Task 13
As we approach kickoff of the S29 season, let's take a look at some of the favourites for the Ultimus and some of the not so favourites. First off, we start with the reigning champions Berlin. 4 seasons after coming into existence, they've finally hit their peak. With the vast majority of their roster made up of S22 players, they've enjoyed very little regression up until now, but just received the first batch of it last season, so it's now or never if they want to grab a 2nd title.
Looking over at the ASFC and Arizona look the most likely to meet Berlin in the S29 Ultimus. With a solid core that was formed from the S24/25 drafts, the Outlaws are just now hitting their peak. And with a ton of depth from previous drafts, they could be a mighty force for a long time to come. They'll have to duke it out with the youthful Honolulu as they look to keep their playoff streak alive.
And in the NSFC, who is likely to make a challenge to Berlin this season? They've experienced a couple of tough years since their dominance previously, but Colorado and Sarasota could be primed for a resurgence. Both teams struggled as their QB continued to find their feet in the ISFL, but both sides are looking to pick up where they left off just a few seasons ago.
One side that might be ready for a comeback are the Yellowknife Wraiths. The aging stars of old have passed the torch to a new breed who are just now starting to approach their peak. the NSFC is the toughest division in the league at the moment, but the Wraiths might be on their way back to the top.
And what of the league's newest teams, Tokyo Tanuki and Singapore Sun Bears? Both suffered tricky seasons, with Tokyo receiving the 1OA for the second year in a row and taking Dermot Lavelle III. Having drafted young, they believe they might be able to snatch one of the 8 playoff spots up for grabs, but are realistic in that their peak is likely a few seasons away still. Singapore might be a little more bullish. They were the better team last season, but just missed out on the playoffs with their 1st expansion pick Joseph Petrongolo leading the league in rushing. Having avoided regression, they'll be expecting to make it to their first postseason this time around.
Task 16
If there's one player deserving of an award from the Berlin Fire Salamanders debut season, it's star kicker Karmichael Hunt. Over the course the S25 season, only 3 kickers were 100% on all field goals. One joined NOLA halfway through the season and of the other two, Hunt attempted and completed the most, with 27. It's not like they were chip shots either. 2 were from 50+, including a monster 56 yarder, and 9 were from 40-49. One of the most memorable moments of the season was in their first ever game against NY. Hunt scored a Field Goal to put Berlin in the lead with just 41 seconds to play, earning them a huge victory in their debut game. The one blotch to Hunt's name, and the reason it might be a tough ask to take home the award, is two missed extra points.
Looking at the competition for KotY, it seems like the biggest challenge will be from Honolulu's Venus Powers, who was a perfect 49/49 from extra points and missed just one field goal for the year. The insane volume of kicks she was asked to convert combined with an impressive hit rate means this is likely hers to lose, but being from the ASFC, I would expect Hunt to at least win the starting job in the Pro Bowl for the NSFC lineup.
Task 18
My favourite game of the season was the aforementioned debut game for both Berlin and New York. It was a rusty start, with the first 3 attempts at a play resulting in penalties: Illegal Motion, Tripping and too many men on the field.
Berlin got the upper hand early on, as Asher Quinn returned an interception to the house after less than 4 minutes on the team. But immediately afterwards, Ashley Owens returned NY's first ever kick return 107 yards to tie the game.
The next few drives for both teams were fairly cagey. Berlin came away with two field goals before a long New York drive resulted in a Snyder touchdown to edge into the lead.
Into the second half, and New York again put together a very long drive to take them into the redzone and then into the endzone. Thankfully for Berlin, Smalls missed the extra point, leaving it as a 7 point game. A few punts back and forth and it was Berlin's turn to string together a long run, capping off a sequence of 8 straight runs with a 20 yard pass to Dre Matthews to tie the game.
The momentum was with Berlin now heading into the 4th quarter. Petrongolo got on the scoreboard to give Berlin the lead, but with just 5 minutes to go, QB Kaepercolin made a crucial error, throwing an interception that was taken to the house to tie it up once more.
However, it was Berlin that would have the last laugh, stringing together a drive that ended with a Karmichael Hunt gamewinning field goal with just 41 seconds to go, handing Berlin their first ever victory.
As we approach kickoff of the S29 season, let's take a look at some of the favourites for the Ultimus and some of the not so favourites. First off, we start with the reigning champions Berlin. 4 seasons after coming into existence, they've finally hit their peak. With the vast majority of their roster made up of S22 players, they've enjoyed very little regression up until now, but just received the first batch of it last season, so it's now or never if they want to grab a 2nd title.
Looking over at the ASFC and Arizona look the most likely to meet Berlin in the S29 Ultimus. With a solid core that was formed from the S24/25 drafts, the Outlaws are just now hitting their peak. And with a ton of depth from previous drafts, they could be a mighty force for a long time to come. They'll have to duke it out with the youthful Honolulu as they look to keep their playoff streak alive.
And in the NSFC, who is likely to make a challenge to Berlin this season? They've experienced a couple of tough years since their dominance previously, but Colorado and Sarasota could be primed for a resurgence. Both teams struggled as their QB continued to find their feet in the ISFL, but both sides are looking to pick up where they left off just a few seasons ago.
One side that might be ready for a comeback are the Yellowknife Wraiths. The aging stars of old have passed the torch to a new breed who are just now starting to approach their peak. the NSFC is the toughest division in the league at the moment, but the Wraiths might be on their way back to the top.
And what of the league's newest teams, Tokyo Tanuki and Singapore Sun Bears? Both suffered tricky seasons, with Tokyo receiving the 1OA for the second year in a row and taking Dermot Lavelle III. Having drafted young, they believe they might be able to snatch one of the 8 playoff spots up for grabs, but are realistic in that their peak is likely a few seasons away still. Singapore might be a little more bullish. They were the better team last season, but just missed out on the playoffs with their 1st expansion pick Joseph Petrongolo leading the league in rushing. Having avoided regression, they'll be expecting to make it to their first postseason this time around.
Task 16
If there's one player deserving of an award from the Berlin Fire Salamanders debut season, it's star kicker Karmichael Hunt. Over the course the S25 season, only 3 kickers were 100% on all field goals. One joined NOLA halfway through the season and of the other two, Hunt attempted and completed the most, with 27. It's not like they were chip shots either. 2 were from 50+, including a monster 56 yarder, and 9 were from 40-49. One of the most memorable moments of the season was in their first ever game against NY. Hunt scored a Field Goal to put Berlin in the lead with just 41 seconds to play, earning them a huge victory in their debut game. The one blotch to Hunt's name, and the reason it might be a tough ask to take home the award, is two missed extra points.
Looking at the competition for KotY, it seems like the biggest challenge will be from Honolulu's Venus Powers, who was a perfect 49/49 from extra points and missed just one field goal for the year. The insane volume of kicks she was asked to convert combined with an impressive hit rate means this is likely hers to lose, but being from the ASFC, I would expect Hunt to at least win the starting job in the Pro Bowl for the NSFC lineup.
Task 18
My favourite game of the season was the aforementioned debut game for both Berlin and New York. It was a rusty start, with the first 3 attempts at a play resulting in penalties: Illegal Motion, Tripping and too many men on the field.
Berlin got the upper hand early on, as Asher Quinn returned an interception to the house after less than 4 minutes on the team. But immediately afterwards, Ashley Owens returned NY's first ever kick return 107 yards to tie the game.
The next few drives for both teams were fairly cagey. Berlin came away with two field goals before a long New York drive resulted in a Snyder touchdown to edge into the lead.
Into the second half, and New York again put together a very long drive to take them into the redzone and then into the endzone. Thankfully for Berlin, Smalls missed the extra point, leaving it as a 7 point game. A few punts back and forth and it was Berlin's turn to string together a long run, capping off a sequence of 8 straight runs with a 20 yard pass to Dre Matthews to tie the game.
The momentum was with Berlin now heading into the 4th quarter. Petrongolo got on the scoreboard to give Berlin the lead, but with just 5 minutes to go, QB Kaepercolin made a crucial error, throwing an interception that was taken to the house to tie it up once more.
However, it was Berlin that would have the last laugh, stringing together a drive that ended with a Karmichael Hunt gamewinning field goal with just 41 seconds to go, handing Berlin their first ever victory.