1) This week will see the S26 Ultimus and Ultimini races begin in earnest. How did each team arrive at the playoffs? Were there any dark horse teams that went unexpectedly far, or any presumptive favorites that fell flat? Who do you think will win the final? If you’re writing this after the finals were decided, were you surprised by the outcome?
Let’s talk about how the runner ups of the S26 Ultimini got there. The Kansas City Coyotes were not in the conversation to win the Ultimini this season at all. Everyone talked about the highly touted Portland Pythons with the load roster they had with a bunch of send downs and even a killer draft where they picked up two too earners late in the draft! On the other side, KCC came off having the 1st overall pick in the DSFL draft with a defense that was void of talent. Especially at the LB position where only a GM bot was rostered at that position. After having a killer draft where KCC brought in an amazing veteran in Luke Quick, managed to snag one of the best LBs in the draft in the second round with Dexter Hall, and picked up another top earner in Professor Godfrey Gravity in the 3rd round. But that’s not all they did, after teams had heard that Busch Goose had his eyes on a HoF career and wanted up into the ISFL immediately, he slipped all the way in the 4th or 5th round to KCC. With a completely retooled roster, the Coyotes were ready to compete.
Their first game came against the said favorites, Portland Pythons. The Coyotes were ready to show the whole world what they were about after jumping to a 2 touchdown lead in the 3rd quarter. Unfortunately, the team was still young and made a few mistakes and fell to the Pythons in crucifying fashion 44-33. Then, the Coyotes managed to handle business with the Grey Ducks fairly easily and hopes were high because the team could compete. All was well against the Luchadores in week 3 until the team missed the game winning field goal as time expired. Then the team turned it around against the Seawolves and the Coyotes are sitting at a respectable 2-2 record where they have been competitive in every game.
Not all is good however as Kansas City goes on to lose their next 5 games, most by one score or more. Sitting at 2-7, the teams hopes were gashed and each week going forward held their playoff hopes by a thread. However their spirit was not completely broken as they won their next 4 games, all by at least 1 score or more. All of the rookies had kept up with updating and they were starting to hit the 200 TPE range. Rookie and defensive captain z0rem led the defense in dominant fashion and rookie QB Troy Abed was lighting it up on offense.
In the final week, the Coyotes were up against the Dallas Birddogs, the eventual Ultimini champion. Unfortunately, their future was not in their hands as the Coyotes needed a Grey Ducks loss and a Coyote win to qualify for a playoff berth. As if the sim gods had graced Kansas City, the Grey Ducks lost and it was all on the Coyotes to beat the 11-2 Birddogs. And boy they did that in dominant fashion. The Coyotes jumped out to an insane 30-7 lead by the 3rd quarter and despite the efforts of the Birddogs with a 13 point 4th quarter in garbage time, the Coyotes put them away. And off they go to the playoffs!
Their first test came up against the conference champs Portland Pythons. These teams knew each other very well and the Coyotes had actually lost to them twice in the regular season. Determined to show whos boss, rookie sensation Troy Abed dropped back 60 times to pass completing 41 of them for 374 yards and 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. The Coyotes were actually losing going into the 4th quarter by a touchdown but thanks to a timely Dexter Hall interception, Troy Abed was able to capitalize on good field position to tie the game. After some great efforts on defense and offense, the Coyotes scored 10 more points to complete the comeback as they headed off to the Ultimini against the Dallas Birddogs.
In the Ultimini, the Coyotes jumped out to a 21-7 lead after scoring all 21 points in the 2nd quarter. With both sides of the team looking dominant, the Coyotes were ready to win a championship. Unfortunately, the offense stalled for the rest of the game and the defense let up some key drives as the team lost 23-21. The Coyotes almost won too as they had the lead late in the 4th quarter and all the team needed was a big stop. The Birddogs kept driving the field however and stalled before reaching the end zone but a field goal was enough for them. The ensuing drive Troy Abed had a minute to work his magic. After some methodical passing, the team got to the Dallas 37 yard line to attempt a field goal for the win but with no timeouts and the clock ticking, the time ran out before the field goal unit could go for the win. The whole KCC franchise was devastated but they look to have a successful draft and reach the Ultimini again and this time, win!
Let’s talk about how the runner ups of the S26 Ultimini got there. The Kansas City Coyotes were not in the conversation to win the Ultimini this season at all. Everyone talked about the highly touted Portland Pythons with the load roster they had with a bunch of send downs and even a killer draft where they picked up two too earners late in the draft! On the other side, KCC came off having the 1st overall pick in the DSFL draft with a defense that was void of talent. Especially at the LB position where only a GM bot was rostered at that position. After having a killer draft where KCC brought in an amazing veteran in Luke Quick, managed to snag one of the best LBs in the draft in the second round with Dexter Hall, and picked up another top earner in Professor Godfrey Gravity in the 3rd round. But that’s not all they did, after teams had heard that Busch Goose had his eyes on a HoF career and wanted up into the ISFL immediately, he slipped all the way in the 4th or 5th round to KCC. With a completely retooled roster, the Coyotes were ready to compete.
Their first game came against the said favorites, Portland Pythons. The Coyotes were ready to show the whole world what they were about after jumping to a 2 touchdown lead in the 3rd quarter. Unfortunately, the team was still young and made a few mistakes and fell to the Pythons in crucifying fashion 44-33. Then, the Coyotes managed to handle business with the Grey Ducks fairly easily and hopes were high because the team could compete. All was well against the Luchadores in week 3 until the team missed the game winning field goal as time expired. Then the team turned it around against the Seawolves and the Coyotes are sitting at a respectable 2-2 record where they have been competitive in every game.
Not all is good however as Kansas City goes on to lose their next 5 games, most by one score or more. Sitting at 2-7, the teams hopes were gashed and each week going forward held their playoff hopes by a thread. However their spirit was not completely broken as they won their next 4 games, all by at least 1 score or more. All of the rookies had kept up with updating and they were starting to hit the 200 TPE range. Rookie and defensive captain z0rem led the defense in dominant fashion and rookie QB Troy Abed was lighting it up on offense.
In the final week, the Coyotes were up against the Dallas Birddogs, the eventual Ultimini champion. Unfortunately, their future was not in their hands as the Coyotes needed a Grey Ducks loss and a Coyote win to qualify for a playoff berth. As if the sim gods had graced Kansas City, the Grey Ducks lost and it was all on the Coyotes to beat the 11-2 Birddogs. And boy they did that in dominant fashion. The Coyotes jumped out to an insane 30-7 lead by the 3rd quarter and despite the efforts of the Birddogs with a 13 point 4th quarter in garbage time, the Coyotes put them away. And off they go to the playoffs!
Their first test came up against the conference champs Portland Pythons. These teams knew each other very well and the Coyotes had actually lost to them twice in the regular season. Determined to show whos boss, rookie sensation Troy Abed dropped back 60 times to pass completing 41 of them for 374 yards and 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. The Coyotes were actually losing going into the 4th quarter by a touchdown but thanks to a timely Dexter Hall interception, Troy Abed was able to capitalize on good field position to tie the game. After some great efforts on defense and offense, the Coyotes scored 10 more points to complete the comeback as they headed off to the Ultimini against the Dallas Birddogs.
In the Ultimini, the Coyotes jumped out to a 21-7 lead after scoring all 21 points in the 2nd quarter. With both sides of the team looking dominant, the Coyotes were ready to win a championship. Unfortunately, the offense stalled for the rest of the game and the defense let up some key drives as the team lost 23-21. The Coyotes almost won too as they had the lead late in the 4th quarter and all the team needed was a big stop. The Birddogs kept driving the field however and stalled before reaching the end zone but a field goal was enough for them. The ensuing drive Troy Abed had a minute to work his magic. After some methodical passing, the team got to the Dallas 37 yard line to attempt a field goal for the win but with no timeouts and the clock ticking, the time ran out before the field goal unit could go for the win. The whole KCC franchise was devastated but they look to have a successful draft and reach the Ultimini again and this time, win!