RUNAWAY!
Big running, big team scores highlight Week 7

Week 7 was a runaway week in many ways, featuring 2 record-tying performances from running backs and some big runaway games. A quick “run”-down:

Barry Sanders: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers held him to 20 yards in their first meeting of 1997. This week, Sanders made up for his poor showing earlier in the year. Barry had touchdown runs of 80 and 82 yards, caught a pass for a third TD, and finished with 215 yards rushing. The only back that came close to his yardage total this week was Curtis Enis. Sanders finished with 38 points — tying the all-time FFL record.

James Stewart: Forced into full-time action Sunday due to an injury to Natrone Means, the Jaguars’ RB spent most of the day in the end zone. His five TDs and 100+ yard performance adds up to 38 points — also tying the all-time FFL record.

Those were the individual running performances of note. Several teams had runaway victories:

Pennsylvania: After suffering their first loss of the year last week, the Wildcats responded with a 79-point week. The running backs scored 57 and QB Steve McNair added 14. Three wide receivers, however, managed goose eggs as the Wildcat’s annual receiving woes continue. Pennsylvania beat the Mission Viejo No Llamos 79-25.

Syracuse: The Blizzard blasted their way into the point lead in the league with a 79-point performance this week. The Syracuse running corps of James Stewart, Tyrone Wheatley and Jamal Anderson scored 60 points — 3 points shy of the all-time FFL record for 3 RBs in a week. Syracuse spanked the NY Griffons, who managed only 16 points and saw their record drop to 3-4.

Miami: The Muffdivers enjoyed a 20-point week from Jerome Bettis and 17-point performances from WR Terrell Owens and K Adam Vinatieri in route to a 76-11 victory over the Richmond Rattlin (Limpin) Raptors. Michael Irvin was the only Raptor to score, as Richmond sets the season low team score.

Newport: It wasn’t quite a runaway, but the Nightmare ended for Newport Beach as they finally won their first game on the year with a 38-25 win over the Keystone Longfellows. NP’s NYJet trio of Neil O’Donnell, Keyshawn Johnson and Leon Johnson were good for 33 of the team’s 38 points. Keystone proved they do indeed have something long — the league’s longest current losing streak (5 games).

In other games:

Carolina continues to climb back into the playoff hunt after a disappointing start to 1997. The Big Bang took a big step this week, knocking off division leader NIKEtown 42-30. NIKEtown’s record drops to 5-2, while Carolina ups it’s record to 4-3 in the Paterno Division.

Dallas remains one game behind Wisconsin in the Cappelletti Division with a 52-11 victory over the New Denver 2x4s. New Denver ties Richmond this week in setting the season low team score.

And finally, the Cheeseheads knocked off the Mercer Mustangs 52-24. Wisconsin’s win this week allows them to retain a one-game lead over Dallas in the Cappelletti Division. Mercer’s loss drops them 2 games back of Syracuse and Pennsylvania in the Engle Division.

 

 

REMINDER…
Thursday Night game this week

Remember … there will be a Thursday Night NFL game this week, so lineups must be called in Thursday night by 8:00 p.m.

You can change lineups after the Thursday night game and before Sunday kickoff — BUT — those changes cannot involve any players from the Thursday night contest (San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs).