(S6) - Ultimus Week

[dropbear]

Robbed: Write about why a team that failed to make the playoffs should have over somebody else. Can be completed at any point

The Tijuana Luchadores and the Palm Beach Solar Bears. Two teams from the DSFL's SFC South division who finished the season with equal records at 5 wins and 9 losses. One team made the playoffs while the other missed out. One team conceded more points than any other in the competition, while the other conceded the second-least. One team suffered the biggest losing margin of the season, while the other was the reigning Ultimini Champion.

That's right, the Tijuana Luchadores, the team that made the DSFL playoffs over the Palm Beach Solar Bears, did so despite having a swiss cheese defence that conceded more points than any other team in the competition. The fact that they were able to claw their way into a playoff spot is a testament to their hit-and-miss offence, led by the controversial quarterback Sam Penner, being able to hit at the just the right time and just often enough to turn an abysmal record into a playoff berth. Penner, who was penalised by the Head Office shortly into the season, appeared to be spurred on by his alleged indiscretions and had one of the better touchdowns to intercept ratios in the competition. His performance was just barely enough to drag the corpse of the Luchadores into the playoffs, where they were promptly eliminated. Despite finishing the season with an equal record, the fact that the Solar Bears were reigning champs was reason enough for them to be more deserving of the playoff spot.

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

The season six Ultimini championship game was contested by the San Antonio Marshals and the Kansas City Coyotes. The Marshals made it through the qualifying round relatively unscathed, winning at home against the Luchadores the week prior by a comfortable margin of 20. The Coyotes, on the other hand, had travelled to Portland to face the reigning runner-ups in the Portland Pythons, consistently one of the DSFL's strongest teams. Though they of course won, a late fight back from the Pythons almost saw the Coyotes miss their chance at an Ultimini berth, and may even be what cost them the championship a week later.

The Coyotes held a 17 - 3 lead at the half, before being outscored 14 - 7 in the second half. This inability to maintain or build upon a lead carried over into the championship game, where Kansas City went into the half up 13 - 6 before being outscored 17 - 0 in the second half. Their consistent ability to get out to an early lead is apparently only matched by their consistent inability to score points in the second half. If the Coyotes were able to keep their foot on the pedal in the Ultimini and keep feeding key playmakers the ball, perhaps they would have completed their fairy story turnaround of worst record in the league to Ultimini in one seaon. Alas, it wasn't to be.


That Magic Moment: Pick one moment from a playoff game and describe what made it so amazing to watch.

Kansas City, a team that only a season prior had finished with the worst record in the league, were fighting for their chance at a spot in the championship game. They had been the most dominant team in the DSFL midway through the season, but dropped off toward the tail end, meaning that they would have to travel to Portland to face the dominant Pythons if they were to make it the biggest stage.

The team's offense was spearheaded by star quarterback Mark Strike and star receiver Howard Miller. Strike was a threat in the air and on the ground, and consistently accounted for a large portion of the team's yards and points. Howard, on the other hand, while almost setting reception and yards records for the season, had a startling inability to find his way into the endzone.

Snap to the third quarter of the conference championship. After going into the half up 17 - 3, the Coyotes have conceded a touchdown, cutting their lead to 7, and the Pythons seem to have all the momentum. Known for late comebacks, the Pythons look as though they are going to snatch victory from the claws of defeat and get a chance at redeeming themselves in the championship after coming up short the season prior.

But then, Strike completes a pass to Miller, and the receiver who could barely find the end zone in the regular season runs for 40 yards to score a touchdown and help send the Coyotes to their first Ultimini.

Unsung Hero: Who was the unsung hero of the playoffs, convince us.

How would you feel about a defensive player who, through two playoff games, only recorded 2 tackles? Well, San Antonio Marshals cornerback Rafael Reyes did exactly that, and he may have been the most clutch player on the championship-winning team's defense.

During the Marshals' Ultimini run, their defense as a whole gave up only one passing touchdown: the 40-yard reception for star receiver Howard Miller. Outside of that single play, their pass defense was clutch. Perhaps none more so than Rafael Reyes. Despite only recording two tackles during the entire playoffs, Reyes managed to break up three passes and get an interception. He literally swatted down more balls than the number of passing touchdowns his whole team's defense conceded - and intercepted as many balls!

What makes Reyes play so important, though, is that in the championship game it was a momentum changer. After a blocked punt, the Coyotes got the ball back deep in Marshals' territory and quickly converted, getting the game's first touchdown. The Coyotes showed throughout the playoffs that they tended to get out to big early leads. That made their next possession crucial for both sides. It started well for Kansas City with a short run followed up by a 10-yard pass to Miller for a first down, then another 4 yards to wide receiver W. Stephen. They looked to be rolling, but as Strike tried to fire a pass to tight end Stone Hans, Reyes jumped in front for the pick.

Though the Marshals didn't score off that change in possession, it did rattle Strike somewhat. His touchdown pass to Miller was the result of the receiver's catch-and-run, not his own deep pass. And this was proven when Strike tried to make a play late in the game, but was intercepted again.

You might not have heard his name outside of a few big plays, but the Marshals wouldn't have won the Ultimini if not for Reyes.