(S8) - Ultimus Week

[YoungTB]

DSFL Playoff Predictions: This year, the DSFL playoffs are shaping up to be quite the show. Starting Monday, we’ll see the Kansas City Coyotes take on the Portland Pythons in the Northern Conference Finals, and in the Southern Conference Finals, we’ll see the San Antonio Marshals going up against the Tijuana Luchadors. Starting with the NCF, I think this is going to be a great game. We’ll see a great Kansas City defense try and stop an elite Portland run game. Overall though, I see this matchup going to Kansas City. If they can stop the run like they have many times this year, then I could see this one becoming a blowout. The Coyotes main strategy should be to shut down Lagerfield and force Cole McCoy and Portland’s passing game to beat you. In the South, I expect this game to be a hard fought battle between two great teams. However, I think San Antonio’s defense edges Tijuana’s offense and I could also see this becoming a blowout in San Antonio’s favor. What Tijuana needs to do is play lights out defense and stop San Antonio’s “dual threat” offense with a lethal run game and pass game. If they’re able to do that, then this could be a very close game. In the Ultimini, we see Kansas City take on the Marshals in an epic bout to cap up an equally epic S8. I honestly expect this to be a defensive low scoring game. We’ll be seeing two of the DSFL’s best defenses go head to head. However, I think that San Antonio’s “No-Fly Zone” consisting of Barnes and Ludvig will be able to edge out Kansas City’s wicked front seven and bring the Ultimini home to SA.

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Robbed: The DSFL playoffs have been set in stone and will start tonight at 8 PM EST. The four teams in the running for the coveted Ultimini trophy will be the San Antonio Marshals, the Tijuana Luchadores, the Kansas City Coyotes, and the Portland Pythons. The two teams that didn’t make it to the playoffs were the Norfolk SeaWolves and the Palm Beach Solar Bears. These teams just didn’t make the cut and weren’t able to muscle through to the main event. However, I believe that the Norfolk SeaWolves got ROBBED. The SeaWolves are a very underrated team and I believe they aren’t as bad as their record makes them out to be. Led by star running back Julian Washington who I believe was a very underrated player this year, their offense is a pretty well oiled machine. Washington was able to rush 1349 rushing yards and rack up 10 rushing touchdowns in the midst of 12 games. I’d argue this as a better season performance than other star running back Elijah Lagerfield from the Portland Pythons. Speaking of Portland, I believe their offense edges out Norfolk’s, but only by a little. Their passing game is way better, though I’d give the running game to the triple threat backfield in Norfolk. When it comes to defenses, Norfolk’s is a bit pitiful, with a rather deplorable set of guys in the secondary. Overall, I do believe Norfolk is the better team though, and I think that they should have made the playoffs over the Portland Pythons.

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Root For The Underdog: Now, given where my loyalties lie, I won’t necessarily be “rooting” for this underdog. However, I think there is a decent chance that they could give San Antonio a run for their money. I’m of course talking about the Tijuana Luchadores. Tijuana is a pretty good team this year and boasts a talented offense lead by highly touted prospect Xavier Flash. Their run game isn’t flashy, but they get the job done. Tijuana runs a running back by committee, with Adams leading the pack of Spinelli and Bot. Not only is their offense great, but their defense is argue is even better. Young Spaghetti and Thad Young lead this formidable group of players and they’ll be looking to make a splash in the playoffs. I believe this team will give San Antonio a run for their money. If their offense can click and outmuscle the San Antonio No-Fly Zone, I see this being a very close game. They’ll also need to shut down San Antonio’s offense. Also, they’ll need to put pressure on FitzMagic and make sure to shut down the air attack. Overall, Tijuana needs to play lights out and want it more than San Antonio does if they want any chance of reaching that Ultimini trophy. I wouldn’t count out Tijuana fully here however, as they are the underdog against the Ultimini favorites. Again, I see this game coming down to the wire in a hell of a battle between two talented teams.

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A Sit Down With Baltimore Hawks CB Antoine Delacour: For this segment, we sat down with Baltimore Hawks Cornerback Antoine Delacour. Delacour is entering his fourth postseason appearance with this Baltimore squad, and while they're still underdogs, this team has the heart and motivation of true Ultimus winners. We spoke with Delacour about his future in the NSFL, the draft, and most importantly, the playoffs and the matchups ahead.

TB: "Antoine, thanks for sitting down with us."

AD: "Glad to be here."

TB: "So Antoine, I'm sure you're excited about the playoffs, so I'll ask you this; what are your expectations for this Baltimore squad going into the postseason?"

AD: "It's hard to say. It's gonna be tough for us, I think we're the clear outsiders in any scenario. So first off we have to get past Yellowknife. Both games against the Wraiths this season were close, so I expect it's gonna be close again. On the balance of things, they probably have a slightly better pass rush, which usually translates to better offensive production... so us guys on defense need to limit them as much as we can. I think if we can get past them, though, there's no reason we can't win the Ultimus. If you can hold the best offense in the league, you can hold anyone, surely."

TB: "Good answer. I think this will be a fun match-up to watch, specifically for you guys on the defensive side. Are there any teams that pose a significant threat to Baltimore in the playoffs?"

AD: "It's gotta be the Wraiths. You can't just pick one guy either, because they can hurt you in so many ways. It mostly centres on Akselsen though. f you shut down all of the pass options for Akselsen, he'll run on you. If you close his running lanes, he'll find a seam and thread a pass. If you can deal with their offense, they'll get you on defense. A win over the Wraiths, in Yellowknife... I think that would give us all a massive confidence boost that might put us over in the Ultimus, no matter who gets there."

TB: "Good to know. Yellowknife is looking like the Ultimus favorite this year and I think it'd be great to see an underdog Cinderella story happen with you guys. Now on your future in the NSFL. Obviously regression will be hitting you pretty soon after such a long and amazing career in the league. Realistically, how many more seasons do you see yourself playing at peak level?"

AD: "This is something I've thought about for a while. Realistically? I have maybe two or three more years after this one. Beyond that, I'm riding pine or I'm a liability. And I don't want to be in that position. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about it all. It's another big step, and I'm worried about what state the franchise will be in when I have to call it a day, but I also have faith in the management, and the guys I'll be leaving behind. If I was to just follow my heart, I'd stay until they have to carry me off the field in a body bag, to be honest. These guys, my brothers, we go to war every week. As long as they'll have me, I'll be there."

TB: "That's a great attitude to have for someone who's been as dominant as you pretty much since the birth of the league. Last question, looking at the draft, are there any prospects in particular that you're excited to see get drafted, maybe in Hawks colors?"

AD: "Prospects wise, I'll be honest, I haven't really paid close attention lately. Not as much as in the past, due to various other projects I'm working on, preparing for retirement, you know? But I've been really impressed with Bucky Barnes. I'd love to have him on board before I hang up my cleats. Other than him, Oskar Ludvig is looking like a solid guy to have in the secondary. But it's not all about defensive backs, either. There are a lot of really great kids coming through, and picking up one of the two potential long-term franchise QBs currently in the DSFL would be great too, Avon's great but he can't go forever. We have a lot of holes to fill in this team over the coming years, so there are options out there. I'm sure whoever front office brings in will be great, they're careful guys, always doing their due diligence... and they've yet to get it wrong, in my opinion."

TB: "Good to know. My guys down in the San Antonio No-Fly Zone, Bucky and the Demon, will be forces in the NSFL that's for sure. It was great speaking with you, Antoine. Good luck in the playoffs!"

AD: "Thank you, and you too!"

(802 words, written with @37thchamber)