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League champions to square off

Erie League's Vigilantes, GLL Too's Torsion to play in Ultimate Bowl

For the past six years, the Erie League and the Great Lakes Too League have co-existed. Many owners have participated in each league, including Kirk Pavelich, commissioner of the Erie League, Dave Bell, commissioner of the Great Lakes League, Keith Kuratko, Sam Profio, Jamie Roush, Bill Long, J.P. Dougherty and Brett Harney. Individual champions have been crowned in each league over the past six seasons.

That all changes this year. Much like when the NFL's Green Bay Packers took on the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 15, 1967 in the first ever Super Bowl, this year's respective fantasy league champions will face off in Ultimate Bowl I.

For the 12-year-old Erie League, it will be the three-time champion Midnight Vigilantes (12-4), back-to-back title winners who are coming off a convincing 122-95 victory over the Donikers-DTL. Owner Kirk Pavelich (pictured right) has a record of 89-62 over the course of ten Erie League seasons.

"I'm such a fantasy football junkie," Pavelich said. "You're looking at a guy who loves football so much that he ran an XFL league! Basically, I wanted a reason to watch the games this weekend and I thought the best way to make them meaningful would be to challenge the champions of the GLL 2 in a friendly competition. I'd love to see it become an annual event between the two leagues, perhaps with higher stakes that are sanctioned by the respective commissioners."

For the 6-year-old Great Lakes Too League, it will be Torsion Connect (13-3), back-to-back champions in their only two years in the league. They are also coming off an impressive championship victory, 130.55 to 52.55 over the Ryan Express. Owner Steve Payne has a record of 22-10 in his two seasons in the Great Lakes Too League. Payne's success in the league has led to several recruiting calls from Pavelich about joining the Erie League for the 2002 season.

"Consider it a done deal for next year in the Erie League," Payne said. "The league seems pretty challenging and sure does have a lot of smack talk going on. It would be nice to enter as a two-time GLTOO Champ trying to win the Erie League. I think the Browns conference needs a championship!"

The winner of this "friendly" exhibition contest will receive an additional $25.

In other news, the annual Erie League awards and rules banquet will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2002 at Twin City Pub and Grille in Twinsburg, located at 10735 Ravenna Road in the Masarra's Shopping Plaza. It will start at 6:30 p.m. and Pavelich has vowed to continue the six-year-old tradition of buying a round of drinks for all in attendance. Please contact the commissioner as soon as possible if you cannot attend so that other arrangements can be made regarding the distribution of prize money.

Ultimate Bowl I

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE ULTIMATE BOWL...

"The Erie League, where I cut my teeth on Fantasy Football back in 1990, has challenged the Great Lakes Too League to a Super Bowl of sorts. Both leagues finish their season on (normally) week 16 and can use the final week for a playoff for more cash. Steve Payne has agreed to meet the Erie League Champs of Kirk Pavelich and his Midnight Vigilantes. Pav is a charter member and the owner of the Young Guns in our league. Check out this matchup by clicking on the Erie League tab at the left. And don't be afraid to talk a little smack!!" Great Lakes Too Commissioner Dave Bell's pre-game comments on the league's official web site.

"Kirk, you the man and all but just because you won the championship twice you feel you can take on the world. Slow down! Maybe not, I just read Team Torsion's Profile. This is my year. Another Michigan bitch. But worse, he admits to being a 'Lions Backer.' This is the first time I have heard of the other league. What are they, that fucking stupid where they don't know how to round numbers? 130.55 to 55.50. What the fuck is that?" GM Jody Barth of the Erie League's Blockheads.

Click here to read the feature story -- ERIE OWNERS FIRE PARTING SHOTS

Click here to read the owner profile story on KEITH KURATKO

Click here to read the feature story on THE EVOLUTION OF SMACK TALKING

Click here to read the owner profile story on STORM THOMAS

Click here to read the owner profile story on JODY BARTH

Click here to read the owner profile story on BRYAN VINCE

Click here to read the owner profile story on JASON GILLESPIE

Click here to read the owner profile story on JOHN THIEM

Click here to read the owner profile story on JOE NUNNEY

CLICK HERE FOR BACK ISSUES OF THE SPORTS PAGE:

• Vigilantes win third league crown (December 31, 2001)

• Vigilantes, Donikers set to battle - Fantasy Bowl 12 Preview (December 29, 2001)

• Four teams remain in the hunt (December 18, 2001)

• Eight teams remain in the race for the 2001 Erie League title (December 11, 2001)

• Field of 16 will vie for Fantasy Bowl 12 berth; 3 rookies qualify (December 4, 2001)

• Little talking takes place as owners jockey for post-season position (November 27, 2001)

• Trash talking develops a rivalry (November 20, 2001)

• Trade deadline passes with several owners deciding to stand pat (November 13, 2001)

• GM's come out of the woodwork to answer Vince's trash talking (November 6, 2001)

• Start of second half not kind to Jones and LTP (October 29, 2001)

• Trade offers lead to trash talk (October 22, 2001)

• Browns Conference reigns supreme (October 15, 2001)

• Interleague Play - Round Three Preview (October 8, 2001)

• Veterans Vince and Kuratko fire first shots of the season (October 1, 2001)

• Atomic Punks, Black Diamond jump to All-American Conference (August 11, 2001)

• Erie League set to kick off 12th season (July 8, 2001)