2016 NASHVILLE STORM, XTREME CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

By Gridiron Media | August 25, 2016

2016 Xtreme Conference  Championship Game

 2016 Xtreme Conference Championship Conference Championship Nashville Storm (10-0) Head coach: Charles Hunter  Georgia Crush (8-3) Head Coach Carzelle Singleton

The 2016 Xtreme Championship Game featured the Xtreme South Division Champions Georgia Crush and The 2015 National Champions Nashville Storm!!!  In the 2016 Xtreme Conference semifinals in the Gridiron Developmental Football League playoffs to determine the champion of the Xtreme Conference.

Nashville Storm defeated Georgia Crush by a score of  6–2 to win its second GDFL Conference Championship the only team in GDFL history to win Back to Back Conference Championships.

The game was held at Nashville Whites Creek High School Stadium
in Nashville,Tennessee and was the first time that these teams have ever played playoffs or regular season.

Both team were highly regarded at the beginning of the 2016 season, and both outperformed expectations to earn the right to play in the conference championship game, which was the second in the conference’s history for Nashville Storm, the Xtreme North Division representative, earned a 10–0 record behind quarterback George Murray, who is the running for the 2016 player of the year award. Nashville defeated tough Xtreme Conference opponents Huntsville Rockets and River City Tribe to win the  Xtreme North Division.

Georgia Crush, led by GDFL All-Pro quarterback Marcus Brooks, defeated Georgia Chargers and East Alabama Predators enroute to winning the Xtreme South Division and a  3rd seed playoff berth that led to a upset victory over the #2 seed Marvel City Tigers, which placed them in the xtreme conference championship game.

Low attendance and poor weather marred the contest, which kicked off amid rainstorms,low visibility and poor field conditions. Defense dominated from the beginning, as both teams struggled to put points on the board which resulted in a 0–0 at halftime, “It was definitely a defensive game stated,crush QB Marcus Brooks”. Storm offense was in the red zone 4 times, came away no points, 2 fumbles and interception and a turnover on downs.

needless to say, both teams headed into the second half scoreless . After a scoreless third quarter, Nashville took a 6–0 lead late in the fourth quarter special teams play with 5:23 left to play #28 Chris Perkins scores on a 56 yard punt return.

On the ensuing play Storm holder Rayvion Wade threw a critical interception, on the 2 pt conversion Zach Brown intercepted and pitched to Jonathan Deberry who ran it in for the score. The game ended with Storm taking a knee and clinching the game. Weather and field conditions played a major Role, but it was a great defensive game.

Nashville Storm can make GDFL history by being the first team in GDFL history to win Back to Back Gridiron Bowls!!! 

All the scoring in the game came via special teams, and #28 Chris Perkins DB, was named the game’s most valuable player. By virtue of its victory, Nashville earned its 5th Conference football championship since 2000 and will play in Gridiron Bowl VII on Saturday September 3rd against the Oklahoma Thunder in Tulsa,Oklahoma @ Holland High Stadium.    

Related Story:  Nashville Storm Slip past Crush