Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League

17 Jun 2021
By: APDFL Staff Writer

New Orleans, LA – Conference Championship games are set to be determined this weekend. With only 4 teams remaining, several surprises have risen to the forefront as teams battle for the right to be crowned 2021 APDFL National Presidents Cup Champion.
 

Introduction:
Entering the post-season the Eastern Conference appeared that it would ultimately go through the leagues top seeded team, Unconquered Cobras. However, Georgia Thrashers had plans of their own. Thrashers entered the post-season as the conferences No. 4 seed and have been impressive in both of their match-ups. They savored the opportunity to make amends for a regular loss and in the end find themselves in the Eastern Conference Championship in their first season as members of the Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League. Head Coach, and Offensive Coordinator, Cameron Adams has the offense playing at a high level led by QB1, Kivon Taylor. “You can’t forget those two all-star wide receivers in Sammy Johnson and DeMarcus Sweat”, said APDFL Commissioner Bernard Hunt. “With an offense this powerful they have the ability to strike at any time and even when not seen as the favorite, their offense should be considered the favorite”, Hunt added.

Alabama Blackhawks entered the Post-season as the conferences No. 2 seed and had every intention on making the long trip to Thomasville, GA. For the second time in as many years for the conference championship game. Blackhawks are no strangers to the bright lights. With the exception of 2020, where Covid-19 walked away with the victory, the Blackhawks have played in the conferences past two championship games and this season will be playing in their third straight. Could the third time be the charm? Offensively, they are led by QB1 Nathan Caldwell. By far the most prolific and cerebral QB in the nation. With his ability to engineer a winning drive at any time, they can never be counted out of a game. Defensively, the Blackhawks have one of, if not the, most powerful front 7 in the country. With a secondary to match, they are well suited for the Eastern Conference Championship Game.

If you thought the east was a surprise with the No. 1 seeded Cobras falling, the west has proven to be even more entertaining in this years post-season play. Crescent City Kings, No. 7 in the Western Conference, will be the first No. 7 seed in APDFL history to reach the conference championship game. After a slow start on the season, they found their footing and have been full steam ahead ever since. QB1, Jyron Walters, came into the 2021 season as the leading passer in APDFL history as well as the leagues single season record holder. If he’s able to find his groove it’s lights out for any secondary and there is no team that he’s faced that he hasn’t defeated at one point or another.

Then again, there’s that team from Pearl, MS. The APDFL 3-time back-to-back-to-back National Champions. That team that just seems to find a way to ‘get it done’ come post-season play. It’s almost like switching from rookie to all-pro when they are all playing on one accord. That team is the Mississippi Dynasty. In 2021 they entered the post-season as the Western Conferences No. 3 seed. With two losses on the regular season, several wrote them off as if they wouldn’t be able to find their groove. Newcomers hit panic mode and walked away leaving veterans to do what they have always done best….. Simply Win! With a team full of veterans that have gelled together over the years, they will once again be hard to defeat.

The Match-Ups:

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
(4) Georgia Thrashers @ (2) Alabama Blackhawks
Pinson, AL
6:30PM est.
A rematch of two teams that faced-off early in the regular season in a contest that came down to the final whistle. Blackhawks were able to walk away with a one point victory by a score of 26-25. Both teams have greatly improved over the course of the season and the key here will be who is playing sound football. At this point in the season, both are playing at a high level. The passing attack of the Thrashers has continued to lead the country. To be victorious this weekend however, they will need to get some assistance from both their running game as well as special teams. The constant pressure provided by the Blackhawks front 7 can be relentless and can prove to be a nightmare for any QB if they find themselves being 1-dimensional. Blackhawks secondary will need to be playing at their best. Most would quickly say that one-on-one they won’t be able to hold up against the receiving core of the Thrashers. Without pressure from the two bookends, in Pat Campbell and Justin Robinson, the secondary will be in for a long evening if not playing at their best. However, Picking against Nathan Caldwell has never proven to be a wise decision. With the ability to chisel any defense with both his legs and his arm, the Blackhawks offense is primed and ready. In conjunction, their running attack is just as powerful as the passing game and coming up short on their home turf just doesn’t seem to be feasible.
Alabama Blackhawks – 28
Georgia Thrashers – 18

WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
(7) Crescent City Kings @ (3) Mississippi Dynasty
Pearl, MS
6:00PM cst.
Without a doubt this one is the Western Conferences most sought after game. Over their tenure in the APDFL, they have given the country some exciting games to watch and this one is expected to be no different. Both teams are playing at an extremely high level at this time and if facing a different opponent, both would most likely be favored to win. Kings are known for their high powered offensive attack. They are capable of getting it done by way of ground or air. The key for them this weekend will be all-purpose athlete, Troy Glenn, and how he’s used throughout the game. If able to make a few key plays in the special teams aspect of the game, the Kings could possibly find themselves continuing their 2021 Cinderella story. It won’t be easy though! It’s the post-season and over the course of the past several seasons the Dynasty have proven that they have the ability to turn it up a notch come post-season. With All-Americans sprinkled from top to bottom and on both sides of the ball, they typically find themselves with the advantage in the one-on-one match-ups. The front 7 on the defensive side of the ball could possibly be the best in the country. Combined with a secondary that can man up with any team they face, makes it that much tougher to find a way to defeat them come post-season. Defensive back, Tyrun Lemon, has the ability to play on an island and take any teams top receiver out of the game in the one-on-one match-up. Offensively they are just as good. They have the ability to control the game both in the air as well as on the ground and when all odds are against them, they seem to simply find a way to win. Playing at home this weekend will be an added benefit.
Mississippi Dynasty – 32
Crescent City Kings – 20

There you have it. The Conference Championship games are both set to kick-off and the only thing left to do is to play the games. Like always, don’t hate the predictions, SIMPLY PROVE THEM WRONG!