ISFL Week 2 Rookie Roundup Hello again everyone! I think there were a lot of ISFL fans out there who were equal parts surprised and excited by the performances a number of rookies gave in their first games in the big leagues. I feel that a lot of those fans thought that the first game was a fluke for a lot of rookies. Teams weren’t ready for them and they got caught off guard. Well, I’m here to tell you that this class of rookies came to play in week 2!
Offensive Rookies of the Week
Zoe Watts | RB | Austin Copperheads @KyampracWeek 2 Stats: 22 carries | 97 yards | 1 TD | 5 receptions | 33 yards
When I was covering the DSFL during Season 24, there was a phrase that I started to use: death, taxes, and Zoe Watts rushing for 100 yards. Now I may have to modify it a bit, but I think we should all get used to seeing the Austin rookie on this list of top-performing running backs. To start the season, I think a lot of people believed that established RB Kichwa Jones would be the Copperheads’ main runner and that Watts would be coming in off the bench. Through the first two weeks, however, that script has been flipped, as Watts has had 47 touches compared to Jones’ 25 and has been gaining 4.4 yards per touch to Jones’ 3.8.
Suleiman Ramza | QB | Orange County Otters @Blasoon
Week 2 Stats: 20/31 | 285 yards | 2 TD | 0 INT | 115.7 Rating | 7 carries | 29 yards
The biggest question surrounding the Otters coming into the season was how would they do after the retiring of long-time face of the franchise Franklin Armstrong? Their first game without the legendary QB was a success overall as they beat the defending Ultimus champions San Jose at home. In his debut, Ramza looked every part the rookie as he completed only 10 out of 28 passes and didn’t throw a single touchdown. In week 2, however, Ramza looked much more poised as he led the Otters to a win on the road over the Silverbacks. Not only did he have the best game of his very young career, but Ramza also notched his first fourth quarter comeback, as he led Orange County to a late touchdown which would prove to be the decider. On that last drive he was perfect, taking them 80 yards in only five plays, capped by a 24 yard score thrown to Tatsu Nakamura.
Sam Howitzer | QB | New York Silverbacks @Trautner
Week 2 Stats: 25/35 | 310 yards | 2 TD | 0 INT | 117.6 Rating
Just like I said about Watts, I think we’re going to see a whole lot of Sam Howitzer on these lists. The Silverbacks’ signal caller was the face of efficiency in his debut, but I think a lot of experts wanted to chalk it up to beginner’s luck and playing a fellow expansion team. So, how do you prove them wrong? How about by playing even better against a team many projected to have the best defense in the league this year? Howitzer was on fire in this game, completing over 71% of his passes and the Silverbacks were a late-game touchdown away from getting their first win in franchise history. To all the New York fans out there: don’t get too hung up on how you do this season because your future with Howitzer under center is going to be very bright.
Doug Howlett | WR | Baltimore Hawks @Rufio_NZ
Week 2 Stats: 7 receptions | 115 yards | 16.4 YPC
After leading the DSFL in receiving yards two seasons in a row, I know that Howlett had his eyes set on the receiving yardage title in the ISFL. I just didn’t think he would be able to pull it off in his first season! That’s right folks, your current leader in receiving yards is rookie Wide Receiver Doug Howlett. The young speedster once again looked to be QB Fujiwara’s favorite target as he had 14 passes thrown his way. He also was allowed to show off his speed as he reeled in another long pass in this game, this time going for 46 yards. He’s still yet to get a touchdown on the year, but Howlett is looking like a star in the making!
Jake Fencik | Kicker/Punter | Philadelphia Liberty @xenosthelegend
Week 2 Stats: 3/3 FG (long of 47) | 3/3 XP | 6 Punts | 46 yard/punt (long of 60)
Many of my readers have criticized me for showing an anti-kicker bias. You know what? I can’t blame them. I have consistently forgotten to discuss my kicky friends when talking about top performances or end of year awards. Well, not today, because Kickers are people, too, dammit!
Fencik was automatic for Philadelphia this week as he nailed three field goals, including one he rocketed from 47 yards out. The young kicker also showed that he would not be phased by the big moments as he booted the go-ahead kick through from 32 yards out with less than 30 seconds left on the clock. I have a feeling this won’t be the last game-winning kick we see out of the youngster.
Other Notable Rookie Performances
Dave Batista | TE | Colorado Yeti @Frick_NastyWeek 2 Stats: 9 receptions | 105 yards
Danny King | RB | Berlin Fire Salamanders @DanE got dis
Week 2 Stats: 17 carries | 73 yards
Dre Matthews | WR | Berlin Fire Salamanders @Confictional
Week 2 Stats: 5 receptions | 71 yards
Defensive Rookies of the Week
Brach Thomaslacher | LB | Yellowknife Wraiths @RDBSouthPawWeek 2 Stats: 9 tackles | 1 INT | 2 PD
Yellowknife rebounded from their Week 1 loss by defeating the Baltimore Hawks, and they did by employing a bend but don’t break strategy, which yielded almost 400 yards of offense to Baltimore, but held them to only 6 points. Their ability to hold strong whenever the Hawks got into scoring position by clamping down on third down and by forcing turnovers helped the Wraiths win on a night when their own offense had trouble moving the ball – converting on only 5/14 third downs. A big part of this was Thomaslacher, who led his team and tackles and had a very timely interception at his own 27 yard line when the Hawks were looking like they were about to score. He also broke up a pass on 3rd and 14 from his own 19 yard line which forced Baltimore to settle for a field goal.
Adam Schell | LB | Berlin Fire Salamanders @Cincyfan96
Week 2 Stats: 9 tackles | 2 TFL | 1 Forced Fumble
Brought over to Berlin via a blockbuster trade, the defending DSFL Defensive Player of the Year carried a lot of hype with him. The Fire Salamanders played their hearts out on the road against the Sailfish in Week 2, but eventually fell 10-6. Berlin’s defense was suffocating all game as they held Sarasota to only 219 total yards and a meager 3/15 conversion rate on third down. Schell player a big part as he had two tackles for loss and a force fumble that helped stall Sarasota drives throughout the game.
Harrison Andrews | CB | Sarasota Sailfish @abh89
Week 2 Stats: 9 tackles | 1 Sack
There has long been a stigma surrounding cornerbacks claiming that they don’t like to get up near the line of scrimmage and make tackles. The Sarasota rookie, Andrews, proved that wrong last night as he racked up 5 tackles against the Fire Salamanders, with six of them coming in run support. He also kept receivers from gaining a lot of yards after catch, as he only allowed a total of six yards on three catches that he allowed. Andrews also showed an ability to get to the quarterback, as he got to Berlin’s QB Kaepercolin on a weak side blitz on a second and eight which knocked them out of field goal range.
Melvin Murder-Moose | LB | Colorado Yeti @SchwarzNarr
Week 2 Stats: 4 tackles | 2 PD | 1 INT
I know that from a pure volume standpoint, Murder-Moose didn’t really dominate on the field last night. His four tackles really don’t stand out and he didn’t have a single tackle for loss or sack all night. However, if all you’re looking at is numbers then you’re not seeing the true impact he had on the game, as he made the most of his playing time. On Chicago’s first drive on offense, Murder-Moose had a key pass break-up on a third and one that forced Chicago to punt. Then, in the second quarter, Chicago was driving down the field and was in prime scoring position when on second and six Melvin jumped in front of a O’Donnell pass and intercepted it at the Colorado 14 yard line. Unfortunately for the Yeti, his penchant for big plays didn’t translate to the other side of the ball where they only managed six points, but they have to be very happy with the play of their young linebacker.
Juan Domine | LB | Chicago Butchers @Maglubiyet
Week 2 Stats: 6 tackles | 1 sack
Expectations have been high for the London Royals product ever since being selected first overall by Chicago in the Season 24 draft. After an extra season to train down in the DSFL, he was called up this season and slotted into the Butchers’ starting lineup. Last night he showed that he was ready to play, as he helped Chicago hold Colorado to only 6 points and helped Chicago get out to a 2-0 record. He may have had only six tackles, but two of them could not have been more important as on consecutive drives he tackled Colorado running backs for short gains on third downs, forcing the Yeti to punt the ball.
Rashad Hilliard | CB | San Jose Sabercats @GotDatWeeFee
Week 2 Stats: 6 tackles | 1 PD | 1 INT | 1 TD
On the topic of making most of opportunities, we have to look at the young Cornerback for San Jose, Rashad Hilliard. He was around the football all game against the Outlaws, and late in the third quarter on Arizona’s first play of their drive, he picked of QB Jay Cue on an attempted check down pass to Gunnar Thorbjornsson and ran it back 25 yards for a touchdown. The score by Hilliard seemed to be the catalyst they needed for a momentum shift as on the next drive by the Sabercats they were able to march 85 yards and score another touchdown.
Other Notable Rookie Performances
Raylen Crowder | DE | San Jose Sabercats @Asked MaddenWeek 2 Stats: 3 tackles | 1 sack | 1 forced fumble
Busch Light | LB | New Orleans Second Line @crow19
Week 2 Stats: 9 tackles | 1 sack | 1 PD | 1 INT | 1 TD
Note about Light: I got this far in the article and forgot he had a really good game. Unfortunately for him, New Orleans got stomped by Honolulu, so he gets relegated to the notable performances section.
Joel Drake | S | Colorado Yeti @Rusfan
Week 2 Stats: 11 tackles | 1 TFL | 2 PD
Week 2 of the 25th Season of the ISFL continued the trend from Week 1 of rookies putting in great efforts for their teams. Offense was the name of the game for the rookies this week, but we’ll see if that continues as the year goes on.
As always, let me know what I got wrong in the comments below.
Thanks for reading!
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