Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League

09 Mar 2022
By: APDFL Staff Writer

Atlanta, GA – This weekend across Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League (APDFL) teams will compete in what is recognized as Child Abuse Awareness Week. According to the Children’s Bureau at HHS’ Administration for Children and Families, “of the 3,145,000 children who were the subject of a child welfare agency response in fiscal year 2020, 618,000 children were determined to be victims of maltreatment.” 76% of these victims suffered from neglect alone or in combination with other maltreatment types, while nearly 17% suffered from physical abuse either by itself or in combination with other maltreatment types. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted children and families involved in the child welfare system as well as those that are not involved. Disparities that were present before the pandemic were intensified and COVID-19 exposed gaps in the human services delivery system.

Sex trafficking and infants with prenatal substance exposure accounted for 953 victims of sex trafficking, among 35 states, and 49 states reported that 42,821 infants with prenatal substance exposure were referred to child welfare agencies for fiscal year 2020.

These numbers should indicate to everyone that there is a lot of work to do. Our children are our future and it takes a community to both raise and protect them. APDFL would ask that everyone joins us in becoming aware and cognitive to what is going on with the children around us. Sometimes they are unable to speak for themselves while at other times they may simply be afraid. A helping hand and a smiling face could possibly be the difference in the outcome of one child’s future.

With that, let’s take a look at this weekends contests. Special guest, Jarrod Lewis, joins us this weekend as he picks his winners for each game as well.

(15) Alabama Blackhawks (0-1) @ (16) East Alabama Predators (0-1),
Opelika, AL
5:00pm cst
Both teams will be looking to bounce back from opening season losses. Blackhawks ended their 2021 campaign atop the Eastern Conference but came up just short in the championship game. However, this past off-season was in no way what they expected it would be. With a complete roster turnover, they find themselves in a rebuilding year. They can expect to see several bumps and bruises as the season plays itself out. Predators started their season in a very fashionable manner as they took the opening kickoff back for the opening score of the season. That’s where the excitement came to an end! With a week off from play, the Predators should be a bit more prepared and ready to compete. However, more needs to be seen from them before picking them to be victorious.
Alabama Blackhawks – 17
East Alabama Predators – 12
Lewis pick – Alabama Blackhawks

(13) Nashville Elite (1-0) @ (12) Alabama Sabers (1-0),
Fairfield, AL
4:00pm cst
Elite and Sabers both entered the 2022 season with upset victories in their first games as members of the APDFL. Some would argue that neither victory was an upset as they are both powerful teams coming from outside leagues. Elite will look to pound the ball behind a very stout offensive line that proved in week one that they have the ability to control the trenches. This weekend however, will be a bit different. Sabers came into their week one contest on history alone. Widely known to be very successful on the playing field, their roster was a little light up until game week. Their performance however, proved that they were still focused on the task at hand. Adding to their week 1 additions, they have aquired some additional 5-star athletes in week 2.
Alabama Sabers – 32
Nashville Elite – 18
Lewis pick – Alabama Sabers

(20) Georgia Noles (0-1) @ (8) Columbus Storm (0-1),
Phenix City, AL
1:00pm est (Sunday)
Storm put up a really good fight in their season opener. Although they found themselves on the short end of the stick, they also showed, once again, that their defense will compete to be the best in the league. The offense on the other-hand….. To be the top contender they expect to be they will have to find a way to move the ball. Noles struggled in their season opener. With that behind them they should be able to do as they did last season and improve on a weekly basis. This weekend won’t be an easy task.
Columbus Storm – 16
Georgia Noles – 6
Lewis pick – Columbus Storm

(11) Pensacola Panthers (0-0) @ (7) Florida Falcons (1-0),
Jacksonville, FL
5:00pm est
Panthers found themselves in a bit of a pickle after week 1. Having been awarded a loss due to lack officials, an appeal was launched where it was determined that the issue was that of the officials and therefore the league. Leading to their week 1 game being rescheduled to take place during make-up weekend. Falcons were impressive in their first outing as members of the APDFL. They defeated their opponent on the road in dominant fashion and put all other in the Eastern Conference on notice. This one could have easily been a game of the week contender had it been slated for later in the season. Panthers roster is stacked! However, playing on the road is never an easy task and they will have their hands full this weekend.
Florida Falcons – 22
Pensacola Panthers – 20
Lewis pick – Florida Falcons
 

(17) South Alabama Dolphins (0-1) @ (4) Georgia Cobras (1-1),
Thomasville, GA
6:00pm est
This one is expected to be a dandy! After a season away, the Dolphins opened up the 2022 season against one of the nations top teams. Although they came up short, they put up the fight that was expected of them. Cobras have looked good over their first 2 games. Coming out stale in the first half of their last game put them in a whole that they weren’t able to climb out of. With that said, this weekend they will need to find a way to put points on the board. If they are to come out stagnant once again, they will have a hard time fighting from behind. The question mark for the Dolphins is their offense. Can they find a way to be consistent on the offensive side of the ball?
Georgia Cobras – 21
South Alabama Dolphins – 12
Lewis pick – No pick allowed

(18) Mobile Miners (1-0) @ (14) Crescent City Rampage (1-0),
New Orleans, LA
7:00pm cst
Miners will be taking to the field for the first time during the 2022 regular season. After being awarded a victory due to logistics, they will need to prove that they can do the same in the field of play. Rampage went to 3 overtimes to decide a winner in their opening contest and they proved they have the stamina to come out on top. Can they do that once again? Playing at home should provide the Rampage with the advantage.
Crescent City Rampage – 16
Mobile Miners – 6
Lewis pick – Crescent City Rampage

(10) Walton County Chiefs (1-0) @ (23) Greater Pensacola Jets (0-1),
Pensacola, FL
3:00pm cst
The question is exactly how good can the Chiefs be? With a roster full of key players, they appear to be built for a championship run. However, as a new team how will they gel? The sky is the limit for them if they are able to put it all together. Jets are coming off of a disappointing loss. Having faced the nations top team however, they can find some solitude in knowing that they opened the season against the best of the best. With the off-season acquisition of QB1, Tyrone Jones, they will have the ability to score with anyone. Can their defense stop anyone though?
Walton County Chiefs – 29
Greater Pensacola Jets - 14
Lewis pick – Walton County Chiefs

(9) Pike County Titans (1-0) @ (6) Bayou Lacombe Cardinals (1-0),
Mandeville, LA
7:00pm cst
Titans will take to the field for the first time during the 2022 regular season this weekend as they face a very dominant opponent. Not having the chance to play last weekend could prove to be a hindrance. Cardinals begin the season exactly how they played all of the 2021 season. They walked away with yet another dominant win. Playing at home this weekend should give them the added advantage to once again come out victorious.
Bayou Lacombe Cardinals – 29
Pike County Titans – 16
Lewis pick – Bayou Lacombe Cardinals

(5) Mississippi Dynasty (1-0) @ (19) Arkansas Punishers (0-1),
Mountain Pine, AR
7:00pm cst
Punishers entered the 2022 season with high hopes and lots of attention headed their way. After a last minute field cancellation beyond their control, they find themselves starting the season with an 0-1 record. This weekend they take to the field for the first time in APDFL play and they will do so against one of the top teams in the nation. If the Dynasty are to travel as a complete squad, they should be highly favored in this match-up. A 3-time national champion, they will be looking to return to form in 2022 and a victory this weekend would surely set them in the right direction.
Mississippi Dynasty – 34
Arkansas Punishers – 12
Lewis pick – Mississippi Dynasty

(21) Tri-City Bengals (0-1) @ (27) Alabama Tigers (0-1),
Game postponed!

(1) Crescent City Kings (1-0) @ (26) Arkansas Sharks (0-1),
Game postponed!

GAME OF THE WEEK!!!
(3) Tuskegee Ayrmen (2-0) @ (2) Georgia Thrashers (1-0),
Duluth, GA
7:00pm est
Boy oh’ boy do we have a game for you!! If you are a fan of the APDFL or just a fan of developmental football, this is a game that you won’t want to miss. Both teams battled deep into the post season in 2021 but came up short. If you believe the phrase, “opposites attract”, then this offensive match-up will be one that you’ll surely want to tune into. Although both are complete and well rounded teams, the Ayrmen will look to establish the running game and control the trenches. If the Thrashers are able to win at the point of attack it should be advantage Thrashers. On the other-hand, The Thrashers air attack will surely be on full display. With arguably the best wide receiver core in the country, they are extremely hard to not only stop, but to even contain. If the Ayrmen secondary is able to contain the air raid, then it should be advantage Ayrmen. Then again, that’s REALLY hard to do!!
Georgia Thrashers – 29
Tuskegee Ayrmen – 21
Lewis pick – Georgia Thrashers

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!!