Game of the Week
GOW: Savages vs Bellerose Wolfpack
We kick off SAFL week 1 with some intriguing matchups. However every matchup pales in comparison to the two heavyweights duking it out in Cantiague Multi Field O Saturday. One is led by Irfan Musliwala and his Co-cap/QB/brother Zulfikar Musliwala known as The Savages and the other is led by the young, confident and brash Niraj Ghai known as Bellerose Wolfpack. Both teams are quick, strong and ready to start their SAFL resume with a bang.
Savages-Looking up and down this roster, the first thing you will notice is the experience these guys have. Irfan, Zulfikar, Pankaj, Yash, Aasheesh etc are veterans from other football leagues. So you know chemistry shouldnt be a issue. Their defense is also top notch esp when they play zone with their ball-hawking safeties Yash Shah and Zulfikar Musliwala. Irfan, Bhavik and Pankaj are very good and smart linebackers and Irfan is a guy to watch for when you search the Tackle leaderboard. The problem on defense might be when they go man to man defense. Is there enough speed to combat the speedy Wolfpack receivers? And offense? Zulf might possess one of if not the strongest arms in the league, but he can be very erratic and is prone to costly interceptions. his receiving corp has its hits and misses. Yash and Irfan posses elite speed aand hands. pankaj might lead this team in receptions with his sure hands but isnt the downfield threat he once was. Bhavik, Joel, Aasheesh are the wild cards here.
Bellerose Wolfpack-This team might be the total package. Speed? Check. Length? Check. Chemistry? Check. There are potential stars on both offense and defense. They might talk the talk but they sure back it up. These guys are well known around the Bellerose area of queens for their tackle football games but this is their first time playing organized flag football. The rules might be slightly different but at the core of it its still football. The experience of pplaying together will definitely help the chemistry. Their defense will be led by Niraj, Vish< Sandeep and Bubbles. A lot of speed there but they are susceptible to the pump fakes and occasionally give up the big plays. In offense they might be explosive with a quaterback being compared to a SAFL Micahel Vick in Bubbles. The receiving corp is also very good and has a ton of speed and sure handed guys. Nkhil, Jagdeep, Dilshad etc will all play key supporting roles.
Advantage on Offense-Bellerose Wolfpack-The quaterback, wide receivers are better overall slightly than what Savages have to offer. Definitely more depth and versitility in the Wolfpack.
Advantage on Defense-Savages slightly-the Wolfpack may offer the better atheletes on the defensive side but Savages zone defense is hard to cack. One well oiled machine.
Keys to the Game-
1. Turnovers-It is a gurantee here whoever wins the turnover battle will win this game. Can Zulf minimize the mistakes?
2. Tackling-None of these teams have much flag pulling experience. Lack of tackling and extra yards will be big for both teams.
3. Who will step up?-the teams are so evenly matched one key play or player might determine the outcome. Bhavik for Savages and vish Singh for B.W. might be asked to play bigger roles than usual.
Prediction-21-14 Wolfpack. These guys are hungry and talented. A dangerous combo.
