Standout Coalition (7-5, 2-0) Versus Rhodes Runners (8-4, 2-0)
-This will be both coaches 3rd Ballistic Bowl appearance
-Nebula Conference is 1-1 in Ballistic Bowls vs Vintage
-Coach Pardue is 0-2 in Ballistic Bowls (Bruisermakers 2010, 2011)
-Coach Rhodes is 1-1 in Ballistic Bowls ( Boot Hill 2008, Runners 2001)
-Coach Pardue is 12-5 lifetime regular season vs coach Rhodes
-These coaches have never met in a playoff, postseason, or Ballistic Bowl game
-Coach Pardue is 7-5 lifetime in playoff games (BB is not a playoff or postseason game)
-Coach Rhodes is 5-6 lifetime in playoff games (BB is not a playoff or postseason game)
-The Coalition is 2-1 lifetime in playoff games (BB is not a playoff or postseason game)
-The Runners are 3-6 lifetime in playoff games (BB is not a playoff or postseason game)
-These teams did not meet in regular season play in 2014
RANKINGS:
POINTS FIELDED (entire regular and post season totals): Rhodes 3rd Coalition 12th
POWER (entire regular and post season totals): Rhodes 3rd Coalition 10th
EVERYONE VS EVERYONE (entire regular and post season totals):
Rhodes 144-94 (4th)
Coalition 121-117 (10th)
Ballistic Bowl XV
by: Josh Perdew
Click on coach name to view coach history
Americas Team! The Coalition unit, who looked like a mediocre fantasy football team about 8 weeks ago, have established themselves as a solid unit with a little luck throughout the final few games of the season, and have the opportunity to pull possibly the biggest upset in eSFL history. Coach Ron Pardue has done a fabulous job with the roster, and have overcome some extreme adversity throughout the entire season, without giving up hope that the Coalition can still get the job done. The Rhodes Runners, the vegas favorite, going off at 2-1 is looking for the franchise first championship (minus the Runners idiotic move to jump ship to Boot Hill, which turned out to be one of the largest flukes ever, by winning the title a few years back). Coach Rhodes has self proclaimed to have the best roster ever formed in eSFL history, and also has been gloating about winning this title for over a month. He has stated that he "guarantees an 80 point victory in the Championship game". I am sure that will light a small fire under Coach Pardue, and hopefully he is able to rally the troops! I personally have heard a lot of shit talking from Rhodes, and I would love to see nothing more than the Runners fall flat on their faces, and watch the Coalition ruin the hopes and dreams of the self proclaimed "best team ever assembled" and allow the world to watch them go down in flames. Lets take a look at each roster for this historic Ballistic Bowl.....
Standout Coalition Starters
0
Brady,Tom
0 Starks,James
0 McCoy,LeSean
0
White,Roddy
0 Cobb,Randall
0 Green,A.J.
0 Kelce,Travis
0 Edelman,Julia
0 Dawson,Phil
0 Burnett,Morga
0 Smith,Harriso
0 Houston,Justi
0 PierrePaul,Ja
Rhodes Runners Starters
Luck,Andrew 0
Bell,Joique 0
Bell,LeVeon 0
Sanders,Emman 0
Brown,Antonio 0
Hilton,T.Y. 0
Fleener,Coby 0
Bryant,Martav 0
Parkey,Cody 0
Fletcher,Brad 0
Mundy,Ryan 0
Campbell,Cala 0
Ansah,Ezekiel 0
As you can see, and there is no denying it, that this Runners unit is stacked from top to bottom. This unit has in my opinion the best depth, and the best offense we have seen in 15 years of eSFL history. The team has a threat in every offensive position, and at any moment, could break loose, and turn this game into a blowout. The team has been steady all season, with Andrew Luck leading the way. LeVeon Bell, Antonio Brown, TY Hilton, and Julius Thomas(when not injured) have totally dominated all season. This core group will score points each and every week, the real question is can the Coalition keep up.... Coach Pardue has a decent unit of players, that have survived some close games, and the big names have really let the team down all season. First Round talent, such as LeSean McCoy and AJ Green, have really not produced like in years past, and if the Coalition unit expects to keep up with Rhodes, these two have to have record breaking type performances. The unit has a solid core around those two, with QB Tom Brady, along with WR's Randall Cobb, Roddy White, and Julian Edelman. The surprise here is that Pardue currently has WR Josh Gordon on the bench and has a backup running back in James Stark in the lineup. I find these two moves very interesting, but I will never question the moves that a legendary coach like Pardue makes. Another interesting roster decision is that WR Mike Evans is on the bench, after putting out a solid performance for a few weeks now. I know the team can only start up to 4 WR's and this team is very deep in that spot, I just hope for "America's Team" that he has them correct for this week! As for the defense, any squirrel can find a nut, but the favorite has to be the Coalition in this area, as Rhodes has been absolutely terrible all season. If the Runners get 30 points or more on defense, I am not sure the Coalition can keep up. The Coalition will have to be on top of their game in every position, especially on defense, and will need a big 200 plus points this week to out perform the Runners. Lets just hope the crowd can get involved, and really put the pressure on the Runners, as its about the only hope we have left! I generally try to pull numbers out of my ass and predict the score, but I am going to pass on this one. Lets just hope for a close game, and as for many of the readers of this article, cross your fingers, say your prayers, and LETS GO COALITION!
Message from the commissioner:
The first time in league history everyone is rooting for the same team to win the Ballistic Bowl is upon us. The Coalition is on a quest to add around 2700 dollars to next years Ballistic Bowl award while the historic Rhodes Runners organization will try to win their first title. The Coalition has already guaranteed 10 percent to next years pot and an additional 100 for HI 50 awards. This years awards are:
18 teams x 200=3600
Minus 100 (commish fees)=3500
Minus 200 (coalition)=3300
Minus 110.00 (Gunner Cup)=3190
Minus 600 (Hi 50)=2590
Plus 140 (trans fees)=2730
90 percent of 2730=2457 (Ballistic Bowl Winner)
10 percent of 2730=273 (Ballistic Bowl Loser)
So, as you can see, there is a lot on the line for all league members. If the Coalition loses, next years awards will be increased by 100 (Hi 50) plus 273 for a total of 373. If they win it will be increased by 100 (Hi 50) plus 2457 for a total of 2557. That's a lot to root for folks and it is my guess the Runners won't have many fans in the seats on game day.
Everyone needs to congratulate coach Pardue on his wonderful coaching and general manager job. Think about it folks, here is a guy who at any time could have simply said to himself that this is not my team and simply set a lineup each week. He did not, he battled the free agency market each and every week, he fought for every owner. Yes, he had reason to succeed because he knows he will be in the league next year and the award will be doubled. But lets be honest here, the way things were going for that team most people would have simply laid back and marked it off as over. Coach Pardue deserves to be recognized for his dedication to this accomplishment, way to go Ron! I think the league will be hard pressed to repeat this feat simply because you don't find a future hall of fame coach to run the Coalition team, it's not a simple task.
This matchup could not have come at a better time for those who wish the league to continue. It is rumored commissioner Rhodes is about to announce his retirement and all involvement in the league following the season. However, this may be enough to rejuvenate him for further participation, we will have to wait and see I guess. As far as the season in general, it was awesome! In my opinion the best in league history. The two conferences with three divisions was wonderful and throw in the Blackjack, I cannot imagine a better layout. Nearly all teams were in the hunt for a playoff spot all the way to week 10 or so. The addition of the flex with only nine teams per conference added to player value in free agency, and trades were at an all time hi.
To view past Ballistic Bowl winners click
here
To view past Ballistic Bowl game recaps click
here
This years draft positions were:
Rhodes (6, traded for 2nd and 3rd round 4th)
Coalition (3rd)
