Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League

25 Mar 2021
By: APDFL Staff Writer

Jacksonville, FL – It’s the biggest and most exciting week of the regular season. It’s Rivalry Week! This weekend across the league, teams will once again face-off against their biggest in league opponent. Some of the match-ups are new and fresh and have the potential to be the start of some of the nations best games. While others are yearly anticipated rivalries that we all look forward to seeing. As we take a look at the match-ups, head over to www.TheAPDFL.net and vote for which rivalry is the best across the league.

(26) Alabama Wolfpack (0-3) @ (7) Tuskegee Ayrmen (3-0)
Tuskegee, AL
5:00pm
Due to weather conditions the game has been moved and will be hosted by the Ayrmen. One of the new match-ups on the schedule for rivalry week, this game is anticipated to be one of those that will grow on a yearly basis. Wolfpack continue to look for their identity. Their present record doesn’t reflect exactly how tough and cohesive the team is. Once they find a way to get on the right track they are surely going to make a run for the post season. The Ayrmen are just the opposite. They have been playing together for some time and are rich in history. Each opponent placed in front of them gets to see exactly what is meant by playing 60 minutes of football and doing so in all aspects of the game. This weekend they should be able to continue their run.
Tuskegee Ayrmen – 26
Alabama Wolfpack – 8

(25) Greater Pensacola Jets (0-3) @ (24) Selma City Vikings (0-2)
Pensacola, FL
3:00pm
Vikings will be hosting the game however, they will be doing so in Pensacola. The move may present a problem. As for the rivalry between the two, this is possibly one of the best the league has seen. Both teams face each other on a yearly basis and have developed into a cross conference contest that is highly anticipated on a yearly basis. Both enter this seasons contest looking for their first victory. Vikings appear to have all the parts in place however, putting those parts together has been a struggle over their first two games. If they are able to travel as a complete unit playing on the road may not be detrimental. The Jets on the other hand continue to remain grounded. Thus far they have been outscored 50-8 over the course of the first three games. As their defense holds their opponents to just under 17 points a game, the offense has continued to be out of gas. If this is to be the week that they take flight, offensively they will need to show that they are ready.
Selma City Vikings – 16
Greater Pensacola Jets – 8

(6) Georgia Thrashers (2-1) @ (9) Metro Atlanta Horsemen (2-2)
Austell, GA
6:00pm
An early consideration for game of the year and the game hasn’t even taken place. Horsemen are coming off of a very controversial loss in which they actually won the game on the field. An over sight that led to a player participating in the game that was not eligible ended with another notch in the loss column. Thrashers have been on fire since taking the field. With one of the most productive air-raid attacks the league has seen, their defense has stepped up in each game and matched their intensity. This crosstown rivalry is a huge one right out the box. Every thing else can be thrown out as both teams will be sure to put it all on the line. Horsemen stand out athlete, #2 Marquavious Favors, has the ability to keep the Horsemen in any game however, he may be asked to do a little too much. Thrashers appear to be just a little to dominant at this point in the season. QB1, Kivon Taylor, leads the league in passing yards and has a stable of receivers he can get the ball to. The Horsemen secondary will have to play their best game to date to keep up with the Thrashers passing attack. If they don’t, they may not find their way out the ‘stable’ this week.
Georgia Thrashers – 32
Metro Atlanta Horsemen – 20

(17) Atlanta Tigers (1-2) @ (14) Georgia Noles (2-1)
Macon, GA
7:00pm
These two have faced each other a few times during the off-season with the Tigers getting the upper hand in their last outing. Both come into this contest with a future interstate rivalry brewing on the horizon. Tigers came out fast this season as they walked away with the win in their season opener. Since that time they have failed to meet the intensity they showed in week 1. The Noles are coming off of a very disappointing loss. One in which they were controlled in every aspect of the game. They will need to turn that around this weekend at home or they may end up disappointed once again. Seeing how they are playing on their home turf, they should be able to protect the spear.
Georgia Noles – 28
Atlanta Tigers – 22

(1) Unconquered Cobras (3-0) @ (12) Garden City Seahawks (2-0)
North Augusta, SC
6:00pm
Cobras have been nothing short of dominant thus far this season. Typically taking to the road is never easy however, big time programs do big time things and the Cobras are always expected to travel as a complete unit. Therefore, preparation won’t be their issue. Seahawks will need to step it up this week or this could possibly become a rivalry match-up they don’t want to see yearly. Thus far, the offense has been unable to religiously find the end-zone. They will need to correct that and they will need to correct that fast. Attempting to play ‘keep up’ with the Cobras will prove to be venomous.
Unconquered Cobras – 42
Garden City Seahawks – 6

(27) Alabama Tigers (0-2) @ (13) West Mobile 49ers (2-0)
Mobile, AL
7:00pm
A re-match of an early season game from a season ago. The 49ers have been eagerly looking forward to this one. During the off-season the 49ers built their team up and are much improved from a season ago. On the other side, the Tigers have struggled. Their defense has failed to prove they have the ability to stop opposing offenses while the offense is coming off of its least productive game in team history. Something will have to change.
Mobile 49ers – 22
Alabama Tigers – 8

(3) Gulf Coast Gators (2-1) @ (10) Panhandle Crusaders (2-1)
Pensacola, FL
7:00pm
This one could possibly be the best inter-league rivalry thus far. Both teams are at the top of their game and both are presently hitting on all cylinders. Although the Crusaders are the host for this years contest, both teams call Pensacola, FL their home. So not only is it a top inter-league rivalry, but possibly the best and most competitive local match-up in the country. Gators are coming off of a disappointing loss on their home turf to the leagues top team. This week they get the chance to bounce back as the Crusaders are just as talented as anyone they will face on their schedule. With a roster full of 5 star athletes defeat for the second week in a row would be unacceptable. The Crusaders however, are just as good. They are not only stacked with talent across the board, they are also very well coached and find themselves in every game they play in. This however, will be their toughest match-up to date. Not only competitively, but also do to the local bragging rights this game brings with it.
Gulf Coast Gators – 32
Panhandle Crusaders – 26

(16) Crescent City Kings (1-2) @ (11) Louisiana Lightning (2-1)
New Orleans, LA
7:00pm
Another one of the nations top rivalry games is also a top inter-city game. Both teams not only hail from New Orleans, LA they even utilize the same field as their home field. Most players competing in this contest have been teammates at some point and therefore are extremely familiar with one another. Kings are looking to make their way to .500 and they would be happy to do it with a win this weekend. Lightning are looking to continue their two game win streak. After putting on a show in each of their last two games, this weekend they will be challenged just a little more. For the Kings to be victorious over the Lightning this season, as they have in seasons prior, they will need to step their game up on the defensive side of the ball.
Louisiana Lightning – 18
Crescent City Kings – 14

(8) Bayou Lacombe Cardinals (3-0) @ (23) Crescent City Rampage (0-2)
New Orleans, LA
7:00pm
Rampage are looking for their first victory of the season. This won’t be an easy week to get that victory. The Cardinals have looked good thus far this season and have shown now signs of letting up. To walk away with a victory this weekend they simply need to continue to play at the level in which they have been. For the Rampage to squeak out the upset they will need their defense to show up and will need to play mistake free football.
Bayou Lacombe Cardinals – 24
Crescent City Rampage – 6

(2) Pike County Titans (3-0) @ (4) Mississippi Dynasty (2-1)
Flowood, MS
6:30pm
This game has been marked since prior to the season and has been highly anticipated. However, no one assumed the Titans would come into this contest as the higher seed. Well they are!! Over their first three games the Titans have been nothing short of impressive and they continue to improve on a weekly basis. Some would argue that they have defeated those they are expected to defeat however, they have done so in impressive fashion. This weekend they will be ready! Although the Dynasty started the season in the losing column, they have gone on to defeat two very good undefeated teams. This week they get the opportunity the hand out yet another blemish to an unscathed team. Furthermore, they look to be reaching a point where they are clicking in all three aspects of the game.
Mississippi Dynasty – 26
Pike County Titans – 14

(19) Orlando Phantoms (1-2) @ (21) Georgia Crushers (1-2)
Albany, GA
7:00pm
Phantoms are coming off of their first win of the season and will be taking to the road for the first time. Crushers are also coming off of their first victory of the season. The question is which team will continue to put their notch in the win column and go .500. The Phantoms have yet to play up to their ability thus far this season. They will need to do that this weekend as they play on the road to ensure they don’t dig themselves deeper in a hole. On the other hand, the Crushers have improved with each passing week. To look past them would prove to be detrimental. If the Phantoms have used their practice time to prepare for the task in front of them they should be able to come out victorious. If they have opted to look past the Crushers they could find themselves getting ‘crushed’.
Orlando Phantoms – 22
Georgia Crushers – 16

(20) Hub City Hellcats (1-2) @ (28) Tri-City Savages (0-3)
Petal, MS
5:00pm
Another inter-league rivalry that’s also expected to be a great inter-city rivalry. To make this happen however, the Savages will need to step up and show up. Participating with low numbers is sure to be detrimental to the teams longevity. Hellcats have made their presence to the league and have competed in each of their contests. This one should be no different. If the Savages are not able to show up as a complete team it will be more of the same.
Hub City Hellcats – 32
Tri-City Savages – 6

(5) Alabama Blackhawks (2-1) @ (22) Steel City Raptors (0-3)
Fairfield, AL
7:00pm
Raptors have played tough in each of their first three outings. They just can’t seem to find a way to come out victorious in the close contests. Blackhawks have faced some of the nations top talent over their first three games of the season and are primed and ready to face anyone put before them. Another tough inter-city rivalry game should give this one some life and make it competitive from start to finish. However, for the Raptors to complete the upset they will need to ensure the game is close and the score total is low going into the 4th quarter. If they allow the Blackhawks to get an early start their won’t be any coming from behind.
Alabama Blackhawks – 36
Steel City Raptors – 12

There you have it! The predictions are in and the only thing left to do is to play the games. With this being rivalry week emotions can get high and at time, possibly out of control. Make sure we all keep it solely football oriented and have a great deal of fun while doing so.

Like I always say, don’t hate the predictions, SIMPLY PROVE THEM WRONG!!