[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes
Is this for real? We beat another one of the tough AOC Southeast Division teams. I am not understanding a thing about how we can be 4-5 at this point. We've beaten two division winners from last year and the only 7-2 team in the Atlantic Ocean Conference.

For you interest, in other action this coming week, the best team in the league, the 9-0 Fairbanks Northstars are playing at home against the worst team in the league, the 1-8 Boulder Blizzard, who saw their best players all go out with injuries early in the season. Since the Merchantmen's recent run, the Blizzard are now the all-time worst team at 4-21, far behind the 25-3 Northstars.


Week 10 European Division In Action
Bordeaux went to Tucker and got totally dominated. The Tigers saw Gardy Handy pass for two and run for another touchdown in a serious 30-7 beating. For what it's worth, te Vineyards had an early 7-0 lead. Rashad Burse was held to 37 yards, ending his hopes of ending up leading rusher in the IHOF.

Paris and Gothenburg played a close game, where the Muskeeters took the lead, but gave it away afterall in the final quarter of the game. In their 14-13 victory, the Giants struggled to score, but had the better stats on offense at 356 versus Paris' 215. That includes just 94 netto passing yards from Mario Hudson.

Maassluis pulled the upset of the week for the second time in three weeks. In Dutch Bowl I, the Merchantmen won 17-10 not ever giving the Knights hopes of being in the game, despite the better stats on offense. Once again, special teams pulled a special trick to make Justin McDavid's two touchdown passes count.


European Division Standings
6-3 Bordeaux
5-4 Gothenburg
4-5 Maassluis
1-8 Paris


Upcoming Games
It's divisional rivalries time!

Bordeaux at Paris - After three straight losses, the Musketeers hope to get their first French victory. The Vineyards are still in pole-position for their second European title, yet the progress of the two other rivals from the north make this a must-win scenario to keep in control of the division. Lucky for Mario Hudson, safety Cecil McIver finally fainted and the Vineyards' best player will miss the derby. Hudson hasn't thrown an interception in his last 94 pass attempts. Bordeaux are the favorites, but a Paris upset is very much possible.

Gothenburg vs. Maassluis - The battle for the second place heats up. The Merchantmen have been upsetting better teams lately, but choked against the slightly weaker teams. Gothenburg are getting things done and are the clear favorites. Maybe the rain will be crucial, because Maassluis' both recent upset victories came in the rain, Gothenburg are 1-2 in the rain this season...


Projected Standings After Week 11
7-3 Bordeaux
6-4 Gothenburg
4-6 Maassluis
1-9 Paris