Playoff Series MVP
The Playoff Series MVP for me is easily runningback Robby Rainey (@AzhekAhriman) for the Yellowknife Wraiths vs. Baltimore Hawks in the NSFC playoffs. The Wraiths already run a very unique offense that isn't common compared to all other teams in the NSFC and Rainey was averaging about 3.8 yards per carry in the regular season which barely edged out quarterback Matt Akselsen. The Wraiths had a tough time in the first half and simply couldn't get anything done going into the end of the first half 21-7. However, it all started with Robby Rainey and his 3 yard run in the beginning of the 3rd quarter that lit the spark to help the Wraiths claw their way back from the clutches of defeat. After a Kennedy touchdown, the Wraiths were closing the gap and it was Rainey's last two touchdowns that helped the team come back from near defeat in the fourth quarter. Rainey was simply unstoppable in the red zone as the Hawk defense struggled to stop the run against the Wraiths unique spread offense. Rainey would end the game with 11 rushing attempts for 33 yards and 3 touchdowns. His performance this game was remarkable and it solidified him as one of the league's top runningbacks given his ability to consistently perform under pressure. This was illustrated in his remarkable red zone performance against the Hawks giving the Wraiths their first ever trip to the Ultimus.
Championship Game Recap
For the first time in quite a few seasons, the Orange County Otters were not the favorites to win the Ultimus having barely lost to the upstarts from New Orleans. The young Second Line team completed second in the ASFC with a 9-5 record, but managed to defeat the Otters to make their first Ultimus appearance. The Wraiths have struggled in past seasons missing out on numerous chances to make their mark by losing continuously in the NSFC playoffs. This season was different and the Wraiths were able to finally make their way to the Ultimus for a first time appearance as well. The best play from the championship game came from Robby Rainey again. Just as he did in the NSFC playoff game, Rainey's play at the end of the first quarter sparked the scoring runs for the Wraiths as they confidently sailed to a 24-13 victory. Rainey's first touchdown that set off the spark was just towards the end of the first quarter after a long drive from the Wraiths starting at their 7 yard line. It was several rushes and a great reception by Rainey to put the Wraiths in striking distance at the 2:36 mark to get 10 yards for a first down. After that, a Bailey Cook completion for 24 yards put Rainey in the position to do what he does best.
That Magic Moment
The ASFC playoff game provided quite the magic moment as we saw the 9-5 New Orleans Second Line narrowly defeat the long standing powerhouse in Orange County. Home field advantage be damned as the young Second Line team held the led over the Otters for most of the game until the fourth quarter when a Burnsman 3 yard run tied it up 17-17 at 2:37. The magic moment of the playoffs came soon after that. Borkus Maximus III completed several key passes and the outstanding rushing by Bubba Nuck provided the fuel for New Orleans to make one last stand and write their name into the history books. As they edged closer and closer to the field, time was winding down for New Orleans to score and they got themselves to the Otters 29 yard line. Peg Leg stepped up to the field and angled his kick just perfectly to score a 46 yard field goal which sailed inside the post just a hair enough to be good. With only 10 seconds left after that successful kick, it was a done deal and the Otters could not make a return for a touchdown in the final play of the game.
Hate the player or the game
The race in the ASFC wasn't close by any stretch of imagination. It was known that San Jose would be tanking this season and bottomed out in the league at 1-13 and the Outlaws struggled to string any meaningful victories down the last half of the season so no one was going to dispute Orange County and New Orleans playoff spots. However, the NSFC remains hotly contested and this season was no different. Despite tanking mid season, the Liberty finished the season with a 7-7 record and tied their long standing rivals in Baltimore. The deciding factor came with Baltimore having more points for at 403 to 387. If the fire sale in Philadelphia hadn't occurred before week 10, it's easy to see that the Liberty would have easily made it to the NSFC playoffs again and possibly beat out the Wraiths as they lucked into the Ultimus last season with Yellowknife's epic choke. Obviously many other factors come into play, but one thing remains certain...Baltimore didn't deserve to be in the playoffs in the first place. They were simply gifted a spot because the Liberty decided to tank for the future and to rebuild much earlier than their division rivals.
The Playoff Series MVP for me is easily runningback Robby Rainey (@AzhekAhriman) for the Yellowknife Wraiths vs. Baltimore Hawks in the NSFC playoffs. The Wraiths already run a very unique offense that isn't common compared to all other teams in the NSFC and Rainey was averaging about 3.8 yards per carry in the regular season which barely edged out quarterback Matt Akselsen. The Wraiths had a tough time in the first half and simply couldn't get anything done going into the end of the first half 21-7. However, it all started with Robby Rainey and his 3 yard run in the beginning of the 3rd quarter that lit the spark to help the Wraiths claw their way back from the clutches of defeat. After a Kennedy touchdown, the Wraiths were closing the gap and it was Rainey's last two touchdowns that helped the team come back from near defeat in the fourth quarter. Rainey was simply unstoppable in the red zone as the Hawk defense struggled to stop the run against the Wraiths unique spread offense. Rainey would end the game with 11 rushing attempts for 33 yards and 3 touchdowns. His performance this game was remarkable and it solidified him as one of the league's top runningbacks given his ability to consistently perform under pressure. This was illustrated in his remarkable red zone performance against the Hawks giving the Wraiths their first ever trip to the Ultimus.
Championship Game Recap
For the first time in quite a few seasons, the Orange County Otters were not the favorites to win the Ultimus having barely lost to the upstarts from New Orleans. The young Second Line team completed second in the ASFC with a 9-5 record, but managed to defeat the Otters to make their first Ultimus appearance. The Wraiths have struggled in past seasons missing out on numerous chances to make their mark by losing continuously in the NSFC playoffs. This season was different and the Wraiths were able to finally make their way to the Ultimus for a first time appearance as well. The best play from the championship game came from Robby Rainey again. Just as he did in the NSFC playoff game, Rainey's play at the end of the first quarter sparked the scoring runs for the Wraiths as they confidently sailed to a 24-13 victory. Rainey's first touchdown that set off the spark was just towards the end of the first quarter after a long drive from the Wraiths starting at their 7 yard line. It was several rushes and a great reception by Rainey to put the Wraiths in striking distance at the 2:36 mark to get 10 yards for a first down. After that, a Bailey Cook completion for 24 yards put Rainey in the position to do what he does best.
That Magic Moment
The ASFC playoff game provided quite the magic moment as we saw the 9-5 New Orleans Second Line narrowly defeat the long standing powerhouse in Orange County. Home field advantage be damned as the young Second Line team held the led over the Otters for most of the game until the fourth quarter when a Burnsman 3 yard run tied it up 17-17 at 2:37. The magic moment of the playoffs came soon after that. Borkus Maximus III completed several key passes and the outstanding rushing by Bubba Nuck provided the fuel for New Orleans to make one last stand and write their name into the history books. As they edged closer and closer to the field, time was winding down for New Orleans to score and they got themselves to the Otters 29 yard line. Peg Leg stepped up to the field and angled his kick just perfectly to score a 46 yard field goal which sailed inside the post just a hair enough to be good. With only 10 seconds left after that successful kick, it was a done deal and the Otters could not make a return for a touchdown in the final play of the game.
Hate the player or the game
The race in the ASFC wasn't close by any stretch of imagination. It was known that San Jose would be tanking this season and bottomed out in the league at 1-13 and the Outlaws struggled to string any meaningful victories down the last half of the season so no one was going to dispute Orange County and New Orleans playoff spots. However, the NSFC remains hotly contested and this season was no different. Despite tanking mid season, the Liberty finished the season with a 7-7 record and tied their long standing rivals in Baltimore. The deciding factor came with Baltimore having more points for at 403 to 387. If the fire sale in Philadelphia hadn't occurred before week 10, it's easy to see that the Liberty would have easily made it to the NSFC playoffs again and possibly beat out the Wraiths as they lucked into the Ultimus last season with Yellowknife's epic choke. Obviously many other factors come into play, but one thing remains certain...Baltimore didn't deserve to be in the playoffs in the first place. They were simply gifted a spot because the Liberty decided to tank for the future and to rebuild much earlier than their division rivals.
