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+---- Thread: *S25 - ISFL Week 1 Recap (/showthread.php?tid=26615)
*S25 - ISFL Week 1 Recap - dogwoodmaple - 10-06-2020
Week 1 is officially in the books. Here, we'll take a look at each opening game, some notable performances, and what it means for each team.
Orange County Otters 23
San Jose Sabercats 17
If you liked offense, I hope you turned off the sim before this game popped up. Despite 40 points being scored between the two teams, there was only two offensive touchdowns scored. Both of those were via Jamar Lackson and one came with just 3:25 left in the game. The Otters were able to find the scoreboard with three field goals from Alex Dasistwirklichseinnachname, a pick six from Bob Bob, and a kick return touchdown from Korrin Abernathy. The Sabercats defense was dominant, holding Orange County to just 219 total yards, but the Otters were able to scrape up just enough to hold on to the win. Special shout out to Norfolk alum QB Suleiman Ramza @Blasoon for his first ISFL win! (just don't look at his statline.) Frankly, this is a game the 'Cats should've won and it has to be frustrating to be so close to stealing a road win opening week.
Player of the Game: Korrin Abernathy @Laser - 94 yard kick return TD, 7 tackles, PD
Stat of the Game: I mentioned it earlier, but zero offensive touchdowns for the Otters, yet they come out with the victory. Not often that happens, and against the reigning champs, no less.
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New Orleans Second Line 24
Arizona Outlaws 16
The Outlaws held a 16-10 lead entering the fourth quarter, which is where the good news stops for Arizona fans. New Orleans came storming back with 14 unanswered fourth quarter points to take home the victory, 24-16. Like the Sabercats, this was a missed opportunity for Arizona to get an early season road victory in New Orleans. The Outlaws dominated time of possession, had more total yards, and won the turnover battle, but simply could not get off the field when it mattered most at the end of the game. They had no answer for the Second Line rushing attack, who were able to salt the game away after taking an eight point lead. When your quarterback wracks up 290 total yards and doesn't turn the ball over, you've got to find a way to win. It's back to the drawing board for the Outlaws this week, while the Second Line are flying high. If they eliminate the turnovers, this could've been a blowout. They say the biggest improvement is from Week 1 to Week 2, and if that's the case, keep an eye out on the Second Line who are poised to make some noise this year.
Player of the Game: Marcella Tōriki @bex - 118 total yards, TD
Player of the Game:
Korrin Abernathy @Laser - 94 yard kick return TD, 7 tackles, PDStat of the Game: I mentioned it earlier, but zero offensive touchdowns for the Otters, yet they come out with the victory. Not often that happens, and against the reigning champs, no less.
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New Orleans Second Line 24 Arizona Outlaws 16The Outlaws held a 16-10 lead entering the fourth quarter, which is where the good news stops for Arizona fans. New Orleans came storming back with 14 unanswered fourth quarter points to take home the victory, 24-16. Like the Sabercats, this was a missed opportunity for Arizona to get an early season road victory in New Orleans. The Outlaws dominated time of possession, had more total yards, and won the turnover battle, but simply could not get off the field when it mattered most at the end of the game. They had no answer for the Second Line rushing attack, who were able to salt the game away after taking an eight point lead. When your quarterback wracks up 290 total yards and doesn't turn the ball over, you've got to find a way to win. It's back to the drawing board for the Outlaws this week, while the Second Line are flying high. If they eliminate the turnovers, this could've been a blowout. They say the biggest improvement is from Week 1 to Week 2, and if that's the case, keep an eye out on the Second Line who are poised to make some noise this year.
Player of the Game:
Marcella Tōriki @bex - 118 total yards, TDStat of the Game: New Orleans ripped off 5.0 yards per carry in an unstoppable ground game performance.
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Austin Copperheads 35
Honolulu Hahalua 23Despite the lopsided final score, this game was close throughout. Honolulu took a 23-21 lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Copperheads were fantastic in the final 10 minutes, going on a blistering 14-0 run to end the game. The story with this game has to be rookie sensation Zoe Watts. Watts finished with not one, not two, but three touchdowns and 79 total yards. The Hahalua simply had no redzone answer on defense and I tip my cap to anyone who has Watts on their fantasy team. Honolulu actually did a solid job against the run overall (giving up 3.2 ypc) but their defense couldn't get a stop when it mattered most. Credit the Copperheads with not settling for field goals and finishing off drives with six points.
Player of the Game:
Zoe Watts @Kyamprac - 79 total yards, 3 TDsStat of the Game: 3-0. Honolulu had to settle for three field goals inside the 25 yardline, while the Copperheads were able to punch in all their drives. It was the difference in the game.
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Berlin Fire Salamanders 30
New York Silverbacks 27In the opening week expansion showdown, this game could not have been more exciting. A back and forth affair, this opener wasn't decided until the final minute. Berlin did just enough to get the victory, thanks to the unstoppable rushing attack of Joseph Petrongolo and Danny King, who combined for 169 rushing yards on 33 carries. New York's defensive line was constantly on roller skates as the Fire Salamanders OL consistently opened up holes the entire game. Karmichael Hunt @"simo_393" put this game on ice with just 41 second left in the game with a short field goal, giving Berlin the highest team winning percentage in league history. It's hard to take too much away from this game, since these two teams are relatively even. We'll learn a lot more next week as they leave the confines of expansion teams and take on some established powers of ISFL.
Player of the Game:
Joseph Petrongolo @Jo3fish5 - 117 total yards, 1 TDStat of the Game: Berlin's offense averaged 6.15 yards per play and New York simply had no answer for the two-headed rushing attack and timely play of Kaepercolin.
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Colorado Yeti 27
Sarasota Sailfish 10Halfway through the third quarter, the Sailfish held a 7-3 lead. I don't know what they said to the Yeti at that point in the game, but whatever it was it got Colorado's attention in a big way. The Yeti outscored Sarasota 24-3 the rest of the way in what turned out to be the biggest margin of victory in the opening week. The aptly named James Angler was the lone bright spot on offense the Sarasota, hauling in 101 receiving yards, but that was about it for the fish. On the other side, Wolfie McDummy started the season white-hot and could not be stopped in the second half. He finished with 335 passing yards, 2 TD, and no picks and gave the Sailfish defense fits all game. McDummy wasn't just locked in to one receiver, either. Colorado finished with four receivers with at least 50 yards in a blistering offensive performance.
Player of the Game:
Wolfie McDummy @infinitempg - 28/49, 335 yards, 2 TD, 0 INTStat of the Game: Zero, zilch, nada. Colorado had zero turnovers and zero penalties in what was the most complete performance of week one.
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Chicago Butchers 31
Yellowknife Wraiths 27Yet another late game comeback in this one, as the Butchers storm back from a 20-7 deficit to take the week one matchup against the Wraiths. Yellowknife led by 13 on two separate occasions and carried a 10 point lead into the fourth quarter, but George O'Donnell was simply too much for the Wraith defense late in the game. This game featured the most combined passing yards in week one as both QBs absolutely went off. Combined, they totaled 642 yards, 5 TD, and only one interception, but the Butchers simply made one or two more plays in the end to get the victory. The winning touchdown was tossed to Sean O'Leary with just 1:42 left on the clock, who took it 49 yards to the house in a back-breaking fashion for the Wraiths. Yellowknife had more total yards, more passing yards, more rushing yards, and won the time of possession battle, and was likely one defensive lapse away from getting the win. Look for them to bounce back next week.
Player of the Game:
George O'Donnell @Leafer - 24/44, 314 yards, 3 TD, 0 INTStat of the Game: There were four combined 100 yard receivers in this one. Defensive backs, good luck at the film session today.
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Baltimore Hawks 23
Philadelphia Liberty 20In the final breakdown, we had yet another fourth quarter comeback. Philadelphia led by a touchdown with 9:10 left in the game but the Hawks pulled victory from the talons of defeat and made a game-winning field goal with just 26 seconds left on the clock. It was tough sledding offensively for both teams in the first half, combining for just 16 points and one total touchdown. They each got things together after halftime, where they scored 24 combined points in the final quarter. This was perhaps the most fun game to watch as a neutral observer. Long TD? Check (79 yard TD pass to Randy Vuxta). Blown leads and comebacks? Check. A frantic fourth quarter that was decided on the right foot of a kicker? Check. 10/10 for watchability in this one.
Player of the Game:
Chika Fujiwara @"Jackets28" - 26/40, 278, 2 TD, 1 INTStat of the Game: 24 fourth quarter points is a season-high so far, and a mark that may stand for some time.