SRFL

The SRFL is a highly acclaimed and exclusive fantasy football league. Created in 2006, near the height of the "Fantasy Football Boom", the SRFL has since grown and adapted into a sophisticated and highly competitive league. Since its inception, the league has expanded from 8, to 10, to eventually 12 teams, and has since moved from a 1 division format, to a 2 division format, until finally the 4 division format currently installed. The league is rich with history, rivalries, expansions, records and legacies, and is well received as one of the most serious, if not important, fantasy leagues of all time.
History
2006
Creation of the League
In August of 2006, eight friends came together with a single purpose - to create and maintain a serious and competitive fantasy football league. And so the SRFL was born. There were previous attempts at forming fantasy football leagues, more specifically in 2004, but that attempt failed after just one season, and is most notably remember for being the year in which Rich Gannon was the first overall pick, this after having broken his neck, and most saw this attempt at forming a league a complete failure. Two years later, though, a second attempt was made.
Adapting their rules and scoring system from an already ongoing fantasy league (one in which one of the SRFL's founders cousin took part in), the SRFL was not looking to break apart from the pack in its inaugural season, but was simply trying to lay a solid foundation on which to build. The Original 8, which is what the founding fathers have come to be known as, were geared more toward an experimental season, one in which to give the owners and fans a chance to create and maintain a steady relationship on which to build around. Having set the rules, guidelines, team names, and schedules, the league was set to begin. So on August 19th, 2006, the first ever SRFL Draft was held at The Gameroom, and thus, the league was born.
Regular Season Trials and Tribulations
After having completed the first draft (Ladainian Tomlinson having been the first ever selection, as taken by the Waterboys) the league was set to go. The overall enthusiasm at the draft and ensuing days before Opening Weekend gave everyone an optimistic feeling that this league was indeed something special, and that this first season would not merely be a test run, but would be a success. That's not to say that the first year came without its hiccups.
Jon Marencel, one of the Original 8, was unceremoniously appointed the first Commissioner of the SRFL, having come up with the rules and scoring system that would be instituted for the first year. However, many deem his run as head of the league as shaky, at best. There were many unforeseen circumstances that would abound during the regular season, none of which the rulebook had been prepared to handle, and thus Marencel was faced with many tough decisions, some of which were not received well by a majority of the owners. There was also a matter of the scoring system. Each team was advised to calculate their scores for each week, however it was expected of the Commissioner to also provide current and final scores to the owners throughout the games, and many believed this was the department in which Marencel suffered the most. Few thought he was up to par with getting the scores out in a timely manner.
However this was not the biggest guffa associated with Marencel's time in office. At one point in the season, in a crucial matchup between his own Gridiron Gangsta's and Dan Walsh's Shamrocks, Marencel inadvisably chose to use scoring adjustments handed out by the NFL on a Tuesday morning, instead of maintaining the scores that had been issued Sunday, thus altering the outcome of their contest and prompting mass hysteria throughout the league. This was the first time in the league's history an issue was deemed truly controversial, and the ensuing altercations (ones that left Marencel threatening to quit if his team didn't get the win, and Dan Walsh being the bigger man about it), ultimately led to what many people believed the Election of Commmissioner during the 2006 offseason, one that led to Marencel loosing his seat in office.
Despite these mishaps, the league was considered a rousing success. Rivalries brewed, tensions grew, and it all made for great football being played out on a weekly basis. Most owners were enthusiastic about the league, and maintained high hope that this was indeed a solid stepping stone toward a potentially prominent organization.
With just one division for all eight teams during this first year, the top four teams went on to capture postseason qualification: The Colts, who finished in first place along with the league's best record that year (10-4); the Waterboys, who also finished with a 10-4 record, but settled for 2nd place due to tiebreaker rules; the Stallions, who captured the 3rd place spot after an 8-6 finish; and the Warhawks, who despite finishing 7-7, managed to nap the 4th and final playoff spot.
Playoffs
The first ever playoffs in SRFL league history featured some of the most shocking upsets of all time. The Warhawks, who had barely limped into the postseason, managed to upset the heavily favored Colts. The Stallions too, who had struggled in the stretch run of the regular season, found a way to upset the Waterboys. Both 10-4 teams had been beaten, setting up a contest of what would become one of the most heated rivalries in all the SRFL - the Warhawks vs. the Stallions.
Super Bowl I
In the first ever SRFL Super Bowl, held at Stallion Stadium (or as the fans passionately call it, The Stable), bad blood brewed and tempers flared, but ultimately, the Warhawks prevailed 74-58 to capture the first ever SRFL Super Bowl Championship, along with the prestigious Ron Butschle Trophy that goes with it, and closed the curtain on one of the most successful and entertaining debuts a fantasy league has ever enjoyed.
2007
After a brief hiatus following the first Super Bowl, the Original 8 convened to hold the first ever SRFL General Managers meeting. It was during this session that they attempted to smooth out the kinks that they had endured during their initial run in 2006, as well as making a few changes to the scoring system. They also held court on selecting a new commissioner for the league, and after a league-wide vote, Mike Reilly, who still sits in office to this day, was selected. But without a doubt the most important result of this meeting was the decision that was made to ultimately expand what was become a growingly popular league.
After word spread throughout each team's respective fanbases on how exciting and enthralling this league was, it was not long after that potential suitors began clamoring at the chance to join this blooming organization. Before now, the Original 8 had not foreseen growth and expansion as part of their future, but here it was, and the opportunity to add to their league was too tempting, and so the decision was made to increase the number of teams from 8, to 10.
After long deliberations, and many proposals from interested prospects, two new owners were selected and given the rights to enter their teams into the SRFL. It was this expansion that ultimately led to another monumental decision in the history of the league - to move from the one division format to two. And so it was decided, and the 10 teams were then randomly sorted into two divisions of five. Upon separation, the new divisions were given the monikers of the Sto Football Conference (SFC) and the Rox Football Conference (RFC). It was then decided that each conference would allow for three postseason representatives, with the first place team from each earning a first round bye.
SFC
The five teams placed into the SFC were the Mammoths, the Shamrocks, the Toucans, the Colts and the expansion Bulls, which is the order in which they finished during the regular season. The Mammoths would capture the first ever SFC Division crown, going 8-5, while the Shamrocks and Toucans benefitted from lackluster seasons by the Colts and Bulls, were able to finish at 6-7 and still qualify for the playoffs.
RFC
The RFC featured the defending champions Warhawks, the expansion Thrashers, the Popcorn Playaz, the Stallions, and the Nighthawks. The Warhawks looked prime to defend their SRFL crown, finishing in first place with a league best 10-3 mark, while the Thrashers and Playaz wound up 9-4, stamping their tickets to the playoffs.
Playoffs
The first round byes were awarded to the Warhawks and Mammoths, while the Toucans/Shamrocks and Playaz/Thrashers met in divisional round matchups. The Shamrocks and Thrashers prevailed, setting up the first ever Conference Championship Games, both of which would go down in history. The Mammoths narrowly escaped upset, defeating the Shamrocks in thrilling fashion on a missed last second field goal, while the Thrashers stunned the world, going on the road and stunning the heavily favored Warhawks. It set up a Super Bowl matchup between two unlikely teams; the Mammoths, who had finished in last place during the 2006 season, and the Thrashers, who were merely an expansion team that nobody thought would find this much success.
Super Bowl II
In Super Bowl II, held at Toucan Stadium, the Mammoths and Thrashers met in what was expected to be a high scoring slugfest. However, the opposite unfolded. While the Mammoths delivered their part, the Thrashers did not, and the Mammoths went on to capture the most lopsided victory in SRFL history, 115-21, setting a new mark for fewest points ever allowed in a game in the process.
2008
After what many believed to be a far superior 2007 season, it was only logical for the owners to build upon the success they had achieved in the previous two seasons. So for the 2nd straight year, the owners met in the offseason, again making adjustments to the scoring system, and again agreeing that the opportunity for expansion was still available, and thus two more teams were added for the upcoming season, expanding the count from 10 to 12. One team was added to each conference, bumping the total to six in each, but the owners decided to keep the number of playoff teams at six, three from each side.
The Season
The regular season again played out in exciting fashion, bringing the ferver for the league to an all-time high among fans and spectators, as well as the owners in the league. Again parody played a key role in the final standings, as another expansion team, this time the Vikings, managed to find postseason status, and even managed to claim the top spot in the Rox Conference, finishing above the Warhawks and the Desperados, who were able to finish 2nd and 3rd, respectively. In the Sto Conference, the Mammoths were able to successfully defend their division crown, with the Wolverines and Colts finishing not far behind.
McGahee Gate
One of the uglier events in SRFL history marred the 2008 season, an occurrence that would ultimately become known as McGahee Gate. This event, which transpired after a loophole in the rulebook had occurred, two owners, Lou Parrilla, as well as Commissioner Mike Reilly, took part in a heated debate that would eventually divide the owners of the league. A black cloud would hang above the league until the owners convened in their annual postseason meeting to address the mess. Details of this event have been regrettably hushed by the league, and passionately refer to it as "That Which Should Not Be Named".
Playoffs
The 2008 Playoffs would again deliver some of the most memorable matchps and moments in league history. After again earning the first round bye, the Mammoths watched as the Wolveriens and Colts duked it out in a divisional matchup, while the Vikings earned bye status and watched the Warhawks and Desperados battle. The Colts and Warhawks would prevail, again setting up similar matchups to those that took place the year before. The Mammoths once again faced a team that had eeked into the playoffs and managed to win a nailbiter divisional matchup, while the Warhawks once again found themselves up against a formidable, aleit expansion, team. This time though, the Warhawks prevailed, capturing their first ever RFC crown. The Mammoths, too, successfully defended their Sto Title, which set the stage for what would affectionately become known as the Blood Battle in Super Bowl III, featuring the respective teams owned by the David and Mike, the Serkoch brothers.
Super Bowl III
In what would become the most suspensful and entertaining championship game to date, Super Bowl III, which was held at Shamrock Stadium, was a tug of war between the two teams, and was eventually decided by the heroics of a single player. The Mammoths, behind a 4 touchdown performance from MVP DeAngelo Williams, prevailed 106-96, capturing their 2nd straight SRFL Super Bowl Title.
2009
The upcoming season will feature some of the biggest changes since the 2007 format. The two division format, which has been so successful, has been dumped in exchange for a new four division alignment, with each conference (still the SFC and RFC) being represented with two divisions. Each conference will still have just three playoff representatives however, with the two division winners and one wildcard team advancing. The first round bye will go to the teams with the best record from each conference.
Aside from the realignment, which has each division with three teams, another big change for the upcoming season features the one new franchise, which will replace the defunked Untouchables, and keep the current count at 12 teams. The new owner, which was named at the Winter Meeting, will be formally announced before the draft, but it has been confirmed that it is a familiar face.
Owners and Frachises
Colts - GM Mike Reilly
Overall Record (22-18)
2006 Record - (10-4)
2007 Record - (4-9)
2008 Record - (8-5)
Playoff Record - (1-2)
Team Achievements - First place and best record in 2006; 3rd place and playoff qualification in 2008; 2008 Divisional Round victory over Wolverines; lost in 2008 SFC Championship Game.
First Round Selections - 2006 (Carson Palmer) 2007 (Rudi Johnson) 2008 (Carson Palmer)
Desperados - GM Carlos Carrabbia
Notes - Formerly Known as Hitsquad (2006) and Popcorn Playaz (2007)
Overall Record (22-18)
2006 Record - (6-8)
2007 Record - (9-4)
2008 Record - (7-6)
Playoff Record - (0-2)
Team Achievements - 2nd place RFC finish in 2007; 3rd place RFC finish in 2008
First Round Selections - 2006 (Drew Brees) 2007 (Joseph Addai) 2008 (Terrell Owens)
Mammoths - GM David Serkoch
Notes - Formerly Kown as Centaurs (2006)
Overall Record (21 - 19)
2006 Record - (4-10)
2007 Record - (8-5)
2008 Record - (9-4)
Playoff Record - (4-0)
Team Achievements - 1st place SFC finish in 2007 and 2008; SFC Conference Champions 2007 and 2008; SRFL Super Bowl Champions 2007 and 2008
First Round Selections - 2006 (Shaun Alexander) 2007 (LaDainian Tomlinson) 2008 (Tony Romo)
Nighthawks - GM Brian Pachasa
Notes - Formerly Known as Waterboys (2006)
Overall Record (18-21-1)
2006 Record - (10-4)
2007 Record - (4-9)
2008 Record - (4-8-1)
Playoff Record - (0-1)
Team Achievements - League best 10-4 record in 2006, finishing in 2nd place.
First Round Selections - 2006 (LaDainian Tomlinson) 2007 (Shaun Alexander) 2008 (Steven Jackson)
Phoenixes - GM Mike Yost
Notes - Branched off from Desperados franchise in 2008; formerly known as Hitsquad (2006) and Popcorn Playaz (2007)
Overall Record (20-20)
2006 Record - (6-7)
2007 Record - (9-4)
2008 Record - (5-8)
Playoff Record - (0-1)
Team Achievements - 2nd place RFC finish in 2007
First Round Selections - 2006 (Drew Brees) 2007 (Joseph Addai) 2008 (LaDainian Tomlinson)
Shamrocks - GM Dan Walsh
Overall Record (19-21)
2006 Record - (5-9)
2007 Record - (6-7)
2008 Record - (8-5)
Playoff Record - (1-1)
Team Achievements - 2nd place SFC finish in 2007; 2007 Divisional Round victory over Toucans; lost in 2007 SFC Championship game to Mammoths
First Round Selections - 2006 (Peyton Manning) 2007 (Peyton Manning) 2008 (Tom Brady)
Stallions - GM Louie Parrilla
Notes - Previous co-owners include Beau Pappaterra and Elijah DiMichele
Overall Record (20-20)
2006 Record - (8-6)
2007 Record - (6-7)
2008 Record - (6-7)
Playoff Record - (1-1)
Team Achievements - 3rd place finish in 2006; first round victory over Waterboys in 2006 playoffs; 2006 SRFL runners up, losing to Warhawks in Super Bowl I
First Round Selections - 2006 (Brian Westbrook) 2007 (Willie Parker) 2008 (Joseph Addai)
Thrashers - GM Brian Ringel
Notes - Joined SRFL in 2007 as expansion team; Known as Streakenders for brief part of 2008 season
Overall Record (13-13)
2007 Record - (9-4)
2008 Record - (4-9)
Playoff Record - (2-1)
Team Achievements - 2nd place RFC finish in 2007; Divisional Round and Rox Conference Championship victories in 2007, beating Playaz and Warhawks respectively; 2007 SRFL runners up, losing to Mammoths in Super Bowl II
First Round Selections - 2007 (Drew Brees) 2008 (Peyton Manning)
Vikings - GM Matthew Stumpf
Notes - Joined SRFL in 2008 as expansion team
Overall Record (9-4)
2008 Record - (9-4)
Team Achievements - RFC Divisional Champions in 2008; lost in 2008 RFC Championship Game to Warhawks
First Round Selections - 2008 (Larry Johnson)
Warhawks - GM Michael Serkoch
Overall Record (25-15)
2006 Record - (7-7)
2007 Record - (10-3)
2008 Record - (8-5)
Playoff Record - (4-2)
Team Achievements - 3rd place finish in 2006 regular season; first round victory over Colts in 2006 playoffs; 2007 RFC Divisional Champions, losing to Thrashers in RFC Championship Game; 2008 2nd place RFC finish; Victories in 2008 Divisional and RFC Conference Championship games, defeating the Desperados and Vikings, respectively; 2008 SRFL runners up, losing to the Mammoths in Super Bowl III; Super Bowl I Champions, defeated the Stallions.
First Round Selections - 2006 (Clinton Portis) 2007 (Steven Jackson) 2008 (Adrian Peterson)
Wolverines - GM Jonathon Marencel
Notes - Formerly Known as Gridiron Gangstas (2006) and Fighting Toucans (2007)
Overall Record (20-19-1)
2006 Record - (6-8)
2007 Record - (6-7)
2008 Record - (8-4-1)
Playoff Record - (0-2)
Team Achievements - 3rd place SFC finish in 2007; 2nd place SFC finish in 2008; lost in Divisional Round in 2007 and 2008 to Shamrocks and Colts, respectively.
First Round Selections - 2006 (Larry Johnson) 2007 (Frank Gore) 2008 (Randy Moss)
Unnamed 2009 Expansion Team
Notes - Team to be announced prior to 2009 SRFL Draft
Untouchables - GM David DiMichele
Notes - Formerly Known as Raging Bulls (2007); Folded following the 2008 season.
Overall Record (5-21)
2007 Record - (3-10)
2008 Record - (2-11)
Playoff Record - (0-0)
Team Achievements - NONE
First Round Selections - 2007 (Chad Johnson) 2008 (Brian Westbrook)
Mammoth2 (talk) 23:04, 23 January 2009 (UTC)

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