NSFL Title Belt update after Season 22
![[Image: dLPLT1C.png]](https://i.imgur.com/dLPLT1C.png)
Season 22 has now concluded, which means another update to the NSFL Title Belt. With this season comes the addition of two new teams to the mix, but as you can see neither the Sailfish or Hahalua were able to get a hold of the belt at any point in their first season. Actually, neither team ever had a shot at the belt. This season is interesting as besides the one week the Wraiths got the belt the rest of the seasons it was held by the top four teams in the ASFC. The only team other than those four teams and the Wraiths that ever had a shot at the belt this season was the Hawks when they played the SaberCats in Week 6. Due to how the schedule played out every game besides that game and the two involving the Wraiths that had the belt on the line was played between the top 4 teams in the ASFC.
The Second Line coming off an Ultimus win in Season 21 started the season with the belt and successfully defended the belt against the SaberCats in a 23 to 14 victory that was very close throughout. If not for a late Forrest Gump touchdown it would’ve been a 3 point game with the SaberCats having a chance to take the lead or at least tie it late.
The next week the Otters traveled to New Orleans and for the majority of the game neither team could find the endzone. With 3 minutes left in the game the Second Line was up 9 to 6, but with 2:14 left on the clock future hall of fame quarterback Franklin Armstrong scored on a 13 yard rush that put the Otters up 13 to 9. New Orleans got the ball back and after a nice 11 yard rush from Toriki to start the drive it all went down hill. Francisco was sacked by Big Edd for an 11 yard loss to put them right back where the drive started and after an incomplete pass it was 3rd and 21 with 1:19 left on the clock. Stan Francisco knowing the game was on the line made a desperate pass attempt to Bona’beri Jones that was intercepted by Kacey Dream and returned for a touchdown to put the game out of reach and to give the Otters the belt back for the first time since week 12 of season 21.
The Otters traveled to Austin in week 3 and took care of business against the Copperheads thanks in large part to a 17 point 2nd quarter. In week 4 the Otters had a home game and I’m sure they felt confident at home against San Jose, but San Jose matched the Otters step for step in the first half. Going into the fourth quarter the Otters had a 3 point lead, but after a field goal tied the score Trey Staley got a pick six off of Franklin Armstrong with 8 minutes left that gave the SaberCats the lead and the defense was able to keep the Otters from scoring the rest of the game. This was the first time the SaberCats have had the belt since week 3 of season 21.
The SaberCats proceeded to play the Copperheads in week 5 and won a close one 28 to 23. In week 6 the SaberCats traveled to Baltimore and took on the Hawks who had a one point lead at half time, but that lead quickly went away in the 2nd half and the SaberCats won 22 to 13. In week 7 the SaberCats hosted the Wraiths and early on it looked the Wraiths would easily run away with it as they were up 15 to 7 at the half, but after two consecutive scores in the 3rd the SaberCats were within 6 points heading into the 4th. It wasn’t enough however as the Wraiths scored again and held onto the lead to take the belt back that they lost in the Ultimus title game to the Second Line.
They wouldn’t hold onto the belt for more than a week though as the Second Line came to Yellowknife and had an epic battle with the Wraiths. This was the first time in I think 9 seasons that the Second Line had beat the Wraiths in the regular season. After getting the belt back the Second Line traveled to San Jose in what everyone thought would be a tough battle against a very good SaberCats team, but the Second Line held the SaberCats to just 10 points and won 24 to 10.
Unfortunately for the Second Line they had to travel to Orange County the next week to face their nemesis the Otters and that game did not go well at all for the Second Line as they gave up 17 points in the first quarter and lost 33 to 16. The Otters only held onto the belt for the one week though as Austin came to town and won in come from behind fashion as they scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to win 28 to 20 and take the belt in week 11.
Austin successfully defended the belt in week 12 on the road against the Second Line that saw the Second Line just completely break down and only score 6 points at home. An abysmal performance that saw the Second Line coach go on an epic rant in the locker room after the game (see my NOLA Game Balls article for more details on this rant).
In week 13 the Copperheads and SaberCats faced off in what would be not only a win and your in scenario for the playoffs but also to see which team would possess the belt going into the playoffs. The Copperheads at home had the advantage and they used it to their fullest extent outsourcing the SaberCats 29 to 7 in the first 3 quarters.
The Copperheads hosted the Second Line in the wildcard round and this was a much better game than the week 12 debacle. New Orleans had a great first half going into the locker room up 21 to 17 in what was a close game throughout. The Copperheads took their first lead early in the 3rd quarter, but a Herbert Prohaska field goal tied it up at the end of the quarter, so it was 24 to 24 heading into the fourth. The Second Line took the lead with another field goal early in the quarter, but the Copperheads quickly responded with a field goal of their own to tie it again with just under 9 minutes remaining. After a Grayson Kuusela sack caused a quick 3 and out for the Second Line the Copperheads got the ball in their own territory after a really short punt from Prohaska. They rushed the ball 8 times in a row and the Second Line couldn’t keep Ryan Leaf Jr. from the endzone as the Copperheads took the lead with 4:13 to go. The Second Line had a nice drive getting all the way to the 33 yard line, but couldn’t convert a 4th and 5 and that was the game.
The Copperheads held onto the belt and had to travel to Orange County to take on the Otters in the ASFC Championship game. The Otters came out fast and scored three touchdowns in the first quarter, all of them long receiving touchdowns. First Mongo had a 51 yard touchdown, then Phillips had a 29 yard touchdown, and near the end of the quarter Trunks had a 38 yard touchdown. I’ve never seen anything like that. Orange County continued their dominance at the beginning of the second quarter with a safety and a Bigby rushing touchdown to make it 30 to 0 with 9:54 remaining in the second quarter. The Copperheads wouldn’t give up so easily though as they came back and scored three touchdowns in a row at the end of the second to make the score 30 to 21 at the half. They couldn’t keep their momentum going in the second half as Orange County quickly scored 10 more points in the 3rd and at that point the game was basically out of reach. If not for that disastrous first quarter the Copperheads might have been able to pull it off, but the Otters take the belt back and now are playing in the Ultimus against the Yeti for all the marbles.
Wow, what an incredible Ultimus championship game. For the majority of the game it looked like the Otters would run away with an easy victory, but the Yeti had a different idea. They slowly but surely chipped away at the lead and about halfway through the fourth quarter they scored a touchdown with the two point conversion to make it a 21 to 18 point game. The Otters marched down the field and it started to look like they were going to score the game sealing touchdown, but with just over 4 minutes remaining they settled for a field goal to increase their lead to 6. The Yeti then drove down the field thanks to some big pass plays and with under a minute left scored a touchdown with the extra point to go up 25 to 24. The Otters ran out of time and the Yeti take home the Ultimus as well as the NSFL Title Belt in one of the most thrilling Ultimus games I've seen. Congrats to the Yeti.
Season 22 has now concluded, which means another update to the NSFL Title Belt. With this season comes the addition of two new teams to the mix, but as you can see neither the Sailfish or Hahalua were able to get a hold of the belt at any point in their first season. Actually, neither team ever had a shot at the belt. This season is interesting as besides the one week the Wraiths got the belt the rest of the seasons it was held by the top four teams in the ASFC. The only team other than those four teams and the Wraiths that ever had a shot at the belt this season was the Hawks when they played the SaberCats in Week 6. Due to how the schedule played out every game besides that game and the two involving the Wraiths that had the belt on the line was played between the top 4 teams in the ASFC.
The Second Line coming off an Ultimus win in Season 21 started the season with the belt and successfully defended the belt against the SaberCats in a 23 to 14 victory that was very close throughout. If not for a late Forrest Gump touchdown it would’ve been a 3 point game with the SaberCats having a chance to take the lead or at least tie it late.
The next week the Otters traveled to New Orleans and for the majority of the game neither team could find the endzone. With 3 minutes left in the game the Second Line was up 9 to 6, but with 2:14 left on the clock future hall of fame quarterback Franklin Armstrong scored on a 13 yard rush that put the Otters up 13 to 9. New Orleans got the ball back and after a nice 11 yard rush from Toriki to start the drive it all went down hill. Francisco was sacked by Big Edd for an 11 yard loss to put them right back where the drive started and after an incomplete pass it was 3rd and 21 with 1:19 left on the clock. Stan Francisco knowing the game was on the line made a desperate pass attempt to Bona’beri Jones that was intercepted by Kacey Dream and returned for a touchdown to put the game out of reach and to give the Otters the belt back for the first time since week 12 of season 21.
The Otters traveled to Austin in week 3 and took care of business against the Copperheads thanks in large part to a 17 point 2nd quarter. In week 4 the Otters had a home game and I’m sure they felt confident at home against San Jose, but San Jose matched the Otters step for step in the first half. Going into the fourth quarter the Otters had a 3 point lead, but after a field goal tied the score Trey Staley got a pick six off of Franklin Armstrong with 8 minutes left that gave the SaberCats the lead and the defense was able to keep the Otters from scoring the rest of the game. This was the first time the SaberCats have had the belt since week 3 of season 21.
The SaberCats proceeded to play the Copperheads in week 5 and won a close one 28 to 23. In week 6 the SaberCats traveled to Baltimore and took on the Hawks who had a one point lead at half time, but that lead quickly went away in the 2nd half and the SaberCats won 22 to 13. In week 7 the SaberCats hosted the Wraiths and early on it looked the Wraiths would easily run away with it as they were up 15 to 7 at the half, but after two consecutive scores in the 3rd the SaberCats were within 6 points heading into the 4th. It wasn’t enough however as the Wraiths scored again and held onto the lead to take the belt back that they lost in the Ultimus title game to the Second Line.
They wouldn’t hold onto the belt for more than a week though as the Second Line came to Yellowknife and had an epic battle with the Wraiths. This was the first time in I think 9 seasons that the Second Line had beat the Wraiths in the regular season. After getting the belt back the Second Line traveled to San Jose in what everyone thought would be a tough battle against a very good SaberCats team, but the Second Line held the SaberCats to just 10 points and won 24 to 10.
Unfortunately for the Second Line they had to travel to Orange County the next week to face their nemesis the Otters and that game did not go well at all for the Second Line as they gave up 17 points in the first quarter and lost 33 to 16. The Otters only held onto the belt for the one week though as Austin came to town and won in come from behind fashion as they scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to win 28 to 20 and take the belt in week 11.
Austin successfully defended the belt in week 12 on the road against the Second Line that saw the Second Line just completely break down and only score 6 points at home. An abysmal performance that saw the Second Line coach go on an epic rant in the locker room after the game (see my NOLA Game Balls article for more details on this rant).
In week 13 the Copperheads and SaberCats faced off in what would be not only a win and your in scenario for the playoffs but also to see which team would possess the belt going into the playoffs. The Copperheads at home had the advantage and they used it to their fullest extent outsourcing the SaberCats 29 to 7 in the first 3 quarters.
The Copperheads hosted the Second Line in the wildcard round and this was a much better game than the week 12 debacle. New Orleans had a great first half going into the locker room up 21 to 17 in what was a close game throughout. The Copperheads took their first lead early in the 3rd quarter, but a Herbert Prohaska field goal tied it up at the end of the quarter, so it was 24 to 24 heading into the fourth. The Second Line took the lead with another field goal early in the quarter, but the Copperheads quickly responded with a field goal of their own to tie it again with just under 9 minutes remaining. After a Grayson Kuusela sack caused a quick 3 and out for the Second Line the Copperheads got the ball in their own territory after a really short punt from Prohaska. They rushed the ball 8 times in a row and the Second Line couldn’t keep Ryan Leaf Jr. from the endzone as the Copperheads took the lead with 4:13 to go. The Second Line had a nice drive getting all the way to the 33 yard line, but couldn’t convert a 4th and 5 and that was the game.
The Copperheads held onto the belt and had to travel to Orange County to take on the Otters in the ASFC Championship game. The Otters came out fast and scored three touchdowns in the first quarter, all of them long receiving touchdowns. First Mongo had a 51 yard touchdown, then Phillips had a 29 yard touchdown, and near the end of the quarter Trunks had a 38 yard touchdown. I’ve never seen anything like that. Orange County continued their dominance at the beginning of the second quarter with a safety and a Bigby rushing touchdown to make it 30 to 0 with 9:54 remaining in the second quarter. The Copperheads wouldn’t give up so easily though as they came back and scored three touchdowns in a row at the end of the second to make the score 30 to 21 at the half. They couldn’t keep their momentum going in the second half as Orange County quickly scored 10 more points in the 3rd and at that point the game was basically out of reach. If not for that disastrous first quarter the Copperheads might have been able to pull it off, but the Otters take the belt back and now are playing in the Ultimus against the Yeti for all the marbles.
Wow, what an incredible Ultimus championship game. For the majority of the game it looked like the Otters would run away with an easy victory, but the Yeti had a different idea. They slowly but surely chipped away at the lead and about halfway through the fourth quarter they scored a touchdown with the two point conversion to make it a 21 to 18 point game. The Otters marched down the field and it started to look like they were going to score the game sealing touchdown, but with just over 4 minutes remaining they settled for a field goal to increase their lead to 6. The Yeti then drove down the field thanks to some big pass plays and with under a minute left scored a touchdown with the extra point to go up 25 to 24. The Otters ran out of time and the Yeti take home the Ultimus as well as the NSFL Title Belt in one of the most thrilling Ultimus games I've seen. Congrats to the Yeti.
![[Image: Untitled-1.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/648139102855888899/948346452843839508/Untitled-1.png)
![[Image: Award_Card_Template_-_S26_DPOY.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/721761354846961716/815756424684503110/Award_Card_Template_-_S26_DPOY.png)
[OPTION]Height: 6'1"
[OPTION]Weight: 195 lbs.
[OPTION]Birthplace: Raleigh, NC
[OPTION]Number: 22
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[OPTION]Career Stats
[OPTION]G || Tck || TFL || FF/FR || Sck || Int || PD || TD
[OPTION]141 || 597 || 1 || 5/1 || 6 || 30 || 163 || 3
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[OPTION]Playoff Stats
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[OPTION]Awards
[OPTION]S26 Defensive Player of the Year, S26 CB of the Year,
[OPTION]S23 Defensive Breakout Player, S23 Defensive Performance
[OPTION]Pro Bowls: S22, S26
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![[Image: rqph9tT.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/rqph9tT.jpg)
![[Image: 6HEXEeb.png]](https://i.imgur.com/6HEXEeb.png)
