10-09-2022, 09:54 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-09-2022, 09:54 AM by Ulaire. Edited 1 time in total.)
1. The Season 37 Ultimus and Ultimini have officially come to an end. Congratulations to the the Bondi Beach Buccaneers and Arizona Outlaws for each winning their respective championships. How did each of the finalists in either the Ultimus or Ultimini arrive at the playoffs? Were there any teams that surprised or disappointed during the playoffs? Did the outcome of either championship game surprise you at all?
First of all, I should say that I'm really glad to win an Ultimus in my rookie season. I would like to thank my team and of course or General Managers for this. This season overall was a great experience for me, and I'm surely hope that we will win more trophies in the future.
So, Arizona road to this win wasn't that easy. Some old players left before the season, like Rich Triplet, or retired, like Chuck Roth. Some promising rookies were called up (like me). But more important was the signing of three great defensive free agents to compensate retirements and regressions. Mark Goodhead and Leonardo and Raphael Mcturtles played a really big part in getting this championship.
Despite all these signings the start of the season didn't go really well. Arizona lost it's first game against the long time rival, and probably curse of the franchise, Honolulu Hahalua. The score was pretty close 31-24, but the team didn't play all that well. Arizona got 4 turnovers but couldn't convert it to the points with struggling passing game. Despite 4 turnovers Honolulu got 500+ yards on offense. Defense continued to be the problem for Outlaws in the next game. Despite winning 31-45 against New York Silverbacks defense still allowed close to 500 yards, including 94 yard rushing TD from New York's QB. Next game was a loss against a rising playoff contender in New Orleans Second Line. Arizona played relatively well, but couldn't sustain drives or stop them due to amount of penalties. 1-2 with losses against other playoff contenders didn't look good for the team. Next win against San Jose Sabercats was too close for our liking with 30-28 final score and very nervous game. Winning against surprise playoff contenders in Orange Country Otters came in the right time. Still, giving up close to 500 yards against young team was not a good signal for us. Getting 4 interceptions in the game helped though.
Next stretch was brutal for Arizona. Heavy loss against fellow contenders in Sarasota with 48-28 final score and 3 ints by Sailor. Even Cue Jr. couldn't overcome their defense. Next one was surprising loss against outsiders in Austin Copperheads. Played well on defense, but offense could barely move the ball. The losing streak continued against Chicago Butchers. At home Outlaws lost 38-28 and the game never felt particularly close. So, Arizona finished first half of the season at 3-5 and out of playoff placement. Also the newly revamped defense was literally the worst in the league in yards and points allowed. Something needed to change. Leonardo McTurtle swapped to LB. And surprisingly that helped.
Arizona went on to win all remaining eight games with defense radically improving. They haven't allowed more than twenty points in all but two games. Offense became the powerhouse that it should be with not one but two MVP candidates in Wendell Sailor and Jay Cue Jr. Outlaws scored more points than any other team with a comfortable margin. Now was the time for playoffs.
A lot of things were said and written about Arizona playoff luck. Memes were created. Curse it was called. Arizona lost 5 straight conference finals. Hadn't win an Ultimus since S16. So after getting that first seed a lot was on the table for the franchise. And in the conference finals they met their ultimate rival from last seasons - Honolulu. This time it finished good for Outlaws with convincing 31-19 win. Next one was another rival - winner of previous Arizona Ultimus game - Sarasota Sailfish. Revenge for season 30 was coming. Huge game from offseason signing Mark Goodhead, who got two ints and a defensive TD won Arizona their long awaited trophy. The curse was finally broken. Now Outlaws are getting ready to repeat.
First of all, I should say that I'm really glad to win an Ultimus in my rookie season. I would like to thank my team and of course or General Managers for this. This season overall was a great experience for me, and I'm surely hope that we will win more trophies in the future.
So, Arizona road to this win wasn't that easy. Some old players left before the season, like Rich Triplet, or retired, like Chuck Roth. Some promising rookies were called up (like me). But more important was the signing of three great defensive free agents to compensate retirements and regressions. Mark Goodhead and Leonardo and Raphael Mcturtles played a really big part in getting this championship.
Despite all these signings the start of the season didn't go really well. Arizona lost it's first game against the long time rival, and probably curse of the franchise, Honolulu Hahalua. The score was pretty close 31-24, but the team didn't play all that well. Arizona got 4 turnovers but couldn't convert it to the points with struggling passing game. Despite 4 turnovers Honolulu got 500+ yards on offense. Defense continued to be the problem for Outlaws in the next game. Despite winning 31-45 against New York Silverbacks defense still allowed close to 500 yards, including 94 yard rushing TD from New York's QB. Next game was a loss against a rising playoff contender in New Orleans Second Line. Arizona played relatively well, but couldn't sustain drives or stop them due to amount of penalties. 1-2 with losses against other playoff contenders didn't look good for the team. Next win against San Jose Sabercats was too close for our liking with 30-28 final score and very nervous game. Winning against surprise playoff contenders in Orange Country Otters came in the right time. Still, giving up close to 500 yards against young team was not a good signal for us. Getting 4 interceptions in the game helped though.
Next stretch was brutal for Arizona. Heavy loss against fellow contenders in Sarasota with 48-28 final score and 3 ints by Sailor. Even Cue Jr. couldn't overcome their defense. Next one was surprising loss against outsiders in Austin Copperheads. Played well on defense, but offense could barely move the ball. The losing streak continued against Chicago Butchers. At home Outlaws lost 38-28 and the game never felt particularly close. So, Arizona finished first half of the season at 3-5 and out of playoff placement. Also the newly revamped defense was literally the worst in the league in yards and points allowed. Something needed to change. Leonardo McTurtle swapped to LB. And surprisingly that helped.
Arizona went on to win all remaining eight games with defense radically improving. They haven't allowed more than twenty points in all but two games. Offense became the powerhouse that it should be with not one but two MVP candidates in Wendell Sailor and Jay Cue Jr. Outlaws scored more points than any other team with a comfortable margin. Now was the time for playoffs.
A lot of things were said and written about Arizona playoff luck. Memes were created. Curse it was called. Arizona lost 5 straight conference finals. Hadn't win an Ultimus since S16. So after getting that first seed a lot was on the table for the franchise. And in the conference finals they met their ultimate rival from last seasons - Honolulu. This time it finished good for Outlaws with convincing 31-19 win. Next one was another rival - winner of previous Arizona Ultimus game - Sarasota Sailfish. Revenge for season 30 was coming. Huge game from offseason signing Mark Goodhead, who got two ints and a defensive TD won Arizona their long awaited trophy. The curse was finally broken. Now Outlaws are getting ready to repeat.