(S22) - Ultimus Week

[Highhaschdi]

4) It’s down to the final four in both leagues. Choose one playoff team that is not your own from either league and recount how they got here in 400 words or more. What challenges and hurdles did they face in the regular season? Did they cruise into home field advantage or have to fight off contenders for the wild card? Are they led by MVP players on offense, or is a stifling defense the engine to their success? Don’t be afraid to go deep.

I want to take a look at the Minnesota Grey Ducks and how they clinched their playoff berth as number one seed from the NFC. After going 3-1 in the preseason and getting projected at least above the division rivals London Royals and Kansas City Coyotes, the goal of Minnesota clearly was reaching the playoffs. But they didn't have a good start into the season losing their opener in Dallas against the expansion team with 27-15. In the first home game in the year, they defeated division rival Portland 34-13 and had a first really strong showing. The next two weeks came with two tough losses in Kansas City and at home vs Tijuana leading to a disappointing 1-3 start for the team from Minnesota. After those games, they desperately needed to show up and that's exactly what they did. The team won the next game in a shutout against Norfolk 10-0. In week 6, they had to travel to one of the favourite teams to win the Ultimini, Myrtle Beach. But Minneosta got an upset win there, followed by an outstanding performance in London, where they won 37-7 against their division rival. They also won their fourth game in a row at home against Dallas in week 8 which put them at 5-3 and in a great spot to make the postseason. After losing in a close game in Portland, Minnesota got their revenge on Kansas City for the loss earlier in the season by wrecking the Coyotes 48-3 in another great game for the team. In week 11 and 12, they had two away games in Tijuana and Norfolk. Unfortunately, they lost with 3 points difference the first of those games, but in Norfolk they got another victory securing the lead in their division. After losing against the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers in Minnessota, the team hosted London for the final regular season game, where Minnesota once again defeated the English team decisively locking in the number 1 spot with London clinching the second playoff berth in the NFC. Therefore Minneosta had homefield advantage in their championship game against the London Royals, who they already defeated in both games very convincingly. They were surely the favourites to go into that game. If they won that game, they played in Tijuana or at home against Norfolk depending on the outcome of the other championship game. Overall, I think Minnesota was in a great position to make and possibly win the Ultimini after the regular season with having the best defense and second best offense in the league with MVP caliber players like SnowBow, Lackson or Hood. (436 words)

7) Selflessness is one thing, but ultimately everyone wants to hear their own player’s name mentioned among the greats. Take some time, in 400 words or more, and discuss how your player’s (or past player’s) career is going so far. Are you matching any expectations you set out for yourself? Do you see yourself on a potentially award winning or Hall of Fame career trajectory? If your player is just starting out, what goals and visions do you have for yourself?

My player, Wide Receiver Nick Kaepercolin, already had lots of ups and downs in his short carreer in the NSFL. After declaring late for the S21 DSFL draft he wasn't picked by any team and landed on the waiver list. The London Royals finally claimed him after their first few games and gave him the chance he deserved. Kaepercolin instantly became WR2 behind Susan Cash Jr. and in his first game in the league, he scored a touchdown with his first catch ever. That was a great feeling and the best possible start for a young player. In the following weeks, he played well and contributed to a 5-9 record for the team with 30 receptions for 368 yards and 3 touchdowns in his first season. He also set two franchise records for the expansion team. First, he had the longest reception in the London Royal's Franchise history with 43 yards. He also scored the most receiving TDs in the season and therefore in the history of the Royals with 3 TDs. After steadily improving, he headed into the draft confident to get picked in the first six rounds. And he was right, he got drafted by the Baltimore Hawks in the fifth round and therefore he was even drafted before London's WR1 Cash Jr.
In the next season, Kaepercolin and the Royals in general started very strong with a 4-1 record and Kaepercolin becoming WR1 for the English team and also leading the league in receiving yards after the first few weeks. After playing through some small injuries, he couldn't put up those big stats anymore, which lead to London losing 5 games in a row and Kaepercolin falling behind in the race for WROTY. In the second half of the season and in the playoffs, he didn't have that much impact and was not content with his performance. He was on the way to be a real contender for WROTY and maybe OPOTY or even MVP, but after the second half, he honestly shouldn't be win one of those awards. Overall, he played a good season finishing with 62 receptions for 797 yards and 5 TDs, nearly doubling his stats from the previous season. While he probably won't win any awards this year, I'm really looking forward to the next few years playing for the Hawks and I really hope he'll have some great seasons there and he'll win awards and have a HOF career there. He just needs to get more consistent. (415 words)