Rebels, Sabres primed to vie for IFL championship

Israel Bowl IV has a chance to produce the fourth different champion in the four-year history of the Kraft Family IFL.

By JPOST STAFF
Israel Bowl IV (photo credit: Adlai Maschiach)
Israel Bowl IV
(photo credit: Adlai Maschiach)
It’s Red vs Orange, north vs south, old vs new, experience vs talent.
It’s the Arthur’s Tel Aviv/Jaffa Sabres vs the Gush Texas Judean Rebels in Israel Bowl IV.
The top two offenses in the Kraft Family IFL square off in a title clash of epic proportions, with absolutely no love lost between the teams.
Smashmouth football personified.
Does it get any better than this? Friday at Kraft Stadium in Jerusalem will feature the fourth annual championship of the local tackle football outfit, an eight-team league that has seen three different clubs hoist the previous trophies.
This year marks the first time the Big Blue Jerusalem Lions failed to make the Israel Bowl, having been vanquished in dramatic fashion by the Rebels in the South Division semifinal.
The reigning-champion Sabres come in fresh off an impressive conquest of the Dancing Camel Tel Aviv Pioneers in the northern semi, hungry to defend their crown and keep the Ofri Becker trophy in their possession for another year.
“I can’t put my finger on what exactly it is I don’t like about the Rebels, but I just know all of us Sabres hate those guys,” claimed mildmannered TAJ all-star Roni Srisuren with a sly smile.
“I definitely respect the hell out of them and what they do on the football field though, and while I hope we win on Friday, either way I think it’ll be an amazing game,” he added.
The Rebels have the league’s most explosive passing attack, with 18-year-old QB Alex Swieca having his choice of at least five or six different weapons to throw to.
The Gush Texas defense is anchored by the Elayyan brothers – Ayoub, Mussa and Mohammed – with returning linebacker Ricky Wolder and all-around star Joe Martisius sure to have a say in the outcome as well.
Sabres signal-caller Adi Hakami – a four-year IFL vet – led his team to an 8-2 regularseason record despite major personnel overhaul and he will have to be in top-form if Jon Sharon’s club hopes to repeat.
The always ferocious Jeremy Sable, who captains Arthur’s defense, has been chomping at the bit to avenge a 40-28 drubbing by the Rebels back in December, and he will surely have his unit armed and ready.
Sport5 will be on hand to broadcast the game live across the country and more than 1,000 fans are expected in person to cheer on the two clubs in their quest for IFL glory.
“We can talk about the preparations, stakes and ramifications of this game for a long time – and believe me we all do,” exclaimed Rebels’ captain Shlomo Schachter.
“What it really comes down to is execution on the big stage. Enough with all the championship hype, all the title talk. It’s time for battle.
Let’s settle this thing on the football field.”
Friday. Noon. Kraft Stadium. Be there!