRONG!!!