Start ’Em: Sam King, M, Utah Archers (28 coins)
We’re not here to take part. We’re here to take over.
The rookie out of Harvard and recent Tewaaraton Award finalist has been everything the Archers could’ve asked for and more. He can dodge a physical pole, torch a quick one and still find the open man when the slide comes. He’s a feeder. He’s a finisher. He’s the kind of player who fits into a system — until the system starts to revolve around him.
And now it does.
Through eight weeks, Sam King leads the Archers in points (yes — ahead of Tom Schreiber, Connor Fields, Grant Ament and Mac O’Keefe). He started the season at midfield but has since dropped down to his natural spot at attack, taking over as Utah’s primary ball-carrier.
Last week? He went right at Jack Rowlett and forced the Carolina Chaos to throw extra help his way.
With Utah playing twice this weekend, King is a guy who commands touches and makes them matter — at just 28 coins, he’s a must-start. I’m locking him in Friday night under the lights, while his legs are fresh.
Attackman listed at midfield? You already know the rule: Start ‘em.
Sit ’Em: Brett Dobson, G, Utah Archers (40 coins)
Brett Dobson has been a solid fantasy goalie all season — a dependable start I’ve rotated in with Blaze Riorden and Liam Entenmann depending on matchups. It actually hurts to write this, because over the course of the season, he’s slowly become one of my favorite players in the league. But I guess that’s show biz.
Dobson faces two full games of shots on back-to-back days. That would be tiring enough during a club ball tournament — but at the pro level? It’s a whole different beast.
His first test will be tough against a trigger-happy California Redwoods team, but it’s the Denver Outlaws in game two that has me sitting him. When you are playing against Pat Kavanagh and Brennan O’Neill, they unleash an onslaught of shots with surgical timing, precision and no consistent release point. Dobson will make saves, but this offense doesn’t let you breathe. With the Outlaws working in unison, they’re designed to wear down any goalie in their way.
This is an offense that seems to put together a SportsCenter Top 10 play every single week. It’s the kind of play style that inspires kids in their backyard.
Dobson will get clipped. It’s inevitable.
Kavanagh is listed as doubtful — and if he’s out, that’s a big break for Dobson. But even then, it likely means Jared Bernhardt drops down to attack, which is hardly a relief.
And it doesn’t stop there. He’ll also have to contend with Dalton Young, Logan Wisnauskas, Jonathan Donville and Graham Bundy Jr. — all bringing pressure in that second game.
With that workload and level of opposition, Dobson is a clear “Sit ‘em” this week.
