#7
I’ll take this opportunity to talk about the Portland Pythons of the DSFL, my former and first ever team. I was a bit sad to see myself go once I was drafted and immediately called up to the Philadelphia Liberty in the ISFL, as I had come to feel like ‘one of the snakes,’ and was excited to see where we could go in year two. Well life goes on and I had to watch the Pythons from afar. And what I saw early made me think I was going to miss a really epic season. The defense that I was a part of was mostly back, and in a big way. The linebacking core boasted returning studs in Matty Martinsson and Donald McBobby, the defensive line featured returnees Cirelli and and Slayer, as well as positional switch player Chuck Roth. Ben Anabender was back to shore up the secondary, which was infused with some really strong rookie talent. Offensively, the stable was still full in the backfield, with Christiansen and Darren Pama returning to tote the rock behind their monster tackle Marc Hamel. Yet despite all of that returning talent, it was clear that the team would succeed or fail based largely on their rookie quarterback Lebron James III.
The season started as well as it could’ve for Portland. Despite a few hiccups in the preseason, the Pythons shot out of the gate with 3-straight wins. Portland outscored its opponents by a combined 79 to 27. Week 4 was a nailbighter, with the Pythons losing to the Luchadores 13-10. Although the Pythons played well and had the ball with a chance to tie or win on the last possession, the near-realized hopes of high octane offense to match its defense began to fade. In the next six games after its 3-0 start, the Pythons scored 20 or more points just once while hanging strong defensive efforts out to dry. Despite this extended stretch of losses, the team kept grinding. The Pythons, sitting at 4-5, reeled off 3 wins in its next 4 games to put itself at 7-6 and within a shot of the playoffs. However, the task stood too tall as the Pythons were unable to pull off a win against the eventual NFC North champion London Royals. While there is a lot to be optimistic about, including the solid play from rookie QB Lebron James III and rookie receiver Messi, who finished lead the league in receptions, the Pythons will likely lose nearly all of its impact defenders, including stat-stuffer Donald McBobby. This was a big missed opportunity for the Pythons, who sat at 3-0 at one point and were poised to make noise in the playoffs. I know I’ll be watching to see just how quickly coaching and management can retool the shed.
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#8
So the DSFL award for defensive player of the year will likely go to Richard Leaking, who lead the league in tackles and amassed 8 tackles for loss, or Lagazzy Burfict, who tallied the second most tackles along with 11 sacks, because voters love those linebackers with huge tackle numbers. However, I’m here to argue for a little guy for defensive player of the year. I’m here to argue for a rookie for defensive player of the year. I’m here to argue for Mo Skeeter for defensive player of the year. The Portland Pythons corner came into the league with some big shoes to fill, having to take the reigns from 2nd overall pick in the S25 draft in Dan Foster, and the 21st overall pick Davriel Lavigne. Most came into the season hoping the secondary could just play competently enough, relying on the playmaking of Donald McBobby, Matty Martinsson, and Etriegan Slayer to make the secondary’s life easier. But right out of the gate it was clear there was a new X-factor in the group.
Moe Skeeter debuted in week 1 with 5 tackles and two sacks, though he was overshadowed by McBobby’s incredible 12 tackle, 5 sack performance. Well perhaps Skeeter took that a bit personally, because he dialed it up another notch in week 2. Skeeter tallied another 5 tackles but also took his first career interception 32 yards to the house.
While every week wasn’t as exhilarating for Skeeter as his first two professional games, he ended up making mention as a Top Defensive Performer in three different weeks. Skeeter finished tied for second in the league with 4 interceptions, and lead the DSFL in defensive touchdowns thanks to his two pick-sixes. Moe Skeeter also finished tied for third amongst defensive backs with 4 sacks. All this despite teams deciding early in the season to stop throwing towards him.
Although the chances of Skeeter winning defensive player of the year with only 67 tackles is basically zero, it’s clear that the Pythons have themselves a player worthy of taking the passed torch from Lavigne and Foster, and perhaps even elevating it higher. That is, assuming some ISFL team doesn’t scoop him up and insert him on day one next season. If he does say, we can all rest easy knowing that the Pythons Defensive Coordinator will be telling reporters how “Moe has the unique ability to make plays and generate turnovers.”
I’ll take this opportunity to talk about the Portland Pythons of the DSFL, my former and first ever team. I was a bit sad to see myself go once I was drafted and immediately called up to the Philadelphia Liberty in the ISFL, as I had come to feel like ‘one of the snakes,’ and was excited to see where we could go in year two. Well life goes on and I had to watch the Pythons from afar. And what I saw early made me think I was going to miss a really epic season. The defense that I was a part of was mostly back, and in a big way. The linebacking core boasted returning studs in Matty Martinsson and Donald McBobby, the defensive line featured returnees Cirelli and and Slayer, as well as positional switch player Chuck Roth. Ben Anabender was back to shore up the secondary, which was infused with some really strong rookie talent. Offensively, the stable was still full in the backfield, with Christiansen and Darren Pama returning to tote the rock behind their monster tackle Marc Hamel. Yet despite all of that returning talent, it was clear that the team would succeed or fail based largely on their rookie quarterback Lebron James III.
The season started as well as it could’ve for Portland. Despite a few hiccups in the preseason, the Pythons shot out of the gate with 3-straight wins. Portland outscored its opponents by a combined 79 to 27. Week 4 was a nailbighter, with the Pythons losing to the Luchadores 13-10. Although the Pythons played well and had the ball with a chance to tie or win on the last possession, the near-realized hopes of high octane offense to match its defense began to fade. In the next six games after its 3-0 start, the Pythons scored 20 or more points just once while hanging strong defensive efforts out to dry. Despite this extended stretch of losses, the team kept grinding. The Pythons, sitting at 4-5, reeled off 3 wins in its next 4 games to put itself at 7-6 and within a shot of the playoffs. However, the task stood too tall as the Pythons were unable to pull off a win against the eventual NFC North champion London Royals. While there is a lot to be optimistic about, including the solid play from rookie QB Lebron James III and rookie receiver Messi, who finished lead the league in receptions, the Pythons will likely lose nearly all of its impact defenders, including stat-stuffer Donald McBobby. This was a big missed opportunity for the Pythons, who sat at 3-0 at one point and were poised to make noise in the playoffs. I know I’ll be watching to see just how quickly coaching and management can retool the shed.
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467 words#8
So the DSFL award for defensive player of the year will likely go to Richard Leaking, who lead the league in tackles and amassed 8 tackles for loss, or Lagazzy Burfict, who tallied the second most tackles along with 11 sacks, because voters love those linebackers with huge tackle numbers. However, I’m here to argue for a little guy for defensive player of the year. I’m here to argue for a rookie for defensive player of the year. I’m here to argue for Mo Skeeter for defensive player of the year. The Portland Pythons corner came into the league with some big shoes to fill, having to take the reigns from 2nd overall pick in the S25 draft in Dan Foster, and the 21st overall pick Davriel Lavigne. Most came into the season hoping the secondary could just play competently enough, relying on the playmaking of Donald McBobby, Matty Martinsson, and Etriegan Slayer to make the secondary’s life easier. But right out of the gate it was clear there was a new X-factor in the group.
Moe Skeeter debuted in week 1 with 5 tackles and two sacks, though he was overshadowed by McBobby’s incredible 12 tackle, 5 sack performance. Well perhaps Skeeter took that a bit personally, because he dialed it up another notch in week 2. Skeeter tallied another 5 tackles but also took his first career interception 32 yards to the house.
While every week wasn’t as exhilarating for Skeeter as his first two professional games, he ended up making mention as a Top Defensive Performer in three different weeks. Skeeter finished tied for second in the league with 4 interceptions, and lead the DSFL in defensive touchdowns thanks to his two pick-sixes. Moe Skeeter also finished tied for third amongst defensive backs with 4 sacks. All this despite teams deciding early in the season to stop throwing towards him.
Although the chances of Skeeter winning defensive player of the year with only 67 tackles is basically zero, it’s clear that the Pythons have themselves a player worthy of taking the passed torch from Lavigne and Foster, and perhaps even elevating it higher. That is, assuming some ISFL team doesn’t scoop him up and insert him on day one next season. If he does say, we can all rest easy knowing that the Pythons Defensive Coordinator will be telling reporters how “Moe has the unique ability to make plays and generate turnovers.”
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405 words![[Image: haywoodsig.png]](https://i.ibb.co/jWrrj2B/haywoodsig.png)
