Task 7:
Have the Otters dammed themselves? The Orange County Otters, based out of Anaheim, California, are one of only four franchises to have ever won consecutive Ultimus Bowls and one of only two franchises to have ever won three consecutive Ultimus Bowls. A feat which they accomplished twice no less. In the early season of the ISFL they we're dominant. Stringing together three consecutive championships in seasons 4-6 and again in seasons 17-19. They have more Ultimus Bowl Championships than anyone else and are second in appearances following only the Yellowknife Wraiths. However since season 19, their last championship, they've only made an appearance in the Ultimus Bowl twice. Which given their record of most championships, speaks volumes to their early years dominance. So what exactly broke the Otters dam?
One could easily argue that it's been the lack of elite quarterback play. 2039, season 24 would mark the last year of legendary quarterback Franklin Armstrong. Armstrong led the Otters to an Ultimus Bowl championship in season 17, 18, and 19. Armstrong a three time ISFL Most Valuable Player award winner and 2 time ISFL Quarterback of the Year Award winner, is no doubt one of the greatest to ever play the game and would later be inducted into the ISFL Hall of Fame in 2044. However we can go back even further.
Mike Boss, one of only three player to ever receive the then NSFL Most Valuable Player award three times. Alongside the Otters future QB Franklin Armstrong no less. When you look up ISFL Most Valuable Player, there he is. Mike Boss. His importance to the early dominance of the Orange County Otters cannot be overstated. Boss passed for over a whooping 5,000 yards not just in one season or two season, but in 6 different seasons and really showed no signs of slowing down up until his retirement in 2024. Every kid at the time was glued to the their TV when Mike Boss was under center. They all wanted to be just like him. He inspired a generation. Franklin Armstrong was likely one of those kids. But where have they gone now? Who is their next franchise QB who can bring them back to their former glory?
Currently the Otters have three options. Veteran Kaguya Shinomiya, up and comer Adrian St. Christmas, and their newest QB Smokin Jay. Shinomiya hasn't shown much development since being drafted in season 33. While consistent in her play she hasn't shown the capability to be mentioned in the likes of Miss Boss or Franklin Armstrong. It may be time to move on to one of the newer prospects for the franchise and hope they can develop the young talent into someone who can bring them back to their former glory. In the case of Adrian St. Christmas he may be just what the Otters need. He has shown tremendous growth since joining the league in season 37. He's a big change from the mobile quarterback style of Shinomiya, relying more on being a pocket passer. Someone who takes their time and lines it up down field. Given the direction the franchise has been going change is something they desperately need. I would be very surprised if we don't get a chance to see what St. Christmas can do on the field in the upcoming year. Last but not least is Smokin Jay. Only having been in the league since season 39, he's also shown a lot of growth and a lot of talent potential. Even if St. Christmas isn't the next Mike Boss, if he can hold the franchise together long enough for Jay to develop, the Otters may have a chance at once again reliving their glory days.
Have the Otters dammed themselves? The Orange County Otters, based out of Anaheim, California, are one of only four franchises to have ever won consecutive Ultimus Bowls and one of only two franchises to have ever won three consecutive Ultimus Bowls. A feat which they accomplished twice no less. In the early season of the ISFL they we're dominant. Stringing together three consecutive championships in seasons 4-6 and again in seasons 17-19. They have more Ultimus Bowl Championships than anyone else and are second in appearances following only the Yellowknife Wraiths. However since season 19, their last championship, they've only made an appearance in the Ultimus Bowl twice. Which given their record of most championships, speaks volumes to their early years dominance. So what exactly broke the Otters dam?
One could easily argue that it's been the lack of elite quarterback play. 2039, season 24 would mark the last year of legendary quarterback Franklin Armstrong. Armstrong led the Otters to an Ultimus Bowl championship in season 17, 18, and 19. Armstrong a three time ISFL Most Valuable Player award winner and 2 time ISFL Quarterback of the Year Award winner, is no doubt one of the greatest to ever play the game and would later be inducted into the ISFL Hall of Fame in 2044. However we can go back even further.
Mike Boss, one of only three player to ever receive the then NSFL Most Valuable Player award three times. Alongside the Otters future QB Franklin Armstrong no less. When you look up ISFL Most Valuable Player, there he is. Mike Boss. His importance to the early dominance of the Orange County Otters cannot be overstated. Boss passed for over a whooping 5,000 yards not just in one season or two season, but in 6 different seasons and really showed no signs of slowing down up until his retirement in 2024. Every kid at the time was glued to the their TV when Mike Boss was under center. They all wanted to be just like him. He inspired a generation. Franklin Armstrong was likely one of those kids. But where have they gone now? Who is their next franchise QB who can bring them back to their former glory?
Currently the Otters have three options. Veteran Kaguya Shinomiya, up and comer Adrian St. Christmas, and their newest QB Smokin Jay. Shinomiya hasn't shown much development since being drafted in season 33. While consistent in her play she hasn't shown the capability to be mentioned in the likes of Miss Boss or Franklin Armstrong. It may be time to move on to one of the newer prospects for the franchise and hope they can develop the young talent into someone who can bring them back to their former glory. In the case of Adrian St. Christmas he may be just what the Otters need. He has shown tremendous growth since joining the league in season 37. He's a big change from the mobile quarterback style of Shinomiya, relying more on being a pocket passer. Someone who takes their time and lines it up down field. Given the direction the franchise has been going change is something they desperately need. I would be very surprised if we don't get a chance to see what St. Christmas can do on the field in the upcoming year. Last but not least is Smokin Jay. Only having been in the league since season 39, he's also shown a lot of growth and a lot of talent potential. Even if St. Christmas isn't the next Mike Boss, if he can hold the franchise together long enough for Jay to develop, the Otters may have a chance at once again reliving their glory days.