The Weekly Wire - Week 5 2025 Recap
Matchup: Griffins (32) at Guardians (6)
In the People’s Game of the Week, the Griffins delivered a breakout performance, capturing their first win in franchise history with a commanding 32-6 victory over the Guardians. After a grueling start to the season and weeks of shutouts, the Griffins found their rhythm—and their identity.
Griffins Light It Up
For the first time this season, the Griffins put it all together on offense, defense, and special teams. The playmakers came alive, the line held strong, and the team executed with swagger and energy.
QB Austin Williams, stepping up once again in a dual-threat role, threw for 87 yards and a touchdown, and rushed 8 times for 83 yards and another score, leading the offense with confidence and grit
WR/CB Keagen Vincent showed off his versatility with 3 receptions for 52 yards and 2 touchdowns, and also contributed 5 tackles and an interception on defense
Griffith Gyllenskog, normally a safety, took snaps at QB and completed a touchdown pass—showing the coaching staff’s willingness to get creative and keep the Guardians guessing
The offensive explosion was supported by a relentless defensive effort:
Jonah Hirn had a standout day with 7 tackles, a blocked kick, and an interception returned for a touchdown—one of the game’s biggest momentum shifts
Trevor Clausen and Michael Woods each added an interception and contributed key pressure throughout the game.
The defense forced multiple turnovers, and five different players recorded pass deflections or takeaways.
Guardians Fall Flat Despite Heart
Despite the effort and intensity the Guardians brought into this matchup, their offensive struggles continued. The team remains winless and has now been outscored 193-6 through four games.
The Guardians’ only score came on an Interception return play. Unfortunately no stats were shared by the Guardians organization by the time of writing this.
Key Takeaways
Griffins Break Through: After weeks of struggle, the Griffins looked like a different team—balanced, explosive, and hungry. The chemistry is building, and the team played with purpose and joy.
Williams and Vincent = Electric: The QB-WR duo carved up the Guardians and set the tone early. Their confidence and connection were unmistakable.
Guardians Need Offensive Identity: The defense has done its part in earlier weeks, but the offense must evolve quickly to stay competitive. Without any completions or consistent production, the pressure is mounting.
Jonah Hirn’s Pick-Six: A turning point in the game, it swung momentum fully to the Griffins’ side and deflated the Guardians' sideline.
Final Thoughts:
The Griffins finally get the celebration they’ve worked so hard for. In a game full of emotional weight and historical context, they delivered a win that showed resilience, growth, and a whole lot of heart. Meanwhile, the Guardians must regroup and search for answers before the season slips further out of reach.
But make no mistake—this week belonged to the Griffins.
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Matchup: Sabers (52) at Warhawks (0)
The Sabers stormed into Columbia and continued their reign of dominance, dismantling the Warhawks 52-0 in another one-sided showcase of their league-best defense and surging offensive unit. Now sitting at 4-0, the Sabers have allowed just one touchdown all season—while the Warhawks’ struggles continued, being shut out for the third time in five games.
Sabers: Complete Team Domination
Quarterback Emmitt Johnson was surgical, going 15-of-28 for 264 yards and 4 touchdowns, continuing his evolution into one of the league’s most dangerous passers
He distributed the ball across multiple targets with precision:
Brig Johnson: 3 receptions for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns
Milo Betty: 2 receptions, 42 yards, and 1 rushing touchdown
Jordan Franklyn: 2 receptions, 21 yards, and 1 touchdown
Nick Cade: Balanced performance with 34 rushing yards with a rushing touchdown and 31 more through the air
The backfield was efficient, with Morris Bunn and Jiovanni Franklin-Santacrose combining for over 100 yards on the ground and Jiovanni getting 2 touchdowns on the ground.
On the other side of the ball, the Sabers’ defense was vicious:
Dillon Kellar recorded 2.5 sacks and 3 total tackles
Jace Mann had 6 tackles, 2 pass deflections, and 2 Interceptions totaling 106-yard interception return yards and 1 touchdown!
Francisco Castro and Chance Hudson each added interceptions, while Nathan Tice and Tyler Royal added more pressure off the edge
This was a team win from top to bottom, and the Sabers made it look routine.
Warhawks: Spiraling Fast
The Warhawks entered the season with high hopes after a dominant Week 1 win, but now sit at 1-4, having been outscored 187-6 over their last four games. This matchup was their biggest loss of the season yet.
QB Gavin Breen completed 11 of 19 passes for just 68 yards and threw 4 interceptions, including a pick-six
RB Michael Sondermann was the lone bright spot, rushing 12 times for 92 yards, but he received little help from the offensive line or play-calling
The team failed to cross midfield for much of the game, and no offensive player scored
Defensively, Austin Baird and Regan Sondermann led the way with double-digit tackle totals, but the Warhawks were overwhelmed by the Sabers' tempo and balance
Key Takeaways
Sabers Are the Real Deal: They’ve beaten contenders and dominated bottom-tier teams. No more "maybe"—this team is a championship favorite.
Emmitt Johnson Is a Quiet MVP Candidate: His decision-making and deep-ball accuracy are elite, and he’s commanding the offense with confidence.
Defense Wins Championships: With stars like Kellar, Mann, Castro, and Tice flying around, the Sabers are suffocating opponents weekly.
Warhawks Running Out of Time: With four shutouts in five games, the offense is broken, and the team needs to find leadership and urgency fast.
Final Thoughts:
This wasn’t just a win—it was a message. The Sabers are here, undefeated, and unbothered. For the Warhawks, it’s back to the drawing board with hopes of salvaging a season that started full of promise—but has quickly unraveled.
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Matchup: Aztecs (8) at Matadors (6)
In a gritty, defensive slugfest at Columbia High School, the Aztecs bounced back from their Week 4 loss with a hard-fought 8-6 victory over the Matadors—a game that lacked offensive fireworks but made up for it with toughness, clutch stops, and high stakes. The win moves the Aztecs to 4-1, while the Matadors drop to 2-2 and miss a golden opportunity to knock off one of the ICFL’s elite.
Aztecs: A Win by Willpower
Coming off a humbling loss to the Alphas, the Aztecs responded the only way they know how—with defense, physicality, and just enough execution.
QB Colt Knigge went 8-of-16 for 84 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception, managing the game carefully against a relentless Matadors front
WR Porter Grow led the receiving corps with 4 catches for 47 yards and the game’s only touchdown, while James Hull and Donald White contributed underneath
RB Austin Barber was bottled up for most of the day, managing just 30 yards on 11 carries, as the Matadors' linebackers delivered on their scouting report.
Defensively, the Aztecs were everywhere:
Zach Lowen had a monster day with 17 tackles, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick, making a huge difference in the trenches
Freddy Llamas and Wyatt Johnson each recorded a sack, while Hunter Leatherman added a crucial fumble recovery.
Kory Peterman and Willie Garcia each recorded an interception, cutting off two promising Matadors drives
The Aztecs didn’t just win—they grinded it out and proved they can win ugly when needed.
Matadors: Defense Delivered, But Offense Didn’t
Despite a valiant effort, the Matadors fell short—scoring their lone touchdown in the second half but failing to convert a potential game-tying 2-point attempt. Their defense was lights-out, but without offensive stats submitted, the full picture of their playmakers remains uncertain.
What we do know:
The Matadors held the Aztecs’ potent offense to under 100 rushing yards and just one offensive score.
Their linebackers bottled up Barber, and the secondary kept James Hull and Grow largely in check.
A missed extra point, a failed 2-point conversion, and two interceptions were the difference in a game that came down to a handful of plays.
As one pre-game commentator predicted:
“Colt is too inaccurate right now, and Austin Barber will get stuffed by the Matadors’ linebackers.”
And for the most part, they were right—but it still wasn’t enough.
Key Takeaways
Aztecs Return to Form… Kind Of: The win mattered, but the offensive output still leaves questions heading into the mid-season stretch.
Zach Lowen = Game Changer: His 17-tackle performance helped anchor a defense that carried the Aztecs to the finish line.
Matadors’ Defense Deserved Better: They played with poise and force, but the offense couldn’t finish key drives.
Both Teams Are Still Contenders: The Aztecs needed this to stay near the top of the standings. The Matadors, while now 2-2, remain dangerous.
Final Thoughts:
It wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty. The Aztecs proved they can respond to adversity, while the Matadors proved they can hang with the league’s best—if they can get their offense going. In a season where every win matters, this one could loom large down the line.
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Matchup: Diggers (13) at Black Tide (26)
In a gritty and physical showdown, the Black Tide returned to form, outlasting a scrappy Diggers squad 26-13. Despite the loss, the Diggers showed major progress and kept the game competitive well into the second half. But in the end, Black Tide's experience, pass rush, and red zone execution proved too much.
Black Tide: Veteran Composure Leads the Way
QB Isaac Sanchez delivered a steady performance, going 16-of-24 for 183 yards and 3 touchdowns, though he also threw 2 interceptions. He found rhythm early and spread the ball effectively across his top targets:
Eric Bassett: 5 catches for 57 yards and a touchdown
Nico Jaime: 4 catches, 35 yards, 1 touchdown
Tyson Summers: 3 catches, 46 yards, 1 touchdown
The run game was effective in spurts, with Orlando Clay busting off 58 yards on 6 carries, and Daniel Lopez adding 45 yards on 9 carries.
Defensively, the Black Tide brought pressure and forced key stops:
Ryan Carlen had a standout performance with 11 tackles and 2 sacks
Josiah Maae, Jeff Santos, and Lucas Gottschall added to the disruption in the trenches
The Black Tide offense did enough early, then leaned on the defense to seal it.
Diggers: Fighting Hard, Showing Growth
The Diggers may have taken the loss, but this team is clearly finding its identity. Quarterback AJ Hunter had one of his best outings, completing 19-of-30 for 249 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for a score.
Eric Estrada was his top target, with 7 receptions for 98 yards
Austin Pelton, Matt Dozier, and Gaige Sheen all chipped in to give Hunter a balanced attack
The run game remains a challenge, totaling just 6 positive rushing yards outside of Hunter
The Diggers’ defense was opportunistic and physical:
Koby Spencer—a defensive leader for the Diggers—came up with a big interception
Matt Dozier also added a pick, while Boe Boston had 8 tackles and a fumble recovery
Aaron Johnson recorded 3 sacks, and ICFL Hall of Famer Brogan Thoren added another to keep the Tide offense honest
The Diggers trailed early, but never folded. This is a team that’s improving week by week—and they’re closing the gap quickly.
Key Takeaways
Black Tide’s Maturity Shows: When it mattered, Sanchez and the defense executed. The win wasn’t flashy—but it was controlled.
Diggers Are Closer Than They Appear: Their defensive playmakers and passing game are coming together. A full four quarters is coming soon.
Spencer’s Leadership Is Clear: On and off the stat sheet, Koby Spencer continues to anchor a Diggers defense that plays fast and hard.
The Trench War Was Real: Johnson, Carlen, Maae, and Thoren made this one of the most physical line matchups of the season.
Final Thoughts:
The Black Tide improve to 3-2, re-establishing their playoff push, while the Diggers fall to 1-3—but leave the field with plenty to build on. With a little more offensive polish and better red zone execution, the Diggers could soon be turning close losses into big-time wins.