MCFL Week 1 Preview

Brien Mitchum

Press Box Report

Indy Bison (0-0) vs Ft Wayne Tigers (0-0)

This matchup by far is my pick for the game of the week in the MCFL, it has a matchup of Rocky Balboa proportions, The Indy Bison are 2-0 in the preseason coming off wins against a Chicago Falcons team that had 12 players. The trash talk for this game has been brewing for months especially after the schedule had been released. The poll for the pick-em has the Bison blowing the Tigers out by at least 30, but we all know the “Experts” can be wrong, Tigers are going to show up to play some football and come ready to grind till the end.

This game will be an important game for both teams as it can have a glimpse of the playoff’s early in week 1 of the season. Expect that Tigers will be going into a hostile environment as they have to travel to Indy for week 1. If they have starting QB Joe Steigmeyer under center and everyone is healthy and mentally prepared, then the game will be close and will come down to the end. It will most likely be a shootout between the offenses. Bison will for sure come ready, but I think they are taking the Tigers to lightly and that could shoot them in the foot.

Tigers Defense will have to contend with a potent Bison Offense to keep at bay, will they be able to contain the run game, the dominating defense is still there with some new additions, limiting the run game and making the Bison throw the ball so the CB and S can force turnovers will be the key. For the Tigers offense protection will be the #1 thing that has to happen whoever is starting under center, the O-line may lack in size but have the experience will have to protect the QB, RB will have to be moving the ball, with a talented core of RB they have no reason to not move the ball, for the WR they will have to be making those catches when it counts. Last but not least the Tigers cannot without a shadow of a doubt leave it in the refs’ hands, meaning they have to stay out of the negative with stupid penalties but most important control their emotions without talking, that mental warfare is something that happens in all sports but this game it will be at a different level. Game will be intense from the starting kickoff until the final whistle.

For the Bison we all know the intensity that coach Moore brings to the field and what he demands of his players, that being said they cannot take the Tigers lightly and base what they can do off of one preseason game, the Bison have to come into the game and score big early to put the Tigers out of the game, if they keep it close which I think it will be a very back and forth game, then they will have more of a tough game than they think they are going into.

I think the Tigers pull this one out and shock the “Experts” and beat the Bison but it will be a high scoring game.

Michiana Thunderhawk’s (0-0) vs Michigan Hurricanes (0-0)

This is another game that we can’t judge by just one preseason game. However, if the T-hawks didn’t work on the mistakes that were made in that game vs FTW in preseason then it will be another long day for them.

Don’t know much about the Michigan Hurricanes, they will have to come in and make a statement against the T-Hawks.

I am giving this game to the Thunderhawk’s.

St Louis Falcons (0-0) vs River City Sharks (0-0)

Don’t know too much about these teams in this matchup so it’s hard to pick one, but I think the Falcons will come out of week 1 victorious.

Lake Co Warriors (0-0) vs Bucs (0-0)

This is definitely a rivalry game between these two teams they both have been around for a long time and know what to expect from each other when they play. The Bucs seemed to have improved in the 2022 season and had a few wins on the season, so that is a plus one can assume coming into the 2023 season they have something to build on, LCW come in hungry to make a statement out of the gate and show that they are contenders in the MCFL and start the road to the championship week. 1.

I have to go with the LCW for week 1 vs the Bucs, Bucs may hang with them for a quarter at best, but LCW come out of week 1 with a victory.

Bird Gang (0-0) vs Leydon Lions (0-0)

The Bird Gang won a national championship in 2022 and are nationally ranked team which is a great thing for the MCFL, however for teams that have to play them it might be a tall task and that is how I feel about this week one matchup.

Another team that has not done much or said much leading up to the season kickoff Leydon Lions have a very tall and steep mountain to climb taking on the Bridgang who I think will roll through most of the teams they have on the schedule.

I am going with the Birdgang to win and win big in week 1 of the MCFL. season.

Season kicks off with some great matchups and when the smoke clears on the Sunday after week 1 games, I have the Tigers, LCW, Falcons, Thunderhawk’s, and Birdgang left standing.

Indy Assassins (BYE)