It’s the beginning of the period after team tryouts and before mini camps really get rolling.  2013 taught us that every game counts and the first and second can be just as important as the last. The Midwest Football Alliance All-stars came to life in the post season and went head to head with the Great Midwest Football Alliance All-Stars, winning with a 40point route. The new season will bring back many old teams and a few new ones. The schedule format looks to be the same round robin (Big 12 type schedule) as last year but that hasn’t been finalized yet. Without a down of football played yet. Here are the wayyyy too Early Preseason Rankings!

 

1. Des Moines Blaze – Three years, 3 championships, all undefeated seasons. This season puts them in unfamiliar territory. If they can manage to maintain their high level of play you can put them in company of The Oklahoma Thunder, The Central Penn Piranha and Inglewood Blackhawks. Can they become…. Legendary?

 

2. Midwest Titans – Last year came down to the wire and the Titans were only a handful of plays away from being in the championship game. The titans have depth and a talented coaching staff. The key to success will be execution and “finishing”  the game.

 

3. Quad City Wolfpack – For the second year in a row the MFA has recruited the year’s prior champion from another league. The Quad City Wolfpack (UNFL Champions) bring in a successful history, they embrace the community and a mental toughness that seems to be a signature characteristic of the Quad City Area.  They don’t back down from any challenge and will surely be put to the test this year.

 

4. Sioux City Stampede – This is the sleeper team in the league.  A fresh start in a brand new stand-alone market.  The Stampede are reporting a full roster and are off to a fast start. All the pressure is on the coaching staff from here on out. The Playoffs are completely in grasp and should be part of their Year-1 goals.

 

5.Nebraska Renegades – The Renegades come into this season with a chip on their shoulder after last year’s playoff match. They have the talent but there’s something in the air that seems to make this a “Make or Break” season for the Renegades.

 

6. Sioux Falls stallions –  In the championship game the last two years but sitting at the bottom half of the rankings. Consider this a rebuilding year. The Stallions will have to replace players who may of defected to a new team in the area of a different league.

 

7. Sugar Creek Shockers – The Sugar Creek Shockers started their offseason earlier than anyone by forgoing the playoffs. Expectations couldn’t be any higher after such a long offseason. The Shockers will look to have a breakout year and known as more than the rivals of the Midwest Titans.

 

8. Iowa Sharks – The Iowa Sharks have upheld a high standard of football for nearly a decade. They’ve got pride and heart but it’s going to take more than that to get the post season this year. With the creation of the Sioux City Stampede the Sharks will have to really hit the recruiting trail and build on the core group that’s held the sharks together as of late.

 

9. Heartland Falcons – For the first time since 2009 the Heartland Falcons will be the only minor league 11man team in the Omaha area. The jitters of being the new team on the block are over and now it’s time to make some noise. In the offseason the Falcons completely overhauled everything. The Coaching staff has been rebuilt, the roster has been has been rebuilt from the bottom up. Everything looks great … on paper. It’ll be up to the organization to put a competitive team on the field after starting from scratch.

 

10. North Iowa Knights – The Knights had a long first year. Having game-time experience and 2nd year veterans should help dividends and the support of the community will help along the way won’t hurt either. Basically the Knights spent the first year building the foundation and now  they have all intentions to shock a few teams. 

 

*Good Luck to the Quad City Raiders in all their endeavors in the MidStates Football League