Did anybody see this season coming from the Portland Pythons? The team made a gamble prior to the draft, trading a first round pick for two later picks in hopes that the class was a deep one. Instead they were left with just one pick in a draft that appeared to be thin. The start of their turnaround was hitting a home run with that pick in the form of "Cowboy" Cole McCoy. The quarterback gave the Pythons a player to build around and things fell in place from there. They grabbed receiver Mark Grau off of waivers and he was a stud, finishing tied for first in the DSFL in receiving touchdowns. They were able to get cornerback Joel Shroeder in a deal with Tijuana and turned him into an impact defender and defensive player of the year candidate. Those players were enough to bring Portland another winning season, but the late-season additions of Zach Skinner, Mason Brown, and William H. Harrison have made the Portland defense a fearsome unit. Despite playing Kansas City and San Antonio (twice) in the final three games of their season, the Pythons allowed just 23 total points and made a surprising move to the top of the overall standings. With home field advantage secured throughout the playoffs, the Pythons are looking to avenge last season's painful Ultimini loss to Palm Beach.
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