04-22-2019, 08:02 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-24-2019, 07:52 PM by Leafs4ever.)
Playoff Review
NSFC Championship: Philadelphia Liberty @ Baltimore Hawks
At the beginning of the season, most people anticipated this match up. The Hawks were the favourite to make it out of the NSFC and play in the Ultimus Game. The Hawks even loaded up at the deadline to ensure their place in that game. The Liberty had other ideas. With the Liberty losing their star running back, Marquise Brown, to Baltimore in the off-season, they shocked the NSFL world and beat the Hawks in Baltimore to advance to the Ultimus Game.
Philadelphia quarterback Adriana Falconi played the game of her life, leading the Liberty to the upset of the Hawks on the road. She threw for 394 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win. Her favourite targets happened to be everyone, but Batoff came up huge with 113 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the Hawks side, their prized free agent Marquise Brown came up huge for them, putting up 127 yards rushing with 2 touchdowns, but unfortunately everyone else didn't. This one hurts in Baltimore after going all in to make the Ultimus Game. Losing at home as a heavy favourite is a sour way to end your season. In Phildelphia, they are celebrating in the streets as they are off to play for the Ultimus Trophy.
FINAL: Liberty 31 Hawks 28
(214 words)
All about the QBs
The quarterback match up in this season's Ultimus Championship is a fascinating one. It pits the SaberCats' Joilet L. Christ against the Liberty's Adriana Falconi. Let's take a look at the match up.
In the regular season, they had very similar passing stats. Falconi threw for 4106 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Christ threw for 3438 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. The big difference between the two was that Falconi was asked to throw more than Christ, throwing 76 more times. While the passing stats are very similar between the two, a big gulf develops in their scrambling. On the season, Christ put up a ridiculous 814 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns. Falconi put up a measly 38 yards rushing and no touchdowns. That's an incredible gap in skill between the two.
In the two match ups against each other this season, the SaberCats won both by a combined score of 50-25. However, both quarterbacks had a good game and bad game. The defenses of both teams really played well. If I had to give an advantage to one, it's Joilet. The threat of running is real and the Liberty's defense has to be ready for it. That will open up the passing game for Christ and cause havok for Philadelphia. The SaberCats know what Falconi is going to do, stay in the pocket, or hand it off. It's an easier read for San Jose.
The dual threat ability of Joilet L. Christ gives San Jose the advantage in the quarterback battle.
(255 words)
Spotlight on Youth
An injection of youth can be a great thing to a team in the playoffs. Their energy and eagerness are a welcome addition on the field and on every championship team you can find one young player that made a big impact. In this year's playoffs, I believe you'll see that in SaberCats' cornerback Spencer Castle.
In just his second season in the NSFL, Castle was tasked with shutting down the opposing teams' wide receivers. I don't know how much San Jose expected from such a young player in such an important position, but I do know that Castle exceeded all expectations. Castle was instrumental in helping the SaberCats' post the best pass defence in the NSFL. The defence only gave up a league low 232 yards passing per game, which Castle helped with by shutting down any receiver he matched up with.
In 14 games with San Jose, he posted a league best 23 pass deflections. For such a young player, having been drafted in Season 13, it's ridiculous that he was able to keep up with some of the best wide receivers in the league. His ability to shadow routes, leap up to swipe the ball, and shut down these players was a huge boost to the defense. With his emergence, it helped San Jose to the number 1 defence in the league and to an upset of the Otters in the ASFC Championship Game.
Keep an eye out for Spencer Castle in this season's Ultimus Championship Game. Chances are he is going to cause fits for the Liberty's wide receivers and for their quarterback.
(267 words)
Our Time
Back in Season 12, the SaberCats had their coming out party. All of their young players had finally taken that step towards contender ship. They expected to compete, but winning the Ultimus was still something they thought was a season away. It would of been a pleasant surprise, and sure enough, they fell short in the ASFC Championship. Heading into Season 13, they felt it was their time. They tore through the regular season, going 12-2. However, the stumbled in the ASFC Championship again and failed to make the Ultimus Game.
Here we are, once again, with me proclaiming that it is the SaberCats year to finally win the Ultimus Trophy. While they didn't have the 12-2 record like the Season 13 team did, they did have a stronger roster from top to bottom. There was a lot of bad luck in their losses this season, but as a team played much better. This season, San Jose boasts the best defence in every category and gave up the least amount of points, giving up just 233 points in 14 games. To go along with the number one defense, they also bring the best rushing attack to the playoffs. These two things go hand in hand. With a potent rushing attack, the SaberCats can control the clock and the time of possession. With such a good defence, the opponents don't score a lot of points so they need as much time as possible. By controlling the time of possession, it severely hinders their opponents chance at getting enough points to win.
Even with all that, perhaps the biggest reason that it is finally San Jose's year, is because of the development of Joilet L. Christ into a terrifying dual threat. While Christ threw the ball with efficiency and safety, he also put up ridiculous rushing numbers. He rushed for 814 yards and 6 touchdowns. He basically became a quarterback and runningback all in one. Not only do teams have to defend his passes, they also have to be mindful of his feet. Commit to one area too much and he'll burn them the other way. It makes defending the SaberCats' offense a nightmare.
This season, it is finally time to crown the San Jose SaberCats Ultimus Champions.
(376 words)
NSFC Championship: Philadelphia Liberty @ Baltimore Hawks
At the beginning of the season, most people anticipated this match up. The Hawks were the favourite to make it out of the NSFC and play in the Ultimus Game. The Hawks even loaded up at the deadline to ensure their place in that game. The Liberty had other ideas. With the Liberty losing their star running back, Marquise Brown, to Baltimore in the off-season, they shocked the NSFL world and beat the Hawks in Baltimore to advance to the Ultimus Game.
Philadelphia quarterback Adriana Falconi played the game of her life, leading the Liberty to the upset of the Hawks on the road. She threw for 394 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win. Her favourite targets happened to be everyone, but Batoff came up huge with 113 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the Hawks side, their prized free agent Marquise Brown came up huge for them, putting up 127 yards rushing with 2 touchdowns, but unfortunately everyone else didn't. This one hurts in Baltimore after going all in to make the Ultimus Game. Losing at home as a heavy favourite is a sour way to end your season. In Phildelphia, they are celebrating in the streets as they are off to play for the Ultimus Trophy.
FINAL: Liberty 31 Hawks 28
(214 words)
All about the QBs
The quarterback match up in this season's Ultimus Championship is a fascinating one. It pits the SaberCats' Joilet L. Christ against the Liberty's Adriana Falconi. Let's take a look at the match up.
In the regular season, they had very similar passing stats. Falconi threw for 4106 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Christ threw for 3438 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. The big difference between the two was that Falconi was asked to throw more than Christ, throwing 76 more times. While the passing stats are very similar between the two, a big gulf develops in their scrambling. On the season, Christ put up a ridiculous 814 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns. Falconi put up a measly 38 yards rushing and no touchdowns. That's an incredible gap in skill between the two.
In the two match ups against each other this season, the SaberCats won both by a combined score of 50-25. However, both quarterbacks had a good game and bad game. The defenses of both teams really played well. If I had to give an advantage to one, it's Joilet. The threat of running is real and the Liberty's defense has to be ready for it. That will open up the passing game for Christ and cause havok for Philadelphia. The SaberCats know what Falconi is going to do, stay in the pocket, or hand it off. It's an easier read for San Jose.
The dual threat ability of Joilet L. Christ gives San Jose the advantage in the quarterback battle.
(255 words)
Spotlight on Youth
An injection of youth can be a great thing to a team in the playoffs. Their energy and eagerness are a welcome addition on the field and on every championship team you can find one young player that made a big impact. In this year's playoffs, I believe you'll see that in SaberCats' cornerback Spencer Castle.
In just his second season in the NSFL, Castle was tasked with shutting down the opposing teams' wide receivers. I don't know how much San Jose expected from such a young player in such an important position, but I do know that Castle exceeded all expectations. Castle was instrumental in helping the SaberCats' post the best pass defence in the NSFL. The defence only gave up a league low 232 yards passing per game, which Castle helped with by shutting down any receiver he matched up with.
In 14 games with San Jose, he posted a league best 23 pass deflections. For such a young player, having been drafted in Season 13, it's ridiculous that he was able to keep up with some of the best wide receivers in the league. His ability to shadow routes, leap up to swipe the ball, and shut down these players was a huge boost to the defense. With his emergence, it helped San Jose to the number 1 defence in the league and to an upset of the Otters in the ASFC Championship Game.
Keep an eye out for Spencer Castle in this season's Ultimus Championship Game. Chances are he is going to cause fits for the Liberty's wide receivers and for their quarterback.
(267 words)
Our Time
Back in Season 12, the SaberCats had their coming out party. All of their young players had finally taken that step towards contender ship. They expected to compete, but winning the Ultimus was still something they thought was a season away. It would of been a pleasant surprise, and sure enough, they fell short in the ASFC Championship. Heading into Season 13, they felt it was their time. They tore through the regular season, going 12-2. However, the stumbled in the ASFC Championship again and failed to make the Ultimus Game.
Here we are, once again, with me proclaiming that it is the SaberCats year to finally win the Ultimus Trophy. While they didn't have the 12-2 record like the Season 13 team did, they did have a stronger roster from top to bottom. There was a lot of bad luck in their losses this season, but as a team played much better. This season, San Jose boasts the best defence in every category and gave up the least amount of points, giving up just 233 points in 14 games. To go along with the number one defense, they also bring the best rushing attack to the playoffs. These two things go hand in hand. With a potent rushing attack, the SaberCats can control the clock and the time of possession. With such a good defence, the opponents don't score a lot of points so they need as much time as possible. By controlling the time of possession, it severely hinders their opponents chance at getting enough points to win.
Even with all that, perhaps the biggest reason that it is finally San Jose's year, is because of the development of Joilet L. Christ into a terrifying dual threat. While Christ threw the ball with efficiency and safety, he also put up ridiculous rushing numbers. He rushed for 814 yards and 6 touchdowns. He basically became a quarterback and runningback all in one. Not only do teams have to defend his passes, they also have to be mindful of his feet. Commit to one area too much and he'll burn them the other way. It makes defending the SaberCats' offense a nightmare.
This season, it is finally time to crown the San Jose SaberCats Ultimus Champions.
(376 words)