Tonight the United Football League’s “Premiere Season” comes to a close. For those of us who followed the development of the league from May of 2007 until now it seems hard to believe. After all of the hard work from the executives, investors, employees, coaches, and players of the UFL the regular season closes and we will be one week from the Championship Game. The Las Vegas Locos have clinched a spot in the Championship Game in their home stadium and they will look to close the regular season in style against the 0-5 New York Sentinels.

The Locos

JP Losman is listed as “questionable” on the injury reports and indications are that he will not play. Former NFL QB Tim Rattay will likely be the starter and take the majority, if not all, of the reps tonight. Rattay did not look all that sharp when he came in during a Locos blowout earlier in the season but with a week of practice he should look better.

Marcel Shipp will carry the load tonight as DeDe Dorsey’s foot pain lingers. Dorsey should see some action but look for Josh Scobey to get the majority of the carries in relief of Shipp. It would be wise for Fassel to rest Dorsey further in preparation for the game that matters next Friday.

Teddy Lehman has been dominant for the Locos all year, racking up 35 tackles to date. He has a chance to finish the season as the league leader and cement the potential for him to get an NFL shot. Eric Henderson could make some more noise tonight against an anemic Sentinels offense and he has a shot at taking the league’s lead in sacks as well.

Trey Young has been a bright spot for an otherwise mediocre Loco’s secondary. The last time the Locos faced off against the Sentinels he had the best game of the season, he’ll look to continue that trend again tonight.

The Sentinels

The Sentinels offense has been nonexistent at best, self-destructive at worst all year long. The good news for Sentinels fans is that Quinn Gray is listed as probable, he looked good last week until a hip injury took him out. If Ingle Martin is playing this game could get ugly, he had a Shane Falco-esque (Replacements reference…) meltdown last week that probably set the quarterback position back ten years. CJ Bacher was elevated to the active roster this week and could see some time, I have been a fan of Bacher’s style since college and would love to see him get some snaps.

LaBrandon Toefield is likely out tonight due to a back injury. That leaves a cadre of runningbacks who have little to show for their playing time as the squad to replace him. Shannon Woods has shown a few glimpses and might earn the start.

Craphonso Thorpe has been the one bright spot for the Sentinels offense and as long as the Sentinels QB can throw the ball towards him I would expect a big game from Thorpe this evening.

Darien Williams has been a rock for a Sentinels defense that has looked good early on in most games this season before the time of possession and short fields drain them. He has 29 tackles to date and should have another solid performance tonight. Paul Pratt has been one of the unsung heroes of the UFL thus far and if Rattay is sloppy he might make him pay.

The Result

I wanted to pick the Sentinels because, as the Redwoods showed last night, pride is a powerful motivator. I have to go with the Locos, however, due to the poor offense that the Sentinels have had all year. I pick the Locos in a 14-10 battle.

Tickets

If you purchase a ticket for tonight’s game between the Locos and Sentinels at Sam Boyd Stadium, you will receive a free Championship Game ticket! Visit www.unlvtickets.com and use the code BOGO. Limit 6 per customer.