Tackle Football in Israel

Things got considerably tighter atop the Kraft Family IFL standings over the weekend, with the last of the unbeaten teams falling and an expansion dark-horse contender nudging its way into the already crowded first-place race as the season hit its midway point.

In Thursday’s Christmas eve special from the capital, the Judean Rebels improved to 3-2 on their inaugural campaign with a comfortable 43-12 victory over the Beersheva Black Swarm.

That proved to be just the table-setter for Saturday night’s thrilling clash in Holon, where, in a 32-36 final, the Big Blue Jerusalem Lions cooled down the red-hot Mike’s Place Tel Aviv Sabres to create a three-way tie for top spot along with the also 4-1 Real Housing Haifa Underdogs.

The Lions, playing without veteran heart-and-soul Yonah Mishaan and tackling-machine Scott Eisenberg, got game-breaking performances from Itai Ashkenazi, Idan Yaron and Amichai Bergman on offense, as well as inspired outings from linebackers Aryeh Bauman and Gani Medad on defense, to deal the Sabres a loss after four opening Ws and quash the latest bid for the IFL’s first-ever perfect season.