Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League

09 April 2021
By: APDFL Staff Writer

Jacksonville, FL – April is National Autism Awareness Month and the Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League would like to take this time to share awareness across the globe. The prevalence of autism in the United States has risen from 1 in 125 children in 2010 to 1 in 54 in 2020.

Here are a few facts about autism to talk about during awareness month. Boys are four times as likely to have autism than girls although there doesn’t seem to be an explanation as to why. There’s more than one form of Autism. The range of autistic disorders is so broad that the official has since been renamed as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Because of this, children with autism have a wide range of symptoms while others may not seem autistic at all. There’s no single cause of autism. What is known, according to the Autism Society, is that there are noticeable differences on brain scans on those with ASD. Autistic patients excel creatively. If you would like more information on Autism or would like to take part in spreading awareness, go to www.autismspeaks.org and see what you can do to join the cause.

With that, let’s take a look at what contests Autism Awareness Weekend has in store. With severe thunderstorms expected across the southeast this weekend, several match-ups have been canceled or postponed. However, some great games are still on the slate.

(26) Alabama Wolfpack (0-4) @ (3) Alabama Blackhawks (2-1)
Fairfield, AL
TBD
After several days full of game time changes at the hands of the institution, it’s going to be interesting to simply see this game kickoff. With that in mind, an actual kickoff time may not be warranted until after the ball is in the air. Blackhawks will be looking to play a complete game for the first time in several weeks. Returning to the field after the holiday weekend and a game that was called short, how they used that off time for preparation will be crucial. Wolfpack are still looking for their first victory on the season. This weekend won’t be the easiest of match-ups. Their record however, is in no way an indication of the quality of the team as they have the ability to contest with anyone. With game time changing both teams are expected to show up short handed. This could lead to anything taking place.
Alabama Blackhawks – 26
Alabama Wolfpack – 12

(15) Garden City Seahawks (2-1) @ (5) Tuskegee Ayrmen (4-0)
Tuskegee, AL
5:30pm
An easy consideration for the game of the week. Seahawks will be looking to bounce back from a deflating defeat in their last outing. However to do so they will need to take to the road and face a greatly improved Ayrmen team that have seem to have found their gear. The key for the Seahawks to pull off the upset will be game control. If they aren’t able to control all aspects of the game, the Ayrmen will do what’s expected of them.
Tuskegee Ayrmen – 28
Garden City Seahawks – 6

(25) Selma City Vikings (0-3) @ (20) East Alabama Predators (1-3)
Camp Hill, AL
5:00pm
Both teams are much better than what their records would lead one to believe. However, neither team has yet to produce as expected. The question this weekend is which team is prepared to have a breakout showing? Vikings are still looking to gel on the offensive side of the ball. If they are hoping to pull out the victory they are going to need to put up more than 6 points this weekend. The Predator offense hasn’t been too much better. With the exception of one game, finding the end zone has been a struggle. Whichever team is able to locate the end zone early in the game will be able to walk away with the victory.
East Alabama Predators – 12
Selma City Vikings – 6

(17) Atlanta Tigers (3-2) @ (9) Columbus Storm (3-1)
Phenix City, AL
5:00pm
Another contest that could have easily been selected as this weekends game of the week. Tigers have been road heavy to start the season and will get the chance to play at home 3 of their final 4 games. However, they are on the road again this weekend prior to starting that home game streak. To pull out the victory the Tigers will need to execute their game plan and win the turnover battle. The Storm will find themselves in a much more competitive game than they are expecting. To avoid their second straight loss on their home turf they will need to play their best game of the season.
Atlanta Tigers – 16
Columbus Storm – 12

(18) Georgia Noles (2-2) @ (4) Georgia Thrashers (3-1)
Alphretta, GA
7:00pm
Noles have been playing some really tough football over the first half of the season however, they will need to play their best game to date if they are to pull off the upset. The Thrashers have been ‘Thrashing’ everyone put in front of them since their opening weekend defeat. They come into this match-up with the leagues #1 offense and a passing attack that has exploded over their last 3 outings. Can the Noles secondary slow down the passing attack or will they once again have their way?
Georgia Thrashers – 48
Georgia Noles – 12

(7) Panhandle Crusaders (3-1) @ (19) Hub City Hellcats (2-2)
Petal, MS
5:00pm
This one should be an interesting one. Crusaders have been very impressive over the first half of the season and, as expected, will come into this contest highly favored. However, the Hellcats are playing with a chip on their shoulder and could use this one as a statement game. An upset victory is not out of reach if they are playing mistake free football. To be victorious though, they will need to prove that they can not only be productive on the field but within themselves as well or the Crusaders patience will claim another victim.
Panhandle Crusaders – 32
Hub City Hellcats – 16

(21) Greater Pensacola Jets (1-3) @ (14) Louisiana Lightning (2-2)
New Orleans, LA
7:00pm
Jets are coming off of their first victory of the season. They take to the road this weekend to face an improving Lightning team and will need to be playing at the top of their game. The Lightning have been playing consistent football for some time and that shouldn’t change this weekend.
Louisiana Lightning – 26
Greater Pensacola Jets – 8

(24) Crescent City Rampage (0-3) @ (8) Pike County Titans (3-1)
McComb, MS
5:00pm
Rampage are looking for their first victory of the season and this weekend it won’t be easy to find. Titans have been playing at a high level thus far this season. Coming off of their first loss of the season, they will be looking to get back in the winning column. The question here is can the Rampage keep the game close going into the 4th quarter? If so, they may be able to walk away with a victory. However, the Titans, playing at home, will be at full steam.
Pike County Titans – 26
Crescent City Rampage – 14

(23) Georgia Crushers (1-4) @ (1) Unconquered Cobras (4-0)
Postponed

(12) West Mobile 49ers (3-0) @ (22) Steel City Raptors (0-3)
Postponed

(11) Crescent City Kings (2-2) @ (27) Alabama Tigers (0-3)
Postponed

(16) Orlando Phantoms (2-2) @ (10) Gulf Coast Gators (2-2)
Postponed

GAME OF THE WEEK!!
(2) Mississippi Dynasty (3-1) @ (6) Bayou Lacombe Cardinals (4-0)
Slidell, LA
7:00pm
This one should be a great one! Since dropping their opening game, the Dynasty have returned to fashion and have been playing at a high level. This weekend they will once again be tested. The Cardinals have been impressive since the season started and have been getting better on a weekly basis. Both teams are very well coached and both are up for the challenge. The Cardinals will get to prove to the nation this weekend that they are to be taken serious. Can they complete the task?
Mississippi Dynasty – 18
Bayou Lacombe Cardinals – 12

There you have it! The predictions are in and the only thing left to do is to play the games. Like I always say, don’t hate the predictions, simply PROVE THEM WRONG!!