The Seawolves worked toward having an Ultimini victory that was one for the history books. With J0EB and Blasoon steering the little submarines this season, every Seawolf looked anxiously toward preseason.
With the first preseason game against the Tijuana Luchadores, it started off on the wrong foot. Within the first five minutes the Seawolves had already gained multiple penalties, and even though there were strong attempts as runs by both Tequila Sunrise and Captain Rogers, a set of incomplete passes resulted in a punt by Daria Guava-Fresca (may she rest in peace). With the Luchadores holding the ball, it seemed as though the Seawolves might be able to hold them during the first set of downs, but with yet another penalty, and multiple good run and pass attempts by the Luchadores, they pushed down the field to score. As the Seawolves regained possession, they weren’t able to make very many plays before gaining another penalty and being stopped yet again. With Guava-Fresca punting once more, she was able to gain enough distance to push Tijuana back into their own territory. As the end of the first quarter came to a close, Tijuana was steadily pushing down the field.
The second quarter starts and it seemed at first as though the Seawolves would finally gain some advantage. With two penalties in a row against the Luchadores, it seemed as though Norfolk would finally have the chance - Tijuana would need 25 yards for the first down. Two plays through, and there were great stops by Scott and Vaughne. At third and long, Tijuana was able to complete a phenomenal pass that led to yet another touchdown for the Luchadores. Gaining the ball back, Norfolk began a great rushing drive down the field. In a third and long, however, Suleiman Ramza (soon to be MVP of the 23rd Season of the DSFL), throws a pick six - one more touchdown for the Luchadores. Gaining the ball back, Blanco had a wonderful and decent run, but the Seawolves just weren’t able to make anything of the plays that they had. One more punt for Guava-Fresca and another penalty on the Seawolves led to the Luchadores marching down the field. Able to hold them in at the goal line, though, the Seawolves at least held the Luchadores to just a field goal. With only two minutes left in the half, it seemed as though the Luchadores were going to run away with the game and the Seawolves were going to be shut out. Fortunately for them, however, Skrills was able to make an incredible kickoff return, coupled with another fantastic pass by Ramza to Haugland. While the Seawolves have made a huge drive down the field, they were not able to convert into a touchdown. Guava-Fresca stepped up to take her first professional field goal attempt and as the ball flew through the air, the Seawolves felt a glimmer of hope appear in the game - the kick was good. With mere seconds left in the half, Adelie de Pengu was able to make a huge tackle to stop the Luchadores and allow the team to go into the locker room.
While the Seawolves were feeling downtrodden, they made their way into the locker room. Blasoon and J0EB worked to make sure that the team still remained positive and upbeat, and the Seawolves felt prepped and hyped for the second half.
As the third quarter starts, it instantly involves a Seawolf penalty - roughing the passer. While it seemed as though this half was going to continue in the way of the Luchadores, a quick succession of a Tijuana penalty, a punt, and another penalty made the Seawolves feel as though they were going to be able to make a push this drive. With a failed push, however, Norfolk decided to punt at the Tijuana 30 yard line, a questionable decision by J0EB and Blasoon, but with the rookie Guava-Fresca on the team, and the reminders of Bauer Bot from the previous season, they weren’t sure how successful she might be. Another Seawolf penalty on the next play seemed daunting, but the Seawolves worked hard to hold the Luchadores on the next set of downs, causing them to punt. Having great field position, it seemed like this would be the drive that the Seawolves would push down the field, despite a penalty against them. Even with a sack on Ramza, they continued to power and made their way to the Tijuana 10 yard line. Unable to convert on the third down, however, the Seawolves allowed Guava-Fresca to attempt the field goal. With another good attempt, they were sitting on the board: Seawolves 6, Tijuana 24. It didn’t seem as though they were going to end, but if they could answer the 17 points that Tijuana had in the second quarter, they had a chance. Norfolk was able to hold the Luchadores to a single set of downs, and seemed as though they were going to push down the field after a short punt by Bilbo. While they reached field goal range, Guava-Fresca missed the first field goal of her professional career. With a turnover at the Tijuana 21 yard line, the game turned into the fourth and final quarter.
Continuing to push down the field, Tijuana quickly made ground with a few long passes by Ben Slothlisberger. While they were unable to turn the push into a touchdown, Bilbo kicked a good field goal and Tijuana pulled even further ahead. The Seawolves gained the ball once more and it seemed as though Sunrise and Skrills would be able to push runs down the field, but as they got stopped on Norfolk’s 46 yard line, Guava-Fresca was forced to punt - a short one at only 31 yards. Norfolk quickly returned the favor, allowing the defense to remain strong and Tijuana punted the ball back into Norfolk’s arms. Runs and passes by Ramza moved the ball, but it wasn’t enough. Guava-Fresca punts one more time, with only a few minutes left in the game. Another penalty on the Seawolves during Tijuana’s drive wasn’t helpful for the Luchadores, as they went four and out, punting the ball. The Seawolves had hoped to make a push on this punt return, but as Blanco backed up to try and find a hole, he was tackled for a loss of four yards. While Norfolk had the best drive of the night, having completed passes for 24 and 16 yards, it wasn’t enough. The Seawolves went for it on a 4th down with mere seconds to go in the game. Failing to convert, the ball turned over to Tijuana and that was it. The first preseason game was in the books for Norfolk as a loss.
While the team felt sad and defeated as they returned to the locker room, Blasoon and J0EB continued to perk the team up and build their spirits. It was a hard fought game fought on Tijuana’s home turf, and the Seawolves would take what they learned in this game and apply it to the next week’s games against the London Royals. While the Seawolves were a little worried about the jet lag with flying from Tijuana to Norfolk to London in the span of a week, they were ready to dive in and fight hard to win.
With the first preseason game against the Tijuana Luchadores, it started off on the wrong foot. Within the first five minutes the Seawolves had already gained multiple penalties, and even though there were strong attempts as runs by both Tequila Sunrise and Captain Rogers, a set of incomplete passes resulted in a punt by Daria Guava-Fresca (may she rest in peace). With the Luchadores holding the ball, it seemed as though the Seawolves might be able to hold them during the first set of downs, but with yet another penalty, and multiple good run and pass attempts by the Luchadores, they pushed down the field to score. As the Seawolves regained possession, they weren’t able to make very many plays before gaining another penalty and being stopped yet again. With Guava-Fresca punting once more, she was able to gain enough distance to push Tijuana back into their own territory. As the end of the first quarter came to a close, Tijuana was steadily pushing down the field.
The second quarter starts and it seemed at first as though the Seawolves would finally gain some advantage. With two penalties in a row against the Luchadores, it seemed as though Norfolk would finally have the chance - Tijuana would need 25 yards for the first down. Two plays through, and there were great stops by Scott and Vaughne. At third and long, Tijuana was able to complete a phenomenal pass that led to yet another touchdown for the Luchadores. Gaining the ball back, Norfolk began a great rushing drive down the field. In a third and long, however, Suleiman Ramza (soon to be MVP of the 23rd Season of the DSFL), throws a pick six - one more touchdown for the Luchadores. Gaining the ball back, Blanco had a wonderful and decent run, but the Seawolves just weren’t able to make anything of the plays that they had. One more punt for Guava-Fresca and another penalty on the Seawolves led to the Luchadores marching down the field. Able to hold them in at the goal line, though, the Seawolves at least held the Luchadores to just a field goal. With only two minutes left in the half, it seemed as though the Luchadores were going to run away with the game and the Seawolves were going to be shut out. Fortunately for them, however, Skrills was able to make an incredible kickoff return, coupled with another fantastic pass by Ramza to Haugland. While the Seawolves have made a huge drive down the field, they were not able to convert into a touchdown. Guava-Fresca stepped up to take her first professional field goal attempt and as the ball flew through the air, the Seawolves felt a glimmer of hope appear in the game - the kick was good. With mere seconds left in the half, Adelie de Pengu was able to make a huge tackle to stop the Luchadores and allow the team to go into the locker room.
While the Seawolves were feeling downtrodden, they made their way into the locker room. Blasoon and J0EB worked to make sure that the team still remained positive and upbeat, and the Seawolves felt prepped and hyped for the second half.
As the third quarter starts, it instantly involves a Seawolf penalty - roughing the passer. While it seemed as though this half was going to continue in the way of the Luchadores, a quick succession of a Tijuana penalty, a punt, and another penalty made the Seawolves feel as though they were going to be able to make a push this drive. With a failed push, however, Norfolk decided to punt at the Tijuana 30 yard line, a questionable decision by J0EB and Blasoon, but with the rookie Guava-Fresca on the team, and the reminders of Bauer Bot from the previous season, they weren’t sure how successful she might be. Another Seawolf penalty on the next play seemed daunting, but the Seawolves worked hard to hold the Luchadores on the next set of downs, causing them to punt. Having great field position, it seemed like this would be the drive that the Seawolves would push down the field, despite a penalty against them. Even with a sack on Ramza, they continued to power and made their way to the Tijuana 10 yard line. Unable to convert on the third down, however, the Seawolves allowed Guava-Fresca to attempt the field goal. With another good attempt, they were sitting on the board: Seawolves 6, Tijuana 24. It didn’t seem as though they were going to end, but if they could answer the 17 points that Tijuana had in the second quarter, they had a chance. Norfolk was able to hold the Luchadores to a single set of downs, and seemed as though they were going to push down the field after a short punt by Bilbo. While they reached field goal range, Guava-Fresca missed the first field goal of her professional career. With a turnover at the Tijuana 21 yard line, the game turned into the fourth and final quarter.
Continuing to push down the field, Tijuana quickly made ground with a few long passes by Ben Slothlisberger. While they were unable to turn the push into a touchdown, Bilbo kicked a good field goal and Tijuana pulled even further ahead. The Seawolves gained the ball once more and it seemed as though Sunrise and Skrills would be able to push runs down the field, but as they got stopped on Norfolk’s 46 yard line, Guava-Fresca was forced to punt - a short one at only 31 yards. Norfolk quickly returned the favor, allowing the defense to remain strong and Tijuana punted the ball back into Norfolk’s arms. Runs and passes by Ramza moved the ball, but it wasn’t enough. Guava-Fresca punts one more time, with only a few minutes left in the game. Another penalty on the Seawolves during Tijuana’s drive wasn’t helpful for the Luchadores, as they went four and out, punting the ball. The Seawolves had hoped to make a push on this punt return, but as Blanco backed up to try and find a hole, he was tackled for a loss of four yards. While Norfolk had the best drive of the night, having completed passes for 24 and 16 yards, it wasn’t enough. The Seawolves went for it on a 4th down with mere seconds to go in the game. Failing to convert, the ball turned over to Tijuana and that was it. The first preseason game was in the books for Norfolk as a loss.
While the team felt sad and defeated as they returned to the locker room, Blasoon and J0EB continued to perk the team up and build their spirits. It was a hard fought game fought on Tijuana’s home turf, and the Seawolves would take what they learned in this game and apply it to the next week’s games against the London Royals. While the Seawolves were a little worried about the jet lag with flying from Tijuana to Norfolk to London in the span of a week, they were ready to dive in and fight hard to win.