First 2012 GFL Power Rankings
By: Adam Knoll
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The first league-wide Power Ranking Poll was taken just this past week and it seems that a major shift in perspective is at hand. The Lake County Cowboys, despite dropping their round one playoff game last season, has been deemed the best team in the GFL. The Lake Shore Lynx did not fall far behind, taking the #2 spot, however, right on their heelsare the Chicago Chaos, the breakout team of 2011.
Falling out of the top three for the first time in perhaps the leagues history, the Kenosha Cougars to the #4 position, barely ahead of the South Milwaukee Rage whom most believe are due for a major playoff run. Falling a spot since the last rankings, the Wilmot Phoenix hold the #6 spot by a fairly wide margin; if the rankings turn out to be true for 2012, all of these teams would advance to round 2 of the new GFL playoffs.
Taking the #7 spot is the Racine Gladiators who have jumped three spots since August. The first American conference team to make the list is the Jefferson Scorpions at #8, followed by the Kenosha Sabers at #9. Although the Scorpions did not make the playoffs last year, while the Sabers did, the voters are unsure if the Sabers can keep up the pace from last season’s seven win performance.
Finishing off all of the national Conference teams,the Racine Rampage come in at #10. Behind them, the Milton Mayhem claim the #11 spot with the Oak Creek Arsenal and Sturtevant Guardians rounding out the bottom of the rankings. The Wales Raiders were added to the league during the taking of this poll; their last place position is mostly due to lack of league knowledge about them so far.
| Rank | Team | Record | Last Rank | Change | Avg. Vote | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.) |  | Lake Shore Lynx | 0-0 | 2 | +1 | 1.3 | They will be the champions until someone takes the title from them; which they are used to by now. |
| 2.) |  | Lake County Cowboys | 0-0 | 1 | -1 | 2.1 | Gave up one touchdown during the Tournament, which they are very unhappy about. |
| 3.) |  | Chicago Chaos | 0-0 | 3 | 0 | 2.4 | Might have been the most impressive team during the Tournament. |
| 4.) |  | Kenosha Cougars | 0-0 | 4 | 0 | 4.2 | Spent the Tournament solidifying their status as a very solid contender. |
| 5.) |  | South Milwaukee Rage | 0-0 | 5 | 0 | 5.1 | Trying to lay claim to the title of top team in Wisconsin |
| 6.) |  | Wilmot Phoenix | 0-0 | 6 | 0 | 5.7 | During the Tournament, they did not do enough to prove, or disprove, whether they are a true contender or not |
| 7.) |  | Waukesha Raiders (AC) | 0-0 | 14 | +7 | 6.8 | Jumped a whopping 7 spots, which might be a knee-jerk reaction to their first pre-season game. Might be the favorite in the AC. |
| 8.) |  | Racine Gladiators | 0-0 | 7 | -1 | 7.4 | Dropped a spot mainly because little is known about them this year. |
| 9.) |  | Kenosha Sabers | 0-0 | 9 | 0 | 9.2 | Sabers standing pat as a veteran club with not many surprises. |
| 10.) |  | Jefferson Scorpions (AC) | 0-0 | 8 | -2 | 9.3 | Overlooked the Raiders in their first pre-season match, it cost them. Will they start to rely on the running game? |
| 11.) |  | Oak Creek Arsenal (AC) | 0-0 | 13 | +2 | 10.8 | Surprised many with their offense, may be a bigger threat for the playoffs than originally thought |
| 12.) |  | Milton Mayhem (AC) | 0-0 | 11 | +1 | 11.3 | English is still the front-line athlete on this club, yet will he have the ball in his hands every play? |
| 13.) |  | Sturtevant Guardians (AC) | 0-0 | 12 | -1 | 13 | Worst loss of the Tournament came against their own Conference rival |