Playoff Series MVP: Round 1, Yellowknife Wraiths versus Baltimore Hawks
Who won this game for the Wraiths? Look no further than the talented cornerback Dermot Lavelle. I don’t know when this man breathes, because he certainly didn’t leave the field for long enough to do it. Lavelle was impressive in all three phases of the game; offense, defense and special teams.
Defensively, no one needs to be told about Lavelle’s abilities in coverage. He’s simply one of the best in the business – don’t throw towards him. That coverage prowess can make it easy to forget just how willingly and eagerly he engages in run support. Lavelle racked up nine tackles against the Hawks, good or third on his team and in the whole game.
One special teams, Lavelle returned three kicks, totalling 69 return yards, including a return for 46 yards.
For most cornerbacks, that’s a full day’s work, but not Lavelle. He’s such an athlete, he can be an option as a receiver, as well, and what an option he was, hauling in a 31 yard pass for a touchdown.
Two way players are virtually unheard of in the modern era of football, but Lavelle played an old-school all-day type of game, and he showed the Hawks he meant business.
Playoff review:
NSFC Semifinals
Baltimore Hawks at Yellowknife Wraiths
Avon Blocksdale played his heart out, posting 420 yards on fifty attempts and Owen Taylor rushed for two touchdowns and 108 yards. Unfortunately, the rest of the Hawks failed to show for the game, as the Wraiths, lead by the remarkable all-way performance of Dermot Lavelle, steamrolled them with a final score of 38 to 24. Fly away home, Hawks.
ASFC Semifinals
New Orleans Second Line at Orange County Otters
The big easy came marching on in to the golden state for what ended up being a nail-biter of a semi-final matchup. Despite on disappointing showing from quarterback Mike Boss, the Otters tied it up late, only to have their hearts broken by the toe of Peg Leg, as he connected a 46 yard field goal with tens second left on the clock. It was a bust day for peg, as he also punted for 422 yards.
Ultimus Trophy Game
New Orleans Second Line at Yellowknife Wraiths
Borkus Maximus III and Darren Smallwood failed to play up to the big stage, posting a 70 quarterback rating and a mere 50 yards rushing, respectively, and the Second Line Defense failed keep Robby Rainey out of the end zone.
Going to Disneyland:
It will be tempting for some to give the game ball to Robby Rainey, for his two rushing touchdowns, but I like Mat Akselsen for what he did and did not do. He played mistake-free football, put up 335 yards and a touchdown.
Mat Akselsen is a cerebral quarterback, a guy who makes big plays, but doesn’t make mistakes. He keeps you on your toes, by being a threat both through the air, and on the ground. He continues that trend on his MVP-vacation to see Mr. Mouse, as he subverts all expectations and spends most of his time at Epcot (that’s the one with the big ball). Epcot is “dedicated to the celebration of human achievement”, and we’re celebrating Akselsen’s achievement as a human, today, so it’s only appropriate. To be honest, he liked the funky old Spaceship Earth, from before they updated it, better, but the new one is fun, as well. A lot of people don’t know this, but Disney actually wanted Epcot to be an urban community centered on innovation. Akselsen admires that ideal, even if the execution didn’t pan out. They’ve also got some mighty fine funnel cake, and when you’re a professional football player and MVP, you can treat yourself to some expensive funnel cake.
Unsung Hero:
As you esteemed PT graders may have noticed by now, my policy for unsung heroes is to choose a player who performed well, but saw his team lose and fail to advance. This year, that player is Greg Clegane, defensive tackle of the Orange County Otters.
Tackle can be one of the most thankless positions in football – the linebackers get the tackles, the defensive backs get the interceptions, and the tackles get muddy and bloody. Clegane was at the center of a defensive line that held star running back Darren Smallwood to a mere 41 yards. Mason Brown and his 13 tackles should write him a thank you letter.
More importantly, Clegane was absolutely disruptive in the passive game. He managed three sacks, an amazing performance, and delivered in the big game, when his team needs it the most. Each of his sacks led to the end of the drive, two of them leading shortly to punts, and one killing a redzone drive and forcing a field goal attempt. He contributed an additional tackle to those sacks.
It is always a shame when a player like Clegane plays his heart out, but sees no reward. The Otters need their offensive leaders to show up in a similar fashion, then they’ll find their way to the Ultimus.
Who won this game for the Wraiths? Look no further than the talented cornerback Dermot Lavelle. I don’t know when this man breathes, because he certainly didn’t leave the field for long enough to do it. Lavelle was impressive in all three phases of the game; offense, defense and special teams.
Defensively, no one needs to be told about Lavelle’s abilities in coverage. He’s simply one of the best in the business – don’t throw towards him. That coverage prowess can make it easy to forget just how willingly and eagerly he engages in run support. Lavelle racked up nine tackles against the Hawks, good or third on his team and in the whole game.
One special teams, Lavelle returned three kicks, totalling 69 return yards, including a return for 46 yards.
For most cornerbacks, that’s a full day’s work, but not Lavelle. He’s such an athlete, he can be an option as a receiver, as well, and what an option he was, hauling in a 31 yard pass for a touchdown.
Two way players are virtually unheard of in the modern era of football, but Lavelle played an old-school all-day type of game, and he showed the Hawks he meant business.
Playoff review:
NSFC Semifinals
Baltimore Hawks at Yellowknife Wraiths
Avon Blocksdale played his heart out, posting 420 yards on fifty attempts and Owen Taylor rushed for two touchdowns and 108 yards. Unfortunately, the rest of the Hawks failed to show for the game, as the Wraiths, lead by the remarkable all-way performance of Dermot Lavelle, steamrolled them with a final score of 38 to 24. Fly away home, Hawks.
ASFC Semifinals
New Orleans Second Line at Orange County Otters
The big easy came marching on in to the golden state for what ended up being a nail-biter of a semi-final matchup. Despite on disappointing showing from quarterback Mike Boss, the Otters tied it up late, only to have their hearts broken by the toe of Peg Leg, as he connected a 46 yard field goal with tens second left on the clock. It was a bust day for peg, as he also punted for 422 yards.
Ultimus Trophy Game
New Orleans Second Line at Yellowknife Wraiths
Borkus Maximus III and Darren Smallwood failed to play up to the big stage, posting a 70 quarterback rating and a mere 50 yards rushing, respectively, and the Second Line Defense failed keep Robby Rainey out of the end zone.
Going to Disneyland:
It will be tempting for some to give the game ball to Robby Rainey, for his two rushing touchdowns, but I like Mat Akselsen for what he did and did not do. He played mistake-free football, put up 335 yards and a touchdown.
Mat Akselsen is a cerebral quarterback, a guy who makes big plays, but doesn’t make mistakes. He keeps you on your toes, by being a threat both through the air, and on the ground. He continues that trend on his MVP-vacation to see Mr. Mouse, as he subverts all expectations and spends most of his time at Epcot (that’s the one with the big ball). Epcot is “dedicated to the celebration of human achievement”, and we’re celebrating Akselsen’s achievement as a human, today, so it’s only appropriate. To be honest, he liked the funky old Spaceship Earth, from before they updated it, better, but the new one is fun, as well. A lot of people don’t know this, but Disney actually wanted Epcot to be an urban community centered on innovation. Akselsen admires that ideal, even if the execution didn’t pan out. They’ve also got some mighty fine funnel cake, and when you’re a professional football player and MVP, you can treat yourself to some expensive funnel cake.
Unsung Hero:
As you esteemed PT graders may have noticed by now, my policy for unsung heroes is to choose a player who performed well, but saw his team lose and fail to advance. This year, that player is Greg Clegane, defensive tackle of the Orange County Otters.
Tackle can be one of the most thankless positions in football – the linebackers get the tackles, the defensive backs get the interceptions, and the tackles get muddy and bloody. Clegane was at the center of a defensive line that held star running back Darren Smallwood to a mere 41 yards. Mason Brown and his 13 tackles should write him a thank you letter.
More importantly, Clegane was absolutely disruptive in the passive game. He managed three sacks, an amazing performance, and delivered in the big game, when his team needs it the most. Each of his sacks led to the end of the drive, two of them leading shortly to punts, and one killing a redzone drive and forcing a field goal attempt. He contributed an additional tackle to those sacks.
It is always a shame when a player like Clegane plays his heart out, but sees no reward. The Otters need their offensive leaders to show up in a similar fashion, then they’ll find their way to the Ultimus.
![[Image: TRwiHZ1.png]](https://i.imgur.com/TRwiHZ1.png)
