04-18-2023, 02:21 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-21-2023, 11:33 AM by xenosthelegend. Edited 2 times in total.)
2x First Gen bonus
In case you haven't noticed, there are some very odd connections to be made between the New York Silverbacks and the Berlin Fire Salamanders. I'd like to go a bit more in depth on some of those connections. Whether they be similarities or opposites of one another.
The Expansion
The ISFL has seen four expansions in its existence. One in 2017(S2) adding the Philedelphia Liberty and the now New Orleans Second Line. The second in 2030(S15) adding the Chicago Butchers and the Austin Copper heads. The third in 2037(S22) adding the Honolulu Hahalua and the Sarasota Sailfish. The fourth, most recent, and the expansion we'll be focusing on today saw the addition of the New York Silverbacks and the Berlin Fire Salamanders in 2040 (S25). It's been fifteen years since the final expansion and over the course of that time a very interesting history has developed between the Silverbacks and Salamanders. The Silverbacks reside in the ASFC and the Salamanders the NSFC. This is nothing new since all expansions have added a team to each division. So let's get into the more intersting topics.
The US and the EU
New York City, the home of the New York Silverbacks. It's been described as the capital of the world, but more importantly it's the most populated city in the US by quite a large margin. It's cultural impact on the US as a whole is immense. It's what a lot of people when they think of the US. The Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park are all just a few of the attractions that everyone, at least in the US, know. On the other side of things we have the Berlin Fire Salamanders. They're the first and only ISFL team based in Europe. Not only that, but Berlin is the largest city in the EU. On either end you have two massive cities, having huge cultural influence on the areas around it. In 2040 we saw teams from the two cities join the ISFL and they've been battling it out ever since. We're already seeing the differences between these two team just based on geography alone. New York and Berlin are separated by 3,965 miles from each other. It would take almost 8 hours of a nonstop flight to make it from one to the other. If you could drive between the two in a straight line, it would take two and a half days of driving without stopping. We're also seeing some similarities with the two teams both being the huge influences in their areas around them. There's so many strange correlations to draw between the two and we haven't even started talking about football yet. Which is the thing they have most in common with each other. Much like the youngest child in families, these two both have something to prove being the youngest teams in the ISFL. It's like they're twins fighting for their own identity separate from the other.
Season 25, Year One:
Both the Silverbacks and the Salamanders predictably got off to a rocky start. They opened the regular season in a game against one another. This would be the start to a heated rivalry between the two teams. Though compared to the rest of the league they weren't very good, in a game against one another they matched up fairly well with the game ending 30-27 in the favor of the Salamanders. The game was tied 27-27 with 41 seconds left in the game when Salamanders Karmichael Hunt would kick a 33 yard field goal forever cementing the first meeting of these two teams as a win for the Salamanders. Something the Silverbacks wouldn't forget. The Salamanders would go on to win two more games, one in week 4 in another close game against the Philadelphia Liberty and one in week 8 against the San Jose SaberCats, yet another close game. They would only win the game against the Sabercats by sheer will in a offensive struggle on both sides. The game would end 12-10 with Karmichael Hunt kicking two late game field goals to secure the win for the Salamanders. Following week 8 the Silverbacks were winless and the rest of the season looked bleak for them. However, in week 11 they would begin a little bit of a run. They would beat the Arizona Outlaws in week 11 24-21, the New Orleans Second Line in week 12 29-10, and the Honolulu Hahalua in week 13 30-17. The following two weeks they would lose to the Orange County Otters and the Chicago Butchers. On the final week, week 16, they would get one more win against the San Jose SaberCats 27-13. Even though the end result of wins was about the same, the fashion they got the wins was much different. The Salamanders relied heavily on late game field goals to just barely gain the lead and walk away with a hard earned win. One of the wins was only by 3 points, the other two games won by just 2 points. All of their wins were spread-out throughout the season not winning any consecutive games The Silverbacks on the other hand really ramped up towards the end of the season. Their first win was only by three points much like their counterpart the Salamanders, but after that their wins were much more dominant than what the Salamanders seemed capable of. They would string three consecutive wins in weeks 11-13. There's similarities and differences between these two teams wherever you look for them.
Regular Season records:
Silverbacks 4-12
Salamanders 3-13
Season 29, Ultimus Bowl Part 1:
The Salamanders and Silverbacks slowly climbed the ranks of the league with good draft classes and dedicated players willing to work hard for their team. The Silverbacks even made it to the ASFC championship game in just their second season. Unfortunately, they lacked the experience on the big stage and lost the game to the New Orleans Second Line 43-37. The Salamanders also made it to their conference championship in season 28, with a 12-4 season. They would go on lose to the game to the Yellowknife Wraiths in a devastating 17-13 loss played on their territory in Berlin, Germany. Even though losing they lost the conference championship, the Salamander fanbase was full of hope going into season 29. They had some great pieces including Nick Kaepercolin at quarterback. Kaepercolin threw for nearly 5000 yards in season 28. The Salamanders had an okay start to the season. They would win the games in weeks one and two, and then loss the games in weeks 3 and 4. From week 5 on they would dominate for the rest of the season going 11-1. Their only other loss being to the New Orleans Second Line in week 8 by just one point. Bringing them to a 13-3 regular season. They make it back to the NSFC championship game, this time playing the Sarasota Sailfish. Once again played in Berlin, Germany, the Salamanders wouldn't let the Berlin residents down a second time and would win the game 23-20, securing their spot to play in the Ultimus Bowl. The Silverbacks had a similar start to the season going 2-2 in weeks 1-4. They had a strong middle section of the season stringing together 6 wins, followed by a rocky end to the season. They would finish the regular season 10-6. The Silverbacks watched the success of the Salamanders on the other side of the league and refused to give up or hold anything back, fueled by the competition of their expansion counterparts. The Silverbacks would play the Arizona Outlaws in the ASFC championship. With the Salamanders already having secured their spot in the Ultimus Bowl, winning their game in the NSFC championship prior to the ASFC kickoff, the Silverbacks would not give the Salamanders the pride of being the first of the two to make it. They would use their experience from the first ASFC championship they played and go on to beat the Outlaws 34-27. The date was set. The Salamanders and the Silverbacks would play in Ultimus Bowl XXIX. Both teams made their Ultimus Bowl debut with no doubt they would win, but in the end only one team would leave with the title and the bragging rights. The game was extremely one sided. The Silverbacks true to their namesake played with incredible aggression. Following a Salamander field goal the Silverbacks took a 14-3 lead in the first quarter. They scored 10 more points in both the second and third quarter, and 6 in the fourth. The Salamanders, plagued by turnovers on offense, scored just 7 points in the second quarter, no points in the third, and got some momentum to late scoring 10 points in the fourth. The Silverbacks were just the better team that day. I could break down individual stats, but the fact is they just played harder and wanted it more. So forever in the books, the first of the two expansion twins to win it all would be the Silverbacks.
Ultimus Bowl Records:
Silverbacks 1-0
Salamanders 0-1
Season 30, Close, but No Cigar:
Following the culmination of years of playing in the ISFL, leading to both teams having their best year and playing their biggest game against each other, neither team saw a significant drop off. Both teams would play for their respective conference championship game in the ASFC and the NSFC. The Silverbacks would finish the regular season 11-5, which was actually an improvment on their previous 10-6 season. They beat the Austin Copperheads 47-24 in the ASFC wildcard game, then got absolutely crushed by the Arizona Outlaws in the ASFC championship game 33-0. The Salamanders did take a step back from the 13-3 previous season, finishing 9-7 in the regular season. However, similar to the Silverbacks they would NSFC wildcard game, beating the Yellowknife Wraiths 34-23. They too would go on to lose in their conference championship game losing to the Sarasota Sailfish 30-24. A much more competitive game than we saw against the Silverbacks and Outlaws. Both teams got close to making it back to the Ultimus Bowl, but couldn't quite make it there again. There would be more opportunities down the road for these teams to take their aggression out on each other though.
Regular Season records:
Silverbacks 11-5
Salamanders 9-7
Season 32, Ultimus Bowl Part 2:
While the Salamanders stayed fairly consistent through season 31 finishing the regular season 9-7, the same as the previous year. The Silverbacks took a step back and finished the year 6-10. They didn't stay down long though and in season 32 we would see the rematch between the Silverbacks and the Salamanders. Both teams had to fight hard in the regular season finishing 10-6 for the Silverbacks and 11-5 for the Salamanders. In the ASFC wildcard game the Silverbacks would barely make it through, once again facing the Austin Copperheads the would leave with a 30-27 win in overtime and progress to the ASFC conference championship. You may have a sense of deja vu with this season as the ASFC championship game came down to the Silverbacks and outlaws once again. This time the Silverbacks were determined to win and make it back to the Ultimus Bowl for their second appearance. They beat the the Outlaws handedly 28-17 and secured their spot. In the NSFC the Salamanders were determined themselves. The won the NSFC wilcard game 34-17 against the Sailfish, and got through a defensive battle against the Philadelphia Liberty 16-12 in the championship game. For the second time in history the Silverbacks and Salamanders have made it to the Ultimus Bowl and for the second time they will be playing each other. The game was to be played in Perth, Australia. The first Ultimus Bowl to be played in the country. The game would finsih much closer this time, but for most of the game it seemed like the Silverbacks were once again just a better team. By late into the third quarter the Silverbacks would have a 20-0 lead over the Salamanders and by the end of the third would have a 20-3 lead. However, in an incredible 4th quarter rally the Salamanders showed signs of life. With just 5 minutes left in the game they would score 21 points, 7 of with came with 6 seconds left on the clock. The Silverbacks scored 7 of their own in that time, giving them the edge and the win finishing the game 27-24 and taking home another title. The Salamanders showed up to the game to late and werent able to overcome the deficient they put themselves in. These teams can't seem to escape each other as if there was a thread between them always tightening bringing them back towards one another. Once together they seem to explode away from the other in a culmination of hate and competition, only for the thread to begin tightening again.
Ultimus Bowl Records:
Silverbacks 2-0
Salamanders 0-2
Season 38, Cutting the thread:
Following season 32, both teams would have a string of fairly forgettable years. In season 34 the Salamanders would finish the regular season 11-4 and make an appearance in the NSFC conference championship, but would suffer a 23-20 defeat at the hands of the Chicago Butchers. By season 36 both teams finished last in their conference with a 5-11 season for the Silverbacks and a dismal 2-14 season for the Salamanders. Both teams would work on rebuilding getting back to playing for titles, leading us into season 38. The year the Salamanders would cut the thread between themselves and their counterpart. The Salamanders finished at the top of their conference giving them the automatic bid to the NSFC Championship game, avoiding having to play in the wildcard. The Silverbacks finished 3rd putting them in the ASFC Wildcard game against the San Jose Sabercats. Seeing the success of their "little brother" they once again mustered all of their fight and smoked the Sabercats 31-9. Again there's a sense of deja vu as we see both teams make it to the conference championship game. It's the 5th appearance for both teams. This time somethings different in the story. This time one team would advance and one team would be eliminated. The Salamanders fought hard to make it through their conference championship beating the Wraiths in overtime 27-24. The Silverbacks were on the other side of a close game though. They faced the Outlaws. History would show when the Salamanders are headed to the Ultimus Bowl and the Silverbacks are playing for their spot against the Outlaws, you should probably put money on the Silverbacks. This time they just couldn't get it done. A devastating 31-28 defeat meant the Silverbacks would have to sit at home and watch as their fierce rivals played for an Ultimus Bowl title without them. The Salamanders had cut the thread that tied them. They were ready to begin a new chapter, separate from the team they joined the league with all those years ago. They would face the Outlaws themselves and see if they could do what the Silverbacks had failed to. Playing in Tokyo, Japan, fans packed the Japan National Stadium bringing in a crowd of 80,000 to watch this new piece of history for the Salamanders. The game was back and forth, with the Outlaws seeming to be slightly in control for most of the game, never losing the lead. Late into the 4th quarter the Salamanders again found themselves trailing, this time 20-7 and again they led a rally scoring 14 points, 7 of which came with 33 seconds left. A field goal was all that was needed for the Outlaws to maintain the lead and give the Salamanders it's third Ultimus Bowl loss. Even though they separated themselves from the Silverbacks in name at least. It seems they were still doomed to suffer the same fate they did in season 32.
Ultimus Bowl Records:
Silverbacks 2-0
Salamanders 0-3
Season 41, Present day:
In season 39, the Salamanders found themselves right back at the bottom of the league with a 4-12 season. The Silverbacks not much better finsihing 6-9-1. Just last year(S40), The Silverbacks finished 4-12 and the Salamanders 5-10-1. It would seem the thread wasn't cut and these two teams are still tied to one another always on top when the other is and always in a slump together. As we look ahead to season 41 the strength of the thread may be loosening. Many people have been high on the Silverbacks in the offseason and they've already gotten their first win in week 1 against the Baltimore Hawks. They look to have a high powered offense with Blaine Falco at the helm as QB, supported by a strong receiving room and Michaelangelo McTurtle at RB. While the Salamanders have started out with a loss to the Colorado Yetis, there's still plenty of season left to play and I wouldn't count them out in any year where the Silverbacks perform well. They seem to have a strong defense only allowing 16 points in their loss. If they can improve their running game and keep teams from scoring, I can see them having a strong ground and pound style. Wearing teams out at the line and opening up passing lanes for receivers. I can't wait to watch these two teams and how they match up to each other at the end of the season. Could we see one of them make another run for the Ultimus Bowl? Maybe we see a trilogy match between the two. Whatever the outcome, these two teams have an incredible history together and nothing can take that away.
In case you haven't noticed, there are some very odd connections to be made between the New York Silverbacks and the Berlin Fire Salamanders. I'd like to go a bit more in depth on some of those connections. Whether they be similarities or opposites of one another.
The Expansion
The ISFL has seen four expansions in its existence. One in 2017(S2) adding the Philedelphia Liberty and the now New Orleans Second Line. The second in 2030(S15) adding the Chicago Butchers and the Austin Copper heads. The third in 2037(S22) adding the Honolulu Hahalua and the Sarasota Sailfish. The fourth, most recent, and the expansion we'll be focusing on today saw the addition of the New York Silverbacks and the Berlin Fire Salamanders in 2040 (S25). It's been fifteen years since the final expansion and over the course of that time a very interesting history has developed between the Silverbacks and Salamanders. The Silverbacks reside in the ASFC and the Salamanders the NSFC. This is nothing new since all expansions have added a team to each division. So let's get into the more intersting topics.
The US and the EU
New York City, the home of the New York Silverbacks. It's been described as the capital of the world, but more importantly it's the most populated city in the US by quite a large margin. It's cultural impact on the US as a whole is immense. It's what a lot of people when they think of the US. The Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park are all just a few of the attractions that everyone, at least in the US, know. On the other side of things we have the Berlin Fire Salamanders. They're the first and only ISFL team based in Europe. Not only that, but Berlin is the largest city in the EU. On either end you have two massive cities, having huge cultural influence on the areas around it. In 2040 we saw teams from the two cities join the ISFL and they've been battling it out ever since. We're already seeing the differences between these two team just based on geography alone. New York and Berlin are separated by 3,965 miles from each other. It would take almost 8 hours of a nonstop flight to make it from one to the other. If you could drive between the two in a straight line, it would take two and a half days of driving without stopping. We're also seeing some similarities with the two teams both being the huge influences in their areas around them. There's so many strange correlations to draw between the two and we haven't even started talking about football yet. Which is the thing they have most in common with each other. Much like the youngest child in families, these two both have something to prove being the youngest teams in the ISFL. It's like they're twins fighting for their own identity separate from the other.
Season 25, Year One:
Both the Silverbacks and the Salamanders predictably got off to a rocky start. They opened the regular season in a game against one another. This would be the start to a heated rivalry between the two teams. Though compared to the rest of the league they weren't very good, in a game against one another they matched up fairly well with the game ending 30-27 in the favor of the Salamanders. The game was tied 27-27 with 41 seconds left in the game when Salamanders Karmichael Hunt would kick a 33 yard field goal forever cementing the first meeting of these two teams as a win for the Salamanders. Something the Silverbacks wouldn't forget. The Salamanders would go on to win two more games, one in week 4 in another close game against the Philadelphia Liberty and one in week 8 against the San Jose SaberCats, yet another close game. They would only win the game against the Sabercats by sheer will in a offensive struggle on both sides. The game would end 12-10 with Karmichael Hunt kicking two late game field goals to secure the win for the Salamanders. Following week 8 the Silverbacks were winless and the rest of the season looked bleak for them. However, in week 11 they would begin a little bit of a run. They would beat the Arizona Outlaws in week 11 24-21, the New Orleans Second Line in week 12 29-10, and the Honolulu Hahalua in week 13 30-17. The following two weeks they would lose to the Orange County Otters and the Chicago Butchers. On the final week, week 16, they would get one more win against the San Jose SaberCats 27-13. Even though the end result of wins was about the same, the fashion they got the wins was much different. The Salamanders relied heavily on late game field goals to just barely gain the lead and walk away with a hard earned win. One of the wins was only by 3 points, the other two games won by just 2 points. All of their wins were spread-out throughout the season not winning any consecutive games The Silverbacks on the other hand really ramped up towards the end of the season. Their first win was only by three points much like their counterpart the Salamanders, but after that their wins were much more dominant than what the Salamanders seemed capable of. They would string three consecutive wins in weeks 11-13. There's similarities and differences between these two teams wherever you look for them.
Regular Season records:
Silverbacks 4-12
Salamanders 3-13
Season 29, Ultimus Bowl Part 1:
The Salamanders and Silverbacks slowly climbed the ranks of the league with good draft classes and dedicated players willing to work hard for their team. The Silverbacks even made it to the ASFC championship game in just their second season. Unfortunately, they lacked the experience on the big stage and lost the game to the New Orleans Second Line 43-37. The Salamanders also made it to their conference championship in season 28, with a 12-4 season. They would go on lose to the game to the Yellowknife Wraiths in a devastating 17-13 loss played on their territory in Berlin, Germany. Even though losing they lost the conference championship, the Salamander fanbase was full of hope going into season 29. They had some great pieces including Nick Kaepercolin at quarterback. Kaepercolin threw for nearly 5000 yards in season 28. The Salamanders had an okay start to the season. They would win the games in weeks one and two, and then loss the games in weeks 3 and 4. From week 5 on they would dominate for the rest of the season going 11-1. Their only other loss being to the New Orleans Second Line in week 8 by just one point. Bringing them to a 13-3 regular season. They make it back to the NSFC championship game, this time playing the Sarasota Sailfish. Once again played in Berlin, Germany, the Salamanders wouldn't let the Berlin residents down a second time and would win the game 23-20, securing their spot to play in the Ultimus Bowl. The Silverbacks had a similar start to the season going 2-2 in weeks 1-4. They had a strong middle section of the season stringing together 6 wins, followed by a rocky end to the season. They would finish the regular season 10-6. The Silverbacks watched the success of the Salamanders on the other side of the league and refused to give up or hold anything back, fueled by the competition of their expansion counterparts. The Silverbacks would play the Arizona Outlaws in the ASFC championship. With the Salamanders already having secured their spot in the Ultimus Bowl, winning their game in the NSFC championship prior to the ASFC kickoff, the Silverbacks would not give the Salamanders the pride of being the first of the two to make it. They would use their experience from the first ASFC championship they played and go on to beat the Outlaws 34-27. The date was set. The Salamanders and the Silverbacks would play in Ultimus Bowl XXIX. Both teams made their Ultimus Bowl debut with no doubt they would win, but in the end only one team would leave with the title and the bragging rights. The game was extremely one sided. The Silverbacks true to their namesake played with incredible aggression. Following a Salamander field goal the Silverbacks took a 14-3 lead in the first quarter. They scored 10 more points in both the second and third quarter, and 6 in the fourth. The Salamanders, plagued by turnovers on offense, scored just 7 points in the second quarter, no points in the third, and got some momentum to late scoring 10 points in the fourth. The Silverbacks were just the better team that day. I could break down individual stats, but the fact is they just played harder and wanted it more. So forever in the books, the first of the two expansion twins to win it all would be the Silverbacks.
Ultimus Bowl Records:
Silverbacks 1-0
Salamanders 0-1
Season 30, Close, but No Cigar:
Following the culmination of years of playing in the ISFL, leading to both teams having their best year and playing their biggest game against each other, neither team saw a significant drop off. Both teams would play for their respective conference championship game in the ASFC and the NSFC. The Silverbacks would finish the regular season 11-5, which was actually an improvment on their previous 10-6 season. They beat the Austin Copperheads 47-24 in the ASFC wildcard game, then got absolutely crushed by the Arizona Outlaws in the ASFC championship game 33-0. The Salamanders did take a step back from the 13-3 previous season, finishing 9-7 in the regular season. However, similar to the Silverbacks they would NSFC wildcard game, beating the Yellowknife Wraiths 34-23. They too would go on to lose in their conference championship game losing to the Sarasota Sailfish 30-24. A much more competitive game than we saw against the Silverbacks and Outlaws. Both teams got close to making it back to the Ultimus Bowl, but couldn't quite make it there again. There would be more opportunities down the road for these teams to take their aggression out on each other though.
Regular Season records:
Silverbacks 11-5
Salamanders 9-7
Season 32, Ultimus Bowl Part 2:
While the Salamanders stayed fairly consistent through season 31 finishing the regular season 9-7, the same as the previous year. The Silverbacks took a step back and finished the year 6-10. They didn't stay down long though and in season 32 we would see the rematch between the Silverbacks and the Salamanders. Both teams had to fight hard in the regular season finishing 10-6 for the Silverbacks and 11-5 for the Salamanders. In the ASFC wildcard game the Silverbacks would barely make it through, once again facing the Austin Copperheads the would leave with a 30-27 win in overtime and progress to the ASFC conference championship. You may have a sense of deja vu with this season as the ASFC championship game came down to the Silverbacks and outlaws once again. This time the Silverbacks were determined to win and make it back to the Ultimus Bowl for their second appearance. They beat the the Outlaws handedly 28-17 and secured their spot. In the NSFC the Salamanders were determined themselves. The won the NSFC wilcard game 34-17 against the Sailfish, and got through a defensive battle against the Philadelphia Liberty 16-12 in the championship game. For the second time in history the Silverbacks and Salamanders have made it to the Ultimus Bowl and for the second time they will be playing each other. The game was to be played in Perth, Australia. The first Ultimus Bowl to be played in the country. The game would finsih much closer this time, but for most of the game it seemed like the Silverbacks were once again just a better team. By late into the third quarter the Silverbacks would have a 20-0 lead over the Salamanders and by the end of the third would have a 20-3 lead. However, in an incredible 4th quarter rally the Salamanders showed signs of life. With just 5 minutes left in the game they would score 21 points, 7 of with came with 6 seconds left on the clock. The Silverbacks scored 7 of their own in that time, giving them the edge and the win finishing the game 27-24 and taking home another title. The Salamanders showed up to the game to late and werent able to overcome the deficient they put themselves in. These teams can't seem to escape each other as if there was a thread between them always tightening bringing them back towards one another. Once together they seem to explode away from the other in a culmination of hate and competition, only for the thread to begin tightening again.
Ultimus Bowl Records:
Silverbacks 2-0
Salamanders 0-2
Season 38, Cutting the thread:
Following season 32, both teams would have a string of fairly forgettable years. In season 34 the Salamanders would finish the regular season 11-4 and make an appearance in the NSFC conference championship, but would suffer a 23-20 defeat at the hands of the Chicago Butchers. By season 36 both teams finished last in their conference with a 5-11 season for the Silverbacks and a dismal 2-14 season for the Salamanders. Both teams would work on rebuilding getting back to playing for titles, leading us into season 38. The year the Salamanders would cut the thread between themselves and their counterpart. The Salamanders finished at the top of their conference giving them the automatic bid to the NSFC Championship game, avoiding having to play in the wildcard. The Silverbacks finished 3rd putting them in the ASFC Wildcard game against the San Jose Sabercats. Seeing the success of their "little brother" they once again mustered all of their fight and smoked the Sabercats 31-9. Again there's a sense of deja vu as we see both teams make it to the conference championship game. It's the 5th appearance for both teams. This time somethings different in the story. This time one team would advance and one team would be eliminated. The Salamanders fought hard to make it through their conference championship beating the Wraiths in overtime 27-24. The Silverbacks were on the other side of a close game though. They faced the Outlaws. History would show when the Salamanders are headed to the Ultimus Bowl and the Silverbacks are playing for their spot against the Outlaws, you should probably put money on the Silverbacks. This time they just couldn't get it done. A devastating 31-28 defeat meant the Silverbacks would have to sit at home and watch as their fierce rivals played for an Ultimus Bowl title without them. The Salamanders had cut the thread that tied them. They were ready to begin a new chapter, separate from the team they joined the league with all those years ago. They would face the Outlaws themselves and see if they could do what the Silverbacks had failed to. Playing in Tokyo, Japan, fans packed the Japan National Stadium bringing in a crowd of 80,000 to watch this new piece of history for the Salamanders. The game was back and forth, with the Outlaws seeming to be slightly in control for most of the game, never losing the lead. Late into the 4th quarter the Salamanders again found themselves trailing, this time 20-7 and again they led a rally scoring 14 points, 7 of which came with 33 seconds left. A field goal was all that was needed for the Outlaws to maintain the lead and give the Salamanders it's third Ultimus Bowl loss. Even though they separated themselves from the Silverbacks in name at least. It seems they were still doomed to suffer the same fate they did in season 32.
Ultimus Bowl Records:
Silverbacks 2-0
Salamanders 0-3
Season 41, Present day:
In season 39, the Salamanders found themselves right back at the bottom of the league with a 4-12 season. The Silverbacks not much better finsihing 6-9-1. Just last year(S40), The Silverbacks finished 4-12 and the Salamanders 5-10-1. It would seem the thread wasn't cut and these two teams are still tied to one another always on top when the other is and always in a slump together. As we look ahead to season 41 the strength of the thread may be loosening. Many people have been high on the Silverbacks in the offseason and they've already gotten their first win in week 1 against the Baltimore Hawks. They look to have a high powered offense with Blaine Falco at the helm as QB, supported by a strong receiving room and Michaelangelo McTurtle at RB. While the Salamanders have started out with a loss to the Colorado Yetis, there's still plenty of season left to play and I wouldn't count them out in any year where the Silverbacks perform well. They seem to have a strong defense only allowing 16 points in their loss. If they can improve their running game and keep teams from scoring, I can see them having a strong ground and pound style. Wearing teams out at the line and opening up passing lanes for receivers. I can't wait to watch these two teams and how they match up to each other at the end of the season. Could we see one of them make another run for the Ultimus Bowl? Maybe we see a trilogy match between the two. Whatever the outcome, these two teams have an incredible history together and nothing can take that away.