(10-21-2024, 08:56 AM)Fangorn Wrote: Tier 1
1. The Season 50 Ultimus and Ultimini have officially come to an end. Congratulations to the the Bondi Beach Buccaneers and Baltimore Hawks for each winning their respective championships. How did each of the finalists in either the Ultimus or Ultimini arrive at the playoffs? Were there any teams that surprised or disappointed during the playoffs? Did the outcome of either championship game surprise you at all?


Man, what a wild ride it’s been. First off, hats off to the Baltimore Hawks - they came to play, and they snatched that Ultimus right out of our hands with that 34-27 finish. But let me tell you somethin’ - the Silverbacks ain’t goin’ nowhere. This was just the beginning, and this jungle troop? We’re only gonna get hungrier.

Let’s break this down for y’all. Coming into this season with the Silverbacks was like a breath of fresh air. New team, new attitude, and we came out hot - Week 1, first game, first touch, I took it 90 yards on a kickoff return. You think the Honolulu Hahalua knew what hit ‘em? Nah, not even close, but we let that one slip away. First game jitters or whatever, 31-20, but I knew I was in the right place. Week 2, first touchdown in the Silverbacks jersey against the Copperheads, and from there, we started rollin'.

By Week 5, we were 3-1-1, and I was leading the league in rushing yards and touchdowns. I ain't here to be modest, that’s just facts. We were slappin' teams left and right, takin’ down reigning champs like the New Orleans Second Line in a thriller 24-23, and I’m out here putting up 104 receiving yards and returning kicks like it’s child’s play.

But man, midseason hit, and we had some stumbles - Wraiths, Crash… they gave us some bumps. It wasn’t pretty, but we rallied. When you lose, it ain’t about gettin’ down, it’s about gettin’ back up. We hit the playoffs hungry after scraping past my old squad, the Otters, and clinching our spot against Austin. 9-6-1, third seed in the ASFC, and we were ready for war.

Arizona Outlaws in the first round? BOOM, 35-28. They thought they had us, but we ran through them like it was the Wild West and we were the stampede. And the Hahalua? Come on, man. We already made manta ray sushi once this season, so we did it again - 24-16, defense played lights out, and I got my revenge. That was personal. Honolulu had no answer, and that was us punchin' our ticket to Ultimus L.
Now, let’s talk about that final. We came in hot, started strong. I hit that end zone early, and we’re up 10-0. Baltimore? They looked shook. But like all great teams, they bounced back. Wolfie McDummy Jr. and their squad got into a rhythm, and we had ourselves a damn battle. It was punch for punch, and even though I posted 76 rushing yards, 34 receiving yards, a touchdown, and ran wild on special teams, it wasn’t enough. Anakin Skywalker hit us with that late-game TD, and Master Chief’s field goal sealed it. 34-27. Heartbreaker, man. Straight up.

But lemme tell y’all somethin’. We walked off that field with our heads high. This ain’t the end of the Silverbacks’ story - it’s just the start. We showed the world that we’re for real, that we can run with the best of ‘em. We turned around what people thought would be a shaky season and made a run to the Ultimus. And I ain’t done - not by a long shot. Next season? Oh, you better believe we’re comin' back stronger. I got a point to prove, especially after goin' up against guys like Reginald Shrubbery - dude tried to keep me out of the team my rookie year. Look at us now.

Now, were there surprises in the playoffs? Yeah. Nobody expected us to go this deep as the underdogs. But if there’s one team that disappointed, it’s the Arizona Outlaws. They had the hype, they had the record, but when it mattered most? They folded. The Hahalua look like they are gonna go toe to toe with us for the foreseeable and I respect that.

But this season? The Hawks earned that win, but I’m tellin' you right now - Season 51, we’re comin' for the crown. The jungle’s gonna roar louder than ever, and Hammerfall’s just gettin’ started. Stay tuned.