The 2016 spring season in the adult league of the PFFL was packed with close victories, total blowouts, and some trash talking.  Each conference definitely had its fair share of winners and losers.  The STEEL Conference was led all season by the likes of BILLY GOATZ, DECEPTICONS, and MMG at the top.  However, despite a select few, the rest of the teams were competitive as well.  

In making my predictions, I did not find much trouble in deciding the winners of the Wild Card and earlier rounds.  However, once it got to the semifinals and finals, a lot of the games were almost too close to choose.  I expect all the STEEL Conference teams to come ready to play on Sunday, with the regular season strongholds coming out on top.  So, without further adieu, here are my picks for the STEEL Conference playoffs.

Round 1:

4 VOODOO vs. 5 GAME CHANGERS

The GAME CHANGERS failed to win a game all season and were shut-out on 7 different occasions.  One of those occasions was against VOODOO in which they lost 30-0.  Granted VOODOO’s record isn’t any better; their only win is against GAME CHANGERS.  However, their losses have been closer than GAME CHANGERS’ and behind all-star Shane Singer, VOODOO will take this one.

Prediction: VOODOO 20 GAME CHANGERS 6

Round 2:

1 BLACK KNIGHTS vs. 4 VOODOO

When these teams faced each other back in Week 4, BLACK KNIGHTS came out on top in a close 19-13 win.  Although BLACK KNIGHTS did finish with a better regular season record at 4-6, I think this one will be another close game.  VOODOO is actually averaging slightly more points per game (14.1, 13.0) than BLACK KNIGHTS.  However, I think experience will drive BLACK KNIGHTS to the top in this one.

Prediction: 19 BLACK KNIGHTS 14 VOODOO

3 SPARTANS vs. 2 PATRIOTS

Both of these teams could be better than their records show.  The PATRIOTS have a strong offense behind Michael Carr and all-star wide receiver Jeff Holmes.  Despite struggling at the beginning of the season, Joe Binder joined the SPARTANS and has helped the team greatly.  With that being said, although the PATRIOTS defense can be shaky at times, I think their offense will give them the upper hand in this one.

Prediction: 25 PATRIOTS 20 SPARTANS

*PATRIOTS AND BLACK KNIGHTS WILL ADVANCE*

Round 1:

1 BILLY GOATZ vs. 8 PATRIOTS

BILLY GOATZ has been nothing but impressive this season, finishing with an overall 9-1 record.  Their only loss was against high-powered VAPOR and they had impressive wins over MMG and STEELTOWN.  Their solid defensive play and strong offense behind QB Jordan Fowler will be too much for the PATRIOTS to handle.

Prediction: BILLY GOATZ 31 PATRIOTS 14   

4 STEELTOWN vs. 5 MYSTERY MEN

When these two teams met earlier in the season, STEELTOWN managed a victory over MYSTERY MEN in a close 20-14 game.  STEELTOWN has talent in Mike Miller and all-stars cornerback Steve Shrum and rusher Eric Quinn.  MYSTERY MEN’S all-star Dave Sexauer has led his team in all aspects of the game.  Although I see this being a close one, I think STEELTOWN’s defense will give them the edge.

Prediction: STEELTOWN 25 MYSTERY MEN 20

3 DECEPTICONS vs. 6 ANOTHER ONE

The DECEPTICONS have the ultimate offensive combination.  They have a steady and accurate quarterback in Lance Brunsell and a skilled wide receiver duo in Brandon Seachrist and EJ Taylor. They had a solid regular season with a 7-3 record and are averaging an impressive 28.6 ppg.  Although ANOTHER ONE ended the season on a strong note and has some great talent, I think the DECEPTICONS will overtake them.

Prediction: DECEPTICONS 32 ANOTHER ONE 13

2 MMG vs. 7 BLACK KNIGHTS

MMG has strong talent on both sides of the ball.  Tony Battaglini is an above-average quarterback and has been consistent pretty much all season.  Although the BLACK KNIGHTS will be coming off a win in the Wild Card Bracket, I think they will be tired and no match for MMG’s strong offense and the rushing abilities of Joe Scalise.

Prediction: MMG 26 BLACK KNIGHTS 7

Round 2:

1 BILLY GOATZ vs. 2 STEELTOWN

These Steel East teams had battled all season for the first place in the division, both with strong records this spring season.  BILLY GOATZ is scoring an impressive 31.9 ppg. and has not lost since their first game of the season.  I think their high-powered offense will be too much for STEELTOWN’s defense.  Nothing is going to stop the duo of Fowler and Douglas and their winning streak will continue.

Prediction: BILLY GOATZ 32 STEELTOWN 18

3 DECEPTICONS vs. 2 MMG

This will be an interesting game.  Unlike most of these matchups, DECEPTICONS and MMG never played each other during the regular season.  Both these teams ended the regular season with a 7-3 record and have strong offenses, averaging 24.5 ppg (MMG) and 28.2 (DECEPTICONS).  However, I think defense is going to be the deciding factor in this one.  MMG has given up a significantly less number of points to their opponents compared to DECEPTICONS.  Although DECEPTICONS has a strong rusher in Robin Sewell, I think the likes of Adamson, Scalise and Johnson on defense will be too much for them.

Prediction: MMG 26 DECEPTICONS 20

Championship:

1 BILLY GOATZ vs. 2 MMG

This is going to be a battle.  Plain and simple.  Both teams have great quarterbacks with strong arms and killer completion percentages in Battaglini and Fowler.  Both teams have the receivers and cornerbacks to get the job done.  This is going to be a back and forth game, much like the one they played against each other in the last game of the regular season.  The game ended 34-33 and one of the reasons MMG lost that game was their failure to capitalize on extra points and finish drives.  With that being said, although I think BILLY GOATZ has an extremely strong team, I think MMG will fix their mistakes from the last time and win a close one.

Prediction: MMG 34 BILLY GOATZ 31

*STEEL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS: MMG!*

Good luck to all teams on Sunday and may the best PFFL team win.