CAFL Super Series V Preview

Shanghai Skywalkers vs Dalian Dragon Kings

The Skywalkers were eliminated from China Bowl contention in their loss to the Clipper. They’re upset about that. They’ll face a Dalian team that hasn’t gotten anything done all season. The Skywalkers will more likely than not be able to take out all their anger on the Dragon Kings.

Guangzhou Power vs Beijing Lions

The Lions, coming in at 4-0, will be looking to finish the regular season a perfect 5-0. The Power have shined on defense this season, led by Cameron McGlenn. He’s led the league in interceptions. Quarterback JJ Raterink has turned the ball over more than any other in the league, as well. This will be a closely-contested game between two great teams.

Shenzhen Naja vs Qingdao Clipper

In this week’s blowout of the week, the Clipper, with the top defense in the league, will go up against the Naja, who have struggled more and more as each game has gone on. Shenzhen will look to pull off an upset while avoiding a 1-4 regular season after winning their first game. The Clipper don’t have anything to lose, as they will play in the China Bowl against Beijing.

CAFL Super Series IV Power Rankings

6. Dalian Dragon Kings

It’s not question anymore that Dalian is the worst team in the league. They have been dominated in every way possible in every game they’ve played. The only thing they haven’t done yet is clinch the #6 seed.

5. Shenzhen Naja

After a dominating win over Dalian, the Naja have lost three in a row. Each loss has been worse than the last. The problem seems to be the team starting quarterback Dak Britt over Xie Kun. Why they are still starting Britt is beyond anyone.

4. Guangzhou Power

The same problem is keeping them from doing better than they could have been doing – turnovers. The main problem seems to be quarterback JJ Raterink, who commits more turnovers than any quarterback in the league. Luckily, the Power defense, led by Cameron McGlenn, keeps them at bay.

3. Shanghai Skywalkers

A loss against the Clipper really hurt the Skywalkers chance at the China Bowl. They’ve still got a shot at playing Beijing on Nov. 6, but it will take some work. That being said, Shane Austin has improved on ball control, despite throwing a game-changing interception in their loss to Qingdao. They’ll need to win their final game and have some help if they want the #2 seed and a shot at playing Beijing in the China Bowl.

2. Qingdao Clipper

The Clipper once again showed that they have the best defense in the CAFL. They overcame a 35-20 deficit to Shanghai thanks to their defense. They now have the edge over Shanghai when it comes to playing Beijing in China Bowl I.

1. Beijing Lions

The Lions are so good, they’ve clinched a spot in the China Bowl with Super Series V still ahead of them. The Lions have a complete team and they made all sides of it work. The only thing they are looking for at this point is an undefeated season and a win in the first ever China Bowl.

Guangzhou Wins Back and Forth Battle over Shenzhen

Needing momentum to have any hopes of a China Bowl appearance, the Guangzhou Power (2-2) couldn’t afford to let up against the Shenzen Naja (1-3). The Power prevailed for their second win of the season, 47-39.

For the second week in a row, JJ Raterink led the first scoring drive of the night, but this time he only needed the first play of the game to find Xun Da Qiu for a 6-0 lead after a missed extra point. Dak Britt, who has shown to be the best running quarterback in the league, used his legs again to answer with a touchdown run to take the lead. Not to be outdone, Raterink held serve with his own touchdown run to take a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Guangzhou started taking over on defense as the game wore on, forcing a turnover on downs to set up a Raterink deep pass to Lavasier Tuinei to extend the lead. Dak Britt, who has had trouble in the passing game throughout the season, continued to struggle through the air. Cameron McGlenn snagged an interception, and the offense turned it into points when Raterink threw another touchdown pass to Xun Da Qiu to create a 26-7 lead for the Power.

Shenzen fought back throughout the second half, only allowing three more touchdowns the rest of the game. However, the Naja couldn’t make the plays to take over the game. Two consecutive turnovers exemplified the battle, as Dak Britt threw an interception to Virgil Gray, only for JJ Raterink to throw a fourth-down interception to Terrance Smith while trying to seal the game.

Both teams now head to Shenzen for Super Series V on Oct. 29 and 30. Guangzhou needs a win over the unbeaten Beijing Lions and some help, while Shenzen can get to 2-3 with a win over the Qingdao Clipper, which could be enough to keep them in the third-place game.

Shanghai Skywalkers Beat Guangzhou Power 45-32

The Guangzhou Power battled the Shanghai Skywalkers in the first game of Super Series II at the Dalian Superdome. Both teams were looking to redeem themselves following heartbreaking losses in Super Series I. Shanghai got things started in the first quarter when quarterback Shane Austin connected with Shuai Liu for the first touchdown of the game.

Guangzhou responded when quarterback JJ Raterink found Duane Brooks for a touchdown which tied the game at seven. Shanghai was threatening to score until Austin’s pass was tipped and intercepted in the end zone by Cameron McGlenn. Guangzhou capitalized on the turnover after Raterink hooked up with Lavasier Tunei to give the Power a 14-7 lead, their first lead of the contest.

As time expired in the first quarter, Austin passed to Shaun Kauleinamoku for a touchdown, but the extra point was blocked, meaning the Power had the 14-13 edge heading into the second quarter. Shanghai shocked everyone when they attempted an onside kick, and they recovered the kick.

The drive was stalled after McGlenn picked off Austin in the end zone again. Guangzhou took advantage of the turnover when David Wang would score, putting the Power up 20-13 (extra point was missed). The Skywalkers would respond again when Austin found Mike Washington for a touchdown, but since another extra point was missed, Guangzhou still led 20-19.The Power would take the 26-19 lead heading into halftime.

At the start of the third, Austin completed a touchdown pass to Kauleinamoku, but Taylor Russolino missed another extra point, and Guangzhou held the 26-25 lead. Tunei would make a fantastic catch in the corner of the end zone, but because of a missed extra point, Guangzhou led 32-25.

Kauleinamoku would score his third touchdown of the game, but after a bad snap, another extra point was missed, and Shanghai trailed Guangzhou, 32-31. The turning point of the game came on Guangzhou’s next drive, when Dwayne Hollis recovered Dashawn Johnson‘s fumble.

Shanghai would capitalize when Austin found Liu, who made a juggling catch in the end zone for a touchdown. That gave Shanghai the 37-32 lead (two-point conversion no good), and that was their first lead since the first possession of the game.

After a William McGinnis sack and a penalty on Guangzhou, it was 4th down and 22. Sergio Gilliam would intercept Raterink, giving Shanghai a chance to put a dagger in the game.

Austin found Washington, who went the length of the field before scoring on a 45-yard touchdown. Defensive tackle Justin Lawrence converted the 2-point conversion, putting Shanghai up 45-32. Guangzhou was about to score late, but Hollis picked off Raterink for the second time.

Even though Hollis would fumble, it was taken to the other side of the field, which ended the game. Despite missing four extra points, Shanghai picked up their first win of the season by the final score of 45-32.

Guangzhou fell to 0-2, despite playing well in their first two games. In Super Series III, which is in Qingdao, Shanghai will battle the Shenzhen Naja, while Guangzhou will play the Dalian Dragon Kings.