07-09-2020, 03:54 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-10-2020, 01:39 PM by Fordhammer.)
OUTLAWS DEFENSE SHINES AGAIN
A Decisive Win Over the Yellowknife Wraiths
John Wesley Hardin, Arizona Outlaw Herald-Tribune | Jul 7, 2020 | Phoenix
Perhaps the Outlaws had forgotten some of their early history – to be fair, it has been a few seasons since they were competitive – but now, they are too obvious to ignore.
“It might be unfamiliar to the young guys, but we’ve been in this situation before,” linebacker Galf Wilf said in the raucous locker room after the victory against the Wraiths.
A 46-13 thumping against the Yellowknife Wraiths in week 11 at Outlaws Stadium was the team’s sixth victory of the season. From a low of 3 wins in S21 to 4 wins (and a tie) in S22, the Outlaws are in the hunt for a playoff spot this year. After years of disappointing seasons and missing the playoffs, Arizona has put themselves in perfect position to rewrite the ending.
“You can learn a lot from the past,” offensive lineman Bruce Buckley said. “But eventually, you have to put the past behind you and say ‘This year will be different. This is a new year and a new team. Let’s play our game and deal with what lies ahead.’”
In recent years, the Outlaws defense has been shaky. Sure, there have been some fantastic individual performances here and there, but the overall play has been poor. They ceded the most points in S21 and second most in S22.
This year has been different. The Outlaws are second in points allowed, and rank first or second in multiple defensive categories, including blocked kicks, touchdowns, safeties, passes defended, and interceptions.
What it foreshadows for the playoffs was showcased in the Yellowknife game. After two first quarter field goals by Wraiths kicker Dougie Smalls, the Outlaws dominated in the second, third, and fourth quarters. They scored two TDs and one FG in the second, two TDs in the third, and one TD and 3 FGs in the fourth. The defense was seemingly impenetrable, although they did give up a garbage time TD to running back Acura Skyline.
The Wraiths quarterback Cooter Bigsby, the reliable but aging signal caller, threw two interceptions (one to Zamir Kehla and one to Atlas Quin). The Outlaws converted both opportunities – a Jay Cue run in the second quarter and a Baby Yoda run in the third.
“The second quarter absolutely killed us,” Bigsby said after the game.
The fourth quarter began with a 30-6 Outlaws lead; many fans were already leaving the stadium. Those who stayed were treated to even more domination. Arizona piled on, including a FG with 7 seconds remaining, and won the game 46-13.
The Outlaws have some tough games down the stretch, including at Orange County and at New Orleans. They also have three challenging home games against conference foes San Jose, Austin, and Honolulu.
A year ago, the Outlaws were 3-7-1, clearly out of playoff contention. Turning their focus to the future, they split the last two games to finish 4-8-1, only ahead of the expansion Honolulu Hahalua in the ASFC.
“I like this team and how they handle themselves on and off the field,” GM unicorn said.
Unicorn and co-GM xQC try not to compare this team to the past, but the continuity and brotherhood is undeniable. “The chemistry is there,” QB Jay Cue said. “In practice, in the games, and in the locker room, everyone has a team-first mentality.”
The Wraiths came into the game with an NSFL best 7-3 record. They had just crushed Honolulu at home the previous week. It looked like they were cruising to another NSFC regular season title. To be fair, they still might win the conference (they still sit atop the standings with a 7-4 record), but they certainly did not expect such a beatdown from the Outlaws.
Bigsby was sacked three times and had to rush to avoid several others. Early in the third quarter, with the Outlaws leading, 16-6, Skyline and fellow RB Mathias Hanyadi had moved the ball past midfield when Bigsby threw his second interception of the game. The Yellowknife sideline looked defeated.
Two rushes and three passes later, Arizona found the end zone again to extend the lead to 23-6.
The defense forced three straight three-and-outs while Jay Cue led the Outlaws offense on five straight scoring drives, including a 73-yard touchdown drive to put the game out of reach.
“Maybe our best performance all year,” Cue remarked during his post-game press conference.
He finished with 296 passing yards, 3 total TDs, and zero interceptions.
Bigsby did not fare so well, throwing two interceptions with zero touchdowns.
Baby Yoda had 103 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns to go along with Thomas Passmann’s 3 catches for 58 yards and a touchdown. With 5 catches a piece, Jah Bur’Berry and Saba Donut ended with 111 and 70 yards, respectively. The offensive line, led by Buckley’s 13 pancakes, kept Cue upright throughout the game.
Wilf led the team with 9 tackles, while adding a sack and PD to his already impressive season stats. Other defensive stat lines include Stan Koniecpolski with 8 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 3 PDs; Atlas Quin with 7 tackles, one PD, and one interception; Pete “Plop” Miller with 5 tackles and a sack; Desmond Scarlett with 4 tackles and a PD; Shane Masters with 3 tackles and a sack; and Zamir Kehla with 2 tackles, 2 PDs, and an interception.
The big plays and final score did overshadow some mistakes though. JJ “Jay” Jaymison missed an extra point (although he was 4/4 on FGs) and Cue put the ball on the ground once (although it was recovered by TE Heath Evans).
Interestingly, the non-point stats weren’t that different. Arizona lead first downs 18-16 and time of possession 31:37-28:23.
“Even in a game like this, there is always something to learn. We had a great game, but we have some work to do before we head to Orange County,” unicorn said.
The Outlaws aren’t interested in style points. They’ve gone from basement dwellers to playoff and Ultimus contenders by working hard and doing things the right way.
“We’re happy to be above .500 and in line for a playoff spot, but this isn’t our end goal. We want to win the whole thing. And we want to keep winning every year,” Wilf said.
It’s not exactly S16, the Outlaw’s last title, but the future is bright in Arizona. They have a great young core to complement the veterans, and they are clearly on the rise. They are in perfect position to reclaim the top spot in the NSFL.
A Decisive Win Over the Yellowknife Wraiths
John Wesley Hardin, Arizona Outlaw Herald-Tribune | Jul 7, 2020 | Phoenix
Perhaps the Outlaws had forgotten some of their early history – to be fair, it has been a few seasons since they were competitive – but now, they are too obvious to ignore.
“It might be unfamiliar to the young guys, but we’ve been in this situation before,” linebacker Galf Wilf said in the raucous locker room after the victory against the Wraiths.
A 46-13 thumping against the Yellowknife Wraiths in week 11 at Outlaws Stadium was the team’s sixth victory of the season. From a low of 3 wins in S21 to 4 wins (and a tie) in S22, the Outlaws are in the hunt for a playoff spot this year. After years of disappointing seasons and missing the playoffs, Arizona has put themselves in perfect position to rewrite the ending.
“You can learn a lot from the past,” offensive lineman Bruce Buckley said. “But eventually, you have to put the past behind you and say ‘This year will be different. This is a new year and a new team. Let’s play our game and deal with what lies ahead.’”
In recent years, the Outlaws defense has been shaky. Sure, there have been some fantastic individual performances here and there, but the overall play has been poor. They ceded the most points in S21 and second most in S22.
This year has been different. The Outlaws are second in points allowed, and rank first or second in multiple defensive categories, including blocked kicks, touchdowns, safeties, passes defended, and interceptions.
What it foreshadows for the playoffs was showcased in the Yellowknife game. After two first quarter field goals by Wraiths kicker Dougie Smalls, the Outlaws dominated in the second, third, and fourth quarters. They scored two TDs and one FG in the second, two TDs in the third, and one TD and 3 FGs in the fourth. The defense was seemingly impenetrable, although they did give up a garbage time TD to running back Acura Skyline.
The Wraiths quarterback Cooter Bigsby, the reliable but aging signal caller, threw two interceptions (one to Zamir Kehla and one to Atlas Quin). The Outlaws converted both opportunities – a Jay Cue run in the second quarter and a Baby Yoda run in the third.
“The second quarter absolutely killed us,” Bigsby said after the game.
The fourth quarter began with a 30-6 Outlaws lead; many fans were already leaving the stadium. Those who stayed were treated to even more domination. Arizona piled on, including a FG with 7 seconds remaining, and won the game 46-13.
The Outlaws have some tough games down the stretch, including at Orange County and at New Orleans. They also have three challenging home games against conference foes San Jose, Austin, and Honolulu.
A year ago, the Outlaws were 3-7-1, clearly out of playoff contention. Turning their focus to the future, they split the last two games to finish 4-8-1, only ahead of the expansion Honolulu Hahalua in the ASFC.
“I like this team and how they handle themselves on and off the field,” GM unicorn said.
Unicorn and co-GM xQC try not to compare this team to the past, but the continuity and brotherhood is undeniable. “The chemistry is there,” QB Jay Cue said. “In practice, in the games, and in the locker room, everyone has a team-first mentality.”
The Wraiths came into the game with an NSFL best 7-3 record. They had just crushed Honolulu at home the previous week. It looked like they were cruising to another NSFC regular season title. To be fair, they still might win the conference (they still sit atop the standings with a 7-4 record), but they certainly did not expect such a beatdown from the Outlaws.
Bigsby was sacked three times and had to rush to avoid several others. Early in the third quarter, with the Outlaws leading, 16-6, Skyline and fellow RB Mathias Hanyadi had moved the ball past midfield when Bigsby threw his second interception of the game. The Yellowknife sideline looked defeated.
Two rushes and three passes later, Arizona found the end zone again to extend the lead to 23-6.
The defense forced three straight three-and-outs while Jay Cue led the Outlaws offense on five straight scoring drives, including a 73-yard touchdown drive to put the game out of reach.
“Maybe our best performance all year,” Cue remarked during his post-game press conference.
He finished with 296 passing yards, 3 total TDs, and zero interceptions.
Bigsby did not fare so well, throwing two interceptions with zero touchdowns.
Baby Yoda had 103 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns to go along with Thomas Passmann’s 3 catches for 58 yards and a touchdown. With 5 catches a piece, Jah Bur’Berry and Saba Donut ended with 111 and 70 yards, respectively. The offensive line, led by Buckley’s 13 pancakes, kept Cue upright throughout the game.
Wilf led the team with 9 tackles, while adding a sack and PD to his already impressive season stats. Other defensive stat lines include Stan Koniecpolski with 8 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 3 PDs; Atlas Quin with 7 tackles, one PD, and one interception; Pete “Plop” Miller with 5 tackles and a sack; Desmond Scarlett with 4 tackles and a PD; Shane Masters with 3 tackles and a sack; and Zamir Kehla with 2 tackles, 2 PDs, and an interception.
The big plays and final score did overshadow some mistakes though. JJ “Jay” Jaymison missed an extra point (although he was 4/4 on FGs) and Cue put the ball on the ground once (although it was recovered by TE Heath Evans).
Interestingly, the non-point stats weren’t that different. Arizona lead first downs 18-16 and time of possession 31:37-28:23.
“Even in a game like this, there is always something to learn. We had a great game, but we have some work to do before we head to Orange County,” unicorn said.
The Outlaws aren’t interested in style points. They’ve gone from basement dwellers to playoff and Ultimus contenders by working hard and doing things the right way.
“We’re happy to be above .500 and in line for a playoff spot, but this isn’t our end goal. We want to win the whole thing. And we want to keep winning every year,” Wilf said.
It’s not exactly S16, the Outlaw’s last title, but the future is bright in Arizona. They have a great young core to complement the veterans, and they are clearly on the rise. They are in perfect position to reclaim the top spot in the NSFL.
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