The stage is set for what is sure to be the greatest Super Bowl ever as, for the first time in FLF history, the two division champions will meet for the league title. Jody's Colossal Waste of Time and the Irwin Hellions endured 13 weeks of war, fending off challenges from division rivals before vanquishing a pair of them in Championship Week. But the similarities and familiarities don't stop there.

Jody and Irwin become the second and third franchises to claim multiple division titles (the Raze also have a pair). They are the only two clubs to make three Championship Week appearances, and they are also the only two clubs from the original eight in '97 to never play in a Draft Bowl. Moreover, they both share impressive 17-10 records over the past two seasons. In each of the two years prior to that, Irwin and Jody met in the playoffs, splitting the set. The winner eventually went on to be defeated in the Super Bowl. This will be the third and obviously most important meeting, but we can only hope it will live up to its predecessors.

Jody rolled to the Eastern Division title behind an FLF-best 10-2 record in 1997. As the No. 1 seed, the C.W.O.T. took a week off before hosting the 6-7 Alchoholics (The Hellions in a prior life). Irwin, already responsible for one of Jody's two losses on the season, ambushed the C.W.O.T. 44-21, ending their remarkable season prematurely. Irwin went on to Super Bowl I, where they were defeated by the Piana Raze 40-21.

The following year, the 6-6 Irwin Intellectuals hosted the 5-7 C.W.O.T. for Wild Card Week. Jody had already downed Irwin twice during the regular season, and avenged '97's playoff loss by upsetting the Intellectuals 46-30. The triumphant C.W.O.T. downed the defending champion Raze the following week before falling to the upstart Anderson Brewmeisters 38-27 in Super Bowl II.

In reflection, it was that '97 Championship Week game which has been the defining moment of this series. Jody has won the five meetings since, leaving the Hellions to ponder their chances yet again. Yet on paper, these two teams match up very well:

QUARTERBACK

Kerry Collins has assumed the roll of signal-caller for the C.W.O.T. while Brad Johnson ponders his future. The bye week claims its only victim on the opposite sideline, as Donovan McNabb - last week's star for the Hellions - must sit out, giving the reigns back to Bret Favre. Favre, who also started Irwin's only other Super Bowl, has been mortal this season. He hasn't really won or, perhaps more importantly, lost games for his team. Does he have any of his old school magic left? The Hellions hope so. Advantage: Jody

RUNNINGBACKS

This is bound to be a great battle of the trenches. Eddie George has been mister reliable for the C.W.O.T., and Stephen Davis has been exceptional when healthy. Will his forearm hold up? Can he hang onto the football? Irwin counters with some speed and power of its own. Edgerrin James is psyched to play in the Super Bowl in only his second year, and will be looking to put on a show. Yet his backfield partner, Curtis Martin, is more of a wildcard. Will he put out a 12 point effort, or struggle to make merely two? Advantage: even

RECEIVERS

Tim Brown is the last of the original C.W.O.T. receiving corps, and will be making his second Super Bowl start. He'll be flanked by the surprising Joe Horn and either Donald Hayes or the potentially more dangerous Ike Hilliard. They can be an effective group, but aren't as intimidating as prior C.W.O.T. route-runners. Irwin will counter with bigger names - Chris Carter, Quadry Ismail, and Jimmy Smith, who started alongside Tim Brown for the C.W.O.T. in the '98 champiosnhip game. All three are go-to guys, capable of making the game-breaking play anywhere on the field. Advantage: Irwin

KICKER

Martin Gramatica is a machine. Averaging around ten points a game, he's an integral part of the C.W.O.T. offense. Plus he's usually good for one or two long range bombs every game. Irwin's Olindo Mare is having an off year compared to 1999's inflated numbers, but is still capable of posting multiple field goals a game. Advantage: Jody

DEFENSE

Can't ask for a better matchup here. The Hellion's Buccanner squad ranks atop the league while Jody's Miami team is fourth in total defensive performance. Both sides have the ability to dominate a game, but Miami has a proven postseason track record. They were the driving force behind Jody's remarkable '98 playoff run. Yet the Bucs have more attitude and a greater tendency to put offensive points on the board. Advantage: Irwin

Both teams expected to be here, and both are deserving, but only one can walk away league champion. Will Jody make it six straight over Irwin, or will the Hellions strike down the Mighty C.W.O.T. a la 1997? This is to be a game the entire FLF community should be proud to see. May the better team win.

victims of the bye week:
Jody - none
Irwin - QB McNabb