Last night, the highly anticipated Prospect Bowl was held. A chance for all of the new S26 players to show their stuff before they get drafted to their new DSFL teams and a chance for the players to get on the field together and either play with or against their draft class, the people they will go throughout their career beside or on opposite ends of the field.
In this article, we will be focussing on the Prospect Bowl team, the Banff Bandits. The Bandits roster is as follows-
Offensive
QB- Lebron James III
RB- Mr. Forty-Two
WR- Tater Tosser
WR- Tugg Speedman
WR- Raphael Delacour
WR- John Smith
WR- Julian Jurevicius
TE- Tom Teboat
TE- Caven McRae
OL- Maiteers Rico-Shea
OL- Jack Cobb
Defensive
DE- Makoto Otawara
DT-Redbeard McFredbeard
LB- BamBam McMullet
LB- Vincent Jones
LB- AJ Lucas
CB- Slurms McKenzie
CB- H. H. Hopkins
S- Tony Bull
Kickers
K/P- Something McDerpants
Now let’s have a look at the round robin games played by the Bandits in this three team tournament, in which each team played each other twice and the two top teams faced each other for the championship game.
Game 1
First up for the Bandits, were the Mars Explorers. The Explores came out hot, with their RB Big Chungus starting off the scoring with a 37 yd TD, follow by a field goal. The Bandits were able to get to the Explorers QB in their own end zone before the quarter ended, earning them 2 points for the safety. The 2nd quarter had the Explorers extending their lead with another field goal ending the half with 13 – 2 lead over the Bandits.
The 2nd half saw the Bandits score their first TD of the Bowl when Mr. Forty-Two, the Bandits running back, punched it in from the 1 yard line. Later in the quarter, the Explorers kicker, Gluteus Maximus, added another for the Explorers, so going into the 4th quarter the Bandits were down 16-9. The 4th quarter started with the Bandits kicker, Something McDerpants, rocking a 47 yard field goal, bringing the Bandits within 4 points. With 5 minutes left in the game, Mr. Forty-Two gave the Bandits the lead, and the win, when he got his second score of the game with a 2 yd run.
The players of the game for the bandits were Mr. Forty-Two on the offensive side, with 108 yds on 28 attempts and two TDs. On the defensive side, Slurms MacKenzie recorded 7 tackles, 1 deflected pass and forced and recovered a fumble.
Game 2
The Bandits faced off against the Brisbane Drop Bears for their 2nd game. The Bandits started out the game with another short run by their back, Mr. Forty-Two. He wasn’t done there, Mr. Forty-Two got his fourth TD of the Bowl with a 11 yard run in the 2nd quarter. The Drop Bears got on the board after that, with Pope Francis kicking a field goal and then Rocky Jonhson added a 13 yard run, ending the half with the Bandits up 14-10.
The 2nd half saw the Bandits defense get into the scoring action, with Slurms McKenzie getting a pick off the Drop Bears QB and returning in 22 yards with 6 points. The Drop Bears did find a hole in the Bandits defense when they broke out for a 66 yard run, bringing them within 6 points of the Bandits. The 4th quarter saw the Drop Bears RB add another TD and gave them their first lead of the game. The Bandits wouldn’t go down easy though, with just over 2 minutes left in the game, Something McDerpants kicked a 34 yd field goal to put the Bandits back on top and they held off the Drop Bears to win their 2nd game.
Players of the game for the Bandits were the same as the first game, Mr. Forty-Two on the offense, with 131 yards ib 35 attempts and 2 TDs and on the defensive side, Slurms McKenzie with 6 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 deflected passes and an interception returned for a TD.
Game 3
With the Bandits 2-0 in the Prospect Bowl, they were facing off against the Brisbane Drop Bears for the second time. The Drop Bears drew first blood, with their QB, Ryan Negs, throwing a 12 yard pass to Mario Messi. The Bandits answered back with 2 field goals (38yds and 43yds) to end the 1st. McDerpants kicked his third field goal of the game to start the 2nd quarter, a 40 yarder. Brisbane were the next to score, it was on a 6 yard run making the score 14 – 9 for the Drop Bears. The Bandits QB, LeBron James III got himself his first TD of the Bowl when he hooked up with Rapheal Delacour for a 2 yd pass and then Something kicked his fourth field goal of the game, ended the half for the Bandits, who now lead 19-14.
The Bandits received the opening kick off of the 2nd half, and kick returning H.H Hopkins let the league know what he’s got, making an incredible 95 yard return for a touchdown. The Bandits weren’t done yet, James threw his 2nd TD of the game, this time to Julian Jurcvicius from the 1 yd line. This put the Bandits up by 19 half way through the 3rd quarter. The Drop Bears started to fight back after that. With an 8 yard run to close off the 3rd quarter. The 4th started and Something McDerpants picked up were he left off with a 37 yard field, his fifth of the game. The Drop Pants answered with a field goal of their own and then Negs threw his 2nd TD of the game, bringing the Drop Bears within 6, but it was too little, too late. The Bandits had won their third game of the Prospect Bowl. Players of the game honours go the Bandits kicker, Something McDerpants, going 5 for 5 (special honours go to H.H Hopkins for his 95 yard kick off return) and on the defense, BamBam McMullet with 12 tackles (one for a loss), 2 sacks and a deflected pass (shout out to Slurms for his 2 picks!)
Game 4
With the Bandits having won all three of their games so far, they came into the final round robin game looking to add their 4th victory. They were up against the Explorers again and they came out of the gates with a purpose, picking off James III early and returning it for a TD and then throwing for another TD shortly after. Mr. Forty-Two got the Bandits on the board with a 1 yard one, but his opposite got one of his own at the end of the quarter. The second quarter saw the Explorers extend their lead by 21 points after a 2yd TD reception. Something McDerpants kept the Bandits alive with 2 field goals, ending the half with the Explorers leading 28-13.
The second half was underway and the Bandits started off like the Explorers did at the beginning of the game, Tony Bull picked off the Explorers QB and returned it for a 55 yard TD, which was the only score of the 3rd quarter. Bull wasn’t done yet, at the start of the 4th quarter he repeated his earlier performance with his second interception and second TD of the game, tying up the game at the same time, 28 – 28. The Explorers went up by a TD after scoring on a running play with 4 and a half minutes left and it looked like they were ready to hand the Bandits their first loss of the Prospect Bowl. But with almost no time on the clock, the Explorers punted to the Bandits, looking to finish them off but Slurms McKenzie had other thoughts, he took off with the punt return moving 41 yards down the field for a touchdown with 4 seconds on the clock, sending the game to overtime. The extra quarter was a back and forth affair, but the Bandits pinned the Explorers deep in their own zone and were able to get a hold of the Explorers player in their end zone, earning them their 2nd safety of the Bowl and their 4th win.
Players of the game go to Mr. Forty-Two with 115 yards on 28 attempts and one TD. But the real hero was Tony Bull with his 2 pick sixes and Slurms McKenzie with his game tying punt return. The Bandits had gone 4-0 in the round robin portion of the Prospect Bowl.
Prospect Bowl – Finals
The finals of the Prospect bowl pitted the Brisbane Drop Bears against the Banff Bandits. The Bandits had already played two tight games against the Drop Bears, winning both. But the finals are always a different beast and the Bandits knew they’d have to be on the top of their game. The Bandits came out hot, owning the start of the first half, with field goals from 18 yds and 41 yds by Something McDerpants and a 12 yard TD run by Mr. Forty-Two. The Drop Bears got on the board before the end of the half after a field goal by Pope Francis, followed by a pick six by the Drop Bears defense. Ending the half at 13-10 for the Bandits.
The Drop Bears took control of the game in the third quarter with another field goal and a 7yd run for a TD, taking the lead, making the score 20 – 13 form the Australian side. The Bandits got a field goal early, a 45 yarder by Something, but that was all they could do as the Drop Bears wouldn’t allow anymore points to be scored against them. It was a back and forth quarter, and it really could have went either way, but when the clock hit zero, the Brisbane Drop Bears were on top, and they were able to raise the Prospect Bowl Trophy.
It was a heck of a Prospect Bowl for the fans and the Banff Bandits definitely showed the DSFL what the players on the team could do, they were the best team going into the finals, but as we all know, in this crazy game of football, anything can happen. The Bandits players should hold their heads high, they played some great football.
Now let’s have a look at the Bandits players and how the performed individually:
QB- Lebron James III
Lebron played some solid football for the Bandits, James III went 82/166 for 837 yards thrown. He threw two touchdowns but he did have 5 interceptions. His leadership did not go unnoticed though, he was a spark plug for the team from Banff.
RB- Mr. Forty-Two
The Bandits running back was the biggest producer for the team. Mr. Forty-Two ran for 605 yards and six touchdowns. He also added five receptions for 36 yards.
WR- Tater Tosser
Toesser played a limited role in the Bandits receiving squad, but he did manage to haul in 4 catches for 41 yards.
WR- Tugg Speedman
Tugg Speedman was 2nd on the team for receptions, catching 15 balls for 204 yards.
WR- Raphael Delacour
Delacour lead the Bandits in receptions with 24. He also lead the receivers in yards with 271 and he also had a touchdown reception.
WR- John Smith
John Smith was able to make 3 catches during the Bandits Bowl run, those 3 catches went for 29 yards.
WR- Julian Jurevicius
Julian Jurevicius was the only other receiver to make it to the endzone, and did so with 14 catches for 136 yards.
TE- Tom Teboat
The tight end Teboat, made 9 receptions for a total of 66 yards
TE- Caven McRae
McRae matched his tight end partners receptions with 9 and he recorded 45 yards doing so.
OL- Maiteers Rico-Shea
OL- Jack Cobb
The offensive duo of Cobb and Rico-Shea were an intrical part of the offense, allowing players like Mr. Forty-Two to be able to operate at the top level like he did. Rico-Shea did get on the game stat sheet for a recovered fumble.
Defensive
DE- Makoto Otawara
Defensive end Makoto Otawara recording 15 tackles, 6 of which were for a loss. He also had 2 sacks and was responsible for one of the two safeties the Bandits completed.
DT-Redbeard McFredbeard
Defensive tackle, Redbeard McFredbeard, not only has an awesome name, he also had 10 tackles, 1 for a loss, and 3 sacks.
LB- BamBam McMullet
BamBam McMullet had 35 tackles, 2 for a loss, and he led the team with 4 sacks. He also forced 1 fumble and deflected 2 passes.
LB- Vincent Jones
Jones, one of Banff’s linebackers, had 34 tackles, deflected one pass and intercepted another pass from the opposing QBs.
LB- AJ Lucas
AJ Lucas was the top tackler for the Bandits. Taking down 46 opponents, one for a loss. Lucas also forced one fumble, deflected one pass and recorded an interception.
CB- Slurms McKenzie
Slurms McKenzie tallied 30 tackles, one of which was for a loss. He also forced 2 fumbles and recovered 2 as well. He deflected a team high 7 passes and also led the Bandits with 3 interceptions. He brought one of those 3 picks back for a touchdown. McKenzie also had a punt return for a touchdown.
CB- H. H. Hopkins
Slurms counterpart, Hopkins, made 19 tackles and forced one fumble. He deflected 2 passes and had one interception. Hopkins also made a splash on special teams, with a jaw dropping kick off return for 95 yards.
S- Tony Bull
Tony Bull had 25 tackles during the Bowl and deflected two passes as well. Where Bull came up huge, was his two interceptions both returned for touchdowns.
Kickers
K/P- Something McDerpants
Something McDerpants had a great showing during the Bowl, he went 13 for 13 for field goals, highlighted by a 5 for 5 game. McDerpants did miss one extra point attempt, going 11 for 12 over the 5 games.
Note: I've never in my life said that math is my strongest suit, so I apologize if I've gotten anything wrong with the stats!
So, there you have it. The Banff Bandits set out to show their worth in this seasons Prospect Bowl, to let the DSFL GMs see what they could do. They also were on display for the current players in the DSFL, they were able to see the players who will be joining their teams and also becoming their opposition. I’m sure that there was also some of the ISFL front office and players keeping tabs on the Prospect Bowl, since at the end of this DSFL season, these players will once again be looked at under a microscope as they enter the second draft of their young careers. They still have a full season to show the big leagues what they are capable of, but this was the first glimpse of this new crop of players and I’m sure that everyone associated with the DSFL and ISFL had interest in seeing what these rookies can do. The Banff Bandits did not disappoint there, although they did not win the ultimate prize, they played some amazing football, and I have no doubt that you’ll be seeing these names again soon when they land with their DSFL teams!
Word count - 2552
In this article, we will be focussing on the Prospect Bowl team, the Banff Bandits. The Bandits roster is as follows-
Offensive
QB- Lebron James III
RB- Mr. Forty-Two
WR- Tater Tosser
WR- Tugg Speedman
WR- Raphael Delacour
WR- John Smith
WR- Julian Jurevicius
TE- Tom Teboat
TE- Caven McRae
OL- Maiteers Rico-Shea
OL- Jack Cobb
Defensive
DE- Makoto Otawara
DT-Redbeard McFredbeard
LB- BamBam McMullet
LB- Vincent Jones
LB- AJ Lucas
CB- Slurms McKenzie
CB- H. H. Hopkins
S- Tony Bull
Kickers
K/P- Something McDerpants
Now let’s have a look at the round robin games played by the Bandits in this three team tournament, in which each team played each other twice and the two top teams faced each other for the championship game.
Game 1
First up for the Bandits, were the Mars Explorers. The Explores came out hot, with their RB Big Chungus starting off the scoring with a 37 yd TD, follow by a field goal. The Bandits were able to get to the Explorers QB in their own end zone before the quarter ended, earning them 2 points for the safety. The 2nd quarter had the Explorers extending their lead with another field goal ending the half with 13 – 2 lead over the Bandits.
The 2nd half saw the Bandits score their first TD of the Bowl when Mr. Forty-Two, the Bandits running back, punched it in from the 1 yard line. Later in the quarter, the Explorers kicker, Gluteus Maximus, added another for the Explorers, so going into the 4th quarter the Bandits were down 16-9. The 4th quarter started with the Bandits kicker, Something McDerpants, rocking a 47 yard field goal, bringing the Bandits within 4 points. With 5 minutes left in the game, Mr. Forty-Two gave the Bandits the lead, and the win, when he got his second score of the game with a 2 yd run.
The players of the game for the bandits were Mr. Forty-Two on the offensive side, with 108 yds on 28 attempts and two TDs. On the defensive side, Slurms MacKenzie recorded 7 tackles, 1 deflected pass and forced and recovered a fumble.
Game 2
The Bandits faced off against the Brisbane Drop Bears for their 2nd game. The Bandits started out the game with another short run by their back, Mr. Forty-Two. He wasn’t done there, Mr. Forty-Two got his fourth TD of the Bowl with a 11 yard run in the 2nd quarter. The Drop Bears got on the board after that, with Pope Francis kicking a field goal and then Rocky Jonhson added a 13 yard run, ending the half with the Bandits up 14-10.
The 2nd half saw the Bandits defense get into the scoring action, with Slurms McKenzie getting a pick off the Drop Bears QB and returning in 22 yards with 6 points. The Drop Bears did find a hole in the Bandits defense when they broke out for a 66 yard run, bringing them within 6 points of the Bandits. The 4th quarter saw the Drop Bears RB add another TD and gave them their first lead of the game. The Bandits wouldn’t go down easy though, with just over 2 minutes left in the game, Something McDerpants kicked a 34 yd field goal to put the Bandits back on top and they held off the Drop Bears to win their 2nd game.
Players of the game for the Bandits were the same as the first game, Mr. Forty-Two on the offense, with 131 yards ib 35 attempts and 2 TDs and on the defensive side, Slurms McKenzie with 6 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 deflected passes and an interception returned for a TD.
Game 3
With the Bandits 2-0 in the Prospect Bowl, they were facing off against the Brisbane Drop Bears for the second time. The Drop Bears drew first blood, with their QB, Ryan Negs, throwing a 12 yard pass to Mario Messi. The Bandits answered back with 2 field goals (38yds and 43yds) to end the 1st. McDerpants kicked his third field goal of the game to start the 2nd quarter, a 40 yarder. Brisbane were the next to score, it was on a 6 yard run making the score 14 – 9 for the Drop Bears. The Bandits QB, LeBron James III got himself his first TD of the Bowl when he hooked up with Rapheal Delacour for a 2 yd pass and then Something kicked his fourth field goal of the game, ended the half for the Bandits, who now lead 19-14.
The Bandits received the opening kick off of the 2nd half, and kick returning H.H Hopkins let the league know what he’s got, making an incredible 95 yard return for a touchdown. The Bandits weren’t done yet, James threw his 2nd TD of the game, this time to Julian Jurcvicius from the 1 yd line. This put the Bandits up by 19 half way through the 3rd quarter. The Drop Bears started to fight back after that. With an 8 yard run to close off the 3rd quarter. The 4th started and Something McDerpants picked up were he left off with a 37 yard field, his fifth of the game. The Drop Pants answered with a field goal of their own and then Negs threw his 2nd TD of the game, bringing the Drop Bears within 6, but it was too little, too late. The Bandits had won their third game of the Prospect Bowl. Players of the game honours go the Bandits kicker, Something McDerpants, going 5 for 5 (special honours go to H.H Hopkins for his 95 yard kick off return) and on the defense, BamBam McMullet with 12 tackles (one for a loss), 2 sacks and a deflected pass (shout out to Slurms for his 2 picks!)
Game 4
With the Bandits having won all three of their games so far, they came into the final round robin game looking to add their 4th victory. They were up against the Explorers again and they came out of the gates with a purpose, picking off James III early and returning it for a TD and then throwing for another TD shortly after. Mr. Forty-Two got the Bandits on the board with a 1 yard one, but his opposite got one of his own at the end of the quarter. The second quarter saw the Explorers extend their lead by 21 points after a 2yd TD reception. Something McDerpants kept the Bandits alive with 2 field goals, ending the half with the Explorers leading 28-13.
The second half was underway and the Bandits started off like the Explorers did at the beginning of the game, Tony Bull picked off the Explorers QB and returned it for a 55 yard TD, which was the only score of the 3rd quarter. Bull wasn’t done yet, at the start of the 4th quarter he repeated his earlier performance with his second interception and second TD of the game, tying up the game at the same time, 28 – 28. The Explorers went up by a TD after scoring on a running play with 4 and a half minutes left and it looked like they were ready to hand the Bandits their first loss of the Prospect Bowl. But with almost no time on the clock, the Explorers punted to the Bandits, looking to finish them off but Slurms McKenzie had other thoughts, he took off with the punt return moving 41 yards down the field for a touchdown with 4 seconds on the clock, sending the game to overtime. The extra quarter was a back and forth affair, but the Bandits pinned the Explorers deep in their own zone and were able to get a hold of the Explorers player in their end zone, earning them their 2nd safety of the Bowl and their 4th win.
Players of the game go to Mr. Forty-Two with 115 yards on 28 attempts and one TD. But the real hero was Tony Bull with his 2 pick sixes and Slurms McKenzie with his game tying punt return. The Bandits had gone 4-0 in the round robin portion of the Prospect Bowl.
Prospect Bowl – Finals
The finals of the Prospect bowl pitted the Brisbane Drop Bears against the Banff Bandits. The Bandits had already played two tight games against the Drop Bears, winning both. But the finals are always a different beast and the Bandits knew they’d have to be on the top of their game. The Bandits came out hot, owning the start of the first half, with field goals from 18 yds and 41 yds by Something McDerpants and a 12 yard TD run by Mr. Forty-Two. The Drop Bears got on the board before the end of the half after a field goal by Pope Francis, followed by a pick six by the Drop Bears defense. Ending the half at 13-10 for the Bandits.
The Drop Bears took control of the game in the third quarter with another field goal and a 7yd run for a TD, taking the lead, making the score 20 – 13 form the Australian side. The Bandits got a field goal early, a 45 yarder by Something, but that was all they could do as the Drop Bears wouldn’t allow anymore points to be scored against them. It was a back and forth quarter, and it really could have went either way, but when the clock hit zero, the Brisbane Drop Bears were on top, and they were able to raise the Prospect Bowl Trophy.
It was a heck of a Prospect Bowl for the fans and the Banff Bandits definitely showed the DSFL what the players on the team could do, they were the best team going into the finals, but as we all know, in this crazy game of football, anything can happen. The Bandits players should hold their heads high, they played some great football.
Now let’s have a look at the Bandits players and how the performed individually:
QB- Lebron James III
Lebron played some solid football for the Bandits, James III went 82/166 for 837 yards thrown. He threw two touchdowns but he did have 5 interceptions. His leadership did not go unnoticed though, he was a spark plug for the team from Banff.
RB- Mr. Forty-Two
The Bandits running back was the biggest producer for the team. Mr. Forty-Two ran for 605 yards and six touchdowns. He also added five receptions for 36 yards.
WR- Tater Tosser
Toesser played a limited role in the Bandits receiving squad, but he did manage to haul in 4 catches for 41 yards.
WR- Tugg Speedman
Tugg Speedman was 2nd on the team for receptions, catching 15 balls for 204 yards.
WR- Raphael Delacour
Delacour lead the Bandits in receptions with 24. He also lead the receivers in yards with 271 and he also had a touchdown reception.
WR- John Smith
John Smith was able to make 3 catches during the Bandits Bowl run, those 3 catches went for 29 yards.
WR- Julian Jurevicius
Julian Jurevicius was the only other receiver to make it to the endzone, and did so with 14 catches for 136 yards.
TE- Tom Teboat
The tight end Teboat, made 9 receptions for a total of 66 yards
TE- Caven McRae
McRae matched his tight end partners receptions with 9 and he recorded 45 yards doing so.
OL- Maiteers Rico-Shea
OL- Jack Cobb
The offensive duo of Cobb and Rico-Shea were an intrical part of the offense, allowing players like Mr. Forty-Two to be able to operate at the top level like he did. Rico-Shea did get on the game stat sheet for a recovered fumble.
Defensive
DE- Makoto Otawara
Defensive end Makoto Otawara recording 15 tackles, 6 of which were for a loss. He also had 2 sacks and was responsible for one of the two safeties the Bandits completed.
DT-Redbeard McFredbeard
Defensive tackle, Redbeard McFredbeard, not only has an awesome name, he also had 10 tackles, 1 for a loss, and 3 sacks.
LB- BamBam McMullet
BamBam McMullet had 35 tackles, 2 for a loss, and he led the team with 4 sacks. He also forced 1 fumble and deflected 2 passes.
LB- Vincent Jones
Jones, one of Banff’s linebackers, had 34 tackles, deflected one pass and intercepted another pass from the opposing QBs.
LB- AJ Lucas
AJ Lucas was the top tackler for the Bandits. Taking down 46 opponents, one for a loss. Lucas also forced one fumble, deflected one pass and recorded an interception.
CB- Slurms McKenzie
Slurms McKenzie tallied 30 tackles, one of which was for a loss. He also forced 2 fumbles and recovered 2 as well. He deflected a team high 7 passes and also led the Bandits with 3 interceptions. He brought one of those 3 picks back for a touchdown. McKenzie also had a punt return for a touchdown.
CB- H. H. Hopkins
Slurms counterpart, Hopkins, made 19 tackles and forced one fumble. He deflected 2 passes and had one interception. Hopkins also made a splash on special teams, with a jaw dropping kick off return for 95 yards.
S- Tony Bull
Tony Bull had 25 tackles during the Bowl and deflected two passes as well. Where Bull came up huge, was his two interceptions both returned for touchdowns.
Kickers
K/P- Something McDerpants
Something McDerpants had a great showing during the Bowl, he went 13 for 13 for field goals, highlighted by a 5 for 5 game. McDerpants did miss one extra point attempt, going 11 for 12 over the 5 games.
Note: I've never in my life said that math is my strongest suit, so I apologize if I've gotten anything wrong with the stats!
So, there you have it. The Banff Bandits set out to show their worth in this seasons Prospect Bowl, to let the DSFL GMs see what they could do. They also were on display for the current players in the DSFL, they were able to see the players who will be joining their teams and also becoming their opposition. I’m sure that there was also some of the ISFL front office and players keeping tabs on the Prospect Bowl, since at the end of this DSFL season, these players will once again be looked at under a microscope as they enter the second draft of their young careers. They still have a full season to show the big leagues what they are capable of, but this was the first glimpse of this new crop of players and I’m sure that everyone associated with the DSFL and ISFL had interest in seeing what these rookies can do. The Banff Bandits did not disappoint there, although they did not win the ultimate prize, they played some amazing football, and I have no doubt that you’ll be seeing these names again soon when they land with their DSFL teams!
Word count - 2552