IWFL Round 1 Recap and Conference Final Previews

The Austin Yellow Jackets and Utah Falconz set to meet Saturday (Austin Yellow Jackets/Facebook)

This year we have seen almost everything happen in the Independent Women’s Football League; from stellar performances to heartbreaking losses this has been an amazing season of IWFL action. On Saturday, the Conference Championships begin and after the first round of playoff contests we are left with four teams in each of the brackets looking for a shot at a World Championship or Founders Bowl title. Before we can preview the Championship series lets look back at what happened in round one.

The Carson Bobcats Fall to #1 Utah Falconz

In what was one of the great stories this season, the Carson Bobcats could not find their offense and dropped the road contest to the Utah Falconz 38-0. Utah the defending Western Conference champions, lost to the Pittsburgh Passion in last years championship but have used the loss as fuel to get the team back in position to claim this years title. Louise Bean and Keeshya Cox have combined for over 30 touchdowns on the season making them one of the best, Quarterback/Runningback duos in the league. Utah with the win moves on to play the Austin Yellow Jackets who have had three weeks off since their last contest. The Bobcats drop into the Founders Bowl Bracket and will take on the Woodlands Wildcats who had to win to keep their season alive in round one as well.

The Woodlands Wildcats Stomp Nebraska Stampede

Everyone should know by now that the Wildcats were cheated from a shot at the World Championship and forced to settle for a play-in game with Nebraska, for a chance at the Founders Bowl. Now, what is done is done but the best story that has largely gone unnoticed is that of the Woodlands Wildcats. This team since finding out their fate has been motivated and hungry to prove to the league and the non-believers that this is a World Championship caliber team. In the last game of the season the Wildcats put together their best game of the season in a 78-6 blowout of the Tulsa Threat. That was a statement game, and in their first round matchup with Nebraska most people expected a close game, myself included…. Oh how wrong was I, Woodlands put together another incredible performance taking this one 46-13. Nebraska a one-loss team this season had a great year but ran into an opponent playing for a purpose. Watch out for the Wildcats!

​​SMXL

Conference Championship Preview (World Championship)

Austin Yellow Jackets (7-0) vs. Utah Falconz (9-0)

In the Western Conference Championship we have the undefeated Austin Yellow Jackets taking on the undefeated Utah Falconz. Utah is coming off a big win over the Carson Bobcats two weeks ago in the first round of the IWFL playoffs. The Falconz come into the matchup with the best offense in the league scoring 59.9 points a game and the second best defense only allowing 22 total points on the year. The Yellow Jackets will have their hands full with Louise Bean and Keeshya Cox but bring in a Top three defense of their own. On the season the Yellow Jackets defense has only given up 33 total points and have averaged 37 points per game offensively. This will be a battle but if Utah gets a big lead early, Austin will be in some trouble. Prediction: Utah Falconz Def. Austin Yellow Jackets 35-16

New York Sharks (8-0) vs. Minnesota Vixen (8-0)

In the MyWSports Game of the Week, two teams with 8-0 records come in with a chance to restore prominence in their franchises and earn a World Championship appearance. The Minnesota Vixen have been one of the best defenses in the league, with only 13 points allowed all season they rank number one coming into the weekend. Madison Schmatz leads the league with 8.5 sacks on the year and her teammates have done a great job pressuring the opposing Quarterbacks. The New York Sharks have also had a stellar season so far with a tough defense of their own. Gabriella Michelle is third in the league with tackles and has been all over the field for the Sharks this year including 10 tackles for a loss. The arm of Karen “Mulli” Mulligan recently has been the best its been all season leaving her the only QB to throw over 1,000 yards. The Sharks are a motivated group and they have embraced the challenges all season, this will be another. After three weeks of no action for either team expect a tough defensive battle in this one.

Prediction: New York Sharks def. Minnesota Vixen 14-10

IWFL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP – TIER I

Round 1 - June 25th Round 2 - July 9th

Carson Bobcats Utah Falconz (Pacific Champion)

Utah Falconz Austin Yellow Jackets (Central Champion)

New York Sharks (Atlantic Champion)

Minnesota Vixen (Midwest Champion)

Conference Championship Preview (Founders Bowl)

Woodlands Wildcats (7-1) v. Carson Bobcats (7-1)

The Woodlands Wildcats are on their way to a Conference Championship after a dominating performance against the Nebraska Stampede. The Wildcats have used the last few games to display a powerful offense but an even better defense. Woodlands have scored 128 points in their last two games and have held opponents to only 19 points. The matchup against the Carson Bobcats will be a test for the Wildcats. Carsons lone loss on the season came in round one of the playoffs against the Falconz and they will be motivated to make a Founders Bowl appearance in year one of the franchise. The Bobcats didn’t show up against Utah don’t expect that to be the case here, but with everyone against Woodlands I have to say they are playing for more than a Founders Bowl title.

Prediction: Woodlands Wildcats Def Carson Bobcats 30-21

Madison Blaze (5-3) vs. Carolina Phoenix (7-1)

Earlier this season I truly believed in the Madison Blaze, they were my favorite to win the division instead of the Minnesota Vixen (Sorry Vixen) but then in a span of two games I quickly realized this isn’t last years team. However, the Blaze have the components to put together a quality playoff run. The issue is they run into a team that has been here before and have also been playing extremely well since their loss to New York. The Phoenix wanted to play for the World Championship and although that wont be the case this year the team is fired up to potentially claim another Founders Bowl for the franchise. Carolina with Ebony Montgomery and Mana Alison have helped guide the Phoenix into this position and with what is a stake I don’t think they will be a good night for the Blaze.

Prediction: Carolina Phoenix def. Madison Blaze 42-10

TIER 2 FOUNDERS BOWL – Tier II

Round 1 - June 25th Round 2 - July 9th

Woodlands Wildcats Woodlands Wildcats (Central Runner Up)

Nebraska Stampede Carson Bobcats (Pacific Runner Up)

Madison Blaze (Midwest Runner Up)

Carolina Phoenix (Atlantic Runner Up)

Follow Luis Sanchez on Twitter @Luis_MyW