NEW MANAGEMENT, NEW BRAND!

These AFFA franchises recently went under new management. They have also been rebrands. *Exception is Arkansas, who simply rebranded*

Oklahoma Roughnecks/ Now- SLINGERS
Birmingham Barbarians/Now- BEAST
Houston Wranglers/ Now- KNIGHTS
*Arkansas Rhinos/ Now- DIAMOND MINERS
** Philadelphia rebranded from Americans to FREEDOM, waiting for approval from commissioner and league owners. Expected to pass.

PLAY OFF EXPANSION!

 The Associated Football Franchises Of America announced earlier today that the league will expand the play-off format from 8 teams to 12 teams ( 6 from each conference) beginning in 2019.

The top two teams from each conference will receive a first round bye. The remaining four will play a wild card round ( 3 vs 6, 4 vs 5 ). Winners will advance to play the top seeds in the divisional round ( highest seeds hosting lowest seeds ect...). Winners then advance to the conference championships for a chance to advance to Pantheon Cup IV.

" We are constantly searching for ways to enhance the AFFA experience for fans. Expanding the play off format, we feel will be one way in doing this. We are also looking at various other ideas that possibly could be implemented at a later date. " stated Director of Operations Danny White.

Venue Change!

Orlando, Florida:  The Orlando Vipers announced yesterday the franchise will be moving to Orlando City Stadium beginning next season. The Vipers have called Spectrum Stadium ( formerly BrightHouse Networks Stadium) home since their inception three years ago. Orlando City Stadium is home to the MLS Orlando Soccer franchise.

CRUSADERS CLAIM 2ND CUP! DEFEAT BIRMINGHAM 45-33

PANTHEON CUP III 

(14-5 ) Sacramento Crusaders- 45  (11-8 ) Birmingham Barbarians- 33

Columbus, Ohio:  The Sacramento Crusaders became the first franchise to win multiple titles (2015, 2018) as they defeated the Birmingham Barbarians 45-33 in Pantheon Cup III at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus Saturday night.

Trevone Boykin was voted game MVP,  completing 13 of 17 passes for 236 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also ran 10 times for 48 yards.

Vic Ballard ran for 96 yards and a touchdown on 7 carries.  Stevan Ridley ran 21 times for 64 yards and a touchdown, while also catching a 13 yard pass for a score.  Kenny Still had 4 catches for 125 yards and a score. Marquez North caught 4 passes for 44 yards and a touchdown for the Crusaders. Houston Battle led the defense with 9 tackles and a hurry. He also had a 76 yard interception return for a touchdown. James Vaughn had 6 tackles, 1 sack, a stuff and a hurry.  Tyrone Holmes also recorded a sack.

Birmingham was led by Trevor Harris who completed 21 of 31 passes for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was sacked twice and threw 2 interceptions.

Rasheed Williams ran 17 times for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus a touchdown reception. Jakeem Grant caught 4 passes for 36 yards and a score. Nic Grigsby had 7 catches for 47 yards. Casey Pierce caught 3 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. Beau Bell led the Barbarians defense with 11 tackles, a stuff and a forced fumble. DeAndre Collins recorded 8 tackles and 3 stuffs in the loss.

Sacramento got on the board first as Stevan Ridley ran in from 14 yards out, completing a 11 play 63 yard drive. The point after was good, giving the Crusaders a 7-0 lead.

Birmingham tied the score at 7 as Trevor Harris connected with Casey Pierce for a 54 yard touchdown pass. Sacramento would answer as Trevone Boykin hit Stevan Ridley from 13 yards out for a touchdown. The extra point made it 14-7 Crusaders.

Birmingham made it 14-10 early in the second quarter as Sean Whyte converted on a 43 yard field goal. The Barbarians took the lead with 2:38 remaining in the first half as Rasheed Williams took it in from 4 yards out. The extra point made it 17-14 Barbarians. Sacramento tied the score at 17 as Sean Whyte hit from 35 yards out on a field goal. At the Half scored stood at 17-17.

Sacramento took the lead midway through the third quarter as Trevone Boykin connected with Marquez North on 13 yard touchdown pass. A Sean Whyte extra point made it 24-20 Crusaders.

Birmingham took back the lead as Rasheed Williams darted in from 11 yards out. The extra point made it 27-24 Birmingham.

Sacramento made it 31-27 early in the fourth as Boykin found Kenny Still in the endzone for a 20 yard touchdown pass.  The Crusaders stretched their lead to 38-27 as Houston Battle intercepted a Trevor Harris pass and took it 76 yards for a score.

Trevor Harris redeemed himself with just under 3 minutes remaining, connecting with Jakeem Grant on a 7 yard touchdown pass making the score 38-33 Crusaders.

Sacramento sealed the win as Vic Ballard ran in from 17 yards out in the closing seconds, giving the Crusaders the 45-33 victory and the Pantheon Cup.

PANTHEON CUP III TONIGHT!

Pantheon Cup III 

(11-7) BIRMINGHAM BARBARIANS 

                   VS

(13-5) SACRAMENTO CRUSADERS 

GONNA BE A COWBOY!

Salt Lake City, Utah:  Utah Mammoths quarterback Dak Prescott announced yesterday that he will not be returning as quarterback of the Mammoths next season, and will sign with the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL.  The announcement was made by Mammoths officials in a press conference held in front of Mammoths headquarters in Salt Lake City.

Prescott led the Mammoths to a Pacific Division title and a Pantheon Cup appearance in 2017. The Mammoths finished 2018 with a dismal 3-13 record.

SAN ANTONIO MUSTANGS SOLD!

San Antonio, Texas:  The San Antonio Mustangs have reportedly been sold according to league officials.  Local San Antonio business man Micah Williams.  The sale still has to be approved by league owners, but the rumor is the sale will go through without a hitch.

PANTHEON CUP III PREVIEW!

PANTHEON CUP III 


Eastern Conference Champions

(11-7) Birmingham Barbarians 

             Versus 

Western Conference Champions 

(13-5) Sacramento Crusaders 

Date: July 7, 2018

Place: Mapfre Stadium
Columbus, Ohio 

Line:  Sacramento by 5

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT: BIRMINGHAM ADVANCES!

#3 ( 11-7 ) Birmingham Barbarians- 27  #4 ( 12-6 ) Louisville Thoroughbreds- 23

Birmingham, Alabama:  Nic Grigsby ran in from two yards out for a touchdown, lifting the Birmingham Barbarians to a 27-23 victory over the Louisville Thoroughbreds and advance to their first Pantheon Cup appearance.

Grigsby finished rushing for 48 yards on 9 carries and 2 touchdowns. Rasheed Williams ran for 97 yards on 22 carries.  Trevor Harris completed only 9 of 13 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. Rashard Higgins caught 2 passes for 63 yards and a score. Sean Whyte converted on 2 of 2 field goals. Beau Bell led the Barbarians defense with 9 tackles and a hurry.

Louisville was led by quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who competed 27 of 45 passes for 332 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception. Ray Rice ran 20 times for 87 yards, plus 9 receptions for 60 yards. Josh Stewart had 10 receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Brown connected on 3 of 4 field goals. AJ Johnson led the defense with 9 tackles and 2 stuffs.

With the loss Louisville fell short in their quest to repeat as Pantheon Cup champions.

Birmingham will face the Western Conference Champion Sacramento Crusaders in Pantheon Cup III in Columbus Ohio on Saturday July 7 2018.

HEAD SHARK SWIMS INTO NEWER WATERS!

Miami, Florida:  Miami Sharks head coach Mike Singletary announced earlier today that he is stepping down to coach in the new Alliance of American Football League. Singletary compiled a record of 19-13-1 during his time in the AFFA, including leading the Sharks to the Southeastern Division Title in 2018.

Good Luck Coach!

WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT: CRUSADERS ADVANCE!

#2 ( 13-5 ) Sacramento Crusaders- 26  #1 ( 13-5 ) Chicago Stags-23

Chicago, Illinois:  Stevan Ridley ran 19 times for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Sacramento Crusaders advance to their second trip to the Pantheon Cup with a 26-23 victory over the Chicago Stags Saturday night. The Crusaders won the 2015 Inaugural Pantheon Cup title.

League MVP Trevone Boykin threw for 232 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 60 yards on 12 carries.  Kenny Still caught 3 passes for 97 yards and a score. DeMarco Sam had 3 receptions for 54 yards. Josh Lambo connected on 2 of 2 field goals with a long of 40 yards. Houston Battle and Geoff Tisdale led the defense with 8 tackles.

Brandon Doughty led the Stags, completing 19 of 26 passes for 232 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was sacked twice.

Alfred Morris ran 19 times for 82 yards and a touchdown.  Willie Snead caught 5 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. Gator Hoskins had 4 receptions for 52 yards . Lucky White had a 7 yard touchdown reception in the loss for the Stags .

Sacramento will face the winner of the Eastern Conference Championship,  either Louisville or Birmingham in Pantheon Cup III in two weeks.

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

# 4 ( 12-5 ) Louisville Thoroughbreds @ #3 (10-7 ) Birmingham Barbarians 

Date: June 24, 2018

Place:  Legion Field: Birmingham, Alabama 

Line: Birmingham by 1

WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

#2 ( 12-5 ) Sacramento Crusaders @ #1 ( 13-4 ) Chicago Stags 

Date: Saturday, June 23 2018

Place: Soldier Field, Chicago ILL 

Line: Chicago by 4

SABAN VISITS!

Birmingham, Alabama:  University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban made a surprise visit to the Birmingham Barbarians practice at the team's practice facility in Birmingham earlier today.

" Nick called earlier this week asking if he could come watch the team practice. I told him sure, but was a bit surprised when he showed up this morning. " said Birmingham head coach Norv Turner.

Saban reportedly stayed for a little over an hour and spoke briefly with the team, wishing them luck in their upcoming playoff matchup this coming Sunday at Legion Field. The Barbarians host the defending Pantheon Cup champion Louisville Thoroughbreds for the Eastern Conference Championship and a spot in the 2018 Pantheon Cup Championship game.

AFFA CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE

Saturday, June 23, 2018
_______________________

WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP 
________________________________________

#2 (12-5) Sacramento Crusaders @ #1 (13-4) Chicago Stags 


EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP 
_______________________________________

Sunday,  June 24, 2018
______________________

#4 (12-5) Louisville Thoroughbreds @ #3 (10-7) Birmingham Barbarians 

AFFA SUNDAY CONFERENCE PLAY-OFF RESULTS:

#4 (12-5) Louisville Thoroughbreds- 34  #1 (12-4-1) Miami Sharks- 20

Miami, Florida:  Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns on 19 of 25 passing as the Louisville Thoroughbreds score 21 unanswered fourth quarter points to defeat the Miami Sharks 34-20 to advance to the Eastern Conference Championship game next week in Birmingham against the Birmingham Barbarians.

Ray Rice ran 18 times for 105 yards and a touchdown, plus caught 3 passes for 50 yards and a score. Ben Malena ran for a touchdown while rushing for 32 yards on 8 carries, plus a touchdown reception while catching 4 passes for 59 yards. Josh Brown connected on 2 of 2 field goals with a long of 55 yards. Alex Hall led the defense with 7 tackles, 2 sacks and a stuff. Carl Lawson had 5 tackles and a sack, a stuff and a interception.

Zach Collaros completed 15 of 25 passes for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns. He threw 2 interceptions and was sacked 5 times.

David Cobb ran 25 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. Ezell Ruffin had 4 receptions for 89 yards and 2 touchdowns. Winston Guy led the defense with 10 tackles and a forced fumble.


#2 (12-5) Sacramento Crusaders- 20  #3 (10-7) Albuquerque Aztecs- 13

Sacramento, California:  Trevone Boykin proved he deserved MVP award, throwing for 292 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 59 yards on 16 carries to lead the Sacramento Crusaders to a 20-13 win over the Albuquerque Aztecs and advance to the Western Conference Championship game in Chicago next week.

Stevan Ridley ran 20 times for 47 yards. Vic Ballard ran for a touchdown, while rushing for 37 yards on 3 carries. Kenny Still caught 4 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. Marquez North had 5 receptions for 74 yards. Houston Battle led the defense with 7 tackles and 3 stuffs.

Travis Lulay completed 14 of 28 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. Tim Cornett ran 16 times for 149 yards and a score, plus caught 6 passes for 51 yards. Rashad Green had a Touchdown reception, catching 3 passes for 37 yards. Richie Leon went 0 for 3 on field goal attempts. Josh Burris and Geno Hayes led the defense with 8 tackles.

2018 AFFA Awards

Offensive MVP:  Trevone Boykin  (QB) Sacramento

Defensive MVP:  Vontaez Burfict- (LB)  Dallas

Rushing Champion:  Tyler Ervin (RB) Georgia (1505, 15 TD's, 5.3 Avg)

League MVP:  Trevone Boykin (QB) Sacramento

LES MILES NAMED AFFA COACH OF THE YEAR!

MILES AFFA COACH OF THE YEAR 
__________________________________

St.Louis Scouts head coach Les Miles has been named AFFA Coach of the Year for 2018. Miles led the expansion Scouts to an 11-5 record which was good enough for a second place finish in the Great Lakes Division and a Wild Card playoff berth . Miles is best known as being LSU Tigers former head coach where he was very successful. 

BOYKIN AWARDED MVP OF AFFA

Sacramento Crusaders quarterback Trevone Boykin was voted as AFFA League MVP it was announced yesterday by league officials. 

Boykin completed 61.9 percent of his passes for 3964 yards and 28 touchdowns with 6 interceptions in leading the Crusaders to the Pacific Division title and a playoff berth . Boykin also ran for 884 yards and 9 touchdowns on 186 carries. 

" I am truly honored by this award and deeply grateful. Thank you so very much!" stated Boykin. 

PANTHEON CUP HISTORY

PANTHEON CUP HISTORY 
__________________________

2015:  SACRAMENTO-38  CAROLINA-20  ( NEW YORK)
2016: DNP ( RESTRUCTURING)
2017: LOUISVILLE- 31  UTAH- 24 ( MIAMI, FLORIDA )
2018:  TBD  ( COLUMBUS, OHIO)