Written by Ashley Jackson, Image by J.R. Lawless
Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man. But sooner or later the man who wins, is the man who thinks he can.
“Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless and add what is specifically your own.”
-Bruce Lee
One of the SFL’s favorite slogans is “We Put the Fan in Fantasy”, which has never been truer than it has been for season 18. Our rookie class looks to be one of the largest classes we have had in a while as 72 people decided to go from couch to field and we welcome all with open arms. We have reached the midpoint of the season and overall, it has been a highly competitive season. Collectively, we should take a moment to reflect on how important leadership and coaching is to the SFL. Without these creative minded individuals, putting in the hours needed to absorb, discard, and create what works for their individual team builds, this league would be lack luster. Self-confidence and knowledge are key components of what drives these people, and it shows through player performances on the field. The Players Of The Week for week 6 displayed high caliber performances that deserve recognition. Here are the selections.
Offense
The Offensive Player Of The Week carried his team on his back to secure the win on his home field. He scored 21 points of the 30 scored by his team and he is Mr. Keith Swearingen, Halfback for the Charleston Predators. The San Diego Mavericks traveled to Charleston in hopes of winning but were met with the incredible run game of Swearingen. The Predators were prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that were presented and won the game 30-23. Swearingen had 31 Attempts for 222 Yards and 3 Touchdowns, averaging 7.2 Yards Per Carry. Swearingen is becoming a household name in North Carolina and will eventually find himself in the history books and in the HOF one day if he keeps this up! Congratulations Keith!
Runner-up for Offensive Player Of The Week is Vancouver’s Wide Receiver, Mr. Brett “BK” Killian. Vancouver has been one of those teams that will score 40 points or more on any given sim day. This week’s performance was no different and Killian proved to be a reliable outlet for Tom Pepper. In a big win in Canada over the legendary Florida Storm, 41-24, Killian had 8 Receptions for 205 Yards, 2 Touchdowns and averaged 25.6 Yards Per Catch at Canada Field. Congratulations Brett!
Honorable Mention goes out to one of London’s dynamic Wide Receivers, Mr. Vin “Clasp” Calia. London traveled to D.C. and came out victorious, wining the ball game 38- 31. Calia was able to get 8 Receptions for 227 Yards, 3 Touchdowns and averaged 28.4 Yards Per Catch. Congratulations Vin!
Defense
Defensive Player Of The Week was Tulsa’s Kamran Shaw who created some major stops on the road at Gateway Coliseum. The Tulsa Desperados battled the Saint Louis Gladiators and Tulsa won 31 to 17. The Tulsa Defense was able to hold Saint Louis to 17 points all game long and Mr. Kamran Shaw was a major cause of this. Shaw had a great game with 3 Tackles, 1 Assist, and 2 Pass Deflections. Where he really shined was with his 2 Interceptions for 119 Yards and 1 Touchdown which was for 93 yards! Shaw is clearly someone Tulsa should rely on in the future to create those opportunities to score and maybe even help score as well. Congrats Kamran!
Runner-up for Defensive Player Of The Week is Mrs. Rachelle “Rae” Colston, Free Safety of the LA Lycans. The Lycans made a statement with this hefty win over the Jacksonville Kings 45-16. Holding this strong Jacksonville team to only 16 points is an accomplishment in itself. Colston did her part with 4 Tackles, 2 Pass Deflections, 2 Interceptions and 1 Touchdown. Congratulations Rachelle!
Honorable Mention goes out to Fort Worth Toros Strong Safety, Mr. Delaney “Notorious” Nash. Nash helped hold the Houston Hyenas to 16 points on his home turf, the Stockyards, holding out to eventually win 20-16. Nash had 8 Tackles, 2 Assists, and 1 Pass Deflection. He also had 1 Interception for 5 yards. Congratulation Delaney!
Special teams
Special Teams Player Of The Week made an impact at the start of the game by running a kickoff return all the way back to put 6 on the board and he is Mr. Riley Quintero, Wide Receiver for the Denver Nightwings. Riley has a knack for explosive up the field on returns. Despite the loss to the Arizona Scorpions at Fatality field, 37-34, he had 7 Kick Returns for 253 Yards and 1 Touchdown which was for 102 yards. Truly impressive performance from one of the league’s top performers. Congratulations Riley!
Runner-up for Special Teams is Mr. Shark “Jaws” Tarkington, Kicker for the Baltimore Vultures. Baltimore continues to dominate on the field through all facets of their team. This week Special Teams helped put the game out of reach in this exciting matchup between Baltimore and the Queen City Corsairs. Baltimore won 26 to 20, and Tarkington was responsible for 12 points himself. Tarkington made 4 Field Goals out of the 4 attempted and his longest attempt was 46 yards. Congratulations Shark!
Honorable mention goes out to Sioux Falls Sparrows Kicker, Mr. Zashtl “Good Foot” Black. Despite the home loss to Atlanta 20-19, Black was able to help score 12 points of his own, scoring 4 Field Goals out of 4 Attempts and his longest kick was for 46 yards. Congratulations Zashtl!
