2012–2013 Israel Football League season
The 2012–2013 Israel Football League was the sixth season of the Israel Football League (IFL). The league expanded to 11 teams as the Rehovot Silverbacks became the newest expansion franchise. The Tel Aviv-Jaffa Sabres became the first team in IFL history to go undefeated throughout the regular season and postseason and the season concluded with the Sabres defeating the Judean Rebels in Israel Bowl VI.
| 2012–2013 IFL season | |
|---|---|
| League | Israel Football League |
| Sport | American football |
| Israel Bowl VI | |
| Champions | Tel Aviv-Jaffa Sabres |
| Runners-up | Judean Rebels |
Regular season
The regular season consisted of 10 games for each team and the division format was left behind in favor of a schedule in which every team played every other team once.
| Pos | City | Team | Pld | W | L | PF | PA | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tel Aviv | Sabres | 10 | 10 | 0 | 664 | 76 | +588 |
| 2 | Tel Aviv | Pioneers | 10 | 9 | 1 | 516 | 217 | +299 |
| 3 | Herzliya | Hammers | 10 | 8 | 2 | 416 | 158 | +258 |
| 4 | Jerusalem | Lions | 10 | 6 | 4 | 424 | 304 | +120 |
| 5 | Efrat | Rebels | 10 | 5 | 5 | 364 | 272 | +92 |
| 6 | Jerusalem | Kings | 10 | 5 | 5 | 414 | 353 | +61 |
| 7 | Haifa | Underdogs | 10 | 5 | 5 | 335 | 277 | +58 |
| 8 | Be'er Sheva | Black Swarm | 10 | 4 | 6 | 386 | 512 | −126 |
| 9 | Petah-Tikva | Troopers | 10 | 2 | 8 | 200 | 518 | −318 |
| 10 | Nahariya | Northern Stars | 10 | 1 | 9 | 97 | 549 | −452 |
| 11 | Rehovot | Silvebacks | 10 | 0 | 10 | 54 | 634 | −580 |
Playoffs
The wild card round saw both underdog teams come out victorious, including the Kings' Hail Mary pass to beat the Hammers. In the semifinals, the Sabres crushed the Kings and the Rebels upset the Pioneers in 100+ degree heat.
Wild Card games
- Hammers 46 – 50 Kings
- Lions 42 – 50 Rebels
Semi Finals
- Pioneers 34 – 38 Rebels
- Sabres 60 – 6 Kings
Israel Bowl VI
The Sabres and Rebels went toe-to-toe in Israel Bowl VI, but the Sabres pulled away midway through the third quarter, and held on for their second straight title.
- Sabres 48 - 26 Rebels
Awards
- Most Valuable Player: Dani Eastman, WR/DB/RS/QB, Judean Rebels[1]
- Offensive Player-of-the-Year: Adi Hakami, QB, Tel Aviv/Jaffa Sabres[1]
- Defensive Player-of-the-Year: Gilad Shoham, DE, Ramat Hasharon Hammers[1]
- Special Team Player-of-the-Year: Liran Zamir, K/P, Judean Rebels[1]
- Coaching Staff-of-the-Year: Ramat Hasharon Hammers[1]
- Offensive Rookie-of-the-Year: Jordan Curran, QB, Ramat Hasharon Hammers[1]
- Defensive Rookie-of-the-Year: Mor Kalomiti, DB, Petah Tikva Troopers[1]