Football Friday (8/20/21)

Gridiron Developmental Football League

Playoffs

First Round

South Beach Outlaws 20, Salt Lake Senate 0

River City Pythons 20, Mississippi Road Warriors 14

Tri-City Outlaws 28, Huntsville Rockets 24

Columbus Fire 19, Ohio Elite Outlaws 14

Cleveland Rams 30, WPA Wildcatz 18

East Penn Raiders 26, Syracuse Strong 14

This week:

Quarterfinals

Erie Express vs. Cleveland Rams

East Penn Raiders vs. Columbus Fire

Ingleside Blackhawks vs. South Beach Outlaws

River City Pythons vs. Tri-City Outlaws

DUDE'S ARENA/INDOOR FOOTBALL TOP TEN:

#1 - Albany Empire (NAL) 9-1-0.

The Empire defeated the Columbus Lions 76-52 in the National Arena League title game. The game was not decided until the fourth quarter when Phillip Barnett gave the Empire a 66-50 lead with 13:48 to play and the defense coming up with big stops to hold off the Lions. The Empire won the 2019 ArenaBowl title over Philadelphia before the Arena Football League folded.

#2 - Arizona Rattlers (IFL) 11-2-0.

Last week: Arizona QB Drew Powell rushed for three touchdowns and a passing touchdown to lead the Rattlers past Spokane 30-20. The 50 combined points were the second lowest in the Indoor Football League this season.

Next: Aug 21 vs. Frisco Fighters (10-2).

#3 - Omaha Beef (CIF) 9-4-0. Won Champions Bowl VI. Season Complete.

#4 - Frisco Fighters (IFL) 10-2-0.

Last week: Defeated the Green Bay Blizzard 38-20. Green Bay scored first but the Fighters pulled out to a 24-7 lead midway through the third quarter. Frisco's defense had four interceptions in the game.

Next: Aug 21 at Arizona Rattlers (11-2)

#5 - Massachusetts Pirates (IFL) 10-3-0.

Last week: Quarterback Sean Brackett threw four touchdown passes, wide receiver Laquvionte Gonzalez scored three times and the defense caused six turnovers as the Pirates ran their record to 10-3 with a 51-16 win over the Northern Arizona Wranglers at the Findlay Toyota Center on Sunday. The win was the Pirates seventh consecutive victory which set a franchise record and extended the longest winning streak by any team in the Indoor Football League this season. The victory was also Massachusetts’ fifth straight triumph on the road. The win also secures a top three overall seed in the upcoming playoffs.

Next: Aug 21 vs. Iowa Barnstormers (6-5)

#6 - Salina Liberty (CIF) 10-2-0. Lost Champions Bowl VI. Season Complete.

#7 - Tri-City Rush (AWFC) 8-2-0

Last week: Defeated Idaho Horsemen 47-40 to clinch first place in the American West Football Conference and will host the championship game.

Next: Sep 4 vs. winner of Oregon-Idaho semifinal game

#8 - Columbus Lions (NAL) 7-3-0.

Lost to Albany Empire 76-52 in the National Arena League championship game. The Lions tied the game up at 50-50 in the third quarter but Albany pulled away. Lions' QB Mason Espinosa started the game with four touchdown passes.

#9 - Oregon High Desert Storm (AWFC) 7-3-0.

Last week: Bye.

Next: Aug 21 vs. Idaho Horsemen (6-4) in AWFC semifinals.

#10 - Idaho Horsemen (AWFC) 6-4-0.

Last week: Lost to Tri-City Rush 47-40.

Next: Aug 21 at Oregon High Desert Storm (7-3) in AWFC semifinals.