(S24) - PT 3 - Midseason Mania

[Memento Mori]

Brock Phoenix should be the frontrunner for the S24 Defensive Performance of the Year Award for his performance for the Philadelphia Liberty against the Colorado Yeti in Week 5. At first glance, his stats look okay, but not especially award-worthy. Phoenix had four tackles and a pass deflection, playing defensive tackle. It’s true that four tackles is a good mark for a defensive lineman (only Sarasota’s Big Edd, Honolulu’s Jayson Kearse and Austin’s Carolinabbq Isbest are averaging more than four tackles per game) and adding a pass deflection to that is impressive, but why was this the Defensive Performance of the Year?

The answer is that Brock Phoenix is a quarterback. Rules VII. B. 3, VII. B. 4 and VII. B. 6 state that a quarterback playing defensive tackle is illegal, but sources claim the referees and league office were just so impressed by Phoenix’s performance that they felt it wrong to enforce the rules. After leading a twelve-play offensive drive for Philadelphia at the end of the first quarter, most quarterbacks would be on the sidelines recovering from any hits they’d taken and preparing for the next drive. Not Brock Phoenix. Phoenix played a key role in forcing a Colorado three-and-out, using his 6’5 frame to bat down a Wolfie McDummy pass at the line of scrimmage on 2nd and 6.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Hamilton Heartbreaker followed this up with a thirteen play touchdown drive on offence before getting right back into the action on defence. Colorado’s next series ended in a three-and-out too, thanks to key tackles on 2nd and 3rd down by (you guessed it) Phoenix. Brock Phoenix would make a key tackle on the next defensive drive too, bringing down running back Thubba Bumper at the line of scrimmage to set up another three-and-out.

To have such a big impact on a game is impressive, but to do so from the defensive line, playing every snap on both sides of the ball is truly unprecedented. There has been no other defensive performance like this in the ISFL this season – and if the league rules are adhered to in future then there won’t be another – and, as such, Brock Phoenix is deserving of the S24 Defensive Performance of the Year award.