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2014 USAFL Season Preview: South Central Region

  • Sunday, May 18 2014 @ 06:12 am ACST
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This is the continuation of the six part series on the 2014 USAFL Season Preview as we preview the South Central Region.

South Central Region
The South Central region has the claim this year as having the #1 team in the nation (Austin) as well as an up-and-comer (Houston) and a newbie (Tulsa) all in the same area.  It is also where a team that was barred (Dallas) will return to the Nationals.  A lot of questions in this region and several teams will definitely vie for Division titles.  With that, here are the teams in alphabetical order:
Austin Crows (12-1, 41 points, Finish Rank:  1st)
The surprise team of the entire 2013 year was the Crows as they prove to be a Division 1 caliber team the like that hasn’t been shown since the days of Denver vs. San Diego.  In just 5 years, they moved from Division 4 through Division 3 in '09, Division 2 in '11 and '12 and then to Division 1 last year in their first attempt in beating Calgary by a single point.  Could we see a repeat for them in 2014?  My thoughts are definitely yes.  They bring the division winning coach back and majority of their season is spent in the Texas Cup matches, however, the match that I am looking forward to is the battle with Columbus and Nashville @ Elmington Field on 28 June.  That might speak volumes as to whether they get the top seed in the Division 1 brackets.  This will be too close for me to call that, but I definitely think that they can contend again for the title.  First analysis for Nationals:  Division 1 as the 2nd seed.
 
Baton Rouge Tigers (0-6, 0 points, Finish Rank:  29th)
We go from one extreme to the other as we go to Baton Rouge.  The Tigers didn't field a team for the Nationals as they combined with Atlanta in Division 4 and after an extremely disappointing season.   Questions are if they can return to respectability this season?  If the scores from last season can tell the story, I say absolutely not.  It will definitely be another rebuilding year for them again.  First analysis for Nationals: Most likely not to field at Nationals this season.
 
Dallas Magpies (7-3, 14 points, Finish Rank:  15th)
We come to the team with the most unknowns in the region, Dallas, after the disbarment from the Nationals last year.  Questions are abound on what the team will do this year with their return if they can once again head back to Division 1 and contend.  The big test for them will be the Texas Cup rotation and what they do there could decide a lot of things.  By my thinking, it is time for them to step back and rebuild and I think Division 2 will be the first stepping stone back to prominence again.  First analysis:  Division 2 as the 6th seed.
 
Houston Lonestars (7-6, 30 points, Finish Rank:  6th)
Another team that is an up-and-coming team that may follow the Austin template is the Houston Lonestars.  This team was the major unknown last season and yet, it came out firing on all cylinders in winning the Division 3 title over Sacramento after a bruising Pool B play in which they came in the back door.  I think this year, like several other teams, is a watershed year for them as well.  Do they have the capabilities to head to Division 2 is the biggest question.  I think a defending of the title will be the best thing for them this season, but there's the opportunity to make it to Division 2 and battle and this might be their year to test it.  First analysis:  Division 2 as the 8th seed.
 
Kansas City Power (4-7, 12 points, Finish Rank:  18th)
Another team in a transitional time is the Kansas City Power after a extremely disappointing Nationals last year as they finished 7th in Division 3 last year.  A lot of questions on this team and see if they can rebuild in 2014 and return to respectability.  I think this year they can, but I don't expect them to move out of Division 3.  First analysis for Nationals:  Division 3 as the 7th seed.
 
Tulsa Buffaloes (1-7, 4 points, Finish Rank:  27th)
A newbie to the Nationals last year, the Buffaloes are a rising team this year with a pretty tough schedule overall.  I think the team can do well with more seasoning in Division 4 again and maybe contend for a Pool final.  A lot of unknowns on this team, but a lot of promise too.  First analysis for Nationals:  Division 4 as the 5th seed.

 
Please check us out Alex's work online via usaflweeklyreport.com and watch the USAFL Weekly show, Fridays @ 7:30 pm USA
Central Time on UStream.tv.  (Please check his USAFL Weekly Report Facebook page (and give it a Like) for any schedule changes).