Teams watching were on the edge of their seats watching how the Playoff Seeding would unfold.
Win a Warrior win, there would be at least a 3-way tie & potentially a 6-way tie at (6-2); in which the top seed would be determined by Points Against. Coming into the day, Minneapolis was 4 points behind the Force, tied with the Pioneers, and 1 point ahead of Fargo. So a Safety could have dropped them to #5 and a shutout would keep them #3 at worst or #2 if the Force gave up any points.
Force / Rough Riders game had lots of playoff scenarios attached. Rough Riders needed to win to get to (5-3), but then they would also need a Bulls win, so it would be a 2-way tie with the Force; a Stampede win would eliminate the Rough Riders.
Meanwhile, the Force were trying to hold on to the Shutout win to keep the #2 seed to have a bye and host a game in the 2nd round. Giving up only 6 points or losing would potentially drop the Force to #5.
Stampede was essentially locked in at #1, unless they gave up 46 points vs Bulls. Whereas the Bulls needed a win to get #5 seed, keeping the Force at home; or a loss would drop them to #6, keeping the Rough Riders out.
Knowing a shutout would give the Warriors the best playoff seeding, the Minneapolis Warriors went to work, and did just that. Securing a Finish ahead of St Paul & Fargo but behind Sioux City, with eyes still on the Fox Valley game if they would move from #3 to #2.
Fox Valley needed a shutout to remain #2, River City needed a win to have a chance. Both teams played that way throughout, as Regulation Ended in a 0-0 game. In Overtime, River City got the ball first and were able to put together the first Touchdown drive of the game. The loss dropped the Force to #5 or even to #7, while the Rough Riders win could sneak them into #6 with a Bulls win.
With all the other games settled, the seeding that remained in-play were the #5, #6, #7. With a Stampede win, it would be 5. Force, 6. Bulls, 7. Rough Riders. With a Bulls win, it would be 5. Bulls 6. Rough Riders 7. Force.
Northland pulled within 6-13 in the 3rd quarter, but the Stampede would push it back to two scores by the end of the 3rd and tack on another 2 TD's in the 4th.
Hudson Thunderhawks announced they were ceasing operations on Wednesday 7/18, thus leading to a St Paul Pioneers 2-0 win.
Minnesota Vipers called at 11:30a Saturday from the parking lot where they were meeting to travel, but could not get enough players to compete. Fargo was awarded the 2-0 forfeit
Tag(s): Home Season Bulls Force Rough Riders Thunderhawks Invaders Pioneers Warriors Stampede Freeze Vipers Renegades