World Bowl XLI Everything Thread

[Sarzonia]

The match may not have counted in the tables for either team, but as the Sarzonian national gridball team stood in the tunnel at Dave Wilson Stadium in Woodstock waiting to be introduced to the over-capacity crowd of 122,014, more than a couple players found themselves more nervous than they ever had been.

Kicker Matt Vargas looked at the entrance to the opposite tunnel after the Delaclav national team were introduced and they'd reached their sideline. The crowd, a mix of 29,847 Delaclav supporters and the rest Sarzonian cheered the nation's longest standing sporting rivalry. It was a friendly rivalry, to be sure, as scores of players from both teams planned post-match outings throughout the Little Catherina neighbourhood.

He wondered if their opponents felt knots in their stomachs the way several Stars players did. Finally, mercifully, public address announcer Hayden Clancy broke the reverie.

"And now, let's give a warm Dave Wilson Stadium welcome to your two-time World Bowl champion Stars!" The players all jogged to the sidelines along with the coaches. While excitement and nerves dominated most of the emotions on that Stars sideline, quarterback Sam Rosen had different feelings.

Anger. The Stars were completely embarrassed the previous match against Delaclava when they had another mid-qualifying exhibition match in Catherina. The Phoenixes hung 67 points on Sarzonia. The Stars only replied with 13.

He shared one emotion with manager Les Steckhall as well. Determination. The team were a lot better than they showed against the Phoenixes. Even though both matches were exhibitions, Steckhall wanted his team to show their fans they were worthy of being on the pitch.

He decided to play with his team's full playbook and the full starting lineup against the Phoenixes for the duration of the competitive portion of the contest. The Delaclavs were looking to settle their question mark under centre.

That ended up costing Steckhall the chance to see what the team's backups could do against live competition, but after Vargas drilled a 44-yard field goal to give Sarzonia a 20-17 lead with 1:27 remaining in the fourth quarter and Delaclava out of time outs, Steckhall looked like he would be vindicated.

However, that would not be the case as the Phoenixes would stun the crowd with a walk-off touchdown that would be a stinging rebuke of Steckhall's decision to attempt a pass on third and three at the Sarzonia 48-yard line when a rushing play would have bled another 40 seconds off the clock.

The Stars would have to travel to Brattleboro with the bitter taste of a defeat to an archrival still in their mouths. They were getting ready to face the top ranked team in the multiverse in an away contest with their place in the knockout rounds far from a certainty.

"It means we have a lot of work to do," Steckhall said. "No one said this shit was easy."

[The Transmondian Commonwealth]

Roster:

(The Transmondian Commonwealth is spread across several parallel worlds, and Transmondian names include a "world name" after their surname to indicate which world someone is from. It is not used in everyday conversation, except when there are two people with the same name. For example, the head coach would normally just be called "Kyle Joyce." When writing someone's full name with the world name, the parentheses are optional -- so "Kyle Joyce (Reich)" and "Kyle Joyce Reich" are both acceptable.)

Head Coach: Kyle Joyce (Reich)
Other Coaches: Christian Willis (Rubble), William Lowe, Jeffrey Granger (Black)

Starting Players:

QB: Lin Conway (Rubble)
HB: Alfred Demerdjian (Reich)
HB: Cody Bolt (Warren)
FB: Sealth Bremerton (Rubble)
WR: Samuel Hudson (Coal)
WR: George Leroy (Roche)
TE: Joshua Merrimack (Rubble)
LT: Joe Johnson (Wilderness)
LG: Jacques Aroostook (Rubble)
C: Thomas Collins (Marx)
RG: Adrian Devereaux (Coal)
RT: Mory Galbraith (Mammoth)
RE: Noah Cohasset (Rubble)
LE: Lamar Montague (Nercom)
NT: Albert Cadwallader (Reich)
SLB: Luke Wong (Wilderness)
ILB: Saul Howard (Dark)
ILB: Robin Rousey (Reich)
WLB: Christopher Whitney (Roche)
LCB: Deshawn Lambert (Trump)
RCB: Paul Christ (Dark)
FS: Ricky Mizelle (Reich)
S: Louis Goodwin (Rubble)

Back-up Players:

QB: Malcolm Lawless (Reich)
HB: William Woodman (Marx)
WR: Adolf Ormond (Reich)
WR: Dorian Law (Union)
WR: Marius Hixson (Noble)
TE: Miles Orange (Rubble)
T: James Swanson (Noble)
T: Alexander Harrison (Roche)
G: Fred Sanchez (Wilderness)
C: Gary Coldwell (English)
DE: Ray Rosen (Reich)
DE: Jason Ossipee (Rubble)
DT: Heinrich Hinckley (Reich)
OLB: Lyle Marsden (Silver)
OLB: Ken Ridley (Black)
ILB: Andrew Lynn (Turkey)
CB: William Burke (Roche)
CB: Jeff Madbury (Rubble)
S: Richard Nugent
S: James Hawley (Rickshaw)
K: Robert Metzger (Coal)
P: Philip Nantucket (Rubble)
LS: Jesse Berkshire (Rubble)

Home Stadium: Liberation Stadium, Framingham, Massachusetts, Liberated Reich, capacity 20,000

National Background:

New England seceded from the United States of America in 1789 due to a disagreement with the other states about the legal status of slavery. In the 20th century, fascist governments rose to power in many countries around the world, leaving the democratic Commonwealth of New England more politically and economically isolated than ever. By the 1970s, the country was in a state of economic crisis and many people emigrated to Canada or America.

All of that changed in 1988 when researchers at MIT discovered the means to travel between parallel worlds. By visiting other worlds that had more advanced technology, or simply different technology, New England was able to gain the upper hand over its international enemies. First they imported nuclear weapons and bombed their rivals into submission, but as they acquired more otherworldly technologies and became more confident in their military security, they realized there were less murderous ways to accomplish their goals. They began trading sophisticated medicines and electronics in exchange for political concessions.

However there was one technology that remained a closely guarded secret: the ability to travel between worlds. This was never shared with other nations, no matter what they offered to pay.

In addition to changing the political landscape of their own world, the New Englanders began reaching out to their counterparts in other worlds, attempting to unite the parallel versions of New England under a single government: the Transmondian Commonwealth.

The speed of the Commonwealth's growth across worlds made it impossible to keep things organized, and the country's bureaucracy is constantly struggling to keep up with the rapid influx of new people, ideas, and technologies. This is exacerbated by the fact that many people, places, brands, and institutions have doppelgangers spread across the worlds. It's hard work trying to maintain order, but most people's standard of living has dramatically improved due to the exchange of technology and the influx of cheap raw materials from sparsely populated worlds.

Because most worlds have their own international sporting events, the Commonwealth often fields several "national" teams in the same sport. The World Bowl team's headquarters are in the Liberated Reich, a version of New England that was on the losing end of WWII, but has since been restored to something resembling peace and democracy. The Rubble States, a world that suffered some kind of apocalyptic disaster and lost most of their historical records that explained what even went wrong, are also heavily invested in the World Bowl. The small outpost of Mattapan, Esportiva is the only part of the Commonwealth that is in the same world with other World Bowl participants -- but is too small to field its own professional quality football team.

Any World Bowl teams or visiting fans who need transportation to the Liberated Reich can use the portal station across the street from the Mattapan airport.

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my scorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP injuries to my players: Y
Godmod Injuries to my players: N
Suspend my players: Y
Godmod suspension events: N
Godmod other events: N

Don't do anything ridiculous like suspend/injure the whole team, but it's OK have suspensions or injuries here and there.

[Chromatika]

Chromatik Football League, Seaon 2

Week 7

Alnio Pirates 6–3 Qet Lynx
Staramara Angels 3–10 Depri Lanar Turtles
Depri Sanar Battalion 17–14 Knetyohai Icebreakers
Chromatik City Cyan 6–0 Brisara Juggernauts

The Alnio Pirates have been the most topsy-turvy team this season, as their record has been LWWLWL, with one of those wins coming in a shutout victory over the Cyan. Now, facing the team that won it all a season ago, newcomer Parry Mioto and Niles Mikaela-Jones coupled to utterly take down the Lynx offense, allowing for often troubled kicker Jo Stanton to be the hero with two long-range field goals.

After losing three in a row to start, Deprí Lanar has now won four in a row - this time knocking off another overperforming squad in the Angels. Quarterback Remus Hans had 210 yards and the game's only score while Nikolai Dimitrov had two interceptions.

For fifty-five minutes, the Icebreakers almost had their first win of the season. Then, third and six from their own 42 yard line, Quarterback Harry Oxhan, who'd been the hero up to that point in scoring a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown, mishandled the snap. Ronald Mimisimi fell on the ball, and three plays later, Running Back Ezekiel Haan was in the end zone, and the Batallion had their second victory.

Jill Kieran is having a nightmare season. Another three picks thrown in an ugly victory over the Juggernauts - hopefully she'll bounce back. What is working is the play of Mike Jeremy, who had the game's only score in a pick-six.

Chromatik Football League    Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Qet Lynx                     7    5   2    93   69  +24
2 Staramara Angels             7    5   2    88   66  +22
3 Chromatik City Cyan          7    4   3    96   86  +10
4 Brisara Juggernauts          7    4   3   107   87  +20
5 Depri Lanar Turtles          7    4   3   104   73  +31
6 Alnio Pirates                7    4   3    91   82   +9
7 Depri Sanar Battalion        7    2   5    62  114  −52
8 Knetyohai Icebreakers        7    0   7    49  113  −64

[Tumbra]

THE CAMPUS DAILY
Bringing Faculty And Students Buzz from GSU - and Gamaliel - Three Times A Week Since 1978

BANIJA 23 - 0 TUMBRA
Turns Out...We're Actually In The World Bowl?

It turns out that GSU are actually representing our country in the World Bowl! This piece of shocking news came from GSU Coach Charlie Brown as he revealed after the match against Banija that our previously-stated friendly tour is actually a series qualification matches for the 41st edition of the World Bowl. An exclusive interview with the Coach lays bare the truth - that he entered our GSU side into the tournament to try and get them some experience before the next edition of the University Gridiron Challenge, but pah! It's the World Bowl, ladies and gentlemen (and non-binary folk), and we've gotta show our side some support for their next home game against Equestria!

Meanwhile, our team...sadly sits bottom of the group with one win from four matches. It's still good going, though, and we here at the Campus Daily offer our full support for our boys - after all, how do you beat trained professionals as just amateur university students? The hope is that this gets enough traction to stir up wider support for the sport of gridiron as a whole - and perhaps make a competitor to the other type of football.

Before that, however, we have the return match against Squidroidia, who beat us black and blue 35-17 in the opening match. Turns out that those speakers announcing that we were in the World Bowl, et cetera, were...correct! We'll be covering the game from Squidroidia, and the full match report will be covered EXCLUSIVELY in our newspaper, because nobody else is covering it! For now.

Watch out for the next edition of the Campus Daily where our Sports Correspondent, Julian Michaels (also a senior in the School of Communication and Information) brings you a breakdown of all 53 players in our roster, what they do, and for the ladies and those who swing that way - where they study.

[Ranoria]

Ranoria City Silver Training Facility
Locker Rooms, After Friday Practice

"Wait wait, hold up, your kid fell off the bed when you weren't paying attention?" John Garrett leaned back with a grin and rubbed his face, "Oh man, that's bad!"

"Hey now!" Angelo snapped back with a grin to match, "Mama wasn't watching, kid's noggin survived, that's what really matters! I'm sure you've never had any mishap, huh?" The pass rusher took another sip of his drink, the three being the last men left in the locker room after their practice.

The third? Johnny Farmer, who was just slinging his backpack over his shoulder, snorted, and wrapped an arm around his quarterback. "Angelo, this guy, listen. So he tells his wife, Sarah, that he can watch the babies for an hour while she goes out and gets her nails done, whatever, cool. Anyway, the baby ends up needing a diaper change, and John has absolutely no clue where to even start."

Gordon sat back in his locker, roaring in laughter, "Brother, you don't know how to change a diaper? That's like, the first thing the nurses showed me!"

"So this idiot just pulls the old diaper off and wraps the poor kid in a towel, for an hour, until Sarah gets home." He calls me afterwards, and says that the second she walked in the door, no 'hello, how was your day,' he holds the baby out and tells her 'I am so glad you're back, please help.'"

Angelo Gordon could no longer contain himself, slapping his knees, and absolutely losing it. "Oh man, oh man oh man, that's too good." John Garrett, for his part, hid his smile behind a hand.

"But folks, I'm afraid I'll have to cut this wonderful storytelling event short," Farmer turned on a heel and began to walk out, "Sylvia's pregnant, and I don't wanna leave her fending for herself any more than I have to." With a mock bow and a little flourish, the tight end was off, and the others would say their good byes and depart promptly as well.

John Garrett, of course, was just grateful for any positive interaction with Angelo Gordon. Anything to keep that nightmarish pass rusher from hitting him full-force during the domestic season.

[Chromatika]

Will the second leg of the group stage start off on a high note for you? Cutoff!

---

Matchday 6

Teams in Red are eliminated.


Group A Bye: Ranoria
Chromatika 27–17 Abanhfleft
HUElavia 23–14 Silvedania

Group A                                           Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Ranoria                                           4    4   0   121   53  +68
2 Chromatika                                        5    3   2   104   78  +26
3 HUElavia                                          5    3   2    83   62  +21
4 Abanhfleft                                        5    2   3    85   72  +13
5 Silvedania                                        5    0   5    40  168 −128

Group B Bye: Equestria
Squidroidia 13–17 Tumbra
Banija 33–3 Appalachian Nation

Group B                                           Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Banija                                            5    4   1    79   12  +67
2 Squidroidia                                       5    3   2    80   61  +19
3 Tumbra                                            5    2   3    71  109  −38
4 Appalachian Nation                                5    2   3    60   88  −28
5 Equestria                                         4    1   3    30   50  −20

Group C Bye: Anthor
Augusticinia 0–17 Allamunnic States
Geektopia 53–7 Hebitaka

Group C                                           Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Geektopia                                         5    4   1   160   34 +126
2 Allamunnic States                                 5    4   1    56   40  +16
3 Anthor                                            4    3   1    50   37  +13
4 Hebitaka                                          5    1   4    38  122  −84
5 Augusticinia                                      5    0   5    17   88  −71

Group D Bye: Kriegiersien
Cassadaigua 16–3 Sarzonia
BohemiaIV 24–20 Xanneria

Group D                                           Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Cassadaigua                                       5    5   0   156   47 +109
2 Sarzonia                                          5    3   2    83   86   −3
3 Xanneria                                          5    2   3    99   78  +21
4 Kriegiersien                                      4    1   3    50   89  −39
5 BohemiaIV                                         5    1   4    57  145  −88

Group E Bye: Ko-oren
The Desiccated States 7–10 Kohnhead
Saint Kanye 25–3 South Newlandia

Group E                                           Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Saint Kanye                                       5    4   1   103   49  +54
2 Ko-oren                                           4    3   1    37   22  +15
3 Kohnhead                                          5    3   2   123  104  +19
4 The Desiccated States                             5    1   4    40   60  −20
5 South Newlandia                                   5    1   4    39  107  −68

Group F Bye: Drawkland
Saint-Domingues 13–0 United Volcano Isles
Greater Vakolicci Haven 9–23 TJUN-ia

Group F                                           Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 TJUN-ia                                           5    5   0   115   43  +72
2 Greater Vakolicci Haven                           5    3   2    64   46  +18
3 Drawkland                                         4    2   2    66   45  +21
4 United Volcano Isles                              5    1   4    38  100  −62
5 Saint-Domingues                                   5    1   4    50   99  −49

Group G Bye: Saltstead
Royal Kingdom of Quebec 37–20 The Transmodian Commonwealth of New England
Karditan 27–0 Smosh games

Group G                                           Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 The Transmodian Commonwealth of New England       5    4   1    92   68  +24
2 Karditan                                          5    4   1    71   23  +48
3 Royal Kingdom of Quebec                           5    3   2   121   49  +72
4 Smosh games                                       5    1   4    12   99  −87
5 Saltstead                                         4    0   4     9   66  −57

Group H Bye: Newmanistan
Mapletish 0–20 Delaclava
Northwest Kalactin 23–0 Sword Island

Group H                                           Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Newmanistan                                       4    4   0    62   33  +29
2 Delaclava                                         5    4   1   107   57  +50
3 Northwest Kalactin                                5    3   2    95   51  +44
4 Mapletish                                         5    1   4    26   72  −46
5 Sword Island                                      5    0   5    18   95  −77

[The Desiccated States]

Group E – MD6

      1   2   3   4   F
KND   0   7   0   3  10
TDS   0   0   7   0   7
BOX                                                                   KND  TDS
  2 Phillip Haney 22 yard interception return (Wanda Parkinson kick)   7    0
  3 Noah Mindiron 2 yard rush (Sundew Twinklefeather kick)   	       7    7
  4 Wanda Parkinson 29 yard field goal   			      10    7

Crewman Jarridan’s Personal Log, Stardate 20210303.1415

My nutritional intake is calorifically adequate. I received a passing efficiency grade on my recent workplace evaluation. I have performed 7.2 hours of additional work in the capacity of backup defensive tackle on the Crew football team. Dr. U-Mod-79c buffed out a slight dent in my occipital plate.

Computer, end log.

Computer, open encrypted file Nine Seven Alpha Red, authorization Jarridan 4d 3b 2c Zero Eight.

Winebalt Basnage’s Personal Log, Stardate 20210303.1418

Is there a more haunted soul in all this universe than I? Stuck here, far among the stars, on this infernal ship with this dreary crew of Anthro- do-gooders, doing nothing but playing this stupid game! Throw the ball, catch the ball, run with the ball. Block the other person, tackle the other person, chase the other person. That smug young ensign who looks about 12 years old shouting at us like he’s been field promoted to admiral, that silly little bearded woman running up and down screeching “slani!” at us, that appalling captain gracing us with her presence every couple of days so she can deliver yet another speech about friendship and family. If she needs a few more f’s I’d be happy to give her one: ‘fuck you’. Here’s another: ‘fuck off’. Another: ‘fuck!’

But I need this crew to function. Repairing the Hyper-Drive and finding and processing enough unobtainium to get us back to Desiccant Space is beyond my means. So I’m entirely reliant on them. For now. I hacked into the computer databank again last night and read the latest Senior Staff meeting. They’ve found some unobtainium reserves in a place called Buffalostan, but are holding off on approaching the natives about mining it given the strange temporal readings being given off. Hammerman wants to investigate, Nonopalet urges caution. Hx seems to be the one with the captain’s ear, for now. I scanned the personal logs. Seems Hammerman’s anatomical priorities with respect to our fair captain involve something other than the ear.

I am worried about two members of the crew: Xian and Twinklefeather. Of them, Xian is the more dangerous one. They do not trust me; they asked me a question about anti-rust toothpaste that I am convinced was meant to be a trap. If I hadn’t prepared so well for this mission I would have been caught out. But having to be on guard around them at all time makes it harder to maintain the psychic shielding disciplines. Twinklefeather is, I think, the most powerful empath here. Aricmarc and Watersfield are more preoccupied with the game and the Savant cannot read me at all. If Twinklefeather were not spending so much time wallowing in pity over all these stupid kicks she keeps missing – why someone as intelligent as Chiasson has appointed her kicker, I do not understand – she might have been able to read me.

Amusingly, the only one on this ship who can read me at present is Skaduwee, the immense worm-beast. Xe cannot communicate with the rest however, but xe has most assuredly determined my true identity. Some years ago I assassinated a member of the Council of Big-Worms; I’ve been marked for death by xir people ever since. For now, xir pique is limited to refusing to dance after Jjuuddeerrbbiiddiill and I sacked Watford, the Brains quarterback.

I am fortunate that my computer skills are superior to any of these humble Anthro plodders. Not being able to maintain my personal log, I might have gone crazy by now, stuck inside this metal shellsuit.

Computer, end log.

Some time later

Computer, open encrypted file Nine Seven Alpha Red.

Authorization Greystark Zero Zero Zero One.

Is there a more haunted soul in all this universe than I? Stuck here, far among the stars…

[Sarzonia]

The Sarzonian national gridball team may have entered the second half on a roll as far as the Group D table is concerned with the team in second place behind world No. 1 and defending champion Cassadaigua, but the mood for the Stars and manager Les Steckhall was anything but ebullient.

The team were coming off a 24-20 defeat to regional neighbours and sporting archrivals Delaclava. Granted, the match didn't count in the World Bowl XLI tables and the two countries were and are the best of friends. But after a second half comeback saw the Stars take a late lead against the Phoenixes, only leading to a walk-off victory with no time left on the clock, the Stars certainly didn't feel the part of a team with a strong record.

The fact that they were in Brattleboro to play Cassadaigua, only made the team's mood grim. They were badly outclassed in Woodstock, and the navy and silver-clad supporters at Joe Gibbs Stadium let them hear about it. They were again outclassed, losing 16-3 in Five Star Mobile Stadium, giving the Stars a 3-2 record, only good for second place because previously winless BohemiaIV knocked off Xanneria 24-20.

"We just didn't get off track at any point during this match," a visibly fuming Steckhall said after the match. "The Fillies are a great team, but we can't win gridball games if we don't generate more than 178 yards of total offence."

In fact, Sarzonia's best threat happened on special teams, as punt returner Clancy Rollingford returned one of Danielle Hayner's four punts in the match 78 yards to the Dagan one-yard line before the return was called back to the Cassadaigua 48 because of a holding penalty. Quarterback Sam Rosen scrambled 19 yards on third-and-11 in the drive, which led to a Matt Vargas 46-yard field goal for Sarzonia's only points of the match. It was the longest play from scrimmage for the Stars offence, and it made Rosen the team's leading rusher with 23 yards. Running back Ty'Relle Clinton left during the first half of the match complaining of dehydration, and he was left out of the match as a precaution.

"If we needed to win the match to qualify for the knockout rounds, I think I could have convinced the medical staff to let him play," Steckhall said. "Lord knows we need him."

The Stars defence were about the only bright spot, as they held the Dagans offence to one touchdown and three field goal attempts. However, defensive coordinator Kyle Hanley won't be doing any victory laps for holding the Dagans to 16 points, a full 13 below their next lowest scoring output, and a victory margin (13) that was lower than any of their previous results but Sarzonia's defeat in Woodstock.

"We don't do moral victories here," Hanley said. "We recognise and acknowledge that Cassadaigua are an outstanding side, but we can't just go saying 'hey, we're good enough to be somewhat competitive against the champs!' You don't get anywhere thinking like that."

Rosen said the team was looking forward to playing its match against Kriegiersien at home for one reason.

"We won't have to see them naked," he said of the team's supporters, players, coaches, and team staff.

The Stars will then face Xanneria away before closing out the group stage with a home fixture against BohemiaIV, who avoided elimination with their victory. Sarzonia will have a bye after the Kriegiersien match.

[Squidroidia]

"Waters with the ball, throws it, finds SOPLES! And he's in the endzone, TOUCHDOWN, GAMALIEL STATE! YOU ARE IN THE WORLD BOWL!! YOU'VE DEFEATED THE SQUIDROIDIA FLYERS!

The Inkopolis City Stadium was silent. It was the 4th quarter, Squidroidia were leading 13-10 over the Gamaliel State team representing the nation of Tumbra, and like that... They lost. Tumbra's national gridiron representatives, a college team that would fit more in the NSCF, had their 2nd win of the campaign. Against the Flyers, a team made out of army men and graduated squids. 17-13 Tumbra. They had finally found where they were - The World Bowl. The professional world championship for gridiron football. They were underdogs against the Banijas and Squidroidias of the world... And they were winning. The Tumbran threat to the playoffs was real.

In the locker room after the game, Colonel Tanyu wasn't impressed. The Tumbran team they beat away from home just whooped their butt and put them in the danger zone - They couldn't slip up now. Not against Appy Nation, not against Equestria, and certainly not against Banija. One loss and their run to the playoffs would be put into jeopardy. They had to win, they really did. To quote the Colonel, the players were like they just exited a "run down bar in the outskirts of the city", "drunkedly" playing football against inferior opposition and "stumbling" to a loss. It only seemed to make their players... Uninspired.

And yet... They still had to win. And win convincingly too. No room for errors or jokes or mistakes. Winning was mandatory, not optional. A win was more important than anything else, same comes in war. A win is pride for your side, room that you could go further and further than what was possible... A loss condemns one to worry about their selves. In order to win the World Bowl, you have to win. And win a LOT. These were some of the best teams in the world after all. That trophy seemed oh so far, but with every win it would get closer, each win putting you a step ahead, every loss making the trophy seem farther to one compared to before.

The second half was already underway. And it was off... To face the Mountaineers.

[TJUN-ia]

After we ended the first half in style with a 44-point shutout in the United Volcano Islands, the 4-0 Jaguars came back from their extended break to play 4 more games on the road to their first-ever playoffs in Gridiron Football. The pressure is certainly off the shoulders of Gus McKerrin after a brilliant start to his 3rd WB campaign but coming up first after this long break was a very big game indeed. Greater Vakolicci Haven is the next best behind us at 3-1, beating Drawkland to that role, and with Grid Corps on their bye week, this contest on the road at GVH is the big game of the week in this group. With so much riding on this game, it was up to Jags to try and rise up to the occasion once again.

In a game as big as this one, the first half was certainly an interesting one indeed. This time around, Gus knew that getting points on the board was very important to this team's success in the future and so, the main emphasis was on trying to use the 2-Point Conversion to great effect in this contest. The first opportunity to try it would come soon enough as Jake Griffin found Hubert Valois for a 23-yard opening touchdown. Then came the attempt at two, where Griffin found space to simply run into the endzone and make it 8-0 Jags. But GVH wasn't giving up in this contest just yet and managed to score a field goal before the end of Q1. Q2 would see more offence from the hosts as they actually managed to score a touchdown, but not with an extra point, and that would actually turn out to be the only points they would score for the rest of the game. After that, it was all TJUN-ia from here as Griffin scored 2 more TDs in this contest - one from 12 yards that was supported by 2 points and one from 25 that was complimented by Chi On-Ma and his conversion. All-in-all, it was another great performance by this Jaguars side and maybe, just maybe, fans are starting to believe that our playoff drought may soon come to an end.

One down, three to go. Next up is 1-4 Saint-Domingues in The Gardens and don't assume this will be an easy win for us. If we know anything about this sport already, it's the teams you don't expect that may pull the rug from under your feet. GO JAGS!

---

SCHEDULE (Group F)
MD1: vs Greater Vakolicci Haven (24) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington W 10-7 (2nd)
MD2: @Saint-Domingues (UR) W 13-3 (1st)
MD3: vs Drawkland (6) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington W 25-24 (1st)
MD4: @United Volcano Islands (UR) W 44-0 (1st)
MD5: BYE (1st/4-0/+58PD)
--------------------------BREAK--------------------------
MD6: @Greater Vakolicci Haven (24) W 23-9 (1st)
MD7: vs Saint-Domingues (UR) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington
MD8: @Drawkland (6) - Metro Arena, Metropolon
MD9: vs United Volcano Islands (UR) - Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington
MD10: BYE

[Geektopia]

Legend

——- Head Coach Rebic // ——- Gnewuch, QB of Turinigre Rovers // ——- Nuciforo, RB of Kussore Riflemen // ——- Henna, WR of Desa Sirens // ——- Gearns, K of Offtsutare Whitehares // ——- Giesinger, CB of Offtsutare Whitehares // ——- Amel, OLB, Free Agent

——- >>> Boys, that was a wonderful statement. I’m not calling it a win, because it was like every one of you only cared to score more than you did before to prove the panelists who oathed on their life that we wouldn’t catch more than thirty six points wrong, no matter the result. Actually if some of you didn’t, I’d have liked you to play as if you wanted to win and go four out of five in terms of games played. With a loss, we would have stalemated the Allamunic States’ 3-2 record, a nation which we triple-downed two days ago!

——- >>> Baws, you mofuggin’ idiot, you used a term from the sport of basketball to describe our amazing encounter wit’ the Allamunainics Statictethesis. Mann, islige I have to create conflict with my coach cuz I’ve begun to love him so much that I’m sick of it.

——- >> For one, you should elaborate on most of the pronunciation regarding what you just said. Hey, Gearns, didn’t you used to be a power forward back in your days of playing basketball? How the heck did you get around to being a kicker, let alone our only competent kicker who plays on an international level? Isn’t basketball a hands-on activity?

——- >>> Iss all about inspiration, coach. I was inspired by the man Zedong Barkow of Chinese Congo, he’s i’sh fuggin amazing source of motivation for me, and when I get brought out to get ready for my field goal attempt I think of the struggle with his legs that he endured for basketball so I can disrespect his legacy in life by converting a three-pointer and establishing that I can kick better than Barkow even if he didn’t have a prosthetic leg.

——- >>> Yeah-ha-hah, fuck the Chinese Congo and how well they’ve done in any department of sports, we can do better! That’s the spirit, Gearns! You go tell that puddle of piss to die and go to hell for Geektopia’s sake if you do happen to meet him. Hahah, I could just imagine us against their one hundred pound skeletons in the shotgun position, just blowing them away with that the whole game, that would surely be a college gridiron score, ehhm, something like 150-27.

——- >>> Rebic, this is deficiente mental, my friend. Why are you blinded by such blatant chauvinism to say these things? My heart feels suffocated and my mind confus-

——- >>> Llet’s stop talking about you Gnewuch, and start planning out the next game. Am I going to start all of you? I’m not sure. Will I consider dropping most of you to stay loyal to our team sheet that was posted on Geektivities a day after we registered? Most definitely, I’ll be calling out the names in which I am dropping for next game against Anthor. You should all fee unimportant as my starting lineup for the Hebitaka match was mostly unimportant, as was the game. Next up we have Augusticinia, who we shitfaced by four touchdowns. I am going to be faithful to the back line and not change anything there, so any defensive starters for that game playing tonight are going to have to get ready. Maybe do some warm-ups, deadlift Aimenans, and watch our encounters from the last World Bowl, kind of observe what we have to change yourselves through those videos as I have. Offensively, I don’t think we did anything of significance. Yeah, it was twenty eight to nothing, but I told you offensive players to make a statement before you went out there and you nearly did that, just nearly. Our target for these teams below Pot Three are no less than thirty points, and as you can imagine, I was quite disappointed. That’s why I reviewed our footage from that fateful day and decided to sub out Gnewuch for the slightly better player in Wittenhagen,

——- >>> Wow boss, truuuly amazing of you. You are a superior gridiron player and if I was in youur place I totally would not be subbing you off for Wiiiittenhaaaagen.

——- >>> Nuciforo and Strelka for Ibezim and Pegany, Henna for Asinas,

——- >>> Dude, I could not care less, hahha! I am the most free spirit out of all of you gridiron players! I exude more confidence, get more girls, and have a higher metabolism. Beat tha-

——- >>> Suihkonen for De Vorce, and lastly, Kinsworthy for Sibbet. For those who are on the starting lineup train, get ready, as this could go either way. Regarding our benchwarmers, specifically Henna, please don’t make me have to cut you off.

——- >>> I’m glad to have started, but there’s one question I’d like to ask you boss, and that is: why are you prioritizing this game of gridiron over our last one? It’s like you blew all of your caution to the wind and are just now realizing that you did such a thing. Actually, I think I’ve answered my question.

——- >>> No, that’s not right. I always blow caution to the wind after hard-fought games, like that one versus the Allamunic States. At the beginning of my talk, I may have blown the win off a bit, but I was caught in the moment because we sent a statement by shocking the third best team in the gridiron multiverse by telling you all to rest up during and before the other fixture versus Anthor, where we got shitfaced by one point. Point being, nothing is more important than training as hard as you can before the next bout after you’ve just been let off against an easy opponent and are facing another one soon, because you never know if you’re going to get too carried away or not!

——- >>> Let’s start this contest on a high note, geeks.

---

Game 1
Hebitaka            3     0     0     0   |   3
Geektopia           6     9     7    14   |  36

Game 2, Day 3
Geektopia           7     8     7     6   |  28
Augusticinia        0     0     0     0   |   0

Game 3, Day 4
Anthor              7     0     7     0   |  14
Geektopia           0     7     6     0   |  13

Game 4, Day 5
Allamunic States    7     0     3     0   |  10
Geektopia           0     9     7    14   |  30

Game 5, Day 6
Geektopia          14     7    17    15   |  53
Hebitaka            0     7     0     0   |   7

[Abanhfleft]

DISCLAIMER: Gaelic Gamers is an independent sports blogging website created by four cousins with a common liking and passion for sports of all kinds and is in no way or form affiliated with or organized by any official news organization in the Democratic Republic of Abanhfleft. All statements and opinions posted here are our own and not anyone else's.

---

Gaelic Gamers
Presents...

Gabbing on Gridiron
with Dara Keane

WORLD BOWL XLI RECAP: MATCHDAY SIX

Chromatika     10  3  7  7  27
Abanhfleft      7  7  3  0  17

Well, now. This whole World Bowl just got turned on its head. Again. I honestly can't remember the last time Abanhfleft have started off this poorly in a World Bowl. I actually think we had a better record at this stage of the game in our very first World Bowl. Then again, I may be talking out of my arse for this one. But what we all can't deny is the fact that we are now officially 2-3 with three games left to play. Honestly, I don't rate our chances of even ending this group stage with a .500 record. That's how badly things have gone.

I told you I feel sorry for poor Glenn Poore. He's just trying to do his job, lead Abanhfleft to victory, but once again his offensive line has failed him. Just like with the Port Thim Constructors. Christ above, this offensive line is supposed to be the best that could be assembled from all the offensive linemen born in Abanhfleft and playing gridiron. You're telling that they're just as bad as Port Thim's O-line? If someone told me that before the start of this particular World Bowl, I'd have asked them where I could acquire whatever it is they have smoked. But now I'd rather have something to smoke than watch this O-line let poor Glenn Poore get sacked over and over again. It's a damn miracle we even have points on the board despite that! Man, now I'm beginning to sound like the Man from Markovsky with all the Christ aboves and miracles and whatnot...

Oh, and did I mention anything in the recap of Matchday One of this World Bowl that we played Chromatika at their place? Silly me, we actually played them at the Imponte Garden! I don't even know how I was able to make such a basic error, and I also can't believe the editors actually let that fucking big mistake slip through! There was no case of stage fright happening for the Chromatiks at all. Not back then, and not today. The Iron Legion stepped up, and they avenged their defeat in Kammala by taking us out on their home turf. Looks like we have a lot more work to do before we can even consider ourselves fit to play in Chromatika anytime soon. But judging by our recent results, we're not even going to be able to make it there anyway.

At least it was a cracking game. Everyone was on the edge of their seats, even us. We had chances to get level or even regain the lead until the final minutes of the fourth quarter. But damn, do the Chromatiks have a great two-minute drill. Kenner Jones is finally finding his receivers once again, even from 30 yards away. Alessandra Mio is no longer dropping the pigskin anytime it comes in contact with the skin of her fingertips. Kimberly Fowler is basically plowing through our D-line, those that haven't been taken out by Amber Feeley, at least. I said it before, and I'll say it again: this is not the same Armoured Revolutionaries team we once had. It's like being witness to the end of an age. You know it's the end, but you have no idea of what will come next, and basically that's just the worst feeling in the world, not knowing anything about what lies ahead. I think that's a fear shared by all of mankind. I don't know about pony-kind, broom-kind, and all the other races and species and animate objects in the multiverse though, and I won't presume to talk for them.

Man, this World Bowl campaign really has turned on its head. When we went into this one, the objective was to at least go deeper than the octofinals this time around. But given what's happening to this team right now, simply getting out of the groups is looking more and more a gargantuan task by the minute. And my confidence that this team can turn things around is growing smaller and smaller by the second. Ha, that's what she said. Alvin Delgado, Alvin Delgado, Alvin Delgado....

[Kriegiersien]

The Football Nerd

In a shocking turn of the event for the Kriegiersien team (but no one else), the Kriegiersiens found out that they had to play a second round. So eleven volunteering[sic] players who preferred[sic] to play “real football”[sic] were flown back by ship[sic] from the Arena Bowl in HUElavia to play the rest of the matches, coaching and supporting each other by themselves and the Fans.
“I am sure that you fine players can beat BohemiaIV and give Sarzonia and Xanneria a good fight. And Cassadaigua, well, if the World Champion forgets to appear or is struck by a pandemic and put in quarantine, maybe even win against them”, explained the Coach per webcam from a hotel room in HUElavia with a scotch in his hand.

The brought back eleven:

Quarterback:
Agatha Raisin

Wide receiver:
Christina Conman
Gora Gonzales

Defensive tackle:
Zoghuk
Urgana

Linebacker:
Gritzmogar
Skakgokh
Hrahrblagg
Gloomkleava

Cornerback:
Gostrarlug Merrysunder
Turfuil Barrelgrip

[Tumbra]

Three downs had gone by in the match against Squidroidia, and it was time for a field goal. Enter Nick Evans, the resident kicker and sophomore student studying Accounting at the School of Business, who strode onto the field for what could possibly give Tumbra - not GSU anymore, as Brown reminded them, but Tum-bloody-bra - an advantage. The hopes of the Federal Republic - well, those that gave a shit about gridiron anyway - were on them.

"Pesvern 67. Pesvern 67," shouted Waters as he assumed his typical half squat to snap the ball to Rudolph Stewart. As Evans jogged onto the pitch to take his place after hearing his last instructions from Brown and Hewitt (which he mostly drowned out anyways), he shared his knowing grin with Rudolph. The two knew each other, they worked together well, they functioned as a unit. After all, Rudolph was the reason why Nick had managed to displace Michael Jones, the backup kicker, after just one University Gridiron Challenge.

As Nick assumed his position to go in for the kick after the snap - not too high, or Rudolph's fingers would get hurt, and not too low, lest it go soaring somewhere he didn't want - his mind suddenly flashed back to when he was seventeen, old enough to sign a professional contract to play for Readale Wanderers - his boyhood club, the one he wanted to play for since he was young, watching his hero Gerald Scicluna (when he still played for Readale) leap about like an acrobat, keeping what seemed like every single ball out at every match he played - as a goalkeeper. The other football, mind you. The one played with a spherical ball, not a oval one.

"You've got good reflexes and your goal kicks are even better than our first-team backup's sometimes...your distribution is phenomenal." said then-Readale U-18 manager Peter Harris, behind his desk, almost as if he was trying to avoid the look of disappointment in Nick's eyes. "But I'm afraid management doesn't want to offer you a contract. They think you're too small, can't grow much more. I'm sorry." He placed a white letter on the table. "We're not offering you a professional contract."

Nick didn't exactly remember what happened next. It was a blur, but he did remember holding back tears as he walked out of Harris' office, past his team-mates, ignoring everything they asked, and just running into the family car and crying into his father's shoulder. His father understood, and brought him out to the local Grillby's for a steak dinner that night. There, he advised Nick to study hard for the 'A' level examinations so he could enter a university - with a particular eye on GSU, which was only about ten kilometres away from Readale's outer limits. Close to home.

He aced the examinations. Four As in Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Economics.

He decided on Accounting - so if he didn't get into sports, he at least had a future somewhere else - and turned up at GSU slightly lost, slightly confused but determined to make a name for himself. After all, he didn't want to go around regaling girls with tales of how he nearly made it into Readale Wanderers' team but...didn't.

Almost immediately during Initiation Week he was introduced to the sport of gridiron. He saw what the team could do. He was introduced, in quick succession, to the game, the coach, and once the tryouts were complete and he landed the spot of kicker, the team. And he fit right in. Easygoing, jovial, never taking things too seriously.

And it was during his first UGC that he made his name, sailing a three point field goal in from 39 yards out. After that, him and Rudolph hit it off, and never looked back. They worked together, trained together, ate together. Becoming a unit. And he'd forgotten about the sting of rejection, the pain of not being accepted by Readale, for he'd found his home, the place where he belonged, the team he wanted to succeed. And so he threw himself in. Found a new family. A girlfriend. His one love. The atmostphere in the arena was reaching fever pitch, and for the first time, in the corner of his eye, Nick noticed Tumbran flags amongst the GSU flag in the corner. People noticed. People were noticing. And that gave him confidence. A slow smile crept across his face as Dan Waters snapped the ball backwards into the hands of Rudolph Stewart.

Rudolph laid it on the ground, exactly how Nick wanted it. Thirty-three yards out. This was easy.

Almost lazily, approaching the ball like it was the other type of football, Nick Evans ran in and kicked the ball. It soared up, up, up, past the Squidroidian defences, and through the goal-mouth. It was good. But Brown didn't really want to celebrate, and as the defence readied themselves for the next play, Evans strode off the pitch, next to Stewart.

This was just the second quarter, and they'd be in for a long match to try and defeat the seventeenth-ranked side in the world - but they'd take every little bit they could get, and give no quarter in the hunt for revenge against the team that had beat them (perhaps taking advantage of the confusion the team had when it was announced they were taking part in the World Bowl) on MD1.

It'd be hard.

But they'd sure as hell try.

[Ko-oren]

City Rivalries
The new Sports Market report was just released by Jarongi, and while the report doesn't include clear figures of just by how much Greencaster is first over Willowbourne and the rest, the ranking seems to be a mix of number of teams in the highest division and population. Having a lot of teams involved in second divisions and lower has a small effect as well, but you know that people aren't as hyped about a lower league rugby union matchup than a marquee gridiron fixture. Of course, if your city plays the national sports of soccer or gridiron instead of more local tastes like cricket and baseball is weighed in as well: the gridiron Eaglebury Emperors draw a crowd no matter what, even if they are in... the 19th market of the nation.

Also, it's easy to predict which teams hate one another. Katashi Wasps versus Katashi Hawks is on everyone's calendar even if it's in rugby league. It's harder to predict which cities (or markets), as a whole, always produce fun matchups. Here's an attempt to rank some of them anyway. These rankings are biased towards:
- Big cities
- Big (and/or successful) teams
- in popular sports
- where the cities care about more or less the same sports.

1) Greencaster versus Willowbourne
The two largest cities of the country share a language and a love for the same sports. In soccer, gridiron, rugby union, and cricket, it's hard to find any single week on the calendar that doesn't pit teams from these cities against one another. The biggest event of the year is probably the Godspeed versus the Saints in the Gridiron League, the Green versus the Reds: if there's any single game that stops the nation, it's this one. No matter how bad these teams are, this one fixture sells out in seconds. Other games include rugby union's Galaxy versus the Foxes, again, a green versus red affair. There is also a considerable cricket rivalry, though Greencaster saves it's antipathy for some other teams there.

2) Santa Teresa versus Ferrovente
While neither are in the top 5 of markets, the Desert Twins enjoy a good amount of one-upsmanship in soccer, baseball, or rugby league. You could even organise competitive grass growing and these places will still find a way to care about it. Rugby league's Ferrovente Scorpions and Santa Teresa Sabres are always a thing, and so are the various baseball arrangements between the Whales and the Stars. With Castelo e Calvente's ascent through the soccer pyramid they'll be looking to compete versus the well-established Branvon and Miradela squads of Santa Teresa.

3) Schemerdrecht versus Aminey
And now for our first political matchup. On opposite coasts of the Bay, it's northern Schemerdrecht and its centralist meritocratic vibes versus southern Aminey and its bias towards democracy. The political arena has quieted down over the years, but it only fueled the fires under the athletic representatives: it's Aminey CS versus Schemerdrecht SVV in soccer, or in gridiron: either the 65ers or the Admirals (Schemerdrecht have two teams) versus the Aminey Caspians. Moves in baseball also means we now have the Aminey Wanderers versus the Intermare Admirals, which are tame in comparison.

4) Schemerdrecht versus Sterrenwolde
The two cities of the north (but not the far north - else I'll get angry letters from Aevanna) aren't at each other's throats in the slightest but they never let the opportunity go by to put the other in its place. The 65ers or Admirals versus the Sterrenwolde Dragonflies (the latter being the most successful team in gridiron) are sights to behold, and it's a shame we only get a total of four games per year out of them. Sterrenwolde further only has teams in lower divisions, such as the second soccer division's Sterrenwolde FC which are trying to break into the Top League to knock off Schemerdrecht SVV. Sterrenwolde is huge in lower league gridiron, which is also how the Dragonflies keep getting such good squads.

5) Sterrenwolde versus Aminey
You knew it was coming, the third in the love-hate triangle. The Caspians versus the Dragonflies is the second largest rivalry in gridiron and actually enjoys a slightly larger national audience than Saints-Godspeed: a bigger geographical spread and opposing philosophies will do that.

6) Aminey versus the Capitals
Aminey isn't done yet (and will actually appear twice more) as they also have beef with the Capitals. Once a political fight, later an economic one, and now an athletic one, it's a slightly one-sided one as Aminey finds this one a bit more important than the Capitals, who are mostly busy beating each other up rather than accept that there's a world beyond their city limits. Still, the Caspians versus either the Destroyers or Wolves (and especially the blue Caspians versus the green Destroyers is a big one, but only played once a year) in gridiron, or Aminey CS versus Maethoru SC in soccer: the first is the biggest budget team of Ko-oren... the latter has a trophy cabinet. Other than that, this rivalry indicates the rugby league-rugby union split: the Capitals marginally favour union, while Aminey is a league town through and through.

7) Willowbourne versus the Capitals
Willowbourne is the crossroads of the country and has its entire wealth and status to thank to the Capitals, who planned it that way. Still, the underdog feeling is real for the Willowburnians, who still feel like a small town in comparison. Saints-Destroyers/Wolves, or the Foxes versus Wanderers-Vulpecula in rugby union, and an occasional soccer cup match, there's some heat here. Again, this one's quite one-sided with the hate coming from Willowbourne.

8) Aminey versus Linieux/Norille/Anarcourt
Aminey, we almost forgot about you! You didn't appear for one whole item. The underdog status is for Linieux/Norille/Anarcourt this time, a trio of cities upstream from the river that exits into the Bay at Aminey. Couziers-Olympiques versus Aminey CS in soccer, or the Linieux Harriers versus the Buffaloes or Owls in rugby league, or even the beginnings of a baseball versus cricket debate, it's all there in the francophone fray.

9) Bruncester versus Cirelbourne
The southeastern towns are well past their glory days, but 'we were greats once' lives on in both areas. The Ko-orenite rust belt still has some sportive achievements to look back on and they're rehashed several times per year as the respective clubs line up. Even if the teams aren't the contenders of the past, all of eastern Surbourneshire stops when the Bruncester yellow-clad teams meet the black-and-whites of Cirelbourne. That's mostly in soccer, though, as the two regions join forces in cricket as Eastern Surbourneshire or the Eastern Miners.

X) Aminey versus Étouille/Granon
Aminey makes one more appearance! This time it's northern Cote Austral versus southern Cote Austral - Étouille/Granon lying in the south as a better holiday option. Aminey is a massive city compared to the two, but it's still a tale of the Vultures (Étouille) versus the Buffaloes or Owls, or the Challengers versus the Wanderers in baseball. Not Ko-oren's most well supported leagues, so this one can't go too high.

=) Alara versus Echizen, or Teragaseki
Most of Ko-oren might not care, but the two smallest of the eastern islands definitely do. Alara have a strangely high-profile set of teams in the biggest proponents of attacking soccer with Advance Alara, as well as local rugby league team the Spiders. Echizen has the Dragons in baseball, Teragaseki has the Dynamo. The baseball derbies are a sight to behold, and representative rugby league teams of the two latter areas play Alara in a high-stakes friendly each year.

10) Katashi versus the Capitals
This one is rooted in modern politics. Always threatening secession is Katashi, the Capitals are the biggest proponents of Ko-oren always staying together (and growing a bit). With the two regions playing wildly different sports, it comes down to Maethoru SC and Katashi-Kanatsu in soccer to settle to score.

[Cassadaigua]

Second Half Underway,
By Hannah Rafferty- SS

The second half of the World Bowl qualifying period is underway, and it was against a very good team from Sarzonia at home in Brattleboro. I always enjoy playing in this city, but one of the many reasons that I love playing in the World Bowl is that it is pretty much the only time that the fans here will ever be cheering for me. That’s fine, Brats fans, you can boo me as much as you want the next time me and my Concord Heights teammates play you guys. Going into the city of the bitter rival on the domestic side is something that makes representing the nation even more special. I get a lot of the “we’ll forgive you, today” type comments but they really never get old. It’s nice to see the home locker room in this stadium, too. Don’t worry Concord Heights fans, I am not leaving you. I do savor being on the same team with people like Kelsey Rocker. We have been in a few of these World Bowls together, so when we go head to head, it’s always fun to see each other and hang out. Of course, I don’t cover Kelsey, it’s the people like our leading wide receivers, Alexa Schultz and Brooke Talley that I am glad to have on my team for a few games. They would say the same thing about me, and when I get back to needing to cover them, there is plenty of jovial trash talk that can happen.

Sarzonia is a very good team, and they have shown that against everyone else during the World Bowl. We knew that they would be eager to come into our place and show us how they have improved, and to a point they did. Our offense had a little more difficulty finishing drives, but they were not held in check completely. Kiersten Baker got a little more work then we like to see her have, but she connected on all three field goals. Defensively, we were stout, shutting the Stars down. All in all, that’s the type of game we want, and the way this group looks now, we are probably just playing for seeding at this point just as long as we continue to do the things that we have been doing so far. We’re not going to stop doing that, because our mindset is that every game is an elimination game. I look forward to the next one.

[Delaclava]

DSGN.com Football

Delaclava continues winning ways in Mapletish shutout
Defense rolls through Dragons, Phoenixes look ahead to another tussle with Newmanistan

The Delaclava national team is getting pretty good at silencing massive enemy crowds.

Just days after the Phoenixes walked away from a record crowd of 122,014 at Dave WIlson Stadium in Woodstock with a 24-20 exhibition victory, they upped themselves in competitive play by pitching a 20-0 shutout against Mapletish, for the benefit of a disappointed audience of 105,934 in Rosten Gridiron Center. After falling short in Pocono City against the Newmanistan Rockets, the Phoenixes have won their last three road games - the first a crucial 20-7 victory in Northwest Kalactin.

"We've played the villain role for our past few games, and we're kind of enjoying it," DGL MVP running back Dexter George laughed. "I don't know, as a team I think we're looking for missions, things to bring us together. When we go away and there's a whole crowd that wants the other guys to win, that seems to be a good motivator for us.

George was the star of the day with 21 carries for 107 yards and one touchdown, plus eight receptions for 52 yards and one touchdown. Coach Gorka Bielsa again opted to split the quarterback time, with Taurus Wright taking the first half and Michael Willis playing the second half - presumably a sort of continued audition for the upcoming game against Newmanistan and onward. Wright threw 11-of-17 for 156 yards with one touchdown, a 4-yard pass to George early in the second quarter, and one interception. Willis threw 12-of-14 for 189 yards, and was successful in orchestrating the run attack of the later stages of the game.

Kieran Conley remained perfect for the season on both point-after attempts and field goals, converting a season-best 51-yard attempt in the third quarter to bail out the Phoenixes after Willis took a deep third-down sack with the offense on the edge of the red zone.

Next up for the Phoenixes is a return home to Quinniville, to have a go at the still-undefeated Newmanistan Rockets not at Emperor Michael I Stadium, but at Sullivan Stadium. "We know what we're supposed to say - we're taking it one game at a time," Wright admitted, "but truthfully, we've been wanting this rematch since the first game ended. We had them on the ropes and couldn't quite finish the job. We've come a long way since then and we're ready to hear cheers for us now, so we'll see how they like it."

Bielsa remained noncommittal about his choice for the starting quarterback, but with Trent Goff sidelined for the remainder of the tournament, Wright and Willis both indicated they would be ready to go. Willis added, "We each have different skill sets, and those might be needed for certain points in the game. So I wouldn't be surprised if we're both asked to get in there." Willis did not directly criticise Goff, whom it was reported was shown a high level of favoritism from his own coaches, but described that he and Wright "now have a healthy competition. At the end of the day, we're not playing for our own teams. We're playing for Delaclava and we both want Delaclava to win, however we get there."

Some pundits have already pointed to certain X-factors of the matchup that would push the 16th-ranked Phoenixes over the edge against the 9th-ranked Rockets. While the Rockets have been idle for some time since their last game, an unconvincing 3-0 win over Mapletish, the Phoenixes have played and won each of the last four weeks - which Bielsa acknowledged, reminding reporters, "That's why we agreed to that game against the Stars. We needed more reps together, and now it's given us a good rhythm at the right time."

And the Rockets are perhaps in a certain state of turmoil as a result of rumored locker room drama. It started amid allegations by a Newmanistanian woman, 19-year-old Jessica Schaefer, that her ex-boyfriend outside linebacker Bryce Miller, had assaulted her in a hotel room; another report soon followed that Miller had groped college sophomore Hannah Ramsey at an autograph signing. Rockets head coach Bryan Moore, who is Miller's Putnam Lake Eagles coach, has not disciplined Miller for his alleged actions, yet players who have even indirectly addressed the issue have found themselves on the bench. A Delaclav player, who is not on the national team and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said in a text message, "We've seen on our own Phoenixes how favoritism, and retaliation against guys who aren't one of the favorites, can tear the team apart. The guys were fighting in the middle of practices because of the Goffs, Selwyn and Bielsa and the atmosphere they were setting. Now Goff's gone and this team looks unstoppable? Not a coincidence... So this is going to be a problem for the Rockets, especially rusty and coming against a legit team now."

As for the Phoenixes themselves, defensive co-captain Seth Ružička insisted the squad itself is not reading too much into the Rockets' troubles: "They're an elite team, they're all professionals. Even when it's hard, players and teams like us set the bullshit aside and try to get it done on the field."

But he added, as a final warning shot: "If they let their troubles get to them, and show any sort of weakness, we're not the right team to do that against. We're too good. If they don't come ready, we'll make them pay."

Scoring Summary

Delaclava       0 - 10 - 3 - 7 -- 20
Mapletish	0 -  0 - 0 - 0 --  0

1st Quarter - No Scoring
2nd Quarter
DEL - Taurus Wright 4 yard pass to Dexter George (Kieran Conley kick), 14:45.
DEL - Kieran Conley 36 yard FG, 5:10.
3rd Quarter
DEL - Conley 51 yard FG, 7:30.
4th Quarter
DEL - George 2 yard run, 11:59.

[Banija]

QB Isaka Jawara goes to sit down for an exclusive interview with the All-Banija Sports Magazine heading into the Serpent Eagles bye week at World Bowl XLI.

ABSM Reporter: You know, I'm interested to know how you're feeling about this World Bowl. This is your last- 36 years old, you're saying that the international grind has taken too much on you. Are you retiring in general after this tournament, or do we have a few years left of you?

Isaka Jawara: I'm not retiring in general. I've got a few good years left in me. But you see it happen a lot in sports- you retire from the international game before you retire from the game in general. The international game takes a different type of toll on you. The flights across Banija are fairly short, compared to the amount of travel you do for a World Bowl. It's not a bad thing, of course... But it simply means, if you want to extend your career and keep winning, I cannot keep playing for the Serpent Eagles until I'm 40.

And although I have plenty left in the tank, it'll be time by the next tournament for the next crop of Banijans to start playing. We've got some talented dudes behind. But I'm not here to talk about the future- I'm here to talk about the present.

ABSM Reporter: That you are, that you are. Let's talk about it then. How'd you feel about your performance in our big win over Appalachia? We were shut out in Charleston against this very same team, but the offense scored three touchdowns en route to this victory. Are you guys starting to find your groove on the other side of the football?

Isaka Jawara: This offense has the talent. But we've got, what we believe, is the best defense in the sport. It's our job to support them and put them in positions where they are at their best. If we can give them leads and put other offenses in panic mode, it really takes the stress levels off and allows them to have fun. We're good at setting up the run. They helped us out today. Of course, I had a bad throw on the first quarter interception, a turnover they eventually turned into 3 points.

The defense had a safety in the second quarter, and a pick six as the game's final score. I think it was Muña Guissé from the free safety spot? But you saw just how dangerous our offense can be when we get rolling ourselves. Lamin Kah had a big game today. We're doing a good job of getting our star wideouts the football. But we can open the field up to really pound it on the ground. Sello is playing at an unreal level right now. If we can keep this up, then when we get to Chromatika in a few weeks, we will be just as dangerous as anybody in the field.

ABSM Reporter: That is true, that is true. Isaka, we're here to ask the tough questions. And I have one for you. Do you think that your career will be complete without bringing this gridiron obsessed nation our first World Bowl title?

Isaka Jawara: Everyone knows how much we want this title. I grew up as a kid, watching the team. Three straight semifinal appearances turning into three straight fourth place finishes. Look, I've accomplished a lot in my career. As an individual, surely. But I've won a lot of games. At Loyola-Istria, we won the NSCF 17 championship, and went back to the title game in NSCF 18, only to fall to Mar Sara Tech. My college career ending at home in NSCF 19 to Northern Moravica... That hurt. But I made my mark at Loyola.

And as a pro, I've done it all here as well. I've won a Gridiron Bowl with the Black Mambas, I've won a domestic title with the Black Mambas. I've won a domestic title with Lwanga. I'm used to winning, I love winning, and I expect to win. That's my standard. There is no such thing as a bad win. There is no such thing as a good loss. Whatever the final result of this tournament is, it is what it is. But there's not anyone, either inside or outside this country, that thinks I'll be satisfied without that World Bowl trophy. It would be the crowning achievement if we were to win one.

ABSM Reporter: Ok, last question. Who are the teams that you fear the most in Chromatika?

Isaka Jawara: We have to get to Chromatika first! Look, this is a very tough group. We've got an extremely tough away game coming off the bye against Squidroidia. The nice thing, of course, is that we'll have some extra time to prepare for them. The not so nice thing, is that they'll be playing desperate. An upset loss on Matchday 6 really makes them a team with everything to play for. Some teams would succumb to the nerves... But Coach Tanyu will have his players ready. And their fans will be ready at Inkopolis City. We're going to change things up, give them new looks, and hopefully in a few weeks we can improve from 4-1 to 5-1.

[HUElavia]

HUElavia Sweeps Silvedania in Solid Victory!

HUElavia 23–14 Silvedania
(Estádio Costeiro, HUEsilia)

HUElavia came into Matchday 6 looking to continue their good run against Silvedania, after a surprising victory over Abanhfleft on Matchday 5. Coming back home to Estádio Costeiro, in HUEsilia, the team wanted to get another victory to keep pace in possibly making the Round-of-16 of the World Bowl. The Alternative 12 Uniform was worn, while the Endzone 3 paint scheme was used. Once again, here's highlight commetary by Arthur Alves de Assunção and Michael Paradis.

Arthur Alves de Assunção: Ladies and Gentleman, we welcome you to Estádio Costeiro, where it is sold out and this crowd is rocking, having a newfound interest in Gridiron Football. I'm here once again with my good broadcasting partner, Michael Paradis.
Michael Paradis: It's my pleasure to be here, and this crowd truly has a reason to be excited, the team is making a name for themselves and they are looking very good right now. I'm excited and I think this will be a great matchup.
AAA: REDACTED kicks the ball off, Correia runs from 3 yards in... And he's taken down by REDACTED at the 22 yard line for the opening drive for HUElavia.

AAA: After a long and methodical drive, HUElavia is now in the red zone, 1st and 10 from the 18... Gomez sets the ball in motion... He's moving around... Gives a throw... And it's caught by Fonseca! He's pushing against REDACTED! He's going to fall in to the endzone! Touchdown HUElavia! And listen to that crowd cheer and celebrate!
MP: What a great play from the offense. the offensive line holds their ground to give Gomez time to find an open man, Gomez sees Fonseca open, easy throw, and Fonseca, being the burly guy he is, just powers his way to the endzone for the score.
AAA: With Sanchez taking the kick, it's now 7-0.

AAA: It's late in the first, but after Silvedania put stops on the HUElavian offense, Sanchez is going to try this kick from 50 yards out... He takes the kick... And it's down the upright! This crowd loves it!
MP: Phenomenal kick from Sanchez, did not hesitate to take the kick and just sent it down the middle for an easy score, and it's 10-0!

AAA: REDACTED has led Silvedania to the 24 yard line of HUElavia. REDACTED is going to look for a pass early in the 2nd quarter... He sets the ball in motion. He's moving around... Throws it... And it's caught by REDACTED! He was all open for the score! Touchdown Silvedania!
MP: Poor coverage from the HUElavian defense, looking to cover some of the wide receivers and they just left REDACTED all open for the score, and now it's 10-7.

AAA: 1st and 10 from HUElavia's 45 yard line late in the half, Gomez sets the ball in motion, gives it to Perez... He's running loose! He's running on the byline! It's a footrace, but nobody will catch Perez! Easy run for the score! Touchdown HUElavia!
MP: What a play from Perez to run with the ball, gets loose on the side, and nobody will catch him with that speed. Easy run and Sanchez makes the kick to make it 17-7.

AAA: REDACTED has led once again Silvedania to the 34 yard line of HUElavia. REDACTED is going to look for a pass halfway in the 3rd quarter... He sets the ball in motion. Gives it to REDACTED... He's running past the defense! Running through the middle and nobody will stop him for the score! Touchdown Silvedania!
MP: Tough way for the defense to give up a score, REDACTED just hammered his way through the defense and nobody was going to stop that. REDACTED takes the kick and it's 17-14. Boy, this crowd is anxious now...

AAA: Gomez looks to end this game with 2:30 left in the game... Puts the ball in motion... Deep ball thrown... Fernandes catches the ball! He was all open! Nobody will catch him! And he runs in for the score! Touchdown HUElavia!
MP: What a cheeky play to finish off the game at this point, sends people all around and it just confused Silvedania's defense, Fernandes got loose and caught it and ran it for the score.
AAA: Sanchez takes the kick... And it hits the side of the post and goes out! It's no good! It's 23-14 at this point.

AAA: Silvedania will try for something at this point... REDACTED sends the ball in motion... Throws it... And it's intercepted! Moreno with the pick! He lies down! That will be the game!
MP: Great coverage from the HUElavian defense and the got a pick with ease. Great win-clincher for the team.

The team now is 3-2 and will face Chromatika next. The team will wear Alternative 4 for the match. The team has hope for the game and strive to continue growing as a unit and the sport in HUElavia.

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

[Newmanistan]

THE ROCKET REPORT

MOORE DEFENDS DECISION

By Taylor Larson,

Not everyone is buying it, and in fact few people really are, but Rockets head coach Bryan Moore at least made an effort to defend his highly controversial decision to play Bryce Miller following the accusations of domestic violence and sexual misconduct that have been brought against him. He also defended his decision to bench Stephon Sutton and Javon Foster for a game, which was the 3-0 win over Mapletish. The off week seemed like a good time to do this, after all. This was the statement by coach Moore:

“The lives of a professional athlete can be destroyed by false accusations. I do not condone domestic violence in any way, nor do I defend any kind of inappropriate sexual touching that is unwanted in nature. This does not mean that I equally believe that the supposed victims should be given the benefit of the doubt. You have to think about the allegations against Bryce in that hotel room. If all of that happened, why is there no hotel staff going to the room? Why are the hotel neighbors not responding to any of it? Finally, why was the police never called? Not by the hotel, and not by Jessica Schaefer. What I do know is that Bryce and Jessica were dating at the time, and they broke up between that day and the World Bowl. This break up means that Jessica could begin to act irrational. Maybe they had an argument in the hotel that day, but I simply do not believe that the allegations against my player, both with the Rockets and the Eagles of Putnam Lake are truthful…..

…. In regards to the claims by the lady from Southport, perhaps his hand did end up somewhere. I am guessing that they are in close proximity when they posed for the photo and perhaps he did not realize where his hand was at the time. He’s a young player, so maybe he did realize it. In which case, a punishment can be in order, but I think the timing of this is too convenient. Let’s not forget that she goes to Southport, the home of Putnam Lake’s biggest rival. She very well could have an ulterior motive in that regard….
… In regards to benching Stephon Sutton, I didn’t want too but we are a team. We might not all be friends, but we need to play together, and I felt that his comments crossed a line. There is no debating what was said, it was clearly placed on social media, and I responded accordingly…..

… Putnam Lake has a storied soccer player by the name of Jeremy McAllister. The stadium is named in honor of him now. You all remember that someone tried to frame him for using HGH towards the tail end of his soccer career? What would have happened if we jumped to the conclusion that his accuser was right? I stand by my players.”

Moore’s message seemed to fall on deaf ears with those who have already made their decision on the topic continuing to feel as they do. If nothing else, it was good to at least hear from the coach. This did not stop the protests in Pocono City, near the Palace as people spoke out against domestic violence, and calling for harsh penalties against those who are found guilty of it. They also proudly spoke that there should be no victim shaming when they do come forward. This was likely intended to get a response from Emperor Michael V, but he did not respond to any of it personally. A message from a Palace spokesperson simply said that the Emperor does not condone any form of domestic violence and that we should support anyone who has been traumatized about it. The message did not address the Bryce Miller situation, specifically.

[The Transmondian Commonwealth]

Tom Brady (Reich) climbed the stairs to his apartment. He had to jiggle the key in the lock to get it to open. He dropped his bag by the door, kicked off his shoes, and went into the kitchen to grab a bag of corn chips, a jar of nacho cheese dip, and a cold beer. He wasn't quite sure how corn chips and nacho cheese had become part of his routine. They hadn't existed under Nazi rule, but after the Transmondians arrived in the world, the corn chips and nacho cheese had started appearing in stores a couple of years later. Brady didn't know where they actually came from, just that someone had been shipping a lot of them to his world, and he had developed a taste for them. He plopped down on the couch in his living room and glanced at the label on the jar of dip. It said it was manufactured in Passaic, New Jersey, Roche USA.

He put on the TV and tuned into LNN to watch the World Bowl. He was tired after another day at his boring customer service job at the Worcester Sausageworks. When Brady was in his 20s, he had immigrated to New England and tried to take up football because he learned that he had a Transmondian doppelganger who was a star quarterback. Now he was in his 40s and his dreams of having a football career seemed increasingly implausible. It had taken him some time to learn the game and get in shape, especially since he had bills to pay and he couldn't just spend all his time training. It was easier to stay motivated when he knew what he was theoretically capable of, but despite his best efforts, he'd never managed to make up for all the lost time before he learned about his doppelganger. He had gotten good enough to try out for the World Bowl team and to think he had a realistic chance of making the team, but he didn't make the cut.

At first Brady felt like he had been unfairly snubbed, but after the team went 4-0 in their first 4 games, it was hard to argue that they had made the wrong call. Lin Conway was good, even if he had a naive and cockeyed worldview typical of the Rubble States. An LNN interviewer had said something to him about Liberation Stadium being built on the site of a former concentration camp and it was evident from Conway's response that he didn't understand the history at all. And yet Conway still won football games.

Tonight the Yankees were playing on the road in Quebec, and Brady was expecting more of the same. Cheering them on from his couch was no substitute for being out there on the field, but it was still a good way to unwind. He just wanted to relax and think about something other than the 80 people who called Worcester Sausageworks every day to complain that their sausage had been mangled in shipping, or the company accidentally sent them weisswurst instead of cheddarwurst. He took a sip of his beer, scooped up some dip, and contentedly settled into the couch cushions.

But then the game turned out to be almost as frustrating as customer service at the sausage factory. Conway twisted his ankle in the first half and had to leave the game. Lawless took over, but he wasn't up to the challenge. He missed an easy 1st down by throwing the ball right over the receiver's head, out of reach. He threw an interception that made Brady facepalm. And so forth and so on. Brady couldn't believe the World Bowl team had passed him over for THAT.

[Ranoria]

OOC: Now, for those of you wondering what in god's name I was referencing in the last RP, with John Garrett's fear of Angelo Gordon, let me take you back to their first year in the league, 2020, with some snippets from articles across that season.

April 26, 2020

Grading all 32 first-round picks in the 2020 RFL Draft:
Hogs Bet Top Pick on John Garrett, Ironmen Sell House for Angelo Gordon

1. John Garrett, QB Richardson — Indianapolis Hogs
GRADE: B
Analysis: Well, we all saw this coming. When you have a quarterback appearing in articles headlined "The Best in the Country", of course the passer is coming off the board first thing. Bo Callahan, Paul Verona, and Derek McNair have been too dominant to let this opportunity pass them by

So that said, grade isn't so much to doubt that John Garrett's ability, but a lot of luck is going to be involved if this franchise is to do anything but waste one of the most exciting prospects of the generation. He’s not coming into a situation with a lot of support outside of wideout Earl Beets, and has a bit of an injury history on his record. Combine that with the Hogs' miserable offensive line, and this could be a recipe for disaster.

2. Angelo Gordon, Edge Cold Hill — Pittsburgh Ironmen
GRADE: C+
Analysis: This could have been an A if the team sitting here had made the pick. Instead, the Pittsburgh Ironmen gave up a pair of first round picks, a second rounder, and the leading active passer in the Ranorian Football League in Terry Grayson to get him. Incredible deal for the other guys. After 10 straight 2,100+ yard/18+ touchdown seasons, I don't know how the Ironmen justify this move.

That being said, Gordon is going to a team that was a perennial title contender. He'll be playing opposite an established pass rush stud in Jarrett Hauptmann, and they should give opposing quarterbacks nightmares. Will that be enough to make up for the loss of Grayson? Probably not, probably not even close.

November 24, 2020

Hogs on a Tear Behind John Garrett's Arm, Rookie on Pace to Break Record for Passing TDs in a Season

Yup, he's doing it. John Garrett is even better than advertised. After concerns that a hapless Hogs squad would waste his career, Farmboy seems to be overcoming constant pressure, taking deep shots where he can even it means taking a big hit when he does. And we have to say, he looks like the best passer in football right now. Currently, he's on pace to break the all time passing touchdowns mark, as a rookie, and his his Hogs sitting at a nice 8-2, already more wins than the team has had in the past two seasons combined.

Another surprise, however, is the Pittsburgh Ironmen. After a blockbuster trade to acquire Angelo Gordon with the #2 overall pick, they're hanging in there at 7-3, with the rookie having already broken seven sacks on the season. However, their offense has been stagnant even with that pass rush production.

February 5, 2021

Championship Preview: MVP John Garrett VS DROY Angelo Gordon

The 13-3 Hogs are the favorite, let's not make any mistake about it. John Garrett took the league by storm, working with a sieve of an offensive line and dialing up Earl Beets constantly in his record-breaking season, in which he finished with a solid 4,350 yards and an RFL record 40 touchdown passes. Beets, who was a consistent 1,000 yard wideout, hit career-best marks in nearly every statistical category. The wideout, with 105 catches and 14 scores, went from a top-notch threat to one of the scariest weapons in the league with as good a quarterback as he had behind him.

No one can keep up with these Hogs, not consistently anyway, over four quarters. John Garrett has been able to overcome constant pressure all season, and with that being the case, how would the Pittsburgh Ironmen stand a chance?

With the best pass rush in the RFL, the Ironmen defeated Bo Callahan in the semifinal. Between Jarrett Hauptmann (10.5) and Angelo Gordon (11.5), Pittsburgh got 22 sacks just out of its two edge rushers. While it would seem that a porous offensive front five would play to their strengths, like we said, Garrett has beaten pressure all season long, so why would that stop now? And hey, props to these Ironmen. There's no shame in losing this game, not after the entire world was criticizing their move to and snag Angelo Gordon.

February 8, 2021

Angelo Gordon Leads 12 Sack Effort,
Ironmen Upset Hogs 37-13

Perhaps we should have looked more into those dominating performances against Bo Callahan, and the fact that these Ironmen allowed a league low 112 passing yards per game.

To Indianapolis's credit, they did manage 224 behind their pass-first offense, but the Ironmen would have none of it. Angelo Gordon and Jarrett Hauptmann's speed made the Hogs' turnstile situation at left tackle an absolute nightmare. Gordon would record a championship record 3 sacks, and his running mate 2.5, en route to one of the biggest upset performances in recent memory.

It started off alright. On the opening drive, John Garrett hit his man, Earl Beets, for a massive forty yard gain. The drive would end in a field goal after Gordon nearly cut him in half, coming unblocked off the edge, on a third down, but no one was worried. The Hogs looked just as explosive as usual.

Unfortunately once they got through those twelve or so scripted plays to open the game, it was chaos. Running the ball was an impossible endeavor against the Ironmen front, which reset the line of scrimmage almost every time the Hogs handed it off. Their offense, meanwhile, continued to get good field position all game long with short drives from their opponents and short punts from low-quality Ranorian punters. The result? The game slipped further and further out of hand until, at some point, Pittsburgh's pass rush just pinned their ears back and did what they do best.

What happened over the final two and a half quarters was one of the most brutal beatings any Ranorian football fans have seen a quarterback take. John Garrett was hit on almost every snap in some form or fashion. He threw two interceptions and fumbled twice more as the hits were constant until, late in the fourth quarter, a vicious Angelo Gordon came through the line on a stunt and got a clean shot before Farmboy could even react.

Garrett would land on his side with the edge rusher on top of him, and immedietely grasp for his shoulder. He would finish the game, but it was confirmed he had a broken collarbone shortly thereafter.

The lesson in all this? Passers are great. In a league not used to their style of football, they're game changing. But the Ironmen knew they aren't infallible, and they were two steps ahead of the rest of the RFL with the move they made to secure Angelo Gordon. So, to all of you in Pittsburgh: Hats off to you. Enjoy the win. It appears that this team is built to weather the incoming passing revolution, and there will be many more to come.

[BohemiaIV]

Interview with BohemiaIV coach after their close win against Xanneria

Reporter: "Erling you must be pleased with victory against opposition like Xanneria."

Erling: "Yeah of course it was very good victory for us, close one but win is win!"

Reporter: "Obviously it has been tough season for the team heading into the game 4 out of 4 losses. How has the morale been in the locker room?"

Erling: "Yeah it has been piss poor season for us still bottom of the table after 4 back to back lose. We are hoping this is start of something good as I and the team as whole feel we have let down our fan back home but it has been mentally tough for us after annihilation in Game Week 1. Some of the lads were upset with the loss but were fired up to set everything right next match but nothing went right for us in the next game even though the morale wasn't low it was starting to sink by Game Week 4 the morale was all time low"

Reporter: "How have did you manage to get the players ready for this match with the squad morale so low?"

Erling: " Extra training, team dinner and beautiful, passionate pre match and dinner speech and wallah Bob is your uncle.

Reporter: "..."

Erling: "Obviously It wasn't so easy -_-* After loss in Game Week 3 I decided took to schedule extra training for the whole team even though we did lose next game the signs were promising we were getting better. But with morale so low the lads were still gutted so I brought the whole team together for team dinner to better their cohesiveness and of course pep talk/pre match talking helped too."

Reporter: "You mention bettering their cohesiveness can you explain more about how cohesiveness became an issue for the team?"


Erling: *looking bit red* "Oof must have been brain fart but obviously the team consist of player many of different background and many having never played together as many of the guys are young and first time into the team so it has taken while for them to get used each other and reading each others game and the tactics."

Reporter: "Thank you for the interview Erling and Congratz on the first win"

*BohemiaIV players interview bomb as they come rushing out of the locker room and dump bucket of energy drink on the coach completely drenching him*

Erling: "My Pleasure, Now if you will please excuse me I have some business to take care of."

[Chromatika]

The Iron Legion in World Bowl XLI
Part 3: Turning Around

CHROMIA - In what was the best performance by the team at large (even against Silvedania), the Iron Legion took care of one of their biggest competition in the tournament, prevailing over second seeds Abanhfleft in a 27-17 victory.

Kenner Jones stood out, going 27 of 36 for 278 yards and two touchdowns and setting up the third touchdown, a three yard plunge by Kimberly Fowler. He was particularly good going away from Mio, who was blanketed by Freddy Droz and Ward Elgin for most of the match. Instead, it was Vance Limeau who had a breakout game, catching eight balls for 141 of Jone's 278 yards and a score. Pouncey Jones added another touchdown catch on a neat catch-and-run.

Defensively, Abanhfleft's Glenn Poore kept them in the game, contributing 249 yards and two touchdowns, but being picked off once by cornerback Nikolai Dimitrov. The interception came in the middle of the fourth when the Fleftics were nearing the Iron Legion thirty yard line; Cara Setri got pressure on Poore by coming off the edge, hurrying the throw; Dimitrov stepped ahead of Archambeault to get the ball and then stepped out of bounds.

Four plays later, Kenner Jones found Mio in one of her only catches of the game - the Firehawk star had two catches for 35 yards - and Sara McAllister kicked a 53 yard field goal for the final margin.

Now, Chromatika will have a tune-up game against Silvedania before facing HUElavia in what will likely be the game to decide second place, barring any squad overcoming the menace that is the Ranoria Krauts.

"We're starting to hit on all cylinders," said Jones, "But we've a ways to go."

[Drawkland]

Player Spotlight
Phillip Tomek

World Bowl XLI will spell the end for many players on the Grid Corps roster. Most have marked themselves for upcoming retirement, either domestically, internationally, or both, and thus this is most likely their last ride into the sunset. To honor their fight to prove Drawkland as one of the greatest gridiron nations of all time, we're running a short series that highlight some of the superstars, most of which are on their way out after this World Bowl is done.

---

Phillip Tomek may be one of the most feared defenders in Drawkland. Operating from a Defensive End position, and occasionally at Defensive Tackle, he's disruptive in both the run game and rushing the passer, though the latter is where he excels. A top recruit coming out of high school, Tomek represents the prototypical athletic defensive lineman. He's large, powerful, and still slim enough that he can run surprisingly fast. He was picked up by the University of Raikennax - one of Drawkland's premier gridiron programs that's always a threat to win a national championship. With Tomek, Raikennax won two national championships, but once he graduated the program has been in a relative downswing.

Tomek was the first defensive lineman picked up in the draft, with the 11th pick by the Baribone Wyrms. Baribone, which was mostly built around its defense, had just lost their veteran Left End and needed a new presence their to keep their unit cohesive. Thankfully for them, they struck gold with Tomek. In his first season as a Wyrm, Tomek counted up 15 sacks on the year, setting a franchise rookie record. Unfortunately, their offense had much more trouble keeping things in line, and the Wyrms missed the playoffs by a considerable margin.

From then on, the Wyrm's misfortunes simply continued. A defense that used to be stout and imposing was slowing losing talent, due to injuries, losses to free agency, or retirements. Throughout all this, Tomek stayed put and continued to produce year in, and year out. In his fourth season, he suffered a knee injury early in the season that sidelined him for most of the rest of the season. If the Wyrms had made the playoffs, Tomek could've come back before the end of the season, but with too many losses on the schedule, Tomek decided to stay put and sit the rest of the year out to fully heal. This ended up being a great decision, as he picked up right where he left off in his fifth season.

Though Baribone doing pretty badly for a few years, they were making a concerted rebuilding effort. In Tomek's sixth season, those draft picks and middling free agency signings started to bloom, and the Wyrms defense was once again a mighty unit. By now, Tomek was the defensive face of the franchise and coming into his own as a player. The Wyrms were the third-best defense in the league, and the historically flat offense had found a way to become time of possession hogs and keep their defense operating at full capacity.

The Baribone Wyrms went on to win their division and make the playoffs for the first time in Tomek's career. They won a playoff game thanks to home field advantage, but going on to face a top-seeded Kilnelm Garrison in the next round ended their playoff hopes quickly. This wouldn't be the end of the Wyrms though, at in some way.

For the next three seasons, the Wyrms' defense pulled the weight and brought the Wyrms to the playoffs. Tomek, as the ringleader, was racking up sacks and making offensive lines work hard to stay in the game. However, each season, even playing with home field advantage through the playoffs didn't seem to help the Wyrms. In three straight seasons, the Wyrms went home with Conference Championship losses.

Phillip Tomek's 10th season would turn out to be his last in Baribone. Once again, he sustained an injury in midseason, this one to his shoulder, and he had to sit out the rest of the season, which was the last one on his contract. Due to the offense losing a couple key pieces and Tomek's presence gone from the defense, the Wyrms had a late season skid that almost caused them to miss the playoffs. It didn't matter either way, as the Wyrms went on to lose in the wild card round. While Tomek had been consistent the past few seasons, it seemed to lag behind his sixth season peak, and the Wyrms were unsure of his possible injury problems going forward.

Released into free agency, Tomek had a world of options at his feet. Even coming off of injury, he was good enough to star in any defensive line, and he had the veteran experience to help lead a defense. Eventually it was the perennial contenders in the Metropolon Underrunners who caught his eye, and eventually, his contract pen. The Underrunners (named after the colloquial term for the many subway commuters in Metropolon's expansive transit system), always renowned as a defensive powerhouse, welcome Tomek to turn their defensive line around. The Metropolon D-line had been the most suspect part of their defense for the first time in awhile, and Tomek filling that hole was enough to bring them back up to the upper echelons of their conference.

In Tomek's first season as an Underrunner, he returned to his fearsome ways, coming away with 17 sacks on the year and leading the Underrunner defense to the playoffs. The team was clicking on all cylinders late in the season, and their defense smashed everything in their way. They even managed to hold Jack Hoy to less than 100 yards in the conference championship against the Pilots. The Xandek Whitecoats and their stellar offense were their opponent in the championship, but the Underrunner defense bottled them up en route to their first ring in a decade, and Tomek's first ring of his professional career.

From there, the Underrunners continued to make deep playoff runs, but they haven't since made the title game. With Tomek starting to reach the twilight of his career, it's likely he'll never hold the trophy again. Even so, his consistent play on the defensive line, as well as his prowess in the World Bowl alongside Leo Cross, means that Tomek is nearly a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame once he eventually hangs it up. At this point, most are hoping he can go out on a good note, rather than being ended prematurely by a late-career injury.

*The Drawkian lifespan is around 150 years. Athletes usually graduate college and enter their pro leagues around the age of 25, and most well-trained, injury-avoiding, and actually-skilled players aim to retire around 50, though plenty athletes don't quite make it there before hanging it up.