03-22-2018, 04:35 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-23-2018, 02:28 PM by HalfEatenOnionBagel.)
Robbed
It seems like every season, you can write about the third place NSFC team because of how tight the conference is and this season was no exception. While the Wraiths certainly deserved a spot in the playoffs, it’s hard to believe the Hawks aren’t as good, and possibly better on some days than the Wraiths. Scoring the third most points on the season, they definitely had the weapons to hang with anyone and really had it not been for a tie that the Wraiths had, the Hawks would have gotten in. With some moves in the offseason and maybe some better game planning, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Hawks back in the playoffs next season with either the Wraiths or Liberty missing out. Of course, the Hawks had their chances to beat both the Wraiths and Liberty to punch their ticket to the playoffs and they failed to do so, so you can’t feel too badly for them. It is sad for the Hawks that their best chances of getting an Ultimus before the league became more competitive overall were against an Outlaws team that had….well let’s just say a little more than luck on their side in those early seasons. But, I believe that they have the talent and management to make another run in the near future.
Magic Moment
To me one of the most amazing moments to watch in the playoffs was the interception return for a touchdown by Clifford Rove in the NSFC championship game. For one, it was awesome to see Rove make a play like this considering the huge shakeup for him to move from QB to CB. This was definitely a defining moment for him in a big spot and a chance to show he had what it takes to play the position after so many people questioned if he could. Of course, even more important was what it meant for the team. As an expansion team, the Liberty have fought an uphill battle to reach where they are now. When Rove made this play, the game was put out of reach for the Wraiths. You could feel the energy from the Philadelphia fans and the momentum the team had, the final score was a lot closer than the game actually felt. But, for the first time you really had a sense that this Liberty team could go all the way. And they almost did, going into Orange County and coming up literally just a yard short. It's a huge step for this franchise and it all started with a big play from Rove. You have to believe this team has what it takes to possibly make it all the way next season.
Championship Game Recap
As painful as it is to relive the championship game, you have to give credit to Marc Spector for his game changing tackle at the goal line at the end of the fourth quarter. While there were some huge plays in the game by the Otters offensive weapons and some of their rushers on defense, no play had a bigger impact than this one. In a tight game, every single yard counts, but when you're in the red zone, those yards seem like they're even harder to come by. With Liberty threatening to drive down and score a game winning touchdown, star WR Josh Garden dove for the end zone but was blown up by Spector at the 1. Not only did this save a touchdown but it clearly shook Garden up as he failed to make the catch on the ensuing fourth down, sealing the fate of the Liberty team. It is questionable why the Liberty went back to Garden when he was clearly limping. With other red zone weapons like TD machine Damien Kroetch or Red Zone threat Paul Dimirio they had options. Perhaps it's just the trust the team has in Garden, but this time unfortunately their faith was not rewarded.
Playoff Review
NSFC Championship: Liberty vs Wraiths
The Liberty came out hot in this one, scoring 24 unanswered points capped off by a 59 yd interception return for a touchdown by Clifford Rove. The Wraiths battled back late with a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter but it just wasn’t enough as the Liberty held on to win 31 – 21. Not many players stood out in this one, but game balls for Liberty would have to go to Rove for his interception return and Garden for a game high 113 receiving yards.
ASFC Championship: Otters vs Sabercats
A surprisingly close game, this one was decided by a Madlad field goal with under a minute left in regulation. It was truly a shootout with both quarterbacks going for over 300 yards and 4 players in the game having over 100 receiving yards. It really could have gone either way the way the teams were playing, but in the end it was the Boss and the Otters managing the clock well to strike the final blow.
Ultimus Game: Otters vs Liberty
Ah yes the game of games and what an exciting finish it was to this one. Early in the fourth quarter, the Otters took a ten point lead and it looked like the game might slip away from the Liberty until Josh Garden returned a kickoff to the house to get within a field goal. Madlad put the Otters up by 6 with about 7 minutes to go, but the Liberty were driving towards the endzone and looked like they could win it. Garden made a play in the redzone but came up just short of the goalline after a brilliant tackle by Spector to save the game. It would all come down to one play, but this time Garden wouldn’t be the hero as the ball bounced helplessly off his hands. The Otters had won another Ultimus, this time defeating the Liberty 23 – 17.
It seems like every season, you can write about the third place NSFC team because of how tight the conference is and this season was no exception. While the Wraiths certainly deserved a spot in the playoffs, it’s hard to believe the Hawks aren’t as good, and possibly better on some days than the Wraiths. Scoring the third most points on the season, they definitely had the weapons to hang with anyone and really had it not been for a tie that the Wraiths had, the Hawks would have gotten in. With some moves in the offseason and maybe some better game planning, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Hawks back in the playoffs next season with either the Wraiths or Liberty missing out. Of course, the Hawks had their chances to beat both the Wraiths and Liberty to punch their ticket to the playoffs and they failed to do so, so you can’t feel too badly for them. It is sad for the Hawks that their best chances of getting an Ultimus before the league became more competitive overall were against an Outlaws team that had….well let’s just say a little more than luck on their side in those early seasons. But, I believe that they have the talent and management to make another run in the near future.
Magic Moment
To me one of the most amazing moments to watch in the playoffs was the interception return for a touchdown by Clifford Rove in the NSFC championship game. For one, it was awesome to see Rove make a play like this considering the huge shakeup for him to move from QB to CB. This was definitely a defining moment for him in a big spot and a chance to show he had what it takes to play the position after so many people questioned if he could. Of course, even more important was what it meant for the team. As an expansion team, the Liberty have fought an uphill battle to reach where they are now. When Rove made this play, the game was put out of reach for the Wraiths. You could feel the energy from the Philadelphia fans and the momentum the team had, the final score was a lot closer than the game actually felt. But, for the first time you really had a sense that this Liberty team could go all the way. And they almost did, going into Orange County and coming up literally just a yard short. It's a huge step for this franchise and it all started with a big play from Rove. You have to believe this team has what it takes to possibly make it all the way next season.
Championship Game Recap
As painful as it is to relive the championship game, you have to give credit to Marc Spector for his game changing tackle at the goal line at the end of the fourth quarter. While there were some huge plays in the game by the Otters offensive weapons and some of their rushers on defense, no play had a bigger impact than this one. In a tight game, every single yard counts, but when you're in the red zone, those yards seem like they're even harder to come by. With Liberty threatening to drive down and score a game winning touchdown, star WR Josh Garden dove for the end zone but was blown up by Spector at the 1. Not only did this save a touchdown but it clearly shook Garden up as he failed to make the catch on the ensuing fourth down, sealing the fate of the Liberty team. It is questionable why the Liberty went back to Garden when he was clearly limping. With other red zone weapons like TD machine Damien Kroetch or Red Zone threat Paul Dimirio they had options. Perhaps it's just the trust the team has in Garden, but this time unfortunately their faith was not rewarded.
Playoff Review
NSFC Championship: Liberty vs Wraiths
The Liberty came out hot in this one, scoring 24 unanswered points capped off by a 59 yd interception return for a touchdown by Clifford Rove. The Wraiths battled back late with a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter but it just wasn’t enough as the Liberty held on to win 31 – 21. Not many players stood out in this one, but game balls for Liberty would have to go to Rove for his interception return and Garden for a game high 113 receiving yards.
ASFC Championship: Otters vs Sabercats
A surprisingly close game, this one was decided by a Madlad field goal with under a minute left in regulation. It was truly a shootout with both quarterbacks going for over 300 yards and 4 players in the game having over 100 receiving yards. It really could have gone either way the way the teams were playing, but in the end it was the Boss and the Otters managing the clock well to strike the final blow.
Ultimus Game: Otters vs Liberty
Ah yes the game of games and what an exciting finish it was to this one. Early in the fourth quarter, the Otters took a ten point lead and it looked like the game might slip away from the Liberty until Josh Garden returned a kickoff to the house to get within a field goal. Madlad put the Otters up by 6 with about 7 minutes to go, but the Liberty were driving towards the endzone and looked like they could win it. Garden made a play in the redzone but came up just short of the goalline after a brilliant tackle by Spector to save the game. It would all come down to one play, but this time Garden wouldn’t be the hero as the ball bounced helplessly off his hands. The Otters had won another Ultimus, this time defeating the Liberty 23 – 17.
![[Image: 018p.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/WbJGDCCK/018p.png)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Regular Season Stats
[OPTION](S2) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S3) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S4) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S5) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S6) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S7) 14 Games Played
[OPTION](S8) 14 Games Played
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Playoff Stats
[OPTION] 27839
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Trophy Case/Achievements:
[OPTION]Most Likely to Break the Team Bench When Sitting Down
[OPTION]Pumpkin Chuckin' Rally 2017 Semifinalist
[OPTION]Most Likely to Get Traded in S8 (T-1st)
[OPTION]Ultimus Champion S7, S8