Playoff time! First round of playoffs begin this weekend
August 11, 2008The IFL regular season has come and gone as this weekend marks the start of the playoffs. The playoffs are a time when the winner advances and the loser goes home and starts to prepare for next season. Only four teams from each conference are left standing after a grueling and punishing regular season.
The Madison Mustangs dominated the IFL by outscoring their opponents 473-44 and compiled an undefeated regular season record going a perfect 9-0.
2008 also marked the Milwaukee Venom’s return to the playoffs. The last time the Venom made the playoffs was back in 2006 where they capped a Cinderella season by almost beating the Verona Trojans in the National Conference title game.
The Muskego Hitmen comes into the playoffs with a chip on their shoulder. Last year, they were only a minute away from capturing their second Iron Bowl championship, but they squandered it away. This year, the Hitmen have their eye squarely on the prize and hope to drink the victory champagne come September.
The Fond du Lac Crusaders enter the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season. Brian Thompson and head coach Josh Navis have done a wonderful job turning the franchise around. The Crusaders have improved dramatically on the field and hope to continue their crusade for an Iron Bowl championship.
The Burlington Blue devils have qualified for the playoffs for the second time in a row. The improvements that have been made by Tom Hawkins this past off-season have paid off. This team has the talent and depth to go far into the playoffs.
The Roscoe Rush are a perennial playoff team with a lot of talent. The Rush finished the regular season with a 7-2 record and earned the right to be the first seed in the American Conference playoffs. The Rush are favored by many to represent the American Conference in the Ironbowl this year.
The Wauwatosa Spartans did not play like an expansion team this year. They finished the regular season with a respectable 6-3 record and have an abundance of talent. If the Spartan offense clicks on all cylinders they will be very hard to stop.
The McHenry County Pirates finished the season with a 6-3 record and return to the playoffs for a second time. The Pirates lost in the first round last year, but this year they hope for a different outcome as off-season improvements lead the way.
Game time and locations:
Saturday August 16th
Wauwatosa Spartans Vs. Burlington Blue Devils
Wisconsin Lutheran College at 7pm
Saturday August 16th
Muskego Hitmen Vs. Milwaukee Venom
Milwaukee County Sports Complex at 7pm
Saturday August 16th,
Madison Mustangs Vs. Fond du Lac Crusaders
Middleton High School at 7pm
Sunday August 17th,
Roscoe Rush Vs. McHenry County Pirates
Pecatonica High School at 5pm