Welcome back for another season of Midwest Alliance Football. 2016 crowned a new champion, the Kansas City Bulldogs and it wouldn’t be the only major change around the league. The MFA underwent several revisions of its structure and team members. Newcomers, the Chillicothe Swarm, look to make an immediate impact while guided by veteran ownership. Additionally, The KC Bulldogs, Sioux City Stampede, Des Moines Blaze, Omaha Stockmen and Midwest Titans all return experienced teams as well. With a satisfactory number of quality teams secured, the MFA decided it will shift back to the 4 team playoff format that was used in the inaugural year of play. Preparation was imperative and nearly all teams participated in a non-league preseason game at some point in April.  The first week of May signals that teams begin to laser in and focus on the goal of playing for a championship in August.  

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As of 05/05/2017 my record is… 182 Correct - 44 Incorrect (81%)

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Midwest Titans – Idle: It’ll be tough to sit idle with a huge rivalry game against the Bulldogs hanging around until next weekend.

Sioux City Stampede – Idle:  The Stampede just spent the prior weekend dispatching former league member NWIA Bulldogs. This weekend could be a great opportunity to prepare for next week’s match up vs. The Swarm.  

Omaha Stockmen @ Missouri Valley Pitbulls: The Omaha Stockmen don’t back down from competition and this Saturday They’ll have a full order coming from the Pitbulls. The Stockmen have made considerable strides in recruiting to provide a boost to a group that’s been together for nearly 2 years. The Pitbulls are looking to make a statement after earning a #2 seed in the Gridiron Developmental Football League playoffs last year and coming up short of a championship. The Stockmen pull the upset against a determined out of conference opponent.

Kansas City Bulldogs vs. Chillicothe Swarm:  the Chillicothe Swarm will start right out the gate with a trial by fire. As challenging as that may be it will get the Swarm used to the level of competition throughout the league. The Swarm will come out and be competitive but Saturday isn’t their time and they drop their first game to the Kansas City Bulldogs.

***Game Of the Week***

Des Moines Blaze @ St. Paul Pioneer: The Capital City Classic is a game filled with tradition, honor, and bragging rights. Since both teams make regular trips to the championship game and win more times than not  it’s a matchup that could easily be considered a national title game if were only played post season instead of preseason. The Des Moines Blaze have won the Capital City Classic 3 of the last 4 times dating back to 2013. Coach Tyrone Tyler has stepped back into his role as Head Coach which means that if all else, this current Blaze roster will be ready to compete. The x-factor in this game is Des Moines Blaze ability to recreate itself in a way that’s new and sure to give opponents fits. Blaze win and start the year on the right foot.