1. The Season 44 Ultimus and Ultimini have officially come to an end. Congratulations to the the Tijuana Luchadores and Austin Copperheads 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?
The Austin Copperheads took a lengthy path to win the Ultimus, enduring heartbreak on their way to win the coveted trophy. Preseason rankings did not place them high, as they had a rookie QB combined with an aging wide receiver corps. However, the defense was still strong, and the fierce running back duo of Howard Coward and Jeff Newman was sure to spark fear in the hearts of opposing linebackers. Most pundits ended up predicting them to clinch the last playoff spot in the ASFC, with a record of around 9-7. However, the Copperheads felt disrespected by this claim. They believed in their rookie QB, Jay Cue III, son of the legendary Jay Cue Jr. And they believed they had a chance of going all the way to the Ultimus. A bold prediction for sure, considering that the Copperheads had not won an Ultimus in 20 years, the longest drought in the league. However, little did they know how right they were going to be.
The Copperheads started the season off with back to back wins over division rivals Arizona and New Orleans. The offense was in a groove, averaging over 30 points a game, while the defense was doing its part, only allowing 20 points a game. Morale was high. However, the team knew what was to come. A match up with Honolulu was on the horizon. The Hahalua came into this season as the favorites to win the Ultimus. Coming off a beat down to the Outlaws, they were sure to be hungry for another win. It was a close game, but the Copperheads ended up falling to the Hahalua 31-23. It was unfortunate for the Copperheads, as they came out on the wrong end of a mindset-changing blowout loss. However, there were definitely positives to take away from the loss. If they could hang the Hahalua, they could hang with anyone.
The Copperheads would alternate losing and winning games for the next few weeks, eventually reaching a record of 6-4. Even with this solid record, expectations were low. By this point, the Copperheads were well established as one of mid-tier teams in the league, scraping out wins against league bottom feeders like Chicago, San Jose, New Orleans, and New York, while losing heartbreakers to Sarasota, Orange County, and Berlin. It was tough to see the Copperheads play down to the level of other teams while hanging tough with the best. It made it hard to trust this team, and Copperhead fans were ready for another disappointing season.
The Copperheads reached their low point when they lost two in a row to two strong teams in Baltimore and Honolulu. The Honolulu loss was especially crushing as after a close loss earlier in the season, the Copperheads ended up losing by 24. It was the first game the Copperheads played that wasn't within 1 score since their week 2 win over the Outlaws. Nothing was working for the Copperheads. The offense was in a slump, and the defense was giving up way too many yards. They needed to fix their problems, and fast. They were 6-6 in a crowded ASFC, with 5 teams having a chance of making it to the playoffs in the conference. The Copperheads would close out the season with 4 conference games. Win 3 more games, and they were likely in. 2 or less, and their fate was in the hands of chance. It was now or never.
The Copperheads ended up winning 3 of their last 4, even dominating the Sabercats by 30 points! But it was time to get ready for the playoffs. They would have to face the Outlaws, who they just lost to. Then, if they won, they would have to face the Hahalua. And finally, they would have to face whoever came out of the NSFC, all to bring the city of Austin their first Ultimus in 20 years. It was a long shot, but never say never.
And you know what happens next. The Copperheads defeat the Sarasota Sailfish in overtime, 34-31, winning the Ultimus on the back of their rookie QB, Jay Cue III.
The Austin Copperheads took a lengthy path to win the Ultimus, enduring heartbreak on their way to win the coveted trophy. Preseason rankings did not place them high, as they had a rookie QB combined with an aging wide receiver corps. However, the defense was still strong, and the fierce running back duo of Howard Coward and Jeff Newman was sure to spark fear in the hearts of opposing linebackers. Most pundits ended up predicting them to clinch the last playoff spot in the ASFC, with a record of around 9-7. However, the Copperheads felt disrespected by this claim. They believed in their rookie QB, Jay Cue III, son of the legendary Jay Cue Jr. And they believed they had a chance of going all the way to the Ultimus. A bold prediction for sure, considering that the Copperheads had not won an Ultimus in 20 years, the longest drought in the league. However, little did they know how right they were going to be.
The Copperheads started the season off with back to back wins over division rivals Arizona and New Orleans. The offense was in a groove, averaging over 30 points a game, while the defense was doing its part, only allowing 20 points a game. Morale was high. However, the team knew what was to come. A match up with Honolulu was on the horizon. The Hahalua came into this season as the favorites to win the Ultimus. Coming off a beat down to the Outlaws, they were sure to be hungry for another win. It was a close game, but the Copperheads ended up falling to the Hahalua 31-23. It was unfortunate for the Copperheads, as they came out on the wrong end of a mindset-changing blowout loss. However, there were definitely positives to take away from the loss. If they could hang the Hahalua, they could hang with anyone.
The Copperheads would alternate losing and winning games for the next few weeks, eventually reaching a record of 6-4. Even with this solid record, expectations were low. By this point, the Copperheads were well established as one of mid-tier teams in the league, scraping out wins against league bottom feeders like Chicago, San Jose, New Orleans, and New York, while losing heartbreakers to Sarasota, Orange County, and Berlin. It was tough to see the Copperheads play down to the level of other teams while hanging tough with the best. It made it hard to trust this team, and Copperhead fans were ready for another disappointing season.
The Copperheads reached their low point when they lost two in a row to two strong teams in Baltimore and Honolulu. The Honolulu loss was especially crushing as after a close loss earlier in the season, the Copperheads ended up losing by 24. It was the first game the Copperheads played that wasn't within 1 score since their week 2 win over the Outlaws. Nothing was working for the Copperheads. The offense was in a slump, and the defense was giving up way too many yards. They needed to fix their problems, and fast. They were 6-6 in a crowded ASFC, with 5 teams having a chance of making it to the playoffs in the conference. The Copperheads would close out the season with 4 conference games. Win 3 more games, and they were likely in. 2 or less, and their fate was in the hands of chance. It was now or never.
The Copperheads ended up winning 3 of their last 4, even dominating the Sabercats by 30 points! But it was time to get ready for the playoffs. They would have to face the Outlaws, who they just lost to. Then, if they won, they would have to face the Hahalua. And finally, they would have to face whoever came out of the NSFC, all to bring the city of Austin their first Ultimus in 20 years. It was a long shot, but never say never.
And you know what happens next. The Copperheads defeat the Sarasota Sailfish in overtime, 34-31, winning the Ultimus on the back of their rookie QB, Jay Cue III.