Introducing the Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders.
As quickly as you may start to recognize them and want to know more, they may exit the Helmet Bowl III National Championship.
Wow. The Cru is a rollercoaster.
They won the American Southwest Conference, ranked very high in total voting nationally, then seem to rest contentedly with that. Now, a few days into the National bracket, they are getting beat, and beat handily, by the #16 ranked St. Thomas Bobcats.
However, to be fair. The Bobcats, though a play in contender, gained considerable momentum through their two-week encounter with other teams who had lackluster voting records at the time. In fact, the St. Thomas voters failed to lift the helmet to the Mid-South championship. Yet, here they are, seventh in total voting in the National bracket and could make a real run for the Regional championship – and beyond.
Pay attention now, voters. The Gallaudet Bison are the Helmet Bowl I National Champions and are not to be taken lightly. They were, we believe, taken by surprise a year ago, but have their goals set on returning to the highest podium for HB3. This team has strong leadership and an extremely wide network.
The Austin College Kangaroos have a simple but attractive helmet. They must redouble any efforts they have begun to have even a long shot at removing the Bison from this contest. Call it a bad draw or call it what you will, but the #15 Roos are in, and out.
Now here we have one of the most interesting and perfect match-ups. The #3 Camels are separated by seeding by nearly a dozen places to the Samford Bulldogs, but the Bulldogs will not let up. They are stubborn and currently are on a strong pace to upset Campbell then, who knows?
With the other matchup here, the Richmond Spiders vs the Stetson Hatters, you may expect that the Spiders will squash the Hatters, and you'd be right. Who's next for this splendid lid? They had better watch out.
The South Region is STACKED!
The four helmets above may be the most attractive group of four in the contest, for now. Wow. The Governors of Austin Peay have captured the attention of the voters and are easily handling the Arkansas Pine Bluff Lions – who put forth a classy lid themselves.
The long-time Helmet Bowl contender Howard Bison areas locked up as any team can be with the Limestone Saints – a near tie. Both helmets are good, not great, but both teams have strong voting potential and the winner of this match may advance far in Helmet Bowl – the Greatest College Football Helmet Contest Ever!
The South Region does not stop. Look at the helmets above. This is the middle of the pack – 7, 8, 8, 10. They could be 1, 2, 3, 4 in our contest. Wow, this region is crazy good.
The Lamar Cardinals trail the University of Alabama Birmingham Blazers by a couple of hundred votes and probably won't catch the fire-breathers.
The Argonauts of West Florida trail Ole Miss by a few handfuls of votes and can catch them if they rally the voters. Either helmet will challenge in the next round.