HFL Playoff Picture Set: The Final Four Are Ready for Battle
- Georgescu B. Andrei
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
The HFL regular season has officially come to an end, and after months of hard-fought games, we finally know our playoff teams. The Budapest Cowbells, Budapest Wolves, Győr Sharks, and Újpest Bulldogs have secured their spots in the semifinals and will now turn their attention toward the championship race.
While some teams finished exactly where many expected, others had to fight until the final weeks to earn their place. One thing is certain: the road to the HFL title now runs through these four teams.
1. Budapest Cowbells (6-0)
The Cowbells finished the regular season exactly how they played all year. They remained undefeated and continued to show why they have been the league's most complete team from Week 1.
QB Kelemen Marcell opened the scoring with a touchdown pass to WR Csumán Botond, while Douglas Atkins added a successful two-point conversion. In the second half, RB Richard Seay Jr. once again took over the game, scoring two rushing touchdowns and controlling the pace of the offense.
Week after week, the Cowbells have found different ways to win, and they enter the playoffs as the clear favorite.
2. Budapest Wolves (4-2)
The Wolves bounced back with an important victory over the Budapest Titans and secured the second seed heading into the postseason.
After opening the scoring with a field goal from K/DB Szakács Kristóf Gergely, the offense found its rhythm in the second half. QB Tóth Levente connected with WR Czirók Márton Tamás for a touchdown before WR Pfisztner Máté Oszkár added a rushing score. Czirók continued his strong performance by converting a two-point attempt and later finding the endzone again on the ground.
The Wolves have faced some ups and downs throughout the season, but when their offense clicks, they remain one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
3. Győr Sharks (3-3)
The Sharks may not have filled up the scoreboard in their final regular season game, but they did exactly what they needed to do.
The defense set the tone early with an interception from DB Jahmal Walker, creating excellent field position for the offense. Moments later, QB Nicholas Christopher Rooney found WR Dürgő Balázs for a touchdown.
While the result wasn't what they hoped for, the Sharks have put together a strong regular season and now turn their full attention toward the semifinals.
4. Újpest Bulldogs (3-3)
The Bulldogs punched their ticket to the playoffs with another physical and defensive-minded performance.
LB Madarász László Attila provided one of the biggest plays of the game with an interception return touchdown, immediately giving Újpest momentum. The offense added to the lead when QB Horváth Domonkos connected with WR Könyves Álmos for a touchdown pass. WR Bradley Steven Schlom later added a rushing touchdown, while the defense continued to make life difficult for their opponents with fumble recoveries from DB Mmadi Amin Icham and DL Labancz Géza.
The Bulldogs have built their season around aggressive defense, and that formula has earned them a place in the semifinals.
5. Budapest Titans (1-5)
The Titans finished the season just outside the playoff picture, but they fought until the very end.
WR Myles McKatherine opened the scoring with a touchdown reception from QB Johnathan Avery Bennett, while RB Ráthonyi Kende added a rushing touchdown before halftime. Bennett continued to battle throughout the game, adding two rushing touchdowns of his own and keeping the Titans competitive until the final whistle.
Although the season ends in disappointment, the Titans showed plenty of fight and talent throughout the year.
6. Blue Dragons Belgrade (1-5)
The Blue Dragons may have missed the playoffs, but they never stopped competing. Even in their final game of the season, they continued to battle until the last second.
QB Michael Cornwell connected with TE Igor Rokvic for a touchdown through the air, while DB/RB Varsey Tyreek Bright added a rushing score to keep the offense moving. Defensively, DB Milos Pejovic came up with an interception and provided another positive moment for the Dragons.
The results may not have gone their way this season, but the effort and determination were there until the very end.
Semifinals Are Set
The regular season is over, and the battle for the HFL championship is officially underway.
After six weeks of competition, the Budapest Cowbells, Budapest Wolves, Győr Sharks, and Újpest Bulldogs have secured their places in the semifinals. Each team took a different path to get here, but now the standings no longer matter… only survival does.
The semifinal matchups are set for the weekend of June 27–28:
Budapest Cowbells vs Újpest Bulldogs
Budapest Wolves vs Győr Sharks
The undefeated Cowbells enter the playoffs as favorites, but the Bulldogs have built their season on defensive playmaking and won't be an easy opponent. On the other side of the bracket, the Wolves and Sharks will renew their rivalry in what promises to be a physical and closely contested matchup.
The regular season gave us plenty of drama, surprises, and unforgettable performances. Now, only four teams remain, and each is just two wins away from lifting the HFL trophy.
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