GDFL WEEK 1 Picks

by Gridiron Media

Here's a viewer's guide to Week 1's most appetizing games:

#1 Oklahoma Thunder | #12 Texas Raiders

There are ten weeks of season action. There are ten yards to a first down. We begin our first VINyard with our two most western franchises. Three-time defending GDFL champion, Oklahoma Thunder of Tulsa. Hosting GDFL newcomer, Texas Raiders.

The talk on the Yard is forecasting lighting to strike a fourth time. As the Thunder heat up to win an unprecedented fourth straight GDFL National Championship. But before they make the grand entrance into the 10th annual GRIDIRON BOWL, a cavalry of raiders from Texas look to thwart them.

The Texas Raiders are in their second year of conquest. But this adventure will be far different from what they experienced while competing in the Texas semi-pro league. Gridiron-clades across the nation have long anticipated ironing things out on the grid in the state of Texas. These Raiders bring an armada of organizational elegance to the GDFL and a big market in the city of Houston to the league.

But after MAY 4, will Texas look like a tornado hit it after a return from Oklahoma? The Thunder enter their tenth season as an organization. The Thunder feature many "Power 5 Alumni" and a well-oiled machine on offence & defense. This will come down to who so ever gains the most Yards.

To survive the GRID, you need Yards.

This TOAST goes to the OKLAHOMA THUNDER, three-touchdown favorites over the Raiders from Texas.

Join us live on the VINyard immediately following this contest as we host a digital press conference. While re-tracing our predictions, we will interview the IRONCLADS and game-changing players live on the GDFL Sports Network.

#3 ERIE EXPRESS | #14 HOWARD HUSKIES

Word on the Yard says that the Erie Express feature one of the best sought-out DL around. Glen Connor, 6-3 275 pounds, enters his 6th season and earned last weeks' "IRONFIST" Defensive Player of the week honor. As the older brother to Pittsburgh Steelers' RB, James Connor, Glen has become a living inspiration to the comrades around him.

The Express will need Conner and more to with stand the pack of Huskies from Howard. The Express withstood solid challenges in the pre-season going 2-1 facing regional rivals from semi-pro leagues.

The Howard Huskies are looking to run their way through the GRID. On paper, it looks like the Huskies have the physical size to halt the Express. But this game of football is valued by Yards. And this will be a hard Yard to follow. Hard-nosed vintage football till the end.

Both organizations fluently support their communities. The Northeast will be treated with big hits and a new niche. This additive rivalry will represent the quality of sport exhibited throughout the GDFL.

Awaiting at the VINyard to see who's offence harvest first.

But only one gets the TOAST, ERIE EXPRESS. Not by Yards, but by inches.

Vint with us live on the VINyard immediately following this contest as we host a digital press conference. While re-tracing our predictions, we will interview the IRONCLADS and game-changing players live on the GDFL Sports Network.

#5 TRI-CITY OUTLAWS | #4 HUNTSVILLE ROCKETS

You know whenever you mention outlaws and rockets in the same conversation, it generally isn't good. But this one should be much more productive.

The Outlaws seem to have found themselves during the off-season. And seem to have a master key for the GRID. They will began their grand heist in the land of football. And after their grand break away earlier this off-season, the Huntsville Rockets will be the best size up to see if it was all worth it.

The Rockets feature a 6-3, 205 pound mascot at quarterback. A.J Clark and his trajectory look to run up the Yards on offense. With a hometown crowd behind them, expect for the Rockets to take-off early but slowing up after half-time as the Outlaws adjust and re-chemistry themselves into one unit.

This game will feature many VINyards. But look for the toast to go to the hometown team, HUNSTVILLE ROCKETS, in a vintage shootout. Twenty-four point favorites.

#6 Georgia Crush | #13 Florida Falcons

Since the beginning of the league, the Georgia Crush have maneuvered through the GRID to become an ironed representation of Georgia football. The Florida Falcons make their return to the GRID after spending two competitive years in the league previously.

Everyone on the Yard knows that the heritage of Georgia and Florida football are some of the most memorable of our pastime. Crushing hits from Georgia that leave you orange. Floridian speed that can hawk down a falcon. But who of the two will be left feeling, blue?

This one will come down to the Yard.

And what better place to host it at than where culture began. Macon, Georgia will host Florida.

We walked the VINyard down to decide upon this one.

This TOAST goes to one touch-down favorite, GEORGIA CRUSH.

#10 WEST VIRGINIA SMASH | Northeast OHIO SILVERBACK

The West Virginia Smash are flashing after a 49-0 smashing of a regional rival last week. Word on the Yard is they feature the mountains of West Virginia as their front line. And a family atmosphere to back it up.

They will experience the road a little bit this week as they travel to Smash the Silverbacks in a non-league contest. Hard-nosed and big hearted, the Smash will be a stubborn team to blow away. If they can "49-0" their way through the GRID, they will be veiled as heroes and "silencers" of the storm.

After a short walk through the VINyard, we decided that this TOAST goes to the WEST VIRGINIA SMASH. Maybe not 49 and maybe not zero. More like 20 point favorites. We shall see, or Smash if we don't.