(S5) - Ultimus Week

[Roly]

Playoff Series MVP: Choose an MVP for one of the playoff series and write about why you chose them. Must be completed after the playoff series you write about

Let's give some love to the DSFL. Although my Marshals weren't in the playoffs and the bots from Palm Beach eventually won the cup, I'm going to backup and look at the playoff series between the Norfolk Seawolves and the Portland Pythons. Although the Pythons had a number of players who are worthy of Series MVP consideration, I'm specifically looking at Norman Bagwell on the Pythons Defence and Glenn McPoyal on the Pythons Offence. Bagwell dominated on the defensive line, making 2 sacks and 4 tackles to lead the game in QB crushing sacks. On the other side of the ball, McPoyal dominated on receptions. He averaged 13.2 yards per reception over 4 receptions for 53 yards and the only receiving touchdown. Bagwell’s two sacks occurred in the first and third quarter respectively, the latter of which was the first in a series of play stopping pressure plays by the Pythons Defence. McPoyal touchdown was only in the first quarter, the only quarter in which Portland put up points, but was the touchdown that ended up being the game winning score. Therefore, I’m going to give the Eastern Conference Finals Championship (DSFL) Playoffs Series Most Valuable Player to Glenn McPoyal for his consistent, incredible receiving skills and huge receiving touchdown.

Playoff Review: Write a short review of the playoffs and each of the matchups. Must be completed after the Championship Game

Keeping with the DSFL theme, lets talk DSFL playoff action. There was three DSFL playoff games all to be recapped here. The first two games were the Western and Eastern Conference Championships (although it should be noted that both conference names don’t really reflect where the teams are located). The Western Conference Championship featured the Tijuana Luchadores playing against the Palm Beach Solar Bears. In what turned out to not be a very close playoff game, the Palm Beach Solar Bears destroyed the Tijuana Luchadores 27 to 3. The bots steamrolled the human player Luchadores, with Asipi Jr. managing to throw 0 touchdowns and 1 interception and feature back Spinelli getting only 3.3 yards a play. It was only Forfeit managing a 40-49 yard field goal. The Eastern Conference Championship featured the Portland Pythons taking on the Norfolk Seawolves; another bot v human grudge match. In this case, however, the human Pythons came out ontop. Keeping the robot QB Washington to 0 impactful players, Norman Bagwell dominating on the Pythons defensive line and Roenick connecting with McPoyal for a big TD, the Pythons edged out 14 to 10. In the DSFL Ultimini Championship, the Pythons human players attempted to rise up against the domination of the Palm Beach bots. In the end, however, it ended with robot domination and Palm Beach winning 17 to 13.

Championship Game Recap: Do a recap of the best play from the championship game. Must be completed after the Championship Game

The biggest play in the DSFL Ultimini Championship between the Portland Pythons and the Palm Beach Solar Bears came in the 4th quarter. With a score of 14 to 10 for the Solar Bears, the Portland Pythons gained possession 38 seconds into the final section of the championship game. It was now or never – time to earn that Ultimini with a drive to win the game and the championship. And it was a spectacular drive. Starting on their own 39 yard line, the Pythons managed to bring the ball all the way back to Palm Beach 26 yard line. McPoyal started off with a 9 yard drive, shortly followed by a 6 yard drive, was followed by 11 yard rushes by Borro Gore in 3 separate plays, and finally Blessed Storm putting up 9 yards in one play. That said, the drive also contained 2 penalties for the Pythons and 1 penalty for Palm Beach. In the end, the Portland Pythons’s Austin Roenick couldn’t connect to Goose and Blessed Storm in two back to back long yardage situations and end up costing the Portland Pythons the opportunity for a touchdown and forcing them to settle for a fieldgoal. The 14-13 score would last one more drive before the Solar Bears sunk some insurance and won their first ever Ultimini.

Unsung Hero:Who was the unsung hero of the playoffs, convince us. (Can be completed after the Ultimus game)

The unsung hero of the DSFL playoffs belongs, surprise surprise to the Portland Pythons. Although the Pythons have a number of superstars, including quarterback Roenick, wide receiver Aaron, tight end McPoyal, running back Gore, who all deserve praise for their hefty play in the DSFL playoffs. However, none can be considered “unsung heroes” insofar as they aren’t exactly unknown. That said, there is a Python who is relatively unknown and can be praised for their hard playoff play. That’s Thomas Kane III – a new waiver claim to the Portland Pythons who plays LB. In his two playoff games, Kane put up 9 tackles, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery in the East Conference Championship and 7 tackles and 1 pass deflection in the DSFL Ultimini Championship. Over the course of the playoffs, Kane managed 16 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery and 1 pass deflection: that’s some praise worthy play that befits another linebacker prospect, albeit one season removed from the likes of Enchant and Mills. He was able to put both pressure on the opponent’s offensive line and drop back into coverage when needed. He showed solid hands, a knack to make big plays, and brought it when it counts: the DSFL playoffs.