The regular season is officially in the books, and the Eastern Touch Football League playoffs are here.
After six weeks of regular-season football, Team Pacas enters the postseason as the only undefeated team in the league.
With the top two seeds receiving byes, the opening round features three intriguing matchups—and one potential Cinderella run that could completely reshape the playoff bracket.
The Bracket
9:00 AM
#7 Team Scoop vs. #6 Team Jeff
10:30 AM
Winner of Game 1 vs. #3 Team Clarke
12:00 PM
#4 Team Heaney vs. #5 Team Toi
BYES
#1 Team Pacas
#2 Team Glavic
9:00 AM — #7 Team Scoop vs. #6 Team Jeff
Team Scoop vs. Team Jeff
Spread: Team Scoop -1.5
Moneyline: Scoop -120 | Jeff +100
Over/Under: 49.5
Win Probability
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Team Scoop | 55% |
| Team Jeff | 45% |
Prediction: Team Scoop 27 – Team Jeff 24
This might be the most difficult game of the opening round to predict.
On paper, Team Jeff has the better record, finishing the regular season at 3-4 compared to Scoop’s 2-5. Jeff also owns the better point differential, finishing at -8 compared to Scoop’s -59.
But there’s one factor that changes the entire equation:
Scoop Mallen is back.
Earlier concerns surrounding Team Scoop’s quarterback situation completely disappear with Mallen confirmed to be under center. His presence dramatically raises Scoop’s offensive ceiling and gives them the ability to attack Jeff’s defence vertically.
Jeff is certainly capable of winning this game. Their offence has shown tremendous explosiveness, highlighted by a 45-point performance against Team Toi in Week 5. Kearaun Francis, David Smith and Jamall Brown have all demonstrated the ability to find the end zone.
But this is a different Team Scoop with Mallen playing.
I’m giving Scoop a narrow 55% chance of advancing, making them a slight favourite despite entering the postseason as the lower seed.
Prediction: Scoop 27, Jeff 24.
10:30 AM — The Winner Faces Team Clarke
The result of the opening game completely changes the second matchup.
If Team Jeff Advances
Team Clarke vs. Team Jeff
Spread: Clarke -3.5
Moneyline: Clarke -165 | Jeff +140
Over/Under: 48.5
Win Probability
Clarke — 63%
Jeff — 37%
Prediction: Clarke 28 – Jeff 25
Team Clarke finished the regular season at 4-3 with a +18 point differential, giving them a clear statistical advantage over Jeff.
There’s also the issue of fatigue.
Jeff would be playing its second game of the morning, while Clarke would be entering the postseason fresh. In a league where teams can play high-intensity football in the August heat, that could become a major factor late in the game.
Clarke’s biggest advantage, however, is its offensive balance.
Germaine Clarke has consistently demonstrated an ability to distribute the football. Luca Cairns Celebre and Matthew Singh have produced the bulk of the team’s offensive numbers, but Josh Devine and Connor Tamblyn have shown they can punish defences that focus too heavily on Clarke’s top weapons.
Jeff absolutely has the offensive firepower to win, but Clarke’s depth and the rest advantage give them the edge.
Prediction: Clarke 28, Jeff 25.
But What If Team Scoop Wins?
This is where things get really interesting.
If Scoop knocks off Jeff, the 10:30 AM matchup becomes:
Team Clarke vs. Team Scoop
Spread: Clarke -3.5
Moneyline: Clarke -165 | Scoop +140
Over/Under: 51.5
Win Probability
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Team Clarke | 62% |
| Team Scoop | 38% |
Prediction: Clarke 29 – Scoop 25
The line would still favour Clarke, but 38% is a significant upset probability for a team that entered the playoffs as the #7 seed.
Why?
Because if Scoop beats Jeff, the narrative changes completely.
Instead of asking whether Scoop can survive without its quarterback, we’re suddenly asking:
How far can Team Scoop go with Scoop Mallen back?
Mallen gives Scoop an offensive dimension that simply isn’t reflected in their 2-5 regular-season record.
And unlike a regular-season game, Scoop would enter this matchup with nothing to lose. They would have already knocked out a higher seed and would have the confidence that comes with winning a playoff game.
Clarke remains the favourite because of its superior regular-season performance and balanced offence. But I wouldn’t consider a Scoop upset remotely shocking.
If Scoop can force turnovers, avoid giving Clarke short fields and keep the game in reach, they absolutely have a path to the semifinals.
12:00 PM — #4 Team Heaney vs. #5 Team Toi
Team Heaney vs. Team Toi
Spread: Heaney -5.5
Moneyline: Heaney -220 | Toi +175
Over/Under: 49.5
Win Probability
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Team Heaney | 68% |
| Team Toi | 32% |
Prediction: Heaney 30 – Toi 24
This could be the most entertaining game of the opening round.
Team Toi actually scored more points during the regular season than Team Heaney, 200 to 157. The problem is what happened on the other side of the football.
Toi allowed 254 points, the most in the ETFL by a considerable margin.
Heaney, meanwhile, has quietly developed into one of the league’s most dangerous offensive teams. Joe MacDonald has emerged as a legitimate two-way difference-maker, and the team’s offensive production has steadily improved throughout the season.
For Toi, the formula is straightforward:
Score. Score. And then score some more.
If their defence can generate turnovers and keep Heaney below 25 points, an upset is very possible.
But if Heaney gets into the 30s, Toi will likely have trouble keeping pace.
Prediction: Heaney 30, Toi 24.
The Two Giants Waiting
While six teams battle through the opening round, the league’s top two seeds get to watch from the sidelines.
#1 Team Pacas
7-0 | 256 PF | 150 PA | +106 PD
There’s really no argument against Pacas being the championship favourite.
They’re the only undefeated team remaining and lead the league in both points scored and point differential.
They’ve also already proven they can beat Team Glavic in a high-pressure matchup.
And, of course, they have the league’s most dominant individual performer in Anthony Barrett, who continues to make a compelling case as the league’s Regular Season MVP.
Pacas is the team everyone else is chasing.
#2 Team Glavic
4-3 | 174 PF | 166 PA | +8 PD
Glavic’s regular-season record doesn’t necessarily reflect how dangerous this team is.
They started the season 4-0 before stumbling down the stretch, and their Week 5 loss to Pacas was far more competitive than the final score suggested.
They had a chance to win that game late before Barrett’s game-sealing interception.
With the benefit of a bye, Glavic gets to rest while three other teams potentially battle through the heat and physicality of the opening round.
That could prove invaluable.
Championship Odds
| Team | Championship Odds |
|---|---|
| Team Pacas | +110 |
| Team Glavic | +300 |
| Team Clarke | +500 |
| Team Heaney | +900 |
| Team Jeff | +1200 |
| Team Toi | +2000 |
| Team Scoop | +5000 |
These are ETFL analytical odds, rather than actual sportsbook lines, based on regular-season performance, recent form, scoring differential, quarterback availability, matchup quality and the playoff format.
ETFL 
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