CFL Week 2
9:00 Niners vs Phantoms
New name but same rivalry here. As the Caliphs with a lot of the same team these two went toe to toe in one of the most epic CFL games we have ever seen. There was everything from Moody berating the refs to ZQ leading a comeback and even the lights going out. It would be extremely tough for this game to match that intensity but this is a game that always carries a little added fire. The Phantoms survived a thriller against the Warriors week 1 while the Niners have yet to make their debut so we don’t even know what that team will look like. We will give the Phantoms the edge as they have had a week to get the rust off in a high scoring affair.
Phantoms 40 Niners 34
9:00 Hunters vs Botz
Both these teams played close games last week. Naji and his guys came out with a win while the Botz stayed feisty with Bing Bong and only lost by a score. Syed again looked like he’s getting better each season and the offense put up a lot of points. The defense however was a bit of a mess getting torched a few times in clutch situations. The Hunters looked like they need to get used to playing defense in Retro as they gave up 33 to the Squids last week. We have confidence Naji will pull that group together. Can Aqib respond to rally the troops on his side. Not this week. Hunters in a slugfest.
Hunters 21 Botz 14
10:00 Ballers vs Marine Park Squids
Usually if you score 33 points like MPS did or 45 like the Ballers put up you would be riding high. Instead both teams come in with 0-1 records wondering how they could give up so many points. The Ballers hadn’t played in Retro yet and seemed like they were taking it a little lightly coming into it. Never underestimate your opponent. The boys from Brooklyn looked good on offense though they definitely left some meat on the bone but were really bad on the other side. We know the Ballers caliber so we will pick them to bounce back and find enough defense to get some stops.
Ballers 30 MPS 20
10:00 Imaan vs Bing Bong
Ok Tayeb we see you out there. He looked really impressive in his Retro debut although his receivers, especially Munier made some great grabs in big moments to get their opening W. Imaan looked to be in Spring shape as they executed flawlessly on offense as they escaped with a one point win against an impressive looking Interceptors. Should we be concerned they gave up 4 touchdowns to a backup QB, maybe but we also know they have the huge experience edge here. AZ is trying to lead these young guns here and they may put up a fight but taking down the defending champions is too tall a task this early in the season.
Imaan 34 Bing Bong 26
11:00 Warriors vs Pluto
This will be a fun one. First you have Shak and Ezra going against each other at the QB position. Both these guys have won chips here and are responsible for making up for their team’s usual lack of defense by having to score a lot. Last week the Warriors seemed improved on that end only giving up 26, pretty good for Retro. They will be coming out angry after a close loss. You also have the fact that Shak and Toheed both spent time with the Warriors last year and it wasn’t always very smooth sailing. Pluto will score a lot and have the speed advantage here while Greg will cast a large shadow that we don’t know if they can stop. We think this one shoots out and the Warriors having a game under their belt proves to be advantageous.
Warriors 45 Pluto 38
11:00 Momma’s Boys vs Mean Machine
Ok Mean Machine we said we didn’t know what to expect and boy did you surprise. Almost 50 points in a debut is a hell of a performance. Jay looked good at QB spreading the ball around and making it hard for the Ballers to game plan for any one person. On the other end though it was rough. Usually in a game you give up 45 you will not end up getting a win, luckily this is Retro. Mama’s Boys has some familiar faces, Omar formerly of the Caliphs will be leading this team. Safwan will be playing QB, though not allowed on defense. Who knows how that will look. A lot of these guys aren’t known on the football field and we will see how that will translate. This game seems like a toss up with not a lot of data on either side.
Mama’s Boys 33 Mean Machine 31