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Ladies and Gentlemen of the TSL Universe, the time has arrived! 

 

After an offseason that took nearly forever (unless you count the weird, Topper-less Topper Winter League I got a few “hate mails” about), on April 16th, in the Year of Our Lord 2022, 52 teams and over 500 individual players will descend upon the fields at the Rose Garden at the Angry Buffalo as they once again begin the Race for Social Co-Ed Football Immortality. 

 

For those of you that are brand new to the league, or haven’t read the website before, allow me to introduce myself. I’m The Godfather. I currently reside in my log cabin in Des Moines, Iowa. I used to be a part of the TSL in the early days, but life had other plans and took me away from my beloved league. As a way to keep in touch with everyone, I began writing this article many moons ago, giving expert picks and advice along the way. And once again I find myself in my study, sipping on some bourbon, preparing yet another extremely accurate season predictions article. Honestly, you shouldn’t even worry about playing the season, and you can just hand the trophy to whoever I pick here. I’m never wrong. 

 

Regardless, Topper Sports League, we are at a very interesting point in the TSL. This happens every little bit, but our league is going through some changes. There are a LOT of TSL Superstars and teams missing from the rosters this year. It starts of course at the top, where Public Enemy, arguably the greatest team in the TSL’s history, isn’t back. Chris Cole is gone (despite him being on a roster, which excited me until I was told it was just for fun) which means the race for “Best QB in the TSL” is on. But wait! The person who would be the top pick for that mantel, Matty Ice, has also taken a sabbatical from the league. A TSL without A&A AND Public Enemy just seems crazy. Oh, it gets worse. Tight Ends In Motion is back, but they’re not the same, as they’ve lost Emily Curry and Robin Makula for at least this season, maybe more. No Matty? No Emily? That’s right kids, Matty’s Angels, whom we’ve watched grow up from D5 all the way to “Probably should’ve won D3 last season but the Evil Topper ruined things with a bad schedule” status. That’s what happens when most of your team is pregnant though. So, congratulations are back in order for Emily, Margo, and the First Lady of the TSL, Val Bernal are all out on the IR with “Pregnancy”. You hate to see prime years wasted like this, but we understand. . We also lost Breast Friends and Victorious Secret, so our big gender team boom has blown up too. Top Shot imploded and it doesn’t look like there will be a Blase LaDuca run team this season either. Passless Chaps wasted their potential and took a hike. Gucci and Losing Streak went back to the minor leagues after decent runs here in the majors. All in all, we lost a lot of talent. 

 

But I’m not here to talk about what we lost anymore. Because what’s important is who’s still here. We’ve got quite the influx of brand new teams to the TSL and I’m eager to get to know the newest names and faces of the TSL. The last time we hit a “changing of the guard” as Lenny used to call it, we had the emergence of TSL stars like the aforementioned Matty Ice, Joe K, Sticky Bandits, Carrie with a K, Brent/Ferger, Katie Keller, 40 Year Plan Guy, Every Scott Keller there is, and so many more. 

 

What does that mean for you, new person to the league who’s just getting into things? It means YOU could be the next TSL superstar. All you need to do is show us some moxie and rock out, and the world of Social Co-Ed Football could be your oyster. Buying a couple of buckets of Coronas for Topper also helps immensely. In this league, being a superstar is more about who you are as person than what you do on the fields. Trust me. 

 

It’s a brave new world out here TSL. Another “Changing of the Guard”. The most fun we’re going to have is to see who’s going to take the bull by the horns and become a household name for us. 

 

Man, it’s great to be back. 

 

New this season! The “Championship Odds” are no longer coming straight from Vegas, but they are now coming from B’s Brother’s FanDrool SportsBook! Download the App today and get grindin’! The game lines are still from the TSLQBPRC, so yell at them. 

 

D1:

 

Don’t adjust your screens, you’re not seeing things. This season is one of those lame “D1 transition” seasons that come along every so often. Only 4 teams were tough enough to go for the crown of “Undisputed Best Social Co-Ed Football Team In WNY”. With Public Enemy gone, and TEIM not exactly what they used to be, things couldn’t be more up for grabs. And while there’s some familiar faces still in D1, its the brand new team that’s going to be stealing the headlines.

 

Odds To Win The Championship:

 

Legends (3-1)

Eyes Downtown (5-1)

Tight Ends In Motion (8-1)

Sticky Bandits (15-1)

 

Preseason Prediction: I know what you’re thinking. “Who the hell are the Legends?”. Well, with the fall of Public Enemy, Travis Cleavenger-Bernal seemingly took the “Top players” conversation from last season and used it as his own personal shopping list for a brand new team. After years of courting (and wearing down) Mike Boccio and Greg Osika to play with him, he finally succeeded, much like Steve Urkel eventually wore down Laura Winslow after a decade of trying. But that’s not all, Travis would go on to add the only two players would could really hold a candle to Boccio, Sean Weisansal and Chris Nelson, also destroying the hopes and dreams of anyone else thinking about joining D1. 4 of the top players in the league are on the same team. With Joey Batts at the helm, this team is one of the best we’ve ever seen on paper. Good luck, everyone else. Eyes Downtown returns mostly intact, and Bobby McConnell has his heart set on finally being the true number 1 QB in the league, without question. Tight Ends In Motion lose a lot at QB, and on the female side of things. It’s not a rebuild, but it’s a re-tool and I’m not entirely sure if the team will be on the same page as it was in recent seasons. And then there’s Sticky. They’re “still here” and aren’t going anywhere else. They have fantastic knowledge of the game, but not always the horses to help them keep pace with the rest of the division. They won’t be a cakewalk by any means, but it’d be surprising to see them with the trophy at the end of the day. Legends walk away with the D1 title after the smoke clears, spurring Cole to come out of retirement like he’s The Undertaker in the fall. 

 

The Games: 

 

Tight Ends In Motion vs Sticky Bandits (+7) - Sticky is only a TD behind based on the respect given to the TEIMs of the past. This is the opening matchup Sticky Nation wants to show they’re for real. STICKY BANDITS BY 2

 

Legends vs Eyes Downtown (+3) - D1 title game vibes already. It’ll be interesting to see how prepared the Legends are for this first matchup because you *know* Bobby has had his troops running practices for months now. I’m aware that I picked the Legends to win it all, but lets watch them gel a bit first. EYES DOWNTOWN BY 4

 

D2:

 

Yeah, there’s a bright green A&A sized hole in this division this season (props to Topper for leaving their spot unfilled as a memorial to them) as 7 teams of the usual suspects and a D3 champion moving on up battle for the title that anyone can win. 

 

Odds To Win The Championship:

 

Passed Our Prime (4-1)

Scared Hitless (6-1)

DILFS (8-1)

Bullet Club (10-1)

Grey Hair Don’t Care (12-1)

The Notorious BNB (13-1)

When Dove Cries (15-1)

 

Preseason Predictions:  I don’t like any of these odds. Like, at all. POP was abysmal as a team last season, yet the addition of Sean Weisensal essentially vaults them to the top. Sean and Keyon on the same field will give opposing defenses nightmares. Their biggest issue will remain Hogan doing dumb shit or they have weaker girls than some of the other contenders. Scared Hitless, however, doesn’t suffer from the same fate. They still boast arguably the top females in the division, and they’re a team that’s been coming on the last few seasons. Dylan Day will always be the reason they win or lose, but Jeff, Kynan, and Johnny F’N Football will help keep this team on course. The DILFs apparently have taken Travis back again like the girlfriend who keeps getting left for someone better but once they’re gone, he comes back. They need some self-respect and have to stand up to him about this. Jokes aside, they have league legend Dubey back behind center to add the usual team here, so as always they’ll be a tough out. Bullet Club goes back to the QB well for the 12th straight season, but they caught a good one with Dylan Jaloza. They also have a sprinkling of the ghost of PE with Tommy Hughes and Paul Johnson now on the roster. I also see Chris Cole, but that’s more In Memoriam than anything i was told. Maggie LaMantia being added to this roster gives BC some speed they’re usually sorely lacking. Some nice additions here if it works out. Grey Hair makes the jump to D2, and I’m proud of them for it. They’re going to do just fine here. Dave Eickoff has been running his team quite well for 37 years or so now, and they just keep getting better. People don’t know it yet but Nick Voss is a superstar. You can’t go wrong with Rawdog, who could be a top player in this league if he’d focus a little more to take the next leap. Fun Fact: Amber Hay is one of, if not THE most underrated female in the TSL right now. She’s only getting better. The BNB is pretty much the same as they always are. They’re only going to go as far as Alex lets them. They’ll be in every single game though. Bringing up the rear is When Dove Cries, who somehow lost Both Clarkes and a Kelly this offseason. There’s some new names here, but most notably Cheryl (she only needs one name) joins the team which gives them the best female they’ve ever had. Uncle Topper just had surgery though, so who knows how long it’ll take him to round into form. The Prediction is that Scared Hitless walks away with the title over the DILFs. 

 

The Games: 

 

Scared Hitless vs Bullet Club (+7) - This is a good one right off the bat. I’m going to give Hitless the advantage because they just have more speed than BC, and they’ve been able to have some nice continuity. SCARED HITLESS BY 5

 

Dilfs vs Grey Hair Don’t Care (+3) - Depends who shows up for the Dilfs but this is an excellent first test for GHDC in thier D2 debut. DILFS BY 3

 

Passed Our Prime vs The Notorious BNB (+10) - POP was popping off in the winter league I hear, and they only improved the roster since. BNB doesn’t have the horses to keep up. POP BY 13

 

D3: 

 

The missing teams in D1 and D2, plus the lack of the Angels this season causes a bit of shuffling to give us quite an interesting D3 here. 

 

Odds To Win The Championship:

 

The Untouchaballs (3-1)

Frodo Swaggins (5-1)

Itches and Ohs (6-1)

Sleezin Szn (8-1)

Freeballers (12-1)

Buffalo Vice (12-1)

Show Me Dem TDs (15-1)

4th and Something (20-1)

 

Preseason Prediction: Jeremy Burr, its time for you to win D3. The stars have aligned for Burr to lead the Untouchaballs to new heights. The teams that would give him trouble aren’t in his way this season, and his team has only gotten better. Matt Helm, Greg Mozicki (who i’ve been told shedded his beautiful hair, which is a shame), and Melanie Linsmair lead an attack that’s, well, Untouchable. Frodo Swaggins comes in a little older and not much wiser. Thier biggest addition is that of Blase LaDuca which is certainly something. Frodo has been a D3 favorite for 5 seasons now, and they’ve yet to cash in. If they take this season seriously, they can finally reach the peak. Itches and Ohs. Our D4 champs moved up to D3 with their sights set on winning it all. And who’s to say they won’t? They return a mostly (if not completely) intact team and they have one of the best QBs in the division, who doesn’t care what you think about him. Their three headed female monster will be tough to stop. They’ll be there at the end of the season, much to the chagrin of many. Sleezin Szn, which is the probable worst team name we have in the TSL this season, is mostly made up of the Last Dance team from the fall. They boast Newman at QB to go along with a couple of Bargnessis, a couple of Beckers, a Rachel, and a Parker. Oh, and a Doreen, who’s the only one to not get the “old people are retiring” memo.  They’ll be a very tough out. Last time I talked smack about the Freeballers, they won the whole thing. That felt like a different team though. I still think 40 Year Plan Guy’s squad can make some noise, but it just feels like they’re missing a true difference maker on their team to push them back into title contention. Perhaps that person is already on the roster, but who is it? Buffalo Vice makes the jump up to D3 after dominating D4 for the better part of a few seasons now. Granted, some playoff heartache didn’t lead to the many titles they should’ve won, but they’re up in D3 anyway. Caitlyn Mason is just a world beating superstar who just keeps getting better no matter who she plays with. But also, don’t sleep on the rest of the girls here. They’re sneaky good. The secret will be out this season. When Seth shows up on time, he’s a fantastic QB. This team just knows what they need to be doing to win, provided they stay healthy, which always seems to be an issue. Show Me Dem TDs added some new faces this season, which was nearly a must when you consider the troubles they had a season ago with getting bodies to the fields. Jon Senn has been a mastermind at times during his career and I have a feeling he built a squad that will 100% surprise people this season. Or not. Finally, 4th and Something has a lot of Kellers, a future Keller (Hey Stegs!), and a different Scotty. The youngest Keller gets to play this season with the family, so hopefully the #1 family of the TSL can compete, but D3 might be a smidge too high for this team. Prediction: I’m all in on Burr. Untouchables to the moon. 

 

The Games: 

 

Frodo Swaggins vs Freeballers (+6) - A hell of an opening game for both teams. I think right now Frodo has a bit more to prove, so I’m going to take them. They tend to start hot anyway. FRODO SWAGGINS BY 8

 

Show Me Dem TDs vs 4th And Something (+7) - It’s hard to tell what we’re going to get from SMDTDs right away, but you know what you’re going to get from the Keller Squad. Baby Keller and Katie Keller show up and ball out. 4th And SOMETHING BY 14

 

Itches and Ohs vs Buffalo Vice (EVEN) - D4 rivals get to face off right away in D3. This could oddly enough be a playoff preview. Itches and Ohs get thier rings before the game and inspire themselves to pull this one out too. ITCHES AND OHS BY 8

 

D4: 

 

D4 seems to be the place to party as 12 teams will battle for the championship, and even more teams wanted to be a part of this Social Co-Ed Football Battle Royale. 

 

Odds To Win The Championship: 

 

Cunning Stunts (3-1)

Practice Squad (6-1)

Zack Attack (8-1)

Puckett All-Stars (10-1)

Spinelli’s Plumbing (12-1)

Vaspian (14-1)

Interdimensional Lightning Falcons (15-1)

XMD (17-1)

TOX (20-1)

Today’s Feast (20-1)

Can’t Touch This (25-1)

Varsity Has Beens (30-1)

 

Preseason Predictions: New teams or returning teams galore here! Let’s start at the top where the new standard bearers for gender team excellence, Cunning Stunts, reside at the top. This ladies team has been floating around the top of D4 for some time now, and with their toughest competition in recent years out of the way, the path is cleared for what everyone wants: a gender team title. Practice Squad looks to regain their momentum from the past, which was absolutely derailed last year by injuries and more injuries. I would HOPE they’re healthier than before, and by Week 5 everyone will forget how awful Kenny was last season. And B. And just everyone. It was a tough year for these D4 hopefuls, but they’ve put it behind them. Zack Attack was the breakout winner at the bar last year, routinely dominating Topper in darts and hanging out a lot. Even more exciting, it seems they have three Deths on the roster, which is easily the most intimidating strategy I’ve seen employed in quite some time. Up next is the poster children for “You’re going to underestimate them and they’re going to beat you” in the long running Puckett All-Stars. They’re mostly the same group that’s grown old together, so they’re all on the same page, always in sync, right down to the joint pain and pulling muscles while sneezing. A very smart team that will somehow go 3-6 this season, sneak into the playoffs, and probably win the whole thing as a 7 seed. Don’t say i didn’t warn you. Spinelli’s Plumbing finds themselves in D4, and they still look nothing like the teams that went approximately 2-84 in D6 for all those seasons. Payton’s squad has been one of the more dominant offenses in the TSL for the last few seasons, lead by Nick Hawes’ golden arm, Ryan Rusin and a gaggle of talented women. Katie Swanson gets most of the press, but every single female on that team is extremely capable. They’ve conquered D5 and D6, and now they have a D4 championship in their sights. Vaspian was markedly improved last season and they still have the core that won a lot of games last time we saw them. Brian O has made strides as a QB, while a talented cast of characters that more people are going to hear about this season are coming together as a team. I was concerned when I saw their winter session went poorly, but apparently most of their regulars didn’t play or got hurt so that shouldn’t affect this coming season. ILF is certainly a team that leads the league in new Breakfast Club captains. Arm Wrestling Loser extraordinaire Andrew Kicak has brought the Maroon Menace back for another go, which means we’ll have the pleasure of watching Joe Miano throw the ball to a bunch of dudes who will more than likely drop the ball. The females will be tasked with carrying this franchise. I see you XMD. XMD used to be DMX (RIP) but then time and age took hold of them. A once perennial D2 title contender, they’ve returned to have some fun. It’s always great seeing a good group of people make the comeback to the TSL, and if the cobwebs can be properly dusted off, look out. Jeff Jenkins should be immediately thrust into the the Top QB in D4 conversation, even if he’s a fraction of what he used to be. At least, I’m just assuming he’s the QB. We’ll find out soon. TOX rolls into D4 after an offseason that saw them be quite competitive indoors. I know they have to be excited to see how that progress translate to the field. Overrated QB Adrian Cannon looks to lead TOX to the promised land, but it’ll more or less be Aaron, Harlan, and the most honorable prophet, league teddy bear, and first ballot TSL Alcoholic Hall of Famer Dave Walter bailing out the over and underthrows coming their way. Today’s Feast has returned, and that’s awesome. There’s so much about them I don’t know, but I’ll always give a returning team the proper bump over some brand new ones. Which brings me to Cant Touch This. I don’t know this brand new squad at all but I’ve got a good feeling about them. Probably because they have 5 women on the roster, so if two of them turn out to be stars, then they’ve already won half the battle. Finally, we have the Varsity Has Beens, which were given just unfair odds. Maddie Norton is an emerging superstar (seriously, she was on Cobblestone and actually was good there. Anything can happen in the TSL it seems) but beyond her I don’t recognize any of the other names here. Besides what seems to be half of her family, which is exciting. Here are some more people that are going to breakout and be known as the season rolls on. Prediction: Chaos will reign, I know it. The Stunts will blow a slam dunk championship, and Spinelli’s will continue to score insane amounts of points on thier way to a D4 title. See you in D3 guys. 

 

The Games:

 

Puckett All-Stars vs XMD (+6) - My instinct is to treat XMD (who I will undoubtedly call DMX many times this season, just change your name now please) as the XMD of old, but the truth is we haven’t seen them in a while. We know what we’re getting with Puckett. PUCKETT ALL STARS BY 12

 

Vaspian vs Can’t Touch This (+9) - Like I said before, I don’t know what CTT brings to the table (my spies are going to have to work OT this week) but if they’re going to compete, Vaspian is quite the litmus test to start with. Vaspian keeps up the good times. VASPIAN BY 7

 

Zack Attack vs Varsity Has Beens (+14) - 14 is a lot of points, but ZA can routinely get to the high 20s without issue. VHB will be “figuring it out” to some degree in thier first game and it’s almost unfair they get to deal with the Elphicks and that crazy good defense. ZACK ATTACK BY 17

 

Cunning Stunts vs ILF (+10) - The Stunts are the favorites, and while ILF has some capable players defensively, I’m not sure they’ll have the ability to get the gender TDs needed to keep pace here. CUNNING STUNTS BY 8

 

Practice Squad vs TOX (+3) - Despite what i said above, TOX is going to be better than people think. They’ll keep it close here for sure, but Practice Squad has more to prove this season. PRACTICE SQUAD BY 7

 

Spinelli’s Plumbing vs Today’s Feast (+14) - Spinelli’s gets a good draw from the schedule gods here to start in D4. Today’s Feast still was working on “figuring it out” last season, and they run into the buzzsaw that is Spinelli’s right away. Not the best way to smooth out the kinks of the offseason. SPINELLI’S BY 18

 

D5: 

 

TMA (4-1)

Come From Behind (6-1)

Tater Tots (8-1)

Not So Sticky (9-1)

716 (11-1)

Red Zone Mafia (12-1)

Passing While Intoxicated (15-1)

Two Tuddies (20-1)

Cobblestone (20-1)

 

Preseason Prediction: TMA finally moves up to D5 like they should’ve earlier. On paper, they jump into D5 as the most complete team out of everyone. The twin towers should be back on defense, which hurts anyone’s offense game. Something really started to click for them last year, so maybe Prim is a good coach? More than likely he just bought everyone PEDs or something though. Good guys, a good QB, and above average girls will have them in the thick of the D5 race. Come From Behind celebrates thier 50th season this year I’m pretty sure, which is impressive when you consider this is our 23rd season or so as a league. They were one of the top teams in the division last season, and expect more of the same this year. Tater Tots make their return as well, and in case anyone forgot, they too were on the up and up before having to take some time away. So glad to have Dave Marcus’ Beard (i was not informed if he shaved, which would be tragic) and the gang back for another season. Not So Sticky is just here to drink and to almost accidentally win championships it seems. This lowly band of misfits from Sticky Bandits past (see: the cuts) are here to shotgun beers and have a good time, exactly what the TSL is all about. 716 showed us lots of potential last season before slowing down a bit for the playoffs. Derek Pew is an underrated QB, and he’s put together a squad that’s got more than a few players (male and female) that are poised to breakout. Who’s it going to be? Red Zone Mafia is the latest in the Lattuca family teams that tend to bring out some of the absolute best jerseys in league history. (Shredders and Ultimate Warriors come to mind) Even if they’re going to claim time is slowing them down, I’m willing to bet they put a tough squad on the field every single week. And they’ll more than likely look good doing it too. PWI is the brainchild of a Colorado Mike fever dream, and while i have no idea who’s going to war with him, i can only assume they’re going to be better at the bar than on the field. And that’s okay. I know nothing about Two Tuddies, and they’re more than welcome to email me about what they bring to the table. And finally, we have Cobblestone! Darry Carr QB Superstar is back and he’s ready to football all over the place. The problem is we’re not even sure who he’s throwing to this season just yet, but I know it’ll be good. If there’s one guy you want to share a beer with this season, it’s Darryl. Be kind. Prediction: The Tater Tots knock off TMA to toss some gasoline on thier rivalry, setting up a very fun fall.  

 

The Games: 

 

TMA vs PWI (+10) - The reigning D6 champs get a brand new team to pick on as they shake the offseason rust off and roll into D5. There’s no reason to think they won’t walk away with a W, unless of course Brent is missing this week. TMA BY 15

 

Come From Behind vs Cobblestone (+7) - I think the combined age of the QBs here is over 100 and that’s certainly something. CFB is a pretty well oiled machine at this point, while Cobblestone tends to still be putting it together early on. COME FROM BEHIND BY 8

 

Tater Tots vs Two Tuddies (+3) - Two teams that didn’t play in the fall are on even footing for sure, but give me the team that’s won in the league before. TATER TOTS BY 11

 

716 vs Red Zone Mafia (EVEN) - A coin flip between two teams looking to make the leap into the championship chatter in D5. A big early season game for D5. RED ZONE MAFIA BY 1

 

D6: 

 

Our last division with a lot of interesting teams in it. We have a couple of teams from before that used to all wear red in Blitzkrieg, Travis Henry’s Kids and Lenny’s Ladies, a couple of teams that moved down in Woodpeckers and Lettuce Win, and a team that’s retooled and making its comeback under a new name in Southside. 

 

Odds To Win The Championship:

 

Travis Henry’s Kids (2-1)

Blitzkrieg (4-1)

Woodpeckers (7-1)

Lenny’s Ladies (11-1)

Lettuce Win (13-1)

Southside (14-1)

 

Preseason Prediction: THK is the class of the league as they have the best player in the division in Pistol Pete and the best QB in John Langley and his rocket arm. Not to mention the roster boasts 5 women who can all play, and some real nice complimentary dudes, they should be the favorite to win. As long as Langley keeps his head on straight. My favorites in Blitzkrieg are back, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Ethan, Alex, Light Red Hoodie Guy, Do It All Tom, and some of the most underrated women in the league are back to finally take the title. The Woodpeckers are in D6. I’m pretty sure we did this once before and we had to move them straight to D4. Although, other than the Buscaglia’s, and future D6 MVP candidate Dan Farinacci, it looks like they’ve had a bit of an overhaul. I can’t imagine them doing the “Monstars” thing again. Right? Right? Lenny’s Ladies is back with Joe K at the helm and a roster that looks pretty similar to that of years past. Any team that can trot out Jaimie Warren, Caitlyn Mason, Katie Swanson, Misty Himes, and Rachel Parker at once is going to be a tough team to play against. These girls can make anyone look good, and judging by thier QB, they’ll need to. Lettuce Win drops a division to D6, which should be good for them after getting dunked on in D5 a bit last season. There’s no shame in dropping down a division, and it can often be one of the best things a team can do for themselves while they figure it out. Southside brings up the rear, but thats mostly due to them being unknowns. Chances are their odds will only go down by the halfway mark of the season. Prediction: Langley falters in the championship and Blitzkrieg makes me proud and they win the D6 title. 

 

The Games: 

 

Travis Henry’s Kids vs Southside (+9) - THK gets the new team in Week 1, and now they’re all fired up because of how i just wrote that they’ll lose the title game. They take it out on Southside. THK BY 17

 

Lenny’s Ladies vs Lettuce Win (EVEN) - While I’m not sure if the Lettuce Girls can keep pace with Lenny’s Ladies, it’ll be interesting to see if the men can dominate on thier side. LETTUCE WIN BY 3

 

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR SATURDAY:



1.     Is it going to rain? At current glance, no. That’s because the forecast is for snow. The biggest worry for the league right now is if the weather is going to allow us to play. If the weather reports are correct though, it seems likely we’ll cancel week 1 in order to preserve the fields. Both Thoughts AND Prayers are encouraged. 



2.              Who’s going to emerge as the next TSL Superstar? The stars have aligned and the ball is in your court. Come on the podcast and tell us why you’re amazing. Want to write an article for one week about your experience? Do it. Make yourselves known! 



3.              Where’s the Breakfast Club breakdown? Breakfast Club, easily the most anticipated part of the TSL for those that are in it, starts next week, so I’ll give the rundown for that later. 



4.              Who are the biggest underdogs that have the best chance at winning the titles? Well, that’s pretty easy: Sticky Bandits, Grey Hair Don’t Care, Buffalo Vice, XMD, Passing While Intoxicated, and Lettuce Win. 



5.              Did you fill out your waiver? Seriously, it takes no time at all and it must be done before you’re going to be allowed to play. 

 

TEN FINAL THOUGHTS FOR THIS SATURDAY: 




1.     It won’t be the same this season without the TSL regulars being around, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be any less fun. Hype for the league is at an all time high. 



2.              Shoutout to Coach Jay for doing a fantastic job with the refs ever since he stepped in for Rameer. However, this is his last season as Head Referee, and has announced he’s stepping down. If you’d like to be more involved with the league and would consider taking over this position, tell Topper, Joe K, or even Topper-In-Training Jeff Krol about that. Everyone always asks how they can help the league, this is how. 



3.              The wine tournament is already a go for August 13th, put it in your schedules now. 



4.              The three teams with the most to prove this season: Frodo Swaggins, Cunning Stunts, and Eyes Downtown.



5.              While you guys never got to have the banquet this year, I hear that the award winners will be announced at the bar soon enough. 



6.              There’s going to be some construction at the fields this season, and after about a month of football we’ll be down to only 4 fields. That’s going to make it difficult to make up games and move them around, so do your best to get your team prepared to play when you’re supposed to. 



7.              All of the Captains need to be in the TSL Captain’s Chat on telegram. Topper wants everyone there to be able to swiftly inform every single team at once about league happenings. Such as if the games are canceled tomorrow at 9:15. He emailed a link to all of you, get on it. 



8.              Lenny and Rameer Day is JUNE 4TH. I repeat, Lenny and Rameer Day is JUNE 4th. Mark your calendars, its becoming our biggest at the fields party of the year. Perhaps Topper will finally get the magician Lenny always wanted. Cookie and Elmo will be there. The wheels will be spun. There will be a dunk tank. Maybe a slip and slide? Who knows! Again, sign your waivers, thanks. 



9.              Did I get your team wrong? Do i have no idea about you and who you are? Correct this by emailing me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . I appreciate everyone that takes the time to send their hellos, and update me on thier teams. It’s nearly impossible to write about a league I don’t get to see often, so getting as much help as I can makes this article what it is. Don’t be lazy, email me today. 



10.           For the new people, this is the greatest Social Co-Ed Football league in the world. There’s nothing like it, despite the imitators. If you let the league accept you into it’s warm embrace, have a drink or three at the bar, and get involved in the shenanigans, you’ll find yourself with a second family you didn’t know you had. Show up, say hi, and have fun. Don’t be scared. 

 

We’ve done it guys! We’ve made it! The TSL season is officially upon us and I can not be more excited. The amount of stories and plot lines that will come from this year are going to be tremendous, new faces will emerge, old faces will pop it, and everyone will have a great time. You’ve waited long enough for the TSL to return, so go forth and have a blast. 

 

I’ll be in the cut. 

 

-GF