1. Playoff Review
Franklin Armstrong’s S17 rookie season in the NSFL was a mildly successful rookie season. He led the team to a 7-6 record and second in the ASFC to the defending champions Arizona Outlaws. He threw for 3191 yards, and a TD/INT ratio of 23/13. His efficiency was low with a 53.5 completion percentage (last in the league) and a passer rating of 78.2 (second last). The wildcard game featured a rematch of Armstrong’s first NSFL game in Week 1 against the Christ led Sabercats. The Otters avenged their Week 1 loss in a close home victory, winning 20-13. The conference championship in the ASFC featured the defending champions Arizona Outlaws vs the underdog Orange County Otters. This time Arizona was the home team who played below expectations and suffered a devastating loss, as the Otters went on to the Ultimus on a 37-20 dominating win. The Ultimus featured a matchup between the visiting Orange County Otters and the home team Baltimore Hawks. The game was back and forth as it was 7-7 at one point and eventually 14-14. The Otters managed to gain the lead and build on that lead with another big TD pass from Armstrong to Blaze. The defense held their own for the rest of the 4th quarter as the Otters went on to win 28-17 for their seventh Ultimus championship. (224 words)
3. All about the QBs
The S17 Ultimus featured another matchup between Armstrong and Havran, which has quickly become a premier QB rivalry. The rivalry started back in S14 as Armstrong, former QB of the Pythons and Havran, former QB of the Luchadores matched up in the Ultimini. That was a win for Armstrong as the Pythons were crowned champions of the DSFL for S14. Now the Armstrong and Havran rivalry has reached the stage of the Ultimus. The Hawks were heavily favored to win the game as Corvo Havran rolled into the matchup being the most likely MVP and QBotY. Armstrong had a solid but not great Rookie season. The Otters had a surprising victory as they won a close 28-17 game. The Otters were nursing a 21-17 lead before Armstrong gave them a two score lead midway through the 4th Quarter with a TD pass to Johnny Blaze. Armstrong had a stat line of 17/27, 287 yards, and 3 TD passes with 135.9 passer rating. He also was the game’s leading rusher with 11 carries, 48 rushing yards and another TD on the ground. He was named Offensive Ultimus MVP. Havran had a solid game with 25/52, 376 yards and 2 TD passes with and 85.1 rating but couldn’t keep up with Armstrong. (210 words)
12. Sit down with a star with @nunccoepi
1. What is the expectation in the Hawks locker room on how you guys can get back to the big game in S18?
The expectations are as high as they have ever been in Baltimore. We know that we have bad luck at times. That made this loss particularly difficult, if I'm being honest. But that doesn't change anything for the future. Our future is the same after the loss as it would have been after the win. There's no reason we can't be back in the big game next season.
2. Are there any defensive beasts in the S18 draft that you hope to play alongside in a Hawks uniform?
You know, I know that it's not very heads up of me, but I really haven't converned myself with the upcoming class. I see that as an off-season activity, and I know that our GMs (and now our new GMs) will be on top of it. They know our team needs, particularly on defense. We are used to having a couple of holes to fill each season so this one will be no different.
3. How are you dealing with an Ultimus loss against the Armstrong led Otters?
I kind of already spoke to this, but I'd have to say that the fact that the Otters were led by Armstrong didn't mean much to us. We've seen the Otters plenty of times, even in the Ultimus, so we were pretty familiar, even with the crew of young guys we had. But we'll keep working to move ahead.
4. What steps does Havran have to take in order to reach the next step in his development to finally be better than Armstrong?
Ooof. Well. I'm not sure he has much to do at all.
13. Sit down with a fan with @nunccoepi (216 words)
1. The Otters had a rollercoaster of a season, and at one point it seemed like you were tanking by trading away your star wide receiver Sunnycursed. How did that affect you as a QB and the morale of the team in general?
The dealing of Sunnycursed made sense at the time. He was someone looking for stats which is hard to get for someone playing with a rookie QB experiencing a growing pangs. Armstrong was certainly understanding and didn’t mind overall and I don’t anyone else on the team cared too much either way.
2. At what point did you realize that winning the Ultimus was a real possibility?
With 9:30 left in the 4th quarter of the Ultimus. That put the game at 28-17. Going into the playoffs at 7-6 with many other teams that were objectively better such as the Outlaws, Hawks, Wraiths and so on, and needing to win at least two road games to win the Ultimus, it hadn’t seem possible until that point late into the game.
3. Will Franklin Armstrong remain an Otter forever?
I certainly want to. But the aftermath of taking team friendly deals is that my bank account is drying up fast. I’d be pretty tempted to test FA so I wouldn’t have to worry about that. But I have always liked the idea of playing with one team my who career. I certainly like the weather here in Orange County.
4. What are the Otters and Armstrong’s expectations for next season?
Next season, we’re looking to repeat as Ultimus champs. But a better regular season record is essential. Winning multiple road games to win the Ultimus is a tough task. It’ll be huge if the Otters manage to get a wild card bye.
Franklin Armstrong’s S17 rookie season in the NSFL was a mildly successful rookie season. He led the team to a 7-6 record and second in the ASFC to the defending champions Arizona Outlaws. He threw for 3191 yards, and a TD/INT ratio of 23/13. His efficiency was low with a 53.5 completion percentage (last in the league) and a passer rating of 78.2 (second last). The wildcard game featured a rematch of Armstrong’s first NSFL game in Week 1 against the Christ led Sabercats. The Otters avenged their Week 1 loss in a close home victory, winning 20-13. The conference championship in the ASFC featured the defending champions Arizona Outlaws vs the underdog Orange County Otters. This time Arizona was the home team who played below expectations and suffered a devastating loss, as the Otters went on to the Ultimus on a 37-20 dominating win. The Ultimus featured a matchup between the visiting Orange County Otters and the home team Baltimore Hawks. The game was back and forth as it was 7-7 at one point and eventually 14-14. The Otters managed to gain the lead and build on that lead with another big TD pass from Armstrong to Blaze. The defense held their own for the rest of the 4th quarter as the Otters went on to win 28-17 for their seventh Ultimus championship. (224 words)
3. All about the QBs
The S17 Ultimus featured another matchup between Armstrong and Havran, which has quickly become a premier QB rivalry. The rivalry started back in S14 as Armstrong, former QB of the Pythons and Havran, former QB of the Luchadores matched up in the Ultimini. That was a win for Armstrong as the Pythons were crowned champions of the DSFL for S14. Now the Armstrong and Havran rivalry has reached the stage of the Ultimus. The Hawks were heavily favored to win the game as Corvo Havran rolled into the matchup being the most likely MVP and QBotY. Armstrong had a solid but not great Rookie season. The Otters had a surprising victory as they won a close 28-17 game. The Otters were nursing a 21-17 lead before Armstrong gave them a two score lead midway through the 4th Quarter with a TD pass to Johnny Blaze. Armstrong had a stat line of 17/27, 287 yards, and 3 TD passes with 135.9 passer rating. He also was the game’s leading rusher with 11 carries, 48 rushing yards and another TD on the ground. He was named Offensive Ultimus MVP. Havran had a solid game with 25/52, 376 yards and 2 TD passes with and 85.1 rating but couldn’t keep up with Armstrong. (210 words)
12. Sit down with a star with @nunccoepi
1. What is the expectation in the Hawks locker room on how you guys can get back to the big game in S18?
The expectations are as high as they have ever been in Baltimore. We know that we have bad luck at times. That made this loss particularly difficult, if I'm being honest. But that doesn't change anything for the future. Our future is the same after the loss as it would have been after the win. There's no reason we can't be back in the big game next season.
2. Are there any defensive beasts in the S18 draft that you hope to play alongside in a Hawks uniform?
You know, I know that it's not very heads up of me, but I really haven't converned myself with the upcoming class. I see that as an off-season activity, and I know that our GMs (and now our new GMs) will be on top of it. They know our team needs, particularly on defense. We are used to having a couple of holes to fill each season so this one will be no different.
3. How are you dealing with an Ultimus loss against the Armstrong led Otters?
I kind of already spoke to this, but I'd have to say that the fact that the Otters were led by Armstrong didn't mean much to us. We've seen the Otters plenty of times, even in the Ultimus, so we were pretty familiar, even with the crew of young guys we had. But we'll keep working to move ahead.
4. What steps does Havran have to take in order to reach the next step in his development to finally be better than Armstrong?
Ooof. Well. I'm not sure he has much to do at all.
13. Sit down with a fan with @nunccoepi (216 words)
1. The Otters had a rollercoaster of a season, and at one point it seemed like you were tanking by trading away your star wide receiver Sunnycursed. How did that affect you as a QB and the morale of the team in general?
The dealing of Sunnycursed made sense at the time. He was someone looking for stats which is hard to get for someone playing with a rookie QB experiencing a growing pangs. Armstrong was certainly understanding and didn’t mind overall and I don’t anyone else on the team cared too much either way.
2. At what point did you realize that winning the Ultimus was a real possibility?
With 9:30 left in the 4th quarter of the Ultimus. That put the game at 28-17. Going into the playoffs at 7-6 with many other teams that were objectively better such as the Outlaws, Hawks, Wraiths and so on, and needing to win at least two road games to win the Ultimus, it hadn’t seem possible until that point late into the game.
3. Will Franklin Armstrong remain an Otter forever?
I certainly want to. But the aftermath of taking team friendly deals is that my bank account is drying up fast. I’d be pretty tempted to test FA so I wouldn’t have to worry about that. But I have always liked the idea of playing with one team my who career. I certainly like the weather here in Orange County.
4. What are the Otters and Armstrong’s expectations for next season?
Next season, we’re looking to repeat as Ultimus champs. But a better regular season record is essential. Winning multiple road games to win the Ultimus is a tough task. It’ll be huge if the Otters manage to get a wild card bye.
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