A lot of media personnel made their way into the Blackbirds locker room at the end of last nights game. Even after two straight losses, the Blackbirds were still beating their chests to the media, especially the players on defense like Walt Green, Ridley, and Slothface. Their spirit wasn’t going be broken and after last night's win against the Cobras’, their spirit has skyrocketed! If you thought they were loud and noisy before while suffering losses, they are even louder now that they have their first win. Even after sleeping on it and getting my coffee this morning, I still believe the entire stadium could hear the Blackbirds celebrating from inside their locker room last night. The energy of this team is palpable. They know defeating the Owls tonight will be huge for them to secure a spot in the four-team playoff.
I dove into the game film from Atlantic's first three games of the Prospect Bowl and pulled out a Highlight Play for each player on the Blackbird’s roster. I was also able to catch up with a few of the Blackbirds who were willing to share their thoughts and feelings. I hope this gets the fans excited and haters scared of what these birds can potentially do in the next two, possibly four games of the Prospect Bowl. Caw! Caw! Caw!
Offense:
While the implementation of a 2 QB system has had its struggles, the team has stuck to it and is beginning to smooth out all the wrinkles. In last nights game vs the Cobras, both QBs had over 100 passing yards and ratings of over 70. Through three games this offense has posted the 2nd most passes completed, 2nd most passing yards, the longest completed pass, and the highest team QBR of the Prospect Bowl. While the ground game has taken second fiddle to the passing game, this team is still averaging the 3rd highest rushing yards/attempt. Really the only, and arguably biggest struggle for this offense has been finding the end zone.
QBs:
Apollo Lange (@RohnJobert) had a great first game against the Grizzlies. He ended that night with 121 yards and a rating of 72.5, not to bad for his first game. It is from this performance that his Highlight Play comes from, a 35-yard pass to Moffat. It remains the longest completed pass in the Prospect Bowl. Lange said this concerning the team's performance so far:
"Playing for the Blackbirds has been truthfully very frustrating. I'm sure Hendrix agrees, but we haven't been able to find our rhythm in a two-QB set. Play after play we start to have a grasp and a groove and we lose it quickly. One thing we have no shortage of, however, is big plays. I think I lead the league in the longest pass, and our playmakers have done a great job turning nothing into positive yardage. We just need to get it together and find an identity." - Apollo Lange
TJ Hendrix (@TJH) struggled in the first game while Lange was putting on a show, but has steadily produced better and better as he gets used to this unconventional offense system. There are a lot of Highlight Plays from Atlantic’s second and third game for this young player. I finally selected Hendrix’s second TD pass in last nights game a the Cobras. A simple 12-yard pass to Norman (BOT) Macklin.
RBs:
Max Vaz (@Skyandbray) has been the lead runner for the Blackbirds with 56 attempts in three games for 258 yards. Max’s Highlight Play is the 2-yard rushing TD in game 1 against the Grizzlies. It was the first Atlantic Blackbird TD of the Prospect Bowl.
Trey Moffat (@Inbob27) has taken the role of receiving back for the team. He has the third most receptions(10) of any RB in the Prospect Bowl and the second most receiving yards(103) by an RB. His Highlight Play is a 3-yard reception against the Cobras for his first TD, making him one of only three RBs with a receiving TD.
He said this after last nights win, “I just wanna say I’m proud of how we played as a team. We put on a great show, and we can only hope to get better.”
WR: Carlomagno Rey (@Crey23) has been lights out for the Blackbirds and is making both QBs look amazing. He has so many highlights from these first three games it is hard to choose just one. Let’s break it down.
He has the 3rd most catches, 2nd most receiving yards, and has the highest average (if you ignore BOTs). In the three games, He has 11 receptions of 14+ yards, including 4 receptions of 20+ yards. He currently has the league high of 110 receiving yards in a single game. Secondaries have looked silly against this guy. His Highlight Play is a massive 29-yard reception in game 2 against the Wolfpack.
TE: Michael Rood (@DCross) has been a valuable part of both the team's passing and blocking schemes. While Rood hasn’t been a deep downfield threat in the offense, he has been a reliable safety net for both QBs. Rood is leading all TEs in catches with 17. He also has 6 pancakes and has allowed only 1 sack in the three games. His Highlight Play is a crisp 16-yard catch from their first game.
In a comment for this article Rood said, “Not sure if I really have anything highlight worthy - just glad we’re turning things around!”
OL: Jacob Rowan (@Vedin) is still alive in the Survival Pool: The Big Uglies for last OL to give up a sack. He also has 9 pancakes. He has been a big hoss that has ensured both QBs have ample time in the pocket to make throws, and opening up holes in the DL to pave way for the RBs. Every play is a Highlight Play for this young man as He manhandles the opposing player every time.
Defense:
The defense is the pride and spirit of this team, and they have been backing up their loud noise with even louder plays. Through three games this squad has the most tackles for loss, the most forced fumbles, the most fumbles recovered AND the most interceptions. To the Foxes and the Owls, consider yourself warned, this is a ball-hawking squad.
DL: Poster Nutbag (@Thee_Autumn_Wind) is the first line of attack for this aggressive defense. Although Nutbag doesn’t have a sack yet, every linebacker on this team knows he’s a big reason that they’re able to feast. Nutbag’s Highlight Play is a solo tackle of Forrest Gump for 0 yards from game 1. He tackled Gump two more times by himself in that game for 1 or fewer yards.
LBs:
Lightsout Lewis (@flyeaglesfly29) started the Prospect Bowl strong leading this defense with 8 tackles in game 1, but then was overshadowed by his teammates in game 2. He returned to the spotlight in game 3 against the Cobras. His Highlight Play is sacking Armstrong in the 4th quarter that helped stop a Cobras’ drive to seal the Blackbird's first win.
"My best game so far was our first game where I contributed 8 tackles, but since then I feel like I've been more of a role player. I know that I am helping our team in the right way, but I am hoping that this will materialize in to more production from me on the stat sheet. We don't get paid for moral support in the DSFL, so I definitely need to step it up or something.
In regards to the Blackbirds...First off, I am happy to be apart of the organization. Although, it is a recently added team, I believe that the caliber of talent we have on the defensive side of the ball will leave a lasting impression. I legitimately would not be surprised if there were 2-3 guys drafted from this defense in the first round of the upcoming DSFL draft!
All in all, I am excited about getting the first win for the franchise under our belt and with the short time that we have left here, I am happy to say that I am doing this with a great group of guys around me that I look forward to playing with or against at the next level!" - Lightsout Lewis
Rock Hardshaft (@Rouchicus) has been an absolute wrecking force for the Blackbirds. He has had a sack in every game so far. Three games in a row with a sack is unbelievable. His Highlight Play is his first of two sacks during game 3 against the Cobras, it was the first of 6 sacks the Blackbirds tallied for the night.
Marquees Acho (@Huskies311) has been a nightmare in the middle of the field for opposing teams. He leads Atlantic with 22 tackles that include 2 sacks and a forced fumble. With so many tackles, it was hard to choose Acho’s Highlight Play. I finally settled on his very first sack, which occurred last night. Acho made a wonderful negative 6-yard sack on third down to force the punt in the first quarter.
"Yea, just that it’s been nice growing as a team, especially watching Rock Hardshaft, Johnny Slothface, L. Lewis and I prove to be the best linebacker core in the prospect bowl. It’ll be a pleasure competition with these guys for seasons to come." - Marquees Acho
Johnny Slothface (@slothfacekilla) only has 10 tackles in three games, which has led to a bit of frustration for the linebacker as he has high standards for himself. For his Highlight Play I selected a huge tackle in game 2 against the Wolfpack. He barreled down on Chase Jensen who had just caught a pass. Laying on a huge hit Slothface made Jensen fumble the ball. Miraculously the ball bounced right back into Jensen's hands. If not for Lady Luck, I'm positive a Blackbird player would've recovered that fumble and the end result of the game may have been very different.
After the game last night Johnny Slothface expressed some of that frustration he’s feeling.
“I wanted to give a shout out to the rest of the Blackbirds who played great and pulled out a big win today. Our offense came alive today, and you could tell Hendrix and Lange were finally getting into rhythms. But our defense has been really picking me up these games. Acho and Hardshaft with 2 sacks each today, Ridley with another pick. Between Ridley, Green, Sinclair, Knight... they must have a hundred picks so far. Everyone on our defense has been great. Hopefully, I can help them out and we can stay in first in the NFC after next game.”
CBs:
Lucas Knight (@ven_knight) has been a force, making life difficult for opposing wide receivers with 4 passes deflected. His Highlight Play came in the Blackbirds first game of the Prospect Bowl. On the very first play after kickoff Lucas Knight intercepted Grizzlies QB Gimmy Jaroppolo. That moment set the tone and style of play for this defense. I don’t care if it is only the Prospect Bowl, what a statement play to kick off his career!!
“Overall, that I'm happy that this last game we finally found success on the offense. Defensively, I have no doubt we're the best unit in the Prospect Bowl (shoutout to Acho, Hardshaft, Sinclair, and Ridley for their excellent performance today against Cobras) and I expect that many of us get drafted in the early rounds.
I've had a great time as part of this team despite the tough first 2 games, and now we're all united and focused on winning the next game to keep our playoffs hope alive. I definitely need to give a better performance if we want to win, much like in the first game where I got my only interception so far.” -Lucas Knight
Xerxes Ridley (@plantane) has had a lot of success playing in this defense, He has recorded numerous tackles and a couple of interceptions. However his Highlight Play comes from special teams. With only 3 minutes left in the game, down 9-13 vs the Wolfpack, Xerxes returned a kickoff for an exhilarating 62 yards!! It gave the Blackbirds hope and turned the last few minutes of the game into a nail biter.
Ridley had a lot to say about that play.
“So about that kick return, I knew I had to make a high impact play somehow. It four-point point game and despite my and the team’s best efforts, we weren’t able to get a defensive stop on the previous drive. Allowing the Wolfpack to get that field goal meant that our team needed to march into the end zone quickly. I didn’t give up though; I went back to my experience as a wide receiver in high school and college and tried to get there myself. The special teams unit did an excellent job blocking me down the stretch, but ultimately, I did get stopped short. I know it’s a big play and it got my teammates excited on the sidelines, but to me, it still wasn’t good enough. We still lost that game and I can still get better. Next time, I’m taking it all the way.”
S:
Walt Green (@Duilio05) has been all over the field in all three games, chasing down wide receivers and running backs. His Highlight Play is an endzone interception in Week 2. Wolfpack had the ball at the Blackbirds 7 looking to take the lead. Green made a huge play to leap in front of the wide receiver and snag the ball, preventing the Wolfpack from scoring on that drive.
Quentin Sinclair (@MaxGnarland) has been playing on special teams and generating turnovers on defense. Despite racking up two interceptions in three games, Sinclair’s Highlight Play is an unbelievable tackle in the 2nd quarter against the Cobras last night. He came rushing into the opposing player, instead of securing an easy tackle, Sinclair reached in with both hands and just ripped the ball out! Sinclair finished the game with TWO Fumble recoveries! He leads the entire Prospect Bowl with 4 total turnovers.
Quentin said this concerning his teammates: “I think [Walt Green’s] pick at the goal line was super clutch and that the secondary’s collective effort is what got me [my] 2 picks. So basically the 2 picks I got are not just mine, they’re the whole team’s.”
K: Paul Dimirio III (@Nykonax) is the final player on this team. He has been a rock star kicker. He has scored 22 points for the team, having made 8 out of 8 field goals, including 3 from 40+ yards. His Highlight Play is a gnarly 45-yard field goal from last night's win.
Atlantic Blackhawk's next two games are tonight at 8 PM EST vs Pacific Owls, and tomorrow at 7 PM EST vs Southwest Foxes.
I dove into the game film from Atlantic's first three games of the Prospect Bowl and pulled out a Highlight Play for each player on the Blackbird’s roster. I was also able to catch up with a few of the Blackbirds who were willing to share their thoughts and feelings. I hope this gets the fans excited and haters scared of what these birds can potentially do in the next two, possibly four games of the Prospect Bowl. Caw! Caw! Caw!
Offense:
While the implementation of a 2 QB system has had its struggles, the team has stuck to it and is beginning to smooth out all the wrinkles. In last nights game vs the Cobras, both QBs had over 100 passing yards and ratings of over 70. Through three games this offense has posted the 2nd most passes completed, 2nd most passing yards, the longest completed pass, and the highest team QBR of the Prospect Bowl. While the ground game has taken second fiddle to the passing game, this team is still averaging the 3rd highest rushing yards/attempt. Really the only, and arguably biggest struggle for this offense has been finding the end zone.
QBs:
Apollo Lange (@RohnJobert) had a great first game against the Grizzlies. He ended that night with 121 yards and a rating of 72.5, not to bad for his first game. It is from this performance that his Highlight Play comes from, a 35-yard pass to Moffat. It remains the longest completed pass in the Prospect Bowl. Lange said this concerning the team's performance so far:
"Playing for the Blackbirds has been truthfully very frustrating. I'm sure Hendrix agrees, but we haven't been able to find our rhythm in a two-QB set. Play after play we start to have a grasp and a groove and we lose it quickly. One thing we have no shortage of, however, is big plays. I think I lead the league in the longest pass, and our playmakers have done a great job turning nothing into positive yardage. We just need to get it together and find an identity." - Apollo Lange
TJ Hendrix (@TJH) struggled in the first game while Lange was putting on a show, but has steadily produced better and better as he gets used to this unconventional offense system. There are a lot of Highlight Plays from Atlantic’s second and third game for this young player. I finally selected Hendrix’s second TD pass in last nights game a the Cobras. A simple 12-yard pass to Norman (BOT) Macklin.
RBs:
Max Vaz (@Skyandbray) has been the lead runner for the Blackbirds with 56 attempts in three games for 258 yards. Max’s Highlight Play is the 2-yard rushing TD in game 1 against the Grizzlies. It was the first Atlantic Blackbird TD of the Prospect Bowl.
Trey Moffat (@Inbob27) has taken the role of receiving back for the team. He has the third most receptions(10) of any RB in the Prospect Bowl and the second most receiving yards(103) by an RB. His Highlight Play is a 3-yard reception against the Cobras for his first TD, making him one of only three RBs with a receiving TD.
He said this after last nights win, “I just wanna say I’m proud of how we played as a team. We put on a great show, and we can only hope to get better.”
WR: Carlomagno Rey (@Crey23) has been lights out for the Blackbirds and is making both QBs look amazing. He has so many highlights from these first three games it is hard to choose just one. Let’s break it down.
He has the 3rd most catches, 2nd most receiving yards, and has the highest average (if you ignore BOTs). In the three games, He has 11 receptions of 14+ yards, including 4 receptions of 20+ yards. He currently has the league high of 110 receiving yards in a single game. Secondaries have looked silly against this guy. His Highlight Play is a massive 29-yard reception in game 2 against the Wolfpack.
TE: Michael Rood (@DCross) has been a valuable part of both the team's passing and blocking schemes. While Rood hasn’t been a deep downfield threat in the offense, he has been a reliable safety net for both QBs. Rood is leading all TEs in catches with 17. He also has 6 pancakes and has allowed only 1 sack in the three games. His Highlight Play is a crisp 16-yard catch from their first game.
In a comment for this article Rood said, “Not sure if I really have anything highlight worthy - just glad we’re turning things around!”
OL: Jacob Rowan (@Vedin) is still alive in the Survival Pool: The Big Uglies for last OL to give up a sack. He also has 9 pancakes. He has been a big hoss that has ensured both QBs have ample time in the pocket to make throws, and opening up holes in the DL to pave way for the RBs. Every play is a Highlight Play for this young man as He manhandles the opposing player every time.
Defense:
The defense is the pride and spirit of this team, and they have been backing up their loud noise with even louder plays. Through three games this squad has the most tackles for loss, the most forced fumbles, the most fumbles recovered AND the most interceptions. To the Foxes and the Owls, consider yourself warned, this is a ball-hawking squad.
DL: Poster Nutbag (@Thee_Autumn_Wind) is the first line of attack for this aggressive defense. Although Nutbag doesn’t have a sack yet, every linebacker on this team knows he’s a big reason that they’re able to feast. Nutbag’s Highlight Play is a solo tackle of Forrest Gump for 0 yards from game 1. He tackled Gump two more times by himself in that game for 1 or fewer yards.
LBs:
Lightsout Lewis (@flyeaglesfly29) started the Prospect Bowl strong leading this defense with 8 tackles in game 1, but then was overshadowed by his teammates in game 2. He returned to the spotlight in game 3 against the Cobras. His Highlight Play is sacking Armstrong in the 4th quarter that helped stop a Cobras’ drive to seal the Blackbird's first win.
"My best game so far was our first game where I contributed 8 tackles, but since then I feel like I've been more of a role player. I know that I am helping our team in the right way, but I am hoping that this will materialize in to more production from me on the stat sheet. We don't get paid for moral support in the DSFL, so I definitely need to step it up or something.
In regards to the Blackbirds...First off, I am happy to be apart of the organization. Although, it is a recently added team, I believe that the caliber of talent we have on the defensive side of the ball will leave a lasting impression. I legitimately would not be surprised if there were 2-3 guys drafted from this defense in the first round of the upcoming DSFL draft!
All in all, I am excited about getting the first win for the franchise under our belt and with the short time that we have left here, I am happy to say that I am doing this with a great group of guys around me that I look forward to playing with or against at the next level!" - Lightsout Lewis
Rock Hardshaft (@Rouchicus) has been an absolute wrecking force for the Blackbirds. He has had a sack in every game so far. Three games in a row with a sack is unbelievable. His Highlight Play is his first of two sacks during game 3 against the Cobras, it was the first of 6 sacks the Blackbirds tallied for the night.
Marquees Acho (@Huskies311) has been a nightmare in the middle of the field for opposing teams. He leads Atlantic with 22 tackles that include 2 sacks and a forced fumble. With so many tackles, it was hard to choose Acho’s Highlight Play. I finally settled on his very first sack, which occurred last night. Acho made a wonderful negative 6-yard sack on third down to force the punt in the first quarter.
"Yea, just that it’s been nice growing as a team, especially watching Rock Hardshaft, Johnny Slothface, L. Lewis and I prove to be the best linebacker core in the prospect bowl. It’ll be a pleasure competition with these guys for seasons to come." - Marquees Acho
Johnny Slothface (@slothfacekilla) only has 10 tackles in three games, which has led to a bit of frustration for the linebacker as he has high standards for himself. For his Highlight Play I selected a huge tackle in game 2 against the Wolfpack. He barreled down on Chase Jensen who had just caught a pass. Laying on a huge hit Slothface made Jensen fumble the ball. Miraculously the ball bounced right back into Jensen's hands. If not for Lady Luck, I'm positive a Blackbird player would've recovered that fumble and the end result of the game may have been very different.
After the game last night Johnny Slothface expressed some of that frustration he’s feeling.
“I wanted to give a shout out to the rest of the Blackbirds who played great and pulled out a big win today. Our offense came alive today, and you could tell Hendrix and Lange were finally getting into rhythms. But our defense has been really picking me up these games. Acho and Hardshaft with 2 sacks each today, Ridley with another pick. Between Ridley, Green, Sinclair, Knight... they must have a hundred picks so far. Everyone on our defense has been great. Hopefully, I can help them out and we can stay in first in the NFC after next game.”
CBs:
Lucas Knight (@ven_knight) has been a force, making life difficult for opposing wide receivers with 4 passes deflected. His Highlight Play came in the Blackbirds first game of the Prospect Bowl. On the very first play after kickoff Lucas Knight intercepted Grizzlies QB Gimmy Jaroppolo. That moment set the tone and style of play for this defense. I don’t care if it is only the Prospect Bowl, what a statement play to kick off his career!!
“Overall, that I'm happy that this last game we finally found success on the offense. Defensively, I have no doubt we're the best unit in the Prospect Bowl (shoutout to Acho, Hardshaft, Sinclair, and Ridley for their excellent performance today against Cobras) and I expect that many of us get drafted in the early rounds.
I've had a great time as part of this team despite the tough first 2 games, and now we're all united and focused on winning the next game to keep our playoffs hope alive. I definitely need to give a better performance if we want to win, much like in the first game where I got my only interception so far.” -Lucas Knight
Xerxes Ridley (@plantane) has had a lot of success playing in this defense, He has recorded numerous tackles and a couple of interceptions. However his Highlight Play comes from special teams. With only 3 minutes left in the game, down 9-13 vs the Wolfpack, Xerxes returned a kickoff for an exhilarating 62 yards!! It gave the Blackbirds hope and turned the last few minutes of the game into a nail biter.
Ridley had a lot to say about that play.
“So about that kick return, I knew I had to make a high impact play somehow. It four-point point game and despite my and the team’s best efforts, we weren’t able to get a defensive stop on the previous drive. Allowing the Wolfpack to get that field goal meant that our team needed to march into the end zone quickly. I didn’t give up though; I went back to my experience as a wide receiver in high school and college and tried to get there myself. The special teams unit did an excellent job blocking me down the stretch, but ultimately, I did get stopped short. I know it’s a big play and it got my teammates excited on the sidelines, but to me, it still wasn’t good enough. We still lost that game and I can still get better. Next time, I’m taking it all the way.”
S:
Walt Green (@Duilio05) has been all over the field in all three games, chasing down wide receivers and running backs. His Highlight Play is an endzone interception in Week 2. Wolfpack had the ball at the Blackbirds 7 looking to take the lead. Green made a huge play to leap in front of the wide receiver and snag the ball, preventing the Wolfpack from scoring on that drive.
Quentin Sinclair (@MaxGnarland) has been playing on special teams and generating turnovers on defense. Despite racking up two interceptions in three games, Sinclair’s Highlight Play is an unbelievable tackle in the 2nd quarter against the Cobras last night. He came rushing into the opposing player, instead of securing an easy tackle, Sinclair reached in with both hands and just ripped the ball out! Sinclair finished the game with TWO Fumble recoveries! He leads the entire Prospect Bowl with 4 total turnovers.
Quentin said this concerning his teammates: “I think [Walt Green’s] pick at the goal line was super clutch and that the secondary’s collective effort is what got me [my] 2 picks. So basically the 2 picks I got are not just mine, they’re the whole team’s.”
K: Paul Dimirio III (@Nykonax) is the final player on this team. He has been a rock star kicker. He has scored 22 points for the team, having made 8 out of 8 field goals, including 3 from 40+ yards. His Highlight Play is a gnarly 45-yard field goal from last night's win.
Atlantic Blackhawk's next two games are tonight at 8 PM EST vs Pacific Owls, and tomorrow at 7 PM EST vs Southwest Foxes.