New Talent: Write about which S8 trade will or did have the biggest impact in the playoffs. Can be written at any time depending on if you choose to write about who already has or who will do good
For me, the big trade that really pushed Yellowknife over the top on their way to their first championship title was the trade for LB Micah Hendrix. Together with rookie Chad Pennington and veteran superstar Boss Tweed, Micah turns the Wraiths’ LB core into a deadly unit. The team was already known for their defense, but this took them to another level. It’s no wonder that the team was so dominant this season.
Like any blockbuster trade, this one did come at a cost, but it was a price that YKW was willing to pay. And, honestly, it was one that they could afford to pay. YKW would give up their S10 2nd round pick, a relatively small price for an impact player like Hendrix. However, despite winning a championship in S7, Philadelphia has quickly faced a rebuild as the team soon imploded in the fact of their greatest achievement. Perhaps it was a clash of personalities or just an inability to deal with the newfound target on their backs, but Philly has chosen to prep for the future and it was seemingly clear that Hendrix was not part of those plans. The move granted the Wraiths someone who could get them closer to a championship of their own, a move that obviously paid off, while helping the Liberty put together the next generation of their team.
227 Words
Championship Game Recap: Do a recap of the best play from the championship game. Must be completed after the Championship Game
The NSFL S8 Championship was one that had a lot of eyes on it. Especially because, for the first time in the league’s history after S1, the league was guaranteed a new champion. On the NSFC side, we saw the return of the multiple time NSFC Champions, the Yellowknife Wraiths. YKW has been here before in S5 and S6, but they’ve never won it. They seemed destined to return in S7, but were upset by the Liberty, who went on to win it all. On the ASFC side, the Cinderella story of the New Orleans Second Line finally led them to this hallowed ground. The team trailed the Otters all season, but were otherwise dominant. And, when it mattered, they beat the ASFC’s #1 to win this spot. The Second Line had struggled for the entirety of their franchise, but the ownership has long had a plan in place and, against the critics’ predictions, that plan finally paid off, granting them their first winning season.
The game started off 0-3 in NOLA’s favor, but the Wraiths responded with a series of rushing Touchdowns in the first and second round, bringing it to 14-3. Rainey has been efficient all season and, unfortunately for New Orleans, they were unable to stop from putting together a lead that they never properly recovered from. NOLA WR Dustin Evans coordinated with QB Borkus Maximus to bring the score to 14-10 and keep the game alive. However, while YKW is renowned for its rushing capability, it remains a team that can strike from the air at any time and they proved it once again by following up early in the third quarter with a 36-yard Touchdown pass to WR Eric Kennedy, who hauled it for an 11-point lead, bringing the score to 21-10.. Each team would go on to score a field goal, but the two defenses held their ground and the Wraiths soon found themselves finally hoisting that trophy that they’ve been chasing for so long above their heads.
334 Words
Going to Disneyland!:Who was the Ultimus MVP? Give us a rundown of their celebratory trip to Disneyland. (Can be completed after the Ultimus game)
It’s become cliché and sometimes a bit of a reflex to simply name the QB as the MVP of the game, but there’s a reason for that. More than any other position, the QB carries the weight of the entire team on his shoulders. The entire offense is channeled through him. We’ve seen great teams struggle because of a QB having a bad season. So, in the case of YKW QB Mat Akselsen, I think this award is well-earned.
Akselsen didn’t have the best stat line in the world. To be fair, though, his stat line doesn’t tell the whole story. Since stepping into the role so long ago, he’s been praised for his versatility, a QB that can sling it in the air and keep teams guessing with a big rush on the ground. NOLA came prepared for the rushing attack, but Akselsen still made his throws count, totaling 20 completions for 335 yards and a 36-yard passing Touchdown that saw his favorite target Eric Kennedy find the end zone. Many have referred to Akselsen as the heart and soul of this team and, when they needed him, he certainly did his part to help the Wraiths secure that first championship.
202 Words
Unsung Hero:Who was the unsung hero of the playoffs, convince us. (Can be completed after the Ultimus game)
Though perhaps a few men could lay claim to a title like this, I choose to honor a man that doesn’t get the attention that he deserves, Yellowknife Wraiths’ CB Dermot Lavelle. Dermot has always been known for the long hours he puts in on the field and he has a reputation as a team player, but fans of otherwise have often found him to be polarizing. Nonetheless, the man is a great player and he proved it on championship day, walking away with 5 tackles, 2 pass deflections, and the only interception of the game. Considering the effectiveness of NOLA QB Borkus Maximus, it’s clear that this game could have easily been much closer if Dermot did not step up when his team needed him to do so. And, of course, that’s only the stats that we can track. The CBs are better known for the stats they prevent rather than the ones that show up in the box score. Dermot was able to keep NOLA’s Dustin Evans to only 81 yards, which is a rarity for a player that has put up over 1000 yards last season and averaged almost 17 yards a catch. In this case, hard work truly did pay off and we salute Dermot and all of his teammates for the effort that they put in this season.
223 Words
For me, the big trade that really pushed Yellowknife over the top on their way to their first championship title was the trade for LB Micah Hendrix. Together with rookie Chad Pennington and veteran superstar Boss Tweed, Micah turns the Wraiths’ LB core into a deadly unit. The team was already known for their defense, but this took them to another level. It’s no wonder that the team was so dominant this season.
Like any blockbuster trade, this one did come at a cost, but it was a price that YKW was willing to pay. And, honestly, it was one that they could afford to pay. YKW would give up their S10 2nd round pick, a relatively small price for an impact player like Hendrix. However, despite winning a championship in S7, Philadelphia has quickly faced a rebuild as the team soon imploded in the fact of their greatest achievement. Perhaps it was a clash of personalities or just an inability to deal with the newfound target on their backs, but Philly has chosen to prep for the future and it was seemingly clear that Hendrix was not part of those plans. The move granted the Wraiths someone who could get them closer to a championship of their own, a move that obviously paid off, while helping the Liberty put together the next generation of their team.
227 Words
Championship Game Recap: Do a recap of the best play from the championship game. Must be completed after the Championship Game
The NSFL S8 Championship was one that had a lot of eyes on it. Especially because, for the first time in the league’s history after S1, the league was guaranteed a new champion. On the NSFC side, we saw the return of the multiple time NSFC Champions, the Yellowknife Wraiths. YKW has been here before in S5 and S6, but they’ve never won it. They seemed destined to return in S7, but were upset by the Liberty, who went on to win it all. On the ASFC side, the Cinderella story of the New Orleans Second Line finally led them to this hallowed ground. The team trailed the Otters all season, but were otherwise dominant. And, when it mattered, they beat the ASFC’s #1 to win this spot. The Second Line had struggled for the entirety of their franchise, but the ownership has long had a plan in place and, against the critics’ predictions, that plan finally paid off, granting them their first winning season.
The game started off 0-3 in NOLA’s favor, but the Wraiths responded with a series of rushing Touchdowns in the first and second round, bringing it to 14-3. Rainey has been efficient all season and, unfortunately for New Orleans, they were unable to stop from putting together a lead that they never properly recovered from. NOLA WR Dustin Evans coordinated with QB Borkus Maximus to bring the score to 14-10 and keep the game alive. However, while YKW is renowned for its rushing capability, it remains a team that can strike from the air at any time and they proved it once again by following up early in the third quarter with a 36-yard Touchdown pass to WR Eric Kennedy, who hauled it for an 11-point lead, bringing the score to 21-10.. Each team would go on to score a field goal, but the two defenses held their ground and the Wraiths soon found themselves finally hoisting that trophy that they’ve been chasing for so long above their heads.
334 Words
Going to Disneyland!:Who was the Ultimus MVP? Give us a rundown of their celebratory trip to Disneyland. (Can be completed after the Ultimus game)
It’s become cliché and sometimes a bit of a reflex to simply name the QB as the MVP of the game, but there’s a reason for that. More than any other position, the QB carries the weight of the entire team on his shoulders. The entire offense is channeled through him. We’ve seen great teams struggle because of a QB having a bad season. So, in the case of YKW QB Mat Akselsen, I think this award is well-earned.
Akselsen didn’t have the best stat line in the world. To be fair, though, his stat line doesn’t tell the whole story. Since stepping into the role so long ago, he’s been praised for his versatility, a QB that can sling it in the air and keep teams guessing with a big rush on the ground. NOLA came prepared for the rushing attack, but Akselsen still made his throws count, totaling 20 completions for 335 yards and a 36-yard passing Touchdown that saw his favorite target Eric Kennedy find the end zone. Many have referred to Akselsen as the heart and soul of this team and, when they needed him, he certainly did his part to help the Wraiths secure that first championship.
202 Words
Unsung Hero:Who was the unsung hero of the playoffs, convince us. (Can be completed after the Ultimus game)
Though perhaps a few men could lay claim to a title like this, I choose to honor a man that doesn’t get the attention that he deserves, Yellowknife Wraiths’ CB Dermot Lavelle. Dermot has always been known for the long hours he puts in on the field and he has a reputation as a team player, but fans of otherwise have often found him to be polarizing. Nonetheless, the man is a great player and he proved it on championship day, walking away with 5 tackles, 2 pass deflections, and the only interception of the game. Considering the effectiveness of NOLA QB Borkus Maximus, it’s clear that this game could have easily been much closer if Dermot did not step up when his team needed him to do so. And, of course, that’s only the stats that we can track. The CBs are better known for the stats they prevent rather than the ones that show up in the box score. Dermot was able to keep NOLA’s Dustin Evans to only 81 yards, which is a rarity for a player that has put up over 1000 yards last season and averaged almost 17 yards a catch. In this case, hard work truly did pay off and we salute Dermot and all of his teammates for the effort that they put in this season.
223 Words
Thanks to Jangorhino for the sig.