The Weekly Wire - Week 9 2025 Recap
Matchup: matadors (33) at warhawks (6)
The Matadors (6-2) closed out their regular season in dominant fashion with a convincing 33-6 win over the Warhawks (3-5) in Nampa. With playoff positioning on the line, the Matadors delivered a complete team performance on both sides of the ball, while the Warhawks struggled to regain momentum after last week’s record-setting win.
Matadors Offense: Balanced and Efficient
Led by quarterback Jordan Else, the Matadors offense kept the Warhawks’ defense off-balance all game long.
Else completed 17 of 28 passes for 241 yards and 3 touchdowns, efficiently spreading the ball around and showing poise in the pocket
Daniel Osmer chipped in on the ground with 36 yards and a rushing touchdown on just 3 carries.
Matthew Garner added 93 tough yards on 16 carries, contributing to a consistent ground game.
Through the air, Else connected with Brandon Park (52 yards, 1 TD), Grant Roberts (77 yards, 1 TD), and Daniel Osmer (20 yards, 1 TD) to complete the scoring barrage
Matadors Defense: Suffocating Front, Opportunistic Backs
The defense was equally impressive, allowing just one touchdown and forcing multiple turnovers.
Nik Lyons led the team with 10 tackles and an interception, setting the tone from the secondary.
CJ Smith, Brandon Garrett, and Llewellyn Baybayan each recorded a sack, with Smith also forcing a fumble
Patrick Hamilton added 7 tackles, while Kapena Ho and Nick Crutcher each recorded interceptions to stifle the Warhawks’ passing attempts.
Warhawks: From Highs to Harsh Reality
Just one week removed from their 92-point explosion over the Guardians, the Warhawks were reminded what it feels like to face a playoff-caliber opponent.
Michael Sondermann was the lone bright spot on offense, rushing 18 times for 88 yards and the Warhawks’ only touchdown.
Matt Knoles and Gavin Breen combined for 7 completions on 20 attempts, throwing 3 interceptions and struggling to find rhythm under pressure
On defense, Austin Baird again led the way with 14 tackles, and Regan Sondermann added 10 and a fumble recovery. Carson Fisk forced a fumble and had 2 pass deflections
Despite solid efforts from defensive leaders, the Warhawks were ultimately overwhelmed by the size, speed, and discipline of the Matadors.
Final Thoughts
The Matadors head into the playoffs as one of the most physical and well-rounded teams in the ICFL, while the Warhawks finish the season at 3-5, showing flashes of potential but unable to consistently challenge the league’s top-tier teams.
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Matchup: Guardians (0) at Sabers (76)
The Sabers (5-3) closed out their 2025 ICFL regular season in emphatic fashion with a 76-0 blowout victory over the winless Guardians (0-8). It was a complete team performance by a Sabers squad looking to make a final statement after missing the playoffs, and they did so with precision, energy, and domination in all three phases.
Sabers Offense: Fireworks from the First Snap
Quarterback Emmitt Johnson delivered his most explosive performance of the season, throwing for 281 yards and 6 touchdowns on 20 of 29 passing, completely overwhelming the Guardians’ defense
Brig Johnson led the receiving corps with 89 yards and 2 touchdowns on 5 catches.
Jordan Franklyn was right behind him with 92 yards and a score on 5 receptions.
Morris Bunn contributed 59 rushing yards and a touchdown, while also adding a 49-yard receiving TD on just 3 receptions
In total, six different players found the end zone, showcasing the Sabers’ offensive depth and versatility.
Defense & Special Teams: Swarming and Scoring
The Sabers defense turned the game into a track meet in the opposite direction, constantly pressuring the Guardians offense and forcing mistake after mistake.
Francisco Castro led the charge with 6 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 pass deflections, continuing his standout season
Tyler Royal added 3 tackles and 1.5 sacks, while Josiah Lara recorded 0.5 sacks and a 10-yard pick-six.
The secondary was lights out with 6 interceptions, including:
Jordan Franklyn (1 INT, 93-yard return TD)
Nick Cade (1 INT and a blocked kick)
Joseph Johnson, Jace Mann, Francisco Castro, and Jiovanni Franklin-Santacrose all snagged interceptions
It was a defensive showcase from start to finish—two pick-sixes, multiple forced turnovers, and relentless pressure up front.
Guardians: A Painful Season Ends in Familiar Fashion
The Guardians closed out their 2025 campaign with zero wins, eight losses, and one of the worst point differentials in league history.
Davnerin Richard started at QB and threw for 43 yards on 11 completions, but also threw 3 interceptions.
As a team, the Guardians rushed for -48 yards on 10 carries, with only a single play gaining positive yardage.
Devan Morrison and Jake Tolman had 2 catches apiece, but no Guardian recorded more than 10 receiving yards outside of a lone 48-yard grab from Isaac De La Rosa
Their defense, led by Tolman (6 tackles) and Morrison (4 tackles, 2 pass deflections), tried to keep up but were on the field far too often.
Final Thoughts
The Sabers made it clear they weren’t going to leave 2025 quietly. Although they just missed the playoffs, they sent a message with this dominant victory, finishing the season 5-3 and reminding the league just how dangerous they can be when they’re firing on all cylinders. The Guardians, meanwhile, end a brutal season at 0-8, still searching for answers, identity, and hope going into the offseason.
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Matchup: diggers (14) at aztecs (43)
The Aztecs (7-1) closed out their 2025 regular season in dominant fashion, overpowering the Mini-Cassia Diggers (2-6) by a final score of 43-14. Despite some competitive moments early, the Aztecs’ firepower on the ground and fierce defensive front proved too much for the Diggers, who now turn their focus toward offseason rebuilding.
Aztecs Offense: Ground Game Too Much to Handle
The Aztecs didn’t need to light it up through the air—because their rushing attack did more than enough to take control.
RB Austin Barber was unstoppable, rushing 15 times for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns, closing the season as one of the ICFL's most dominant backs.
Donald White added another 100 rushing yards and a touchdown on just 7 carries, using speed and power to gash the Diggers’ front .
QB Colt Knigge managed the offense efficiently, going 13 for 18 for 140 yards, while adding a rushing touchdown himself .
Though Knigge didn’t throw a touchdown, the Aztecs moved the chains consistently, methodically wearing down the defense with their versatile backfield.
Aztecs Defense: Relentless Pressure, Big Plays
This Aztecs defense is built for the postseason—and they reminded everyone of that on Saturday
Wyatt Johnson was an absolute menace, racking up 10 tackles and 2 sacks, wrecking plays in the backfield and collapsing the pocket all game
Freddy Llamas added 2 sacks of his own, along with 5 tackles and a forced fumble, continuing his push as one of the league’s best defensive linemen.
Daniel Ghormley, Brad Thomas, and Tarrant Tutogi also contributed with a sack or tackle-for-loss, keeping the Diggers offense uncomfortable throughout.
The Aztecs front seven created chaos, while the secondary and linebackers cleaned up anything short.
Diggers: A Tough End, But Signs of Fight
Despite the lopsided score, the Diggers didn’t fold and managed to put up two touchdowns—showing fight to the final whistle.
QB AJ Hunter finished 8 of 21 for 69 yards and a touchdown, while Koby Spencer added a short completion in relief .
Franklyn Tilley hauled in 3 catches for 15 yards and the team’s lone receiving score.
RB Eric Estrada punched in a rushing touchdown and added 47 receiving yards, proving to be a reliable playmaker.
On defense, Skye Dansie led with 9 tackles and a sack, while Noah Strunk and Koby Espinoza added pressure in key moments
Still, the Diggers simply couldn’t keep pace with the Aztecs’ explosive attack and depth on both sides of the ball.
Final Thoughts
With the win, the Aztecs solidify themselves as one of the top playoff threats, finishing 7-1 and proving they’re built to dominate physically. Their balance, discipline, and sheer talent were on full display in their final regular season tune-up. For the Diggers, the season closes at 2-6, a campaign filled with flashes of potential but ultimately undermined by inconsistency and depth challenges.
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Matchup: black tide (14) at alphas (20)
In a game that felt more like a playoff showdown than a regular season finale, the Alphas (7-1) edged out the Black Tide (5-3) with a clutch 20-14 victory in Twin Falls. With both teams already playoff-bound, the matchup carried heavy implications for seeding, pride, and momentum. And it delivered in full.
Alphas: Statement Win to Close Out the Season
The Alphas bounced back from their lone loss in Week 8 and leaned on quarterback Connor Perkins, who delivered yet again.
Perkins finished the game with 202 passing yards, going 15 of 19 and throwing 2 touchdowns, completing a remarkably efficient and mistake-free game
RB Logan Bowers returned to full form with 103 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, slicing through the Black Tide front.
Tanner Eldredge led all receivers with 79 yards and a touchdown on 5 catches, while Bryson Hammer added a clutch touchdown on 2 catches for 15 yards
The offense moved the ball consistently and made the most of its red zone opportunities, putting pressure on the Black Tide to match every score.
Defense Stands Tall in the Clutch
Despite the tight scoreline, the Alphas defense made key plays at pivotal moments.
Wyatt Anderson was everywhere, recording 8 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a pass deflection.
Michael Cabello and Jaymond Dyer each had 2 tackles and pass breakups, while Bryson Hammer, Joaquin Ruiz, and Alex Price combined for 1.5 sacks
The unit limited the Black Tide’s run game and tightened up late to seal the victory.
Black Tide: Competitive, But Just Short
The Black Tide showed resilience and flashes of brilliance but couldn’t close the gap late.
QB Isaac Sanchez threw for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns, completing 16 of 25 passes but also throwing an interception
Tyson Summers led all receivers with 111 yards and a touchdown on 4 catches, creating big plays after the catch.
Nico Jaime added 63 yards on 6 catches, and Cameron Church caught a short touchdown pass to keep the game close.
Defensively, the Tide were led by:
Nick Dotellis, who had 16 tackles and 0.5 sacks, anchoring the middle.
Ryan Carlen and Jeff Santos, who each added a sack, and Antonio Sandoval, who recorded 2 pass deflections
Despite the effort, they fell just short—failing to capitalize on a few red zone chances late in the game.
Final Thoughts
Both teams looked playoff-ready in this gritty, physical battle. The Alphas secured the win and finished 7-1, likely locking in a top seed, while the Black Tide finished 5-3, proving they’re a serious threat in the postseason—especially if these two teams meet again soon.