The Weekly Wire - Week 9 2025
The Weekly Wire - Week 9 - 2025 Season
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Matchup: Matadors (5-2) at Warhawks (3-4)
The Matadors (5-2) are red-hot and hunting for a playoff lock, while the Warhawks (3-4) are feeling confident after a record-setting 92-point performance… against the Guardians. This Week 9 matchup will be a reality check for one of them.
The numbers paint a stark picture:
Matadors have scored 284 points and allowed only 82, showcasing league-best physicality and balance.
Warhawks have scored a respectable 163 points, but their defense has surrendered 212—the third-most in the league.
If the Warhawks are going to shock the world, they’ll have to do it in the trenches, against arguably the most imposing team in the ICFL.
Matadors: No Let-Up in Sight
The Matadors have caught fire—winning four straight, including last week’s buzzer-beating 40-38 win over the previously undefeated Alphas. Their offense is efficient and powerful, their defense relentless, and their swagger unmatched.
Even without key Polynesian linemen, the Dors continue to dominate physically, thanks to:
Matthew Garner, who’s been running wild behind a surging offensive line.
Kapena Ho and Grant Roberts, who provide matchup nightmares at receiver.
A defense that brings pressure from everywhere and rarely gives up big plays.
One commentator summed it up simply:
“Matadors 52-12. Just too much power.”
Warhawks: Confidence Rising, Reality Looming
Fresh off their 92-6 beatdown of the Guardians, the Warhawks are riding high. But many around the league caution: that win might have created false confidence.
RB Michael Sondermann remains the heart of this team, with the ability to break tackles and produce chunk plays even against elite fronts.
Gavin Breen or Matt Knoles at QB must avoid turnovers and manage the clock, or this game will get out of hand early.
The defense, despite its struggles, showed flashes last week—but this is a massive step up in competition.
A brutally honest take:
“Warhawks run into the teeth of the most physically imposing team in the league and limp out of the season licking their wounds.” – Dors 35-0
Another, slightly more hopeful:
“Sondermann finds a couple lanes, but Breen spends the majority of the day on his back.” – Dors 41-6
Commentary & Predictions
“Dors 35-0” – Warhawks overwhelmed and exposed.
“Dors 60-6” – Warhawks score late off a turnover, otherwise dominated.
“Dors 41-6” – Physical mismatch, especially up front.
“Dors 52-12” – Matadors cruise.
Key Matchups to Watch
Sondermann vs. Matadors Front 7 – If he’s bottled up early, the Warhawks will struggle to move the chains.
Matadors Pass Rush vs. Breen/Knoles – Can either QB stay upright?
Matadors WRs vs. Warhawks Secondary – Grant Roberts and Kapena Ho could be in for a huge day.
Final Thoughts
The Matadors are on a playoff mission. The Warhawks? Still figuring out if they can hang with the league’s elite. This game could get out of hand quickly unless the Warhawks play perfect football, win the turnover battle, and find some magic from Sondermann. The Warhawks might sneak in a late score, but the Matadors are too polished, too physical, and too focused. Expect another dominant outing from a team peaking at the right time.
Final Outcome: Matadors Win 45-6
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Matchup: Guardians (0-7) at Sabers (4-3)
It’s a matchup between two teams with very different identities—and very different realities. The Guardians (0-7) remain winless and statistically overmatched in nearly every category, while the Sabers (4-3), fresh off a season-defining loss to Black Tide, return home looking to vent their frustration.
Let’s be honest: this game won’t be close. The only real question is, how mean do the Sabers want to be?
The Numbers Are Brutal
Sabers:
Points Scored: 190
Points Allowed: 81
Guardians:
Points Scored: 12
Points Allowed: 423
To put it plainly: the Sabers average 27 points per game, while the Guardians allow over 60 per game. The Guardians have scored two touchdowns all season, while the Sabers are capable of scoring seven in a single quarter.
Sabers: Looking to Unleash
This isn’t about standings anymore. Unless a miracle happens elsewhere, the Sabers are likely on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. And that makes them dangerous.
QB Emmitt Johnson, WR Brig Johnson, and RB Morris Bunn have the tools to dominate early and often.
On defense, expect Francisco Castro, Dillon Kellar, and Logan Sicilia to spend most of the day in the Guardians’ backfield.
Special teams could also get in on the scoring—because at this point, why not?
One commentator captured the mood:
“Sabers, having just seen their playoff prayers dashed, take their rage bait out on the poor hapless Guardians. Sabers over Guardians 85-0.”
Another added:
“Sabers 80-0. Guardians end the season winless… again.”
Guardians: A Familiar Nightmare
The Guardians haven’t scored since Week 5—and that was their only touchdown of the season. They haven’t submitted stat sheets in multiple weeks, and defensively they continue to give up points at a historic rate.
They play hard—players like Tristin Kreiter and Devan Morrison show up every week—but they simply don’t have the personnel to keep pace with any team, let alone one as physical and angry as the Sabers.
One savage prediction:
“Sabers vs Guardians is super tight… well into the first minute of the game.”
Another said:
“Sabers 80+ to 0. This is all about how mean they want to be.”
Key Matchups to Watch
Sabers Skill Players vs. Guardians Everything – The Sabers could score on their first 4-5 possessions without resistance.
Sabers Defense vs. Guardians QB – Expect heavy pressure, tipped balls, and possibly defensive scores.
Game Clock vs. Mercy – The only thing that might stop this score from hitting 100 is a running clock.
Final Thoughts
This will be the final outing for both teams. For the Guardians, it’s about playing with pride and finishing the season without quitting. For the Sabers, it’s about closing 2025 with fire, and maybe sending one last “what-if” to the league. Whether it’s frustration, talent, or simple mismatch—this one’s going to get ugly fast. The Sabers won’t take their foot off the gas until the final whistle, and the Guardians are likely to close the season the same way they started it: scoreless, overwhelmed, and outmatched.
Final Outcome: Sabers Win 82-0
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Matchup: Diggers (2-5) at Aztecs (6-1)
The Aztecs (6-1) have already clinched a top playoff seed and are widely viewed as one of the most polished, complete teams in the ICFL. Their final regular season matchup is against the Mini-Cassia Diggers (2-5)—a team that has shown grit at times, but hasn’t been able to consistently finish games.
The numbers aren’t kind to the Diggers:
Aztecs: 212 points scored | 64 points allowed
Diggers: 99 points scored | 192 points allowed
Even if the Aztecs rest starters (which many predict they will), this still looks like a game that could get out of hand early.
Aztecs: Fine-Tuning Before the Real Fight
With a playoff spot locked in and momentum on their side, the Aztecs have the luxury of choosing how hard they want to push this week.
QB Colt Knigge, despite his midseason turnover issues, has improved late in the season and has plenty of weapons in James Hull, Donald White, and Austin Barber.
Barber could sit or be limited this week, but when he’s on the field, he’s among the most feared backs in the league.
Defensively, Freddy Llamas continues to lead a terrifying front, and the secondary has been opportunistic and disciplined.
One commentator predicts a clean playoff tune-up:
“Aztecs 40-0. Aztecs look polished heading into the playoffs.”
Another joked:
“I could legit see the Diggers make a run at the Tecs here… just kidding. Tecs 38-6.”
Diggers: One Last Swing
The Diggers have had a turbulent season, but they’ve been competitive in recent weeks. After a close win over the Griffins in Week 8, they’ll be looking to close the year with one more upset—or at least keep things respectable.
QB AJ Hunter has shown growth, connecting well with WR Eric Estrada and making smarter reads.
The defense, led by Aaron Johnson and Brogan Thoren, continues to play physically and aggressively.
Still, this team is 2-5 for a reason—they struggle against disciplined, high-tempo offenses and can’t afford to fall behind early.
One hopeful-but-realistic take:
“Aztecs go up 30 at half, pull the starters, and Aztecs dig the Diggers their own grave. 39-6.”
Another suggested it might be closer—if the Aztecs decide to sleepwalk:
“Aztecs 32-12. Maybe some starters rest to stay healthy and recover. If they play all their guys, expect it to be ugly.”
Commentary & Predictions
“Aztecs 40-0” – Total control from start to finish.
“Aztecs 39-6” – Pull starters at half, still dominate.
“Aztecs 38-6” – Diggers can’t match speed or scheme.
“Aztecs 32-12” – Maybe a little mercy, but still not close.
Key Matchups to Watch
Diggers OL vs. Aztecs DL – Can AJ Hunter stay upright long enough to keep things moving?
Estrada vs. Aztec DBs – If the Diggers are to score, it’ll likely be through the air.
Barber vs. Diggers Front 7 – If Barber plays more than a few series, this could be over quick.
Final Thoughts
The Diggers are a proud group with veteran leadership, and they’ll show up ready to compete. But the Aztecs are simply deeper, faster, more refined, and playing for championship momentum. Unless something goes wildly wrong, this one won’t be close. Expect the Aztecs to build a big lead early, rotate in second-stringers, and still coast to a dominant finish. The Diggers might sneak in a score late, but their season likely ends the same way it’s been trending—outgunned, outmatched, but still swinging.
Final Outcome: Aztecs Win 38-6
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Matchup: Black Tide (5-2) at Alphas (6-1)
This isn’t just a battle between two of the league’s elite—this is potentially the first half of a two-part playoff war. The Alphas (6-1) host the Black Tide (5-2) in what could determine everything from playoff seeding to first-round matchups.
Both teams boast dominant defenses and high-scoring offenses:
Black Tide: 258 points scored | 50 allowed
Alphas: 300 points scored | 58 allowed
This is strength vs. strength, and with tiebreakers looming and a rainy, windy Twin Falls forecast in play, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Alphas: Bounce Back or Backslide?
The Alphas are coming off a heartbreaking last-second loss to the Matadors, their first defeat of the season. It was a shootout—38 points scored—but their defense, usually dominant, couldn’t make the final stand.
QB Connor Perkins was electric, accounting for 359 total yards and 4 touchdowns. He’ll be the key again against a swarming Black Tide front.
Tanner Eldredge and Bryson Hammer remain top targets, but the offensive line will face its toughest test yet.
Defensively, Andrew Woolsey, Juan Blancas, and Christopher Franco will have to control the run game and force Black Tide into long third downs.
If the Alphas win, they’ll likely secure the #1 seed—but also potentially face Black Tide again in the first round.
Black Tide: Physical, Disciplined, Dangerous
The Black Tide have quietly become one of the hottest teams in the ICFL, winning four straight and outscoring opponents 142-12 over that stretch. Their defense is suffocating, and their offense is finally clicking at the right time.
QB Isaac Sanchez is playing efficient football, and the run game behind Orlando Clay continues to chew up yardage.
The defensive line, led by Josiah Maae, Ryan Carlen, and Mitch Gammon, has been unstoppable, collapsing pockets and forcing mistakes weekly.
The secondary is opportunistic—expect TJ Cothran and Antonio Sandoval to test Alphas’ passing windows all game long.
One commentator nailed the momentum shift:
“Tide win 42-12 or something like that. Just can’t see the Alphas hanging with this defense.”
Another added:
“Black Tide 24-18. BT’s D-line will prove too much after a hard-fought Matador game last week.”
Weather Watch: Wind, Rain, and Run Games
Heavy wind and rain are expected in Twin Falls—which likely gives an advantage to the more physical, ground-and-pound team. That favors the Black Tide, whose defensive front and run-first offense are built for games like this.
As one prediction smartly notes:
“BT over Alphas 18-14. Low scoring due to weather and travel. Could be the first of two.”
Commentary & Predictions
“BT 42-12” – Total mismatch in the trenches.
“BT 20-14” – Clean, disciplined win.
“BT 18-14” – Weather, travel, and playoff caution shape the game.
“BT 24-18” – Last-minute touchdown seals it.
Key Matchups to Watch
Perkins vs. Black Tide Pressure – If the Alphas can’t protect him, the offense stalls.
BT Run Game vs. Alphas Front 7 – A battle of discipline and endurance.
Turnovers – Rain means slippery balls and risky throws. Whoever protects the ball wins.
Final Thoughts
This could be a championship-level matchup—or a preview of a first-round showdown. Either way, expect fireworks, drama, and bruises. The Alphas are reeling after their first loss, while Black Tide is peaking at the perfect time. The forecast may make things messy—but that might just suit the visitors. In a physical, wet, and playoff-like slugfest, Black Tide’s defense proves too much. Perkins keeps it close, but the pass rush disrupts too many drives. The result? A Black Tide win—and possibly, the same matchup again in two weeks.
Final Outcome: Black Tide Wins 24-16