[11.30.04]
Written by: PWFSI Associated Press

Driven Out of Contention

Week 12 -- The Northern Michigan Yoopers were poised at the beginning of the season to try and secure their first bid into the playoffs this year. They have been hanging their hopes on a thread the last few weeks, but they were finally vanquished this week when the Detroit Drive defeated them 157-92.

The Yoopers have been hit with injuries all year to their very respected running game that gave them a jump at the beginning of the season. T. Jones, C. Brown, and B. Westbrook all have suffered multiple week injuries that have cost this team. R. Wayne has been brilliant for the Yoopers trying to pick up the slack from the crippled running game. Brees, who was a mid-season pickup has also be filling in nicely for the injuried starting quarterback Leftwich.

Whitefish Point Press broke a story earlier in the week that there is a quarterback controversy brewing in Marquette between the hot Brees and struggling Leftwich. The Yooper Press secretary was too hung over to comment much on the matter,

"Listen, I don't know what is going on with this team. We should be winning every week on paper, but when the guys go out on the field they just don't produce. I'm sure that we will be playing whichever guy plays well enough for us to lose by 10."

This was a must win game for the Drive as their team has been clinging to thin hopes themselves for their first playoff trip. Things are looking up as they are currently only a game back from the last playoff spot with two games to go. Next week's game against the Green Bay Slackers will be a pivotal game in the race for the 2004 playoffs.

Seattle 156, Kalamazoo 87
Seattle pulled out a huge game from future PWFFL Hall-of-Famer Marvin Harrison to blow past Kalamazoo. The Vikings' running game just couldn't get going against a tough Slug's defense who limited the backfield to just 17 points. The Kalamazoo loss turns the race for the President's Cup into a full out sprint. The lackluster performance also dropped the Vikings into second place behind the Ridicule. The Vikings take on the surging Rocko Bengals next week, while the Slugs get to host the dejected England Teasers.

Rhode Island 130, Wisconsin 67
The Ridicule are marching their way back to the playoffs after their clinching victory over the Wannabes. Wisconsin has been on a free fall late that can be traced back to Harrington's struggles and more importantly the loss of Priest Holmes. The Wannabe's are going to be in a dogfight for a playoff spot this year after dropping to 6-6 with games against Timbuktu and W. Palm Beach still to play.

W. Palm Beach 110, Timbuktu 49
The Chads need every win from here on out to keeping their fragile hopes alive of a playoff spot. They also need to score big. This week helped both cases as the Buccaneers are one of those teams W. Palm Beach needs to leapfrog over for the last playoff spot. Timbuktu always seems to hit the wall at seven wins and this is starting to look the case again for a team never to have a winning record. The Buccaneers need just one more win to break the franchise record and propell them closer to their first playoff berth since 1999. Their next two opponants, Rhode Island and Wisconsin are going to be a true test for Timbuktu and W. Palm Beach.

Rocko 102, England 52
Starting 1-5 did not force the Bengals to pack in the season. They were determined to make the playoffs and after six straight wins they are poised to do just that for the third straight season. England is still struggling and it will be very tough for them to even get a win the rest of the season, potentially dropping them to the bottom of the league and primed for the Toilet Bowl Award.

Green Bay 114, Benton Harbor 43
History in the making! The Green Bay franchise has secured their first ever non-losing season with their seventh win over the Hoodlems. As the standings look right now, Green Bay controls their own destiny the rest of the way leading the pack of the 7-5 teams for the last playoff spot. The games against the Yoopers and Drive will be huge for them in order for them to secure their first ever playoff berth.

Coach of the Week: Seattle Slimy Slugs
Player of the Week: Peyton Manning (QB-RI)

Skipped Weeks
Coach of Week 11: Kalamazoo Vikings
Player of Week 11: Peyton Manning (QB-RI)