This year’s Southpointe Showdown tournament provided a combination of uncertainty and excitement. Prior to the tourney the PFFL made several changes to the games that might have affected some teams. First, league officials shortened the game clock from two 13-minute halves to two 11-minute halves. Also, the PFFL cut the huddle clock down from 28 seconds to 20 seconds. While the casual fan might not understand the impact of these changes, I’m convinced that the changes work to the advantage of the seasoned veterans.

All-Star Quarterback Jeff Bollinger’s return to THE U was big shocker to me. If memory serves correctly, the team and Bollinger experienced a bitter divorce leading to the signal-caller’s return to the WRECKING CREW again. Personally, I was skeptical about Bollinger’s ability to co-exist with THE U’s All-Star Quarterback Dennis “Shor D” Wolford. Amazingly, the two quarterbacks played together seamlessly with Shor D playing wide receiver. Unquestionably, the league will be following which team Bollinger decides to lead in the Spring 2012 season.

After getting snubbed for the Fall 2011 All-Star game, SPRING 2011 IRONMAN OF THE YEAR Darius Prince resumed his role as the league’s most explosive playmaker. While Prince contributed some highlights for VAPOR, the team was ultimately doomed by All-Star Quarterback/Rusher Cornell Mack’s costly interceptions. On top of Mack’s struggles, VAPOR’s center repeatedly snapped the ball over Mack’s head for a couple of safeties. Although, Mack failed to lead VAPOR to the championship, VAPOR’s 13—7 victory over REIGN sent the perennial winners to the loser’s bracket.

Despite the return of Sean Kennedy, Jason Hagerty, and SPRING 2011 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Tony Colaizzi, REIGN didn’t look like their normal superhuman selves. Perennial All-Star Quarterback Mike Lucyk was underwhelming in REIGN’s loss to VAPOR, completing just 58.8 percent of his passes for one touchdown and one interception. Even though REIGN advanced to the Southpointe championship, the team’s loss to VAPOR sent them to the loser’s bracket. As a result, REIGN played at least seven games before the title game. In their final two matchups against the VULTUREZ, the league’s former best team played with four guys after Colaizzi and All-Star DJ Douglas left early due to Colaizzi’s injury.

Does REIGN’s recent failure give confidence to the rest of the teams for the spring season?