WEEK 2 GAME OF THE WEEK

Our Game of the Week is the ultra hyped match up between Savages and Spartans. Two dynamic, young team square off at Cantiague Park at 2:20 pm to try to take a stranglehold on being called the best team in SAFL in the early going. Both teams are coming off of victories in their last game. Spartans defeated an overmatched N.G.N.G. squad 32-0 and Savages beat a talented but flawed Wolfpack team 18-12. With both teams flying high and looking to claim supremacy in the early part of the SAFL season lets look at the match up in detail.

QB-Zulfikar Musliwala vs. Anwar Sadat- Savages QB Zulfikar possess maybe the strongest arm in SAFL but his accuracy has been questioned may times. In the opener against Wolfpack, he missed many open receivers mainly Yash Shah on a sure touchdown route. Against an aggressive Spartan team, Zulf will need to hit his receivers in spots where they can get big YAC. Spartan QB Anwar looked pretty sharp last week even with two poorly thrown balls that Khuram of NGNG picked off. He might be missing his main receiver Jose though in this game but that shouldn’t be a excuse when you have Hashim, David, Yamin, Ali, Naqib etc to throw to. Anwar needs to be careful with the zone defense of Savages because the safeties and especially Irfan bait QB’s into making bad decisions.

Edge-Savages. More experience. The stronger arm. Zulf can make all the throws.

Offense- Spartans have the decided advantage here if Jose is able to play. If Jose is not there then its pretty even. Irfan of Savages is an elite deep threat and can burn any cornerback trying to play man coverage on him. Pankaj is as sure handed as they come and might lead the Savages in receptions. Outside of those two however it gets dicey for Savages. Yash’s hands are shaky but he has game breaking speed, Manju was nonexistent last week, Joel is average and Parik isn’t exactly Jerry Rice.

If Jose is missing, the Spartans still have the sure hands of Hashim and Yamin to work with. Selvin and David provide the deep threat Anwar needs to stretch the field. However drops like last week’s game cannot happen against an elite team like the Savages. Naqib, Sajeel and Ali Arshad are all average to above average receivers that will be relied on heavily without Jose and Adil in the game. Spartans will need to find the open spots on the zone Savages employ and QB Anwar needs to throw some darts right at the receivers.

Edge-Spartans if Jose is able to go, Savages if Jose is out. Irfan needs to be utilized a lot more than last week if Savages want to win.

Defense-Savages rely on zone 95 percent of the time. And they should. Zulf and Yash are elite safeties that barely ever get burn. They divide up the field in half and have amazing chemistry. Savages will be missing one of their starting cornerbacks in Aasheesh. Cornerback Irfan is another star in the making. He is known for his interceptions after baiting the QB. Pankaj in the middle as linebacker and he brings a wealth of experience to the Defense. He is rarely out of position and is a sure tackler. It will be interesting to see who they replace Aasheesh with this week. Manju might be too short and Joel E. is invaluable as a Lineman.

Spartans is known to mix up man and zone coverage to confuse the QB. Last week it worked against Salman but Zulf is experienced and it will take a lot to rattle him. Spartans will be missing star safety Adil Palwala and maybe Jose M. That’s two huge losses. But they still have just enough to handle their own. Savages aren’t exactly the ‘99 Rams out there. It will all come down to who wants it more.

Edge-Even. Savages are very disciplined in their zone and are experienced. Spartans upside is higher with their athletes.

Keys to Victory:

1. Turnovers- Isn’t this the staple of every game? You lost in the turnover category you lose the game.
2. Missed Tackles- We saw Irfan miss many tackles last week. Cant happen again.
3. Conditioning- Which players are better conditioned? This game will take all of each player can give because it promises to be a brutal fight.

Prediction- 26-20 Savages. Spartans won’t overcome their personnel losses and Savages are primed for a huge day after a week of trash talking.