07-01-2021, 11:20 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-04-2021, 02:03 AM by Asked Madden.)
Ok so with bonus media money comes my annual (seasonal) review of the top 5 best finishes in the ISFL. This is the season 29 edition. Before I start let me clarify – all I do all season is watch my own teams games, and then forget most of what happened. So although I did do some due diligence here, I apologize if I missed a particularly crazy game. The top 5 are gleaned particularly from the very end of the game. And its super subjective. Basically what I’m trying to say is: SO LAY OFF ME I’M STARVING.
A couple quick notes: Sorry to the San Jose Sabercats. You really got kicked in the nuts by the sim this year and on my list. I share your pain to a degree, as outlined in my honorary mention game. It looks like the Berlin Fire Salamanders really benefitted from some late game scenarios. I’ll stop short of calling it luck, though, as this is obviously a tremendous team. Sometimes you just gotta be good to be lucky.
And with that. Without further ado. I present. A long-winded write up on some games that were kinda cool, that maybe some people will be interested more about:
The Top Five Best Finishes in the International Simulation Football League, Season 29 (Plus bonus game!)
#6 (Honorary mention game):
Week 16
Berlin Fire Salamanders – 19
Philadelphia Liberty – 18
Grasping a loss from the jaws of Victory via boneheaded penalty
So my player had a really good season. Defensive lineman of the year type-season. So of course my player’s season has to end on one of the worst infractions I’ve seen in my short time here. And since I’m writing the article, I’m placing this game as an Honorary Mention for Best (Worst) Finish of Season 29.
This game was a punch-you-in-the-mouth, knock down, drag out fight. A defensive contest to see who could impose its will the most. Early on, Philadelphia held a mere 12-10 lead at halftime, with both teams adding only a field goal in the third quarter. The fourth quarter followed suit, with zero points going up on the scoreboard until a Wraiths 59 yard field goal nearly 10 minutes past. Trailing for the first time in the game, Liberty QB Ryan Negs responded by engineering a 4 minute drive resulting in a field goal to put the Liberty up 1. The Wraiths, starting at the 30 with only 1:30 left, were facing a mountain to climb considering how staunch Philadelphia had been defensively on this night. Two short passes gave the Wraiths an early first down, but three consecutive incompletions brought them to 4th and 10 with 50 seconds left in the game. Wraith’s QB Colby Jack takes a short drop and fires to his left to WR Kai Sakura, who is wrapped up by CB Doi Fieri shy of the first down. TURNOVER ON DOWNS, LIBERTY WI- wait…a flag is on the field…
“After the play, unnecessary roughness, #40, DEFENSE. The result of the play is an automatic. First Down.”
That’s right. DT Honky-Tonk Haywood called after the play for a violent act against the Wraith’s offensive lineman. The Wraiths get 15 yards tacked on to the play. Feeling new life, QB Colby Jack hits WRs Sekura and Jeeta on consecutive plays between timeouts for 24 more yards. With 21 seconds to play, K Blagot Kokot nails a 24 yarder to put the Wraiths up 1. They’re able to avoid a near catastrophe at the end of the game as WR Killian Chambers was run down on a game saving tackle by all pro corner Dan Foster after a broken play with no time left. Multiple sighs of relief later, the Wraiths emerged from the grave with a stolen win. A tough pill to swallow for Haywood on what was essentially his last play of the season.
#5
Week 4
Honolulu Hahalua – 31
Colorado Yeti – 33
Honolulu collapses under the weight of a Yeti
The Yeti found themselves in a barn-burner against the Hahalua, a team that was reeling from three straight losses to begin its season. Both teams went back and forth scoring touchdowns and taking leads through the third quarter. Honolulu took a 24-21 lead into the fourth quarter behind a 37-yard strike from Jesus Christ Jr to Lalo Salamanca. The ensuing drive for the Yeti took them into the fourth quarter. The Yeti looked to continue their offensive success, driving 50 yards downfield in an attempt to answer the latest Hahalua score, but on a second and 9, Yeti QB Matthaias Caliban’s slant pass is jumped by safety Shawn Dawkins 72 yards to the house! But as the Yeti would go on to prove all year – they’re nothing if not resilient. The following drive after throwing a long pick-six, Caliban drives his team 75 yards for the answer touchdown. After a huge three-and-out for Honolulu, Caliban drives his team again. This time surviving a near drive-killing sack and allowing kicker Opal to hit the game-tying field goal with 1:31 left. Another 3-and-out gave the ball back to Colorado with 53 seconds left. Caliban moves the ball 32 yards to set his rookie kicker up for a 52 yard field goal to win the game with 11 seconds left. Honolulu fans have known this feeling too much, too early this season. Snap down, kick up, and it is….wide left and short. We’re heading to overtime.
What a tumultuous OT we would have.
Caliban comes out slinging. Honolulu with an offside penalty. Here we go. But wait! A corner blitz from Jason Bradshaw connects on Caliban. A sack and a forced fumble that Bradshaw is able to roll onto. The very next play – Christ drops back to pass – the ball is tipped – and picked! By Rusty Rucker. The Yeti get to start all over again, but somehow the Honolulu defense, who rushed back onto the field, is able to hold the Yeti on 3 plays. But today’s savior would not be Jesus Christ Jr. The QB takes an 11 yard loss on the first play, a sack by Immanuel Blackestone. Back to back false start and holding penalties have now moved the offense – initially starting from the 29 yard line – to the 7 yard line. Facing 2nd and 32 with a raucous Yeti crowd bearing down on him in the end zone, Christ Jr takes the snap. The now crumbling offensive line disintegrates for the last time. Linebacker Rusty Rucker shoots off the right edge and arrives unabated at the quarterback, who doesn’t stand a chance. Safety. Game over. The Yeti win! Hahalua fans watching at home realize what type of season they’re in for. For the Yeti, it would just be another notch in their belt on the way to a big season.
#4
Week 1
San Jose Sabercats – 21
Orange County Otters – 24
Jones-ing to win it in regulation
Wow was week 1 filled with excitement. Besides the Fire Salamanders beating the Wraiths by 22, the 6 others were all one score games, with an average score differential of 4 points. So this was a hard selection, but the 4th best finish of the season will go to the Orange County Otters winning on Monday night against the San Jose Sabercats. This was an absolute slugfest. The Sabercats punched first, scoring 14 unanswered points in the first quarter on the backs of a Monterrey Jack and Jamar Lackson strikes. But this just seemed to make the Otters mad. Suleiman Ramza responded by tossing three second quarter, unanswered touchdowns to put the Otters up 21-14 at the half. The defenses eventually woke up in the locker room. The Sabercats D settled in and forced the Otters into two punts in the quarter, with no points allowed. While the Otter D was also effective, QB Monterrey Jack was able to lead his team in for a game-tying touchdown late in the third. The fourth quarter followed suit. After the firecrackers in the first half, the fans were being treated to punt after punt. Both teams trying to out field-position each other. The Otters would punt twice. The Sabercats would punt once and fall victim to an interception.
Scoreless for over 13 minutes in the 4th, the ‘Cats let loose a punt to the Otters, who begin at their own 10 yard line and 1:48 left. QB Ramza is able to orchestrate a 10-play, 50 yard drive that ends with a spiked clock and a 52 yard FG attempt for the win. Unfortunately for the Otters, it was too much leg for the rookie kicker Doyle, who isn’t able to convert with 21 seconds to play.
So, armed with all its timeouts, the Sabercats decide to let loose to attempt its own last second game winning field goal. After an incompletion, QB Jack completes a dump-down pass to RB Jameson Vermillion for three yards. Timeout Sabercats with 11 seconds left. In what will go down as one of the most controversial decisions of the season, Sabercats Head Coach decides to let ‘er rip on 3rd and 6 from its own 42 with 11 seconds. QB Monterrey Jack takes the snap and faces immediate pressure on his left on a blitz from linebacker Deshun Jones. Jones gets there before Jack can get a pass off and dislodges the ball. Fumble! Thanks to a fortuitious bounce and quick reaction, the ball bounces backwards at waist-height, allowing Jones to recover from the hit and scoop up the loose pigskin. Jones is able to rumble 23 yards downfield before being brought down. And there’s still time on the clock! There’s 4 seconds left! So out comes the rookie kicker, Dallas Doyle. After having just shanked the game winner less than 20 game seconds ago, he gets another shot from 32 yards with 4 seconds left. Doyle this time gets plenty of leg but the kick comes off his foot hard-left….and…it’s through! Snuck in through the upright with no time left. The Otters win a nail biter and escape what looked to be an inevitable overtime scenario after the Sabercats’ head-scratching decision to throw the ball with 10 seconds left on its own 42. The fans go wild in the end zone as their team wins its home opener in thrilling fashion AND they don’t have to stay another hour with beer sales done to sit through an overtime!
#3
Week 8
Yellow Knife Wraiths – 41
San Jose Sabercats – 35
Jack brothers go head to head in delicious matchup.
Well if there’s one thing most teams know these days, is that you don’t fall behind the defending champion Yellow Knife Wraiths. While the Sabercats battled hard early, and even taking a 16 to 13 lead into halftime, it appeared the Wraiths were turning on the faucet in the third quarter. San Jose managed a field goal in the third quarter, but its defense was ran ragged trying to contain the Wraiths who, lead by QB Colby Jack, RB Acura Skyline, and WR Zee Rechs, dropped 21 points before the whistle blew to end the half. Crazy enough, Colby Jack’s first touchdown of the game, thrown in the second quarter, went 87 yards in the wrong direction for a pick six by free safety Rashad Hilliard. He responded with 4 actual Wraith touchdowns to three different receivers over the 1.5 quarters. Again. A sight that will strike fear into any team. A Colby Jack that’s feelin’ it. But if there’s one man on this planet that can stare into Colby’s dark eyes and not fall victim, it’s his twin brother, Monty.
After Colby’s 4th TD pass of the game, the Sabercats began its drive at the tail end of the third quarter and picked up a first down heading into the fourth. He proceeded to lead his team on a 13 play, 75 yard drive, capped by a 1 yard jumpball toss to Captain TE James Lewandowski to cut the lead to 35 – 25; however, the Sabercats go for two and are unsuccessful. 10 point game. No big deal, right? Here comes Colby again, ready to light it up. Doink. Doink. Doink. Three straight incompletions and Kokot is out to punt. While the Wraith defense is more up to the challenge this time, the Sabercats are able to get into field goal range and cash in with 4:58 to go. 7 point game. Although the Wraiths are able to pick up one first down, Colby is unable to move the chains thereafter and are forced to punt again. With 2:28 to go – a near eternity – the Sabercats took the ball with a chance to tie or win the game. 10 plays and 5 different receivers later, Monty had the Sabercats on the 2 yard line with 44 seconds left. And then the equalizer. Monty to Crossley for the touchdown. Kick good, tie game. The ‘Cats defense is able to hold the Wraiths off the scoreboard and we’re on to overtime after 16 unanswered San Jose points. What a game!
The ensuing coin toss sees the Sabercats still with the good juju, as it wins the toss and gets the ball. Monty keeps slinging, this time honing in on his RB Vermillion and WR Joshua Campbell for several first downs all the way down to the Wraith 25 yard line. Things are looking good for “little” brother. Up until the next play. On first and 10, Monty takes the snap and rolls right. Very little pressure and a blocker infront of him. For some reason, Monty turns across his body and throws right, looking for 5’11’’ Joshua Campbell. Campbell; however, is absolutely blanketed by all-pro corner Dan Foster, who beats Campbell to the spot on a poorly thrown ball and hangs on for the interception.
Sabercat defenders lift its quarterback up by forcing a subsequent punt, but the Sabercats offense also is forced to punt with one minute left. Both Jack brothers appear to be spent in this game as the defenses are imposing their wills. After a short gain by Wraith RB Acura Skyline, Yellow Knife has a second and 10 with 56 minutes left. Both fanbases are wondering if this heavyweight boxing match is destined for a tie. From its own 26 yard line, Colby takes the snap and sits in the pocket. The initial rush is strong up the middle, and Colby scrambles out of the pocket to his right. That’s when he spots his receiver Kai Sakura streaking deep down the left sideline, having beat his defender on bump-and-run coverage. Colby, instead of trying to pick up the first with his legs, takes the same chance his brother did. Out of the pocket, Colby loads up and lets a ball rip deep across his body. Sakura hauls it in and he’s WIDE open. Down the sideline. No one is going to catch him! A 73 yard strike from Colby Jack for the overtime win and his 5th TD pass of the game! Unbelieve. The twin brothers battle head to head, with both taking the same late-game risk for the win. But only one twin can have a W this day. Regardless, this is certainly one that the whole Jack family will remember for a long time.
#2
Week 14
Berlin Fire Salamanders – 31
San Jose Sabercats – 24
28 points, 2 and a half minutes, and a wild ending in San Jose
One of the reasons I like doing these recaps is sometimes I stumble upon some nugget of information that I hadn’t known prior. This time around, it’s how the poor Sabercats got the sim simmed out of them in S29. I have them taking part in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th craziest endings of the season, and all on the wrong end of it. For a team that finished with 6 wins, who knows what winning one, two, or all three of these games would’ve done during the season to boost moral and/or help springboard them towards the playoffs.
Week 14 for both teams was quiet to start. 10 – 3 at the half, tied at 10 entering the fourth. A good game, no doubt, but no fireworks. Yet. Fire Salamanders’ QB Nick Kaepercolin tossed a 73 yard touchdown pass early in the third to tie the game at 10. But after that, both teams went scoreless for the next 14:30 of the quarter. We went another 7 minutes into the fourth before we saw more points. That’s over 20 minutes of scoreless football! So how does this game even crack the top-5, never mind fight for the top spot of ‘best finish of the season’? Well just chill out, I’m getting there sheesh!
The aforementioned touchdown was a 6 yard dart from Sabercats QB Monty jack to WR Zach Crossley to put the ‘Cats up 7 with 8 minutes left. Basically an insurmountable lead based on the last 20+ minutes of gameplay for these teams. However, Nick Kaepercolin was up to the task. Over the next 5:30, Kaep and the Salamanders marched 83 yards on 13 plays for the game tying touchdown – Kaep to WR Achtfunf. Now it’s Monty Jacks turn. While pushing the ‘Cats into scoring position (stop me if you’ve heard this before), Jack drops back and is picked off! With 1:42 left FS Eldrick Avery jumos the route over the middle and the ballhawking safety takes the floater and returns it 16 yards. Kaepercolin is ready to strike. 4 plays later he’s got his WR Achtfunf again in the end zone to take a 7 point lead with 1:12 left. The sideline is hyped! The crowd is dazed. Danny King rips the ensuing kickoff into the endzone where Joshua Campbell awaits. He decides to take it out of the end zone. He picks up speed up the middle of the wedge, makes a mean cut and gets a block, and he’s through the other side! Campbell in a footrace right down the middle! Plants his leg and he’s past King! All the way for a 103 yard kick return touchdown to re-tie the game! Wow! There’s the crowd roaring again! Maybe this time will be different! The Sabercats boot the ball through the endzone and the Fire Salamanders will have another opportunity with 46 seconds to go from its 25. After a 5 yard penalty, Kaepercolin takes the first snap of the drive. He takes a three step drop. Looks right and releases. He’s got a completion to Captain Wr Tychondrius Hood for 6 yards. Hood turns upfield with CB Rickie Vaughn right on his heels. LOOKOUT! BOOM. WR Cmon Skiuup, who had been upfield, pivots back and blows up Rickie Vaughn, springing Hood down the left hash. No one can catch him! A 70 yard touchdown pass on the first snap after the return touchdown. Whaaaat is going on??? 13 Seconds left! This time King is sure to get his leg really into this one, as the kickoff flies out of the endzone. Monty connects with Vermillion for 25 yards but it’s too little, too late. The clock runs out. Salamanders win! Both teams score a combined 28 points in the last two and a half minutes, which is 1 more point than the teams combined for the previous 57:30. What an explosion. And another stab to the heart of the ‘Cats faithful, whose team continues to find the most agonizing ways to lose this year.
#1
Week 13
Philadelphia Liberty – 31
New York Silverbacks – 27
The Philly Phenomenon. The Manhattan Meltdown. The rise of Ryan Negs.
It was an up-and-down year for the Liberty. The expectations weren’t high. They achieved just about what was expected of them. But there are reasons to be optimistic about what’s going on in Philadelphia. Namely, the performance of their young core against some of the league’s best. While this group has struggled to find ways to secure wins, they certainly know how to steal them, like a thief in the night. And these prowlers were out late in the New York streets in week 13. Word from the NYPD is they’re still trying to reconstruct the crime scene. So let me do my best to be of assistance.
The day started like any other. Besides the rare 1st-posession touchdown by the Liberty, it was just another normal afternoon in New York. The Silverbacks answered RB Anders Christiansen score with a 15-play touchdown drive. Ensuing gameplay found the team from Philadelphia doing Philadelphia things, including allowing two sacks, committing two penalties, and punting twice. After their initial drive touchdown, the Liberty were able to manage just 6 more points through the first half. Yet somehow the Liberty maintained a 13-10 lead heading into the locker room. It was at this point that perhaps we should have known something was not right in the air that night. The third quarter was not much different than the first half. The Silverbacks fought and clawed its way to a QB Sam Howitzer 7 yard touchdown pass. The Liberty continued to stumble against the New York defense, punting twice on its only two possessions, with its only first down of the quarter nullified by yet another penalty. Howitzer was again able to cash in early into the fourth quarter, connecting with his big wide receiver Sean Snyder for a 49-yard bomb, making it 24-13. At this point, the Broadway script was beginning to play out the way it had been written. A bit of a stumble by the actors soon after the curtain was raised, but now they were locked in and delighting the New York audience. The Liberty are trying, though. After enduring yet another sack, Philadelphia Kicker Jake Fencik is able to bang through a 44 yard field goal to make it a one score game with 8 minutes still to play. Although there was seemingly all day on the clock still, Sam Howitzer decided he’d prefer this play ended sooner rather than later. Howitzer orchestrates a nearly 5 minute drive on the next possession and sets up his kicker, Dougie Smalls, for a 35 yard chip shot. 27-16. Two score game 3:04 to play.
Ryan Negs and his offense walk onto the field with 3:02 to play, down 11, and looking into the teeth of King Kong. The Silverback defense, having nothing to fear up two scores, are ready to pin their ears back and attack the bruised and battered Philadelphia QB. Negs is content to dink and dunk the ball downfield until 4 plays later, as he is trucked by New York defensive end Ke’oke’o Kane-Maika’I for an 11 yard sack with only 2:08 left. Slow to get up and now hearing the roar of a Silverbacks crowd that is roaring in anticipation of another home win, Negs is saved by the bell. The two minute warning hiving him a chance to screw his head back on straight after absorbing his 4th sack. Turns out, rather than nearly knocking Negs out of the game as the blindside hit first appeared to do, Negs was brought to life. On the ensuing play, Ryan Negs takes a 5-step drop and, rather than seeing ghosts, he steps back again, giving him more sightline and feeling the pocket hold. The extra few seconds allows his receiver, Flash Panda, to complete his hitch and go move. Negs, from one yard deep in his endzone on 2nd and 21, delivers a strike to Panda at the 25 yard line. Panda, having sold his in-cute tremendously, turns upfield and sees nothing but green grass. Was it a busted coverage or a terrible cover-1 call by the defensive coordinator? I’m sorry officer, I just don’t know. All I can tell you is what I saw. The old salty veteran Flash Panda sprint down the right hash mark, beating all Silverbacks to the end zone for an 88 yard touchdown. Negs immediately heads to the sideline where he talks over the next play with Coach, as the Liberty are going for two. Negs drops back again and throws an absolute shit-missile to rookie tight end Chevvy Bronko. The ball catches him, and the Liberty are in for two. 27-24 with 1:04 left. The air has left the stadium incredibly fast, but things are still dire for the Liberty. Again it looks like a valiant effort for the kids who will fall just short.
K Jake Fencik leads his onside kick unit onto the field. A recovery by the Home team will end this game. Fencik approaches and puts a perfect strike on the ball, as takes two quick hops forward and then kicks high in the air. A melee ensues as the ball comes back to earth and there’s a pile-up. Wait. The refs are pointing in the direction of the Liberty! Yes! Gary Goodman has recovered the onside kick! The Philly sideline is going bananas as Goodman sprints back over with the ball raised over his head. What a kick by Fencik. With just under a minute left, the Liberty just need a FG to complete its improbable comeback and force an OT. Starting from his own 49, Negs lines up in the shotgun. The Silverbacks, still playing aggressive, have moved their safeties into the box. Negs takes the snap, takes a quick drop, and lofts one downfield. He’s got RB Sam Lorenzo running under it who…bobbles it…and…seures the catch in stride! Linebacker Jack Banks, split out onto the back, doesn’t turn his hips in time is trailing Lorenzo off the beautiful touch pass from Negs. Again there is no safety help! What is going on in New York!? Lorenzo with only Banks to beat cruises into the end zone for a 52 yard Philadelphia Liberty touchdown on the first play after the kick recovery! 31-27 Philly!!!! The audible groan from the crowd as the play developed is now replaced by shocked silence. After banging through the extra point, Fencik puts the kickoff through the endzone. A stunned Silverbacks offense, who hasn’t seen the field since driving for a field goal that put them up 11 with 3 minutes to play, walks onto the field down 4 with 30 seconds left. Howitzer is able to pick up a first down and eventually move New York to its own 38 yard line before using up a timeout with 8 seconds left. A desperation heave to WR Jackson Kingston is broken up by rookie CB C.J. Sonjack and that will end it. A bewildered Silverbacks offense walks off the field, serenated by a light chorus of boos from the New York faithful – likely aiming their vitriol at the defensive coordinator. A jubilant Liberty sideline mobs QB Ryan Negs. An absolute coming-out game for the second year gunslinger, who has been smothered all year and played through pain. And with that, the larceny was complete. As the title indicates…was this a collapse? Was it a heroic performance? Well I think that’s something for the suits up in Washington to decide. Or the detectives at the NYPD. I’ll just be over here continuing to revel in the win with my teammates!
Double Honorary Mention games:
Week 1
PHI v CHI (34-31 OT) GW field goal with 9 seconds left
Week 3
NO v AUS (24-21) AUS tries to spike ball on 8 yard line but there is no time left
Week 7
AUS v SJ (26-26) – AUS misses 56 yd fg to ensure TIE at 26
Week 9
NY v SAR (30-24) NY beats SAR in OT on 40 yard TD pass
BAL v SJ (24-21) BAL beats SJ after recovering fumble and driving down field for TD
Week 11
BER v YKW (23-21) BER hangs on after YKW score TD, conversion, and recover onside kick. Sack and fumble seal game.
Week 15
AZ v OCO (24-21) AZ with 82 yard TD pass to beat OCO with 1 min left
(4,646 words)
A couple quick notes: Sorry to the San Jose Sabercats. You really got kicked in the nuts by the sim this year and on my list. I share your pain to a degree, as outlined in my honorary mention game. It looks like the Berlin Fire Salamanders really benefitted from some late game scenarios. I’ll stop short of calling it luck, though, as this is obviously a tremendous team. Sometimes you just gotta be good to be lucky.
And with that. Without further ado. I present. A long-winded write up on some games that were kinda cool, that maybe some people will be interested more about:
The Top Five Best Finishes in the International Simulation Football League, Season 29 (Plus bonus game!)
#6 (Honorary mention game):
Week 16
Berlin Fire Salamanders – 19
Philadelphia Liberty – 18
Grasping a loss from the jaws of Victory via boneheaded penalty
So my player had a really good season. Defensive lineman of the year type-season. So of course my player’s season has to end on one of the worst infractions I’ve seen in my short time here. And since I’m writing the article, I’m placing this game as an Honorary Mention for Best (Worst) Finish of Season 29.
This game was a punch-you-in-the-mouth, knock down, drag out fight. A defensive contest to see who could impose its will the most. Early on, Philadelphia held a mere 12-10 lead at halftime, with both teams adding only a field goal in the third quarter. The fourth quarter followed suit, with zero points going up on the scoreboard until a Wraiths 59 yard field goal nearly 10 minutes past. Trailing for the first time in the game, Liberty QB Ryan Negs responded by engineering a 4 minute drive resulting in a field goal to put the Liberty up 1. The Wraiths, starting at the 30 with only 1:30 left, were facing a mountain to climb considering how staunch Philadelphia had been defensively on this night. Two short passes gave the Wraiths an early first down, but three consecutive incompletions brought them to 4th and 10 with 50 seconds left in the game. Wraith’s QB Colby Jack takes a short drop and fires to his left to WR Kai Sakura, who is wrapped up by CB Doi Fieri shy of the first down. TURNOVER ON DOWNS, LIBERTY WI- wait…a flag is on the field…
“After the play, unnecessary roughness, #40, DEFENSE. The result of the play is an automatic. First Down.”
That’s right. DT Honky-Tonk Haywood called after the play for a violent act against the Wraith’s offensive lineman. The Wraiths get 15 yards tacked on to the play. Feeling new life, QB Colby Jack hits WRs Sekura and Jeeta on consecutive plays between timeouts for 24 more yards. With 21 seconds to play, K Blagot Kokot nails a 24 yarder to put the Wraiths up 1. They’re able to avoid a near catastrophe at the end of the game as WR Killian Chambers was run down on a game saving tackle by all pro corner Dan Foster after a broken play with no time left. Multiple sighs of relief later, the Wraiths emerged from the grave with a stolen win. A tough pill to swallow for Haywood on what was essentially his last play of the season.
#5
Week 4
Honolulu Hahalua – 31
Colorado Yeti – 33
Honolulu collapses under the weight of a Yeti
The Yeti found themselves in a barn-burner against the Hahalua, a team that was reeling from three straight losses to begin its season. Both teams went back and forth scoring touchdowns and taking leads through the third quarter. Honolulu took a 24-21 lead into the fourth quarter behind a 37-yard strike from Jesus Christ Jr to Lalo Salamanca. The ensuing drive for the Yeti took them into the fourth quarter. The Yeti looked to continue their offensive success, driving 50 yards downfield in an attempt to answer the latest Hahalua score, but on a second and 9, Yeti QB Matthaias Caliban’s slant pass is jumped by safety Shawn Dawkins 72 yards to the house! But as the Yeti would go on to prove all year – they’re nothing if not resilient. The following drive after throwing a long pick-six, Caliban drives his team 75 yards for the answer touchdown. After a huge three-and-out for Honolulu, Caliban drives his team again. This time surviving a near drive-killing sack and allowing kicker Opal to hit the game-tying field goal with 1:31 left. Another 3-and-out gave the ball back to Colorado with 53 seconds left. Caliban moves the ball 32 yards to set his rookie kicker up for a 52 yard field goal to win the game with 11 seconds left. Honolulu fans have known this feeling too much, too early this season. Snap down, kick up, and it is….wide left and short. We’re heading to overtime.
What a tumultuous OT we would have.
Caliban comes out slinging. Honolulu with an offside penalty. Here we go. But wait! A corner blitz from Jason Bradshaw connects on Caliban. A sack and a forced fumble that Bradshaw is able to roll onto. The very next play – Christ drops back to pass – the ball is tipped – and picked! By Rusty Rucker. The Yeti get to start all over again, but somehow the Honolulu defense, who rushed back onto the field, is able to hold the Yeti on 3 plays. But today’s savior would not be Jesus Christ Jr. The QB takes an 11 yard loss on the first play, a sack by Immanuel Blackestone. Back to back false start and holding penalties have now moved the offense – initially starting from the 29 yard line – to the 7 yard line. Facing 2nd and 32 with a raucous Yeti crowd bearing down on him in the end zone, Christ Jr takes the snap. The now crumbling offensive line disintegrates for the last time. Linebacker Rusty Rucker shoots off the right edge and arrives unabated at the quarterback, who doesn’t stand a chance. Safety. Game over. The Yeti win! Hahalua fans watching at home realize what type of season they’re in for. For the Yeti, it would just be another notch in their belt on the way to a big season.
#4
Week 1
San Jose Sabercats – 21
Orange County Otters – 24
Jones-ing to win it in regulation
Wow was week 1 filled with excitement. Besides the Fire Salamanders beating the Wraiths by 22, the 6 others were all one score games, with an average score differential of 4 points. So this was a hard selection, but the 4th best finish of the season will go to the Orange County Otters winning on Monday night against the San Jose Sabercats. This was an absolute slugfest. The Sabercats punched first, scoring 14 unanswered points in the first quarter on the backs of a Monterrey Jack and Jamar Lackson strikes. But this just seemed to make the Otters mad. Suleiman Ramza responded by tossing three second quarter, unanswered touchdowns to put the Otters up 21-14 at the half. The defenses eventually woke up in the locker room. The Sabercats D settled in and forced the Otters into two punts in the quarter, with no points allowed. While the Otter D was also effective, QB Monterrey Jack was able to lead his team in for a game-tying touchdown late in the third. The fourth quarter followed suit. After the firecrackers in the first half, the fans were being treated to punt after punt. Both teams trying to out field-position each other. The Otters would punt twice. The Sabercats would punt once and fall victim to an interception.
Scoreless for over 13 minutes in the 4th, the ‘Cats let loose a punt to the Otters, who begin at their own 10 yard line and 1:48 left. QB Ramza is able to orchestrate a 10-play, 50 yard drive that ends with a spiked clock and a 52 yard FG attempt for the win. Unfortunately for the Otters, it was too much leg for the rookie kicker Doyle, who isn’t able to convert with 21 seconds to play.
So, armed with all its timeouts, the Sabercats decide to let loose to attempt its own last second game winning field goal. After an incompletion, QB Jack completes a dump-down pass to RB Jameson Vermillion for three yards. Timeout Sabercats with 11 seconds left. In what will go down as one of the most controversial decisions of the season, Sabercats Head Coach decides to let ‘er rip on 3rd and 6 from its own 42 with 11 seconds. QB Monterrey Jack takes the snap and faces immediate pressure on his left on a blitz from linebacker Deshun Jones. Jones gets there before Jack can get a pass off and dislodges the ball. Fumble! Thanks to a fortuitious bounce and quick reaction, the ball bounces backwards at waist-height, allowing Jones to recover from the hit and scoop up the loose pigskin. Jones is able to rumble 23 yards downfield before being brought down. And there’s still time on the clock! There’s 4 seconds left! So out comes the rookie kicker, Dallas Doyle. After having just shanked the game winner less than 20 game seconds ago, he gets another shot from 32 yards with 4 seconds left. Doyle this time gets plenty of leg but the kick comes off his foot hard-left….and…it’s through! Snuck in through the upright with no time left. The Otters win a nail biter and escape what looked to be an inevitable overtime scenario after the Sabercats’ head-scratching decision to throw the ball with 10 seconds left on its own 42. The fans go wild in the end zone as their team wins its home opener in thrilling fashion AND they don’t have to stay another hour with beer sales done to sit through an overtime!
#3
Week 8
Yellow Knife Wraiths – 41
San Jose Sabercats – 35
Jack brothers go head to head in delicious matchup.
Well if there’s one thing most teams know these days, is that you don’t fall behind the defending champion Yellow Knife Wraiths. While the Sabercats battled hard early, and even taking a 16 to 13 lead into halftime, it appeared the Wraiths were turning on the faucet in the third quarter. San Jose managed a field goal in the third quarter, but its defense was ran ragged trying to contain the Wraiths who, lead by QB Colby Jack, RB Acura Skyline, and WR Zee Rechs, dropped 21 points before the whistle blew to end the half. Crazy enough, Colby Jack’s first touchdown of the game, thrown in the second quarter, went 87 yards in the wrong direction for a pick six by free safety Rashad Hilliard. He responded with 4 actual Wraith touchdowns to three different receivers over the 1.5 quarters. Again. A sight that will strike fear into any team. A Colby Jack that’s feelin’ it. But if there’s one man on this planet that can stare into Colby’s dark eyes and not fall victim, it’s his twin brother, Monty.
After Colby’s 4th TD pass of the game, the Sabercats began its drive at the tail end of the third quarter and picked up a first down heading into the fourth. He proceeded to lead his team on a 13 play, 75 yard drive, capped by a 1 yard jumpball toss to Captain TE James Lewandowski to cut the lead to 35 – 25; however, the Sabercats go for two and are unsuccessful. 10 point game. No big deal, right? Here comes Colby again, ready to light it up. Doink. Doink. Doink. Three straight incompletions and Kokot is out to punt. While the Wraith defense is more up to the challenge this time, the Sabercats are able to get into field goal range and cash in with 4:58 to go. 7 point game. Although the Wraiths are able to pick up one first down, Colby is unable to move the chains thereafter and are forced to punt again. With 2:28 to go – a near eternity – the Sabercats took the ball with a chance to tie or win the game. 10 plays and 5 different receivers later, Monty had the Sabercats on the 2 yard line with 44 seconds left. And then the equalizer. Monty to Crossley for the touchdown. Kick good, tie game. The ‘Cats defense is able to hold the Wraiths off the scoreboard and we’re on to overtime after 16 unanswered San Jose points. What a game!
The ensuing coin toss sees the Sabercats still with the good juju, as it wins the toss and gets the ball. Monty keeps slinging, this time honing in on his RB Vermillion and WR Joshua Campbell for several first downs all the way down to the Wraith 25 yard line. Things are looking good for “little” brother. Up until the next play. On first and 10, Monty takes the snap and rolls right. Very little pressure and a blocker infront of him. For some reason, Monty turns across his body and throws right, looking for 5’11’’ Joshua Campbell. Campbell; however, is absolutely blanketed by all-pro corner Dan Foster, who beats Campbell to the spot on a poorly thrown ball and hangs on for the interception.
Sabercat defenders lift its quarterback up by forcing a subsequent punt, but the Sabercats offense also is forced to punt with one minute left. Both Jack brothers appear to be spent in this game as the defenses are imposing their wills. After a short gain by Wraith RB Acura Skyline, Yellow Knife has a second and 10 with 56 minutes left. Both fanbases are wondering if this heavyweight boxing match is destined for a tie. From its own 26 yard line, Colby takes the snap and sits in the pocket. The initial rush is strong up the middle, and Colby scrambles out of the pocket to his right. That’s when he spots his receiver Kai Sakura streaking deep down the left sideline, having beat his defender on bump-and-run coverage. Colby, instead of trying to pick up the first with his legs, takes the same chance his brother did. Out of the pocket, Colby loads up and lets a ball rip deep across his body. Sakura hauls it in and he’s WIDE open. Down the sideline. No one is going to catch him! A 73 yard strike from Colby Jack for the overtime win and his 5th TD pass of the game! Unbelieve. The twin brothers battle head to head, with both taking the same late-game risk for the win. But only one twin can have a W this day. Regardless, this is certainly one that the whole Jack family will remember for a long time.
#2
Week 14
Berlin Fire Salamanders – 31
San Jose Sabercats – 24
28 points, 2 and a half minutes, and a wild ending in San Jose
One of the reasons I like doing these recaps is sometimes I stumble upon some nugget of information that I hadn’t known prior. This time around, it’s how the poor Sabercats got the sim simmed out of them in S29. I have them taking part in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th craziest endings of the season, and all on the wrong end of it. For a team that finished with 6 wins, who knows what winning one, two, or all three of these games would’ve done during the season to boost moral and/or help springboard them towards the playoffs.
Week 14 for both teams was quiet to start. 10 – 3 at the half, tied at 10 entering the fourth. A good game, no doubt, but no fireworks. Yet. Fire Salamanders’ QB Nick Kaepercolin tossed a 73 yard touchdown pass early in the third to tie the game at 10. But after that, both teams went scoreless for the next 14:30 of the quarter. We went another 7 minutes into the fourth before we saw more points. That’s over 20 minutes of scoreless football! So how does this game even crack the top-5, never mind fight for the top spot of ‘best finish of the season’? Well just chill out, I’m getting there sheesh!
The aforementioned touchdown was a 6 yard dart from Sabercats QB Monty jack to WR Zach Crossley to put the ‘Cats up 7 with 8 minutes left. Basically an insurmountable lead based on the last 20+ minutes of gameplay for these teams. However, Nick Kaepercolin was up to the task. Over the next 5:30, Kaep and the Salamanders marched 83 yards on 13 plays for the game tying touchdown – Kaep to WR Achtfunf. Now it’s Monty Jacks turn. While pushing the ‘Cats into scoring position (stop me if you’ve heard this before), Jack drops back and is picked off! With 1:42 left FS Eldrick Avery jumos the route over the middle and the ballhawking safety takes the floater and returns it 16 yards. Kaepercolin is ready to strike. 4 plays later he’s got his WR Achtfunf again in the end zone to take a 7 point lead with 1:12 left. The sideline is hyped! The crowd is dazed. Danny King rips the ensuing kickoff into the endzone where Joshua Campbell awaits. He decides to take it out of the end zone. He picks up speed up the middle of the wedge, makes a mean cut and gets a block, and he’s through the other side! Campbell in a footrace right down the middle! Plants his leg and he’s past King! All the way for a 103 yard kick return touchdown to re-tie the game! Wow! There’s the crowd roaring again! Maybe this time will be different! The Sabercats boot the ball through the endzone and the Fire Salamanders will have another opportunity with 46 seconds to go from its 25. After a 5 yard penalty, Kaepercolin takes the first snap of the drive. He takes a three step drop. Looks right and releases. He’s got a completion to Captain Wr Tychondrius Hood for 6 yards. Hood turns upfield with CB Rickie Vaughn right on his heels. LOOKOUT! BOOM. WR Cmon Skiuup, who had been upfield, pivots back and blows up Rickie Vaughn, springing Hood down the left hash. No one can catch him! A 70 yard touchdown pass on the first snap after the return touchdown. Whaaaat is going on??? 13 Seconds left! This time King is sure to get his leg really into this one, as the kickoff flies out of the endzone. Monty connects with Vermillion for 25 yards but it’s too little, too late. The clock runs out. Salamanders win! Both teams score a combined 28 points in the last two and a half minutes, which is 1 more point than the teams combined for the previous 57:30. What an explosion. And another stab to the heart of the ‘Cats faithful, whose team continues to find the most agonizing ways to lose this year.
#1
Week 13
Philadelphia Liberty – 31
New York Silverbacks – 27
The Philly Phenomenon. The Manhattan Meltdown. The rise of Ryan Negs.
It was an up-and-down year for the Liberty. The expectations weren’t high. They achieved just about what was expected of them. But there are reasons to be optimistic about what’s going on in Philadelphia. Namely, the performance of their young core against some of the league’s best. While this group has struggled to find ways to secure wins, they certainly know how to steal them, like a thief in the night. And these prowlers were out late in the New York streets in week 13. Word from the NYPD is they’re still trying to reconstruct the crime scene. So let me do my best to be of assistance.
The day started like any other. Besides the rare 1st-posession touchdown by the Liberty, it was just another normal afternoon in New York. The Silverbacks answered RB Anders Christiansen score with a 15-play touchdown drive. Ensuing gameplay found the team from Philadelphia doing Philadelphia things, including allowing two sacks, committing two penalties, and punting twice. After their initial drive touchdown, the Liberty were able to manage just 6 more points through the first half. Yet somehow the Liberty maintained a 13-10 lead heading into the locker room. It was at this point that perhaps we should have known something was not right in the air that night. The third quarter was not much different than the first half. The Silverbacks fought and clawed its way to a QB Sam Howitzer 7 yard touchdown pass. The Liberty continued to stumble against the New York defense, punting twice on its only two possessions, with its only first down of the quarter nullified by yet another penalty. Howitzer was again able to cash in early into the fourth quarter, connecting with his big wide receiver Sean Snyder for a 49-yard bomb, making it 24-13. At this point, the Broadway script was beginning to play out the way it had been written. A bit of a stumble by the actors soon after the curtain was raised, but now they were locked in and delighting the New York audience. The Liberty are trying, though. After enduring yet another sack, Philadelphia Kicker Jake Fencik is able to bang through a 44 yard field goal to make it a one score game with 8 minutes still to play. Although there was seemingly all day on the clock still, Sam Howitzer decided he’d prefer this play ended sooner rather than later. Howitzer orchestrates a nearly 5 minute drive on the next possession and sets up his kicker, Dougie Smalls, for a 35 yard chip shot. 27-16. Two score game 3:04 to play.
Ryan Negs and his offense walk onto the field with 3:02 to play, down 11, and looking into the teeth of King Kong. The Silverback defense, having nothing to fear up two scores, are ready to pin their ears back and attack the bruised and battered Philadelphia QB. Negs is content to dink and dunk the ball downfield until 4 plays later, as he is trucked by New York defensive end Ke’oke’o Kane-Maika’I for an 11 yard sack with only 2:08 left. Slow to get up and now hearing the roar of a Silverbacks crowd that is roaring in anticipation of another home win, Negs is saved by the bell. The two minute warning hiving him a chance to screw his head back on straight after absorbing his 4th sack. Turns out, rather than nearly knocking Negs out of the game as the blindside hit first appeared to do, Negs was brought to life. On the ensuing play, Ryan Negs takes a 5-step drop and, rather than seeing ghosts, he steps back again, giving him more sightline and feeling the pocket hold. The extra few seconds allows his receiver, Flash Panda, to complete his hitch and go move. Negs, from one yard deep in his endzone on 2nd and 21, delivers a strike to Panda at the 25 yard line. Panda, having sold his in-cute tremendously, turns upfield and sees nothing but green grass. Was it a busted coverage or a terrible cover-1 call by the defensive coordinator? I’m sorry officer, I just don’t know. All I can tell you is what I saw. The old salty veteran Flash Panda sprint down the right hash mark, beating all Silverbacks to the end zone for an 88 yard touchdown. Negs immediately heads to the sideline where he talks over the next play with Coach, as the Liberty are going for two. Negs drops back again and throws an absolute shit-missile to rookie tight end Chevvy Bronko. The ball catches him, and the Liberty are in for two. 27-24 with 1:04 left. The air has left the stadium incredibly fast, but things are still dire for the Liberty. Again it looks like a valiant effort for the kids who will fall just short.
K Jake Fencik leads his onside kick unit onto the field. A recovery by the Home team will end this game. Fencik approaches and puts a perfect strike on the ball, as takes two quick hops forward and then kicks high in the air. A melee ensues as the ball comes back to earth and there’s a pile-up. Wait. The refs are pointing in the direction of the Liberty! Yes! Gary Goodman has recovered the onside kick! The Philly sideline is going bananas as Goodman sprints back over with the ball raised over his head. What a kick by Fencik. With just under a minute left, the Liberty just need a FG to complete its improbable comeback and force an OT. Starting from his own 49, Negs lines up in the shotgun. The Silverbacks, still playing aggressive, have moved their safeties into the box. Negs takes the snap, takes a quick drop, and lofts one downfield. He’s got RB Sam Lorenzo running under it who…bobbles it…and…seures the catch in stride! Linebacker Jack Banks, split out onto the back, doesn’t turn his hips in time is trailing Lorenzo off the beautiful touch pass from Negs. Again there is no safety help! What is going on in New York!? Lorenzo with only Banks to beat cruises into the end zone for a 52 yard Philadelphia Liberty touchdown on the first play after the kick recovery! 31-27 Philly!!!! The audible groan from the crowd as the play developed is now replaced by shocked silence. After banging through the extra point, Fencik puts the kickoff through the endzone. A stunned Silverbacks offense, who hasn’t seen the field since driving for a field goal that put them up 11 with 3 minutes to play, walks onto the field down 4 with 30 seconds left. Howitzer is able to pick up a first down and eventually move New York to its own 38 yard line before using up a timeout with 8 seconds left. A desperation heave to WR Jackson Kingston is broken up by rookie CB C.J. Sonjack and that will end it. A bewildered Silverbacks offense walks off the field, serenated by a light chorus of boos from the New York faithful – likely aiming their vitriol at the defensive coordinator. A jubilant Liberty sideline mobs QB Ryan Negs. An absolute coming-out game for the second year gunslinger, who has been smothered all year and played through pain. And with that, the larceny was complete. As the title indicates…was this a collapse? Was it a heroic performance? Well I think that’s something for the suits up in Washington to decide. Or the detectives at the NYPD. I’ll just be over here continuing to revel in the win with my teammates!
Double Honorary Mention games:
Week 1
PHI v CHI (34-31 OT) GW field goal with 9 seconds left
Week 3
NO v AUS (24-21) AUS tries to spike ball on 8 yard line but there is no time left
Week 7
AUS v SJ (26-26) – AUS misses 56 yd fg to ensure TIE at 26
Week 9
NY v SAR (30-24) NY beats SAR in OT on 40 yard TD pass
BAL v SJ (24-21) BAL beats SJ after recovering fumble and driving down field for TD
Week 11
BER v YKW (23-21) BER hangs on after YKW score TD, conversion, and recover onside kick. Sack and fumble seal game.
Week 15
AZ v OCO (24-21) AZ with 82 yard TD pass to beat OCO with 1 min left
(4,646 words)
![[Image: haywoodsig.png]](https://i.ibb.co/jWrrj2B/haywoodsig.png)
![[Image: journey.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/3N5zwgZG/journey.png)
![[Image: 5EsgqpN.png]](https://i.imgur.com/5EsgqpN.png)
![[Image: image0.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/372602034198806530/707467132568338462/image0.png)
![[Image: Ahf3LtW.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/379532993070628864/703443515136278608/Ahf3LtW.png)
![[Image: lip-chap.jpg?width=383&height=468]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/461498035348701185/777250920941223966/lip-chap.jpg?width=383&height=468)
![[Image: k4AYgU9.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/k4AYgU9.gif)
![[Image: 4.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/FsJmb8X4/4.png)
![[Image: New_Project271111111111.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839674636626296843/839674922020241418/New_Project271111111111.png)
![[Image: KwiaYg8.png]](https://imgur.com/KwiaYg8.png)
![[Image: 46xOyod.png]](https://i.imgur.com/46xOyod.png)
![[Image: IMG-20220202-WA0038.jpg]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/462331942063308802/938573776839381063/IMG-20220202-WA0038.jpg)
