NSCF 13 Everything Thread

[Armeia]

HailTech.Ari

Tech could withdraw from international play after season

THE FIREFLIES OF BASTILLE TECH might not be competing in the Zephyr Conference next season after a terrible performance may devastate the team's domestic season in the Interior Conference, because of injuries to key positions on both sides of the ball. University President Cade Lacroix has stated, while not confirming the exit of BT, that 'the Interior Conference is the number one priority for BT', and that the amount of injuries taken in international play 'lessens the chance of a return next year'.

Tech was one of the more promising newcomers coming in, with their history of domestic success, but the starting and backup quarterbacks were quickly knocked out of play for much of the year in addition to a couple other top players such as Hakim Pesic, the leading wide receiver. Tyus Edwards was head and shoulders above the rest of the team on offense, but he couldn't get Tech wins on his own, and the team finished second from last in the conference. Additionally, due to the decent performances of third string QB Treon Lingaard, backup wildcat QB and rising wide receiver Erika Hallbjorn may transfer to Illara West, Indies University, or Barrier City State for more playing time. If Hallbjorn is favored by the staff next season, there's a decent chance that Lingaard will transfer from Technical University to a community college or even a struggling international team to keep playing as a starter.

"It's been one of our worst seasons for sure," Scott Evansson commented in the press conference after the final game of the season. "We put in a lot of work in the offseason that didn't get repaid... We're sure to take a hit in recruiting, too, but now that we're healthy again, our focus is on the Interior Conference and continuing our winning tradition there. Everyone wants to show that the oddsmakers are underrating us this season, and I think we'll definitely have an edge to our game, we'll be trying to prove that we can bounce back from a lost season like this one."

SEE ALSO:
*Tech women's basketball defeats Forge in title game, 110-109
*Treon Lingaard: 'My future is uncertain here.'
*Indies wideout may transfer to BT

[Cosumar]

Non-Conference Week 3

Northern Moravica University 27–7 Stoneshore College

Loyola University 20–6 Drawk Corps University

South Seas University 13–6 Utica University

Universite St. Croix 17–7 Mar Sara Tech

Ramusok Capital University 16–0 University of Heavenly Snakes

Conquerer's Academy 10–9 Vietussia Academy

[Costa Aluria]

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Silly Goose Turns Senior Night Into Masquerade Ball
Story by Abraham Shepherd

Mosaic--The South Seas University Honu received the statement win that they absolutely had to have in order to make a final playoff push, defeating the highly regarded Tigers out of Utica University, 13-6.

As has been the case each of the seasons that the Honu have competed in NSCF play, the fate of the South Seas football program lies in the hands of committee members. Should the playoff committee determine that South Seas is worth of a playoff berth, the Honu would sneak in with the 8th seed, as they have the two previous seasons. Costa Alurian fans may have a viable case for consideration, despite the four losses that mar the Honu record. In the playoff hunt for the automatic berth until the final week of Horizon Conference play, the Honu had been unable to shore up the Horizon Conference after falling to Stoneshore College. But strong out of conference scheduling may once again allow the Honu to slide into the playoffs. In the non conference schedule, the Honu, who exit the regular season with the best offensive output in the NSCF this year, defeated two automatically qualifying schools on the strength of the defensive unit.

Head coach Goose Carneghy certainly wasn’t going to let the drama of the playoff picture overshadow the drama he creates on the field, however, and the playoff picture may in fact have been tainted by Carneghy’s on-field antics. In classic Carneghy style, The Plumeria Garden once again served as the bedlam under the bigtop.

While Carneghy had experimented in the past with what he terms “game psychology,” he appeared to have outdone even himself in the most recent example. As he had at previous times, Carneghy returned to removing distinctive names from the back of his players jerseys. As he had at previous times, Carneghy returned to the controversial tactic of switching player jerseys through the game, a strategy that had received much criticism in NSCF 12 but had failed to produce a conclusive legality ruling from the NSCF commissioner.

But this game was different. In addition to the tactics noted above, this time Carneghy also added in additional padding for his smaller players, bulking them up to the size of his linemen. In effect, it made each player utterly unrecognizable from physical traits alone, with the added jersey switching compounding the confusion.

In practice, it undoubtedly must have thrown a bigger wrench into the game plan for the Tigers. Instead of being prepared for Jonas Talbot or any of the other skill position players, virtually nobody in the stadium would have been able to tell which players were whom that were lined up on the opposite side of Utica University. One play might have seen runningbacks Talbot or Ezekiel Pentecost juking their way out of the defensive grasp, while another play might have seen nose tackle Roosevelt Calderon ready to simply pound straight into the pile to punish the defensive line. With each player otherwise indistinguishable, it was a formula that kept the Tigers on their heels all game despite each team’s relative inability to move the ball. In such a close game, such a tactic almost without question gave the Honu the determining advantage.

In fact, the only Honu player on the field who could be positively identified was the Quebecois Laurent Delormier, who at 8’3” simply is a force that cannot be disguised under any format.

Per his norm, Goose Carneghy gave no apology for his unorthodox strategy when questioned after the game. “Look, I don’t get why we keep having this discussion,” Carneghy stated. “You guys keep asking me what was going on with our game psychology, and I keep giving you the same answer. They get a sideline, we get a sideline. What happens in between is where the game is played.”

Carneghy continued, “Our goal in every game is to keep the other team honest and make them prepare for something they aren’t used to seeing. All of warfare is based on deception. If you defeat your opponent before even having to take the field, then victory is certain. We just felt that if we made all of our guys look like 300 pound men, there would be no tactical advantage to any preparation that they might have put in. And that means they have to defend what is on the field. Like I said, they get a sideline and we get a sideline. What happens in between is where the game is played.”

As much as the tactic may be controversial, the research that many pundits have done indicates that there can be no repercussions against the Honu for the bait and switch jersey jumble. Since the NSCF commissioner had failed to bring a ruling on the jersey switching prior to the game, the additional padding adds nothing to the discussion. Each NSCF team is charged with meeting only a minimum amount of padding, and has sovereignty over decisions regarding adding additional padding beyond the league mandate. Since the Honu’s tactic revolves around more padding instead of less, there may be nothing that the Utica University Tigers--or any angry coaches around the league, for that matter--may be able to successfully protest.

Still, the masquerade ball on senior night is sure to have a ripple effect on the NSCF committee voters. It remains to be seen whether or not the Honu record will speak for itself, or whether there will be ongoing waves as to whether or not the Honu have played by the rules. While some voters may react negatively to the South Seas strategy and use their ballot to try to block the Honu from the playoffs, others still may finally be embracing Carneghy’s unorthodox style and welcome such an opportunity to stifle it int he playoffs with disciplined and sound on-field playing. Which it will be is yet to be determined.

One thing remains certain, however; Carneghy gets a taste of his own medicine. Arguably the biggest advantage the Honu might take from game to game with their opponents is the perceived idea that South Seas might bring the fear of the unknown. Now, in the twist of fate that have become common at the end of Honu regular seasons, the fear of the unknown rests with committee voters.

With his fear of the unknown game psychology, Carnegy certainly made a statement. Now it is time for the NSCF voters to interpret it and make theirs.

[Editor’s note: The box score and scoring summary have been omitted from this article as we are unable to determine which players actually scored during the game.]

[United Vietussia]

VIETUSSIA BARELY FALLS TO STONESHORE, LOOKS TO AT-LARGE BID IN CRAZY SEASON

The Sword Bloke- In what was an enticing game the whole time, Vietussia Academy barely lost in a hugely defensive game against Conquerer's Academy, losing 10-9. It has been a crazy season, with all 5 conference champions sitting in the bottom 5 spots and the three projected at-large bids in the top 3. Mar Sara Tech really blew it after coming into non-conference 9-1, then leaving 10-3 with a huge decrease in OSPI that could hurt the team in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Vietussia Academy looks like they might be heading for the Pioneer Bowl for being one of the top 2 newcomers as a 13th ranked team in OSPI at the end of the season. Northern Moravica still looks like one of the weaker teams in the playoff after losing to Vietussia in both games, which makes many analysts wonder how they will do against their projected opponent in Conquerer's Academy, a team with one of the projected at-large bids. Although Conquerer's Academy finished 2nd in the conference, they fell one game behind Mar Sara Tech who were mostly invincible throughout conference play in a much stronger Mineral Conference.

Many analysts obviously have Cenesis getting in after their non-conference performance which projects them as a top seed. In the end though, Vietussia still hopes for the bowl berth.

That's all we have time for. Tune in in a couple of days for the Selection Show for the 13th annual NSCF playoffs. I'm Jeb Ports, saying good night, Vietussia.

-theme music ensues-

[Cosumar]

CSBN300 - Top 5 Cosumarite Recruits - Class of 1004
(OOC: Telegram me if one of your schools is interested in recruiting any of these players!)

Cosumar Sports Broadcasting Network (CBSN) compiles a list of Cosumar's top 300 high school prospects every season. Here is an overview of this year's cream of the crop, the top five most coveted football recruits for the 1004 high school graduating class. Some of these teen prodigies will go on to become the next faces of NSCF, whether here in Cosumar for RCU or Stoneshore ... or abroad.


1. LB Rafe Va'Devu -- Jagarok High School / Jagarok, Ramusok Fief -- 6"2, 240 lbs
Va'Devu is the first Vloo (a humanoid species originally native to western Cosumar) player to be ranked #1 overall by CSBN. Talented Vloo athletes tend to gravitate more towards association football and basketball, but make no mistake, that's exactly what Va'Devu is - a talent. Projected to play inside or middle linebacker at the next level, there is a lot to like about him. He has good size and is already well-muscled. But most of all, he makes a lot of tackles. A real nose for the ball, especially on running plays, where he loves to pack a punch on the runner. His high school is relatively small, playing in a lower division than most touted recruits, but he constantly terrorized opponents all over the field. His tape is almost comical to watch because of the magnitude of his dominance. His best attribute is his quickness and sideline-to-sideline speed, which should translate well to the NSCF game. Good at slipping blockers or powering through them. Shows decent instincts in dropping back in coverage, but needs to improve his man-to-man coverage skills. In the end, he is a fantastic high school player with the potential to be the same in college, but you can never be 100% sure these small-school guys will translate well. His heart seems set on joining his Vloo friend Alex Na'Tomis at RCU unless a foreign NSCF school with better playoff odds can sway him.
Shortlist: Ramusok Capital, Overseas schools regularly in NSCF Top 10


2. QB Foldar Hammerstien II -- The Koto Academy / Jessheim, Versia Fief -- 6"1, 190 lbs
His position in the national top five is controversial, but Hammerstien is undoubtedly the best pro-style quarterback prospect on the west coast. Average height for a modern quarterback, but broad-framed and strong-armed. While not a classic cannon-armed power-thrower, he can push the ball with velocity to any location on the field with a quick release. While he displays impeccable lower-body mechanics in his throws, his mobility in the pocket could be better as he appears mechanical at times . However, his firm understanding of various throwing techniques allows him to make difficult throws in tight windows with accuracy. He consistently places the ball in positions that maximize the receiver's ability to make plays after the catch. While he shouldn't start right away, Foldar has the tools to project as an eventual starter at top-level NSCF programs. He's easy to spot because of his thick beard, which he has been growing since age 14, and is an avid fan of pro-wrestling. His father, Foldar Hammerstien I, is a famous playwright in Cosumar who writes dramas and romances. Talk about an apple falling far from the tree.
Shortlist: Slivelle Academy, Ramusok Capital, Stoneshore College, University of the Western Isles, Crawford Tech, Overseas schools with winning records


3. OL Arald Filipovic -- The New Technological School @ Stafford / Stafford, Stoneshore Fief -- 6"7, 290 lbs
Arald is one of the top offensive linemen in the Fiefdom and is being heavily pursued by the 30-minutes-away Stoneshore College Bruins. He has displayed willingness to visit foreign universities too, however. Why should they want him? Arald is blessed with simultaneous great size and great athleticism, fitting right into the mold of the modern game's demand for athletic offensive tackles. He has the nasty disposition that teams love to have on the edge. He seeks out and relishes contact, finishes blocks and stays aggressive to the whistle. Almost too agressive at times, leading his team in penalties. But discipline and finesse are teachable. Fire is not. He is light on his feet and best operates on the move, snapping out of his stance quickly to seal off the defensive end before moving to the second level to take on linebackers. Needs to improve his run blocking technique, as he relies too often on his size instead of squaring up and bending his knees. That won't always fly in NSCF. He does have the potential to be dominant in both phases of blocking with coaching, however. Off the field, he is known for his boisterous personality - always seen with an ear-to-ear grin, laughing and cracking (usually bad) jokes.
Shortlist: Stoneshore College, Overseas schools with winning records


4. DE Gorlog Nazarbekian -- Hallasholm West High School / Hallasholm, Tamarskand Fief -- 6"5, 235 lbs
Back home, they lovingly call him The Beast Of Hallasholm. Nazarbekian is rated as the best player in his class from all of Tamarskand Fief, helping Hallasholm to the regional championship for the first time (where they lost). Despite the mountainous terrain and high altitude there, Nazarbekian displays impressive stamina in his tape - relentless throughout games with very few "plays off". He has excellent size and length, and excels at using his long arms to keep blockers off him. Fires low out of his stance with great burst, quickly shedding blockers and bending the edge to find the football. Shows a developed pass-rusher's repertoire with spins and twists. Racked up at 19 sacks in 12 games in his senior season. Needs to add more lower-body strength to be this effective at the NSCF level, however, as he is still sort of growing into his body. So he might not be an instant impact at elite NSCF schools, but he should project as a multi-year starter after a season or two in a collegiate strength program.
Shortlist: Ramusok Capital, Stoneshore College, Slivelle Academy, University of North Klyde, Overseas schools


5. WR Bran Helmsman -- Skyline High School / Ramusok, Ramusok Fief -- 6"2, 195 lbs
Helmsman was an elite receiver at Skyline High, Cosumar's most prolific producer of college talent. He has good height, but exceptional length. He leverages his large wingspan and catch radius well to make extraordinary plays. One of the best pure pass-catchers you'll see in this class, he plucks the ball out of the air with ease - even throws that would be considered off-target for a lesser receiver. Regularly wins battles in the air with his leap, timing and positioning. A thinly built player, but he should be able to add mass to his frame in a collegiate training program. Merely above-average straight-line speed, which prevents him from getting the kind of separation you'd want vertically, but he gets phenomenal short-distance burst, especially in the cuts of his routes. Helmsman is a definite talent - a better football player than athlete - but his degree of success at the next level will ultimately depend on the offense he is plugged into and his role therein.
Shortlist: Ramusok Capital, RCU-Holmenkollen, Overseas NSCF schools

[NSCF]

The deadline for Committee voting is here. The votes for the final two playoff spots are as follows:

Universite St. Croix - 4
Ramusok Capital University - 3
South Seas University - 2
Vietussia Academy - 1
Conquerer's Academy - 1

Therefore, the final two schools in the playoffs are Universite St. Croix of Quebec and Ramusok Capital University of Cosumar. Committee members were not allowed to vote for schools they control, as per NSCF Procedure.


By 3 votes to 2, the NSCF Committee has decided to award the right to host the NSCF 13 Championship Game to...

Los Angeles Stadium, Pogar Island, Yosmar
Bid here

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Playoffs - NSCF 13

#8 Ramusok Capital University @ #1 Ceneisis Naval Academy
#5 Northern Moravica University @ #4 Stoneshore College

#7 Mar Sara Tech @ #2 Universite St. Croix
#6 Utica University @ #3 Thereisnogodistan Community College


Bowl Games - NSCF 13

There are three approved bowl games this season. Normally, the nation that proposed each game is responsible for inviting schools themselves, but since all were proposed as automatic berths based on statistical performances, the match-ups are already set.

The Pioneer Bowl (best newcomer teams)
Vietussia Academy vs. Loyola University
Leviathan Arena, Kaldukosic, Cosumar

Lei Bowl (best offense and best defense)
South Seas University vs. Conquerer's Academy
Costa Aluria

Owner's Bowl (top point-differential)
Karl Marx University vs. St. Peters College*
Angelou, The Sword Bloke

*Palæontological-Centered Research University had a better margin but is disqualified as Natanians & Nosts has CTE'd

[United Vietussia]

VIETUSSIA ACADEMY TO CAP OFF GREAT SEASON WITH BOWL GAME

United Vietussia- Welcome to the UV-7 News Selection Show. I'm Jeb Ports here to announce all those games you have been anticipating from the beginning. First, we will start with the top seed to the bottom seed for conference champions in the playoffs, then announce the seedings of the at-large bid. Afterwards, the participants of the 3 bowl games will be announced. All of this will be followed by our analysts opinions. Let's begin.

(For those that wish to predict the playoffs against all other teams, go here: http://challonge.com/NSCF13)

Let's begin with the 5 conference champions. With the #3 seed...Thereisnogodistan Community College. #4 seed...Stoneshore College! #5...Northern Moravica University! #6...Utica University! And #7...Mar Sara Tech!

Obviously with such low seeding for the conference champions this year, expect a few Elite Eight upsets. Mar Sara Tech seemed to do poorly in non-conference, so it will be key for them to find a way to get it together before their possible non-conference game.

Onto at-large bids: With the #1 SEED! -drumroll- CENESIS NAVAL ACADEMY! #2...Universite St. Croix! And #8...Ramusok Capital University.

With the playoffs announced, we can clearly analyze the Elite Eight. First up, Ramusok@Cenesis. Cenesis should have little trouble if the 2nd ranked defense can hold up against the #2 offense. I'm gonna call Cenesis, but barely. Defense wins championships. 22-17.

Moravica@Stoneshore. Expect an upset. The #1 defense in Northern Moravica should easily help stop the #10 Stoneshore offense. The #16 offense of Moravica may have trouble against Stoneshore's #6, but it is hard to beat the #1 defense. Moravica wins. 13-10.

Mar Sara@St. Croix. Expect an edged out St. Croix win. The #5 offense will run circles around the #10 ranked Mar Sara defense. St. Croix wins. 16-10.

Utica@Thereisnogodistan. Expect a HUGE upset. Utica's #3 defense will make the Community College's #20 defense see double. Community College's #9 offense won't be able to handle Utica's #5 defense. Utica wins. 26-17.

Onto the Final Four:

Moravica@Cenesis. Cenesis will win, but barely. The #2 defense in Cenesis will stop the #16 Moravica offense. Moravica's #1 defense won't hold as much against the #12 Cenesis offense. Cenesis wins in an offensive shootout. 35-31.

Utica@St. Croix. Utica will continue the Cinderella story into the National Championship. Utica has top 5 on both aspects of the field, but St. Croix has one top 5 in the offense, but a #12 in defense. Utica will hurt the St. Croix defense in a win. 26-14.

National Championship:

Utica@Cenesis. Utica will cap off a Cinderella story with a win against Cenesis. The #3 offense in Utica will be fun to see against Cenesis's #2 defense, but the #12 Cenesis offense won't have it against the #5 Utica defense. Utica will edge out a huge upset. 21-20.

Onto bowl game announcements.

First up, the Pioneer Bowl. The bowl will feature the 2 best newcomer teams in OSPI not in the playoffs. The participants will be Vietussia Academy and Loyola University. The two teams will meet in Cosumar for the bowl. Vietussia will edge out with the #8 offense against Loyola's #8 defense. Loyola will lose with the #15 offense not being able to get by the #13 defense. Vietussia wins. 23-20.

Next up, the Lei Bowl will host the best offense and defense not in the playoffs. The participants will be South Seas University and Conquerer's Academy. The teams will meet in Costa Aluria, which is why the #1 offense in South Seas will win at home against the #3 Conquerer's defense. Home field advantage will pay off for South Seas in a win. 29-23.

Finally, the Owner's Bowl which hosts the top 2 point differentials not in the playoffs. Karl Marx University and Palæontological-Centered Research University will play. No, wait... Palæontological has been disqualified. More on that in the 10 news. St. Peter's will play instead. St. Peter's will easily stop the Karl Marx offense with a #6/#11 matchup. Same on offense for St. Peter's with a #13/#15 matchup. St. Peter's wins. 23-14.

There you have it. This officially concludes the selection show. I'm Jeb Ports, saying good night Vietussia.

-theme music ensues-

[Banija]

Herzegovina City Post

Northern Moravica dominates Stoneshore College on senior night; prepares for 2nd straight postseason berth


Defensive End Velek Lahush records one of 6 Northern Moravica sacks on the day in their 27-7 upset over Stoneshore College

HERZEGOVINA CITY- Last season, in their first ever non-conference game, Northern Moravica paid a visit to Stoneshore College. Northern Moravica was an upstart conference champion, coming out of nowhere as newcomers to win the Celestia Conference, and they were paying a visit to the defending champions of the NSCF, Stoneshore College. Head Coach Horace Browning was making his first trip back to Stoneshore College since he went to get his championship ring from NSCF 11 as defensive coordinator, and the team thought it had something to prove. Instead, they got walloped 31-0 at the hands of Stoneshore College, and that game was the one that showed that, when against the best competition in the NSCF, they would wilt and that they were pretenders, rather than actual contenders for the championship. This was the 2nd of their 5 straight losses to end NSCF 12.

Now, with the return trip of Stoneshore College scheduled on Northern's senior night, Northern Moravica knew that this game was a statement game. After their huge upset victory over Utica University in Week 11, they followed that up with a very close loss to a very talented South Seas University team, losing by 3 points in triple overtime, the very same team that made the NSCF title game and lost in overtime at the Liberty Stadium in Istria last season. While it was clear that Northern had a brutally difficult non-conference schedule, this was the benchmark game of the entire season. Against a team that destroyed them last season, and was a conference champion this season, would Northern be able to hold up? Or would they fold, like last season? Were Northern real contenders, or was their victory over Utica a fluke?

Northern Moravca, very emphatically, told the world that they were here, they were here to stay, and most importantly, told the world that they were for real. They scored three 2nd quarter touchdowns en route to a 27-7 blowout victory over Horizon conference champions Stoneshore College, on their home field, on senior night. While the fans were going crazy, Northern Moravica was making a statement- they can beat whoever, wherever, whenever, and that they were to be taken as a very serious contender for the NSCF championship, and they should be considered a real threat to make it all the way to Los Angeles.

The game was a tight defensive battle in the 1st quarter, with neither offense able to make much progress down the football field. The game changed in the 2nd quarter, however. when Stoneshore's senior quarterback Ash Solomon was intercepted by Northern safety Jasenko Horny, and the football was brought back all the way to the Stoneshore 13 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Slawomir Kovach, who was given a stirring tribute video for senior day, rolled right and found Vena Resnick in the corner of the end zone for a score to give his team a 7-0 lead with 8:33 left in the 2nd quarter.

The problems started to compound for Stoneshore College. They went three & out and were forced to punt the football with just under 7 minutes left in the 2nd quarter. The ball was kicked on a low line drive, but far, right out to Northern Moravica return man Borzivoi Jankovic. When he received the football, he had plenty of green turf in front of him, and he made the most out of it. He had received the ball at the Northern 40 yard line, and after making a man miss at the Stoneshore 45, he took the ball up the sideline and won a footrace to the end zone with the Stoneshore kick coverage team. Just like that, the game was 14-0 to Northern Moravica.

Stoneshore College attempted to respond. This was a very talented Stoneshore College team, who was 11-1 entering the football game and had just won their 3rd conference title in the last 4 seasons, and they were not going to go away quietly. Stoneshore College responded to those two scores with a long, methodical drive down the football field, and ended up with a 3rd & 4 from the Northern 7 yard line. Stoneshore College quarterback Ash Solomon was then sacked for a 7 yard loss on the play, giving them a 31 yard field goal attempt. While the attempt was definitely a makeable one, the Northern defense got great penetration, and Jasenko Horny got around the edge and blocked the field goal attempt. The momentum had swung completely in the direction of Northern, and instead of a 14-3 game with 2 minutes left and Stoneshore kicking off, Northern had the momentum and was up 14-0 with 2 minutes left in the quarter.

Kovach wasted no time, and engineered a scoring drive, with Timothy Buzumba punching it in from a yard out with 11 seconds left in the half to give his team a 21-0 lead going into halftime. The game had essentially broke open at that point, and the Northern Moravica defense could just pin their ears back and blitz, as Stoneshore College was essentially forced to go to the air on every single play. They scored a touchdown in the 3rd quarter, which was followed up by two 4th quarter field goals from Nard Holling, and Northern Moravica came away with a huge 27-7 victory over the #1 team in the OSPI.

The fans stormed the field in celebration of their team's victory over Stoneshore College. It was a massive victory for the men in purple- they denied Stoneshore's bid for the #1 overall seed, and they showed their fans that they were true contenders. Head Coach Horace Browning told reporters that he was extremely proud of his team for their victory, and that the team was ready for the playoffs after non-conference play. As is tradition, with three weeks off between non-conference play and postseason play, Northern Moravica will be sitting back and preparing for its matchup with its playoff opponent, as not only their own fans, but the entire nation tune in for Northern Moravica's appearance in the NSCF 13 playoffs.

[NSCF]

First Round

Ceneisis Naval Academy 3–7 Ramusok Capital University

Stoneshore College 17–10 Northern Moravica University

Universite St. Croix 22–14 Mar Sara Tech

Thereisnogodistan Community College 10–34 Utica University


Semifinals Fixtures

Ramusok Capital University @ Stoneshore College

Utica University @ Universite St. Croix


Bowl Games

Pioneer Bowl - Cosumar
Loyola University 17–3 Vietussia Academy

Lei Bowl - Costa Aluria
South Seas University 17–7 Conquerer's Academy

Owner's Bowl - The Sword Bloke
Karl Marx University 3–0 St. Peters College

[Banija]

The All-Banija Sports Magazine
The only nationwide publication that is all sports, all the time!

Banijan NSCF Roundup: Loyola take crown as the league's best newcomer while Northern Moravica bow out in the 1st Round of the Playoffs


Stoneshore College receiver catches the game-winning touchdown in the 4th quarter against Northern Moravica

HERZEGOVINA CITY- When Banijan sports officials decided to enter a 2nd team into the NSCF, everybody knew that it had to be Loyola. Loyola & Northern Moravica were the twin towers of college football in Banija- they dominated the sport domestically. Nobody could touch them at home, and it was clear that they needed some more competition. Northern Moravica's leadership simply beat Loyola's to the punch to get into the NSCF first in Season 12, and it was a very successful year. In their first season in the NSCF, they won 8 out of their first 9 games and won the Celestia Conference outright with one game to spare. However, they finished poorly, losing their last 5 games and were outscored 93-3 in their last 5 games, including a 31-0 shutout at the hands of Stoneshore College, the very school where Head Coach Horace Browning was the Defensive Coordinator at when they won their national championship in 2011.

Many people, after their horrendous finish, said that their fall was their own fault. They said that the team was weak, and that they were helped along because of a very weak conference schedule in the Celestia Conference. They dealt with these 'haters' all throughout the offseason, and had to put those demons to rest during the season. And then, insert Loyola. Loyola had dominated Banijan domestic football, and the Banijan college sports authorities not only decided to put a second team in the NSCF, but limit the Banijan contribution to the two, Loyola and Northern Moravica. The archrivals would no longer be separated, and now, for the first time, would have the opportunity to play each other twice in one season.


Loyola players celebrate winning the Pioneer Bowl

Loyola, it could be said, had a very successful season. The Celestia Conference was stronger this year than last year, with the conference being a true three horse race up until and through the final week of conference play. The smoke in the Celestia Conference wasn't settled until the final day, and Loyola had a very strong resume to build upon. Loyola went 7-3 in the regular season. While some thought Northern Moravica was far too ahead of them, Loyola competed well in the conference, and almost took the crown from Northern Moravica.

As for the highlights of their season, they beat Vietussia Academy at home, competed well against Conquerer's Academy, and won a non-conference game against Drawk Corps University. Their #1 accomplishment, however, was the Pioneer Bowl championship, where they won the Pioneer Bowl 17-3 against Vietussia Academy, who had beaten Loyola by 17 in Week 10. As for the lowlights of their season, it had to be their loss to Bastille Tech, who only won 2 games in conference play, and the major disappointment has to be getting swept by their archrivals. Their archrivals to the North outplayed them twice this season, once in Istria and once in Herzegovina City, and getting swept by your archrival as they win a conference championship and get an automatic playoff appearance is never a fun time for any football program. All in all, a very solid season for the 1st year NSCF program.


Northern Moravica players look on as the winds out against Stoneshore College

As for Northern Moravica, the season was also a mixed bag. This season, they were not able to sneak up on anybody. They were the team to beat in the Celestia Conference. They were the returning conference champions, and considering their abysmal finish to NSCF 12, they had a target on their back as a beatable team. But Northern Moravica slogged through this season, battled all year long, and won its second straight outright Celestia Conference title. They can hold their heads higher after this season than last. They held their own in non-conference play, beating two NSCF semifinalists, who were Utica on the road and Stoneshore College at home respectively. Their only non-conference loss was in 3OT to a very desperate, very talented South Seas University team. En route to winning their 2nd straight outright conference title, they also swept their archrivals Loyola, winning in both Herzegovina City and Istria, giving bragging rights to their own fans for the next year in this rivalry.

As for the lowlights of the season, they have to be getting swept by Vietussia Academy, and the second half in the quarterfinal against Stoneshore College. After handing it to Stoneshore College in the last week of the regular season, they drew Stoneshore College for a rematch in the 1st round of the playoffs, but with this game being played in Cosumar rather than Herzegovina City. Northern Moravica took a 10-0 lead into the half, with their defense largely picking off where they left off. Stoneshore College, however, came storming back in the 2nd half. They scored a field goal in the 3rd quarter, and two touchdowns on back to back drives in the 4th quarter completed the comeback against the Celestia Conference champions. Even though Northern Moravica had beaten two conference champions in non-conference play, they still ended up in the same position as last year- losing a road game in the NSCF quarterfinals.

While Northern Moravica has an unprecedented amount of success for their first two seasons at this level of competition- two seasons, two outright conference championships, and on top of that, they defeated two conference champions in this season alone. However, consecutive early round playoff exits are never a good place for your team to be. They make your fanbase antsy, wanting for more, as they know they are simply a step away from being good enough to win that title. Do they need a top 4 OSPI finish and get a home game? What do they need to do to win that title? Those are difficult questions that Northern Moravica coaches & fans will wrestle with all offseason, as the team prepares for NSCF 14.

[NSCF]

Semifinals

Stoneshore College 6–0 Ramusok Capital University

Universite St. Croix 23–37 Utica University



...

NSCF 13 Championship Game

Stoneshore College Bruins (COS) vs. Utica University Tigers (OSR)
@ Los Angeles Stadium, Pogar Island, Yosmar

The championship game will be scorinated Sunday, giving both participants double the usual window to make sure they can RP.

[Yosmar]

Yosmar would like to congratulate Stoneshore College and Utica University.We hope both teams enjoy their stay here and leave it all out on the field.

[Osarius]

A superb offensive showing in Quebec, against St Croix ensured a record fifth championship appearance for Utica last night. The Tigers have lost their last two championship games in NSCF -- the most recent being against Ramusok Capital, who, like sunday's opponents Stoneshore, are also a Cosumarite school -- a fact that head coach Anthony Channa is acutely aware of. "There are a few guys in the team this season who were involved in that loss," he reasoned. "They're going to want to make amends. They're all seniors now, it's the last shot they have. Some of them are looking at pro ball, some know it's a long shot at best. There's a lot on the line for these guys."

The win over St Croix was the icing on a tasty playoff cake for Utica, who came into the post-season off the back of two non-conference defeats, in which the offense spluttered and choked. "We had to step up," Alex Hardison, Utica's offensive co-ordinator, explained. "I take a lot of the blame, bad play calling. The guys, in the dressing room, were honest about it all. They knew they could do better. And they did."

Hardison is referring to the seventy one points the Tigers have put up so far in the playoffs, coming after their pathetic return of just sixteen in their two defeats in non-conference play. This, from the team with the best adjusted win margin in the league this season. This, from the team with the third ranked adjusted offense in the league this season. This, from a team historically renowned for their explosive offense. "It was embarassing." Said left tackle and offensive captain LaDanian Bernard. "We know we can do better. It's that simple." Bernard is one of five offensive starters who graduate this year, and was sat on the bench for the entirety of Utica's NSCF 10 championship game defeat. He is eager to do his part in ensuring a different outcome this time. "It was brutal sitting on the sidelines, not being able to do anything about what was happening. This time I get to do something."

Stoneshore were the number one ranked team in NSCF coming into this season, and won out in a tough Horizon conference that to those with long enough memories, resembles the Woodlands conference of a decade ago. "They're tough," Channa admitted. "Horizon is tough. They won it. They're in a second championship game in what? three seasons? That's tough. We would know. We did that, remember?"

The Bruins do indeed resemble the dominant Tigers of the early years of NSCF in some ways. They simply don't get blown out, and seem to pull out the wins that matter most when they matter most. There is a crucial difference though. "We won on our offensive strength. We overwhelmed teams." Channa said. "As much as I wish we'd been defensively solid, that wasn't us. That wasn't how we played. That's Stoneshore's game, though."

Channa isn't wrong. Stoneshore's defensive record proves the Bruins' strength when not in possession -- eight of their games this season have seen them deny the opponent a trip to the end zone. However, the stats suggest that Utica still have the upper hand here... barely. When adjusting for strength of schedule, the Tigers average a field goal less allowed over every ten games; that's 0.3 points less allowed per game. These are the margins between championship calibre teams. Channa addressed this, however. "Stoneshore have an elite defense, right? Well so do we. We also have an elite offense. Stoneshore do not. As long as we play ball and defensively we get the job done, I have faith my guys can outscore Stoneshore. Only two teams this season could be argued to have better offense than us and neither of them is our opponent on Sunday. We can absolutely do it. It will be tough, but we can do it."

As they have all season, Utica will likely be relying on sophomore runningback LeDallas de Jeruselem -- and his partner in the backfield, Antoine Myers -- to consistently move the chains. The monster Quebecois has accumulated 1,872 total yards from scrimmage this season across fifteen games, while sharing carries with Myers (689 total yards), putting him within reach of the two thousand yard barrier this year. "It would be a huge achievement," LeDallas admits, aware that he would be only the third Tigers runningback ever -- after Martin Connors and Rashad Jackson -- to manage the feat, and easily the youngest. "But would I trade the record for a championship win? Absolutely. I'd love to be the guy that runs the ball over the line for the winning touchdown, who wouldn't? But if handing the ball over, when I'm on 1,999 yards, to say... Antoine... means I get a ring. I have no problem with that. I want to be a champion. I have two more years to break records."

That driven mentality is going to be crucial on Sunday. Without it from every man in orange and black, the Tigers may be facing the unenviable status of being the only program to lose three NSCF championship games. Two titles from a decade ago won't offset that pain for the Tubrissian school. Nothing will.

[Cosumar]

The Daily Bruin
Stoneshore College's Student-Run Newspaper

Stoneshore shut out arch-nemesis RCU in third consecutive semifinal, return to NSCF Championship
By Mila Jordrök, Sports Columnist

Two years ago, Stoneshore College and Ramusok Capital University clashed in the NSCF Playoffs for the first time ever. In a showdown that shook Cosumar, the Bruins won 17-13 to advance to their first ever semifinals. It was the beginning of a long-overdue shift in the balance of power between the two schools. We went on to lift the NSCF 11 trophy that year - just a season after RCU had won their first.

Stoneshore made it to the semifinals in NSCF 12 too. But without the blessing, kickstart, or whatever-you-want-to-call-it that comes with trumping big brother RCU, our run stalled there. Now, after shutting out RCU at home in this year's playoffs, the Bruins are hoping to repeat that NSCF 11 storyline from two years ago - this time to surpass our rival's title count.

Ramusok Capital University, frequently regaled as "the very finest public research university in Cosumar and perhaps all of AO" (gag), has long overshadowed our more specialized Stoneshore College. In size, in prestige, in sport, and certainly in endowment. The Cult of Stoneshore, as we are often known, hate this word - but we have always been very, very bitter about RCU. It's no secret. KO'ing that smug institution en route to a title AGAIN would be pure bliss. Pure bliss, I tell you. Like passing a hated boss's three-year-old BMW in your new Ferrari.

We'd have two NSCF Champion flags waving at Finglass Field. And they'd only have one up at the Coliseum. And we would never let them forget that. (And they needed the comforts of home to eke theirs out. Pfft.)

Yet, there's more than just an offseason of southern braggadocio at stake. More than cementing Stoneshore as an international powerhouse and removing the last cobwebs of our former 'loser' stigma. A win against Utica University tonight (yes, we're playing the Tigers, in case you hadn't heard) would mean that three of the last four NSCF trophies have been brought back to Cosumar. Yeah, yeah, I'm including RCU. As much as we give each other a hard time, this swell of Cosumarite success in the international collegiate game is something to be mutually proud of. No championships in the first nine seasons...now three of the last four!

Maybe. Of course, we still actually have to play Utica. Who have played for more titles than Stoneshore and RCU combined. Who have been in an impenetrable groove of dominance since the playoffs started. Who have LeDallas de Jerusalem, perhaps NSCF's most dynamic player this season. It won't be easy - especially considering how dour our offense looked against RCU.

We managed just one touchdown and a missed extra point. At home. In the semifinals. Our brutally mundane offense was absolved by our simply brutal defense, but the chances of shutting out Utica in such fashion in the amped-up atmosphere of Los Angeles Stadium are virtually zilch. We will need to score points. Our running game isn't as strong as it usually is. We don't have a bell-cow back that can control a game consistently like Luc LeStanne did the last two years. If our customary balls-out smashmouth attack isn't working, we might need to ask Ash Solomon to take more direct shots downfield...even if it means throwing at that vaunted Utica secondary. Alexander Logan, de Jerusalem & company will likewise probe for new ways to move the chains on our equally feared defense as well. You have to take risks to win championships.

I could talk about all the fascinating player match-ups going on across the field, but for me, the truly fascinating battle of the night will not necessarily be the one in the trenches...but the one on the sidelines. The one between Walter Hufnagel and Anthony Channa. For me, these are easily the best two coaches in NSCF right now. Channa has made Utica a bastion of sustained excellence over the last 11 years, while Hufnagel has single-handedly revived this program that really was essentially dead prior to his arrival. Two contrasting philosophies will be at war in this heavyweight fight. Hufnagel's unflinching dedication to an old-school style of play based around discipline, unrelenting physicality and methodical clock control. Channa's more high-flying yet still grounded approach, with a flair for innovating and trend-setting in NSCF. It should be fascinating to watch these two teams duke it out.

Here's what Coach Hufnagel has been telling the team this week as preparations commenced in Yosmar:

"What we're trying to get our players to do is stay focused on the things that are going to help them to play well in the game, to concentrate on their jobs and not be affected by the lights, the fans and all the external factors. It's a big game, there's no doubt, for every player has created this opportunity from their own blood, sweat and tears. You want the ultimate reward for those sacrifices - on both sides. But most of our guys have played on this stage before and know that the only way to accomplish this is to focus on the next play at hand and make sure you are always doing what you have to do to help your team be successful."

Win or lose, kudos to Coach Hufnagel and these Bruins on one of the best seasons in school history. Now let's bring that second title back to Cape Dutch. Our NSCF 11 flag at Finglass is getting lonely.

[NSCF]

The 13th NationStates College Football Final...
(scorinated by Damukuni)

Stoneshore College (COS) 0–3 Utica University (OSR)

Now that's an old-school game o' football. Congratulations to the winner, and thank you to all 30 schools that participated this season!

[Osarius]

It was hard fought, as expected. But nobody expected it to be this close. Utica's senior kicker, Scott Williams, split the uprights from thirty-seven yards deep in the fourth quarter to put the only points of the entire game on the board. His first and only success of the night, from three attempts. "It was a crazy one," he said. "I never in my wildest dreams thought I would kick the only points in an NSCF championship game. Especially not after missing two attempts earlier on."

There was a sense of desperation in the Tigers' play this time around. A sense that their eleven senior starters -- and the ten others on the roster -- were determined to make the most of this final opportunity to be world champions. "I've been waiting for this chance for three years." Added offensive captain LaDanian Bernard, who was a part of the beaten finalists three seasons ago. "I needed this. We all did. And every man on the field tonight, both sides, gave it everything. I wanted to thank these guys [Stoneshore] for one of the best games I have ever played. They pushed us. We pushed back. In the end, we just about did enough to take the win, but it was close. Too close." Bernard had made a point of speaking with Stoneshore's senior defensive end Antigonus Jameson after the game, making it clear in no uncertain terms how much he respected his opposite number. "He got me a few times tonight. That doesn't happen a lot, you know? So I wanted him to know I got love for him even after we just went to war." He explained. "It's the right thing to do."

Utica head coach Anthony Channa will receive a lot of plaudits for this one, after his side went head to head with one of the best defensive programs in NSCF history in a defensive battle, and came out on top. "Defense is my thing but I'm really not sure how to handle this. We'd expected to take it to them offensively and overwhelm them with LDJ and Antoine switching things up. We never thought it would turn into a defensive pissing contest." Channa admitted. "I really don't want to take any credit for the win like that either. They weren't my plays, and at the end of the day we still got held to three points. So yeah, I think [Stoneshore] were magnificent. They practically shut down our entire offense, no matter what we tried. We haven't faced a defense that tough since Frbiba State, and they set defensive records in NSCF that still stand today. That's what we were up against tonight."

When the first quarter ended with a total of ninety yards between the two teams, it was perhaps obvious that scoring was going to be a rare occasion. Utica had started well, Logan making short completions between de Jeruselem's modest runs to move the Tigers 42 yards before Seeger picked off a pass intended for De'roy Hardison, returning it almost back to the line of scrimmage before Logan himself stopped him. That would turn out to be the longest drive -- in terms of yardage -- of the game. "Most I've seen of the ball since I got here." Joked Utica punter Quique Alvarado at the end of the fourth quarter. The sophomore, from Cartagena, made six punts on the night, averaging about thirty-five yards per attempt. "I wasn't ready a couple of times. I just don't expect to have to go in so often."

Most striking about the game was the relative lack of turnovers. In a game with such low scores, between two elite defenses, it's reasonable to expect a substantial number of turnovers, but there were just three on the night; two interceptions -- one for each side -- and a controversial lost fumble for Stoneshore in the Utica red zone. Neither side's offensive line seemed up to the task of hadling the opponent's defensive front, however. Between them, Logan and took an astonishing thirteen sacks on the night. "Proper, old school football tonight." Said Utica defensive co-ordinator Reiss Ives, a former Osarius Firebirds linebacker. "We really dialled up the blitz on them, and it showed. We had faith in our secondary to shut down the passing game, and we just went at them." It showed. The overwhelming pick for MVP was Utica's junior middle linebacker, Ruben Vega, who ended the night with ten tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. The Renneville native was delighted with his contribution, though it will have come as no surprise to Utica fans. Vega has accumulated a total of eighty six tackles across his sixteen games this season, and has anchored a Utica defense that has been much stronger against the run than usual. "Ruben deserved that award. He's on the radar for defensive player of the year too, though there's a lot of competition there. Thing about Ruben is that he's understated, so you don't notice what he does for the team unless you're looking for him. But you check the stats, his name will appear over and over, tackle after tackle. It's what he does." Ives said.

Preparation has already begun for Utica's defense of their championship next year, too. The tubrissian school's recruitment co-ordinator, Ryan LaTrane, announced that Anthony Channa, who had been recruiting on the sly, apparently, had requested that offers be extended to several potential playmakers on offense. On this evidence, the Tigers will need them. Allen Hargreaves III tops the list, as Utica seek an elite tight end, which they haven't had since they had the Kraian duo of Selassie and Wekey. "A-Tre" fits the bill, and then some. Cosumarite receiver Bran Helmsman is said to have received an offer, too, with Channa and Hardison impressed with his exceptional hands -- Kendrick Lloyd's sometimes erratic, bullet-speed delivery should pose no problems for him, apparently. Marshall Eisworth's outlandish speed has seen him receive an offer from Utica, too. Garry Hendrix and Bernardo Cardona have both received offers, and if Utica land them both, they could be fielding the two best tackles in college ball in a couple years time. The problem for Utica is an apparent dearth of quality offensive playmakers in the Osarian recruiting class this year, and they're about to lose a lot of theirs. Expect to see them look overseas to pick up a special freshman who could contribute immediately, or we may see them hit particularly hard by the curse of the runner up next year.