Ultimus Week - S10

[Vikain]

Unsung

The unsung hero for this playoffs has to be Vikian Marmeladov. The old man played hard in his last game in the NSFL. This past offseason announcing that he will retire he still came to Baltimore and played his heart out. Just like the rest of his career, in his final playoffs he was consistent and reliable as ever. This season Marmeladov only had one interception and kicking off the playoffs he got one of his most important ones. As he picked off Applehort and ran it 63 yards for a pick-six. He would also finish the game with one tackle and one pass deflection. While he did get that pick-six a lot of people were thinking that the old man was gassed and that he couldn't keep up thats why he only had one tackle. But in the Finals he showed up once more. He really bounced around all other the place on the field and looked 10 years younger. Finishing the game with 6 tackles and helping make some big stops against the Second Line and helping bring the first Championship to Baltimore. When asked what now for him, he said that he will now focus on training young players starting with a wide receiver in Kansas City called Yulic Nagasawa.


Robbed

Every year we look at the standings and every year there is one team that gets robbed from going into the playoffs.This year it seems like it was the Yellowknife Wraiths once more. Looking at the NSFC the Baltimore Hawks dominated the regular season with a 13-1 record, that being the best in the league with Colorado taking the second seed with a 9-5 record. And the Yellowknife were right behind them with a 8-6 record and having an outstanding 6-1 home record. Unfortunately their away record was pretty saddening with a 2-5. While I dont think they would have beat out the Yeti with a tie breaker they were very close to getting into the playoffs once more. On the other side in the ASFC, the standings were much wider than it was in NSFC. With the Second Line and the Otters really dominating their division. As both Arizona and San Jose struggled to get wins with a 4-10 record. While Yellowknife was the only team to be robbed of the playoff spot its always fascinating how the top teams keep going into the playoffs. Can Baltimore and the Second Line dominate in the first round and who will take home the trophy?



Playoff Matchups




Playoff Recap

[Saliva^]

1. ROBBED

And once again the Wraiths couldn't get the job done. Well, I mean at least making the playoffs at least. They had all chances to make it, but once again blew it all against Colorado. We can argue that this time it was fair game. Well yeah, looks like the Yeti were better than YKW. And then we're looking at the Orange County Otters' team and I can tell that Yellowknife was definitely a TOP 4 team this season. OCO sold Crush and didn't expect to do much against NOLA, yet they made the playoffs anyways. But then, YKW had worse PA than the Yeti; had worse PF than you already know which team; and having a 2-5 road record wasn't helping them either. So were they robbed? Yes at some degree. Yellowknife was better than Orange County (they blew these orange dudes like 57-3 in two games lol). But the bad start and meh road record are suggesting us they can't blame just because of a competitive conference either. They had a chance to prove us they are better than just a TOP 4 team and they didn't deliver. Let's see if they could avoid some blunders like losing to lower tier teams to screw their playoff chances next season.

2. PLAYOFF SERIES MVP.

Majority of members are picking some offensive players as their MVP, but I'm not gonna be like that. Since I have a crush on kickers (like my player is a K) my obvious MVP is a reason why I don't want to see my player being drafted by Baltimore. Turk Turkleton. This guy is on way on becoming a HoF, but for now he is the major reason why Baltimore won the championship. We can argue that he didn't have a big impact on a NSFC finals game (and then take his three FG out and we have a tie game vs Colorado), but the finals is completely a different story. First of all, he started his teams real comeback against NOLA (Carter Bush and Blocksdale? who?) when his O-Line teammates had problems with opening up New Orleans' defence. Second of all, he scored more than half of his team's points (15 out of 29) so that should tell us something. I'm not taking away from other players who had a great game and contributed a lot on their team's success, but I think Turk Turkleton should be more recognized for his efforts. Not to mention he only had one miss in whole playoffs (from 40-49 yard range which is never a guaranteed FG anyways).

3. PLAYOFF REVIEW.

First of all, we had a Colorado Yeti vs Baltimore Hawks matchup. Baltimore was a heavy favorite of this game and lot of people thought this is not gonna be pretty for the 9-5 team. But Colorado managed to give them a valliant fight. In first Q, teams exchanged the blows. The same was about to happen in the second quarter, but Turklenton scored a 39 yard FG to make it 17-14 for the Hawks. The most interesting thing is nothing changed after a halftime. Yet another blow exchange sent teams with a 24-21 BAL lead. Everything changed when Applehort made a crucial mistake by throwing the ball staright to Marmeladov's arms. 63 yard INT return and it was pretty much over for Colorado, 34-21. To the Yeti's credit, they didn't give up and even scored a TD (third for Aaron), but Turkleton ended all comeback talks. 37-28, Baltimore in finals.

The ASFC finals was a New Orleans Second Line taking on the Orange County Otters' team. I was typing the full names of these teams since nothing much happened during this game. OCO was doing a great job on blocking all NOLA passes and they even managed to hold the 3-0 lead before the half time. The stat sheet is saying the same story - a lot of PD's from the Otters' defence. At the end of the day, the favorite managed to find some holes in the underdog's defence thanks to Smallwood. And the Peg Leg made it very hard for OCO to make a comeback run. This is how this match actually ended. 10-3. NOLA vs Baltimore in finals.

I will talk about finals in the fourth task, but NOLA vs BAL game was exciting. Either team had a chance to take it all, but the result was 29-23, BAL are the champs.

4. CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RECAP.

So the Hawks vs the Second Line team in the finals for the second time in a row. 13-1 vs 11-3 team. Actually, it was the matchup we expected so we can't say this was surprising. Also, this game matched our expectations for sure. There was a period when NOLA was about to make a comfortable game when they had a 10-0 and 17-7 leads, but every time Baltimore could come back into this match. I already said a lot about Turk Turkleton who not only completed his team's comeback , his four FG's in a row could put his team in a lead. 19-17 at the start of the third Q. But the New Orleans boys wouldn't be a 11-3 team if they were just a bunch of quitters. LeClair managed to fly through BAL defence to put his team back in the drivers seat. For the last time though. Trey Willie answered back with a 7-pointer in same quarter to make it 26-23. The final say came from Turk - his fifth FG made it 29-23 and this was the final score as the Hawks' defence shut it down for NOLA offense. Baltimore became the champs for the first time in their history. Congratulations to them and thing.

[Molarpistols]

Playoff Series MVP: Choose an MVP for one of the playoff series and write about why you chose them. Must be completed after the playoff series you write about

Traditionally, an MVP of a game is selected from the victorious team, and as a general rule of thumb, they tend to be an offensive player. However, I think the hero of the Colorado Yeti at Baltimore Hawks game was Haruki Ishigawa.

The linebacker has always been among the best in the league, but he really came in to show it during this playoff matchup. Ishigawa was quite literally all over the field, picking up a whopping 17 tackles for the stat sheet. Seventeen tackles is just three short of the NSFL record (20, set by Dominic Verns as an Otter), and absolutely smashed the previous playoff record of 14. Ishigawa already had this record amongst his accolades, but had to share the glory with Julian O'Sullivan.

Now, Ishigawa can cling to that record that'll be really difficult to beat or even tie as he heads towards the twilight of his career. Without Ishigawa patrolling from sideline to sideline, I don't think the Yeti had any chance at all of being successful in this bout against a league heavyweight. The high-flying offense led by Avon Blocksdale simply would've been too much for the Yeti without Haruki chasing down the ball at every opportunity. This man is an absolute beast!

Code:

209

Playoff Review: Write a short review of the playoffs and each of the matchups. Must be completed after the Championship Game

NSFC Championship
@
The Colorado Yeti visited the Baltimore Hawks for the conference championship and a shot to go to the Ultimus game for the second season in a row. After seasons and seasons of mediocrity (at best), the Yeti have turned into a winner and made their way to Baltimore with hopes and dreams.

Unfortunately for the Yeti, the Hawks were as stacked as the previous year, and pulled away about midway through the fourth quarter and made it a two score game. Not to be taken lightly, Yeti QB Ryan Applehort brought his team down the field with 6 minutes to go and brought it back to a one-score game. Sadly, the heroics were for naught, as the Yeti defense let up and couldn't get a stop as the Hawks ate the clock and kicker Turk Turkleton sealed the deal with another field goal with 1 minute left.

ASFC Championship
@
In a similar tradition to the NSFC, the Orange County Otters visited the New Orleans Second Line in the ASFC Conference Championship yet again. The Otters were coming off their worst season in history, squeaking into the playoffs with a lowly 7-7 record in the regular season. Young QB Gus T.T. Showbiz had his struggles and looked to not embarrass himself in his post-season debut.

The game turned into a battle of the defenses, as the game ended with a measly 13 points scored total between the two teams. OCO took the lead early in the second quarter, scoring their only points of the day on the leg of kicker Bradley T. Madlad. New Orleans finally tallied a score in the 3rd quarter, with score-aholic Darren Smallwood punching it into the endzone off a 6-yard pass from Borkus Maximus III. The Second Line never looked back, tacking on a field goal in the 4th quarter in what would be the last score of the game.

Ultimus Championship
@
I'll be covering this in more detail in the next bit, but the Hawks won in a much higher-scoring affair than the OCO game.

Code:

351

Championship Game Recap: Do a recap of the best play from the championship game. Must be completed after the Championship Game


The New Orleans Second Line and the Baltimore Hawks meet in the Ultimus for the second season in a row. The Second Line are coming off a very low scoring affair, with a 10-3 victory over the Orange County Otters in the ASFC Conference Championship. The Baltimore Hawks enter after thwarting the Colorado Yeti in a 37-28 contest that was closer than the final score indicated.

After spending much of the day playing catchup, the Hawks found themselves with their first lead of the day in the 3rd quarter after 4 consecutive field goals by Turk Turkleton. New Orleans answered again quickly, with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Borkus Maximus III to Alexandre Leclair to put NOLA up again, 23-19.

And then, the most electrifying play of the night energized the Baltimore Hawks and allowed them to get back into the game and eventually win. Owen Taylor returned the ensuing kickoff for a great 41 yard return to give the Hawks excellent field position. On the first pass of the drive, Avon Blocksdale threw an absolute rocket to Buddha Browning for a 55 yard gain. Browning was caught at the 3 yard line, but the Hawks were almost guaranteed to score, especially with the momentum of that play on their side. The Hawks put it in the next play to take the lead, and their defense kept them ahead the rest of the game to secure Baltimore's first Ultimus.

Without Browning's electrifying reception, I think we see NOLA pull out their second championship.

Code:

253

Going to Disneyland!:Who was the Ultimus MVP? Give us a rundown of their celebratory trip to Disneyland. (Can be completed after the Ultimus game)

Avon Blocksdale has finally done it. Years upon years of trials and tribulations would have most teams and fanbases growing weary. However, Avon would not succumb to the defeatism.

This game wasn't their first trip to the Ultimus, but it would finally be their first victory. Avon Blocksdale ran the Baltimore offense effectively and efficiently, to the tune of 27/40 for 383 yards and 2 touchdowns, posting a 114.9 passer rating. Despite falling behind, Blocksdale would not be stopped, leading 4 consecutive scoring drives in the 2nd and 3rd quarters to put the Hawks in the lead for the first time in the game.

After the Hawks defense let Avon down, he came back and electrified the home-crowd with a 55-yard bomb to Buddha Browning to take the lead back yet again, and never relent and give it back for the rest of the game. After a nice defensive stop on the ensuing possession, Blocksdale marched his team down the field yet again to extend the lead from a 3-point game to a 6-point game.

With the game and the season on the line, Blocksdale rose to the occasion and put his team on his back and led them to victory. Glorious victory was finally achieved, and it certainly tastes sweet.

Code:

211

[TheMemeMaestro]

Playoff Series MVP:

The MVP of the NSFC Championship game was easily Baltimore Hawks QB Avon Blockdale, a player who has worked his whole career and embodies the Baltimore Hawks franchise. In this game specifically, he worked insanely hard in order to grind his way back to the Ultimus Game, and on his journey there, he did not disappoint. He would go off to fire over 300 yards, 340 to be exact, as well as 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Blocksdale would also utilize his legs and make him able to run for a 9 yard touchdown. His road back to the Ultimus was not an easy one, as the Yeti and former QB and current Snake Ryan Applehort gave an amazing effort, but was just unable to get the job done due to some amazing work by Blocksdale and the Hawks. If not for Blocksdale amazing performance, there is no doubt that the Baltimore Hawks would not be moving on, and we could be looking at the Colorado Yeti winning their first Ultimus in franchise history. The Hawks will be losing a key member of the team and franchise this year, and this game might be the defining moment of his career.

PBE PT:

http://probaseballexperience.jcink.net/ind...=45&#entry42874 (PBE PT)

That Magic Moment:

And speaking more about the NSFC championship game, the best moment of the entire playoffs (or worst for the Yeti players) came from that same game, in the 3rd quarter. It was a play that didn't end up making the difference, but looking at the game overall, was a massive game changer that totally changed the momentum and the way that the game would be played down the stretch. That play was when Applesnake was leading a drive down the field to potentially give the Yeti a lead, stepped back in the pocket from the Baltimore 39 yard line with 10 minutes and 17 seconds left in the 4th quarter, and threw the ball right to Vikian Marmeladov, and in the process, essentially threw away the entire game and all of the Yeti's chances at making the Ultimus. Seeing the former Yeti streak down the field all the way for a 63 yard touchdown broke the hearts of the fans from Colorado, and livened the spirits of those fans in Baltimore. That single moment was what really got the Hawks to the Ultimus game, and since they then won it, that would be the magic moment of this years playoffs.

Unsung Hero:

And completing my trio of PT's focusing on the Yeti vs Hawks NSFC Championship game, I would like to focus on an unsung hero. Often times the unsung hero of a game is overlooked simply because his team lost. However, let's look at how amazing the quarterback and wide receiver duo of Ryan Applehort the Snake and Dwayne Aaron were (yes I know it's supposed to be one person but I can't chose so shut up). Applehort connected with some huge throws to Aaron, specifically Aaron's crazy 3 receiving touchdowns. So although Applehort by himself threw for an amazing overall game with a 105.2 Passer Rating, which is especially impressive once you realize that snakes don't have arms, but none of it would have been possible without Aaron. This connection almost saved the game for the Yeti with a big touchdown late in the game, but it was obviously not enough. So although the Colorado Yeti could not get to the big one and pull out the win over the Baltimore Hawks to make the Ultimus, they would not have even been sniffing the end of this game without the amazing, and unsung, work of Ryan Applehort and Dwayne Aaron.

[Evok]

SHL PT http://simulationhockey.com/showthread.php...4381#pid2504381
PBE PT http://probaseballexperience.jcink.net/ind...indpost&p=43005

[timeconsumer]

http://simulationhockey.com/showthread.php...4394#pid2504394

New Talent: Write about which S9 trade will or did have the biggest impact in the playoffs.

This is a tough one because we had two big impact trades come up near the end. But considering how things turned out I'd have to say that the winner of the Ultimus, the Hawks, had the biggest impact of all with the trade for Bush. NOLA's trade for Crush was just as impactful, but they lost and we don't talk about losers. So let's break this down. WR talent in DDSPF is a big, big deal. If you have an elite QB and two elite WRs that's pretty good. But adding in a third elite WR is what changes a great team into a dominant one. This game just likes to spread the ball around so you want lots of good options out there at WR. Baltimore scored a great WR in Carter Bush for a great low price in order to lock down a big chance at the Ultimus this season, when it looked like their window was closing quick. When it comes to NOLA, they got the better receiver in Crush, but I think the damage had already been done when they dropped the game to OCO and lost HFA in the playoffs. Had only one team been able to trade for a WR I think whichever got it would have won Week 14 and taken HFA and the season.

That Magic Moment: Pick one moment from a playoff game and describe what made it so amazing to watch.

I'm picking this moment because I must be a masochist or something, but I'm picking Orange County's final drive in the conference championship against NOLA. They were down by one score, a bad punt and a good return meant they had their ball close to midfield at their own 42. A 1 yard run and a very strange choice to spike the ball put them at 3rd and 9 with 2:30 to go. Next play they dial up a pass but an unnecessary roughness by Jayce Tuck gave them a free 1st down and 15 yards to the NOLA 42. A quick pass to Garden for 6 yards, timeout. 2nd and 4, 1:38 left. A great pass to J King for 15 yards, timeout. 1st and 10 with 1:18 left on the 21. This is where it got ugly. DT Godfrey King gets penetration past the guard and into the backfield, Showbiz takes a drive killing sack for 6 yards, clock is running, they call their final timeout. 2nd and 16 on the 27 with 0:49 left, another pass to King. He catches it. He's running. He slows down as is caught by the linebacker O'sullivan who has the angle on him after only 18 yards. Time runs out for OCO as the game ends on the 9 yard line. NOLA wins.

Hate the player or the game: Tell us which team made the playoffs and shouldn't have, or which team didn't and should have?

Clearly the Liberty were snubbed this season and should have been in the playoffs over just about any other team that made it. These guys broke the rushing yards record, how could they not be in the playoffs? Everybody knows that you win football by establishing the run, and stopping the run. Well Philly was fantastic at both, I think. It's clear that the NSFL rules committee is conspiring against elite rushing teams like the Liberty to change the league to a passing league. This is a travesty and an insult to the great sport of simulation football, likely engineered by the Orange County Otters. Everybody knows about the Otters' dirty tricks, like bamboozling the Yeti out of a third round pick through a 12 week long multi scheme. They are doing the exact same thing to prevent the Liberty who run the greatest smashmouth football scheme that the sport has ever seen from getting to assert their dominance in the Ultimus. But fret not, they shall rise up and overcome this shadow HO hellbent on keeping them down. S11 the Liberty will rush their way to 3000 yards, 14-0, and a Championship. Nobody will be able to stop them. Nobody will want to stop them. The sport is returning to its roots on the back of Marquise Brown.

[Bayley]

Going to Disneyland Who was the Ultimus MVP? Give us a rundown of their celebratory trip to Disneyland. (Can be completed after the Ultimus game)d!:
When you essentially look at the Ultimus game between the New Orleans Second Line and the Baltimore Hawks, the most valuable player really was none pretty other than Carter Bush, definitely contrary to popular belief. This guy mostly was actually sent over to the Hawks in the middle of the season in a questionable trade as he mostly was always going back to the Liberty in a for all intents and purposes big way. Either way, he knew what he definitely was getting into by becoming a Hawk, or so they actually thought. Bush was able to particularly make a fool of Benson Bayley on numerous occasions as he essentially had 7 mostly catches for 102 yards and a touchdown, or so they for all intents and purposes thought. He for the most part had a 33 yard actually catch and an sort of average of 14.6 per catch, which definitely shows that he basically had a 33 yard for the most part catch and an very average of 14.6 per catch, or so they mostly thought. He did sort of great and this for the most part is why he would specifically be my most valuable player, particularly further showing how either way, he knew what he for the most part was getting into by becoming a Hawk, contrary to popular belief.

Words: 223

Unsung H:Who was the unsung hero of the playoffs, convince us. (Can be completed after the Ultimus game)ero
The Unsung hero of the playoffs is Quarterback Bork Maximus from the New Orleans actually Second Line in a very major way. He does not specifically get a ton of credit for what he did, but when you generally look at it, he generally was great. In the first game against the Otters, he was 26/46 for 236 yards and 1 touchdown, which generally is quite significant. He also did not turnoevr the ball, that was the sort of key to this. The basically Second Line actually were able to definitely be successful because of the no turnovers, which generally is fairly significant. The defense also held the Otters to 3 points which for the most part was great, which for all intents and purposes is quite significant. In the biggest game of the season, Maximus particularly had 24/35 for 306 yards and 3 touchdowns, which really is quite significant. That actually is a kind of great rating of 124.2 in a kind of major way. He also essentially had 7 particularly rushes on the ground for 80 yards, contrary to popular belief. He was again a guy that did not turnover the ball in a sort of major way. What a kind of key part of the game in a particularly big way.

Words: 216

Sit-down with a star:Interview a player from a team that is not your own that is in the playoffs. You must ask them four questions and at least three must relate to the league in some way. YOU MUST POST THE QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWERS FOR CREDIT. (Can be completed at any point)

NOLA finished the season with a 11-3 record, dropping 3 games to OCO, YKW and BAL respectively. Why do you think all three games ended up with NOLA taking an L?

Honestly, the three games we lost, we just didn't have the big play ability that they had. The Wraiths one was the most disheartening for this team just because we were trying to get home field advantage. They all absolutely sting. Baltimore is a tough team, so that one was bad to lose, but we were within a big play.

NOLA were odds on favourites of repeating and doing the Ultimus double prior to the beginning of the season, obviously you guy's didn't repeat but getting to back to back Ultimus is still quite a feat. Going forward what's the plan for S11?

The plan for this year is to do more of the same. We have been a team that has seen a ton of success with our offense. We get stronger with this draft as well as losing Jackson but we have some plans to make things more interesting. We will be back.

Baltimore famously picked up a one year rental in the form of Philly's wide receiver Carter Bush who balled out. Do you feel this might've been the edge that Baltimore had over NOLA?

Honestly, Bush had a great game, but they had the big play ability that we just did not have in the game. We had the ball on their side of the field with a chance to win. That's really what I asked. We put in everything, so I don't think Bush was the difference. If we played again, it would probably be a different result.

Just how many years do you have left in the tank in the NSFL?

Well, I am telling you that Bayley is starting to look at houses in the Outer Banks, so we will see how long that process takes.

Sit-down with a fan:Answer questions for an interview from a player that is not your own. You must answer at least four questions and at least three must relate to the league in some way. Link to the interviewers PT to receive credit. NOTE: THEY MUST POST THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR YOU TO GET CREDIT. (Can be completed at any point)

1. Lavelle is coming off one of his most impressive seasons. What was your approach going into the season?

While this season for me was the best of my career, my approach was identical to the past 8 seasons I have already spent in the league. I'm a team first player and really any individual accolades or records don't really do it for me. It's dissapointing to finish S10, 1 win shy of another franchise playoff bout but that's football. I can only put the same level of work ethic into the next 3-4 seasons and try and push the guys around me to do the same. If we get everybody pulling in the same direction, there's no reason we can't win it all....again.

2. Question on everyone's mind, when is the time to hang up the cleats?

I'm going to play as long as I can at this level. I want to make sure that all the effort and hard work that I've put in over the number of years pays off in helping Yellowknife achieve great things. Unlike alot of guys here, I don't foresee my kids or anybody else from my family playing after me in the NSFL. Once Lavelle's time is done, there won't be a Lavelle Jr. or a Lavelle II.

3. What does the Spookies need to do to get into the playoffs?

Really we need to hit free agency strong this season because obviously there's some clear holes in our roster. We also need to get some great guys out of the S11 NSFL Draft that can be a foundation for the franchise going forward in time.

4. What is one thing you wished you did this year that you didn't?

I really wish we didn't lose to San Jose in the regular season, sure we lost to a few other teams including the Yeti in our 2nd last week of the regular season. But losing to the lolcow of the league in San Jose, really killed our playoff chances.

@White Cornerback for both Q's and A's

1. How did it feel to win the Championship?
It was such an incredible feeling to win the Ultimini. From the start of the season, we never doubted that we would be able to win the Championship again, but to actually realize that goal and be able to exhale and just enjoy it, it's amazing. Especially for a young guy like me, coming in as a rookie and becoming a big part of the Luchadores' offence, to fill that role adequately enough that we could win it all at the end of the year, it's just awesome.

2. What is one thing you want to focus on this off-season?
Well it's going to be an important off-season for me with the draft coming up and finding a new home, or at least a second home. I'm going to be working on a lot of areas of my game, I want to get faster, I want to drop the ball less, I just want to get better all around.

3. Where do you see yourself fitting on a NSFL roster?
I think my potential is becoming the top wide receiver on any NSFL team. It won't be tomorrow, you know, I have a long road ahead of me but I've never shied away from a challenge and sooner than later I'll be the top target for an NSFL team.

4. What can we expect from you in the NSFL?
You know, I'm not sure when I'll crack the NSFL, if I'll be down in Tijuana again next year or not. But when I do make it, I want to make an impact immediately, just like I did in the DSFL this year.

I did a second one because I wasn't sure on the rules

@tez

[dub]

Playoff Series MVP

Despite the near-perfect and efficient performance of Avon Blocksdale through the playoffs and on the way to the Ultimus Championship, or the workhorse production of Omar Taylor, one player I believe was the most valuable to their team during the playoff series: veteran LB Julian O'Sullivan of the runners-up Second Line. With 19 tackles to lead all defenders, it was O'Sullivan making the critical stop in the conference championships, ending the game with a tackle on the Otters' King at his own nine yard line to seal the game and preserve a seven-point victory. It was O'Sullivan who made a critical stop to force a field goal from Baltimore early in the second quarter of the Ultimus Championship. It was O'Sullivan that four tackles and a pass breakup in just the final quarter of the Ultimus Championship as his defense tried to buy the Second Line offense enough time to get their act together. With six second half points and shut out in the final quarter despite two drives into Baltimore territory, it wasn't the NOLA defense that lost the chance at a back-to-back title. Also in consideration for the Playoff Series MVP was Vikian Marmeladov, whose pick six proved to be the game-winning points for the Hawks in the conference round and contributed six tackles in the Ultimus Championship.

Going to Disneyland!

The Ultimus game MVP was, despite a fourth quarter half offensive slog from both teams, Baltimore QB Avon Blocksdale, who for the first three quarters anyway picked apart the Second Line defense with short to intermediate throws, then broke their backs over the top to Bush, Willie and Browning. Blocksdale as usual was surgically efficient and clean in the pocket, taking only one sack. The entire Hawks team was cool and clean as usual, as the NOLA team descended in the fourth quarter with three penalities including an Unsportsmanline Conduct call that all but killed one of the last NOLA drives. Cool and collected Blocksdale isn't so much an MVP as he was the figurehead for the Hawks way of playing - mistake free and efficient, not flashy. It was in the third quarter after a good Omar Taylor kick return that Blocksdale asserted his dominance, first finding a wide open Browning streaking down the right sideline for a 55-yard gain down to the Second Line 3 yard line, then standing strong in the pocket and delivering a laser-guided surgical strike to Willie for the score, points that would prove to be the game-winning difference, as after a back-and-forth game the Hawks now had a lead they would not surrender in the fourth quarter.

[SammyG]

Playoff Recap
So these playoffs were ones that a lot of people were really excited for, and for a lot of reasons. There was some really good football to be played between unquestionably some of the best teams ever seen in the NSFL, and in an exciting turn of events the Kansas City Coyotes missed on the playoffs in favour of the Norfolk Seavwolves, a bot team that doesn't have a single real player on their roster. I'm sure this was a knock for the Coyotes and their staff, but this is about the teams who did make the playoffs, and how their series turned out.

The first round saw the Tijuana Luchadores dispatch the San Antonio Marshals in a handy victory, even though the teams were very equally matched. A number of young stars in SA did not see the field including rookie quarterback Luke Boechler who was very vocal about this issue. On the other side Portland narrowly took out the Seawolves to advance to the finals where they would ultimately lose to your very own Tijuana Luchadores. I was kind of upset that I didn't get played either game but I'm not too concerned anymore because we won a championship.

Sit down with a Fan
We sat down with star defensive tackle Sam Garrad of the Tijuana Luchadores who took a strong victory over the San Antonio Marshals this week to get to know him better.

Sam, how much of an impact do you think you had on your team's victory tonight?
Well, considering I didn't play I'm going to go with very little. It would have been nice to get on the field for at least one play, so I was pretty disappointqing I couldn't join in the team's success.

Do you expect to take a more active role in this upcoming Ultimini game?
I want to say yes, but my past playing time is telling me the answer will probably be no.

What are your plans with your career? Are you looking to win titles, awards, set records, make money? What do you want?
I think the biggest draw for me right now is the pursuit of that Ultimus trophy. It's so important to me to find team success (and do it as a part of the team).

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream sandwich ever created?
I'm going to have to go with mint chocolate chip on that one chief.

Sit down with a Star
Today I'm here with Sam Garrad of the Tijuana Luchadores, and he's gonna be asking me some questions to get to know me or something, but if you watch football right now you probably have already heard of Ryan Cobalt.

Ryan, how much of an impact do you think you had on your team's play tonight?
Well I like to think that every time I get out on the field it give it my best shot, and so it hurts to know that tonight not even my best was good enough. The talent group here is really strong, and I think we all gave it all we had.

How does it feel to still be in pursuit of an Ultimini birth?
It's intoxicating. You desire the win so much until you get it, and I still haven't [got it] so it's just as addicting to me to dream about it as it is to achieve.

What are your plans with your career? Are you looking to win titles, awards, set records, make money? What do you want?
The number one thing that I think about every day is winning awards and setting records, I want to be a Hall of Fame player through and through.

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream sandwich ever created?
Good old plain is the way to go for me.

Disneyland
Sam Garrad might not have been the MVP of the game against the Portland Pythons to take home the Ultimini, but he was a large part of the time mentality that helped in aiding the team towards a victory. His direct impact was pretty miniscule, but as an apology for being given no time on the field for the entirety of his term on contract with the Tijuana Luchadores he was granted an honorary free trip to Disneyland. The catch was that he was only given one ticket, and since he spent all of his money on supercars he was out of luck in terms of bringing a friend with him. Instead, Garrad spent his week in Disneyland partying up with a collective of random guys that he met from Orange County who were in town doing the same thing despite them also not winning the championship, and even saw the old Hawks quarterback Avon Blocksdale throwing some balls at a carnival game. The trip was a great time, but didn't really fix Garrad's issue with having not played. The mentality of being a supporting role player will forever be ingrained in the mind of the young defensive tackle, and it was unlikely he will overcome the speed bump of this mentality.

[Rabidsponge21]

SHL PT
PBE PT

Going to Disneyland!:Who was the Ultimus MVP? Give us a rundown of their celebratory trip to Disneyland. (Can be completed after the Ultimus game)

Despite losing the big game, the MVP still went to the Quarterback of the Second line Borkus Maximus III. His big trip to disneyland was one of a more interesting spin. Being born from a long line of dog lovers, Borkus made a point to request special exceptions to have the park be opened one day to any/ all dogs for a massive meeting of the dog loving masses. The dogs were allowed on a few rides at the park, but most were low impact rides as to not stress or scare any dog par taking in the festivities. The main draw during the big day out? The Water park. The wave pool alone was a mass of splashes, and paddling paws as all the furry friends took turns doing laps and chasing all the extra balls added to the mayhem by the staff.

The clean up was something of a Yeti induced nightmare as the Disney Janitors had to deal with enough poop to supply the local farming by at least a month with free fertilizer, and many of the grounds were temporary closed for a few days so they could power wash the path ways for guests coming after. The water park? Well lets just say this was most likely a one time event as the smell of wet dog was present for a week after this 'special' occasion.

Unsung Hero:Who was the unsung hero of the playoffs, convince us. (Can be completed after the Ultimus game)

Turk Turkleton

Biggest game of the year? Check.
Playing a position that many take for granted? Check.
Being responsible for more than 50% of your teams points and most likely not even getting mentioned on sports center the next morning? Check.

The total lack of respect kickers seem to get is criminal, even in these modern days. Turkleton was leaned on heavily by the Hawks and barely got a sniff from the MVP voters. Kicking home 5 Field goals which for those of you needing some quick mafs, equals 15 points of his teams 29 scored. Oh? He kicked two extra points as well, making his total contribution 17 points of 29 scored, aka...59% of the offense for the Hawks? Yeah, how he doesn't get the nod is beyond me. The focus and circle jerk for the Quartback is criminal and the leagues inability to reward and focus on their kickers who have to kick the ball perfectly, which most cases nature as well as how many defensive players rushing him at full speed trying to stop him in order to consistenly put up 'easy' points for his team? That's a tough business to run. I see you Turkleton, and your my Ultimas bowl MVP.


1) How does it feel to finally win the big game?
2) What are your plans for this draft this off season? WR? Offense? Defense?
3) How do you feel about repeating again next season?
4) What team is your biggest rival, is it NOLA? If not who else?
5) What sort of player are you planning for your recreate (if you are recreating)?

@iamslm22 Replied

1- it honestly feels amazing. We have been working so hard for many many many seasons. To win the big one and finally shed the dreaded choker label was awesome. we really built a super deep and strong team, and we get along great
2 - we definitely want to focus on defense. Our secondary especially is getting weaker so going through the draft we're gonna try to pick up another corner or safety prospect. Aside from actual positional needs - we just want guys who we think we can trust and would fit in into our locker room
3- I think we're the team with the biggest and best chance of winning the title for sure, our offense is going to be top notch, and our defense will also be great. Adding ryan Applehort, a top level young QB our team is going to be great.
4- next year our top competitor is certainly NOLA they are an awesome team and their defense is still great . They're going to be good again, but I'm confident we'll pull it out again
5- I actually just recreated this past week, going with a linebacker. I'm excited to play on the defensive side of the hall after playing all 9 seasons offensively