Kings and Lions battle in IFL's first derby

Everyone knows the best pigskin of the year is played in January! 

Under the lights this Thursday night in Jerusalem, the Kraft Family Israel Football League returns from a two-week interval with the first regular season battle for city supremacy as the Big Blue Jerusalem Lions tangle with the Blue Sun Music Jerusalem Kings. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Kraft Stadium and the football forecast calls for a clash of styles sure to produce some scoring sparks. 

Both teams have had ample time to recover from losses in their previous game and are looking forward to ushering in 2009 with a victory to right the ship.  The Lions (1-1) have been licking their wounds for almost a month following a difficult 22-18 defeat at the hands of the Dancing Camel Modi'in Pioneers. The Kings (1-2), meanwhile, in typical shootout style, fell to the Real Housing Haifa Underdogs 56-38 in their most recent outing and have galvanized as a unit after the humbling setback. 

While one would think that two franchises that share a home-field and are meeting with both bragging rights and standings placement at stake would harbor a bit of animosity for each other, the Kings and Lions have no such ill-feelings.  In fact, both teams seem to feel a unique sense of unity, being as they both represent the country's capital, an honor neither side takes lightly. 

"Above the rivalry, which obviously exists between the two clubs, there is a deep mutual respect we have for each other," explained the Kings' Shmuel Weisfeld. "More than it being only about winning, it's just going to be a ton of fun." 

In the preseason, in the teams' only encounter to date, the Lions took advantage of an inexperienced Kings' roster and pummeled their cross-town rivals 20-0. They should not expect a repeat performance of defensive dominance. Since putting up that donut, the Kings have stormed back to score 188 points in four games and show no sign of letting up on the offensive reins one bit. 

With their passing attack working like a well-oiled machine, it is now time for the Kings to find some sort of rhythm in their running game, which has been virtually non-existent for most of the season. Quarterback Joseph Martcius has demonstrated his ability to distribute the ball, both short and deep, to a variety of receivers, including Chaim Gross, David Jesselson and the suddenly-clutch Ariel Back.  However, the team's failure to field even the semblance of a balanced offense is ultimately beginning to cost it valuable possession time and, in turn, points against. 

Marticius cannot be relied on to do it all himself, which is what happened last game when he ended up getting flustered and fumbling the ball a number of times. While the Kings' offensive line can effectively handle opponents' two-and-three-man pressures for most of a game, they have fallen apart in just a couple of crucial series in the team's recent losses and have been the cause of a few key sacks and turnovers. Additionally, the Kings' hopes of establishing a ground attack hinges on the front lineman improving their spacing and creating both time and holes for their playmakers to make the most of.   

Above anything else, however, the Kings will have to improve their porous defense if they are to have any chance of beating the defending-champion Lions. In the same four games that they have averaged 47 points for, they have given up an average of almost 44 and have only gone a so-so 2-2 over that span. 

Big Blue has seen their opponent's frenetic style of play and undoubtedly knows what to expect.  They probably have a few tricks up their own sleeves and will roll out a game-plan to attack the Kings' targeted weaknesses. For instance, look for the Lions' passing game to focus on the middle of the field, where the Kings have failed to neutralize the big receivers of both the Underdogs and the Pioneers. While the blanket coverage on the outside has been adequate, there has been plenty of room in the slot left open for quick slants into the seams all day long. If the Lions can capitalize on a few big plays early and get the Kings' linebackers playing on their heels, it could be another long day for the Blue Sun defensive unit. 

The Lions, as well, have to improve their running game, which was equally as potent to their aerial attack last year but has yet to really find its groove thus far. Speed back Adam Lemberg, in particular, has displayed an apparent fear of hitting the hole hard and has not been a factor on short-yardage situations.  His backfield mate, Matan Lavi, has emerged as the primary option on the ground and he has the shiftiness and agility necessary to break one loose for a big gain on any given play.  Look for Lavi to get a steady dose of handoffs until the team can find a more worthy candidate for the traditional full-back role. 

The defense of the Lions, which has been the team's safety net throughout its run as the IFL's most-feared franchise, is starting to come together again after a number of players were lost to injury early on. The cornerbacks and free-safeties are always raring to get a chance at an interception and Marticius is sure to tease them all day long. The defensive line will be responsible not only for dominating the line of scrimmage as part of their run prevention plan, but will also be counted on for a heavy pass rush that will put pressure on the Kings' signal-caller and force him into making mistakes. 

Even if the Kings are able to put up big numbers on paper, the Lions may win where it counts, on the scoreboard, if they can successfully disguise their linebackers' zones and pressures while forcing Marticius to settle for check-down throws to running backs and tight ends in critical moments. 

I won't even attempt to predict the outcome of this one, but to say that derby-matches always have a funny way of producing the very best football from both teams as they squeeze out every last drop of effort to claim ownership of the city, if only until the next time the clubs meet. It could get interesting in Kraft Stadium on Thursday night.