Miami – USA Bowl - AFR National Championship Game - Seminoles Vs. Thunderbirds
Miami – USA Bowl - AFR National Championship Game - Seminoles Vs. Thunderbirds
Battle at the Orange Bowl
The 10-1 #3 ranked Central Minnesota Thunderbirds (MFL)will look to capture it's 1st National Championship as they travel to play the 13-1 #2 ranked Detroit Seminoles (MCFL) at the Orange Bowl Stadium in Miami, FL in the USA Bowl for the American Football Rules National Championship - Saturday Jan. 14th , 12:05 PM, hosted by 360 Sports Management.
The Noles ranked #2 in the country pulled off the upset defeating the then #1 ranked and undefeated (12-0) - Cleveland Lions in the MCFL (Mid-Continental Football League) Championship 14-9 @ Cleveland to capture and reclaim the MCFL crown (Noles won in 2003). This was the Noles 8th league championship. The Detroit Seminoles have maintained a dynasty of excellence winning 12+ games for the 9th consecutive season and since 1998, have one of the top 3 winning percentages amongst AAA elite teams in the country. Lead by certain Hall of Fame QB and arguably one the greatest players in the modern era of semi-pro football - Robert Hunt - The Noles allow you to choose your poison by ground or air - generally serving an nasty entree of Hunt, Granger/Smith in the air, or the vaulted running game and backfield, that has made this team famous over the years.
No team in the country comes with the glitz, glamour, fame, and success of the Detroit Seminoles. No matter where they travel in the country - every one has heard of the NOLES. The talent is a who's-who dream team of Michigan collegiate and semi-pro superstars. Robert Hunt, James Worthy, Roy Granger, Byron Culver, Larry Waldon, Leon Crenshaw, Darryl Green, Edward Hugan- are legends of the game that need only await certain enshrinement to the Hall of Fame for the accomplishments on this level of football. Not far behind are NFL-caliber Dennis Smith, Mike Kyler and newcomer Ato Polk who are the younger breed upholding the commitment to excellence. The Noles since 1998 - have won 102 games have the #1 offensive team in the nation - scoring resulting in the highest per game average (39.6).The defense is equally no slouch - standing at number 6 - allowing only a meager - 8.2 per contest. The Seminole task will not be easy at all.
Standing at the doorway, somewhere between dynasty and immortality are the tough Central Minnesota Thunderbirds - and excuse the expression - "They will be nobodies turkey birds". The Central Minnesota may not have the notoriety of the Seminoles - but they have the design. Central Minnesota has had several of the top AAA Minnesota players join the T-Birds over the years from teams like the Maulers and Pioneers, teams that once dominated the Paul Bunyon state. The Thunderbirds come in - BIG, STRONG, FAST, with all the ingredients of a rising superpower in the Midwest. With Pro styled super offense with talented playmakers on all sides of the ball, the T-Birds think they can match up well against the vast arsenal of the Seminoles.
The Central Minnesota Thunderbirds (Mid-America Football League) cruised through the MFL regular season finishing as the Regular Season Champions and playoffs - going 10-0 and undefeated. The Thunderbirds dominated in the first two play-off games, up-ending the Pioneers 60-0 and Shoremen 36-3, before stumbling in a stunning league championship loss. The T-Birds are former MFL League Champions. The narrow loss, however would not be enough to drop the power ranking and sway USA Bowl judges into presenting Central Minnesota, an "at-large" invitation to play in Miami.
The T-Birds do come with some pedigree and few notable faces. QB - legend - Chris Easterly, “2001 National Offensive Player of the Year” and 2 time MFL Player of the Year, formerly of the Minnesota Maulers - who faced the Detroit Seminoles in the 2003 MLFN National Championship game as the Maulers quarterback - faces Noles legendary QB, Robert Hunt - once again. In 03 both quarterbacks came out firing with Hunt eventually out-dualing Easterly to claim the Noles 2nd National Championship. Since then the T-Birds have added several other key players including Matt Boehlke, Dave Struck, and Nick Ruud to the offensive line. The offense also added a sure-handed tight end in Chris Brustuen, and relied on Lance Nelson as a slot back and back up quarterback. That, combined with running back Eric Tarasewicz (2005 MFL Player of the Year), wide receivers David Knutson, Andy Bogenholm, James Singer, and Tim Laramouth, and a solid offensive line, the Thunderbirds had plenty of protection and a lot of weapons. Their strength showed on the field as the Thunderbirds averaged nearly 40 points per game, which placed them among the top teams in the nation on offense. Not to be outdone, the Thunderbirds also added a few new faces to the defensive side of the ball. Randy Lee, Damion Patterson, and Tony Imholt became familiar faces at the defensive back position. The team also added a little size and speed to the linebacking core with Rob Baumgarn, Wardy Jobert, and Mike Illies. The new players joined an already strong defense, which has been anchored by a strong defensive line lead by Ray Reinhart 2001 MFL Player of the Year) and Leaf Murphy, a shut down corner in Ramon Burroughs, and veterans Chris Camacho and Jay Dumler. The depth and talent on the defense brought about high expectations and the Thunderbirds met them all. After 11 games, the defense had given up less then 10 points per game.
Here is how close these to teams are in the National Power Rankings:
2. Detroit (MI) Seminoles (1) MCFL –
Ranking-77.498, Win Percentage-.923, Opponents Win Pct-.550, Points for-376 , Points against- 73
3. Central Minnesota Thunderbirds (2)MFL-
Ranking-77.363, Win Percentage -.909 Opponents Win Pct .511, Points for-430, Points against-107
The USA Bowl - American Football Rules National Championship is set amidst the historic backdrop of the fabled Miami Orange Bowl where countless Super Bowls and National Championship games have been played.
Great Teams! + Great Venue! = Great Football!
Contributions by, Sylvester Jennings, Chad Baldwin and Terry Sullivan
Article written by Commissioner on 01.06.06 @ 10:59 PM CST [...more]