Robbed: Write about why a team that failed to make the playoffs should have over somebody else. Can be completed at any point
The Philadelphia Liberty were robbed and should have made the playoffs over the Baltimore Hawks. I know I’m pretty biased since I’m on the Liberty and I don’t mean to disrespect the Hawks either. Both teams tied again in record with the Hawks getting the tiebreaker over the Liberty because of a better conference record. The team started off with some decent wins, but had a hard time against a rough schedule in the latter half of the season having to face the Wraiths, Hawks, and Outlaws on the road. We saw the same thing last season, but the Hawks were on the flip side of the conversation from this year. I still think the Liberty were robbed because they had a more difficult schedule and the Hawks had an easier time this season. The Liberty struggled with really tough games down the stretch and losing three of the last six games by a total of 15 points. If the team was in the ASFC, they would easily beat out the Arizona Outlaws based on record and I think it shows how much more competitive the NSFC really is if the Hawks and Liberty have been fighting for a playoff spot over each other for 3 seasons straight.
Championship Game Recap: Do a recap of the best play from the championship game. Must be completed after the Championship Game
It’s hard to find the best play from the championship game considering how well the Orange County Otters played and how dominant their performance was. After re-watching the game and reading the play by play, I decided to write about the Otters defense during the third quarter. Following a field goal by the Wraiths, the Otters defense stepped up big time and put on the best performance any defense has ever had in the NSFL. They absolutely stopped the Wraiths offense in the second quarter and the closest they could get was the OCO 49. This allowed the offense to get closer and score 3 field goals to put the Otters up 19-6 at the half. When the third quarter rolled around, the Otters defense smothered the Wraiths offense and stifled any and all attempts by Akselen. Almost every Wraiths possession was a quick 3 and out with the best drive around the 10:30 minute mark after a Bailey Cook reception for a first down. Clegane followed that catch with a sack and the Wraiths couldn’t get anything going until the next quarter. This was the best defense all season and they showed their absolute utter dominance against the Wraiths. You cannot dispute how well the team has constructed this defense. This team is unstoppable right now and will probably continue with the development of Ryan Sierra.
Unsung Hero: Who was the unsung hero of the playoffs, convince us. (Can be completed after the Ultimus game)
The unsung hero of the playoffs was Dermott Lavelle (@White Cornerback) of the Yellowknife Wraiths. He was one of the league’s top cornerbacks going into the playoffs with 15 pass deflections, 4 interceptions, and a pick 6 in the regular season. This guy was all over the field against the Baltimore Hawks and put up some of the best cornerback stats we’ve ever seen in the playoffs with impressive play all around. Lavelle ended up with 8 tackles, 2 pass deflections, and the only interception against the Hawks which helped the Wraiths clinch a convincing Ultimus trip with a final score of 37-21. He provided great coverage against some of the best wide receivers that Baltimore had. Although he didn’t get as many tackles against the Otters, I believe his incredible game IQ and excellent reads resulted in 2 tackles and 3 pass deflections against one of the best quarterbacks in the league, Mike Boss, and the most dangerous wide receivers in Robert Phelps and Bradley Westfield. I think the Wraiths have the best defense in the NSFC and Lavelle is one of the key components of that defense. They have such great flexibility in their front seven and their secondary group is led by Lavelle.
Hate the player or the game: Tell us which team made the playoffs and shouldn't have, or which team didn't and should have? (Can be completed at any point)
I can’t imagine how it would feel to be the San Jose Sabercats…oh wait I can! They also should have made the playoffs but didn’t because their conference record was an abysmal 2-3 while the Arizona Outlaws were 4-2. With both teams having the same record, it’s a shame to see a decent team always on the outside looking in. This is especially heartbreaking given the Arizona Outlaw multi scandal that tainted the league’s first 3 seasons and makes you wonder if the Sabercats would have gotten to the ASFC playoffs a few occasions during that time. Granted their points for and points against were less than the Outlaws, but I believe they had a decent shot this year given how well Darren Smallwood, Mayran Jackson, and Shane Weston are playing. Even the trade for Connor Tanner helped their offense greatly. Dan Miller continues to be the best DT the league has ever seen and Vincent Sharpei remains solid as well. The Sabercats have the second best rush defense in the league and are dominant in the run game themselves. They had a rough stretch from weeks 7 through 9, but finished pretty strong and even beat the Otters at home in week 1. It’s a shame to see such a great team be on the outside looking in again…
The Philadelphia Liberty were robbed and should have made the playoffs over the Baltimore Hawks. I know I’m pretty biased since I’m on the Liberty and I don’t mean to disrespect the Hawks either. Both teams tied again in record with the Hawks getting the tiebreaker over the Liberty because of a better conference record. The team started off with some decent wins, but had a hard time against a rough schedule in the latter half of the season having to face the Wraiths, Hawks, and Outlaws on the road. We saw the same thing last season, but the Hawks were on the flip side of the conversation from this year. I still think the Liberty were robbed because they had a more difficult schedule and the Hawks had an easier time this season. The Liberty struggled with really tough games down the stretch and losing three of the last six games by a total of 15 points. If the team was in the ASFC, they would easily beat out the Arizona Outlaws based on record and I think it shows how much more competitive the NSFC really is if the Hawks and Liberty have been fighting for a playoff spot over each other for 3 seasons straight.
Championship Game Recap: Do a recap of the best play from the championship game. Must be completed after the Championship Game
It’s hard to find the best play from the championship game considering how well the Orange County Otters played and how dominant their performance was. After re-watching the game and reading the play by play, I decided to write about the Otters defense during the third quarter. Following a field goal by the Wraiths, the Otters defense stepped up big time and put on the best performance any defense has ever had in the NSFL. They absolutely stopped the Wraiths offense in the second quarter and the closest they could get was the OCO 49. This allowed the offense to get closer and score 3 field goals to put the Otters up 19-6 at the half. When the third quarter rolled around, the Otters defense smothered the Wraiths offense and stifled any and all attempts by Akselen. Almost every Wraiths possession was a quick 3 and out with the best drive around the 10:30 minute mark after a Bailey Cook reception for a first down. Clegane followed that catch with a sack and the Wraiths couldn’t get anything going until the next quarter. This was the best defense all season and they showed their absolute utter dominance against the Wraiths. You cannot dispute how well the team has constructed this defense. This team is unstoppable right now and will probably continue with the development of Ryan Sierra.
Unsung Hero: Who was the unsung hero of the playoffs, convince us. (Can be completed after the Ultimus game)
The unsung hero of the playoffs was Dermott Lavelle (@White Cornerback) of the Yellowknife Wraiths. He was one of the league’s top cornerbacks going into the playoffs with 15 pass deflections, 4 interceptions, and a pick 6 in the regular season. This guy was all over the field against the Baltimore Hawks and put up some of the best cornerback stats we’ve ever seen in the playoffs with impressive play all around. Lavelle ended up with 8 tackles, 2 pass deflections, and the only interception against the Hawks which helped the Wraiths clinch a convincing Ultimus trip with a final score of 37-21. He provided great coverage against some of the best wide receivers that Baltimore had. Although he didn’t get as many tackles against the Otters, I believe his incredible game IQ and excellent reads resulted in 2 tackles and 3 pass deflections against one of the best quarterbacks in the league, Mike Boss, and the most dangerous wide receivers in Robert Phelps and Bradley Westfield. I think the Wraiths have the best defense in the NSFC and Lavelle is one of the key components of that defense. They have such great flexibility in their front seven and their secondary group is led by Lavelle.
Hate the player or the game: Tell us which team made the playoffs and shouldn't have, or which team didn't and should have? (Can be completed at any point)
I can’t imagine how it would feel to be the San Jose Sabercats…oh wait I can! They also should have made the playoffs but didn’t because their conference record was an abysmal 2-3 while the Arizona Outlaws were 4-2. With both teams having the same record, it’s a shame to see a decent team always on the outside looking in. This is especially heartbreaking given the Arizona Outlaw multi scandal that tainted the league’s first 3 seasons and makes you wonder if the Sabercats would have gotten to the ASFC playoffs a few occasions during that time. Granted their points for and points against were less than the Outlaws, but I believe they had a decent shot this year given how well Darren Smallwood, Mayran Jackson, and Shane Weston are playing. Even the trade for Connor Tanner helped their offense greatly. Dan Miller continues to be the best DT the league has ever seen and Vincent Sharpei remains solid as well. The Sabercats have the second best rush defense in the league and are dominant in the run game themselves. They had a rough stretch from weeks 7 through 9, but finished pretty strong and even beat the Otters at home in week 1. It’s a shame to see such a great team be on the outside looking in again…
