This year the PFFL Youth League Championship Tournament will occur during the same weekend as Halloween. Consequently, I have decided to reveal which teams should be dressed as contenders and which teams should be dressed as pretenders.

FIRST ROUND

(1) CHIEFS vs. (4) SEAHAWKS

• This season the CHIEFS have beaten the SEAHAWKS twice with relative ease. In the first game, the CHIEFS scored 24 unanswered points after trailing the CHIEFS 14-0 to win 24-14. As for their second matchup with the HAWKS, the CHIEFS flipped the script on their offensive explosion in Game 1 to a powerful defensive effort. The result was a 12-0 win in the last game of the season.

• Coach Jason Russell’s top-seeded CHIEFS are poised to make an appearance in the championship game because they have elite playmaker Jalen Patterson Bey and invaluable wide receiver Bo Stover.

PREDICTION: CHIEFS 25 SEAHAWKS 13

(2) BROWNS vs. (3) STEELERS

• Week 3- The STEELERS beat the BROWNS by a touchdown, 13-6 in their first matchup of the season.

• Week 6- In the rematch between the eventual #2 and #3 seeds, the BROWNS doubled their scoring output against the STEELERS. Unfortunately for the STEELERS the BROWNS scored more points as well resulting in a 24-12 victory.

• The bottom line is that the most points that the STEELERS have scored in a single game is 12. Conversely the BROWNS have shown that they can score points at a high clip to which the STEELERS can attest.

PREDICTION: BROWNS 20 STEELERS 12

(1) CHIEFS vs. (2) BROWNS

• Although the CHIEFS won both games against the BROWNS this season, their second win, 7-0, was much less impressive than their first one, 19-6.

• The key to stopping the CHIEFS starts with containing the explosive playmaking ability of Jalen. This young man is so dangerous once he has the ball in his hands that it would behoove the BROWNS to stack the line to minimize his yards after run.

• While the Coach Jason’s CHIEFS have been unstoppable throughout the regular season, I think that the BROWNS will benefit from their “underdog” status.

PREDICTION: The CHIEFS will defeat the BROWNS in overtime 19-13!

(1) RAVENS vs. (4) JAGUARS

• The RAVENS have dominated the JAGS this season in both regular season games.

• In those two games the average margin of victory for the RAVENS has been 18 points.

• Moreover, the RAVENS are undefeated because they have one of the most stacked teams in Youth League history. Whether Luca Michnowicz throws a TD to Shea “Butter” Champine or Aiden Sekelik is orchestrating a reverse handoff to Yusuf Mendosa Jr, the RAVENS’ offense will score early and often.

PREDICTION: The RAVENS will dominate the JAGS 30-12

(2) CARDINALS vs. (3) SAINTS

• This season the CARDS and SAINTS split both of their games against each other. The first matchup was highly competitive from start to finish, with the SAINTS winning 27-20. Then in Week 4, the CARDS avenged their season opening loss to the SAINTS with a 35-13 drubbing of their own.

• In their last game, the SAINTS played with a depleted roster. Consequently, they could not keep up with the offensive juggernaut that the CARDS’ team has become.

• I expect CARDS” QB Sam “Andy Dalton” Kelly to lead his team on a game-winning TD drive as time expires.

PREDICTION: The CARDS will defeat the SAINTS 28-18.

(1) RAVENS vs. (2) CARDINALS

• Although the RAVENS took both games in the regular season against the CARDINALS, both victories were separated by less than 10 points.

• The RAVENS should be favored to win because they went undefeated in the regular season; however, when a team is not accustomed to coping with adversity its ability to persevere could be significantly impacted.

PREDICTION: The CARDS will pull off the ultimate upset and defeat the RAVENS 19-15.

FIRST ROUND

(2) LIONS vs. (3) RAIDERS

• For the RAIDERS, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that the defense has given up just 12.5 points per game to their opponents in the regular season. The bad news is that the RAIDERS’ offense scored an average of 6.2 points per game.

• The LIONS have the skill players in tow to give the RAIDERS fits defensively. Quarterback John Lindgren will look to feed the ball to Anthony “Swag” Jagers’ a lot. On defense, LIONS’ Coach Ron Idoko will look to Skylar Kunkel and William Generett to make big plays.

PREDICTION: The LIONS will beat the RAIDERS 13-6.

1. PANTHERS vs. (2) LIONS

• Coach Dennis “Shor D” Wolford will be seeking his tenth championship this Sunday.

• The PANTHERS led their division with a 4-2 record.

• In their three regular season meetings, the PANTHERS have shut the LIONS out twice and beaten them each time.

• The LIONS have several elite players that have the confidence to go against any team.

• If every player for the BLACK CATS suits up against the LIONS on Sunday, then the PANTHERS will have a huge advantage over the LIONS.

PREDICTION: This game will come down to which team will respond better to turnovers. To that end, I think that the PANTHERS will score at will and beat the LIONS 26-13.