Rockets Stay On Top of the GDFL Hill
MEMPHIS- The Huntsville Rockets (6-0) have been riding a strong wave through the rigorous Gridiron Developmental Football League campaign. After starting the season with a huge victory over the 2017 runner-up Chattanooga Eagles, the Rockets have cruised to an undefeated record. They showed their perseverance by defeating the Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs on the road in a seesaw affair two weeks ago. Last week they continued their winning ways with a 38-2 victory the Tennessee Lightning Bolts.
This week, the Rockets will take on a Chattanooga Eagle squad that is desperate for a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. A Rocket victory would knock the Eagles out of the playoffs one year after their run to the GDFL championship game.
The only other undefeated team in the GDFL resides in Erie, Pennsylvania . The Erie Express (6-0) are using their nickname to describe how fast they are running through opponents. They have put themselves in the position to be the host in their conference throughout the playoffs.
The next two teams have both defeated each other this season. The Oklahoma City Outlawz have a slight edge over the Mississippi Road Warriors in part due to them sweeping the GDFL two time defending champion Oklahoma Thunder. Rounding out the top five are the new kids on the block the Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs.
GDFL Top 20
#1 Huntsville Rockets (6-0) The undefeated, Huntsville Rockets are defending the number #1 spot weekend after weekend since Week 2 of 2018. The Rockets are front-runners to win the Xtreme West Division. The Rockets will look to finish on top. Tough next two weeks with home games against the 2017 runner up Chattanooga Eagles and the #5 Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs. They are on track to become 2018 GDFL National Champions. This week: home versus Chattanooga Eagles (GDFL Game of the Week)
#2 Erie Express (6-0) The undefeated, Erie Express have been moving up in the rankings week to week showcasing their 2018 dominance. The Express are front-runners to win the Xtreme East Division. The Express will look to finish on top. They are on track to becoming 2018 GDFL National Champions. This week: at Cleveland Cobras
#3 Oklahoma City Outlawz (5-1) Oklahoma City Outlawz started their 2018 season out with a bang; however, a few mishaps but things could be shaping back up for them. Sweeping the two-time defending champion Oklahoma Thunder has put the developmental nation on notice. The Outlawz are front runners to win the Impact West Division. The Outlawz will look to make a deep playoff run at the 2018 GDFL National Championship. This week: Missouri Cyclones
#4 Mississippi Road Warriors (5-1) Mississippi Road Warriors have been ranked as high as 2nd this season; however, they are back on their winning ways after suffering a close lost to the Oklahoma Outlawz. The Road Warriors are front runners to win the Impact South Division. The Road warriors will look to make a deep playoff run at the 2018 GDFL National Championship. This week: home versus Memphis Blast
#5 Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs (4-1) Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs have been ranked as high as 3rd this season. After a home close lost to the #1 Huntsville Rockets, they traveled to Chattanooga and came back to Nashville with a 27-18 victory. The Bulldawgs are still in contention to win the Xtreme West Division. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: at Tennessee Lightening Bolts
#6 Lexington Red Dragons (4-1) The Red Dragons are front runners to win the Xtreme East Division. The Red Dragons will look to finish the season strong. The Red Dragons will look to make a deep playoff run at the 2018 GDFL National Championship. This week: home versus Central Ohio Calvary
#7 Alabama Sabers (4-2) After a couple big upsets, Alabama Sabers have been racking up wins and are now ranked in the top 10. The Sabers are front runners to win the Impact East Division. The Sabers will look to finish the season strong. The Sabers will look to make a deep playoff run at the 2018 GDFL National Championship. This week: BYE
#8 Oklahoma Thunder (3-2) The two-time champion Oklahoma Thunder have found their nemesis in the Oklahoma Outlawz who have handed them their only two losses since the 2015 season. The Thunder has been racking up wins and is still in contention to win the Impact West Division with some help. The Thunder will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: at Missouri Cyclones
#9 Missouri Cyclones (3-2) Missouri Cyclones are gaining momentum and racking up wins. The Cyclones are still in contention to win the Impact North Division. They host an angry Oklahoma Thunder team that can’t afford to take another loss if they want to remain a playoff contender. The Cyclones will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: home versus #8 Oklahoma City Outlawz
#10 Starkville Steeldogs (3-1) The Starkville Steeldogs still are in control of their 2018 outcome. They have quality opponents on their schedule where they match up well; However, these next few weeks will determine the Gridiron State of mind for this team. The Steeldogs are still in contention to win the Impact South Division. The Steeldogs will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: Arkansas Steelers
#11 Tri-City Outlaws (3-2) Tri-City Outlaws still are in control of their 2018 outcome. They have quality opponents on their schedule where they match up well; however, these next few weeks will determine the Gridiron State of mind for this team. A major trade was made with the Bulldawgs this week should help add depth to the defensive line. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: home versus Madison Generals
#12 Chattanooga Eagles (3-3) The 2017 runner-up Chattanooga Eagles team has endured a tough schedule. Their three losses have come inside the tough Xtreme West Division against two top five teams. If they can avenge a Week 1 loss and upset the #1 Huntsville Rockets, they will have an outside chance of making the playoffs. The Eagles will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: at Huntsville Rockets (GDFL Game of the Week)
#13 Georgia Crush (4-2) The Georgia Crush have been trending in the wrong direction after starting off with a 3-game win streak. The Crush are still in contention to win the Xtreme South Division. The Crush will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: at River City Pythons
#14 East Alabama Predators (3-3) The East Alabama Predators are gaining momentum and racking up wins. The Predators are still in contention to win the Xtreme South Division. The Predators will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: BYE
#15 Buffalo Spartans (3-3) The Buffalo Spartans are gaining momentum and racking up wins. The Spartans are still in working hard to secure a playoff spot. The Spartans will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: home versus West Virginia Smash
#16 Memphis Blast (3-3) After a couple big upsets early, the Memphis Blast have struggled of late. To stay in contention for the playoffs, they will have to come up with a huge victory over the #4 Mississippi Road Warriors. The Blast will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week at Mississippi Road Warriors
#17 Tennessee Lightning Bolts (2-3) The Tennessee Lightning Bolts still are in control of their 2018 outcome. They have quality opponents on their schedule where they match up well. A home victory over the #5 Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs will keep them in contention for the playoffs. This week: home versus Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs
#18 Cleveland Cobras (2-3) The Cleveland Cobras still are in control of their 2018 outcome. They have quality opponents on their schedule where they match up well; they are on the heels of the Buffalo Sabers and can’t have anymore hiccups along the way. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: home versus Erie Express
#19 West Virginia Smash (1-4) Despite having only one win this season, the West Virginia Smash still control their own playoff destiny. The Smash feature a high scoring offense, outscoring the Central Ohio Cavalry in a 54-33 shootout. The Smash can now strap for more victories after getting a taste of it. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: at Buffalo Spartans
#20 Central Ohio (1-5) The Cavalry Central Ohio Cavalry is fighting for their playoff lives. They have to somehow get a victory against a tough Lexington Red Dragon team on the road. The Cavalry is still looking to finish the season strong racking up a few wins. This week: at Lexington Red Dragons