CFL leaders a step above the rest

With only a couple of games remaining for the Commonwealth Football League’s fourth season to complete, it is clear that a new red and yellow power is emerging and is a game away from finishing with an unmarred record.

The Shell Chiefs have managed to complete their first five games without a loss, and the newly formed team has scored 122 points thus far, and allowed just 22.

Their high-powered offensive unit was led by quarterback Clasley Ngeskebei before he was sidelined for the season against the Verizon Nitro, and following their game with the Miller Barbarians, back-up quarterback Danny Punimata will also watch the remainder of the games in street clothes. The Chiefs now look to Bryant Moors to lead an offensive unit that has amassed a total of a league leading 1,078 yards, with 529 of them coming through the air.

Moors was the second leading receiver in the league with nine receptions for 139 yards, but he will have to scan the field to find Mark Wallace and Luka Tapuaialupe to fill the void. With Wallace’s seven catches for 107 yards on the season, and Tapuaialupe’s 68 yards, the Shell offense could easily subdue their opponents with their air campaign.

The Chiefs offense is also fueled by a high-octane running attack that has accumulated 549 yards It is no coincidence that the two top running backs in the league are on the Chiefs, as Stanley Iakopo and Jeff Boyer have gained more yards on the ground than both the Nitro and the Barbarians combined.

With five touchdowns and 337 yards on 34 carries in four games, Iakopo’s 9.9 yards per carry are the tops in the league. Sharing time in the backfield is Boyer, who has averaged 3.5 yards per carry en route to racking up a pair of TDs and 142 yards on 40 carries.

The Shell offense is producing some big numbers, but it is what their defense is doing to opposing teams that’s allowing them to enjoy the comforts of a 5-0 record.

The Shell curtain has allowed a total of 22 points and 74 yards of offense in five games combined, and that is less than it was two games ago.

A sea of red and gold awaits opposing quarterbacks, as the Chiefs have four of the top five sackers in the league. Juan Kapileo rules the roost, as he disregarded domestic violence awareness month to abuse opposing quarterbacks with 6.5 sacks. Paul Camacho is next in line with five, while Dominic Reyes has a pair of QB takedowns to go along with his 10 tackles, nine assists, and three interceptions.

Camacho is also the league leading tackler with 14 solos, 16 assists, and a fumble recovery, and teammate Jered Lutu is dishing out beatings all over the field with nine tackles, four assists, four picks, and a fumble recovery. There are so many performers on the Chiefs that it is difficult to name them all, however, they are not the only squad with talented individuals.