07-07-2021, 02:05 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-07-2021, 02:06 AM by TheRocheLimit.)
1.
I am writing this after the Ultimus. The question is "Am I surprised by the outcome?". Not at all. The Ultimus Champion New York Silverbacks busted their asses all year long and this outcome is well deserved. How did they get there? What was the recipe for success? What were the roadblocks along the way? Lets go ahead and break it all down.
The New York Silverbacks entered the season with one goal in mind: make the postseason and make some noise. The Silverbacks had made the playoffs in previous seasons but had not yet secured victories in the postseason. And although their defensive anchor Bubba Thumper had gone back home to Colorado for a farewell tour the team knew it had the right mix of veterans and younger players to finally get the job done.
On offense, quarterback Sam Howitzer was entering his prime. Things really began to click for Howitzer, especially from the midpoint of the season on. Howitzer would end up recording more regular season passing touchdowns this season than he did in his two previous seasons combined. New York's dynamic wide receiver trio of Jackson Kingston, Tugg Speedman, and Sean Snyder were the main beneficiaries of Howitzer's leap. Kingston recorded 14 touchdowns and 1200 receiving yards. Speedman and Snyder both ended the regular season with around 1000 receiving yards each. The ground game was also rolling for New York, with team captain Captain Rogers and sensational rookie Brandon Prince forming a formidable 1-2 punch. Rogers tallied over 1500 all purpose yards and Prince shocked the world by recording 13 total touchdowns in his inaugural season. And lets not forget the GOAT fullback, Buster Bawlls, who always shows up at just the right time. The Silverbacks offense was firing on all cylinders throughout the season and it's no surprise that when the lights shined the brightest they were at their best.
Defensively the Gorilla Gang proved once again why they are arguably the best defensive team in the ISFL. The team lead the league in forced fumbles, fumbles recovered, and sacks. This was a big play defense full of stars on every level. Free agent acquisition Ke'oke'o Kāne-Maika'i joined a formidable front four with veterans Brick Van Sanzo and Leon McDavid and newcomer Mongo. The fearsome foursome combined for a staggering 31 sacks, practically living in the opposing backfield. Backing them up were the linebacking crew of Jack Banks, Makoto Otawara, and Hank Winchester. These three flew all over the field, amassing a total of 277 tackles, 26 sacks, and 12 forced fumbles between them. And locking down the secondary were Colt Mendoza, Dukburg QuakStak, Dogwood Maple, Bob Roberts, and Mac Griddle. Mendoza put up a season for the ages, ultimately winning Cornerback of the Year. The entire secondary group proved they were up to whatever task was thrown at them, whether it be covering some of the league's top receivers, popping the ball loose from a running back breaking through, or flattening the opposing quarterback on a blitz.
The team as a whole really began to come together as the season went on. A six game winning streak in the middle of the season seemed to put the team on a path for greatness and allowed them to weather the storm as the schedule got tougher. New York faced what was nearly a "must win" in the final week of the regular season on the road against the Orange County Otters and were able to hold off a rugged Otters team to lock in their playoff position and give them the momentum they need to make a deep run.
The Silverbacks were able to string together a couple of narrow victories against the New Orleans Second Line at home and the Arizona Outlaws on the road to punch their ticket to the big game. Sam Howitzer and Jackson Kingston came up big for the Silverbacks against New Orleans, and in Arizona the backfield of Captain Rogers and Brandon Prince took control of the game early and often. Defensively there were contributions from all over the place in the lead up to the final game. Leon McDavid turned back the clock against the Second Line, recording two sacks and a forced fumble. Against the Outlaws Colt Mendoza showed why he was voted best cornerback in the league by posting a ridiculous stat line of five tackles, one interception, a forced fumble and recovery, and a defensive touchdown.
Surprisingly, the Ultimus ended up being decided by a bigger margin than either of the Silverbacks previous two games. Brandon Prince showed off his clutch gene by leading the offense with 126 rushing yards and a touchdown. Colt Mendoza continued his hot streak on defensive and found himself recording a defensive touchdown in his second straight postseason game.
And, lest we forget, kicker Dougie Smalls was perfect in the postseason nailing every extra point and field goal attempt.
As you can see, the New York Silverbacks became Ultimus Champions through hard work, perseverance, and most importantly teamwork. Every player on the team gave it their all. Every player fought. And at the end of the day, every player won. Am I surprised that the Silverbacks hoisted the trophy at the end of the year? Not in the slightest.
I am writing this after the Ultimus. The question is "Am I surprised by the outcome?". Not at all. The Ultimus Champion New York Silverbacks busted their asses all year long and this outcome is well deserved. How did they get there? What was the recipe for success? What were the roadblocks along the way? Lets go ahead and break it all down.
The New York Silverbacks entered the season with one goal in mind: make the postseason and make some noise. The Silverbacks had made the playoffs in previous seasons but had not yet secured victories in the postseason. And although their defensive anchor Bubba Thumper had gone back home to Colorado for a farewell tour the team knew it had the right mix of veterans and younger players to finally get the job done.
On offense, quarterback Sam Howitzer was entering his prime. Things really began to click for Howitzer, especially from the midpoint of the season on. Howitzer would end up recording more regular season passing touchdowns this season than he did in his two previous seasons combined. New York's dynamic wide receiver trio of Jackson Kingston, Tugg Speedman, and Sean Snyder were the main beneficiaries of Howitzer's leap. Kingston recorded 14 touchdowns and 1200 receiving yards. Speedman and Snyder both ended the regular season with around 1000 receiving yards each. The ground game was also rolling for New York, with team captain Captain Rogers and sensational rookie Brandon Prince forming a formidable 1-2 punch. Rogers tallied over 1500 all purpose yards and Prince shocked the world by recording 13 total touchdowns in his inaugural season. And lets not forget the GOAT fullback, Buster Bawlls, who always shows up at just the right time. The Silverbacks offense was firing on all cylinders throughout the season and it's no surprise that when the lights shined the brightest they were at their best.
Defensively the Gorilla Gang proved once again why they are arguably the best defensive team in the ISFL. The team lead the league in forced fumbles, fumbles recovered, and sacks. This was a big play defense full of stars on every level. Free agent acquisition Ke'oke'o Kāne-Maika'i joined a formidable front four with veterans Brick Van Sanzo and Leon McDavid and newcomer Mongo. The fearsome foursome combined for a staggering 31 sacks, practically living in the opposing backfield. Backing them up were the linebacking crew of Jack Banks, Makoto Otawara, and Hank Winchester. These three flew all over the field, amassing a total of 277 tackles, 26 sacks, and 12 forced fumbles between them. And locking down the secondary were Colt Mendoza, Dukburg QuakStak, Dogwood Maple, Bob Roberts, and Mac Griddle. Mendoza put up a season for the ages, ultimately winning Cornerback of the Year. The entire secondary group proved they were up to whatever task was thrown at them, whether it be covering some of the league's top receivers, popping the ball loose from a running back breaking through, or flattening the opposing quarterback on a blitz.
The team as a whole really began to come together as the season went on. A six game winning streak in the middle of the season seemed to put the team on a path for greatness and allowed them to weather the storm as the schedule got tougher. New York faced what was nearly a "must win" in the final week of the regular season on the road against the Orange County Otters and were able to hold off a rugged Otters team to lock in their playoff position and give them the momentum they need to make a deep run.
The Silverbacks were able to string together a couple of narrow victories against the New Orleans Second Line at home and the Arizona Outlaws on the road to punch their ticket to the big game. Sam Howitzer and Jackson Kingston came up big for the Silverbacks against New Orleans, and in Arizona the backfield of Captain Rogers and Brandon Prince took control of the game early and often. Defensively there were contributions from all over the place in the lead up to the final game. Leon McDavid turned back the clock against the Second Line, recording two sacks and a forced fumble. Against the Outlaws Colt Mendoza showed why he was voted best cornerback in the league by posting a ridiculous stat line of five tackles, one interception, a forced fumble and recovery, and a defensive touchdown.
Surprisingly, the Ultimus ended up being decided by a bigger margin than either of the Silverbacks previous two games. Brandon Prince showed off his clutch gene by leading the offense with 126 rushing yards and a touchdown. Colt Mendoza continued his hot streak on defensive and found himself recording a defensive touchdown in his second straight postseason game.
And, lest we forget, kicker Dougie Smalls was perfect in the postseason nailing every extra point and field goal attempt.
As you can see, the New York Silverbacks became Ultimus Champions through hard work, perseverance, and most importantly teamwork. Every player on the team gave it their all. Every player fought. And at the end of the day, every player won. Am I surprised that the Silverbacks hoisted the trophy at the end of the year? Not in the slightest.
![[Image: cut_flat_danger_grain_500.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/735280301349142640/916958312015228968/cut_flat_danger_grain_500.png)
![[Image: 030p.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/T3h5VJqn/030p.png)
