The Eastern Division Champion Anderson Brewmeisters meet the Western Division Champion Irwin Hellions in the 2004 League Championship Game at Alltell Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The top-seeded Brewmeisters sent the Abstract Machines home last week while the second-seeded Hellions advanced with a win over the Naughty Figs. As a result, Super Bowl VIII marks just the third time in eight seasons that the two division champions will meet to in the playoff finale.

The Brewmeisters got off to a rough start in 2004. Following a 2003 campaign that landed them in the Draft Bowl, this year's Anderson squad dropped their opening two games, including a 31-29 decision at home against the Hellions. Since that loss, however, the Brew has won 10 of its last 12, including a current and season-best six-game winning streak. More importantly, Anderson won its first playoff game in five years last week and is eager to parlay that into a league title.

Despite having a losing record as late as Week 9, the Hellions finished only a game worse than the Brewmeisters. Irwin comes into their fourth Super Bowl appearance riding a five-game winning streak which features a gaudy 21-point margin-of-victory average. With their league-leading fourth division crown, the Hellions have become the FLF's most celebrated club; of 15 possible titles available to them to date (8 division and 7 league), the Hellions have won a staggering six.

What makes this Super Bowl matchup truly special – aside from the teams having won a combined 11 straight games – is that Anderson and Irwin are the only two franchises with multiple League titles. Anderson won the Super Bowl in each of its first two years (1998, 1999), while Irwin won in the two following the Brewmeister reign (2000, 2001). Now, the two clubs will meet for the first time ever in the postseason, and the stakes couldn't be higher: not only will the winner be crowned 2004 Champion, but they will become the sole league-leader in Super Bowl victories. So let's see how these two heavyweights match up:

QUARTERBACK

Peyton Manning was on the Brewmeister roster the last time Anderson won it all back in 1999, but it was Kurt Warner's team at the time. Finally, Peyton gets his shot at bringing home a ring while – ironically – his younger brother Eli watches from the Irwin bench across the field. Manning is having arguably the best season by a quarterback ever, leading all offensive scorers and being held to under double-digits just twice all season. The Hellions counter with either Donovan McNabb or the very veteran Brett Favre, who led Irwin into battle way back in Super Bowl I. McNabb has been the man all season, and is third in the league in scoring, but he was held to only 2 points in last week's Championship Game. Advantage: Anderson

RUNNING BACKS

While the primary spotlight falls on the QB position, this game should feature plenty of running as both clubs have solid backfields. Anderson's LaDainian Tomlinson is hot, having scored 10+ points in each of his last four starts. Brian Westbrook could get the start alongside LT, thanks to a double-digit scoring average over the final three weeks of the regular season. The Hellion's Edgerrin James is essentially an older man's LaDainian Tomlinson and is capable of making big plays on the ground or through the air. Sophomore Domanick Davis has overcome an early season slump and has averaged over 10 points per game over his last six starts. Advantage: Even

RECEIVERS

With so much focus on the two backfields, the receivers could easily be overlooked. Only two of the league's Top 10 receivers (at Nos. 8 and 10) will be playing in this one. Anderson's receiving corps is an aging but productive bunch headlined by Torry Holt (No. 8) and Derrick Mason. While consistent, they lack the big-game threat of Irwin's Chad Johnson (No. 10), Jimmy Smith, and Andre Johnson. Advantage: Irwin

KICKER

Anderson signed rookie Nate Keadling before Week 3 but cut him loose after Week 8 and brought Phil Dawson aboard. Irwin spent the last transaction of the season on bringing the rejected Keadling into Hellion camp. Over their past two games, Keadling has scored 11 points while Dawson has scored zero. Advantage: Irwin

DEFENSE

Anderson cashed in his 2003 Draft Bowl victory for the Patriots defense as the No. 1 overall pick and has not been disappointed. The Pats are third in the league and have wreaked absolute havoc down the stretch, averaging over 20 ppg in their last three starts. Irwin finally parted ways with their longtime Buccaneer defense and brought in a young Falcons squad. After a slow start, they've ramped up to averaging over 12 points per game and can certainly hold their own. Advantage: Anderson

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