Garuda’s Singapore Flames at Naga’s East St. Louis Tire Fires:
Singapore Flames (14-2)
After a quick romp through the lower leagues, the Flames brought their brand of Singapore heat to the Pro League in Season 7. Although the Flames spread slow with an inaugural Pro record of 6-10 , they quickly caught fire and have competed in the playoffs every season since.
Despite never making it to a Conference Championship or Super Wok, the Flames had high hopes for this season. Dujo had this to say at the beginning of the season when I asked what kind of odds the team would get to win it all this year.
"With the WL and bunch of the "old" teams going reboot, we are one of the top teams to win it this year. So 2½:1.“
He also added that the Flames had not been idle in the offseason, and had significantly upgraded the squad, including two new standouts on both sides of the ball.
"(WR) Hands _ has joined our ranks and he is going to be a great addition to our WR corp.
(LB) Albert Wilson on the D-side is a huge addition for our defensive magician Ghuffman to use. "
The Flames hopes and plans for a great season were realized as they went 14-2 and secured third place seeding for the playoffs. They lost games to Buffalo Rampage and Komodo Dragon, but we’re able to revenge their loss against Komodo with a victory over them in the second round. They were unable to rematch against Buffalo, instead facing heir victors, coming away with an impressive 27-10 win.
Top Offenders:
Dujo had faith in the Flames’ longtime star running back doing wonders for the team.
"Tank Gore. He doesnt just dominate, he destroys."
And largely he was correct. The halfback had over 1400 yards on the ground, nearly 1000 in the air and found the endzone 28 times. To say that he alone is responsible is far from accurate though. Tank shared the backfield with HB Ferrari Testarossa who not only outran Tank but scored an additional 10 touchdowns for the team. And although he’s not a star , QB Johnny Cannonshow is a competent player and limited turnovers while finding the capable receivers, led by WR Goto Guy who had 9 scoring receptions this year. Both the air and ground game got a tremendous boost by a mammoth offensive line, who racked up the pancakes while conceding only 12 sacks during the regular season.
Top Defenders:
Dujo was very keen on the Flames’ well regarded linebacker, Manny Law identifying him in response to two different questions. Asked to name the team’s best chances at Pro Bowl players he limited his response to just two players, their flamboyant kick & punt returner and Law, adding:
“Manny Law is the sickest LB on the team, he would be my bet for a pro-roster.”
Later asked straight up who the team’s best defensive player was, he was torn between Law and a longtime CB for the team.
“Manny Law or Lockdown Champ.”
While the team benefited greatly from the consistently good performance of these two players and several others as well (nearly everyone is a threat on Singapore’s defense, with a handful or so defenders scoring points for their team), it has to be argued that DE Sack Attacker earned the team’s MVP award. He led the team by a wide margin in sacks, hurries, forced fumbles, and defensive touchdowns, as well as placing second in tackles. Sack Attacker had a great campaign and deserves to be recognized for his efforts.
Special Teamers:
The Flames boast one of the region’s better returners and most notorious celebrities in CB Celtic Raider. While some say he is losing a step, the old workhorse showed he can still go the distance, going all the way five time in meaningful games during the regular season. Dujo was clearly excited about his prospects this season.
“Celtic Raider is the King of Returns, he will not lose that title this season.”
While that prediction did not come to fruition, Celtic Raider did stay in the race for the majority of the season and abstained from massaging his stats like many of his peers, by delegating returning duties against gut jobs to others on the team, only participating against real opponents.
East St. Louis Tire Fires(15-1)
ESL gets a lot of respect not only in South East Asia but GLB-wide and with an impressive collection of the game’s top agents, players and coaches it’s no wonder why. The Tire Fires have been a powerhouse both inside and outside the region since of the start of inter league play and have won 4 gold trophies (S3,S5,S6,S8) in addition to several other honors. Although many admirers of the team were disappointed they did not take part in the first season of the World League, the promotion and rebooting of their two closest competitors in Singapore Marauders and Bandar Lampung Pigskin Pirates only brightened their visions of a victorious S11 in SEA Pro League.
A team with ESL’s track record should no problems recruiting, and Hurricane Bear was very positive about the new recruits.
”With an owner as good as Rusty, we always get a top quality free agent. We picked up Jessica Biel to form the "3 headed monster" at running back, and we also signed a few Tweety's, Bulldogs and a couple others. They've already started to get a good feel for the team and we are expecting big things out of them!”
Owner Rusty Trombone and Nottom both mentioned the acquisition of HB Jessica Biel as a significant improvement, and former Tweety and star DE Haufa Gurugatuppa also received a mention from the owner.
”Biel, of course, and Haufu and his 12 sacks so far.”
New OC and former Bulldog Bhall included two new wideouts in his assessment of the teams top new recruits.
“Jessica Biel - HB
Cole Weathers - WR
Jake Jarvenpa - WR
Haufu Gurugatuppa - DE”
Both Hurricane Bear and Bhall were convinced that the S11 Tire Fires had a multitude of Pro Bowl caliber players. HB offered:
”Any of our running backs, I feel we have the 3 best back in the league hands down. Beav is SEA's all time best player, IYDC is an absolute freak of nature who might be our most feared threat, and Jessica Biel is the best of both worlds. Frank Stallone is always a top performer, and I also am expecting big things out of former Tweety's DE Haufu.”
Bhall had a similar opinion on who would merit a spot on the Pro Bowl roster:
”Haufu Gurugatuppa and any part of the 3 headed monster. Possibly Cole if i can get him going again. Our oline is solid as well, wouldn't surprise me to see one of them make it. You also can't make this list without adding Stallone.”
Asking the two of them about the team’s chances to win it all in S11, they both liked their chances, but HB seemed more optimistic:
”I don't follow Vegas or gambling, but whatever the best possible odds are I think ESL would be getting. Think Patriots in the offseason before they went 18-1. Not saying I think we deserve that, but I feel that's what the league is thinking.”
Can’t really call Bhall a pessimist but his response was more measured:
”8/1 Still some solid talent left around here.”
Whatever bets were made, the Tire Fires had a remarkable run, going 15-1 this season and avenging their sole loss to Pa Dong Dragons by knocking them out in the Conference Championship Game. They now look to capture their 5th Super Wok victory before leaving to make waves in the World Pro League.
Top Offenders:
ESL is loaded with talent and can hurt opposing defenses in a myriad of different ways, but waxed poetic about the potential of it’s “three headed monster” of running backs led by longtime league legend, Beav Nizzle. Bhall suggested Nizzle was easily the team’s best player on offense, but gave homage to the other two RB’s.
”Its always been Beav, but I would say any part of the 3 headed monster currently could land that spot.”
Hurricane Bear loyalties were undivided towards the longtime Tire Fire hero.
“Beav Nizzle - best player in SEA History.”
Never one to disappoint, Beav put up fine numbers sharing the ball this season, but lost headway to his rival in Krungthep, Yuri the Axe, who bested Beav in nearly every category. Khunkwai, Yuri’s agent, was eager to shed light on the comparison, adding that Yuri also shared touches with two other premier RB’s.
”Bla bla bla who gives a crap , the facts speak for themselves....
Yuri the Axe 2261 yds
Beav Nizzle 1144 yds
Yuri the Axe 35 TDs
Beav Nizzle 28 TDs
Everything else is MEANINGLESS!!!!!”
Star QB Harley Sampson also put up tremendous numbers, surpassing Nizzle and earning Naga MVP honors as well as leading the league in passing yards and TD’s. He owes big thanks to Beav’s colleagues IYDC and Jessica Biel for boosting his stats with a lot of hard earned YAC, but team wideout Cole Weathers also combined with Sampson for over 1200 yards and 15 touchdowns catching passes a more traditional way.
Top Defender:
FS Frank Stallone, CB Mustafa Rolle and crew did their usual standout job, but it was new Tire Fire, DE Haufa Gurugatuppa, that had SEA taking notice. The former Tweety was just an unparalleled menace this season, tearing up the league and claiming the Naga MVP award. He placed first in sacks and tackles and was close to the top of the leaderboard for hurries and forced fumbles too. This guy gave OC’s around the league nightmares, and was a huge improvement to an already rock-solid ESL Defense.
When identifying the best player on defense at the beginning of the Season, Hurricane Bear predicted that stalwart safety Frank Stallone would lead the unit:
“Frank Stallone if I have to pick one. Our D has always been a unit and not a group of individuals since I can remember. We've constantly pushed a rotation on D and have always had many top performers.”
However Rusty Trombone and Bhall tempered their expectations of Stallone with hope for their new star DE. Bhall commented,
”Frank Stallone has always been solid. Although I can argue with Haufu Gurugatuppa's success so far in preseason.”
Bhall and Rusty shared a laugh about Stallone’s poor choices in building his player and surprise at his consistently impressive results. Both choose Stallone as the player with the shittiest build on ESL, with Rusty revealing:
“He didn’t even 68 cap agility until this season somehow. Throwing darts blindfolded is how I’d describe his sp allotment.”
Bhall had reacted in much the same fashion, offering:
”Frank Stallone...I lol'd for 3 hours straight when i finally seen his build last season.”
Special Teamers:
ESL’s Special Teams units are fully loaded with playmakers who are experts in both creating opportunities for their Returner or busting wedges and balls loose when their kickers are on the field. But beyond this dedicated and capable crew is a CB who runs so fast and turns so quick he has changed the outcomes of several games.
It’s something practically the whole team agrees on, but Hurricane Bear put it simply when I asked him who the best player on Special Teams was:
“Iam Ridiculous....easily the leagues best return man.”
Ridiculous lost out on Naga’s ST MVP award to a punter from Tongduchon Cowboys, but he had several tremendous moments on the field, and is a game-changing player in every sense of the term. Neglect planning for this guy at your own peril - he’s the real deal.
Prediction:
These two squads have met twice before on the gridiron, splitting the difference. ESL drew first blood when the teams met in Week 1 in S9, trouncing the Flames to the tune of 85 - 20. Singapore returned the favor more recently this preseason, eking out a 44-30 win in a close contest.
Singapore has put up a good showing this season, taking down big name opponents in and out of the region and earning a reputation as a serious competitor in several of GLB’s prestigious tournaments.
Despite Singapore’s recent accomplishments and accolades, ESL do seemed to not take them too seriously - Earlier on this season, Bhall identified both Singapore and vanquished Naga Championship game opponents Pa Dong Dragons the two teams he found most overrated in the league.
”Pa Dong possibly right now. Maybe even the Flames to a degree.”
This comment will certainly add fuel to the fire in Singapore, but will the Flames rage hot enough to take out established SEA titans, ESL? Singapore has never made it to a Super Wok before, while the Tire Fires have already been here and won the trophy four times. I love an underdog as much as the next guy, but that’s a wide gap to traverse.
The Flames have excellent leadership though, and their hard work and GLB smarts will give them a shot. Expect a close game, and with a healthy dose of luck the Flames could win this one. Don’t plan for cooking smores though, in the end I expect this bonfire to get snuffed out by the rolling Tire Fires.
TIRE FIRES by 3
