GFL’s Most Anticipated Matchups

 

It may be fair to say that the 2012 GFL schedule puts together one of the best slates of games the league has ever seen. Each and every week is full of games that should feature close, competitive affairs; which is all any fan can really ask for. As with every schedule, some games are more interesting than others, whether it be a tilt between top flight teams or a game between clubs that feature a unique storyline. Here are some of the most anticipated games of the 2012 season, which features games picked from the good folks at the GFL Proboards.

Lynx at/vs Cowboys (Week 5, 10)

These two teams will meet twice this season, and in both weeks the entire league will be eagerly awaiting the results. For years the Lake County Cowboys have chased the Lake Shore Lynx, trying to topple the giant and perhaps win a championship for their fans. Every year, the Cowboys have come up short; losing in the Championship game of 2009 was as close as they have gotten. This season, it seems the Cowboys have gone for broke, they feel like this is their year. True to form, the Lynx have reloaded as well, ensuring that when these two teams collide it will be the best form of football this league has to offer.

Cowboys at/vs Cougars (Week 3, 7)

The Lake County Cowboys and the Kenosha Cougars have always been at each others throats, yet for the first time in their rivalry they will play each other twice during the season. The first one in Kenosha will be memorable, all the games between these two teams are; yet it’s the second match that has folks around the league wetting their throats. The Cowboys, with extensive work being done by Owner Ricky Tolliver and Navy vet Randi Dey, will welcome the Cougars down to the Great Lakes Naval Base to treat the members of our armed forces with a game that is sure to be remembered.

Lynx at Chaos (Week 4)

The fact is that the match-up between Lake Shore Lynx and Chicago Chaos, who played each other in the 2011 National Conference Championship, should be enough to make this game one of the most anticipated of 2012.  What takes this match-up to an even higher level, however, is that former Chaos quarterback Jay Fortuna defected to the Lynx this off-season, and will be facing his former team for the first time. Tensions will be running high in Chicago on this night.

Scorpions at/vs Raiders (Week 4, 6)

The two games the Jefferson Scorpions and Waukesha Raiders will play against one another will have a substantial impact on who claims the #1 position in the American Conference. For many, the conference is at best a three team race, with these two teams leading the way. A series sweep for either side could greatly swing the standings, maybe even enough to let another team gave a shot at grabbing a play-in spot.

Chaos-Cougars (Week 8 )

The Chicago Chaos and the Kenosha Cougars are both widely considered to be elite teams in the GFL, and this game will go a long way toward proving the direction of both of these teams. The Cougars have always been known for their defense, routinely finishing toward the top of the league in points against. Last season, the Chaos were able to overwhelm lesser teams on offense while keeping pace with the top teams. Both teams have lost key players during the off-season; this game may come down to who adapted better to those changes.

Rampage vs Gladiators (Week 5)

The battle of Racine will begin again as the Racine Rampage will take on the Racine Gladiators as each team will try to force their way above the play-in slots for the 2012 playoffs. The Rampage won the battle last season, beating the Gladiators twice, however, the Gladiators have gotten stronger during the off-season while members of the Rampage left to form a new expansion team. Although it’s only a singular game in a ten week season and it is unlikely to form the playoff picture much, there is something to be said of beating your cross-town rival. This game should be close, intense and well played.

Rage at Scorpions (Week 3)

39-38. That was the final score of the week 9 match-up last year between the South Milwaukee Rage and the Jefferson Scorpions that effectively ended the Scorpions playoff chances. These teams respect one another and are forming a little bit of a rivalry, which the league desperately needs up north. Both of these teams are going to need to win this game early in the season in order to set the tone for the bulk of their schedule.

Phoenix at Cougars (Week 6)

These two teams last played in 2010, with the Kenosha Cougars topping the Wilmot Phoenix by six points, leaving both teams wanting a rematch as soon as possible. Two years later, the teams will square off again with much more on the line. The Phoenix are fresh off a playoff berth and if they want a chance at contending with the elite, this is a game they have to play well in. The Cougars are looking to prove they have staying power after last season’s Championship game loss.

Chaos at Guardians (Week 10)

This game features the Sturtevant Guardians, a brand new team to the GFL, against the Chicago Chaos, a team which made the conference championships last season. The Guardians this past month chose to pick a fight with the Chaos, claiming that if the game was played in Sturtevant it was a guaranteed win for the Guardians. The outcome to the spat has led to widespread interest in this game, even though it takes place in week 10.

Raiders at Sabers (Week 1)

This week one game between the expansion Waukesha Raiders and sixth-year Kenosha Sabers has almost become a tradition in the GFL; every year since 2008 the Sabers have opened with a game against a first year franchise. Up till now, that good fortune has worked out, yet the Raiders are not your typical expansion team full of new players and league hopefuls: this club comes equipped with college level athletes. That this game comes so early will test this new team to the max, the Sabers were in the conference championship game last season.

Lynx at Phoenix (Week 1)

These two teams met three times last season, and none of the outcomes were pretty. The Wilmot Phoenix, who lost all three games last season, have made improvements to the team and are hoping to make strides toward joining the elite in the GFL. The Lake Shore Lynx have set the standard for the league every single season, and are looking toward another march toward a championship. This game should say more about whether or not the Phoenix have improved enough over whether or not the Lynx have what it takes to win another title.