Task 2
I think the season 17 playoffs were the wackiest in the league. But the wacky stuff began in the regular season. The NSFC turned from a tightly knit division to Yellowknife's parade. A 11-game win streak from week 2 all the way to week 11 helped the Wraiths finish with league's best record, only losing the first and the last regular season games. They were the favorites to win it all. And rightfully. They were boasting the best offense and the second best defence in the league. The only team that could stop them were the Orange County Otters, winners of the ASFC. But even for them, it would be tough, as Yellowknife not only had the home field advantage through the whole playoffs, but the Wraiths were also undefeated after six regular season home games. the NSFC playoff field was completed by #2 Baltimore Hawks and #3 Colorado Yeti. Baltimore punched their ticket after defeating New Orleans in week 12. Colorado on the other hand, had it rough. After 13 weeks they were tied with Chicago for the last NSFC ticket, but Colorado had one extra conference win, giving them the win on the tiebreaker. Both Baltimore and Colorado made it in with sub-.500 records, 6-7 and 5-8 respectively.
The ASFC was more clear. Orange County were atop with 10 wins in 13 games, one less than Yellowknife, but they were the team with the most Ultimus wins, so you should never count them out. And they were the league's best defence, and third best offence. Behind them, the resurging Arizona Outlaws, with a 9-4 record, who after a rocky start to the season, strung up 5 wins in their last 6 games, including wins over all three NSFL playoff teams in their last three games of the season. Another team to not ignore in the playoffs. The third ASFC team were the tough as nails Copperheads of Austin. Despite their 6-7 record, they had a win over Orance County and Arizona in weeks 3 and 10, respectively. The playoffs were sure to be a dogfight for every single one of the six teams.
But it all started with the wildcard games. In the NSFCWCG, the Baltimore Hawks hosted the Colorado Yeti. Colorado's first drive was a three-and-out. Baltimore's was not. A 5.5-minute drive, ending with a 3 yard rush by Corey Trevor and a made PAT by ForThe Brand. Colorado has the ball again. Another punt, after six plays this time. Another 5.5-minute drive by Baltimore. Another touchdown. This time, Havran connected with Sunnycursed for 26 yards. Brand was on point again. 13 minutes in, Baltimore was already up by 14, holding Colorado to 0 points. Both teams had 2 "three-and-out" drives apiece, only for Colorado to string up their first long drive of the game, that ended with Wolfie McDummy throwing an interception, after the Yeti had sniffed the redzone for the first time in a quarter and a half. And that was the only time. Baltimore's defence suffocated Colorado, and their running game kept taking precious time off the clock, while still providing points. Final score? Baltimore 31, Colorado 0. Back to the drawing board for the Yeti, off to Canada for the Hawks.
The ASFC game was more of the same. And it was obvious from the start, as both teams managed to score within the first 3 drives of the game. Zona's RB Slim Shady carried it in from the 10, while Austin's QB Easton Cole connected with Django Anoa'i. The difference were the PATs. Zona missed while Austin scored. 7-6 Austin after 8.5 minutes. There were fireworks in store. The darkhorse was up, even by a little. Zona's kicker would score a field goal to put his team up 9-7, with a minute to play in the first. The second quarter started as a gruesome defensive showcase. Until AZ QB Andrew Reese found WR Kazmir Oles. The PAT was good, and Zona were up 16-7 at halftime. Things were looking bad for Austin, and so they became. The two teams traded field goals in the third, until Reese found Oles in the endzone for the second time. The PAT was good, Arizona were up 26-10. Things were looking grim. But the Sneks found a touchdown. Failed two point conversion, Reese finds Oles for the third time, and that's all she wrote. Austin only managed to cut down the league to the final 33-26. Zona would now travel to California.
Back to the NSFC, this time for the championship game. The two best offences of the league would meet. Arguably the most star-filled squads in the league. The Hawks jumped off to a hot start, despite Havran's early interception, leading 14-6 at halftime. Nothing would work for Yellowknife. Three-and-out after three-and-out for the Wraiths. It was looking like a repeat of the previous season's championship game, where the Hawks beat the Wraiths in Canada. But Havran had a different opinion. Yes, Havran. Interception by Hornbacher, touchdown by Marshall. Wraiths within one. It was anyone's game heading to the fourth quarter. But Havran kept throwing passes to the Yellowknife defenders. Uchiha picked him off, returned it for 52 yards, setting Donaldson for his 5th field goal attempt of the game, which he made. He was 4/5 on field goals after that attempt. The Wraiths were up, 22-14. But Baltimore had 10 minutes to turn things around. And Havran finally threw his second touchdown of the night. But it was Kroustis who scored it. Yellowknife's safety. YKW up 29-14, and that's it. First Ultimus since season 8's win for the Canadians. 4 picks by Havran, and a return to Baltimore for the Hawks. Fun fact: Havran had more INT return yards than passing yards.
In the Ultimus game, Yellowknife faced the winner of the game between the Otters and the Outlaws. It was a very close game. After 30 minutes of football, Orange County was up 14-13, but the game was harder than it looked. The defenses had decided to show up for this. No interceptions, but not many big yard plays either. The third quarter was more of the same. The two teams alternated three and outs, until Arizona took the lead, after the initial 3-0, with a Cameron Clutch field goal. They were up by 2, 16-14. The Otters had 14.5 minutes on the clock. But they had a three and out. And so did Zona. And so did the Otters again. And so did Zona AGAIN. It was a stalemate. Zona was up by 2, but 4.5 minutes had been taken of the clock. That's exactly how much time the Otters needed to score. 21-16, Otters in the lead, after Armstrong connected with Blaze. But Zona was not out yet. They had 5:21 to score a touchdown and win. Reese managed to lead his team all the way to the 13 yard line, with 61 seconds on the clock. Fresh set of downs, 1 minute. He had to make it count. David Ginsberg came in clutch for the sack. But it wasn't over yet. There were still 25 seconds. Rush by Reese, but it was only for 9 yards, not enough. The Otters would travel to Canada. The Outlaws would return in Arizona, with hopes for the future.
The stage was set. The two best teams in the league. #1 offense vs #1 defense. Last time that happened, the Hawks beat the Sabercats, 49-0. But this game was different. Yellowknife's defense was no joke. Well, not really. OCO were quick to draw first blood, scoring in their first drive. By the end of the first, OCO was up 13-0. Yellowknife could do nothing on offense. The defence decided to show up, holding the Otters to a single field goal for the remainder of the GAME. But Bigsby throwing two interceptions and losing a ball to a fumble didn't allow the Wraiths to chase anything else. Cooter finding Swift in the endzone for 6 is just to ease the pain. Final score: Otters 16, Wraiths 10. The Otters were the champions once again. And the Wraiths had only gotten a taste of a very painful future.
1,364 words
I think the season 17 playoffs were the wackiest in the league. But the wacky stuff began in the regular season. The NSFC turned from a tightly knit division to Yellowknife's parade. A 11-game win streak from week 2 all the way to week 11 helped the Wraiths finish with league's best record, only losing the first and the last regular season games. They were the favorites to win it all. And rightfully. They were boasting the best offense and the second best defence in the league. The only team that could stop them were the Orange County Otters, winners of the ASFC. But even for them, it would be tough, as Yellowknife not only had the home field advantage through the whole playoffs, but the Wraiths were also undefeated after six regular season home games. the NSFC playoff field was completed by #2 Baltimore Hawks and #3 Colorado Yeti. Baltimore punched their ticket after defeating New Orleans in week 12. Colorado on the other hand, had it rough. After 13 weeks they were tied with Chicago for the last NSFC ticket, but Colorado had one extra conference win, giving them the win on the tiebreaker. Both Baltimore and Colorado made it in with sub-.500 records, 6-7 and 5-8 respectively.
The ASFC was more clear. Orange County were atop with 10 wins in 13 games, one less than Yellowknife, but they were the team with the most Ultimus wins, so you should never count them out. And they were the league's best defence, and third best offence. Behind them, the resurging Arizona Outlaws, with a 9-4 record, who after a rocky start to the season, strung up 5 wins in their last 6 games, including wins over all three NSFL playoff teams in their last three games of the season. Another team to not ignore in the playoffs. The third ASFC team were the tough as nails Copperheads of Austin. Despite their 6-7 record, they had a win over Orance County and Arizona in weeks 3 and 10, respectively. The playoffs were sure to be a dogfight for every single one of the six teams.
But it all started with the wildcard games. In the NSFCWCG, the Baltimore Hawks hosted the Colorado Yeti. Colorado's first drive was a three-and-out. Baltimore's was not. A 5.5-minute drive, ending with a 3 yard rush by Corey Trevor and a made PAT by ForThe Brand. Colorado has the ball again. Another punt, after six plays this time. Another 5.5-minute drive by Baltimore. Another touchdown. This time, Havran connected with Sunnycursed for 26 yards. Brand was on point again. 13 minutes in, Baltimore was already up by 14, holding Colorado to 0 points. Both teams had 2 "three-and-out" drives apiece, only for Colorado to string up their first long drive of the game, that ended with Wolfie McDummy throwing an interception, after the Yeti had sniffed the redzone for the first time in a quarter and a half. And that was the only time. Baltimore's defence suffocated Colorado, and their running game kept taking precious time off the clock, while still providing points. Final score? Baltimore 31, Colorado 0. Back to the drawing board for the Yeti, off to Canada for the Hawks.
The ASFC game was more of the same. And it was obvious from the start, as both teams managed to score within the first 3 drives of the game. Zona's RB Slim Shady carried it in from the 10, while Austin's QB Easton Cole connected with Django Anoa'i. The difference were the PATs. Zona missed while Austin scored. 7-6 Austin after 8.5 minutes. There were fireworks in store. The darkhorse was up, even by a little. Zona's kicker would score a field goal to put his team up 9-7, with a minute to play in the first. The second quarter started as a gruesome defensive showcase. Until AZ QB Andrew Reese found WR Kazmir Oles. The PAT was good, and Zona were up 16-7 at halftime. Things were looking bad for Austin, and so they became. The two teams traded field goals in the third, until Reese found Oles in the endzone for the second time. The PAT was good, Arizona were up 26-10. Things were looking grim. But the Sneks found a touchdown. Failed two point conversion, Reese finds Oles for the third time, and that's all she wrote. Austin only managed to cut down the league to the final 33-26. Zona would now travel to California.
Back to the NSFC, this time for the championship game. The two best offences of the league would meet. Arguably the most star-filled squads in the league. The Hawks jumped off to a hot start, despite Havran's early interception, leading 14-6 at halftime. Nothing would work for Yellowknife. Three-and-out after three-and-out for the Wraiths. It was looking like a repeat of the previous season's championship game, where the Hawks beat the Wraiths in Canada. But Havran had a different opinion. Yes, Havran. Interception by Hornbacher, touchdown by Marshall. Wraiths within one. It was anyone's game heading to the fourth quarter. But Havran kept throwing passes to the Yellowknife defenders. Uchiha picked him off, returned it for 52 yards, setting Donaldson for his 5th field goal attempt of the game, which he made. He was 4/5 on field goals after that attempt. The Wraiths were up, 22-14. But Baltimore had 10 minutes to turn things around. And Havran finally threw his second touchdown of the night. But it was Kroustis who scored it. Yellowknife's safety. YKW up 29-14, and that's it. First Ultimus since season 8's win for the Canadians. 4 picks by Havran, and a return to Baltimore for the Hawks. Fun fact: Havran had more INT return yards than passing yards.
In the Ultimus game, Yellowknife faced the winner of the game between the Otters and the Outlaws. It was a very close game. After 30 minutes of football, Orange County was up 14-13, but the game was harder than it looked. The defenses had decided to show up for this. No interceptions, but not many big yard plays either. The third quarter was more of the same. The two teams alternated three and outs, until Arizona took the lead, after the initial 3-0, with a Cameron Clutch field goal. They were up by 2, 16-14. The Otters had 14.5 minutes on the clock. But they had a three and out. And so did Zona. And so did the Otters again. And so did Zona AGAIN. It was a stalemate. Zona was up by 2, but 4.5 minutes had been taken of the clock. That's exactly how much time the Otters needed to score. 21-16, Otters in the lead, after Armstrong connected with Blaze. But Zona was not out yet. They had 5:21 to score a touchdown and win. Reese managed to lead his team all the way to the 13 yard line, with 61 seconds on the clock. Fresh set of downs, 1 minute. He had to make it count. David Ginsberg came in clutch for the sack. But it wasn't over yet. There were still 25 seconds. Rush by Reese, but it was only for 9 yards, not enough. The Otters would travel to Canada. The Outlaws would return in Arizona, with hopes for the future.
The stage was set. The two best teams in the league. #1 offense vs #1 defense. Last time that happened, the Hawks beat the Sabercats, 49-0. But this game was different. Yellowknife's defense was no joke. Well, not really. OCO were quick to draw first blood, scoring in their first drive. By the end of the first, OCO was up 13-0. Yellowknife could do nothing on offense. The defence decided to show up, holding the Otters to a single field goal for the remainder of the GAME. But Bigsby throwing two interceptions and losing a ball to a fumble didn't allow the Wraiths to chase anything else. Cooter finding Swift in the endzone for 6 is just to ease the pain. Final score: Otters 16, Wraiths 10. The Otters were the champions once again. And the Wraiths had only gotten a taste of a very painful future.
1,364 words
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