“Only One ‘Ville’ Survives: Huntsville and Tri-City Clash for Championship Berth”

Semifinal Head-to-Head Breakdown

PLAYOFF LEGACY & RIVALRY

Memphis,Tennessee-Both the Tri-City Outlaws and the Huntsville Rockets are playoff regulars, each making the postseason at least five times since the league’s inception. But both programs share the same frustrating truth: they’ve fallen short every time.

That history adds weight to Saturday’s showdown. For two loyal franchises, the chance to finally break through to a championship game is about more than a single season — it’s about validation after years of heartbreak.

The rivalry also runs deeper than football. It’s Clarksville vs. Huntsville, Tennessee vs. Alabama — and only one “ville” will stake its claim to the spotlight in 2026.

For Huntsville, the nightmare scenario would be watching the Outlaws celebrate a trip to Gridiron Bowl XVI in Huntsville, Alabama, at the Rockets’ expense. For Tri-City, the bitter pill would be losing to their long-time rival and being forced to accept defeat twice in one season.

Huntsville Rockets vs. Tri-City Outlaws

📅 Saturday, August 23, 2025

📍 Edith Pettus Park, 345 Farris Dr., Clarksville, TN

⏰ Kickoff: 7:00 PM

Season Series (Split 1-1)

    •    Week 1: Outlaws awarded 21-0 win

    •    Week 4: Rockets 14, Outlaws 0 – Huntsville’s defense pitched a shutout

➡️ The rubber match will decide who advances to Gridiron Bowl XVI.

Team Snapshot

Huntsville Rockets

    •    Record: (4-2)

    •    Strengths: Stifling defense, ball-control rushing attack

    •    Signature Win: 14-0 shutout over Outlaws in Week 4

    •    Playoff Outlook: Built for low-scoring, physical battles

Tri-City Outlaws

    •    Record: (5-2)

    •    Strengths: Explosive athletes, capable of striking fast

    •    Signature Win: 21-0 awarded Week 1 over Rockets

    •    Playoff Outlook: Motivated for revenge, eager to prove Week 4 was an anomaly

Players to Watch

Rockets

    •    🛡️ Defensive Front – Dominated the trenches in Week 4, forcing a shutout

    •    🏃 Ground Game Committee – Balanced rushing attack to control tempo

Outlaws

    •    ⚡ Wide Receivers – Home-run playmakers who can flip momentum instantly

    •    🎯 Quarterback Play – Efficiency and ball security will be crucial vs. Huntsville’s defense

Keys to the Game

    •    Rockets: Re-create the defensive pressure from Week 4, prevent explosive plays

    •    Outlaws: Protect the football, start fast, and force Huntsville out of its comfort zone

What’s at Stake

A spot in Gridiron Bowl XVI.

    •    Rockets: Prove their Week 4 shutout was no fluke and continue their defensive surge

    •    Outlaws: Earn redemption and reassert themselves as one of the league’s premier programs Season Series (Split 1-1)

    •    Week 1: Outlaws awarded 21-0 win 

    •    Week 4: Rockets 14, Outlaws 0 – Huntsville’s defense pitched a shutout

One team moves forward to Gridiron Bowl XVI, the other faces another offseason of “what ifs.”

The rubber match will decide which program advances to the National Championship — Gridiron Bowl XVI.

ABOUT THE GRIDIRON DEVELOPMENTAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE (GDFL)

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