Finally get to write about the games from what the NFL now calls Super Wildcard Weekend. Much like the NFL, there wasn't much super about our wildcard round as 5 of 6 games were at least 14 point victories. I'll just go in the order the games are listed for me.

Houston Gamblers 22 San Jose SaberCats 7

The game started rudely for San Jose as Houston kick returner Rick Rude took the opening kickoff 104 yards for an instant TD. Daniel Pitts made the point after and a 27 yard FG later in the quarter following a Larry Henderson INT. The rest of the first half was pretty much a punt fest until late in the half. Houston was driving for another score and faced 2nd and goal from the 2. Dale Baber threw an INT in the end zone though and the score remained 10-0 Houston at the break.

The 2nd half started like the first half ended, with punts and a turnover. San Jose punted first, followed by Houston but San Jose punt returner Ivan Humphrey fumbled the ball back to Houston. Two plays later, Randy Savage scored on a 19 yard run with the Pitts XP pushing the Gamblers lead to 17-0.

San Jose has the type of offense that can comeback from a 17 point deficit on most days, but not today. They went three and out, punted, then allowed Houston a long, 7+ minute FG drive to extend the lead to 20-0. Still a 3 score game but the SaberCats lost precious time.

As the game neared the 4th qtr San Jose finally had an extended drive after not having one since early in the 2nd qtr, but as their luck would have it, Larry Henderson threw his 2nd INT of the game. The San Jose defense forced a three and out, then the offense finally put together a scoring drive. Larry Henderson found David Babin for a 29 yard TD, cutting the lead to 20-7 with 7 minutes to play. That's as close as they'd get however, as the rest of the game was punts and the Houston defense scoring a safety on a sack in the end zone.

Lynn McLaurin led the San Jose offense with 122 combined yards (54 rush, 68 receiving) while Randy Savage led Houston with 133 combined yards and a TD (75 rush/58 rec).

Portland Storm 12 San Antonio Gunslingers 7

Portland got the ball first and was driving toward the red zone on their 2nd possession, facing a 4th and 1 from the 26. Thomas Frank got stuffed for a 1 yard loss as the offense was a little out of sync, having called 2 timeouts on this drive. San Antonio took over and the punting resumed, with the 1st qtr ending scoreless.

On the first play of the 2nd qtr, San Antonio QB George Warner was intercepted, giving Portland the ball in Gunslingers territory. Once again the Storm got to the brink of the red zone only to face a 4th and 2. Once again Thomas Frank got stuffed for a loss, keeping the game scoreless. George Warner then led San Antonio on a 14 play, 74 yard TD drive. Warner completed 8/10 on the drive and finished it off with a 10 yard scoring pass to Milton Castle, with the XP making the score 7-0. As the first half was nearing the end, San Antonio found themselves in scoring range again, but Warner was intercepted for the 2nd time today and the teams went to halftime with the Gunslingers up 7-0.

The 3rd qtr saw a few punts until late, when Warner was strip sacked, losing the fumble. The heist was pulled off by Portland DE Charles Heist, giving the Storm an instant red zone possession. Three plays couldn't net a 1st down so this time they opted for an Aaron David 30 yard FG, cutting the lead to 7-3.

Early in the 4th, Portland was forced to punt but got the ball back when Robert Raynor lost a fumble on the return. Portland had punted from their own 30 but now had the ball at the San Antonio 21. The offense stalled inside the red zone again so Aaron David kicked a 33 yard FG to cut the lead to 7-6. From there it was three and out for San Antonio, three and out for Portland, George Warner's 3rd INT, John Sanford's 1st INT, three and out San Antonio and three and out Portland.

San Antonio punted on the next possession after a couple of first downs, giving the ball to Portland at their own 16 with 3:06 to play. The Storm would fail on a 4th and 6 from their 35, turning it over on downs inside the 2 minute warning. San Antonio would fail to get a first down, and instead of playing field position, they opted to attempt a 52 yard FG, which failed. Portland took over on their 42 and John Sanford promptly found Frank Gonzalez for a 58 yard TD and a 12-7 lead. The 2 point try got stuffed but San Antonio now trailed by 5 and needed a TD in the final minute. Instead they got George Warner's 4th INT and Portland advances.

Bobby Gil intercepted 2 Warner passes while Michael Carter had 2 sacks for the Portland defense. San Antonio got 2 sacks from Jack Hupp while Wm Kaiser had 10 tackles.

Oklahoma Outlaws 44 Chicago Blitz 7

It didn't take long for Oklahoma to set the tone for this game offensively as Raymond Settles found Domenic Winstead for a 75 yard TD on the first play from scrimmage with the XP making the score 7-0. Chicago's offense matched that score following their opening drive, which took 12 plays and ended on David Pinkerton's 1 yard TD run. The XP was good to tie the score at 7. Oklahoma would take the lead back on the 2nd Settles to Winstead TD of the quarter, this time though the drive took a few plays.

Whatever film study Chicago did for their opening drive worked great but it seems the Oklahoma defense adjusted quick because the Blitz would manage just 107 total yards after their 75 yard opening drive, and the Outlaws intercepted Eric Hansen on their first play of their 2nd drive. Raymond Settles would later find Michael Hagler for a 13 yard TD pass, his 3rd of the 1st qtr. The XP made the score 21-7 and the rout was on.

Oklahoma forced a three and out before Settles threw his 4th TD of the game and 2nd to Michael Hagler. From here on out, it was all Oklahoma as they win and advance.

Raymond Settles finished the game 35/46, 402 yards and 5 TDs. Domenic Winstead finished with 10 catches, 138 yards and 2 TDs, Michael Hagler finished with 6 catches, 65 yards and 2 TDs while Arthur Reina caught the 5th TD pass among his 7 for 100 yards. Gary Kahn also chipped in with 125 combined yards, 84 on the ground.

Birmingham Stallions 20 New York Stars 9

Birmingham got the ball first and drove for a FG and a 3-0 lead, though New York would tie it at 3 on their opening drive. Birmingham would get a 1 yard Philip Snyder TD run on their next possession for a 10-3 lead while New York went three and out. Birmingham continued to move the ball on their 3rd possession, scoring a TD on a 36 yard run by QB Russell Gall. The XP was good and the Stallions led 17-3 early in the 2nd. The teams exchanged long FGs inside the 2 minute warning and the halftime score was 20-6 Birmingham.

The second half began with 3 longish drives that ended in punts and we're already early in the 4th now. New York got the ball to start the 3rd and their punt pinned Birmingham at their own 1. The Stallions drove but had to punt, where they pinned the Stars at their own 9. New York's 2nd drive of the half ended with a punt early in the 4th but Birmingham had much better field position. New York's defense forced a three and out and their offense added a FG, cutting the deficit to 20-9.

That's as close as the Stars would get as they turned it over on downs twice around midfield and Jamie Orman was intercepted to seal the game for the Stallions.

Jacksonville Bulls 34 Orlando Renegades 10

Orlando got the ball first and went three and out, as did Jacksonville. Dwayne Byrd was intercepted on the second Renegades drive, leading to a Charles Tello 38 yard FG and a 3-0 Jacksonville lead. The next few drives ended with punts and we head to the 2nd qtr with the Bulls ahead 3-0.

Early in the 2nd, Byrd threw his 2nd INT which was returned 48 yards for a TD by Martin Butler. The XP was good and Jacksonville now led 10-0. Byrd would answer with a 13 play FG drive, cutting the Bulls lead to 10-3. Jacksonville would answer quickly, extending their lead to 17-3 on a William Barron 14 yard TD pass to Larry Stafford. Orlando would answer after the 2 minute warning on a 4 yard Cedrick Santana TD run. The XP closed out the first half scoring with Jacksonville on top 17-10.

Jacksonville got the ball to start the 3rd and the Bulls wasted no time extending their lead. William Barron completed all 3 passes on this drive for 75 yards, the last 58 to Jimmy Martin for the score. That was it for points in the 3rd qtr as we head to the 4th with Jacksonville leading 24-10.

The Bulls would extend that lead to 31-10 after William Barron's 3rd TD pass of the game. This one went to Gerald Alexander for 3 yards and they would complete the scoring with a FG on their next drive.

Jacksonville advances, thanks to William Barron's 349 passing yards and 3 TDs along with help from the Bulls defense. Francisco Burke didn't factor in the scoring but he led the offense with 7 catches, 136 yards.

Pittsburgh Maulers 20 New Jersey Generals 6

The game started with 3 punts, 2 by New Jersey before Pittsburgh broke the scoring ice with a 14 play, 74 yard FG drive. New Jersey would later see QB Kevin Via intercepted, leading to a Pittsburgh TD. Darrell Harrington connected with Patrick Howard for a 33 yard TD pass, extending the Maulers lead to 10-0.

The rest of the quarter was punts and the clock expiring, and despite doing next to nothing on offense, New Jersey had to feel good only being down 10-0.

Any feelings of winning went out the window following Pittsburgh's opening drive of the 2nd half. The Maulers took 10:21 off the clock, driving 75 yards in a whopping 20 plays, with Harrington ending the drive with a 5 yard TD pass to Jason Burton, extending the lead to 17-0 with less than 20 minutes to play. The teams then alternated three and outs twice, taking us into the 4th qtr.

Kevin Via threw his 2nd INT early in the 4th but a pass interference flag took that off the board. Later in the drive, the Generals ended up punting yet again. Pittsburgh ended up punting it back but at least both teams were getting a few first downs instead of the three and outs from earlier.

New Jersey finally dented the scoreboard with a FG with 5:09 to play but they were still down 17-3. Pittsburgh would control the ball until inside the 2 minute warning, when Gary Ridgeway kicked a 42 yard FG to extend the lead to 20-3. The Generals would finish the scoring with a FG following a fumble by Pittsburgh RB Felix Vaughn, but too little too late as Pittsburgh advances.

Pittsburgh's offense was paced by their rushing attack today as Kenneth Allen ran 15 times for 94 yards and Felix Vaughn ran 28 times for 93 yards.

American Conference Divisional Round

Oklahoma Outlaws 33 Memphis Showboats 17

Rest vs rust, that was the debate in the NFL, could it come into play here? Or was it a case of familiarity, with these being division rivals? Whatever the reason, Memphis QB Glenn Burns was intercepted on the second and third Showboats drives following a punt on the first. Meanwhile, Oklahoma QB Raymond Settles is playing his best football. Settles threw TD passes of 24 yards to Domenic Winstead and 6 yards to Michael Hagler, with each TD coming after an INT.

Memphis answered with a 13 play, 75 yard drive, ending on a 2 yard Glenn Burns TD pass to William Blanton. As we approached the 2 minute warning, Settles found Winstead for another TD, this one 73 yards. Halftime then came a couple minutes later and Oklahoma led 21-7.

In the middle of the 3rd qtr Settles threw his 4th TD pass, 11 yards to Steven Huddleston, increasing the lead to 28-7. Memphis answered that score in one play, an 80 yard pass from Glenn Burns to Walter Wiggins. Memphis had an 11 play FG drive the next possession and early in the 4th, the Showboats have cut the Outlaws lead down to 28-17.

The comeback would fall short though as Burns threw his 3rd INT and was also sacked for a safety as Oklahoma wins 33-17 to advance one step closer to their 4th World Bowl appearance.

Raymond Settles didn't have gaudy passing yards, completing 21/30 for 238 with 4 TDs. So far in these playoffs, Settles has 9 TDs and 0 INTs. Domenic Winstead had another big game as well, catching 5 for 146 yards and 2 TDs, giving him a 2 game total of 15-282-4 in this post season.

Houston Gamblers 35 Portland Storm 9

Portland got the ball first and John Sanford was intercepted on the 2nd play from scrimmage, leading to a Houston FG and an early 3-0 lead. Portland would tie the game at 3 following a 10 play drive. Toward the end of the 1st qtr, Dale Baber threw a 57 yard TD pass to Agustin Fiecke as Houston retook the lead 10-3.

With just under 4 minutes left in the half, Houston punted Portland deep in their own end, at the 1 yard line. Portland had a 12 play drive, getting into FG range as the clock approached 0:00 but Aaron David was wide left on a 52 yard try and the first half ended with Houston leading 10-3.

Portland would get a successful Aaron David FG on their first drive of the second half to trim the lead to 10-6. Then on the last play of the 3rd, David connected again to make the score 10-9 Houston entering the 4th.

On Houston's next offensive play Baber found Fiecke for another long TD pass to increase the lead to 16-9 as the 2 point pass failed. Portland faced a 4th and 2 from their own 33 on the next drive and the Storm failed to convert. Dale Baber converted that into a 32 yard TD pass to Harley Race, then threw a 2 point pass to Lex Luger to make the score 24-9. Portland went three and out, then Houston went on a 9 play, 74 yard TD drive. Harley Race caught Baber's 4th TD pass of the day, then Baber threw a 2 point pass to Bobby Mendoze for a 32-9 lead.

Portland drove into the Houston red zone but Frank Gonzalez fumbled after a pass reception and Houston took over with about 4 minutes to play. Houston would punt but take over on downs when Portland failed on 4th down again. That led to the final scoring play of the game, a Daniel Pitts 43 yard FG as Houston advances to face division rival Oklahoma. If they win that, they will go to their 10th World Bowl.

Baber completed 24/36, 353 yards and 4 TDs with Agustin Fiecke catching 4 for 144 yards and 2 TDs.

National Conference Divisional Round

New Orleans VooDoo 22 Birmingham Stallions 17

Birmingham got the ball first and went three and out. New Orleans runner Gerald Waldon ripped off a 67 yard run on the first VooDoo offensive play, getting caught at the Birmingham 6 yard line. They went backwards from there, settling for a short Mark Adams FG and a 3-0 lead. Later in the 1st, Philip Snyder had a 40 yard TD run and the XP gave Birmingham a 7-3 lead. New Orleans would once again get a first and goal on their next drive but a sack of Willie Graham contributed to settling for another short FG from Mark Adams to cut the lead to 7-6.

Birmingham wasted no time extending that lead as Barry Stringfellow returned the kickoff 108 yards for a TD, with the XP making the score 14-6. New Orleans would answer with a 1 yard Michael Ferrell TD run, with the XP making the score 14-13 Birmingham. Following a few three and outs, Mark Adams connected on a 53 yard FG to give New Orleans the 16-14 lead. Birmingham would briefly regain the lead on a Jeffrey Long 34 yard FG but Mark Adams nailed a 52 yard FG as the first half expired to give New Orleans the lead back at 19-17.

New Orleans drove for a FG on the opening drive of the second half to increase their lead to 22-17. The rest of the game was mostly punts and 2 Willie Graham INTs that Birmingham couldn't turn into points as New Orleans wins and advances. If they win next week they'll be going to their 7th World Bowl.

Willie Graham threw for 300 yards but was sacked 4 times and intercepted twice. Gerald Waldon nearly had a double triple, rushing for 116 yards on 9 carries while adding 90 yards on 9 receptions.

Jacksonville Bulls 23 Pittsburgh Maulers 20

Jacksonville got the scoring underway as Wesley Barber took an interception 32 yards for a TD. Matthew Goebel tied the game for Pittsburgh with a 99 yard return of the ensuing kickoff. Darrell Harrington later threw his 2nd INT which led to a Jacksonville FG and a 10-7 lead. Harrington redeemed himself on the next drive with a 38 yard TD pass to Arthur Ortega, giving the Maulers a 14-10 lead after 1 quarter.

Jacksonville's next two drives were 9 plays and a FG, then 12 plays for a TD. The FG cut the Pittsburgh lead to 14-13 then William Barron's 24 yard TD pass to Jackie Huhn gave the Bulls the lead 20-14. Pittsburgh would get a FG inside the 2 minute warning to give us a halftime score of 20-17 Jacksonville.

The 3rd qtr was all punts and Pittsburgh started the 4th with a FG drive to tie the game at 20. Following a three and out by each team, Jacksonville drove for a 46 yard Charles Tello FG with 5:55 left that gave the Bulls a 23-20 lead. Pittsburgh went three and out, then Jacksonville turned it over on downs after a failed 4th and 2 from Pittsburgh's 26. Darrell Harrington then threw his 3rd INT but Maxwell Gardner fumbled the ball back to Pittsburgh on the return. That second chance didn't help as they would turn it over n downs. Pittsburgh would have one more last chance but Harrington was intercepted for a 4th time as Jacksonville wins and advances, one step away from their first World Bowl.

SPOILER ALERT!!! STOP READING IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE RESULTS!!!





Sorry to shout at you guys but I really don't want to spoil anything for anyone. I could wait until tomorrow and write this but I'm awake and ready now.

Once again we'll have a new champion, as we haven't had a team win back to back titles since New Jersey did it with World Bowls XXIV and XXV. Prior to that, Houston had won three in a row, covering World Bowls XXI, XXII, and XXIII.

Since New Jersey's last title, our champions have been...

XXVI Houston
XXVII San Jose
XXVIII Oklahoma
XXIX Pittsburgh
XXX Portland
XXXI New Orleans
XXXII Houston
XXXIII Oklahoma
XXXIV Pittsburgh

American Conference Championship

Houston Gamblers 31 Oklahoma Outlaws 10

Oklahoma QB Raymond Settles came into the game with 9 TDs and 0 INTs in this year's playoffs and he started fast today as well. Settles gave Oklahoma an early 7-0 lead with a 3 yard TD pass to Steven Huddleston. The Outlaws defense was stopping Houston's offense early and Oklahoma would add a FG on their next drive for a 10-0 lead.

Houston would answer with 10 points of their own as the offense started to move the ball and the defense was stopping Settles. In fact the Houston FG was set up by a Settles INT.

Halftime came and went with the score tied at 10, then Settles threw his 2nd INT, setting up another FG for Houston. Once they got the lead, the Houston defense really put the clamps on the Oklahoma offense, forcing three straight punts. Houston's offense wasn't getting the ball in the end zone but two more Daniel Pitts FGs gave Houston a 19-10 4th qtr lead. At this point Oklahoma was in their 4 down offense and they turned it over on downs twice. Houston took advantage by finally scoring some more TDs, increasing their lead first to 25-10, then 31-10 as each 2 point try failed.

Raymond Settles completed 31/50, 249 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT and 4 sacks. Domenic Winstead caught 8 for 76 yards, not bad but not quite what he was doing the last 2 games.

Dale Baber completed 27/35, 315 yards and a TD with 4 sacks. Lex Luger caught 13 passes for 77 yards as the chain mover while Randy Savage had a combined 135 yards and a TD (52 and a TD rushing, 8-83 receiving).

Houston will be going to their 10th World Bowl, tying New Jersey for the most appearances in the big game. Of course we all know Houston has had more success in the World Bowl than anyone as they are 9-0 in their previous World Bowls while the Generals have won just 4.
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National Conference Championship

New Orleans VooDoo 35 Jacksonville Bulls 6

In a battle of the top offense against the top defense in the league, the defense won today. New Orleans hassled William Barron all day, allowing him 13/36 passing for 143 yards, an INT and 4 sacks. Jacksonville did have success running the ball, gaining 127 yards, but 3 red zone trips produced just 2 FGs as the Bulls scored just 6 today.

New Orleans opted to say F the running game, ending the day with just 1 rush, a 9 yard scramble by QB Willie Graham. On the day, Graham completed 44/71, 538 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs, and 4 sacks. Two of Graham's 3 TD passes were big plays, 52 yards to Benjamin Jones and 73 yards to John Barrentine. The VooDoo did struggle in the red zone, getting just 1 TD in 5 trips (4 FGs).

Benjamin Jones caught 9 for 212 yards and a TD while Patrick Molina caught 12 for 100.

New Orleans will be going to their 7th World Bowl, tying Portland for the second most appearances behind Houston and New Jersey. The VooDoo lost the first 5 times in the big game before finally beating Portland in World Bowl XXXI for their first trophy.

With both teams having so many previous World Bowl appearances, you'd think they would have crossed paths in one of them, but no. Houston's previous World Bowl opponents were New Jersey 3 times, Washington twice, Birmingham, Baltimore, Orlando and Philadelphia. New Orleans has faced Portland 3 times and once each against Detroit, Memphis, and San Jose.

I should add we're guaranteed a World Bowl rematch in 2009 as Houston and New Orleans find themselves on each other's schedule due to the yearly rotations.