Hey all,
Been a while since this game, but it took a while for the hype to calm down and for the game to be looked at with clear eyes - especially given my track record with a player on the Luchadores. With that said, it was an honor to play my last game with the Pythons and playing a key role on the team and in the game specifically. I'll get into the play in question after the game breakdown, but it was a magical season and I'm now ready to start my NSFL career as a running back for the Yeti.
With that being said, it's time to get into the breakdown of an incredibly exciting game that really was a battle for both teams from start to finish.
First Quarter
7 - 0 
The first quarter was a monster quarter for the Pythons in terms of defense. AS a whole the defensive unit racked up five sacks with two coming from second year DSFL start Mason Brown, and one each from vet linebacker Creed Bratton, newcomer defensive end Young Spaghetti, and defensive end Zach Skinner. The Pythons were staunch on defense with one of the best defensive quarters I have ever seen in the DSFL.
The offense Pythons offense got things going as well on a drive carried by veteran Borro Gore making a catch and run for 35 yards assisted by a 22 yard rush by running back Michael Scott and capped off by Michael Scott for a five yard touchdown to finish the drive.
The Luchadores honestly looked lost in the first quarter despite holding the Pythons elite offense to only a touchdown. Many thought that this game was already in the bag for the Pythons. How could the Luchadores stand a chance with quarterback Pennington on the ground more than upright? Could the defense keep the Pythons offense from running wild?
Second Quarter
14 - 7
In the second quarter the Luchadores offensive line woke up and decided that they should actually protect their quarterback. The Pythons defense was unable to recapture the magic from the first quarter in terms of sacks and the frustration could be seen in penalties. The Pythons defense was able to step up though, as defensive back Shroeder was able to come up with a pick six off of Pennington. This put the Pythons up 14-0 and gave Pennington his first touchdown thrown in an Ultimini, unfortunately it was to the defense on a 35 yard pick 6 return.
On the very next drive the Pythons defense started to show some frustration in the lack of pressure on Pennington drawing two frustration penalties which led to Pennington connecting with Squanch on a 16 yard touchdown putting the Luchadores within one possession for the tie or lead.
When questioned later about the penalties Kevin Malone was quoted as saying, "They were mauling us out there, getting away with murder." Still, that's no excuse to draw a crucial face-masking penalty.
Third Quarter
17 - 7
Another quarter, and another defensive struggle, this time with the Luchadores getting to McCoy three times with the first sack being a strip sack by Rott. The only point came from the leg of Pythons kicker Simpson late in the third quarter.
Overall this was a forgettable quarter.
Fourth Quarter
24 - 17
The Luchadores came out strong, opening the quarter with a long and methodical drive that ended with a touchdown punched in by Luchadores running back Spinelli. This was followed up by a McCoy interception that was picked off by Vranos that ended with the Luchadores trying things up with a field goal from kicker DerFisch.
Then it happened, a play that changed the game and put the Pythons ahead for good. A 37 yard touchdown from McCoy to Grau in a fairytale ending. The play was a perfect bookend to the McCoy and Grau era of the Pythons and the last points scored of the game. A play where Grau psyched out the defender so hard that he had over 10 yards of separation.
The game ended with the Pythons running out the clock and hoisting the Ultimini trophy. A bittersweet end of an era as many players moved on to the NSFL and GM PFTN moved on as well, but not before setting the single-season win record and winning the championship.
Mark Grau's Wide Open Touchdown Breakdown
At the time of the 37 yard wide open touchdown by McCoy and I there was a lot of confusion as to how I got so open, well it was pretty simple and something that had been building up all game. A simple hitch and go that was so perfectly executed it left Grau wide open as the cornerback Vranos tried to recover but couldn't match my speed.
I had sold him on the curl route all game, digging hard with a quick turn, forcing Vranos to play tight and cover the inside. Well on the play in question McCoy and I knew what we had been working towards all game, conditioning Vranos to bite on the curl route. We called a hot route with a wink and it was time.
Five yards out, plant left foot, turn my body hard to the right, nope not this time. A light look to the right after the left was planted and Vranos bit on the McCoy pump fake. He took a risk trying to jump the ball for a pick six but by the time he realized it I was already five yards down the field and he just doesn't have the speed to keep up. It led to an unheard of 10 yards of separation and a 27 yard dog walk into the end-zone.
So that's the story for everyone who didn't know what happened. Just a matter of winning the mental game and using my physical gifts to gain a significant advantage.
Time to light it up as a Yeti now!
Been a while since this game, but it took a while for the hype to calm down and for the game to be looked at with clear eyes - especially given my track record with a player on the Luchadores. With that said, it was an honor to play my last game with the Pythons and playing a key role on the team and in the game specifically. I'll get into the play in question after the game breakdown, but it was a magical season and I'm now ready to start my NSFL career as a running back for the Yeti.
With that being said, it's time to get into the breakdown of an incredibly exciting game that really was a battle for both teams from start to finish.
First Quarter
7 - 0 The first quarter was a monster quarter for the Pythons in terms of defense. AS a whole the defensive unit racked up five sacks with two coming from second year DSFL start Mason Brown, and one each from vet linebacker Creed Bratton, newcomer defensive end Young Spaghetti, and defensive end Zach Skinner. The Pythons were staunch on defense with one of the best defensive quarters I have ever seen in the DSFL.
The offense Pythons offense got things going as well on a drive carried by veteran Borro Gore making a catch and run for 35 yards assisted by a 22 yard rush by running back Michael Scott and capped off by Michael Scott for a five yard touchdown to finish the drive.
The Luchadores honestly looked lost in the first quarter despite holding the Pythons elite offense to only a touchdown. Many thought that this game was already in the bag for the Pythons. How could the Luchadores stand a chance with quarterback Pennington on the ground more than upright? Could the defense keep the Pythons offense from running wild?
Second Quarter
14 - 7 In the second quarter the Luchadores offensive line woke up and decided that they should actually protect their quarterback. The Pythons defense was unable to recapture the magic from the first quarter in terms of sacks and the frustration could be seen in penalties. The Pythons defense was able to step up though, as defensive back Shroeder was able to come up with a pick six off of Pennington. This put the Pythons up 14-0 and gave Pennington his first touchdown thrown in an Ultimini, unfortunately it was to the defense on a 35 yard pick 6 return.
On the very next drive the Pythons defense started to show some frustration in the lack of pressure on Pennington drawing two frustration penalties which led to Pennington connecting with Squanch on a 16 yard touchdown putting the Luchadores within one possession for the tie or lead.
When questioned later about the penalties Kevin Malone was quoted as saying, "They were mauling us out there, getting away with murder." Still, that's no excuse to draw a crucial face-masking penalty.
Third Quarter
17 - 7 Another quarter, and another defensive struggle, this time with the Luchadores getting to McCoy three times with the first sack being a strip sack by Rott. The only point came from the leg of Pythons kicker Simpson late in the third quarter.
Overall this was a forgettable quarter.
Fourth Quarter
24 - 17 The Luchadores came out strong, opening the quarter with a long and methodical drive that ended with a touchdown punched in by Luchadores running back Spinelli. This was followed up by a McCoy interception that was picked off by Vranos that ended with the Luchadores trying things up with a field goal from kicker DerFisch.
Then it happened, a play that changed the game and put the Pythons ahead for good. A 37 yard touchdown from McCoy to Grau in a fairytale ending. The play was a perfect bookend to the McCoy and Grau era of the Pythons and the last points scored of the game. A play where Grau psyched out the defender so hard that he had over 10 yards of separation.
The game ended with the Pythons running out the clock and hoisting the Ultimini trophy. A bittersweet end of an era as many players moved on to the NSFL and GM PFTN moved on as well, but not before setting the single-season win record and winning the championship.
Mark Grau's Wide Open Touchdown Breakdown
At the time of the 37 yard wide open touchdown by McCoy and I there was a lot of confusion as to how I got so open, well it was pretty simple and something that had been building up all game. A simple hitch and go that was so perfectly executed it left Grau wide open as the cornerback Vranos tried to recover but couldn't match my speed.
I had sold him on the curl route all game, digging hard with a quick turn, forcing Vranos to play tight and cover the inside. Well on the play in question McCoy and I knew what we had been working towards all game, conditioning Vranos to bite on the curl route. We called a hot route with a wink and it was time.
Five yards out, plant left foot, turn my body hard to the right, nope not this time. A light look to the right after the left was planted and Vranos bit on the McCoy pump fake. He took a risk trying to jump the ball for a pick six but by the time he realized it I was already five yards down the field and he just doesn't have the speed to keep up. It led to an unheard of 10 yards of separation and a 27 yard dog walk into the end-zone.
So that's the story for everyone who didn't know what happened. Just a matter of winning the mental game and using my physical gifts to gain a significant advantage.
Time to light it up as a Yeti now!
Code:
1005 Words, Ready for Grading![[Image: grau.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/370592568003788822/414919298327248929/grau.png)
WR/RB | Portland Pythons | Colorado Yeti Star RB | Awards Committee Member
![[Image: TBFYuND.png]](https://i.imgur.com/TBFYuND.png)
![[Image: cHAD.jpg]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/319945672310784010/405609245862658059/cHAD.jpg)
