Tier 1 long form task (800+ words), topic #2 - 10 TPE!
(WC = 1,035)
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Who doesn’t love watching a team without a bye advance all the way to the final game of the playoffs? What about two bye-less teams upsetting the top seeds in their divisions to face off for the Ultimus title? Let’s rewind to Season 21 of the NSFL and relive the playoffs cycle that led to a head-to-head match-up between the New Orleans Second Line and the Yellowknife Wraiths in the Ultimus.
Quarterfinals:
In the NSFC, the Baltimore Hawks lead the division going into the playoffs with a 9-4-0 record, securing a bye with their highest seed. So for quarterfinals week, the Colorado Yeti, at second in the division with an 8-5-0 record, is hosting the 7-6-0 Wraiths. In the regular season, the Wraiths lost to the Yeti both times they matched up, with a final score of 34-24 while away in Colorado in week 5 and a final score of 19-13 while home in Yellowknife in week 9. The Yeti, with their better season record, their two previous victories, and their home field advantage for the wildcard game, are the clear favorites to win the match. But the Wraiths have come to play and they keep pace with the Yeti in the first half of the game, which is tied up at 13-13 when both teams retire to the locker room for half time. It is during this halftime that something happens to tip the scales in the favor of the underdog away team, who puts up a beautiful defensive display, holding the Yeti to a scoreless second half with multiple three and outs. The offense secures a touchdown at the end of the third quarter, and the Yeti is never able to recover. The Wraiths win it 26-13.
In the ASFC, the Orange County Otters lead the division and secure a bye with a 10-3-0 record. So for quarterfinals week, the New Orleans Second Line, at second in the NSFC with a 9-4-0 record, is hosting the Austin Copperheads at 7-6-0. The Second Line is the favorite with home field advantage and two regular season wins in matchups against the Copperheads in weeks 1 (home) and 8 (away). The Copperheads are not a team to be underestimated, as they are the returning Ultimus champions from Season 21 and they open the game with a drive down the field ending in a field goal. Despite having points on the board first, the Copperheads quickly lose the lead to a Second Line drive for a touchdown. The lead passes back and forth in the first half, which ends with the Second Line leading 13-10. The second half starts slowly, with neither team making it to the red zone until the Second Line scores another touchdown, giving them a two-score cushion. Despite a late fourth quarter touchdown in response, the Copperheads are unable to rally a rebuttal and fall to the Second Line 23-17.
Semifinals:
Now it is semifinals week and in the NSFC and the well-rested Hawks are hosting the Wraiths. While the Hawks and Wraiths went 1 and 1 in their head-to-head matchups in the regular season, with their better record and home field advantage, the Hawks are the favorites for this division championship. The game starts with a scoreless first quarter, but as the second quarter starts the Wraiths drive for a field goal. This begins an onslaught of scoring drives from the Wraiths, who put up 24 unanswered points against a bewildered Hawks team. The Hawks finally muster a field goal right before halftime, but the Wraiths head to the locker room with a comfortable 24-3 lead. It takes the Hawks a while to regroup, with most of the third quarter remaining scoreless. As the 4th quarter approaches, the Hawks drive for another field goal, and keep up that momentum to go 16-0 for the half. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to overcome the Wraiths’ halftime lead and the Hawks fall to the away team 24-19.
In the ASFC, the Otters, with the best record in the league, host the Second Line for the division championship game. These teams have met up twice in the regular season in the run-up to the playoffs, going 1 and 1 with the away team coming out the victor both times. So this could be anyone’s game! Indeed, it is a back-and-forth contest with the Second Line taking an early lead, but the Otters closing the gap in the second half. With a touchdown with one minute left to go, the Otters tie it up 24-24. With a clutch sack, the Otters hold the Second Line scoreless until the end of the forth quarter, sending the game into overtime . The Second Line receive the ball to start and drive for a field goal. The Otters are unable to mount a response and the game ends 27-24, sending the New Orleans away team to the Ultimus.
Ultimus:
The stage is set and it is time for the Ultimus match with the Second Line hosting the Wraiths. The last time these two teams faced off in the Ultimus was in Season 8, when the Wraiths took the title 24-13. Despite their home field advantage, the Second Line have not been to a final game since they won the title back in Season 11. The Wraiths, on the other hand, are veterans of the Ultimus field having appeared in the last three Ultimus games (without a trophy to show for it). Furthermore, only a few weeks ago, the Wraiths secured a clutch away victory 32-29 over the Second Line in the regular season.
The game begins and it is not long before it becomes clear that the Wraiths are destined to be runner-up for the fourth year in a row. By the end of the first quarter, the Second Line is up two touchdowns and they take the lead to 17-0 by halftime. While the Wraiths play a closer game in the second half, with successful scoring drives, they are unable to stop the Second Line from continuing to put points on the board. The game ends in a disappointing loss for the embattled Wraiths and, with a final score of 33-13, the Second Line take the Season 21 trophy.
(WC = 1,035)
--------------------------------------------------------
Who doesn’t love watching a team without a bye advance all the way to the final game of the playoffs? What about two bye-less teams upsetting the top seeds in their divisions to face off for the Ultimus title? Let’s rewind to Season 21 of the NSFL and relive the playoffs cycle that led to a head-to-head match-up between the New Orleans Second Line and the Yellowknife Wraiths in the Ultimus.
Quarterfinals:
In the NSFC, the Baltimore Hawks lead the division going into the playoffs with a 9-4-0 record, securing a bye with their highest seed. So for quarterfinals week, the Colorado Yeti, at second in the division with an 8-5-0 record, is hosting the 7-6-0 Wraiths. In the regular season, the Wraiths lost to the Yeti both times they matched up, with a final score of 34-24 while away in Colorado in week 5 and a final score of 19-13 while home in Yellowknife in week 9. The Yeti, with their better season record, their two previous victories, and their home field advantage for the wildcard game, are the clear favorites to win the match. But the Wraiths have come to play and they keep pace with the Yeti in the first half of the game, which is tied up at 13-13 when both teams retire to the locker room for half time. It is during this halftime that something happens to tip the scales in the favor of the underdog away team, who puts up a beautiful defensive display, holding the Yeti to a scoreless second half with multiple three and outs. The offense secures a touchdown at the end of the third quarter, and the Yeti is never able to recover. The Wraiths win it 26-13.
In the ASFC, the Orange County Otters lead the division and secure a bye with a 10-3-0 record. So for quarterfinals week, the New Orleans Second Line, at second in the NSFC with a 9-4-0 record, is hosting the Austin Copperheads at 7-6-0. The Second Line is the favorite with home field advantage and two regular season wins in matchups against the Copperheads in weeks 1 (home) and 8 (away). The Copperheads are not a team to be underestimated, as they are the returning Ultimus champions from Season 21 and they open the game with a drive down the field ending in a field goal. Despite having points on the board first, the Copperheads quickly lose the lead to a Second Line drive for a touchdown. The lead passes back and forth in the first half, which ends with the Second Line leading 13-10. The second half starts slowly, with neither team making it to the red zone until the Second Line scores another touchdown, giving them a two-score cushion. Despite a late fourth quarter touchdown in response, the Copperheads are unable to rally a rebuttal and fall to the Second Line 23-17.
Semifinals:
Now it is semifinals week and in the NSFC and the well-rested Hawks are hosting the Wraiths. While the Hawks and Wraiths went 1 and 1 in their head-to-head matchups in the regular season, with their better record and home field advantage, the Hawks are the favorites for this division championship. The game starts with a scoreless first quarter, but as the second quarter starts the Wraiths drive for a field goal. This begins an onslaught of scoring drives from the Wraiths, who put up 24 unanswered points against a bewildered Hawks team. The Hawks finally muster a field goal right before halftime, but the Wraiths head to the locker room with a comfortable 24-3 lead. It takes the Hawks a while to regroup, with most of the third quarter remaining scoreless. As the 4th quarter approaches, the Hawks drive for another field goal, and keep up that momentum to go 16-0 for the half. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to overcome the Wraiths’ halftime lead and the Hawks fall to the away team 24-19.
In the ASFC, the Otters, with the best record in the league, host the Second Line for the division championship game. These teams have met up twice in the regular season in the run-up to the playoffs, going 1 and 1 with the away team coming out the victor both times. So this could be anyone’s game! Indeed, it is a back-and-forth contest with the Second Line taking an early lead, but the Otters closing the gap in the second half. With a touchdown with one minute left to go, the Otters tie it up 24-24. With a clutch sack, the Otters hold the Second Line scoreless until the end of the forth quarter, sending the game into overtime . The Second Line receive the ball to start and drive for a field goal. The Otters are unable to mount a response and the game ends 27-24, sending the New Orleans away team to the Ultimus.
Ultimus:
The stage is set and it is time for the Ultimus match with the Second Line hosting the Wraiths. The last time these two teams faced off in the Ultimus was in Season 8, when the Wraiths took the title 24-13. Despite their home field advantage, the Second Line have not been to a final game since they won the title back in Season 11. The Wraiths, on the other hand, are veterans of the Ultimus field having appeared in the last three Ultimus games (without a trophy to show for it). Furthermore, only a few weeks ago, the Wraiths secured a clutch away victory 32-29 over the Second Line in the regular season.
The game begins and it is not long before it becomes clear that the Wraiths are destined to be runner-up for the fourth year in a row. By the end of the first quarter, the Second Line is up two touchdowns and they take the lead to 17-0 by halftime. While the Wraiths play a closer game in the second half, with successful scoring drives, they are unable to stop the Second Line from continuing to put points on the board. The game ends in a disappointing loss for the embattled Wraiths and, with a final score of 33-13, the Second Line take the Season 21 trophy.