FINAL FOUR

Well guys GFFL BOWL IX is down to four teams, but before I dive into the match ups and tell you who I think is going to the big game I want to first take a step back and think about what winning this league means. Guys, this league has been in existence for 9 years, think about that, we've got what most other leagues will never have, a rich history, a league that has continued and still continues to go on and thrive. I was 12 years old when I started this league as a 4 team league with my Unbeaten Gators, Dylan's Dolphins, Brandon's Carolina Falcons, and Wil Mcabee's Gators, the league then proceeded to expand by 2 teams every year until we reached 12 in 2009. There have been insane games, ridiculous rivalries, we've got every kind of owner you could want in a league, we've got good owners, evil owners, those that consistently win, those that have had hard times but still go all in every season (one day it's going to pay off Jonny), an owner who has been very good but just can't win the big game (Taylor Ray and his 2 GFFL Bowl losses), this may be the best league in America because winning this league really means something and cements your place in our history.

We had the Gators win back to back titles to start the league off before finally falling in their 3rd straight championship appearance, that was followed by the Carolina Falcons scooping up GFFL Bowl III and IV, this was followed by the Weiner Dogz miracle year, followed by the Kings finally breaking through in GFFL Bowl VI, the Kings then looked to be on the verge of joining the Gators and C.Falcons as the only teams to win two titles in general and two consecutive titles unfortunately for him it was not meant to be as their arch rival the Classics finally broke through winning GFFL Bowl VII, and most recently the Pirates and the owner most of the league loves to hate Michael Vogler took home the GFFL Bowl title bringing a whole new intensity to the league and for some a good vs evil feel. Okay rant over lets take a look at these teams.

TEAM OVERVIEWS

1. Classics 11-3 - The Classics are only two years removed from their GFFL Bowl VII Championship but it was in this exact situation where their repeat run came to a close last year. In 2012 the Classics went 11-3 and were awarded the #1 seed where they were then matched up with a wildcard Pirates team and promptly upset. Fast forward to this year, the Classics are 11-3, they grabbed yet another #1 seed even though no one expected them to compete this year, and they find themselves matched up with a wildcard Pirates team in the divisional round, the only difference this time the Pirates are the defending champ.

2. Panthers 9-5 - The Panthers behind Peyton Manning's best season ever have powered their way to a #2 seed and have a chance to get back to the title game for the first time since 2006. This team with Peyton has the potential to beat anybody but this Copperhead game is going to be tough. It's all Mike's talked about all week and I can tell each time he gets that Ipad out and messes with his line up he wants this bad. The Panthers have never won a title in their 8 seasons of existence and hope this is finally their year.

3. Copperheads 9-5 - Adam and his boys finally got their first playoff win last week and they hope they can make a habit out of it and get their first GFFL Bowl title as well. Behind McCoy and Charles, Adam could even be considered the favorite to win it all this year.

4. Pirates 9-5 - A team that needs no introduction. Owner Michael Vogler has made sure we're all very familiar with his team this year, but to pull off the #repeat he's going to have to be big these last two games. After taking over a garbage franchise in 2010 Vogler has turned it into an every year championship competitor, struggling franchises across the league should look at the Pirates and realize it is possible to turn things around and go from garbage to elite.

Game Match ups/Picks

4. Pirates 9-5 AT 1. Classics 11-3

A big time match up between two teams that are on their way to becoming bitter rivals. These two teams' players could not have better match ups (aside from Brees against Carolina) this game will almost certainly come down to Monday night with the Pirates having Gore/Crabtree vs 49ers D. I've sat here staring at the match up for about 20 minutes and I really can't figure out who the favorite should be for some reason my gut is telling me the Pirates take it 108-104. 

3. Copperheads 9-5 AT 2. Panthers 9-5

Charles + McCoy both with A+ match ups, I don't know how you couldn't favor the Copperheads in this one. To have any kind of shot in this one the Panthers are going to need Peyton Manning to straight go off. All in all looking at this one I've got the Copperheads 121-97. 

GFFL BOWL IX Prediction Good VS Evil, Copperheads VS Pirates