10-01-2018, 10:24 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-02-2018, 10:57 AM by Leafs4ever.)
Robbed:
The team that I believe should of made the playoffs, but didn't, was the Yellowknife Wraiths. The reason, however, is not because Colorado was unworthy, unlike last season. This time it was entirely Yellowknife's fault.
The Wraiths finished the season with a 8-6 record, one game behind Colorado for the last playoff spot in the NSFC. The reason why I think they should have made the playoffs is because of 2 blunders on their schedule. In the ASFC, the San Jose SaberCats and the Arizona Outlaws struggled all season. They both finished with 4-10 records, continuing along on their rebuilding phase. These were two very winnable games for a team that was competing for a playoff spot all season. In week 2, the Wraiths laid an egg, losing to Arizona 35-21. A game they should have won puts them in a tie with Colorado for the final spot. Now, in week 11, they faced an upstart San Jose team that wasn't playing for much. Yellowknife came out and laid another egg, giving up 42 points to a San Jose team that struggled to score all season. Winning that game puts Yellowknife at 10-4, placing them 1 game ahead of the Yeti and firmly into the playoffs.
Blame looking past an opponent, or just not being ready, those 2 games cost the Wraiths a playoff spot that they should of had over the Yeti. Instead, they are on the outside looking in for back-to-back seasons.
(244 words)
Playoff Series MVP:
The NSFC conference finals was a shootout and easily the most exciting game between the two conference final games. The Hawks and Yeti put on a show, going back and forth and trading blows. In the end, the favoured Baltimore Hawks prevailed, winning 37-28. The hands-down MVP of this spectacular game was Hawks quarterback Avon Blocksdale.
With the two teams trading scores, Blocksdale used his arm and his legs to keep the Hawks offense going strong. In the first quarter, Blocksdale showed off his elusiveness, scampering into the end zone on a 9 yard run. In the second quarter, Blocksdale found his favourite target, Owen Taylor, for the 11 yard touchdown pass. At this point, the Hawks were up 14-7. They entered the second half up 17-14, when Colorado took their first lead. Late in the third quarter, Avon came to life, finding Trey Willie for another passing touchdown. With one quarter left, Blocksdale ran time killing drives, with two resuling in field goals. He kept his offense on the field on route to the victory. In the end, Avon finished the game completing 31 of 52 passes for 340 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. He also added 32 yards rushing and 1 rushing touchdown.
Avon Blocksdale was all over the field, dominating the Yeti's defense and leading his team all the way to the Ultimus Championship game.
(229 words)
Root for the Underdog:
This season's Ultimus Championship game will be the New Orleans Second Line against the Baltimore Hawks. The Hawks come into the game with home field advantage, thanks to a dominating regular season that saw them finish with a 13-1 record. The Second Line were no slouches themselves, finishing at 11-3, but still enter the game as the road underdogs.
Although the Hawks have been the class of the NSFL and are at home in the biggest game of the year, the Second Line are talented enough to go into Baltimore and crash the party. One of the reasons why I can see New Orleans stealing a win in because of their potent passing offense. The Second Line finished first in the entire NSFL in points per game (36.1), yards per game (466.4), and passing yards per game (359.0). Their air attack is led by quarterback Borkus Maximus III, who has had an MVP like season. On the road or not, Maximus is a threat that couldn't be neutralized all season long. Not only has Maximus been outstanding, he also has an elite class of wide receivers there to help him. Crush, Law, and LeClair have been tremendous, giving Borkus so many options on the field. The Hawks are a fantastic team, but with this arsenal in the passing game, New Orleans always has a chance.
Baltimore is the best team in the league and they are perfect at home so far this season. If New Orleans wants to be that first loss and take home the Ultimus Trophy, they'll need their passing game to continue their dominance and for Borkus Maximus III to have one more MVP quality game.
(279 words)
Sit-down with a star:
A 1-on-1 interview with TE Verso L'Alto
1. The Hawks had a fantastic season, finishing 13-1. Did you and your teammates expect such dominance this season?
VL: To be honest, I think we did. Although, I don't know about the other guys on the team, but for me I was taking it one game at a time and not living in the past. So in all honestly, it didn't seem like an record setting season because we've always just been focusing on playing the next team up. But long story short, we've known for a couple of seasons that this would be our year.
2. Your only loss came against the team you're facing in the Ultimus Championship. What have you learned from that game that will help you this time against New Orleans?
VL: Not to take anything for granted, of course. But we hung with them for most of the game, they just pulled out in front in the last quarter. I know that I didn't have my best game, and neither did Blocksdale or Taylor. So, it may have been a little bit of an outlier for us. The good news is that we have NOLA at home this time. We've never lost to them in Baltimore before, so we're not about to start now.
3. Personally, how did you feel about your performance this season?
VL: It was an up and down season. I felt like I was on the cusp of breaking out there at the beginning and I was super happy to see my YPC jump by about 3 yards. I think that was from all the extra time in the gym. But bringing Carter Bush to the team, while helping the team overall, I think hurt my production. I ended the regular season with only 1 touchdown. That's the fewest for me ever in the NSFL.
4. How are you preparing going into the Championship game? What's the one thing you're focusing on the most?
VL: I'm just going to focus on doing what I've done all season. Preparing to be the best that I can be and to help the team any way that I can. If that means that I'm back in a blocking role more than out catching passes, then so be it. But I can't really say much more than that right now. But NOLA should expect us to be at the top of our game.
(407 words)
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This is for @nunccoepi. He asked me these questions and I answered.
1. The Sabercats had a difficult season with a 4-10 record. Still, it's better than some people were predicting. How do feel about your team's performance this year and did you meet or exceed your expectations as a team?
I actually felt really good about our performance this season. Record aside, we showed some promise and development in our young players. We hung in there with our conference, minus New Orleans, and took a big step towards ending the rebuild. There's still holes to fill, but we're getting better every day.
2. Your biggest win came as a blowout against the Yellowknife Wraiths. Was this the most meaningful game to you? What does it mean for San Jose's ability to compete at a high level?
That win against Yellowknife was the most meaningful. Our quarterback, Mat Akselen, was traded from the Wraiths to us so we wanted to go out there and play our hearts out for him. We didn't do that in our first meeting against Yellowknife so we weren't going to let that happen again. Our defense played their best game and Akselen put on a show. It was a great day for everyone.
3. How do you feel that you personally played this season? Did you set the tone that you wanted to in your rookie season?
I thought my rookie season was pretty good. I finished 6th in the league in receiving yards, which was great. I got a lot of targets from Akselsen, which I appreciated. The only thing is I wish I got into the end zone more, but that's something that's going to come with time. I'm encouraged by my development.
4. What are you and your team looking to build on next season?
We're just looking to take the next logical step in our development. We have a very young team so there's tons of room for growth. If everyone continues on the current path and gets better every day, we're going to become a very good team. We'll see what happens with the other teams around us next season, but I hope that we are making the playoff race a fun one to watch next season.
The team that I believe should of made the playoffs, but didn't, was the Yellowknife Wraiths. The reason, however, is not because Colorado was unworthy, unlike last season. This time it was entirely Yellowknife's fault.
The Wraiths finished the season with a 8-6 record, one game behind Colorado for the last playoff spot in the NSFC. The reason why I think they should have made the playoffs is because of 2 blunders on their schedule. In the ASFC, the San Jose SaberCats and the Arizona Outlaws struggled all season. They both finished with 4-10 records, continuing along on their rebuilding phase. These were two very winnable games for a team that was competing for a playoff spot all season. In week 2, the Wraiths laid an egg, losing to Arizona 35-21. A game they should have won puts them in a tie with Colorado for the final spot. Now, in week 11, they faced an upstart San Jose team that wasn't playing for much. Yellowknife came out and laid another egg, giving up 42 points to a San Jose team that struggled to score all season. Winning that game puts Yellowknife at 10-4, placing them 1 game ahead of the Yeti and firmly into the playoffs.
Blame looking past an opponent, or just not being ready, those 2 games cost the Wraiths a playoff spot that they should of had over the Yeti. Instead, they are on the outside looking in for back-to-back seasons.
(244 words)
Playoff Series MVP:
The NSFC conference finals was a shootout and easily the most exciting game between the two conference final games. The Hawks and Yeti put on a show, going back and forth and trading blows. In the end, the favoured Baltimore Hawks prevailed, winning 37-28. The hands-down MVP of this spectacular game was Hawks quarterback Avon Blocksdale.
With the two teams trading scores, Blocksdale used his arm and his legs to keep the Hawks offense going strong. In the first quarter, Blocksdale showed off his elusiveness, scampering into the end zone on a 9 yard run. In the second quarter, Blocksdale found his favourite target, Owen Taylor, for the 11 yard touchdown pass. At this point, the Hawks were up 14-7. They entered the second half up 17-14, when Colorado took their first lead. Late in the third quarter, Avon came to life, finding Trey Willie for another passing touchdown. With one quarter left, Blocksdale ran time killing drives, with two resuling in field goals. He kept his offense on the field on route to the victory. In the end, Avon finished the game completing 31 of 52 passes for 340 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. He also added 32 yards rushing and 1 rushing touchdown.
Avon Blocksdale was all over the field, dominating the Yeti's defense and leading his team all the way to the Ultimus Championship game.
(229 words)
Root for the Underdog:
This season's Ultimus Championship game will be the New Orleans Second Line against the Baltimore Hawks. The Hawks come into the game with home field advantage, thanks to a dominating regular season that saw them finish with a 13-1 record. The Second Line were no slouches themselves, finishing at 11-3, but still enter the game as the road underdogs.
Although the Hawks have been the class of the NSFL and are at home in the biggest game of the year, the Second Line are talented enough to go into Baltimore and crash the party. One of the reasons why I can see New Orleans stealing a win in because of their potent passing offense. The Second Line finished first in the entire NSFL in points per game (36.1), yards per game (466.4), and passing yards per game (359.0). Their air attack is led by quarterback Borkus Maximus III, who has had an MVP like season. On the road or not, Maximus is a threat that couldn't be neutralized all season long. Not only has Maximus been outstanding, he also has an elite class of wide receivers there to help him. Crush, Law, and LeClair have been tremendous, giving Borkus so many options on the field. The Hawks are a fantastic team, but with this arsenal in the passing game, New Orleans always has a chance.
Baltimore is the best team in the league and they are perfect at home so far this season. If New Orleans wants to be that first loss and take home the Ultimus Trophy, they'll need their passing game to continue their dominance and for Borkus Maximus III to have one more MVP quality game.
(279 words)
Sit-down with a star:
A 1-on-1 interview with TE Verso L'Alto
1. The Hawks had a fantastic season, finishing 13-1. Did you and your teammates expect such dominance this season?
VL: To be honest, I think we did. Although, I don't know about the other guys on the team, but for me I was taking it one game at a time and not living in the past. So in all honestly, it didn't seem like an record setting season because we've always just been focusing on playing the next team up. But long story short, we've known for a couple of seasons that this would be our year.
2. Your only loss came against the team you're facing in the Ultimus Championship. What have you learned from that game that will help you this time against New Orleans?
VL: Not to take anything for granted, of course. But we hung with them for most of the game, they just pulled out in front in the last quarter. I know that I didn't have my best game, and neither did Blocksdale or Taylor. So, it may have been a little bit of an outlier for us. The good news is that we have NOLA at home this time. We've never lost to them in Baltimore before, so we're not about to start now.
3. Personally, how did you feel about your performance this season?
VL: It was an up and down season. I felt like I was on the cusp of breaking out there at the beginning and I was super happy to see my YPC jump by about 3 yards. I think that was from all the extra time in the gym. But bringing Carter Bush to the team, while helping the team overall, I think hurt my production. I ended the regular season with only 1 touchdown. That's the fewest for me ever in the NSFL.
4. How are you preparing going into the Championship game? What's the one thing you're focusing on the most?
VL: I'm just going to focus on doing what I've done all season. Preparing to be the best that I can be and to help the team any way that I can. If that means that I'm back in a blocking role more than out catching passes, then so be it. But I can't really say much more than that right now. But NOLA should expect us to be at the top of our game.
(407 words)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is for @nunccoepi. He asked me these questions and I answered.
1. The Sabercats had a difficult season with a 4-10 record. Still, it's better than some people were predicting. How do feel about your team's performance this year and did you meet or exceed your expectations as a team?
I actually felt really good about our performance this season. Record aside, we showed some promise and development in our young players. We hung in there with our conference, minus New Orleans, and took a big step towards ending the rebuild. There's still holes to fill, but we're getting better every day.
2. Your biggest win came as a blowout against the Yellowknife Wraiths. Was this the most meaningful game to you? What does it mean for San Jose's ability to compete at a high level?
That win against Yellowknife was the most meaningful. Our quarterback, Mat Akselen, was traded from the Wraiths to us so we wanted to go out there and play our hearts out for him. We didn't do that in our first meeting against Yellowknife so we weren't going to let that happen again. Our defense played their best game and Akselen put on a show. It was a great day for everyone.
3. How do you feel that you personally played this season? Did you set the tone that you wanted to in your rookie season?
I thought my rookie season was pretty good. I finished 6th in the league in receiving yards, which was great. I got a lot of targets from Akselsen, which I appreciated. The only thing is I wish I got into the end zone more, but that's something that's going to come with time. I'm encouraged by my development.
4. What are you and your team looking to build on next season?
We're just looking to take the next logical step in our development. We have a very young team so there's tons of room for growth. If everyone continues on the current path and gets better every day, we're going to become a very good team. We'll see what happens with the other teams around us next season, but I hope that we are making the playoff race a fun one to watch next season.
