PLAYOFF PAIRINGS SET The Village Green have first pick in 2013 draft

The Black Dogs will begin their title defense against the Corsairs.

By R.E. Porter
Associated Web Press

NASHVEGAS—With their victory over The Village Green last night, the Fidalgo Island Sea Hogs not only clinched a playoff berth, but also hoisted the Linardo division crown. The Corsairs and Sea Hogs both finished 8-6, but the Sea Hogs earned the division title via the second tiebreaker, division record. The first tiebreaker — head-to-head competition — was moot because the teams split their two games in the regular season. The Hogs went 4-2 in the division, while the Corsairs were 1-5.

The defending NFFA champion East Nashville Black Dogs (10-4) clinched their seventh Jorge division title in the last eight years with their victory over the West Nashville Beelzebubbas (8-6), who round out the championship playoff pairings.

The Black Dogs earned the No. 1 seed as the division winner with the best record. As the other division winner, the Sea Hogs are the No. 2 seed. The Corsairs are the No. 3 seed by virtue of winning both of their head-to-head matchups with the Beelzebubbas, who get the No. 4 seed. The 'Bubbas visit East Nashville in the opening round of the playoffs, while the Corsairs travel to Fidalgo Island in the other opening round game.

The Black Dogs will try to become the first team in NFFA history to win back-to-back titles. If they are successful, it will be their fourth championship in the last eight seasons. The Sea Hogs will try to join the Black Dogs and Atlanta Smack Daddies as three-time champions. The Beelzebubbas are going for their second NFFA crown, while the Corsairs will try to become champions for the first time under the direction of team owner Mojo D. The Corsairs franchise won a title in 2004 under different ownership when it was known as the Southall Block Rockers.

In the consolation playoff bracket, the Smack Daddies (7-7) are the No. 5 seed and will host The Village Green (4-10), the No. 8 seed. The Cambridge Animals (8-6) are the No. 6 seed and will host the No. 7 seed 12th Avenue Bakers (4-10), their longtime bitter rivals. The results of the consolation playoffs have no effect on the draft order of the four teams involved. The draft order for the bottom four teams is based on their regular season finish. The first four picks in the 2013 NFFA draft will be as follows:

1. The Village Green
2. 12th Avenue Bakers
3. Cambridge Animals
4. Atlanta Smack Daddies

One note of interest: The Village Green's final record of 4-10 is the exact reverse of their 2011 league-best record of 10-4.