MARQUEE MATCHUP: Soup Can VS. Freemasons

COACH BELL LEADS THE SOUP CAN

The Seattle Blue Ribbon League loves to start off the season with Rivalry Week, and there may be no bigger rivalry than the Soup Can/ Freemason match.  Not only does this game usually bring out more trash-talking than any other, but it brings out remarkably close scores as well.

In 2009, The Soup Can squeaked out a victory at home 95-92.5.  The Soup were able to overcome a 21 pt game from Freemason Tom Brady, and they did so in that old school Soup Can way.  They rode Maurice Jones-Drew for 17 pts, and a combined 27 pts from Peyton Manning and Tony Gonzalez.  The Soup Can rode this victory not only to the Ballard Division championship, but all the way to a runner-up finish in the Championship Game.

The tables turned in 2010.  The Freemasons took advantage of the home field advantage at the Masonic Lodge, and pulled out a 118.5-117 victory.  It was a controversial game:

With the Freemasons down by 4.5 points, Tom Brady (Freemasons, 22 pts) drove the team down the field. On what should have been the final play, Brady rolled right and tossed the ball up on 4th and 12 from the Masons 40 yd line.  Bob Sanders and Mike Sims-Walker each had a chance for the ball and the game winning points.  In a remarkable play neither player touched the ball.  They just stood and looked at each other, as they were both trying to score 0 pts and have a chance at The Most Improved award week 2.  Coach Belyea was furious and stoned, Coach Bell was joyful and stoned.  Until, a flag hit the field.

"Too Many Men on the field.  Defense.  Replay 4th down," the ref said.

"I do not consider Jonathan Stewart a man.  He only scored 1 pt...he shouldn't count," Bell said as he tried unsuccessfully to sway the refs opinion.  Bell then decided to pull his entire team from the field, and said, "Fine.  Trying scoring without ANY men on the field."  The Freemasons did try, and succeeded to score a Touchdown with no time left on the clock and take the victory 118.5 to 117.


It was a tough game for the Soup Can to lose, and the Freemasons went on to take the Ballard Division crown.  In a weird coincidence, the Freemasons followed the Soup Can with a runner-up finish in the Championship Game.  Meanwhile, the Soup Can had their worst season to date, and in turn, a roster overhaul this off-season.


The game will no longer feature Brady vs. Manning...unless it is Eli Manning.  Coach Bell jettisoned the aging Peyton Manning in favor of Matt Schaub.  The Soup Can also added Larry Fitzgerald and several young playmakers on defense.  The Freemasons return most of their 2010 lineup, with Brady, Chris Johnson, and Ahmad Bradshaw looking to burn the Soup.


The winner of this game has swept the season series each season, so each coach knows what is at stake.


"I'm in LOVE!  I am in LOVE with my team!" Coach Bell was heard shouting.  We here at the Blue Ribbon League Blog are in love with his team too.


BLOG PREDICTION:  Soup Can stun the Freemasons at home with a 112-101 victory. We predict big performances from new QB Matt Schaub and his pass catchers (Fitzgerald, Austin, Pettigrew)...big enough performances to seal the victory.