SFL Postseason Preview: Quarterfinal Weekend

The Quarterfinals are here and the bracket is done re-seeding. Charleston was the lone upset in the Wild Card round, and now has to deal with No. 1 Canton who will look to tumble the league's Cinderella story. It all starts tonight, Monday November 4 at 8:15 pm ET. Two of the four matchups did not play out in Season 23 and just one of them has postseason history.

No. 6 BALTIMORE (10-3) @ No. 3 MINNESOTA (9-3) - MONDAY NOVEMBER 4, 8:15 pm ET

These two teams met earlier this season and while the score was fairly close (a 44-31 win for Minnesota), the Legend gashed the Vultures with four rushing touchdowns and 258 yards through the air, limiting the Vultures to just 57 yards on the ground. But that was back in July, and now Baltimore is 6th in the SFL in rushing per game - Minnesota ranks third. The Vultures led the league this season in points per game (34.3), their highest-scoring season since their Championship Season 19 campaign, when they averaged 35.3.

Baltimore is 0-2 all-time in St. Paul, where the Legend boast a 27-5 all-time home record, 3rd best in SFL history. But Baltimore sports a 54-33 road record (62%) - best in SFL history. All six times Baltimore has won at least two playoff games, they've gone on to play for a Championship. Both these organizations have never missed the playoffs - five straight appearances for the Legend, 13 straight for Baltimore.

No. 8 CAROLINA (8-5) @ No. 2 MEXICO CITY (10-2) - MONDAY NOVEMBEr 4, 10:00 pm ET

Despite nine total meetings, the Skyhawks and Aztecs have never met in the playoffs. It's Mexico City's first playoff game without legendary quarterback Matt Willson, who lost to Baltimore in the Season 19 Semifinals on October 29, 2022 - his final SFL game. Carolina will be trying to advance to the semifinals for the first time in 23 seasons as a franchise that includes the third-most played games: 263.

The Skyhawks are 0-4 all-time in Mexico City and the teams haven't played since a Week 1 overtime win for the Aztecs in Season 20. Carolina has won 6 of its last 8 games, beating three teams still left standing during that stretch. Mexico City has won six straight and hasn't lost a game by more than seven points since October 8 of last year. The Aztecs rely on an explosive passing attack (8.4 YPA, 1st) and stingy redzone defense, best in the league in touchdowns (0.9) and scoring (71.4%) allowed per game inside the 20. Carolina has a steady and efficient run game, accounting for a league-best 21 touchdowns this regular season.

No. 10 CHARLESTON (8-5) @ No. 1 CANTON (10-2) - TUESDAY NOVEMBEr 5, 8:15 pm ET

In five seasons of Canton Classics football, they've only faced the deep Charleston roster once - a 49-24 win over a year ago. The Classics are the league's No. 1 seed for the second-straight season and haven't lost much of a beat with a change in coaching. Charleston is gunning for their first semifinal appearance in franchise history, losing their previous three quarterfinal matchups - all on the road.

Charleston has depth and balance but must stop Canton's ground attack. The Preds give up 113.3 rush yards per game this season, which was 18th best. Canton averages 172.5 yards on the ground - best in the league - and also has the top run defense so this matchup could rest on the shoulders of surging talent Iman Kopek and the rest of the receiving corps talent.

No. 5 ARIZONA (10-3) @ No. 4 FLORIDA (9-3) - TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5, 10:00 pm ET

For the third time in SFL history, the Arizona Scorpions and Florida Storm will meet in the playoffs. The first two have been nailbiters - Florida won in the semis of Season 17, 24-17, and Arizona stole a Quarterfinal matchup in Season 19 on a Cliff Allen game-winning field goal, 36-35. That's the only time the Scorpions have ever won at 'The Eye' and they'll have to do it again it they want to get back to the final four.

These two franchises have combined for 28 combined playoff wins and Florida is guarding its two-time defending champion status. The two met earlier this season on a Monday Night Spectacular that saw the Storm clamp down on Arizona in the second half in a 27-17 triumph. The game could be won in the red zone - Florida actually kicks more field goals this season than scores touchdowns - but could also be won with Florida's secondary, the No. 3 pass defense in the SFL that has helped Florida to a +11 turnover differential this season, 2nd best in the SFL.