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2014 USAFL Season Preview: Northeast Region

  • Thursday, May 15 2014 @ 08:55 am ACST
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This week we run a special 6 part series as Alex Benjamin looks across the whole of the US and back at their 2013 season and gives his predictions on the 2014 season.   Looking at each team you will see a summary with their final 2013 record, points and where they finished in the unofficial standings last year, Alex then gives his prediction where he thinks teams will be ranked ahead of the 2014 Nationals based on how he thinks they might perform this year.  The summary for each team begins as follows:-

Team (Win-Loss record 2013, Points for 2013 based on wins, Finish Rank: Where the team finished 2013 on Alex's USAFL Weekly Report unofficial ladder)

Over to you Alex...

As we begin 2014, there are a lot to questions to be answered after the 2013 season.  One of the biggest questions that I have been asked is about the return of the Dallas Magpies and their return to the Nationals after the disqualification from 2012's Nationals in Mason and their subsequent ban from the 2013 Nationals in Austin.  There are also other issues with clubs that haven't been playing in the Nationals, let alone in the USAFL, and if they will return to footy at all.  I start my look at all the USAFL clubs with the Northeast Region.
 
When asked to preview this season I first looked back at last year at how teams performed during the regular season and then at the Nationals and also looked at how they matched up with their likely opponents this year and stacked them into the Divisions I think would suit them best in 2014.  After trawling through the results from last year and looking at the available schedules for this year, first I take a look at the Northeast Region:
 
Northeast Region
The Northeast region is made up of most of the EAFL teams and I think it will be the toughest region overall in this 2014 season as it has the #2 team in the nation (New York), but also several other teams that could also contend for the Divisional Titles.  
 
Baltimore/Washington Eagles (5-7, 14 points, Finish Rank:  14th)
This team was one of the better teams last season in the EAFL and gave both Philadelphia and Boston fits, but was no match for New York. At last year's Nationals the Eagles were a major disappointment as they went 1-2 and finished 6th in Division 2.  This year's EAFL schedule will produce more of the same and with the Eastern Regional Tournament close by, watch for a battle royale between them and Boston. Expect them to be in the battle for Division 2.  First analysis for Nationals:  Division 2 as a 5th seed.
 
Boston Demons (2-4, 8 points, Finish Rank:  24th)
This team is historically one of the more powerful in the nation. However, last year the team struggled to 24th in the final rankings.  However, this team will be different in some ways as Andi Williams, the team's first female president (see my interview with her earlier this year) will bring a fresh approach to the club.  I expect them to improve this season, however, I expect them to be a team in between Divisions 2 and 3. First analysis for Nationals:  Division 3 as a 3rd seed.
 
New York Magpies (13-1, 40 points, Finish Rank:  2nd)
This team was a powerhouse in not only the EAFL, but was a major contender for the USAFL Division 1 title last year, coming just 1 point short in the final rankings after losing the Pool Final in Pool B.  This team reminds me of another team in the NFL, the New England Patriots, where they just reload and refocus.  The question for them is not if they win the EAFL, but can they also win the USAFL Division One title.  I expect they will contend again and don't be surprise if we see a rematch of Austin vs. New York for the Division 1 title.  First analysis for Nationals:  Division 1 as the top seed overall.
 
Philadelphia Hawks (3-10, 12 points, Finish Rank:  19th)
This was the surprise team of the Nationals after a very disappointing regular season, getting within 2 goals of winning the Pool A final against the Sacramento Suns.  With them in the toughest region in the nation, this team has been in near constant rebuilding mode for the last several seasons, however, I think that this season may change that, considering several of the games were very close overall.  The game to watch for is the game against Columbus @ home late in the season.  No doubt they will be a force to be reckoned with in the Nationals. First analysis for Nationals:  Division 3 as the 4th seed.
 
Please check us out Alex's work online via usaflweeklyreport.com and watch the USAFL Weekly show, Fridays @ 7:30 pm USA Central Time on UStream.tv.  (Please check his USAFL Weekly Report Facebook page (and give it a Like) for any schedule changes).