USAFL Season Preview Week - Central North

The Midwest part of the country has long been known for its growth of natural resources, creating a bountiful harvest to feed the rest of the country.  This has also held true from a footy sense; the Central region has seen more clubs sprout up over the last seven seasons than any other.

These teams, such as Columbus, Des Moines, and Indianapolis, take their place alongside teams with history in the foundation of the very league.  And in 2015, they look to bust through and join the ranks of the Minnesota Freeze at the highest level of the game.

Regional tournaments will play a big role in that, and will feature some of the best games of the season out of this group.  Des Moines will host the Midwest Regional 10s on May 9th, while the city of Racine, Wisconsin will host the full-sided 18s carnival on July 11th.

For all of the internal struggles the club has had since its foundation, “Da Swans” perennially put together good seasons and always impresses come Nationals weekend.  Chicago is coming off a bit of a down year, one that saw them go 2-3 during the season and bow out of Dublin with a 1-2 record.

Though they have been caught by some of their old MAAFL foes such as Nashville, Minnesota and Columbus for supremacy of middle America, the Bloods still boast a potent roster that is led by three Revos: Jason Wilhelm, Alex Wallach, and veteran stalwart Dan Sarbacker.  Sarbacker and another longtime Swan, Alistair MacGlashan, are still quite dangerous, and have struck their claim as a perennial Division 2 staple.

Like most good clubs, Chicago draws good talent and stays tuned for the season with a well run Metro competition.  There, players like Sam Svoboda and Stu Nicol, who went #2-3 in goalkicking for the 10s season, have honed their skills and will try to convert that into more wins this coming season.

The teams surrounding them geographically are getting better, and though the Swannies are still no pushover, they will really have to fight to get back to a winning season in 2015.

Preseason Nationals Projection: Middle Seed, Division II.

Ohio’s third club has taken the long, slow road to establishment over three seasons.  There have been more than a few false starts along the way, but last year may have proved to be a turning point.  The team, once known as the Cannons, have averaged two games during the course of the year, but did succeed in sending seven players to Nationals in their home state last season.  The players that did come gained some experience from teaming up with an experienced Milwaukee Bombers outfit, and shared in the newbie experience with the Indianapolis Giants.

2015 will see a complete overhaul of the club, including a new name, and hopefully more matches outside of Indianapolis and their more established counterparts from the state capital.  With good news coming from their winter meetings, there is already some buzz for this year and beyond.

Preseason Nationals Projection: Division IV.

(Author’s note: Whatever name Cleveland settles on, this footy fan is extremely hopeful that the Drew Carey inspired jumper that is posted on their Facebook page becomes reality.  Make it happen, boys.)

Drawing from a city with a long American football history, Columbus has grown into one of the strongest clubs on the field and off since their formation in 2008.  They surprised very few by winning Division 2 two seasons ago, turning aside a strong LA Dragons side in the final.

2014 was a bumpy year for the Jacks, as they were beaten by Austin and twice by Nashville.  They elected to remain in Divvy 2 for one more season, and were paired against the Houston Lonestars in group play.  They were able to upset Houston by five points on Sunday morning, but could not repeat as champions as they were overrun by the Dragons in the Granny.

Columbus has the distinction of being able to boast a membership that is mostly American, led by their founder, Chet Ridnour, fellow Revo Mark McClure, and by utility captain Brady Minich.  Eric Politz and Clyde Simpson logged a good deal of mileage playing in Australia during the season last year, and their knowledge of the game in its natural environment will benefit the entire team in the long run.

The success of the Jacks has proven that an all-American side can succeed against teams whose Australian influence is more acute.  In 2013, they looked like they could fare well in Division 1, but last season softened that outlook somewhat.  This year will most likely see another run through Division 2, and if so, Cbus will again be a top seed in a pool.

Still, this is a very good side with a good deal of athleticism and quick understanding of the game.  Their challenges will be getting past Chicago, Nashville, and Minnesota, and they are just about there in terms of quality.  How they perform at the Midwest Regionals in Racine this summer may have a very important impact on their seeding, but it’s hard to see them replace any of the D-1 sides that may slip down.

Preseason Nationals Projection: High seed, Division I.

What started in 2009 with two brothers from California and an Australian looking to keep playing the sport they love, has grown into a team that resembles the state it represents: tough, resourceful, and good competitors.

Des Moines, which will host the Midwest 10s Regionals this year, has excelled at the smaller-scaled game and scored a win against Dallas in Tulsa last season.  Their only other full squad win was an easy one over fledgling Kansas City.  The Roosters returned to Division 3, split their opening games on Saturday, and then thoroughly outplayed Sacramento on Sunday with a chance to make the Grand Final.  Unfortunately, Wes Kammerman and company couldn’t find the big sticks and had to settle for a 7-7 draw.

John Eggers and the Roosters head into 2015 with a side whose numbers have definitely grown since their foundation.  They are slowly getting stronger on the field, and their hard-tackling ways make it difficult for other teams to score; the fact that they held Sacto to 7 points is a testament to that.  With the Suns most likely moving up, Des Moines will be one of the teams to beat in Divvy 3 this year.

Preseason Nationals Projection: High seed, Division III.

Dr. Sam Pope, who was a longtime member of the Louisville Kings, founded the Giants in 2013, a year after their mother club from Greater Western Sydney took to the field in the AFL for the first time.  Growth there has been steady, but the G-men played eight matches in their first full season, assisted by members of the St. Louis Blues.  Despite not coming up with a win, the matches helped the team gain momentum with game day experience.

Their first Nationals appearance saw them join with Cleveland and Milwaukee and post a 1-2 record.  Mark Gall became the first Giant to be recognized during the tournament, as he was named a Blackchrome All Star.  Pope and the rest of the club are recruiting heavily in what is a very passionate sports town, one with a history of great pro and college athletics.  It may take another year for them to completely break out, but things are looking very positive for footy in the Hoosier State.

Preseason Nationals Projection: Division IV.

Much like their leader, Paul O’Keeffe, the Bombers continue to “plug” along, albeit slowly.  They lost their head coach in 2014, but are looking at recruiting heavily this spring to try and put together more games.  Once again, they’ll look to help supplement other teams in Division 4, but hope to give any new players they pick up some experience on the big stage come October.

Preseason Nationals Projection: Division IV.

Is it possible to freeze something at high temperatures?  Probably not, but the word ‘freeze’ refers to something cold, and Minnesota’s footy club was anything but in 2014. 

After knocking at the door of Division I for several seasons, an undefeated year placed them there come Nats time.  What’s more impressive the personage of these victories: An early season win over Denver, a home and home sweep against Des Moines, and a win against Chicago catapulted Minnesota into top grade footy in Dublin. 

They would knock off Denver again at Nationals, their first D-1 win in club history, a result that would knock the Bulldogs out of Grand Final contention.  Despite gallant efforts in defeat to Austin and Orange County, the Freeze asserted themselves as a top level club, and not much is expected to change this season.

Andrew “Tiger” Werner brings with him experience and pace for Minnesota out of the middle, and he is complimented by fellow International Cup representatives Stephen Fashant and Brent Fischer.  Brent Mergen, who also has played in Australia, brings more athleticism to a side that has a hard-nosed streak to it.  One player to look out for the future is rugby-convert Colin Anderson, who was Freeze’s best rookie last year, and who maybe a candidate for the Revos come 2017.

The Freeze are a darn good team, and they’re only getting better.  Chicago and Denver will be two intriguing matchups this year, both looking for revenge.  In the end, it’ll be another Division I appearance, looking to emulate Orange County as surprise Finalists come Nationals Sunday.

Preseason Nationals Projection: Middle seed, Division I

The USAFL’s foundation clubs – the Louisville Kings and Cincinnati Dockers -- joined together to form the Ohio Valley River Rats for the 2008 Nationals.  Along with several other clubs that would join into that partnership over the years, they would make the Divvy 4 Grand Final 5 out of 6 times, lifting the trophy four times.

That success rate left a few people wondering, “when will they move up already?”

Well, last season everyone seemed to get their wish.  Eric “Sleepy” Floyd and the rest put together a solid campaign, their biggest result a 46-46 draw against Nashville.  Their first Division 3 appearance at Nationals saw three good performances, despite a 1-2 record.  Their win over Des Moines, one of the teams expected to challenge for the Grand Final spot, confirmed their meddle.

Not much has changed for Ohio Valley this season, as they continue to forge together as a unified side.  Thomas Neumann Stone, who shared Most Consistent honors and was named a Nationals Blackchrome All-Star, heads a team of veterans and good athletes in one of the toughest regions in the country.  The Rats will be back in Division 3, and their success will depend on the draw.

Preseason Nationals Projection: Low seed, Division III.