(S13) - Ultimus Week

[GoonerBear]

SHL

GOMHL

1) IT IS OUR TIME THIS (NEXT) YEAR

The San Jose SaberCats had the most dominant performance in the Season 13 regular season campaign. Leading the League across the board, with an offense headed up by the highest-rated passer in Joliet Christ, a running back in Jerrod Canton who was a star from his rookie campaign on tag-teamed with Chris Orosz, no fewer than three solid receiving options (Xavier Flash, Kazimir Oles and Zapp Brannigan), a defense boasting solid performers at the least in all three levels (D'Pez Poopsie, Freezer Riposte, Chad and Thad Pennington, Ben Horne, yours truly) and an active kicker in Neo Donaldson, there was every reason to believe this was finally the season they pulled it off and brought the franchise home its first Ultimus. At 12-2, with home-field advantage guaranteed for the ASFC Championship and, if victorious, the Ultimus, the stars aligned.

Only a brick wall could stop us.

Its name is the Orange County Otters.

Despite another soul-rending loss, the vast majority of the core from the past two seasons returns improved with the highest team TPE in the League. Ben Horne's departure for Baltimore certainly hurts in the linebacking corps, though that still leaves several key players to contend next season and almost all of whom still won't hit regression for a few more seasons. The window remains open for the SaberCats to re-rack and try again next campaign and hopefully, get past those damned Otters.

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5) ENEMIES HAPPEN

I can appreciate and respect players who perform well in the League. I can tolerate personalities who think highly of themselves. Lots of fans live for the thrill of hating the other guy's guts. There is one personality above them all who is the definition of the player I love to hate.

I refer to Marquise Brown, who this past season, was the feature running back for the Philadelphia Liberty. The first player I think of who is the first to stand on the pedestal and soak in all the glory in victory, but as soon as the club struggles or loses, points the blame elsewhere, even if he looked like he greased his hands.

Though deserving of some credit as the Liberty's bellcow, going for the second-most rushing yards in the League and the most rushing touchdowns, the way he goes about it makes it sound as though he put the team on his back. Quarterback Adriana Falconi deserves at least as much notability on that offense as the second-highest rated passer in the League and who has been much more gracious in helping to operate a balanced offense.

Since the season has ended, Brown has not seen things this way at all and has picked up everything to go to Baltimore just when the Liberty were getting to a point where they themselves were some key defensive pieces away from being clear-cut favorites, if not closer rivals to contending to go to the Ultimus. Don't fumble the pen before the ink dries, buddy.

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