This Sunday’s game between MMG and STEELTOWN represents the classic battle of “talented youth versus savvy veterans.” While all of us in the media can make our cases about who will win based on how these teams look on paper, this pivotal Week 3 matchup will be decided on the field.

So far MMG has looked as potent on both sides of the ball as I have ever seen them look in previous seasons. Their offense is scoring 22.5 ppg. As a result they are tied with VAPOR for the league’s best record at 4-0. All-Star Quarterback Tony Battaglini is completing nearly 70 percent of his passes. In addition, the mobile passer has thrown for 16 touchdowns with just one interception. If he can continue to keep the turnovers down, then MMG will have a shot at putting up big points against a STEELTOWN defense that some have called “over-the-hill.”

To date, STEELTOWN has not played one down this season so the jury is still out about how good they actually are this season. Nevertheless, six-plus years of experience with the PFFL provides us with a valid sample size of their capabilities as a team. Once again All-Star Quarterback Chris Sullivan is the engine that drives this team’s success. As one of the most prolific dropback passers that we have ever seen the onus for STEELTOWN’s ability to score will be primarily on his shoulders.

All-Star Wide Receivers Michael Miller and Jeremy Greenawalt will need to be reliable targets for Sullivan, especially since MMG Pass Rusher Joe Scalise has already rung up seven sacks in two weeks. Speaking of pass rushers, STEELTOWN’s Eric Quinn and Steve Orlando are two proven commodities that can collect sacks in clutch moments. Their collective ability to limit the damage that Battaglini will do with his legs will be crucial to getting off the field on fourth down.