23rd SFL Championship Preview: Mexico City vs. Canton

Championship weekend is upon us! The Mexico City Aztecs will face off against the Canton Classics from Zolnier Championship Field in Houston, Texas for the right to claim the title of Season 23 Champions!

NO. 2 MEXICO CITY AZTECS (12-2)

The Mexico City Aztecs are making their first Championship appearance since Season 9, when Mexico City defeated the Chicago Wildcats on the Twitch Front Page. Prior to this season, the Aztecs hadn't made a postseason appearance since Season 19, but have resurfaced as one of the league's top teams.

This will be the first time in three title games the Aztecs will be the designated road team, the tiebreaker being a narrow 10-7 Canton win in Week 7. Mexico City hasn't lost since that game against the Classics, winners of eight-straight games - five of them by 13 points or more. Mexico City hasn't lost a game by more than one possession since October 8th of last year.

The Aztecs compiled a +177 point differential this season, the best in the league. Their passing offense ranks best in the league in yards per attempt (8.4). They've allowed the fewest red zone touchdowns per game (0.9) and in total, only allow opponents to score 71.4% of the time inside their 20 - also best in the SFL. The team has forced 29 turnovers and is +13 in turnover differential - also #1 in both categories.

Free safety and Hall-of-Famer Jeffrey Daggs leads the league with three forced fumbles this season, a SFL record. Cornerback Liam Ryan finished second with seven interceptions in the regular season.

Ray Bentley is 77 yards away from reaching 15,000 rushing yards in his career. 

NO. 1 CANTON CLASSICS (12-2)

After an undefeated campaign in Season 22 finished with a shocking championship loss to the Florida Storm, the Canton Classics are hoping this season is different and can get the fifth-season franchise their first championship. 

Like the Aztecs, Canton has suffered two, one-score losses - a seven-point defeat against the Nashville Tempo in Week 12 and an overtime loss to the Baltimore Vultures in Week 1. The defense is back to championship form, having given up just 10 total points in their last three games combined.

Their +141 point differential is second only to the Aztecs, winning their last four by 13 points or more. The Classics lead the league in rushing yards (172.5), yards per carry (4.2), total defense (253.3), scoring defense (12.1) and force teams into more third downs than any other (13.4). Where Mexico City leads the league in yards per pass attempt, Canton leads the league defensively in the same category, allowing just 5.6 yards per pass play.

Kevin Brackett ended up leading the league in sacks this season (11). The Classics have scored 10 defensive touchdowns this season, best in the SFL.

In his last game, Scar Patterson eclipsed 20,000 passing yards - just the 24th quarterback in SFL history to do so.