Week 6 Preview: Buzzards Well rested and ready for redemption

Pleasant Hill,Oregon-With 20 days off in between action, the South Lane Buzzards finally return to the gridiron this Saturday in Pleasant Hill against their week 1 foe, the Grit City Knights. With their last showing ending in a 6-20 loss to the #3 nationally ranked West Sound Rebels, the Dirty Birds will look to take away the positives from that defeat and use it as momentum into the second half of their regular season schedule.

The Buzzards' offensive line has been the most consistent position group so far this season and will continue to be a big factor in the success of an offense with the potential to put up points on the scoreboard once they get clicking. Anchored by veteran Chuck Thomsen, second-year Buzzards Dillon Henke and Brad Hendrix, and newcomers Derik Huet and Catarino Rodriguez, these big men continue to earn respect throughout the GDFL each week with their domination in the trenches. Like the defense, the Offensive linemen have regularly been a strength for the Dirty Birds and this year is no different with the infusion of new talent bolstering that positioning group.

The Buzzards fell to the Knights during the season opener on a last-second FG. Since then, both teams have gone 2-1 and share a loss to the West Sound Rebels, meaning that this rematch will have important playoff implications. Several key players, including Quarterback Ryan Jones, did not play in that week 1 matchup. So with Jones inserted into the lineup alongside the Running Back duo of Jaleel Stancil and Sam Jackson, the South Lane offensive backfield will look to grind out the tough yards, while relying on big performances from the wide receiving core.

The victor of this matchup will be in the #2 spot of the Impact North Division, and control their destiny to the GDFL postseason. To put it lightly, this game is a must-win .