USFootynews.com Final 2008 Top 10 Poll

Friday, 24 October 2008

WorldFootyNews.com and USFootyNews.com teamed up in 2008 to present the USFooty Top 10 Poll. Here is the final poll of 2008.

1. Balt/Wash Eagles  (10-2) (9 #1 Votes)
2. Denver Bulldogs (5-4) (1)
3. NY Magpies (7-5)
4. Golden Gate Roos (3-2)
5. San Diego Lions (4-4)
6. Boston Demons  (3-5)
7. Seattle Grizzlies (10-4)
8. OC Bombers (5-5)
9. Minnesota Freeze (4-4)
10. Chicago United (6-1)

Also receiving votes NC Tigers (3-5), Milwaukee Bombers (5-8) and Nashville Kangaroos (7-5)

The Baltimore Washington Eagles finished 2008 number 1 with nine number 1 votes after a fantastic 10-2 performance. The Eagles defeated the next four teams below them at some point in 2008. The Eagles only two losses came to the No. 6 Boston Demons in a rain soden game at Nationals and the USFooty National Champion Vancouver Cougars in the Championship game. In dryer conditions, the Eagles thrashed both the Golden Gate Roos and the San Diego Lions. The Eagles have been developing over the last few years, but under the coaching of Aaron Tyndall, they really stepped up a couple of notches. Tyndall controlled the center and used runners, Jay Levesque, Shane Frearson and Kevin Stanley with great effect. Up forward, Rich Strayer, came into his own as a key position player. Eagle, Dwayne Marshall, was named joint MVP for the tournament.

The Denver Bulldogs finished 2008 number 2 with one number 1 vote. The Bulldogs 5-4 record included a loss to the Vancouver Cougars at Nationals and an 0-3 record in Florida early in the season. Unfortunately, we were not able to see the match up between number 1 and number 2 at Nationals. Hopefully, we will have the opportunity to see the Eagles and the Bulldogs play in 2009. While a number of the Bulldog stars are getting older, things look promising with the Denver seconds competing well in Division 3 at Nationals. The New York Magpies finished the 2008 season ranked number 3. Their 7-5 record included a number of close loses to the likes of Denver, Baltimore Washington and the Vancouver Cougars at Nationals. New York and Baltimore Washington will be back at it again in 2009.

At the fourth position is the Golden Gate Roos. The Roos only played 5 games as a club during the 2008 season with a record of 3-2 including two wins over San Diego. Their losses came to Orange County in LA during the regular season and a thrashing by No. 1 Baltimore Washington first up at Nationals. San Diego had a disappointing 2008 finishing at fifth in the Poll with a 4-4 record. While the Lions were able to take victories at home they had trouble on the road including a lose to Golden Gate. At Nationals they were thoroughly dismantled by Baltimore Washington's running game.

The Boston Demons finished 2008 with a losing record but ranked number 6. Their win against No. 1 Baltimore Washington showed that they have the ability to compete with the top teams in the league. Boston's Damien Helem was also named as MVP of Nationals. It seems that 2008 was a turnaround year for Boston and we should expect good things from them in 2009 intensifying the competition in the EAFL. The Seattle Grizzlies finished at number 7 and the Division II National Champion with a 10-4 record. The Grizzlies had difficulty on the road during the season but came to play at Nationals where they dominated Division II and put their hand up to compete in Division I at the 2009 Championship in Mason OH.

At number 8 are the Orange County Bombers. OC finished with a 5-5 record but with one of the toughest schedules in USFooty. OC mid-fielder Kelly Nelson was named USFootyNews.com MVP for 2008. The 2007 Division II Champs, the Minnesota Freeze, had a tough transition into the MAAFL and were not as competitive at Nationals but finished the season ranked 9 with a 4-4 record. Chicago United rounded at the Top 10 at number 10 with an impressive 6-1 record. United were the 2008 MAAFL Champions but did not compete at Nationals.

WorldFootyNews.com and USFootyNews.com would like to thank the voters for all their hard work during the season.

Courtesy of USFootynews.com