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*DSFL Conference Championship Highlights - IsaStarcrossed - 12-31-2019 Playoffs: Conference Championship Luchadores 27 over Buccaneers 17 - In their first playoff action as a relocated franchise, the Buccaneers had a monumental task on their hands. They were expected to go on the road and beat the team who has been the favorite basically since season kickoff. They weren’t able to come away with the win, but they did manage to put together a highly competitive game that had Tijuana sweating for three quarters. The game started off looking like it was all Tijuana as @Jay_Doctor (Mason Blaylock) returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown early in the first quarter. Then the Buccaneers had a quick three and out just a few plays later, @KanakoSquirrel (Jordan Jackson) nailed a 34 yard kick to put the Luchadores up 10-0. It was beginning to look like the Buccaneers were outmatched, but back to back big plays from Brock Phoenix resulted in a huge 23 yard reception from @RainDelay22 (Rayne Gordon) and a clutch 19 yard catch from @Vex (Jacoby Clay). They stalled and @iseedoug (Ben Horne/Icy Douglas) knocked in an 18 yarder, but the Buccaneers were showing signs of life. The Luchadores refused to go down easy though and a 29 yard toss from @iamslm22 (Avon Blocksdale Jr) to @S O U P (Randy Vuxta) set Vuxta up for a second quarter touchdown. The Buccaneers were quick to respond though and on their very next drive, they ended with a touchdown pass from Brock Phoenix to Rayne Gordon to narrow this game 17 to 10. Then the defenses decided to get involved as Myrtle Beach’s Pete "Plop" Miller and Tijuana’s @inverted96 (Kyle Idlewyld) both had drive killing sacks. This sudden defensive resurgence culminated with a @Jeffrey (Jeffrey LaVert) interception return for a touchdown, taking this game into the half at 17 to 17. Outside of a 47 yard field goal from Jordan Jackson, the third quarter was all defensive highlights. A long Tijuana drive was killed by an @Ephenssta (Warren Stephens) interception and was immediately answer with Mason Blaylock showing up again in this game and getting an interception of his own. This drive was killed by a Warren Stephens sack and suddenly we entered the third quarter with Tijuana only up 20 to 17. Unfortunately for the Buccaneers as the fourth quarter started, @KC15 (Jed Podolak) finally found his groove as he grinded out a long, bruising drive where he converted five first downs that ran out more than half the quarter and ended in another touchdown throw from Blocksdale to put them up 27-17. With the way the defense had been playing, there wasn’t much room for Myrtle Beach from that point onwards and they simply didn’t have the time left for two scores. Myrtle Beach played well, but ultimately it’s the Luchadores who punched their ticket to the finals. Grey Ducks 30 over Pythons 27 - These two teams were closely matched and battled back and forth for first place in their conference all season long. Their narrow differences became very apparent in this one as it ended in just a three point game. The Grey Ducks had leaned on their running game all season and this game started off with more of the same as Darrel Williams and @Barry (Logan Noble Jr)split carries in a long drive that was capped off in a Williams touchdown. The two averaged 5.6 yards per carry on this first drive and showed the Pythons what they were in store for all game long. Despite eating away at almost 70% of the first quarter with that drive, the Pythons were quick to respond as a combination of Jay Cue and McTaco quickly drove them down the field and in just three minutes, they managed to tie the game with a @SwagSloth (Baby Yoda) touchdown from nine yards out. Minnesota did more of the same on their second drive of the game as their run game looked unable to be slowed down and Williams worked them down for his second touchdown in the first half. At this point, the game turned sharply in the Grey Ducks favor. A @DonnoMania (Beat) forced fumble set up @golden_apricot (Silver Banana) for his first field goal of the game and then after a quick three and out, the Grey Ducks returned a punt 86 yards for a touchdown. Very suddenly the Grey Ducks were up 24 to 7 and a 39 yard field goal from @Baron1898 (Venus Powers) late in the first half did little to lessen the sting as it looked like the game was going to be one sided. That said, the Pythons weren’t giving up and started the third quarter with a clutch interception returned to the 10 yard line. A big 9 yard catch from @Rashad James (Raheem Okusi) set up the Pythons TD and they were suddenly in striking distance and began to surge. Luckily the Grey Ducks knew the name of the game. Clock control. Their one two punch of Williams and Noble Jr ran out more than half the quarter and set up Banana for another field goal to put them up 27 to 17. As they headed into the fourth, the Pythons knew they were going to need to act fast and were aided by a huge safety to start the quarter off. After receiving the safety punt, they quickly struck thanks to a 29 yard rush by Jay Cue and managed to get the two point conversion. In just seven minutes, they scored 10 points and had tied it up. The Pythons had life suddenly, but Minnesota knew what they needed to do. The same thing they’d done all season. Hard running, extreme clock control. With five minutes left, Minnesota got the ball back. 10 rushes and only one pass burned the clock down to nothing and with five seconds left, Banana nailed in his third kick to seal the game. The Pythons showed a lot of fight, but at the end of the day the Grey Ducks played their game and it earned them a trip to the Ultimini. In just one season as a rebranded team, they’ve managed to make it to the big dance where they’ll get a shot against a familiar rival, the Tijuana Luchadores.