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+---- Thread: *Muddy's Matchup Review: S48 Week 1 (/showthread.php?tid=51476)
*Muddy's Matchup Review: S48 Week 1 - Muddym13 - 05-21-2024
Muddy's Matchup Review: Week 1 
Honolulu Hahalua (1-0) VS. 
Colorado Yeti (0-1)Game Summary
The first quarter was action-packed, with both teams putting points on the board early. Hahalua’s Stetson David opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run, quickly answered by a 43-yard field goal from the Yeti’s Cameron Oswald-Newton. The Yeti gained the lead with a 1-yard touchdown run by Swamp Maiden but missed the extra point. Lenard McRobinson connected with Brad Woof for a 31-yard touchdown pass to end the quarter, putting Hahalua up 14-9. In the second quarter, Hahalua’s Ray Baker extended the lead with a 47-yard field goal. The Yeti responded with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Preston Beatz to Tim Riggins, narrowing the gap. However, McRobinson’s 83-yard run for a touchdown just before halftime gave Hahalua a comfortable 24-16 lead going into the break. The third quarter saw Hahalua pulling further ahead with a 6-yard touchdown pass from McRobinson to Malik Brooks, increasing their lead to 31-16. The fourth quarter was a comeback attempt from the Yeti, starting with La'Fluke Paris-Johnson’s 8-yard touchdown reception from Beatz. Hahalua’s Stetson David then added another touchdown with a 1-yard run. The Yeti scored again with 16 seconds left, a 5-yard touchdown pass from Beatz to Dazen Guile, but it was too little, too late. The final score was Hahalua 38, Yeti 30.
Team Performances
Honolulu: The Hahalua offense was very effective on the ground, gaining a whopping total of 262 rushing yards, with McRobinson’s standout 83-yard run being a key highlight and a huge momentum gain for Honolulu. Though their passing game was less dominant, McRobinson managed two touchdown passes, but only 123 yards. The Hahalua defense was okay, but not great by any means as they let up 30 points and 358 total yards. They looked solid in the first three quarters, but the wheels fell off the bus a bit near the end giving up 14 points in the 4th quarter. That was almost the same amount they let up the whole game up to that point (16). Maxwell Jacob Friedman led the way with 11 tackles and 2 sacks. Hearty Harry and rookie TheGEICOCamel came up big in the secondary both securing an interception each. Strong start for the Hahalua as they will have a bit more of a challenge against the Silverbacks next week. Colorado: The Yeti’s offense was a flip of Honolulu's, as they were dominant in the passing game with 332 passing yards, but gaining only 26 yards on the ground. Beatz threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit as the offense turned up a little too late. The Yeti defense managed to contain the Hahalua’s passing game but was ineffective against the run, allowing over 8 yards per carry which ultimately killed the clock so there wasn't enough time to mount a comeback. If there was a positive to take away for Colorado, rookies on the defensive side (Strong, Collins, Beaty Jr.) seemed to fit in nicely all putting up a multiple tackle game. Overall, the Yeti seem to still be a bottom-tier team heading into this season.Muddy's Player of the Game
QB Lenard McRobinson (@shadyshoelace)Stats: 14/28 passing, 123 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT | 9 Att, 120 yards, 1 TD
Reason: McRobinson had a mixed day passing with 14 completions on 28 attempts for 123 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. However, his impact on the ground was the game-changer for Honolulu, with 9 carries for 120 yards and a crucial 83-yard touchdown run that shifted the momentum in Hahalua’s favor, I felt that McRobinson's impact was enough to earn him the first PotG of S48.
Sarasota Sailfish (1-0) VS. 
Berlin Fire Salamanders (0-1)Game Summary
The game started with a bang as the Sailfish's American Dream caught a 61-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tuna TurnDaBallOva just over three minutes into the first quarter. The Fire Salamanders quickly responded with a fumble return touchdown by Ignatious Cleetington, leveling the score. The first quarter ended with the Fire Salamanders leading 10-7 after a 53-yard field goal by Golden Foote. In the second quarter, the Sailfish regained the lead with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Willier Miller to Léopold Roy. The Fire Salamanders closed the half with another field goal from Golden Foote, making it 14-13 in favor of the Sailfish at halftime. The third quarter was a defensive battle, with the only points coming from a 27-yard field goal by Pete Moss for the Sailfish, extending their lead to 17-13. The fourth quarter saw the Sailfish pulling away, starting with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Ace Anderson. Although the Fire Salamanders managed a 21-yard field goal, the Sailfish sealed the game with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Sam Mercury, making the final score 31-16.
Team Performances
Sarasota: The Sailfish offense, led by quarterback Willier Miller, executed with expert precision, scoring 31 points despite only achieving 232 total yards. Miller's three touchdown passes were crucial, especially with Ace Anderson contributing both on the ground and through the air as the main target for both. Coming into the season, we knew The Sailfish defense was going to be dominant, and they seemed to have lived up to that hype in week 1. In particular, linebacker Ignatious Cleetington not only scored on a fumble return but also recorded two sacks and forced two fumbles. Their ability to capitalize on turnovers was pivotal. Although this game isn't against a top-tier team, Sarasota has to be excited to see how their season turns out if they keep playing at this level. Next week will be a fun game to watch as they play the Wraiths, who we all know can win any given week. Berlin: Like the story of many games last season, the Fire Salamanders' offensive was on fire as they racked up 427 total yards, with Tuna TurnDaBallOva throwing for 361 yards. However, their inability to convert yardage into touchdowns and costly turnovers wiped all those impressive stats away. No team is going to win by turning over the ball 4 times, so that will need to be addressed as quickly as they can. Despite keeping the yardage low, the Fire Salamanders' defense struggled to contain the Sailfish in critical moments, particularly in the red zone. Anytime a defense gives up 30+ points, it makes it hard to win games, so this trend cannot continue. Berlin has to try to bounce back from this performance, however, they have the Outlaws, Hawks, Crash, and Butchers in their next 4 games so good luck with that. Most likely going to be a winless start for Berlin going forward.Muddy's Player of the Game
LB Ignatious Cleetington (@110radio)Stats: 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 defensive touchdown, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries
Reason: I think the stats speak for themselves on this one. Dominant performance and easy choice here.
Orange County Otters (0-1) VS. 
New Orleans Secondline (1-0)Game Summary
NOLA came out swinging as the Secondline's Kyle Crane broke through with a 50-yard touchdown run just 3:06 into the game. The Otters responded with two field goals by King Leonidas I, closing the first quarter at 6-7. Secondline extended their lead with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Octavion Speedings to Thomas Passarelli at the very start of the second quarter. A 45-yard field goal by Jack Sloth further increased their lead, making it 17-6 by halftime. Both defenses stepped up in the third, resulting in a scoreless quarter with neither team able to capitalize on their possessions. The Otters narrowed the gap with a 36-yard field goal by King Leonidas I early in the fourth quarter. However, a game-sealing 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Ezra Azazel of the Secondline put the game out of reach, concluding the game at 24-9 in favor of the Secondline.
Team Performances
Orange County: Despite 260 passing yards, the Otters struggled to convert their drives into touchdowns. Their rushing game was almost non-existent with only 35 yards on 14 attempts. Being forced to be such a one-dimensional team makes it hard to win games. When it came to third-down opportunities, the Otters went 3/15, once again not being able to extend their drives. With no touchdowns in the game, Orange County has to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to get the offense going. The defense on the other hand managed to keep the game within reach until late in the fourth quarter. Standouts included Sunigh, and LeBayers, each contributing significant tackles and plays for the team. Orange County had a rough year last year despite starting strong, but it looks like it won't even be a strong start this time. They will have to turn things around next week in Austin and get the train rolling again. New Orleans: The Secondline balanced their attack well with 247 passing yards and a strong ground game led by Kyle Crane's 122 yards on 18 attempts. Can't really ask more from an offense that gets 391 total yards. The defense was also exceptional, highlighted by Ezra Azazel's interception return for a touchdown. Adebam, and Program, also contributed with sacks and pressures on the quarterback making Banning's first game of the season a tough one. With no touchdowns given up, NOLA was easily the most complete team this week. Going into the season, NOLA is one of the favorites to be in the Ultimus, and their performance today reinforced that. The next two weeks are gonna be a huge tone-setter for their season as they are playing the best two teams from last season, the Sabercats and Outlaws.Muddy's Player of the Game
RB Kyle Crane (@Ultimatedestroye)Stats: 18 attempts, 122 yards, 1 touchdown | 3 rec, 33 yards
Reason: Crane carried the ball 18 times for 122 yards, including a giant 50-yard touchdown run that set the tone for the game. His explosive running and ability to consistently gain yardage (6.8 YPC) kept the Otters' defense on the back foot throughout the game. Add in the 3 catches in the yard shows a complete game for Crane as he looks to have an MVP season on this stacked roster.
Yellowknife Wraiths (0-1) VS. 
Cape Town Crash (1-0)Game Summary
The Crash dominated the first half (and continued the whole game), starting strong with a 6-yard touchdown run by Nakiri Ayame at 7:03 in the first quarter, followed by a 3-yard touchdown run by Thor Bǫllrsveifla at 3:33. The Wraiths struggled to gain any offensive momentum, resulting in a scoreless first half for them. In the second quarter, the Crash extended their lead with a 20-yard field goal by Bob Kickerson and an 11-yard touchdown run by Thor Bǫllrsveifla. Another field goal from Kickerson closed the half, bringing the score to 27-0. The second half continued to be one-sided. The Crash scored early in the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Bǫllrsveifla to Dru Freduci. The Wraiths managed their only points of the game with a 56-yard field goal by Zenzeroni Xystarch II at 1:36 in the third quarter. The Crash sealed their victory with a 1-yard touchdown run by Hercules Henry in the fourth quarter. The Wraiths' offense remained ineffective against the Crash's defense.
Team Performances
Cape Town: The Crash’s offense was relentless, gaining a crazy 516 total yards, with 284 rushing yards and 232 passing yards! The balanced attack kept the Wraiths' defense on their heels throughout the game and there was nothing they did that did not work. When the Crash's offense is on, they are one of the most deadly in the league, but last season they struggled with consistency. We will see if the offense can keep it rolling next week against a much better Hawks defense. Their defense was also just as dominant, allowing only 9 first downs and forcing three turnovers and 3 total points. Justin Willis was a standout player, recording 10 tackles and 2 sacks helping lead the Crash to their opening-week win Yellowknife: Saying the Wraiths struggled offensively this week is a pretty big understatement, only managing 267 total yards. Their rushing game was almost non-existent with only 52 yards on 11 attempts, while their passing game, although better, couldn’t overcome the Crash's defense. Going 0/10 on third down is brutal, and if they want any chance of winning next week, it starts with looking at this offense as there was no momentum for the defense to feed off. The defense also just plain out couldn't contain the Crash’s offense, giving up 24 first downs and allowing over 500 yards. Claypool II managed an interception, but it was not enough to turn the tide. After the week, the Wraiths currently have the worst offense and defense in the league so not the start they wanted. Although, it's still earlier in the year and it might've just been a bad week, so I wouldn't write off the Wraiths just yet.Muddy's Player of the Game
RB Nakiri Ayame (@ValorX77)Stats: 13 attempts, 98 yards, 1 touchdown | 2 rec, 47 yards
Reason: Ayame’s impressive performance on the ground set the offensive tempo for the Crash, consistently gaining significant yardage and scoring an early touchdown that helped establish the lead. Their contributions were crucial to the team's dominant victory and deserve the PotG.
San Jose Sabercats (1-0) VS. 
Arizona Outlaws (0-1)Game Summary
The game began with a strong offensive performance by the Outlaws, who scored two quick touchdowns courtesy of Bertie Mannering-Phipps' 2-yard run and an 18-yard run. The SaberCats responded in-between with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Josh Patterson to Keanu Calhoun, making it 14-7 in favor of the Outlaws by the end of the quarter. The Outlaws continued their scoring in the second quarter, adding two field goals from Jayme Jayne Jay-Jaymison (28 yards and 20 yards), extending their lead to 20-7. The SaberCats struggled to gain momentum, failing to score in the third quarter. In fact, neither team managed to score in the third quarter, with defenses tightening up. The Outlaws' defense, led by DJ Maclean, who recorded a sack and two forced fumbles, played a crucial role in keeping the Outlaws at bay from running away. The SaberCats mounted an impressive comeback in the fourth quarter. Booter McGavin kicked two field goals (42 yards and 34 yards) to close the gap to 20-13. With two minutes remaining, Florida Man caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Josh Patterson, tying the game at 20-20. McGavin then nailed a 36-yard field goal with just one minute left, securing the SaberCats' 23-20 victory.
Team Performances
San Jose: Despite a slow start, SaberCats' offense came alive in the fourth quarter, led by quarterback Josh Patterson, but mostly by kicker Botter McGavin who had a total of 9 points in the fourth. With only 262 total yards, the Sabercats are lucky to sneak past with a win in this game and that's all thanks to their defense and special teams. SaberCats' defense stepped up in the second half, making crucial stops and forcing turnovers, particularly linebacker DJ Maclean who finished the game with 10 tackles, a sack, and 2 forced fumbles and recoveries. With 0 points allowed to the 2-time defending Outlaws in the second half, the Sabercats' defensive side of the ball has to be very happy with their performance. Too bad they couldn't do this in the Conference Championship (sorry too soon?). Arizona: Outlaws' offense started strong but faltered in the second half, unable to maintain their early lead. Scoring 20 points against the Sabercats is a great feat to do as their defense is usually one of the best in the league, however not doing anything in the second half isn't great. If they had scored just one more time, the game would've been won, so that is definitely a tough pill to swallow. Same as the offense, the Outlaws' defense struggled to contain SaberCats' offense in the second half, allowing key scoring drives to blow their 13-point lead. Overall, Arizona played pretty well considering their opponent and they will easily be a playoff team this year once again.Muddy's Player of the Game
K Booter McGavin (@ajtigger)Stats: 3 field goals made (42 yds, 34 yds, 36 yds) including game-winning field goal
Reason: McGavin's consistent performance in kicking field goals kept the Sabercats in the game, contributing significantly to their score and keeping the pressure on the Outlaws throughout the matchup. Acounting for 52% of his team's points including the game-winning field goal makes him the easy PotG.
New York Silverbacks (0-1) VS. 
Austin Copperheads (1-0)Game Summary
The Copperheads took an early lead in the first quarter with Soul King Brook catching a 17-yard pass from Jay Cue III for a touchdown. The Copperheads continued in the second quarter with Daniel Kenny securing two field goals, but Frank Dux’s 14-yard run for the Silverbacks kept the game close. The Silverbacks got two more field goals in the third quarter, tying the game at 13-13. However, in the fourth quarter, the Copperheads pulled ahead with Howard Coward’s 7-yard touchdown run, securing the victory 20-13.
Team Performances
New York: The Silverbacks’ offense struggled to find consistency throughout the game, managing only 211 total yards. Falco completed just 40.9% of his passes for 148 yards and threw one interception. Their rushing game also struggled throughout the game with a total of 63 yards and it wasn’t enough to establish control. The Silverbacks failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities, especially in the second half. Defensively, the Silverbacks had moments of brilliance but ultimately couldn’t contain the Copperheads' offense. They forced turnovers, including one interception, but allowed 366 total yards to the Copperheads. Linebacker Passiveman and safety Loose Cannon were standout performers, with Cannon making crucial plays, including two interceptions. However, the defense couldn’t consistently stop the Copperheads’ drives, especially in critical situations, leading to their eventual defeat. Overall, this was still a solid showing for the Silverbacks and they shouldn't feel too bad with a loss this week as there were many positives for the team. Austin: The Copperheads' offense showcased efficiency and versatility, totaling 366 yards. Jay Cue III was solid as he totaled 234 passing yards and one touchdown pass. However, Howard Coward was the offensive standout, rushing for 93 yards and a touchdown on 26 attempts, helping to make the offense a bit more versatile. Defensively, the Copperheads held the Silverbacks to just 211 yards and 13 points which is perfect to put your offense in the position to win a game. The Copperheads' defense stood tall when it mattered most, securing the victory for their team and helping to start their season off strong with a win.Muddy's Player of the Game
CB Trent Thigpen (@GrimmCrackers)Stats: 7 tackles, 1 ff and fr, 7 pass deflections
Reason: Thigpen has the air locked down for the Copperheads as they had a huge total of 7 pass deflections. There was no point throwing their way this game as pretty much every ball was ending up in the turf. Throw in 7 tackles and a forced fumble with a recovery makes Thigpen the easy player of the game.
Chicago Butchers (1-0) VS. 
Baltimore Hawks (0-1)Game Summary
The opening half of the game was all about defense. The Butchers struggled to find their rhythm offensively, failing to put any points on the board. Meanwhile, the Hawks capitalized only on one of their chances, securing a touchdown courtesy of Emile Charles' 1-yard reception from Wolfie McDummy Jr. Despite some promising drives, the Butchers couldn't convert, heading into halftime trailing 7-0. The Butchers emerged from the locker room with some new energy, coming out strong in the third. Led by Triceracop, the Butchers' offense clicked into gear, scoring 17 unanswered points. Triceracop's versatility was on full display as he found the end zone twice, once on a 22-yard pass from Penguin and then on an 11-yard rush. Additionally, David Doug's impressive 53-yard field goal extended their lead. However, the Hawks refused to go down without a fight, mounting a spirited rally in the final quarter. Despite the Butchers' stout defense, the Hawks managed to find the end zone, with Wolfie McDummy Jr. connecting with Reginald Shrubbery for a 17-yard touchdown pass. Nevertheless, the Butchers' lead proved insurmountable, as they held on for a hard-fought 24-17 victory.
Team Performances
Chicago: The Butchers entered the game struggling to find their rhythm in the first half. With no points scored, it didn't look like the best start for Chicago. However, the Butchers' offense exploded in the second half showcasing their versatility and explosiveness. Triceracop's exceptional performance, both as a rusher and receiver, propelled the Butchers to victory, while Painted Penguin provided the necessary leadership. Despite facing a strong Hawks defense, the Butchers' offensive unit found a way to dismantle their opponent to secure crucial points on the scoreboard. On the defensive side of the ball, the Butchers were equally impressive, led by standout cornerback Heiiajs D. Owidhuse. Owidhuse's exceptional playmaking ability, highlighted by his two interceptions, stifled the Hawks' passing attack and provided critical turnovers that swung the momentum in favor of the Butchers. Supported by a cohesive defensive front, including notable performances from linebackers and linemen, the Butchers' defense held firm in crucial moments, limiting the Hawks' scoring opportunities and preserving their lead. Overall, the Butchers' balanced performance on both offense and defense proved decisive in their victory. Chicago is looking to make its way back into the playoffs, this time ready to make some noise. Baltimore: The Hawks' offense showed some promise throughout the game, led by quarterback Wolfie McDummy Jr. and a talented receiving corps. McDummy Jr.'s ability to distribute the ball effectively and connect with his targets kept the Hawks in contention, despite facing a strong Butchers secondary. The Hawks' ground game, led by running backs such as Reginald Shrubbery and Skywalker, seemed to struggle a bit more only putting up 83 yards combined on 28 attempts. With two running backs of their caliber, I am sure you won't see them getting stopped like that many more times. Defensively, the Hawks managed to generate pressure at times and force a turnover but ultimately struggled to contain Triceracop and the Butchers' explosive playmakers. Despite their efforts, the Hawks' defense couldn't withstand the Butchers' second-half surge, conceding crucial points that proved decisive in the outcome of the game. I don't put all the blame on the Hawks' defense as they had little help from the offensive side of the ball, but it is still a huge blow to give up 3 touchdowns in a quarter. We'll see if the Hawks can bounce back next week against the Crash.Muddy's Player of the Game
CB Heiiajs D. Owidhuse (@firstfray)Stats: 9 tackles, 4 pass deflections, 2 interceptions
Reasons: Owidhuse was locking down the Hawks' receivers this week with 4 pass deflections and 2 huge interceptions that resulted in 2 touchdowns in the big third-quarter surge. With 9 tackles as well, Owidhuse was a big part of why the Butchers came away with the win this week.
Muddy's Power Rankings
- New Orleans Secondline (Last Week: N/A, Change: N/A)
- San Jose SaberCats (Last Week: N/A, Change: N/A)
- Cape Town Crash (Last Week: N/A, Change: N/A)
- Chicago Butchers (Last Week: N/A, Change: N/A)
- Sarasota Sailfish (Last Week: N/A, Change: N/A)
- Austin Copperheads (Last Week: N/A, Change: N/A)
- Honolulu Hahalua (Last Week: N/A, Change: N/A)
- Arizona Outlaws (Last Week: N/A, Change: N/A)
- Baltimore Hawks (Last Week: N/A, Change: N/A)
- New York Silverbacks (Last Week: N/A, Change: N/A)
- Colorado Yeti (Last Week: N/A, Change: N/A)
- Orange County Otters (Last Week: N/A, Change: N/A)
- Berlin Fire Salamanders (Last Week: N/A, Change: N/A)
- Yellowknife Wraiths (Last Week: N/A, Change: N/A)
RE: Muddy's Matchup Review: S48 Week 1 - JoeSteel - 05-21-2024
Crane keeping fantasy owners happy
RE: Muddy's Matchup Review: S48 Week 1 - Assistant to the POR GM - 05-21-2024
Wow lose Arizona the game and I still can’t get mentioned
RE: Muddy's Matchup Review: S48 Week 1 - wetwilleh - 05-21-2024
COL not last in the power rankings, lets go!
RE: Muddy's Matchup Review: S48 Week 1 - 110radio - 05-22-2024
hey thats me
RE: Muddy's Matchup Review: S48 Week 1 - Tmoney6996 - 05-22-2024
I'll get a shoutout from Muddy one of these days, but today is not that day!