SFLm Season 9: How it's going, what's at stake

If you haven't been paying attention, the SFL minor league is having arguably its best season in the five years its been in operation. No undefeateds remain, everyone's got a win and the largest season point differential in any direction is 30 - an average of a one score win or loss per game through five weeks.

But this season is different. There's a new exciting playoff format and all the rookies will be back in the fall to continue a quest for a Championship and ahead of the next rookie draft in December. With the last night of games coming Friday June 21, we've got you covered on which rookies have excelled so far, which development players are making the most of their showcase opportunities and all the important postseason details.

Let's attack the postseason first. In case you missed it, this SFLm season - which lasts the entirety of the 2024 calendar - is split into two, six-game bouts. The winner of the spring season clinches a first round bye. Win both the spring and the fall regular seasons and eliminate a sixth-team from making the playoffs. Here's who has a chance to get that first round bye to December playoffs on Friday:

• Nashville Tempo (4-1) - The Tempo can clinch the spring regular season and clinch a playoff spot/first-round bye with a win vs. Chicago.
• Lexington Miners (4-1) - The Miners can win the spring with a win vs. San Jose and a Nashville loss to Chicago. Lexington needs the additional help because Nashville holds the head-to-head tiebreaker from their 24-10 win over Lexington earlier this season.

Chicago and Philadelphia are both 3-2 but neither have beaten Nashville or Lexington. They'll have to try and win the fall. The best four combined spring/fall regular season records - or three records in the event one team wins both regular seasons - that don't win seasonal regular season championships will clinch wild card playoff spots.

Now on to the players that have caught our attention here at headquarters:

Bossier City Quarterback Sylas Christiansen

Christiansen has much to live up to in last name, but so far this season he leads the SFLm in passing yards and touchdowns with 1,640 and 11, respectively. He's been tossing it primarily to Xavier Knight (leading the league in receiving yards and touchdowns - 648 and 5, respectively. Knight will be playing in SFL Season 23 with Indianapolis. Quarterback is the toughest position to stand out in and find playing time. Christiansen has found a way to stand out in his first season under center. Honorable mention goes to Bossier City rookie running back Patrick Rudlang, who leads all undrafted running backs in rushing yards (377), third overall in SFLm.

Nashville Defensive Tackle Bear Winters

This guy has been incredible since joining the Tempo in late April. With little development under his belt, Winters leads all rookies in sacks with 2.5 in five games and has been instrumental in Nashville's defensive turnaround. After giving up a combined 47 points in their first two games, the Tempo have given up a combined 48 in their last three. This guy's going to be a beast if he keeps up his play and progression long-term.

Chicago Inside Linebacker Dallas Knowles

Knowles has been racking up the stats for the Warriors this season. He leads all linebackers in tackles (40), tied for fifth in tackles for loss (11), has five pass deflections, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown. Knowles quietly signed as a defensive lineman for the 2x defending champion Florida Storm, so this under-the-radar star could end up flourishing and becoming the next great Florida destructor on the line.