NSCF 25 - Everything Thread

by **Banija** » Thu Dec 23, 2021 5:18 am

*Vallienté Wagner-Young sitting on the bench, long after the game, with his parents, after Northern Moravica's 44-3 blowout over Hoofstra to keep them in the thick of the playoff race*

Vallienté Wagner-Young was sitting on the bench, waiting for his parents to come out. The Ranorian Quarterback had a brilliant Senior Day, in a game that was most definitely his final one at Northern Moravica's home stadium. He couldn't have asked for a hotter two weeks- this season so far, of course, had been a struggle. So much newness between him and his receivers, with Badije getting used to the challenges of being the #1 WR, and Jannik Nadine being only a true freshman. The offense had been stuck in second gear for so long, and while Wagner-Young was arguably playing well, it didn't reflect in his numbers. He had to do more things on his own, and fit footballs into tighter windows. More throws are risky. Which, of course, meant less yards, more turnovers, and less points.

Things hit rock bottom, of course, when Wagner-Young went down with an injury at Elephant Valley. They could barely move the ball with their Vanorian backup, and then he got hurt in Week 9, yielding way to the 3rd stringer, Yakuba Ndour. Naturally, when you are down to your third string QB, things are generally not going to go well, and they did not- NMU got shut out at home for the first time in NSCF history, a 17-0 loss to the Egrets. After that game, the team was 5-4, with the top two QBs on their depth chart both hurt, their OSPI ranking putting them somewhere around 20, which is nowhere need the top 12 spot they were aiming for, and many had written off their playoff chances entirely.

And then- Ndour gets hurt, and Wagner-Young comes back, bum ankle and all, and comes roaring back in the second half, on the road, against Fair Haven State. The comeback went down to the final play of the game, but the Cougars fought, and fought, and fought, and he slung a pass to Thomas Drach in the back of the end zone on the final play of the game. And then, recovering quickly, things continue to go well. The Cougars absolutely lit up the scoreboard against the Skyhawks, scoring 7 touchdowns and accounting for over 600 yards of total offense in their blowout victory. Wagner-Young's injury seemed completely behind him.

And then, Senior Day. The immensely popular Cougars quarterback getting honored in the midst of a frantic chase for those last playoff spots in NSCF 25. He'd never forget that moment from the PA announcer in front of the home crowd. "And now, to commend our Quarterback! The Senior, at 6 foot 5, two-hundred and twenty pounds, out of Ranoria! Represented with him by his parents, who are forever members of Cougar nation, Thomas and Cassandra! Let's read you a list of his accomplishments. Two-time Celestia Conference champion. Second all-time in NMU NSCF history with three career playoff wins- but with more to come this season. The reigning NSCF Offensive Player of the Year. And the FOUR-TIME VICTOR OVER THAT SCHOOL FROM ISTRIAAAAAAAA- VALLIENTEEEEEEEE WAGNER-YOUNG!"

To listen to the ovation he got from the Northern faithful, it was truly special. It brought tears to his eyes. Per NMU tradition on Senior Day, when the last senior is called out, they jog over to the section where the NMU parents generally sit, and lead the whole stadium in the team fight song. Which they did. And after that, of course, he came out and had a hell of a game itself, as the offense especially could not do anything wrong against Hoofstra. A 44-3 home win speaks for itself, of course. And now, he sat after the game, wanting to have this conversation with his parents inside the glow of the stadium. It was the last time he could embrace the after-glow of a NMU home football game as a player- may as well embrace it, right?

On Senior Day, the parents of seniors got to watch from suites, rather than field level like they normally do. So it took some time for them to get back down to the field to meet with their son, but they eventually got there. Vallienté hugged both of his parents. And then, he immediately brought up what was on his mind. "Mom, Dad- you know I've talked to you about this." He said. "I think I want to stay here. In Banija."

"You're not going to come home??" His Mom exclaimed. He hated the reaction, but expected it. He knew this would be tough.

"Mom, Dad, I think it is my time to continue to trailblaze." He told his parents. "I've got what it takes to succeed here, in Banija. Gwenderyn is already projected to be the #1 overall pick in the RFL, if that's the route she chooses to go with. I can come home, get picked behind her. Or- I can stay here in Banija. Start a professional career. I've already been here for four years. I know the culture. The country. The people.

"How can you live this far away from us?" His Mom said. "We're Ranorian- you went away for college, yes. That's good for a child. It allowed you to get away from comfort, and immerse yourself in a growth-centered environment. But you've done that. We've seen what you can do. Why wouldn't you want to do it at home, in the RFL?"

"The GFLB simply fits my play-style more." He said. "The offenses are more high-powered in this league, people air it out more- it's not like the RFL, where it's more ground based and defensive based. If I want to really launch my professional career into the stratosphere, I need to be careful about what places I pick. If I want to have the most success- this is the place to have it. Plus, I want the chance to do something different. People go between Banija and Ranoria all the time for the NSCF, but then always go home for professional. Why? There's no reason for that. This is the time to be the first. I want to be the first."

"You know, son, I think you make a good point." His Dad said. "But the pros are far different from college. It's not like you'll be paired with a Ranorian roommate or anything. It'll be you."

"But I got these NMU connections, Dad." Wagner-Young said. "Northern Moravica football is a brotherhood. There's no need to worry about how I'll fare. I'll absolutely be fine. No need to adjust to Banija because I've lived here for years. It will go swimmingly."

His parents looked at each other. Then, his Mom spoke. "Well, Vallienté, you're an adult. You're a grown man. You come home every Christmas and every Summer, but I see you, what you're doing in Herzegovina City, what you're doing here at this school- and you are becoming a fine young man. You've got the self-belief of a full grown tiger. Your Father and I will support you." Wagner-Young then hugged his parents. And with that, the next morning, he, of course, released a statement.

Press Release- QB Vallienté Wagner-Young

My time at Cougar nation is almost coming to an end. Northern Moravica is one special university, and it has been quite a ride here over the past four years. You took this big Ranorian kid four years ago, embraced him as part of the family, and now I'm going to graduate with the most valuable degree in AO- a Northern Moravica degree. Many of you have been asking what I would do next. Obviously, I'm going to continue playing gridiron. I love this sport, and, if I say so myself, I've gotten quite good at it over the years. I wanted to make this decision clear and public now, so I can focus my preparations on our final game against Woodstock City College, so we can take one final opportunity to impress the Committee enough so that we can make the NSCF 25 Playoffs.

We have gelled late, but we are here- and we're going to prove ourselves at the Ruwani Motor Speedway. But our playoff credentials are not why we are here today. I have decided that I am staying here in Banija. Obviously, I have no more college eligibility after this year. But I will forego the RFL, and enter the Gridiron Football League of Banija draft instead. I believe that the GFLB gives me the best chance to succeed, and is the best option for me professionally. After the season ends, I will hire a Banijan agent and begin preparation for that draft process. Thank you very much. =

by **Chromatika** » Thu Dec 23, 2021 1:17 pm

I've been asked time and time again if I know how to handle a losing season. I'll have you know, the first year I ever played Gridiron for the Anancondas in Mt. Niar, we were horrible. Sure, I personally have had it easy since then, but results in sports are like seasons. Nobody only ever wins. Losing is part of what makes the game worth competing, and anyone who doesn't know that is not a true competitor.

It has been a tough year. Having so many new pieces on the offensive line has been personally challenging. I could've played better on a few cases, we got unlucky on a few others, and well, all the kudos to the Staramara Tech Lava, who continue the tradition of first year Chromatik schools being tough to beat.

Yes, it's true - if we don't beat Kohnhead City, we'll finish with a 6-7 record a season after winning it all, and miss any bowl games. It would, legitimately, be an asterisk to my NSCF record. KCU, of course, has never beaten FSU - Kohnhead has never beaten myself - and they'll be hell bent on revenge.

It has been an honor being your Quarterback, Felswyr State. Regardless if this is my last dance or if we have one more game to play, I'm proud to have been a Firehawk.

While I have a chance, might as well make it count, though, right?

For the kids. For the country. For the honor of being the defending NSCF Champion. For Park, Sara, and other Seniors - and the memory of being able to play with so many other greats in my career.

Godspeed,

SMBG
Sarai Michelle Bradwyn Gwenderyn

by **South Newlandia** » Thu Dec 23, 2021 1:50 pm

Predicting every Week 13 game! - EVU Sports News

IC only. You know the drill.

Who is going to win in the last week to potentially sneak into the playoff picture, and who is going to be on the outside looking in? We predicted the results for every week 13 game, and checked who would be in the playoffs!

Université St. Croix (4-8) @ Fair Haven State (1-11)

We start with a couple of teams that aren’t exactly competing for the playoffs at this point. Here’s St. Croix, who weren’t exactly successful in the Woodlands, and lost their two non-conf games so far, although those were extremely hard games against Loyola-Istria and at Raynor. Fair Haven, meanwhile, went winless in the Celestia, and recently picked up their first win against a fellow one-win team (although that, to be fair, was a total blowout). Fair Haven may be playing at home, but it seems like St. Croix shouldn’t be struggling here. St. Croix wins 24-14.

Universidade de Soria (4-8) @ Royal Armitage University (1-9)

These two teams aren’t exactly powerhouses, either. While de Soria had a couple of wins, all 4 of them came at home. Royal Armitage, meanwhile, were held to one win in the Horizon. Both of these teams aren’t exactly good, but at home, the Armitage might pull it out. Royal Armitage wins 27-24.

University of Methopotamia (3-7) @ Rotenburg Island University (2-9)

Those two teams haven’t been impressive, either. Methopotamia were held to three wins in the Big Eight, and while that was a tough conference, it also featured the winless Panem University. Rotenburg, meanwhile, were held to two wins in the Woodlands before losing their first non-conf game decisively. This is just out a toss-up, but Rotenburg has been quite serviceable at home, so they might have an edge. Rotenburg wins 24-23.

Brattleboro Technical Institute (8-2) @ MR Institute (1-10)

This is the most lop-sided matchup by simple win count. Brat Tech has been the dominating Woodlands champs, while the MR Institute just got blown out by the winless Fair Haven State. Home advantage won’t be able to save them. Brat Tech wins 31-0.

Salamantic Universities (6-6) @ Crown's College (6-6)

This is an intriguing matchup between two teams that are exactly .500 right now. Both of them probably need to win this game to make a bowl game. The Salamantics, 5-5 in the Celestia before a loss to Mar Sara in week 11, against Crown's College, who were 5-5 in the Woodlands. Both teams are similar stories, but I think that in this clutch game, the more experienced Salamantics will come through, despite the fact that they weren’t great on the road. Salamantics win 30-24.

Kohnhead City University (7-5) @ Felswyr State University (6-6)

Now we are starting to see some playoff hopefuls. Somehow, Felswyr State is currently 6-6, and needs this game to so much as make the bowl games, while KCU is still battling for a playoff spot. A road win in Felswyr might just push them over that edge. These two teams are both far better than their records suggest, but I’m going to go with Gwenderyn. Are you seriously going to bet against Gwenderyn, in what would otherwise be her last game, at home? FSU wins 34-23.

Ratzupalfu University of Nature (5-7) @ Staramara Tech (8-4)

Ratzupalfu has been tumbling out of the bowl games in the last two weeks, and the unexpected Horizon champions in the Lava will probably be too hot for the Egrets on the road, where they’ve been bad all year. STU wins 24-10.

Cavsar University (5-7) @ New Lakeland University (8-4)

Cavsux on the road at New Lakeland. NLU has been thriving so far in the non-confs after a good year in the Woodlands, and with the playoffs on the line, the Tycoons should be able to come through here as well. NLU wins 51-24.

Sadeg State University (6-6) @ Mar Sara Tech (8-4)

Mar Sara has been on fire recently. Despite falling in a close one to Trent State, the Raiders were especially good at home, while Sadeg was much worse on the road. Sadeg has also lost both of their previous non-conf games to quickly drop out of the playoff picture. It’s not a great time to be a Drawkian gridiron fan. Mar Sara wins 41-16.

Green City University (8-4) @ Hoofstra University (7-5)

Oh, this is a very fun one. Green City, the second school in TJUN-ia, has been really impressive so far, while Hoofstra have been great at winning close games this season. Wins over Silverleaf and Cavsux have proven that Green City is a serious playoff threat. It’s going to be a really close one. GCU wins 24-17 in Overtime.

Swisston City University (6-6) @ Trent State University (9-3)

Trent State, recently crowned champions of the Mineral conference, take on Swisston, who are still scrapping for the bowl games. The Feathercaps blew out anything they could reach in the Mineral conference, and although they did slow down a bit, they still beat two teams with a winning record in the last two weeks, and they’re at home in this one. TSU wins 34-23.

Woodstock City College (8-4) @ Northern Moravica University (8-4)

The Classic rivalry between Sarzonia and Banija has another edition here. The Climbers were good in their first year in the Sequoia, and proved to be a threat for good schools from outside that conference by blowing out Crown’s College. Nevertheless, NMU has been crushing souls lately, going on a win streak that featured demolitions of Sadeg and Hoofstra. NMU wins 35-19.

Silverleaf University (9-3) @ University of Alexandropolis (7-5)

Those two are teams that have been overperforming in their conferences. Silverleaf, 9-1 in the Sequoia, got a reality check against GCU and Staramara. Meanwhile, Alexandropolis, impressive 7-3 in the Mineral, were caught with their pants around their ankles at home by previously 0-10 Panem, before getting blown to hell in Ko-oren. One of these teams will get a big bounce-back win, while the other will limp out of the non-conf schedule. I think the Goblins are better equipped. Silverleaf wins 17-7.

Raynor University (10-2) @ University of the Commonwealth of Baker Park (7-5)

This is another very interesting matchup. You may remember the power rankings we published after week 3. There, we left a then 1-2 Rockets team off the list. Either the coach nailed those rankings to the practice room door, or their return to form had other reasons, but the Rockets have not lost since. UComm, meanwhile, were 7-3 in the Mineral before dropping games in Richardson and against EVU. Raynor wins 58-31.

University of Loyola-Istria (10-2) @ Richardson University (8-4)

Another match with two elite teams. Richardson has been very good in the Big Eight despite having to deal with 10-0 Cold Hill, and they beat Saguenay and UComm. However, Loyola hasn’t lost with their quarterback since week 1, and that was in overtime at Northern Moravica. ULI wins 28-21.

Elephant Valley University (7-5) @ Cold Hill University (12-0)

EVU will come into the Tundra and end the 12-0 – hahahahaha! Hahaha! Ahahaha! Haha! Cold Hill wins 38-0.

So, now, what would these week 13 results mean for the standings? Unsurprisingly, Cold Hill remains on top, followed by Brat Tech, Loyala, and Raynor, who will each also have a bye in the first playoff round. Behind them are, neatly lined up, Silverleaf, Trent State, and Staramara, the remaining conference champs. If these results happen as advertised, the three schools making the playoffs via OSPI would be 9-4 Mar Sara Tech, 9-4 Green City University, and 8-5 Richardson. Placing in 11th and 12th, and therefore most likely to also make the playoffs via votes, are the 9-4 New Lakeland and 9-4 Northern Moravica. Behind them, there are not many teams that are likely to challenge them for their title – the Woodstock City College is the only other school with at least 8 wins, and neither their OSPI nor away- or non-conf record look particularly appealing.

For the bowl games, who sneaks over the line? If the results hold, 11 teams, not counting the playoff sides, exceed an OSPI of .450. This includes the Salamantic Universities, who were on the other side of the equation after week 12, and also, for some reason, 4-6 Ooopss National College. I don’t know either.

Notable schools not making the cut would be 7-6 Felswyr, who didn’t receive sufficient help from their OWP, and a couple of six-win teams, namely Crown’s College, Université du Saguenay, Sadeg, and Swisston.

Then again, predictions are just that – predictions. The games will still be decided on the field.

by **Sarzonia** » Thu Dec 23, 2021 2:24 pm

Both Bill Crotty and Buddy Holcomb had decisions to make.

They were given an opportunity to continue their college careers for an additional year as a result of the SARS 2 novel Coronavirus wiping out a season. They watched every one of the previous year's seniors opt not to continue their college careers after winning a national championship and realised that going out on top and undefeated was what they wanted to serve as their legacies. For some of those players, they would go on to the Incorporated Gridball League and ply their trade at the highest level of the sport in Sarzonia. For some players, they would pursue other ventures.

It was a decision for the seniors on the Woodstock City College Climbers to decide if they wanted an additional year to chase gridball glory at the collegiate level with this team, with these teammates, or decide to try their hand at the next level, whether it be in Sarzonia or another country's top gridball league. For Crotty and Holcomb, the decision weighed more heavily on them because offensive players get more attention and both Crotty and Holcomb were key components to the Climbers offence.

Crotty thought about the last regular season match for the Climbers at Friedgen Stadium. The atmosphere was electric as the Climbers got a victory to go to 6-0 at home against competition they never would have had an opportunity to face when their careers began. They were on a Climbers side that won eight games including seven of the 10 played in the Sequoia Conference. They'd dealt Silverleaf University their only conference defeat en route to a 10-0 mark. Crotty knew the Goblins were now 10-2 after getting crushed 27-3 by Staramara Tech and that it was their second blowout defeat in non-conference play. The Climbers had a 57-27 victory over Crown's College of Schima Bas to go along with their own decisive defeat to New Lakeland University in Cassadaigua to the tune of a 30-7 scoreline. He thought about the opportunity the Climbers would have should they be given the opportunity once again to represent Sarzonia on the international college gridball stage.

He thought about the bonds he had with this team. With Cal Barkley, who was becoming a close friend. With Holcomb, whom he was sitting next to on the flight to Ruwani for the matchup between the Climbers and Northern Moravica University. With the coaches, in particular his position coach Jake Sanders, but also head coach James Arthur, who seemed to be a father figure to him, especially after his own father left his mother and abandoned the family. To have one more year with this team, these players, these friends, this family, it was too hard for Crotty to step away from. He looked at Holcomb as he'd made his decision on whether to continue for one more year.

Meanwhile, Holcomb was also thinking about his future. He'd had an informal conversation with scouts from the IGL and they didn't think he'd get drafted in any of the league's 10 rounds. There was a possibility he could latch on as an undrafted free agent or perhaps even a professional league in another country, but he didn't feel quite the same pull to stay that Crotty did. Sure, he got on with his position coach Eric Stinson, but with Stinson also coaching tight ends and serving as passing game coordinator, the man's time was spent frequently in meetings with offensive coordinator Dave Meyers and with other guys in the wide receivers and tight ends rooms. He knew some of that had to do with the level of trust Stinson had in Holcomb, and the fact that Holcomb was also a coach on the pitch, but he felt Stinson didn't have the deft touch to know when to provide support in off-pitch matters the way he knew Sanders had with Crotty and the other running backs. Granted, some of that could be attributed to the fact that Sanders didn't have the additional title of running game coordinator, necessitating the additional meetings with Meyers, but Sanders could take one look at Crotty and realise something was on his mind. It was a bond Holcomb wished he had with his position coach.

This wasn't to say Holcomb didn't have important bonds on the team. Clearly, Barkley was one. Obviously, Crotty was a close friend, otherwise the two men wouldn't have angled to have sat on the plane together. But, even though Holcomb felt he'd done everything in a Climbers uniform, he wasn't exactly lighting the IGL's world on fire, so he was arriving at the same decision as Crotty, but for a very different reason. He looked at Crotty and said just three words, "Bill, I'm staying," though he said them with a lack of conviction that Crotty noticed straight away. He understood it, though, as the two men were brothers in all but name. Crotty looked at his friend, smiled and said, "me too, Buddy. Me too." For his part, Holcomb could pick up on the comparative enthusiasm Crotty felt toward coming back and keeping the bonds going.

The team would cheer on the announcements by the two players, as the majority of this year's seniors would come back for an additional year of eligibility. They would have one more away match to go before either a spot in the playoffs or a bowl game, and they felt the need to prove themselves against Northern Moravica. They were playing in front of the President, after all, and the Banijan Kabaka. They were playing a Cougars side that had 117 wins in NSCF action overall before this season began. Sure, they had a down year by comparison to their past with a 6-4 record in the Celestia Conference as they finished two matches behind national rivals Loyola-Istria, but the Cougars made up for it with two dominant non-conference victories, 53-23 over Sadeg State University out of Drawkland and 44-3 over Hoofstra University from Kardistan. They would be tough, even though this home fixture wouldn't take place at their usual home haunts of Mugisha II Memorial Stadium. This was a much larger stadium on a much grander stage. It was still an away match for the Climbers, who were 2-4 away from the friendly confines of Friedgen Stadium on the City College campus. They were 2-3 in conference away matches with their second win coming in their Sequoia Conference finale, but that was against an Ooopss team that was long since eliminated from the playoff picture.

The Climbers had a lot to prove, especially as a newcomer to the NSCF, and especially against a regional rival in front of two heads of state. They felt the need to turn in a signature performance against the Cougars to have a chance to pick up their ninth victory. But if they were going to do it, they had to get their minds right. They watched as Arthur made another trip to the lavatory on the plane, unaware he was going to vomit again from the nerves he felt, but both Crotty and Holcomb could pick up on the nerves from looking at him.

It was going to be go time soon enough. And they hoped they'd be able to put on a show worthy of a king and a president.

(O.O) · by **TJUN-ia** » Thu Dec 23, 2021 3:13 pm

After the first week of non-conference action, it would appear as though both TJUN-ian schools were on an upward trajectory. One school managed a tough win over a sneaky opponent while the other caused a home upset against a Conference Champion. TJUN-ian Gridiron loves to try their best no matter what and both schools in the NSCF have done some great things thus far. But this week in particular, Week 12, was set to be an important one in this slate, with 1 school having its Senior Day against an NSCF regular while the other was taking on an old "friend" from the past on the road.

Let's begin with the Green City Royal Eagles for a change, who entered this week on a 5-game win streak after essentially blowing the Silverleaf Goblins out of the water at The Palace. Paul Abdullahi was the happiest man in the Green City all week after that performance and while many felt that his school's hopes of making the playoffs on debut were improbable, they weren't impossible. So, the main focus now for GCU was to try and win out and tell the NSCF Committee why the team from the AU should be considered for a spot and that would begin with a momentous occasion: GCU's first Senior Day as an NSCF School.

Ahmed Ben Hadj Essid, Jamilu Omeruo, Mariatu Candé and Marta Candé would be those leaving after this season was over, with today most likely being their final one here in The Palace. They weren't exactly headlines during this season, but the O-Liner (Essid), the DE (Omeruo) and the Candé twins at CB certainly played their parts this season and will be remembered for their efforts. Their final game at The Palace would be up against the Cavsar Gladiators, Drawkland's Tottenham, who were coming off a 4-6 campaign in the stacked Horizon Conference. Cavsar were on a bit of a downturn this season (as with most seasons, I think) but were still a team from Drawkland, a gridiron powerhouse that can clearly be seen with Sadeg State, so many at The Palace treated this game with some seriousness.

That would be seen in the first half, where the Drawkish high-velocity offence allowed Moses Igbinoghene and Dagan QB Darian Lewis (nice to see male Dagans in a place like this) to ball out and score 41-combined points. The visitors were very aggressive in their style, always going for it on 4th down and always going for 2 instead of the PAT unless absolutely necessary, so this one was always going to be an interesting one for the stats. Lewis managed 3 TDs in the first half, two wide-open throws to Isaac Sanders and a bolting play by Lewis himself that saw him avoid Albertina Carlos Pondja with pure pace alone. He managed to complete 1/3 2-Point Conversions though (a nice pass to Bennett Ruskel after TD #2), meaning the Gladiators were left on 20 points - for the rest of the game. Igbinoghene, meanwhile, found Gilbert Nyamutsamba twice and Lucky Sithole-Sita once for his 3 TDs and with Glory Oparanozie going 3/3, the Eagles entered the half 21-20 up and never looked back. The second half started with a Pick 6 as Lewis found Faith Okobi by mistake and that cost him 7 points with another Glory PAT. The Seniors were certainly having a game the Candé's pressure game would lead to a turnover on downs and an easy TD for Moses via the rushing game. Glory missed the PAT but would get a FG by the end to make the final score 37-20. Let it be known now: whilst the Seniors waved goodbye, GCU were now 8-4 and within a shout of either the Pioneer Bowl or a Playoff spot.

Meanwhile, at the Lathalein Celestial Stadium in Mar Sara, the Trent State Feathercaps were certainly in enemy territory now. They survived a fun 4-point game against Elephant Valley in Notts the previous week and while that was certainly a concern, a win was still a win no matter how convincing. Johnny Bridgeford was also a little concerned with how much the Red Elephants did against us, but he certainly hoped to take that in stride heading into the coming games - especially this one here. The Boos rang out when they came onto the field, parading the flags of TJUN-ia and Notts onto that field before our opponents came out to a thunderous roar. The Mar Sara Tech Raiders of Valanora finished ahead of us in last season's Zephyr, but the chaos of the non-conference play meant that it would be TSU who made it in via the Committee and not the Raiders - who didn't take that well at all. That decision left Mar Sara wondering what things could've been as they watched the team they finished ahead of making the Championship Game itself. Because of those factors, it felt right for Raiders and Feathercaps to play once more in non-conference play, but only on one condition - that the contest is played on Vanorian soil and not on TJUN-ian, where chaos always seems to happen. Therefore, this contest gained all the more importance to both Bridgeford and Sander Ivarsson. If MST were to win, the demons of NSCF24's Playoff Fiasco could be exorcised on route to making the playoffs via OPSI. If TSU were to win, for the first time on Vanorian soil no less, then the notion that TSU was a "home advantage school" would be destroyed in an hour's play.

The first half would be a defensive masterclass as both Alehandro Martinez and Roger Holmgren allowed only 14 points combined. The hosts struck first in Q1 when QB and old foe Arquímedes Concepción found Banijan WR Kawsu Gaye for the first points of the game - Bernard Stokke hit the PAT, 7-0 Raiders. TSU would spend a lot of time trying to find a retaliatory score to level things up, but the Raider Defense was leaving nothing to chance here. That is until late in Q2, when Leon Gallas found Victor Que-et-Vous for the score - Xander Tiovannen, boyfriend to the QB, hit the PAT and we entered the tunnel at 7-7. The second half would see a bit more scoring as TSU struck first this time in Q3, Gallas capping off a 24-play drive with a 3-yard rush into the endzone - Tiovannen did his job, 14-7 Caps. Of course, MST responded in turn and Concepción capped off a 15-play drive with a 9-yard pass to Valfredo Beltrán - but Stokke missed the PAT, so it was 14-13 with 15 minutes to play. Q4 saw the defences return to life once more and that created a nervous atmosphere here at LCS - especially after Tiovannen's 45-yard FG gave the Caps a 4-point lead with 8 minutes to play. For the next 3 drives MST had, they tried their absolute best to break our resolve and win this contest - but to no avail. When Jessica Farron picked off the only turnover of the contest, the jubilation was contagious - as was the smug feeling of seeing the faces of those in attendance. For once and for all, Trent State proved we are not a fluke - and Mar Sara had to pay the price. Usually, acts of pure controversy are avoided by all costs by TJUN-ian teams, but today was to be an exception - as Leon Gallas took the flag of Notts, the symbol of their city, and planted it upon the centre logo to the jeers of the crowd. If this is the beginning of a rivalry, then let it be.

One final week to go, one final chance to prove yourselves before the bowls and the playoffs. Green City travels to Karditan to play a fellow playoff contender in the Hoofstra Pride while Trent State has its Senior Day against the only team it has played in all 3 seasons in the non-conference - the Swisston City Army Knives from Kohnhead. With everything that has happened thus far, who knows what final twists may occur in the Regular Season Finale.
WE ARE! TRENT STATE!
G-C-U! WE BLEED GREEN!

TSU SCHEDULE (MINERAL Conference + 3 Non-Conf)
Week 1: vs Byses Politicians (CRL) W 51-3 (1-0)
Week 2: @UCBP (CBP) L 34-31 (1-1)
Week 3: vs Stevan Vaalburger College (ALS) W 63-0 (2-1)
Week 4: vs Green City (TJU) W 13-10 (3-1)
Week 5: @UAlexandropolis (NGS) W 23-7 (4-1/+127PD)
Week 6: @Byses Politicians (CRL) W 48-10 (5-1)
Week 7: vs UCBP (CBP) L 19-30 (5-2)
Week 8: @Stevan Vaalburger College (ALS) W 20-3 (6-2)
Week 9: @Green City (TJU) L 24-41 (6-3)
Week 10: vs UAlexandropolis (NGS) W 23-0 (7-3/Mineral Champions/+177PD)
---------------------Non-Conference---------------------
Week 11: vs Elephant Valley (SNL) (6-4/3rd in Celestia) W 28-24 (8-3)
Week 12: @Mar Sara Tech (VAL) (7-3/2nd in Zephyr) W 17-13 (9-3)
Week 13: vs Swisston City (KND) (5-5/4th in Big Eight)

GCU SCHEDULE (MINERAL Conference + 3 Non-Conf)
Week 1: vs UAlexandropolis (NGS) L 13-17 (0-1)
Week 2: @Byses Politicians (CRL) W 33-24 (1-1)
Week 3: vs UCBP (CBP) L 23-26 (1-2)
Week 4: @Trent State (TJU) L 10-13 (1-3)
Week 5: vs Stevan Vaalburger College (ALS) W 12-0 (2-3/+11PD)
Week 6: @UAlexandropolis (NGS) L 30-35 (2-4)
Week 7: vs Byses Politicians (CRL) W 27-23 (3-4)
Week 8: @UCBP (CBP) W 30-20 (4-4)
Week 9: vs Trent State (TJU) W 41-24 (5-4)
Week 10: @Stevan Vaalburger College (ALS) W 10-7 (6-4/4th/+40PD)
---------------------Non-Conference---------------------
Week 11: vs Silverleaf University (UAD) (9-1/Sequoia Champions) W 27-6 (7-4)
Week 12: vs Cavsar U (DRK) (4-6/5th in Horizon) W 37-20 (8-4)
Week 13: @Hoofstra (KRD) (6-4/3rd in Horizon)

by **Banija** » Thu Dec 23, 2021 3:58 pm

Travis Akinyi was walking around Richardson's campus, on the Wednesday night before the Rebel's Cannon Bowl. He actually had gotten here during the day, and he had came with 9 of his fraternity brothers, all members of Delta Delta Omega(ΔΔΩ), one of Banija's largest nation-wide fraternities. Known around Loyola's campus as a 'rich kids' fraternity(henceforth 10 of them hopping on a flight to Richardson), they had all been lucky enough to win the student portion of the ticket lottery for a game at Dietrich Stadium. Of course, instead of the normal third allocation, since this was on campus, of course, that number would be dramatically reduced- to just 5%, which was pretty much the bare minimum allowed. That included, of course, guaranteed tickets for parents.

Travis Akinyi's twin brother, of course, was Isaiah Akinyi- the third string freshman quarterback for the Blue Thunder. The ΔΔΩ brothers had a plan- generally cause a ruckus for three days, and then go to the game. Arrive at Dietrich Stadium early, always travel in their pack of 10 just in case they ran into drunk RU fans(Which they surely would), and then celebrate wildly when the Blue Thunder absolutely silenced the stadium. They all walked into the student center, shortly before the Student center closed for the night. The closing time was 10:00 PM local- they had walked in at 9:45 PM, with all of their posters. They walked up to the poor girl sitting at the front desk.

"Hey Ma'am!" Travis told the girl. He didn't bother trying to fake a Ranorian accent- there were enough Banijan kids on campus where they wouldn't suspect anything. Plus, when was the last time that anybody actually pulled a prank in this rivalry? "I'm SO sorry, I know this building closes in 15 minutes. But could we have some extra time? We're supposed to hang posters for our student org that's happening tomorrow-" and he gestured towards the pile of rolls of posters. The girl simply sat there, looking annoyed. She clearly didn't want to stay there any longer than she had to.

"See, we're putting together a bake sale to help fundraise our trips for Alternative Spring Break!" Said another ΔΔΩ brother, who's name was Omondo. And then, on cue, Travis grabbed the fake poster that they created. They had a bunch of real posters- but a fake one? It was Omondo's idea to create a fake one to throw off the staff at the unsuspecting front desk. Just in case they needed some sort of approval. And the bake sale poster was immaculate. Had a picture of some Ranorian kids on a domestic ASB trip. It was a picture of an ASB trip he had found from Vicksburg State in Ranoria. He simply supersized it, erased the RSU logos, and then threw it on this poster.

The poster said bake sale, Student Center, 1st floor, 12-4. "Oh, that's cool!" The girl at the front desk. "I'll have to come by. You rarely see a bunch of dudes throwing a bake sale! Where are you guys going? What are you guys making?"

None of the ΔΔΩ brothers thought that they'd be questioned, and she was smiling at them, expectedly. Everybody sort of threw eyes at each other, before a third ΔΔΩ brother, Absalom, started speaking. "We're going up north." He said, very very vaguely. "Super super small town. We're actually going to help at their local public high school! They've got a bunch of old infrastructure that needs to be re-done, and we are going to help do that. Patch up the football field, work on the gym, help work on fixing equipment like desks and tables and what not- even doing some serious painting there." The other ΔΔΩ brothers looked at Absalom, stunned, as he completely bullshitted an ASB trip. Some were panicking- weren't they not supposed to go into details?

"Oh, that's so nice!" She said. "What are you guys making- I LOVE sweets." Three of the fraternity brothers yelled different things at the same time- one said chocolate chip cookies, another said brownies, and a third said pumpkin pie. She started laughing. "There's a lot! Well, I hope you have a good ASB. You can go hang them up- I got a little bit of calc homework to finish, so I can stay about 10-15 minutes late. Hurry up hanging those posters though!" The fraternity brothers started walking away, wheeling their posters. "Oh wait!" She yelled. "Do you guys have your Office of Student Engagement approvals?"

All the ΔΔΩ brothers froze. None of them had even thought about finding out if they needed some sort of approval. "Ahhh screw it. YOur posters are fine- there's no swear words on them. Good luck!" She said. The fraternity brothers breathed a huge sigh of relief. The building was basically empty- which is exactly how they wanted it. They started to cover as many spaces as they could, as seemed allowed, with posters of Loyola-Istria legendary QB Isaka Jawara. People would come to chill and eat, and all they'd see is a picture of the man who was the greatest QB in NSCF history.

Fortunately, with 10 brothers there, it made quick work of putting up posters everywhere. Richardson was a major university, however, and their student center had four floors- so they had to hustle throughout the building. But 10:15 hit, and they were all good. They all met towards the front door. "You ready to go?" Travis asked when everyone was done. They all said yes. They all left. They made sure to hang up no posters in the line of vision of the poor freshman, who was working her minimum wage front desk job. She said yes, and everybody left.

The library closed at Midnight on Wednesday nights. Therefore, the brothers had to wait until about 1 AM, when the campus was basically completely clear of students. They then went to find the statue of Governor Dietrich, as expected. They then got out their paint, and went to work. They didn't need much time- there was plenty of them, and they had practice back at home. But they were able to paint a big, blue lightning bolt across the chest and torso of the statue of Governor Dietrich.

Laughing, they took a picture, sent it to the rest of their fraternity brothers, and then went to sleep. Richardson's campus would be alight with Loyola very, very soon.

by **United Adaikes** » Thu Dec 23, 2021 6:56 pm

In the 133-player roster of the Silverleaf University, 48 players have already finished their baccalaureate degrees. Why are they still playing for the Goblins, you ask. These players continued with a graduate degree in Silverleaf University and are legal according to the rules of the UAAUA (University Athletic Association of the United Adaikes). However, these players can only play for one year as graduate students.

From the 133 players of Silverleaf, 3 of the 5 quarterbacks are graduate students, as well as 3 of 7 running backs, 8 of 18 wide receivers, 2 of 4 punters, 1 of 9 tight ends, 7 of 21 offensive linemen, 10 of 17 defensive linemen, 9 of 22 linebackers, and 5 of 23 defensive backs. There are no graduate students in 3 placekickers and 4 long snappers.

From the 48 Graduate players, 11 are starters and will have returning players scrambling for the starting position before the new season starts.
-Irvine Royle, M, RB (the one who scored touchdowns just carrying the ball; spectacular in the Sequoia, silent in the last two non-conference games)
-Michele Vasquez, F, WR (the first wide receiver Senior QB Austin Garner sees when he wants to pass the ball)
-Stephani Lynn, F, WR (if Vasquez is not available, Lynn steps up to find a way for Garner to get that pass and gain more yards)
-Marlowe Lynn, F, P (if you're a football player and/or a true fan, you'll know the importance of punters, player-wise and tactics-wise; Stephani's twin sister)
-Bruce Walsh, M, LG & Hailie Tolbert, F, LT (the ones who protect Garner's blindside, and efficiently, I might say, as Garner has not been sacked in the left side all season)
-Anaya Castilla & Esmee Haight, F, DE (the ones who help Freshman DT Bonnie Coburn for Graduate ILB Gabriella Scrivener to have the most sacks in the Sequoia Conference)
-Juan Francisco Mortimer, M, SOLB (the one with the most pass intercepted from all linebackers of the Goblins)
-Gabriella Scrivener, F, ILB (again, the most sacks in the Sequoia Conference)
-Kike Blanco, M, CB (the one with the most tackles and forced incomplete passes in all cornerbacks of the Goblins)

Also, from the 17 Seniors in the team, 5 of them will not be returning to the team next season.
-RB: Archer Brent
-WR: Stella Rimmer
-PK: Jack Alvin
-LB: Lallie Hurst, Stewart Traylor

So there will be 53 players leaving. And it's now for Coach Anita Stanton to replace all 53 of them or not, and replace them all with first-year students or push some transfers but redshirt them for next season.

by **Valanora** » Thu Dec 23, 2021 8:49 pm

Trent State was something of a trap game for the Raiders, with one eye perhaps already cast into the next week with the rivalry matchup against the Skyhawks of Sadeg State. While the coaches were preaching concentration and to be prepared for what the Feathercaps were going to bring to the table, it was clear that the fans and perhaps some of the players already had their mind on the big game in the following week. It was also the week following a really hard fought victory away from the Empire and in a game that was anything like what the team had prepared for in their trip to Ko-oren, making it even more of a trap game as the team was coming off that emotional high of finding a way to beat the Professors of the Salamantic Universities. Unfortunately for the Raiders, they had no idea how much their coach and their players had apparently been circling this game and wanted to win it more than just about any other game on their schedule, perhaps in a vain attempt to justify the playoff selection from the previous season despite having finished behind the Raiders in conference play.

Trent State went about the game trying to suffocate the life out of the Raiders offense and sadly it worked to great effect for most of the game, but the Raiders defense was keen on doing the same back to the Feathercaps and had kept them well suffocated for most of the first half. It was a bit of momentum for Trent State and in a game of inches, that little bit of momentum can be the key to getting a result between two closely matched sides, as they would score first in the second half to take the lead. Despite the good defense from Trent State, the Raiders were able to put together one of their stand out methodical drives, mixing in a steady diet of runs and passes to keep the Feathercaps defense off guard before a nine yard score should have brought the teams level, but a special teams miscue on the PAT kept Trent State up. The Raiders would not know it then, but it would be the mistake that would ultimately be their downfall, as the visitors would get a field goal to pad the lead and then play absolutely lights out defense that kept the Raiders from getting back into scoring range the rest of the game. It was a rough game to lose but it was one that would have been taken on the chin and moved on from.

Except that the TJUN-ia team decided to be completely disrespectful to the Raiders and planted a flag in the middle of the field that immediately prompted security to herd the Trent State staff and players off the field. The administration of Mar Sara Tech was very disappointed with the complete lack of respect that Trent State showed with their antics after the game, with a declaration that if Trent State was to ever be scheduled at Mar Sara again, they would not be allowed any traveling fans. Furthermore, the Raiders would no longer schedule any team from TJUN-ia in their Out of Conference play, as their showmanship and animosity towards the crowd brought the game into disrepute and was completely unacceptable with Vanorian standards and morals, making it clear that the Raiders would only face against TJUN-ia schools if they were in the same bracket in the playoff, as the Raiders would also decline any potential bowl with TJUN-ia schools and would withdraw from the NSCF if conference realignment brought TJUN-ia and Vanorian schools back into the same conference again.

It was not all bad news and poor sportsmanship for the Raiders during the week though, as despite the loss, the Raiders staff was able to impress three visiting recruits to commit to the team starting next NSCF season. The first of them was a dip into our neighbors over in Banija, as the high versatile secondary Hazaiah Lagum made his commitment to the team. With the ability to play anywhere in the secondary, he is a real good utility player and will be seeing playing time his freshman year, with a good chance of fighting for a starting corner position. Next came the news that Patrick Mårtensson also made the commit to Mar Sara, with the Raiders able to sneak a player from the Magnus Academy right from underneath the noses of the Rockets. Patrick will add some depth and has a chance to start next year, although most think he will have to wait for his sophmore season to be a starter. Finally Werner Kaltmann comes from South Newlandia, the first player from that nation to commit to a Vanorian team. There is an opportunity for him to start at either the left or right guard position next year if he makes a good impression on the coaches during the summer training. The three definitely lift the mood for the team as they now prepare for a very difficult game against their most contentious rival, the Skyhawks of Sadeg State.

It was an excellent week for the Rockets, who maintained their completely breathtaking winning streak with their home victory over Université St. Croix, one of the power schools from Quebec. It was a completely dominant performance in all phases of the game for the Rockets and it was a bit ironic that they would be playing a team from Quebec, as hours earlier the Rockets got their first, and perhaps biggest, commit when Octavien Soh-Brousseau announced that he would be coming to the Vanorian capital to play his ball. Perhaps a tad undersized compared to most modern quarterbacks, yet Soh-Brousseau was an absolute wonderful scheme fit with the ability to scramble and still maintain accuracy. The Rockets are debating whether they will redshirt their prized commit or if they will have him with the clipboard and playing backup to Kualu Luani. The wise move would redshirt the quarterback and allow him all four seasons of eligibility, but with risk of injury in the game, having a player like Soh-Brousseau to come off the bench and fill that gap would be quite an immeasurable quality. It will be a conversation that the coaches and player will no doubt have before next season.

The Rockets will now be making their first trip to the University of the Commonwealth to finish off their out of conference schedule, looking to get another road win and continue their mightily impressive winning streak and momentum into the playoffs. The win streak would probably be the talk of the NSCF if not for the little thing of a potential undefeated regular season that Cold Hill has going on, which is a huge credit to the amount of depth and quality across the entirety of the NSCF in this season. A win for the Rockets against the Baker Park school would project to the Rockets maintaining a top four spot in the OSPI and getting a first round bye as well as hosting a quarterfinal game, both of which would be massive boons for the team. This team was built to win this season and getting that sort of advantage in the playoffs would help them quite a bit, making this game quite an important one for the Rockets, especially with the team having failed to get any more commits as of yet to try and plug the many holes that their team will have from graduating players next season.

by **Schima Bas** » Thu Dec 23, 2021 10:02 pm

After getting steamrolled, Royal Bears look to hoist themselves upright

The players looked exhausted as they slumped into the locker room following their second non-conference game of the season. Many had thought that the game versus Cenesis Naval Academy, which saw the Royal Bears win 23-6, was a step in the right direction for the team. They had started the season 5-1, but had only found one win in the second half of the season. Many hoped that the hard work they had been putting in would pay off, but here they sat, empty. So many points against them. What was the defense to think? How could they get out there next week and face their final opposition: Salamantic Universities, a team that shared their record and bowl aspirations?

Their heavy heads dropped low to the ground, and the silence was becoming unbearable. The graying Will Rutgers, the leader of the team, entered the room. A bit different from the average football coach, Rutgers hadn’t played a down on the gridiron in his life, but the players knew that his knowledge of the game went beyond the x’s and o’s. His ability to draw up gameplans was second-to-none in Schima Bas. That’s not saying much, but the 50-year-old was already a legend of the growing Basian game. Not only did he help his players on the field, but he was instrumental in helping his recruits find private-sector NIL deals. While in much of the gridiron world this was frowned upon, such etiquette had not yet penetrated into the mentality of the country, which valued the ability for sports players to make a living off the game.

Rutgers stood in the doorway for a second. Eyes turned towards him, yet others remained locked to the floor — a thousand yard stare into the freckled concrete.

“It wasn’t our game. I don’t have to tell you that.” Rutgers had a softer voice than the gruff sounding shouts of the game’s hellfire coaches, yet his voice carried an intensity, like when a charismatic preacher yells of fire and brimstone, and one feels the desire to respond back in amens.

“There is nothing that can be done about the past, boys.” He tapped his finger on a notebook he had pulled from his pocket. Small, red, about the size of a wallet.

“In this book I have every game I’ve ever coached. For this team. For my high school teams. The first game I ever had the privilege of leading a team out onto the field. It’s all here. None of it matters.”

The booklet dropped to the ground, attracting yet more eyes from the devastated team.

“All I think about is the empty space. Galland, pick this up.”

He turned to the quarterback. Peter Galland tried to look into the man’s eyes to see if he could grasp a glimpse of what the coach thought of him. He had played horribly, so bad in fact that he was surprised he hadn’t been benched. He moved towards the booklet, feeling the uneven pages and the spine which had begun to loosen. The cover was folded, forming a slight U shape that must have been the result of the coach’s fidgeting.

“Do you think I remember all of these games? Sure, some of these games got me hired, some got me fired. 21-0, 7-3, 77-31. Tell them what you see.”

Galland looked over the worn pages. “You’ve crossed all of them off.”

“And why do you think I’ve done that?”

“Nothing matters except for the next game?”

“You cannot change the past. I cross them off so I know that I must look forward.” The coach tossed a pen to the quarterback. “Put this game behind you.”

Galland caught the pen and turned the thin pages until he found the current season. Pen ink was smudged in the corners, giving a smeared impression of the coach’s fingerprint. Galland thought of all the mistakes he had made — mistakes he knew he shouldn’t be making at this level. They bubbled up in his head, dominating his thoughts. He cut through them like a blade through dense jungle brush as his fingers led the pen across the page.

“Our next battle is Salamantic. I want you to think of nothing else for the next week. Practice is bright and early tomorrow morning. I don’t want any of you to dwell on tonight’s result.”

When Galland's head hit his pillow that night, all he could think of was that empty space.

by **Karditan** » Thu Dec 23, 2021 10:04 pm

"Whose bright idea was scheduling another Banijan school after last cycle's bowl? A fuckin' bowl-cut, that's who."
- Hoofstra linebacker Enrique Sokolov, on being asked if the Pride's struggles against Loyola-Istria and Northern Moravica might point to a systematic problem with the team's strategy.

by **Ranoria** » Thu Dec 23, 2021 10:17 pm

NSCF Conference Power Rankings: Week 12

Logos For the 7 NSCF Conferences

It’s rivalry week! Finally, no more smack talk (or at least the last bits of it), no more anticipation. With matchups like Kohnhead City @ Felswyr State, Raynor University @ University of the Commonwealth, and of course the Rebel's Cannon Bowl, a lot of huge contests with playoff implications are on their way. And what better way to make those a bit spicier by throwing out conference rankings and having these teams fight for their pride?

7: Sequoia
Conference Champion: Silverleaf University (9-3)
Week 11 Record: 0-3
Week 12 Record: 2-1
Total Record: 2-4
Top 10 Teams (OSPI): 1
The Sequoia conference was re-introduced after a one year hiatus in NSCF 24. It's stock full of first-year schools in the competition, and as such it's a tough ask for them to rack up wins against conferences with more experienced teams. It's not a knock on their talent - they just aren't used to having to play top-end competition week in, week out. Silverleaf University, their conference champ, has lost two straight after going 9-1 in conference play.

6: Horizon
Conference Champion: Staramara Tech (8-4)
Week 11 Record: 2-3
Week 12 Record: 1-4
Total Record: 3-7
Top 10 Teams (OSPI): 1

Big surprise to see them this low! Both the renowned Firehawks and newcomer Staramara Tech have gone 0-2 thus far in out of conference play, a big factor in tanking the Horizon's record in the past two weeks. With the last two NSCF champions coming out of this conference (Sadeg State, Felswyr State) and a two time Most Outstanding Player (Sarai Gwenderyn), who would have thought they'd fall off so hard? There's still time to turn it around...but not much.

5: Mineral
Conference Champion: Trent State University (9-3)
Week 11 Record: 2-2
Week 12 Record: 2-3
Total Record: 4-5
Top 10 Teams (OSPI): 1

The mineral conference featured a three way tie for the title, but Trent State came out on top, and they've been bullied by the top 3 conferences. Trent State however is coming off a title game appearance and cannot be discounted, currently ranked 8th with a 9-3 season.

4: Woodlands
Conference Champion: Brattleboro Technical Institute Brats (8-2)
Week 11 Record: 3-2
Week 12 Record: 1-3
Total Record: 4-5
Top 10 Teams (OSPI): 2

The Woodlands is a tough one. While tied with the Mineral conference's total record at 4-5, they feature two top-10 schools, both coming out of international sporting powerhouse Cassadaigua. Brattleboro Tech is ranked second at 8-2 led by Leonardo Torrent, and New Lakeland University is currently 8-4, ranked 10th.

3: Zephyr
Conference Champion: Raynor University (10-2)
Week 11 Record: 4-2
Week 12 Record: 2-3
Total Record: 6-5
Top 10 Teams (OSPI): 2

The two Vanorian schools have dominated this conference since moving there from the Big 8, and that continued this season. Raynor have once again won the conference title, and with 10 straight wins are one of the hottest teams in the NSCF, while Mar Sara Tech is sitting at 8-4 with a strong shot at making the playoffs. Zephyr may have been ranked higher if we did this after week 11, when they came out hot, but they faltered at 2-3 in week 12.

2: Celestia
Confernce Champion: University of Loyola-Istria (10-2)
Week 11 Record: 3-3
Week 12 Record: 4-2
Total Record: 7-5
Top 10 Teams (OSPI): 1

It's tight between the Celestia and Zephyr conferences, with the Zephyr holding two top-10 teams to Celestia's one, but we gave this spot to them for a few reasons. First - it's one of two conferences to not have a losing record in either week. Second - total wins, they've played one more game and earned one more win as a result. Loyola-Istria is 10-2 going into their biggest contest of the season, and with two matchups between Celestia and our #1 conference, they'll have their opportunity to jump to the top.

1: Big Eight
Conference Champion: Cold Hill University (12-0)
Week 11 Record: 3-2
Week 12 Record: 4-0
Total Record: 7-2
Top 10 Teams (OSPI): 2

Easy. The Big 8 is the only conference to have an undefeated week this season, and the only conference to have a winning record in both week 11 and week 12. Cold Hill is currently 12-0, but they must defend their right to a perfect regular season against a feisty Elephant Valley in week 13, while Richardson is currently ranked 7th, having won both of their out of conference games decisively. With just two losses outside of conference play, this is looking like a battle-tested group of teams to watch out for in the playoffs. Key matchups in week 13 include EVU's trip to Cold Hill, Loyola-Istria taking on Richardson in Dietrich Stadium, and Kohnhead City's chance to finally earn a win against Sarai Gwenderyn's Firehawks.

by **NSCF** » Thu Dec 23, 2021 11:42 pm

Out of Conference - Week Three Cutoff!

Maximus Rochester Institute (PFA) 6–32 Brattleboro Technical Institute (CDG)

Royal Armitage University (WZT) 14–0 Universidad de Soria (LIS)

Rotenburg Island University (BUM) 0–23 University of Methopotamia (BUF)

Cold Hill University (RAN) 31–17 Elephant Valley University (SNL)

Felswyr State University (CMT) 20–23 Kohnhead City University (KHD)

Richardson University (RAN) 32–10 University of Loyola-Istria (BNJ)

Staramara Tech (CMT) 20–9 Ratzupalfu University of Nature (SNL)

Northern Moravica University (BNJ) 16–19 Woodstock City College (SRZ)

Trent State University (TJU) 49–10 Swisston City University (KHD)

Fair Haven State (BAR) 14–24 Université St. Croix (QUE)

University of Alexandropolis (NGS) 33–9 Silverleaf University (UAD)

Crown's College (SHM) 33–26 Salamantic Universities (KOR)

UC Baker Park (CBP) 19–33 Raynor University (VAL)

Hoofstra University (KRD) 13–10 Green City University (TJU)

Mar Sara Tech (VAL) 45–23 Sadeg State University (DRK)

New Lakeland University (CDG) 27–34 Cavsar University (DRK)

by **NSCF** » Thu Dec 23, 2021 11:59 pm

The regular season is over! Congrats to the seven conference champs. Those schools have qualified automatically for the NSCF 25 Playoffs:

Big Eight: Cold Hill University (RAN)
Celestia: University of Loyola-Istria (BNJ)
Horizon: Staramara Tech University (CMT)
Mineral: Trent State University (TJU)
Woodlands: Brattleboro Technical Institute (CDG)
Sequoia: Silverleaf University (UAD)
Zephyr: Raynor University (VAL)

As for the other five places, three will be allotted to the teams with the highest remaining OSPIs. As per the seeding spreadsheet, these are now confirmed to be:

Big Eight: Richardson University (RAN)
Zephyr: Mar Sara Tech (VAL)
Sequoia: Woodstock City College (SRZ)

The remaining two Playoff spots will be voted on at-large by the NSCF Committee. As soon as we know the OSPI qualifiers, I will telegram NSCF Committee members to ask for their nominations. The final 12-team Playoff field should be finalized by December 29 on midnight EST and not KST.

The match-ups for the bowl games will also be announced at the deadline. As of right now, we see roughly five to six possible bowls to be selected. That will give everyone four days to RP before the postseason begins on January 2. The gap between the announcement and the bowl games and the round one has been placed to give people enough time to rest after the IFCF submission deadline on December 26 (North American time).

Good luck to all competing schools.

by **Sarzonia** » Fri Dec 24, 2021 3:32 pm

The TV timeout following the change of possession couldn't have come at a better time for the Woodstock City College Climbers and quarterback Cal Barkley.

The Climbers defence forced a critical stop on third down as Northern Moravica reached the City College 26-yard line and kicker Dwayne Markson was warming up on the Cougars sideline, getting ready for a potential go-ahead field goal. LaRoy Bacon, in for the injured Tom Noga at defensive end, sacked Vallienté Wagner-Young for a 10-yard loss to force Markson to attempt from 53 yards out.

The kick had the distance, but doinked off the right upright and the score remained level. It was a huge win for a much-maligned defence that had conceded 57 points in two non-conference matches and gave up two touchdowns and two two-point conversions to cough up a 16-point lead.

Barkley patted Bacon on the butt to congratulate him on the sack. He would have 1:18 left with the ball on his own 43 with no timeouts remaining after Markson's miss, but Barkley felt confident. He knew the clock stopped long enough for the chain crew to move the chains. He felt secure in the knowledge that Matt Andersen was on his team's sideline.

He thought about the pagentry before the match. Meeting President Haffner. The introduction of the Banijan Kabaka and the thunderous standing ovation he received. The concern of this massive crowd when he threw a 74-yard touchdown pass to Dean Spencer. The three field goals by Andersen to make the score 16-0. The third one was a 19-yard attempt despite Barkley protesting that he wanted to go for it on fourth down.

He listened in for the play call from offensive coordinator Dave Meyers. He looked back at the sideline with a what the fuck scowl. Fuck that, he thought.

"Red rocket, waggle on three, ready? Break!" Barkley said as the Climbers broke the huddle. Buddy Holcomb gave Barkley a bewildered glance, aware that the play Barkley called wasn't the one Meyers wanted. Even though he would be Barkley's first read on the play, the original plan was to run Crotty on a toss sweep despite the Cougars showing an eight-man front the three previous times the Climbers ran that play.

Meyers saw Barkley call out signals and realised that he was calling a different play. He muttered, "that prima Donna son of a bitch!" within earshot of James Arthur. The manager saw the exasperated look on his offensive coordinator and said "what's wrong?"

"Barkley called a different play in the huddle."

"Wait, timeout!"

"We don't have a timeout!" defensive coordinator Chris Hoskins said, saving Arthur from an embarrassing mistake and a killer penalty. He could only watch helplessly as Barkley dropped back and fired a pass that was almost intercepted. However, there was a flag on the play.

"Personal foul, roughing the passer, defence, number 92. Fifteen yards from the previous spot, automatic first down." Meyers sent the same play back in, and this time, Barkley called it. He saw the same look from the defence and audible to a screen pass to Crotty. The play netted 13 yards to the 29 and another first down. The clock now showed 53 seconds as it restarted. Barkley this time ran the play Meyers called initially. The Cougars stopped Crotty for a two-yard gain, but he ran out of bounds to stop the clock.

That gave Barkley a chance to call the play from Meyers in the huddle. It was the same play Barkley changed to. This one resulted in a sack and a loss of 11 yards, forcing Barkley to clock the ball. That brought up fourth down with five seconds remaining. From there it would be a 56-yard field goal, which normally called for Jensen Sorensen, but he suffered a pulled hamstring and couldn't kick. Andersen was reliable inside 50 yards, but there was a reason he didn't kick long field goals.

However, Arthur waved him on anyway. He would explain later that he just had a feeling that Andersen would make it. We'll turn things over to radio play by play announcer Vince Lawrence and colour commentator John Wagner.

LAWRENCE: "Fifty-nine minutes, 55 seconds and it all comes down to the leg of Matt Andersen. Tie ballgame between Northern Moravica and the Climbers. Andersen is 0-for-4 on field goals longer than 49 yards."

WAGNER: "This would be his career long by seven yards"

LAWRENCE: "It's his longest attempt by four yards. Andersen lines up, and are the Cougars going to use their final timeout here? Yes they are."

WAGNER: "They're going to make Andersen think about this kick. If you're Northern Moravica, you're most likely going to rush up the middle. A long field goal is most likely going to have a low trajectory, so that's what I expect the Cougars to attempt here.

LAWRENCE: "Let's pause 10 seconds for station identification on the Climbers radio network." After the affiliates gave their spiels, then Lawrence came back.

LAWRENCE: "Andersen gives the signal. Carson Landers, the punter is the holder. Clint Bostwick is the snapper. Here's the snap, hold is down, kick is up. It's got the distance and it is GOOD! IT'S GOOD! IT'S GOOD! MATT ANDERSEN HITS A CAREER-LONG 56-YARD FIELD GOAL! THE CLIMBERS WIN IT 19 TO 16!"

Barkley was hearing both Meyers and Arthur chewing him out for changing the first play, but when the three men saw Andersen leap into Landers' arms and the field goal unit piling on top of each other, the shouting turned to celebratory cheering. The Climbers improved their record to 9-4 with a signature performance in a game that for all intents and purposes was a playoff match. They'd beaten one of the established NSCF powers, even though one could argue that Northern Moravica were in a bit of a down year.

They would find out later that they would earn a berth in the playoffs, most likely facing Trent State in yet another match-up recalling THAT GAME in TJUN-ian parlance. But for right now, the Climbers locker room was busy between respectful congratulations on a match well played to their opponents, to the Kabaka, and to the President, and sheer, unbridled excitement over arguably the biggest victory in school history.

Let the future come as it may. For now, the Climbers reached the peak of a mountain of elation.

SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
WCC: Dean Spencer 74 pass from Cal Barkley (Matt Andersen kick), 13:34, WCC 7-0
WCC: FG Andersen 41, 0:17, WCC 10-0

Second Quarter
WCC: FG Andersen 36, 5:47, WCC 13-0

Third Quarter
WCC: FG Andersen 19, 10:28, WCC 16-0
NMU: Jannik Nadine 34 pass from Vallienté Wagner-Young (Nadine pass from Wagner-Young), 1:54, WCC 16-8

Fourth Quarter
NMU: Apollo Esther 27 run (Esther pass from Wagner-Young), 4:38, 16-16
WCC: FG Andersen 56, 0:00, WCC 19-16

WOODSTOCK CITY COLLEGE CLIMBERS SCHEDULE (9-4, 7-3 Sequoia)
Sequoia Conference
MD1: @ Alto College W, 16-10
MD2: v. Universidade de Soria W, 53-27
MD3: @ Utah University L, 20-13
MD4: @ Silverleaf University L, 51-17
MD5: v. Ooopss National College W, 52-29
MD6: v. Alto College W, 28-10
MD7: @Universidade de Soria L, 27-23
MD8: v. Utah University W, 35-0
MD9: v. Silverleaf University W, 40-23
MD10: @ Ooopss National College W, 16-3

Non-Conference Schedule
MD11: @ Lakeland University L, 30-7
MD12: v. Crown's College W, 57-27
MD13: @ Northern Moravica University W, 19-16

by **Banija** » Fri Dec 24, 2021 4:40 pm

@AllBanijaSportsMagazine Nightmarish result for Loyola-Istria as they lose fourth in a row to their archrivals, Richardson University, via a 32-10 blowout. The road loss in the rivalry cost them a first round bye, and they will host a first round playoff game, against either New Lakeland, Elephant Valley, or Northern Moravica.

@ULIFootball Quote the Coach- "We showed up, and got smacked around in an incredible atmosphere here at Dietrich Stadium. Full credit to their fanbase, they came out with energy, and the team responded in kind. While this is painful, there's a lot of season ahead of us. We're gonna learn from our mistakes, and we're going to be ready for whoever has the guts to come to the Istria Lightning Yard in round 1 of the postseason." #ThunderingThrough

@AllBanijaSportsMagazine Despite ULI's blowout loss in Richardson taking all the headlines, it is NMU's loss to Woodstock City College that could prove the most consequential. On the brink of clinching a playoff spot in front of His Majesty himself, the upset by the Sarzonian school instead put Woodstock City into the playoffs, and put NMU on the brink of missing out on the playoffs. If they cannot get support from the NSCF Committee, their streak of 8 consecutive playoff appearances, the longest such active streak in the competition, will come to an end.

@NMUFootball Quote the coach- "It's up to the Committee now. We'll await our fate. We've done what we could on the field all year- defeating EVU twice, Loyola once, and quality wins over SSU and Hoofstra. Regardless of whether we go to the playoffs or go bowling, we will approach our next game with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind." #StayTrueToNMU

by **Ranoria** » Fri Dec 24, 2021 10:40 pm

NSCF Conference Power Rankings: Week 13

Logos For the 7 NSCF Conferences

The regular season is over! 13 games have been played, 10 teams have earned a guaranteed chance to fight their way to Ruwani Motors Speedway, and several more await the committee's decision, their playoff destiny hanging in the balance. We've got a major shakeup in the rankings here, so let's get to it!

7(0): Sequoia
Conference Champion: Silverleaf University (9-4)
Week 11 Record: 0-3
Week 12 Record: 2-1
Week 13 Record: 1-2
Total Record: 3-6
Top 10 Teams (OSPI): 1

The Sequoia conference is chock full of new teams, and most projected them to struggle outside the conference. Even conference champions Silverleaf University, who came out with a 9-1 record, are on the wrong end of a three game skid to 9-4. But with that being said - they've earned props for Woodstock's victory over Northern Moravica in Herzegovina. Silverleaf could turn things around with an upset playoff win not to long from now, but if not we know that at least two teams in this conference - Silverleaf and Woodstock - will finish with a winning record, and be more acclimated to the competition going into NSCF 26.

6(0): Horizon
Conference Champion: Staramara Tech (9-4)
Week 11 Record: 2-3
Week 12 Record: 1-4
Week 13 Record: 4-2
Total Record: 7-9
Projected Playoff Teams: 1

It was a strong finish for the Horizon conference at 4-2, but unfortunately it likely won't be enough to merit any playoff consideration for teams besides Staramara Tech. Hoofstra has the best case at 8-5, but no other team in this conference finished the season with a winning record, tragically including the 6-7 Felswyr State Firehawks. The strong finish wasn't quite enough to jump the Celestia conference based on depth. They feature a 10-win Loyola, Hoofstra and Northern Moravica have a winning record, and the Salamantic Universities finshed as good or better than all but two Horizon squads at 6-7.

5(\/3): Celestia
Conference Champion: University of Loyola-Istria (10-3)
Week 11 Record: 3-3
Week 12 Record: 4-2
Week 13 Record: 0-6
Total Record: 7-11
Projected Playoff Teams: 2

Coming into week 13, Celestia held an ever-so-slight edge over the Zephyr conference. Then...they blew it, losing every type of game you could imagine.

Expected losses: Université St. Croix 24-14 over Fair Haven State. Cold Hill University cruised to a 31-17 win over Elephant Valley University.

Upsets: Woodstock City came into Herzegovina City and beat Northern Moravica's Cougars in a 19-16 thriller, and Crown's College put 33 up on the renowned Salamantic Universities defense.

Toss up: Staramara Tech beat the Ratzupalfu University of Nature, 20-9. Richardson University thrashed their rivals, the University of Loyola-Istria, 32-10. The Richardson-Loyola and Cold Hill-EVU games were important in particular because winning both would give Celestia a chance to jump the Big 8...but so much for that.

An absolute collapse from what had been regarded as the 1a to the Big 8's 1b. They have - as you can see - plummeted down the rankings.

4(/\1): Mineral
Conference Champion: Trent State University (10-3)
Week 11 Record: 2-2
Week 12 Record: 2-3
Week 13 Record: 2-2
Total Record: 6-7
Projected Playoff Teams: 1

Trent State has separated themselves from a conference that ended with a 3 way tie at 7-3 for the Mineral conference championship, winning 3 straight to represent half of the conferences OOC wins. UCBP and Alexandropolis combined to go 1-5 against non-conference competition, while Green City was a nice surprise, earning a pair of wins in their final three games.

3(/\1): Woodlands
Conference Champion: Brattleboro Technical Institute Brats (9-2)
Week 11 Record: 3-2
Week 12 Record: 1-3
Week 13 Record: 3-2
Total Record: 7-7
Projected Playoff Teams: 1

The Woodlands came out at .500 in out of conference contests, one of just three conferences to do that well or better. Dagan schools combined for a 3-1 record, with reigning champions Brattleboro Tech winning their lone scheduled contest there.

2(/\1): Zephyr
Conference Champion: Raynor University (11-2)
Week 11 Record: 4-2
Week 12 Record: 2-3
Week 13 Record: 2-1
Total Record: 8-6
Projected Playoff Teams: 2

Riding high on an 11 game win streak, Raynor is more than ready for anything that anyone will throw at them. Mar Sara Tech has clinched a playoff berth now at 9-4, and the two teams went a combined 5-1 against competition outside the Zephyr, absolutely carrying a conference that otherwise went a paltry 3-5. Regardless of how top heavy the conference is however (Ceneisis, at 7-5, is the only other team in the conference with a winning record), they are one of only 2 conferences with an overall winning record.

It should be noted, however, that Big 8 and Zephyr teams only squared off twice in out-of-conference games, with a 1-1 record against one another. The mighty Raynor University brought down Kohnhead City 17-7 in week 11, and Swisston won a shootout against Thereisnogodistan Community College, 30-22, in week 12. It's about what one would expect - the top team in Zephyr beat a team that tied for 2nd in the Big 8, while Thereisnogodistan fell to a relative bottom feeder out of a deeper Big 8. Without a clear conference vs conference record though, the Zephyr teams in the tournament (Mar Sara Tech, Raynor) have a real shot at providing an argument for being the best bunch in college football by beating on their old conference.

1(0): Big Eight
Conference Champion: Cold Hill University (13-0)
Week 11 Record: 3-2
Week 12 Record: 4-0
Week 13 Record: 4-1
Total Record: 11-3
Projected Playoff Teams: 3

Absolute domination, that's what the Big 8 showcased when they were unleashed on the rest of the NSCF. The Big 8 is the only conference to have an undefeated week this season, the only conference to not have a losing week, and the only conference to have a winning record in weeks 11, 12, and 13. Cold Hill is undefeated, the top seed in the tournament at 13-0 while Richardson and Kohnhead City went from a 6-4 slog of a conference to a 5-1 combined record in the final three weeks. Both are projected to be playoff teams to give the conference a - projected - NSCF high 3 teams representing them in the tournament.

by **StrayaRoos** » Fri Dec 24, 2021 10:55 pm

The NUAA Gridiron Season II Tournament Mid MD3 Ranks

1 Eay Eagles              3    3   0    57   29  +28
 2 Saylor                  2    2   0    61   31  +30
 3 Circunses Uni           2    2   0    42   25  +17
 4 Panem College           2    2   0    43   27  +16
 5 Menai College           2    2   0    43   39   +4
 6 SSC                     2    1   1    47   43   +4
 7 Papoa College           3    1   2    56   56    0
 8 Pale Uni                2    1   1    39   45   −6
 9 Richmond University     3    1   2    64   74  −10
10 Panem Uni B             2    1   1    25   37  −12
11 STRSports               2    0   2    20   29   −9
12 SCLA                    1    0   1    17   27  −10
13 KLAOP                   2    0   2    26   39  −13
14 Sysbanes                2    0   2    24   43  −19
15 Zeal Uni                2    0   2    39   59  −20

by **Ranoria** » Sun Dec 26, 2021 6:33 pm

And Stay Out! Governors Secure Playoff Berth, Dominate Blue Thunder For Fourth Straight Season

Richardson DL Gideon Kearse drags down Blue Thunder runner Eric van Geel for a loss on first down

Reporters weren't sure what exactly was said in the Governor locker room before this contest, but they know it was loud, and recordings at least ensure the words "disrespect," "disgusting," and a significant amount of profanity were thrown around. Likely in reference to a series of pranks pulled by University of Loyola-Istria students on Richardson University's campus. While ultimately harmless for everyone besides the poor guy who'll be getting paint off that statue, it made excellent billboard material for an 8-4 Governor team that needed the win to keep control of their playoff destiny. And regardless of the eventual victor, their escapades at a minimum embarrassed a bunch of old Governor faithful and let everyone know the kind of exciting atmosphere the University of Loyola-Istria fosters.

But it did their poor football team no favors.

Whether it was Richard Steinheil's screaming or their own personal vendetta, the Governors were angry. Kaiser Belfort - who informed us postgame that he insisted on playing special teams this week - drew a penalty on the opening kickoff. Regardless of Wilhelm Ouattara-Fischer kneeling in the end zone for a touchback, Belfort laid out a Loyola player who barely even saw him coming. To his credit, the young man got up and came right back at the linebacker, but the two were broken up before things escalated any farther than the fifteen yard unnecessary roughness call.

Starting at their forty yard line, Ebou Hairte and his crew were looking at an easy touchdown drive...and then came Gideon Kearse.

Richardson's monster jumped on Hairte's back and clubbed the ball out of his hands. Kasper Ulvestad was the first man to see it, and he had an open lane to grab the ball and take off running. No one had a lane to catch the speed rusher as he took the ball in for the game's opening score. He was swarmed by his teammates immedietely, and that energy was reflected in an audience that drowned out even the live commentators with their approval.

Hairte was slow to stand after the hit, but stand he did. The passer went through the motions of letting the trainers look at him, but shrugged them off and ran back on the field the second his team got the ball back. Nevertheless, he was unable to turn this one around.

They opened things off with a handoff to Eric van Geel, who was quickly swallowed up by Gideon Kearse for a loss on first down. Hairte managed a seven yard completion on second down, but Karl Fortis jumped the route on third down batted the ball away to force a quick three and out.

To this point, the Blue Thunder had run four offensive plays, netted five yards and, turned the ball over. Richardson's offense hadn't stepped on the field yet, and they were off to an early seven nothing lead.

When they did, Loyola-Istria knew what was coming, and they couldn't stop it. They ran straight at Abram Fairbanks. It may have seemed like a disrespectful game plan, but with a guy as fast as Fairbanks, running away from him just meant he'd bring the back down from behind. Elliot Roach took the first four carries for 27 yards, and Julio Fitzpatrick came in to take his first tote for a 47 yard touchdown in what will be the final regular season game of his career.

Less than six minutes into this game, and the Governors had secured a 13-0 lead after Hillary Mercator missed her first PAT of the season. By now, Hairte and crew couldn't hear a thing inside a thunderous - no pun intended - ring of Governors faithful, to the point where Loyola-Istria was forced to take a time out and wait out the apex of the noise.

Despite all this, they managed to mount a decent drive, relying on their two senior running backs to slow down a game that was only getting more and more out of hand as it went, but unfortunately Sainey Kabbah just couldn't quite sneak it in from 50 yards out. Alanso Isa rubbed his eyes after the miss, just to watch as Richardson marched their way down, now mixing in just a bit of Astrid Verona's arm, and put through their first field goal of the day. At this point, Loyola-Istria was just trying to make it to halftime alive, and their frustrations only grew after a surgical drive from Hairte was snuffed out by a Gideon Kearse sack on third down to put them out of field goal range. It would mark the pass rusher's NSCF-leading seventeenth sack of the season and second of the game.*

The Thunder though, already down multiple scores, decided to go for it on fourth down. A punt may have only netted about twenty yards and a field goal was impossible from this range, so why not?

Well, Kaiser Belfort showed why. The linebacker came almost untouched on a rare blitz from the Governors and Hairte only had time to tuck the ball in before he was slammed into the dirt by Richardson's hitman. The offensive line was quick to jump the backer. Being a fighter in his spare time though, Belfort wasn't backing down. Already have been flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit, he'd only make things worse when he took a swing at big Malick Ngum. Officials threw another flag, the entirety of both lines had jumped into the scuffle now, and honestly the whole thing was hectic.

"Gonna make you lot pay for that vandalism in medical bills by the end of this one!" To Belfort's credit, he knew to grab Ngum's facemask to try and control him, but Ngum had a solid sixty pounds on the backer, and put him on his back before the officials got the two squads to break up the scuffle, with both sidelines clearly itching to get in on the action.

Hairte by now was on two feet, and clapped when the officials made their calls.

"There are three flags on the play. Targeting, defense, number number forty. Fifteen yards, and number forty is disqualified from this game. Unnecessary roughness, defense, number forty, fifteen yards. Unsportsmanlike conduct, defense, number forty, half the distance to the goal line, automatic first down."

Belfort went to shout at first, but then winced and looked back at the sideline, where Astrid Verona offered only a shrug. "Yeah, can't say I didn't expect that one," he appeared to say as he headed to the locker room.

Ebou Hairte - battered or not - was good for one yard. He took a one step drop and rifling the ball towards Rachel Emerson on a quick fade. She was good for it, hauling in her tenth score of the season to get their team on the board.

At least is wasn't a shutout now, but their situation only worsened as Richardson proceeded to run out the clock on their next drive, hitting a field goal to enter halftime with a 19-7 advantage.

This time it was second string defensive end who dragged Hairte down on another third down to force a field goal. It was his fourth of the season, one of five from the Governor defense today. To Hairte's credit, he had avoided turning the ball over aside from the early fumble against a top-flight defense, but it was beyond him to compensate for the way his front five were being beaten today.

Loyola put through their first field goal of the contest, but late in the fourth quarter now it was nothing but a consolation prize.

They were down 25-10 now as an 11-win season, and a chance at the 2nd seed, were now out of their reach. Astrid Verona wasn't even taking the snaps now, with second stringer Tommy Hubert handling things on the final drive, handing it off to Julio Fitzpatrick, who'd finish with his first career hundred yard game and run in his second score of the game with just under a minute left on the clock.

Star passer Ebou Hairte was on the bench as Loyola's second stringer took the field, presumably to preserve his health after a beatdown in a now out-of-reach contest. Diawara took a deep shot on his first opportunity, one that was nearly intercepted, but not quite, by Karl Fortis. He'd end the drive 2/4 and picked up 27 yards on those two completions, but time expired before he could do anything more than that.

The Blue Thunder sideline looked dejected, with Hairte accordingly looking up to the scoreboard with some mixture of disbelief and disappointment. Malick Ngum - who'd fought Kaiser Belfort earlier, held his head in his hands, and looked up to the sky with a sigh. Ngum was now a member of something that he could never erase - an entire class of players at Loyola-Istria that had never beaten Richardson.

Expectedly they were unable to sit and lick their wounds for long, as Richardson fans and students swarmed the field, and Richard Steinheil shrugged off an interview that the 64-year old head coach couldn't have cared less about, instead grabbing defensive coordinator Kasen Harrowitz by the shoulders and pulling him to the reporter. "This is the man you want anyway, masterful gameplanning by him to slow down the best quarterback in the NSCF!" Harrowitz looked only mildly amused by the responsibility of taking the postgame interview, but handled himself well amid the chaos.

"We've secured a playoff spot and possibly a home game. Keeping the Rebel's Cannon trophy at home is, of course, one hell of a bonus."

*It should be noted that there is some discrepancy in how sacks are recorded including half-sacks and discrepancy between TFLs and sacks, and therefore not all teams’ records are guaranteed to match ours

Unbeaten Cold Hill Sends Elephant Valley Packing, Turn in First Undefeated Regular Season Since NSCF 4

Buffalo QB Aurel Strathos In the 4th Quarter Against Elephant Valley

When Aurel Strathos took that final snap and kneel to run the clock out, the Tundra erupted with the roaring of the crowd, and he fed off that energy. The star quarterback ran to the fans behind the end zone and whipped the ball up into the upper deck, his offense gathering around him to join in soaking in the applause of their fanbase.

Something's in the water (or ice?) up north. The Buffalo have finished the regular season 13-0. The last time a team finished the conference slate unbeaten was in NSCF, when Utica went 10-0 in the Woodlands. Now, their dominance was unprecedented as the NSCF's first true powerhouse - they also went 10-0 in conference play in NSCF 10, and recorded 9-1 records in that slate in the three seasons between. However! They lost 2 games in NSCF 10's out of conference play, and 1 in NSCF 14's. So we had to look farther back to find another undefeated squad - Port Salem in NSCF 4, with a 14-0 record.

The Buffalo defense has been the centerpiece of their success, and have allowed just 209 points in the regular season. Led by Victoria Mio - who recorded her program record 8th interception of the year against EVU, they've forced 28 turnovers this season - a rate of more than 2 per game. Mio herself has also forced and recovered 2 fumbles in a season where she's been as electric as promised as a captain and now three year starter for the Buffalo. Elephant Valley only committed one more turnover in this one, with star corner Koman Tabor notching his fifth pick of the season as part of the best secondary in football.

Offensively, the Buffalo pulled a few things out of their bag of tricks, with Prokopios Vertigern Rooijakkers getting three touches and a pair of touchdowns on offense. The safety ran a jet sweep in for a score from 11 yards out on fourth down, caught a fade pass in the corner of the end zone, and got the squad out of a pinch on third and one, taking the handoff on a dive. After stretching the ball out over both lines to secure forward progress, he barreled his way ahead for five yards. Aurel Strathos of course led the team to most of their offensive production, crossing the 4,000 yard mark with a 323 yard performance. It's the first time a Cold Hill passer has produced a 4,000 yard campaign in the NSCF since Deondre Rhine in NSCF 22...consequently the last time the Buffalo won a playoff game. Strathos also tossed a pair of touchdown passes to bring his season total up to 30, with one going to star wideout Nikolas Isaksen.

Riding the highs of a historic campaign, the Buffalo have put themselves in the best possible position to go and win a third title in six years. While closing the deal will be much easier said than done with other elite teams like Loyola-Istria, Trent State, even Richardson, or the looming juggernaut of Raynor, they've made sure to establish themselves as the favorite early, and no one wants to play this team right now. Their passing attack may not be elite, but it's clicking. The defense is the best in program history, and loaded with talent in the secondary. And the coach? He's going to be up for some awards at year's end.

The Buffalo will sit for a bye week 1, patiently waiting for the result of Mar Sara Tech's first round visit to Silverleaf...but we think we have an idea who they're going to be facing off in their first playoff matchup.

by **NSCF** » Wed Dec 29, 2021 7:22 pm

Hello all. A major update regarding NSCF playoff spots.

I have been informed by one of my co-scorinators for this cycle, South Newlandia, that there may be errors with OSPIs due to spreadsheet error, something that I have not noticed myself until being informed of the errors (likely came way back in time during late-10s of NSCF, when there was a bit of transition phase between Cos and me). Now that I have checked the OSPI seedings and whatnot, I find that to be a case which of course adds headaches.

With possible qualification implications, I have chosen to do a re-vote.

Thus, out of last five playoffs places, three will be allotted to the teams with the highest remaining OSPIs. As per the seeding spreadsheet, these are now confirmed to be:

Big Eight: Richardson University (RAN)
Big Eight: Kohnhead City University (RAN) ADDED
Zephyr: Mar Sara Tech (VAL)
~~Sequoia: Woodstock City College (SRZ)~~ SPOT LOST, STILL ELIGIBLE BY VOTES

The remaining two Playoff spots will be voted on at-large by the NSCF Committee.

Now with the updated OSPIs, I will telegram NSCF Committee members to ask for their nominations. The final 12-team Playoff field should be finalized by Jan 2 on 22:00 KST - this conflicting with New Year's Day means that it's best to get your votes in soon.

The match-ups for the bowl games will also be announced at the deadline. As of right now, we see six possible bowls to be selected. Pioneer Bowl, as always, will be included, and it is probable the next three long-time bowls - Drawk, Mugisha III and Karmin-Falce Bowls - will be added as well. As for the rest, I will decide when the time comes.

As for the Championship Game venue, Banija's bid has gotten more than half the votes needed to be approved, and is thus passed 8-0.

hat will give everyone four days to RP before the postseason begins on January 6, back to EST.

by **Sarzonia** » Thu Dec 30, 2021 5:44 pm

[OOC: Here's my IC reaction with a little OOC reaction mixed in.]

The meeting was the last thing James Arthur wanted as Woodstock City College was about to close for the end of the fall semester.

The Woodstock City College manager had wanted his team to enjoy the time off for the holiday break so they could gather together to practice for their playoff match. It was a heady accomplishment for a team competing against foreign colleges and universities for the first time. He wanted his players to savour the moment, but truthfully, he also wanted to do the same. After all, a 9-4 record including an away victory over one of the most storied programmes in international college gridball was a major accomplishment. Woodstock City College had much to be proud of, from the winning record to bringing the Sequoia Conference two of its three non-conference victories and being the only school in the conference to post a winning non-conference mark. Even vaunted Silverleaf University went 0-3. Universidade de Soria went 1-1 to complete the non-conference slate.

However, he had bad news from the NSCF. Then he had worse news from the Board of Regents and the President's Office. The news potentially could alter the team's plans for the postseason, as in eliminate them entirely. NSCF organisers determined there was an error in the rankings used that had the Climbers in the playoffs as one of the three highest ranked non-conference champions. That error meant the Climbers weren't going to qualify as one of the three teams with the highest ranks. If they were going to be one of the 12 playoff teams, they would have to get voted in by the NSCF Committee. If the Committee opted against the Climbers, which was a possibility considering ranks and considering the pedigree of teams like Northern Moravica, the prospects that the Committee would choose a debutant Woodstock City College for one of the two final playoff spots was remote.

"I know that isn't the news you wanted to hear heading into holiday break," Arthur said in an obvious understatement. "There's a possibility that we still get voted in or that we appear in a bowl game." The groans and boos shook the team dressing room as the players reacted angrily to the news. Understandable, Arthur thought. He himself was furious when he learned the news. However, the news he had next was worse.

"I spoke with the Athletics Office and the President," he continued, "and the Board of Regents has voted that if we don't qualify for the playoffs, we're not playing period." This news met with even more anger as several players shouted, "No!"

"That's a fucking outrage," Cal Barkley, the quarterback not normally given to using that much profanity said in a voice that was louder than his usual on the pitch.

"Believe me," Arthur said. "I'm just as angry about this as you are. I don't want our fate to be decided in a boardroom any more than anyone else here does. But we are talking with the Department of Athletics and the President's Office in the hopes that we can convince them to change their minds. I've told them their decision could end the college careers of some of the players who have best exemplified what this university has to offer and has represented our country so well on the international stage."

The players filed out in a sombre mood, though some were more visibly angry. Several would end up going to the main administration building to *ahem* let their displeasure be known. About the NSCF Committee. About the Board of Regents vote. About the President's Office not fighting as hard for them as they expected. They had no way of knowing the President did in fact make the case for them to play.

It was a rotten way to ring in the holidays.

by **NSCF** » Sun Jan 02, 2022 6:16 am

The results for NSCF Committee voting is here. It was very close, but the votes for the final two playoff spots (with one member abstaining) are as follows:

NSCF 25 PLAYOFFS - First Round

_#9Kohnhead City University (KHD) @ _#8Mar Sara Tech University (VAL)
Winner plays #1 Cold Hill University (RAN)

_#12Northern Moravica University (BNJ) @ _#5Staramara Tech (CMT)
Winner plays #4 Richardson University (RAN)

_#10Silverleaf University (UAD) @ _#7Trent State University (TJU)
Winner plays #2 Brattleboro Technical Institute (CDG)

_#11Woodstock City College (SRZ)@ _#6University of Loyola-Istria (BNJ)
Winner plays #3 Raynor University (VAL)

As for the Bowls, the information will be posted on the subsequent post.

by **NSCF** » Sun Jan 02, 2022 6:20 am

Bowl Games

For this NSCF, I have received ten bowl games (!). Among those, there are six approved bowl games this season, which covered all bowl-eligible team, as well as one school that fell right short of the mark but was needed for the Pioneer Bowl.

As a reminder, the bowl games will be scorinated at the same time as the first round NSCF Playoff games above (Thursday), though they may ICly have taken place before. It will be scorinated with the first round of playoffs.

The Cannabiscorp Pioneer Bowl
Green City University (TJU) vs. Crown's College (SHM)
Best newcomer teams not in Playoffs
Marijuana Island Gaol, Marijuana Island, Quebec and Shingoryeo

The Drawk Bowl
Swisston City University (KHD) vs. New Lakeland University (CDG)
Top non-playoff team from Big Eight Conference vs. Top non-playoff team from Woodlands Conference.
Corps University Hub, Drawk City, Drawkland

The Karmin-Falce Auto Bowl
University of the Commonwealth of Baker Park (CBP) vs. Ceneisis Naval Academy (AFT)
Best remaining offense vs. Best point differential not in playoffs from any conference.
Karmin-Falce Superdome, Ranoria City, Ranoria

The Mugisha III Memorial Bowl
Elephant Valley University (SNL) vs. Hoofstra University (KRD)
Top non-playoff teams from the Celestia Conferene vs. At-Large.
Stadium of the Restoration of Restoration in Busukuma, Banija.

Note: An at-large team was selected in place of Best remaining Sequoia team, as both eligible schools to the NSCF bowl games from Sequoia conference, Silverleaf University and Woodstock City College, have made the playoffs.

The Leevas Sunshine Bowl
Université St. Croix (QUE) vs. Thereisnogodistan Community College (NGD)
Highest scoring non-playoff teams from Woodlands vs. AT-LARGE
Heartland Trucking Field in Ameriso, Schima Bas.

The Jaguar Bowl
University of Alexandropolis (NGS) vs. Université du Saguenay (QUE)
Best non-playoff team from the Mineral Conference vs. AT-LARGE
Field of Dreams in The Gardens in New Washington, TJUN-ia.

Note: Both the Leevas Sunshine Bowl and Jaguar Bowl were given an at-large spot as Leevas Sunshine Bowl would have caused an intra-conference matchup between Saguenay and St. Croix (both QUE). To prevent said possibility, both St. Croix, the highest-scoring non-playoff team from the hosting conference (Woodlands), and Alexandropolis, the best non-playoff team from the hosting conference (Mineral), were kept into their respective bowls. Thereisnogodistan CC and Saguenay were switched around to Leevas Sunshine and Jaguar Bowls.

by **Banija** » Sun Jan 02, 2022 9:15 pm

*Northern Moravica Head Coach Lance Kabuye, on Selection Sunday, at the team's practice facility*

Lance Kabuye was throwing a watch party for the Northern Moravica football team. A team pizza party, where they'd find out whether or not they'd play in the playoffs, at the Mugisha III Memorial Bowl in Busukuma, or if they'd play in another bowl altogether. The 8 year playoff streak, and everything they've worked for and strived for all season long, was on the line. Everything left precariously hanging in the balance after their loss to Woodstock City College at the Ruwani Motor Speedway to end the season. As the television talking head were filling time on the big screen before revealing the Committee's deliberations on who the #11 and #12 seeds would be in this season's NSCF playoffs, Lance Kabuye reflected on the speech that he had given his team just after their season-ending loss to Woodstock City College.

"Men, so many times this season, we have seen the odds stacked against us." Lance Kabuye had told a sad locker room, in the aftermath of Matt Anderson's 56 yard field goal to stun Northern Moravica and functionally put the Climbers into the playoffs in their inaugural season. "We went down to our last Quarterback at one point. We have been counted out on multiple occasions, by both national and international media. We've received the continuous disrespect of media publications, both foreign and domestic, who rank a program like Loyola's ahead of ours. And yet- we fought, and we have battled all season. Even tonight, the odds were stacked long against us. Down 16-0. And yet- we came back. A pair of touchdowns, and a pair of two point conversions. Making big plays when it mattered most. They made one more play than us, of course. But no matter where we end up- the playoffs, or a bowl game in who knows where, we have had a hell of a season. It's on all of us to finish the season strong."

Of course, the past week had been spent by players not really practicing, simply doing workouts and then focusing on Final exams. And with those over, they were awaiting their fate. Elephant Valley, Woodstock City College, and New Lakeland University were all awaiting their fates as well. At the pizza party, of course, there were reporters allowed. Two questions were asked during the party of Lance Kabuye that he answered. The first- what was NMU's playoff case? "Despite the OSPI, we believe that there's a clear and compelling case for Northern Moravica as a top 12 team in the competition. Look, we've been on the brink for a while- and yet, we've come out and performed. We've got some signature wins. A blowout at Sadeg State. A blowout win over a bowl team, Hoofstra. We beat Loyola-Istria. We beat Elephant Valley twice- both at home and in South Newlandia. Our full body of work shows that we belong in the playoffs, and if the committee puts us there, we'll quickly show the world that we belong."

The second question, of course, was about the strength of the Celestia. "I still believe that we play in the most competitive conference in all of college football." Lance Kabuye said. "Week in, week out, it's a battle- there are truly no easy wins in this conference. Even Fair Haven State, who went 0-10, won a couple of non-conference games by big scores- showing that they were better than the record suggested." He was also asked about the conference's 0-6 record in week 13. "While it looks bad, it is, of course, a bad week. If certain conference schools scheduled home games, rather than wearing down their players by scheduling non-con away games for 3 consecutive weeks, then that record would probably be a bit different. But of course, these things are shown on the field. The Celestia's schools are gonna have to prove it on the field this postseason, and I expect us all to collectively do so."

There wasn't much more to say. Finally, the presenters in Quebec were ready to go. "The #11 seed in the NSCF 25 Playoffs- Woodstock City College, from Sarzonia and the Woodlands Conference. Seven votes." Lance Kabuye simply stared. There was not any reaction, as Woodstock City College's logo was blown up, and placed next to Loyola-Istria's logo. The Sarzonian school would travel to Banija's Olympic City for a first round playoff matchup, and now, there were just three logos showing up on the screen. New Lakeland University out of Cassadaigua, and the pair of Celestia Conference rivals- Northern Moravica, and Elephant Valley. The anticipation was extremely high. You could hear a pin drop in the room, everybody was simply staring at the big screen.

"The #12 seed in the NSCF 25 Playoffs- Northern Moravica University, from Banija and the Celestia Conference." The room erupted. The cheering was still going on through the room, as the bracket revealed the time for their visit to Staramara Tech just six weeks from then. Lance Kabuye, with Banijan TV cameras on him and all, then climbed back to center stage, as the clapping was still going. "Hey men! Settle in!" The clapping died down, as the coach started speaking. "Now, let it be known- your hard work this season, your results on the field, have been recognized by the men and women who have been out here watching the games. They've seen your film, they've seen you play, they've seen you represent that logo and fight for the team. You have shown that you belong as one of the 12 teams that have a chance to compete for a championship."

"It is an accomplishment that we are here. But now that we are here- do not rest on your laurels! Nothing is guaranteed in this world. And we have the toughest road. Understandable, as we sit at 8-5. Staramara Tech is a school that beat Felswyr State twice, and probably sit as the primary reason that the defending champs won't even have the opportunity to defend their title. We've got to work hard, and put everything we got into beating the Lava. Getting ready to face that triple option offense. They are an enormous challenge- one of the best teams in the sport. But if we want to reach the pinnacle, we have to embrace matchups like these. If we want to be the best, we've got to beat the best, and that starts with making sure that we are absolutely ready for a trip to Johnston Memorial in six days time."

by **Chromatika** » Sun Jan 02, 2022 11:07 pm

Season Retrospective: Firehawks Crash in Close Matches, Suffer First Ever Losing Season

Week 01 W 16-00 vs. Royal Armitage University (WZT)
Week 02 L 20-22 vs. Staramara Tech (CMT)
Week 03 L 20-32 @   Sadeg State University (DRK)
Week 04 W 83-09 vs. Cavsar University (DRK)
Week 05 W 33-20 @   Hofstra University (KRD)
Week 06 W 45-23 @   Royal Armitage University (WZT)
Week 07 L 00-32 @   Staramara Tech (CMT)
Week 08 W 42-10 vs. Sadeg State University (DRK)
Week 09 L 24-30 @   Cavsar University (DRK)
Week 10 W 58-03 vs. Hoofstra University (KRD)
Week 11 L 10-29 vs. Cold Hill University (RAN)
Week 12 L 30-31 @   University of Loyola-Istria (BNJ)
Week 13 L 20-23 vs. Kohnhead City University (KHD)
PF: 401 PA: 264 PD: +137
PF/Game: 30.85
PA/Game: 20.31
Average Margin of Victory: 35.33
Average Margin of Defeat: 10.71
Home Record: 4-3, PF: 249 PA: 96 PD: +153
Road Record: 2-4, PF: 152 PA: 168 PD: -016
Record in Games Decided by More than 7 Points: 6-3
Record in Games Decided by Less than 7 Points: 0-4

As Kohnhead City University kicker Seth Potter's kick went through the uprights, the Mighty Eagles celebrated at the Firehawks' Roost as they exorcised their demons, defeating Felswyr State for the first time in their rivalry and ensuring both the first losing season in FSU history as well as the fact that Felswyr State will not be participating in any Bowl Games.

Looking back, it's been a disastrous season for the Firehawks, but what really went wrong? Their woes can be condensed into five major issues.

1. They lost every close game. Look at that record in games decided by less than seven points - Felswyr State went 0-4 in them. They lacked the clutch factor, especially in the first match against Staramara Tech where Sarai Gwenderyn fumbled away the ball in the last drive of the game and the two matchups against the University of Loyola-Istria and Kohnhead City University. The defense blew it late against Cavsar, and there's four games that Felswyr State really wishes that it could get back. The offensive line - more on that later - couldn't shelter Sarai enough to get consistent protection, and it really came back to bite the Firehawks.

2. The road became an issue. In the first three years of Firehawks football, they had an almost uncanny ability to produce on the road, only losing one road game - to Hoofstra University in NSCF 24. In NSCF 25, this wasn't the case, as the Firehawks went 2-4 - including a memorable trouncing at Johnston Memorial Stadium where they lost to the Lava by a score of 0-32. The issues on the Firehawks' offensive line became even worse on the road, and Gwenderyn often had to do way too much by herself, which led to this record. That negative point differential on the road really says a lot.

3. Too much was asked of the offensive line. It was too much to think that four underclassmen, and three freshmen, would be able to keep Sarai Gwenderyn upright. With targets on their backs - everyone wants a piece of the champion - the underclassmen really went through their growing pains, and though they excelled in the big wins that the Firehawks had, they ultimately couldn't keep up with the pressure enough to let Gwenderyn do what she does best. It'll be good experience for them going forward, but could the Firehawks have done more with not recruiting so many offensive linemen and letting the domestic talent have a chance? Someone has taken responsibility - offensive line coach Jaire Hughes III - but the question lingers.

4. Staramara Tech University had the Firehawks' number. Can you believe that the only team to ever sweep Felswyr State in a season, is, in fact, the newcomers of Staramara Tech? The Lava relied on a superb play by Jere Rinaldi to get the win at the Firehawks' Roost, and then utterly destroyed the defending champions at Johnston Memorial Stadium. Somehow, the ground-and-pound, time-of-possession attack by the Lava are the kryptonite to Felswyr State. This is an intense budding rivalry that will be something to watch in seasons to come, but for now, the Lava have the Firehawks's number. If FSU wins one of the two matchups, they have a winning record; if they win both, they might be celebrating the Horizon Conference title instead.

5. Sarai Gwenderyn had a down year. Sure, some of it was the offensive line struggles, and another part of it was the absence of Niles Gwivern, but when you're the defending MOP and the defending champion, you simply need to perform better than the way that she did this season. Gwenderyn herself will admit it when asked that it's been a rough year, and it's too bad that this is the way that her collegiate career ends. Everyone will remember the first season and the championship winning season, but it'll always be a blemish on her record that in her senior year, she was human.

So, what's next for Felswyr State?

Well, change is on the horizon. Jaire Hughes III retired. Passing Game Coordinator Sara Lee Hampton left to be the Offensive Coordinator at Université du Saguenay, meaning that Wide Receivers Coach Keile Curentino, the wife of Naia Curentino, will take over as Passing Game Coordinator - which could lead to some interesting situations. Sarai Gwenderyn, Park Mi-Hyeon, Mikel Kingston, Paul Mattieu, Sara McAllister, and Nellie Katt are all graduating. We might be on the cusp of a season where Felswyr State runs more of a pro-style offense with Jonas Odden at the helm and Nyata Antonucci able to run the ball behind a developing offensive line and the fullback that is Vasilievna.

Felswyr State will not take this defeat lightly. No, they are the Firehawks for a reason, and they'll rise again - that's a promise.

Season Retrospective: Lava Rise to Claim Horizon Conference Title, Will Face Northern Moravica in First Round

Week 01 L 00-06 vs. Hoofstra University (KRD)
Week 02 W 22-20 @   Felswyr State University (CMT)
Week 03 W 34-07 vs. Royal Armitage University (WZT)
Week 04 L 40-46 vs. Sadeg State University (DRK)
Week 05 W 29-17 @   Cavsar University (DRK)
Week 06 W 31-10 @   Hoofstra University (KRD)
Week 07 W 32-00 vs. Felswyr State University (CMT)
Week 08 W 29-25 @   Royal Armitage University (WZT)
Week 09 L 27-34 @   Sadeg State University (DRK)
Week 10 W 27-25 vs. Cavsar University (DRK)
Week 11 L 10-17 vs. Thereisnogodistan Community College (NGD)
Week 12 W 27-03 @   Silverleaf University (UAD)
Week 13 W 20-09 vs. Ratzupalfu University of Nature (SNL)
PF: 328 PA: 219 PD: +109
PF/Game: 25.23
PA/Game: 16.85
Average Margin of Victory: 15.0
Average Margin of Defeat: 6.5
Home Record: 4-3, PF: 163 PA: 110 PD: +053
Away Record: 5-1, PF: 165 PA: 109 PD: +054
Record in Games Decided by More than 7 Points: 6-0
Record in Games Decided by Less than 7 Points: 3-4

Remember when the colleges in the CCGC turned down the offer to be Felswyr State's country-mate in the NSCF? Staramara Tech was chosen to join the NSCF only after the Chromia Central College University Comets, the Z'ai'ai Institute of Technology Hellcats, and the University of Myana Vipers all turned them down, saying that "it wasn't the right market" for them. So, the little technical university out of Staramara in Urrhed Island moved up to the NSCF ranks after a 4-6 season, ready to subject all opponents to their grind-it-out, time-of-possession style where they run the ball and stop the run.

What's followed is sheer bedlam. Besides being swept by Sadeg State University - both times by less than a touchdown - and dropping a weird game against Thereisnogodistan Community College, the Lava have taken the NSCF by storm. They swept the defending champions of Felswyr State when nobody in the country thought they could. They've never lost a game by more than seven points, and crazily enough, they can lay the claim to being the only school to sweep Sarai Gwenderyn in her storied career.

How have they made this happen? Here are five reasons why the Lava have been so successful this season.

1. Jere Rinaldi is a monster. No, really, you can argue that Rinaldi's season has been equivalent, if not better, than Park Mi-Hyeon of Felswyr State's. A physical hammer, Rinaldi has been everywhere for the Lava - forcing no less than eight fumbles on the year and leading the team with tackles. He's been so good that he's played his way onto the Iron Legion to be alongside Park, as the two will feature as the ILBs in a 3-4 front. It's too bad that the Lava only joined in his Senior year - though he heavily featured in the two previous seasons for the Lava in the CCGC as well.

2. Gabriele Ziegler's signing has worked out. Many people thought that getting a 5' 9" receiving back in an offense that heavily features the run was a mistake. Instead, Ziegler has provided an avenue for Quarterback Sheila Pantoja to audible plays into short screens where she can thrive. Ziegler has worked seamlessly with the more traditional running back that is Lana Rhodes as the two have become the biggest weapons for the Lava's offense. Often times, their scoring drives take more than twelve plays and eat up more than six minutes of clock - wearing out the opposition and setting the tone for the style of game that the Lava love to play.

3. Eldora Arellano and Mastaya Vorpen have turned out to be better than expected. In order for the Lava's defense to work, their cornerbacks need to be able to be on islands - and the duo of Arellano and Vorpen have turned out to be better than advertised. Arellano has been the better ball hawk of the two, though Vorpen's capability of breaking up passes have come up clutch, and she's only a Sophomore. With Ingrid Gustaffson and Anira Hoss helping out on nickel packages with their considerable height, the Lava secondary has improved from being a liability to a strength.

4. James Dior is all right. Everyone knew that he was deadly under 40 yards, but what's been impressive is his range game. Going 11 of 15 beyond 40 and 3 of 5 beyond 50, the freshman kicker has shown promise and poise. Another unknown that has turned out better than expected, Dior's presence will be huge in seasons to come.

5. Sheila Pantoja had the best season of her career. The senior signal-caller has been tasked with running the triple-option machine that is the Lava, and her ability to read situations to diagnose the right response has been crucial. Not much was expected of Pantoja after the Lava's struggles in the CCGC, but in her last year at the helm, she has them playing at a tremendously high level.

All of this has led to not only the first conference title in STU's history but a playoff home game, where the Lava will play host to the Northern Moravica University Cougars.

The little school from Staramara has joined the little school from Felswyr State to prove that when it comes to schools from Chromatika, the small ones have some bite.

by **Sarzonia** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 7:24 am

The scene in the team house adjacent to Friedgen Stadium on the Woodstock City College campus was very similar to that of the Northern Moravica scene.

Climbers manager James Arthur had a pizza party along with drinks for the team as they sat around the large screen television to watch the selection show. They sat and watched as the announcers talked about the NSCF 25th season.

On the set of the show itself, as the show went to a commercial break, an assistant handed a piece of paper to host Alan Broderick. He looked at the paper and did a double take.

"Seven votes? Really?"

"Yes," assistant Dave Edwin replied. "Seven votes. They only failed to appear on one ballot."

"That's pretty remarkable." Broderick would have had more time to consider the ramifications of the votes, and how Woodstock City College didn't have to worry about the drama that was about to unfold in Northern Moravica, New Lakeland and Elephant Valley if not for the commercial break only lasting a minute 15 at that point.

The vote was close between Northern Moravica, owners of a streak of eight consecutive trips to the NSCF playoff and Elephant Valley. One vote separated the two schools from either an opportunity to still play for a NSCF title or to be consigned to a bowl game.

For Broderick, though, his main concern was whether to milk the selection show format where he and the other panelists would continue to talk about each school, making the case for or against a playoff berth for each school. The case for Woodstock City College was simple. They won nine matches including seven Sequoia Conference games. They went 2-1 out of conference including their dramatic victory over Northern Moravica in front of the largest crowd the Climbers ever played in front of.

The case against? Well, City College was a new school to the multiversal college gridball landscape. They played in the Sequoia Conference, considered the weakest of the conferences. They got destroyed by New Lakeland 30-7 in an away contest and their overall record away from Friedgen Stadium was 3-4.

Sure, they had the win over Northern Moravica, but they also lost against New Lakeland University, one of the teams they competed against for a spot in the playoffs. The score in New Lakeland wasn't even close: 30-7. In any event Broderick had to think fast.

Did he want to end the suspense early for the City College fans and team, aware that ratings would likely plummet if Sarzonia's only representative was already known to be among the 12 playoff teams? Or would he milk the drama for all it was worth, waiting until the very end to announce City College's fate?

"And you're on in five, four, three, two, one!"

"Welcome back to the NSCF Selection Show! We've received word about the two teams that will advance to the playoffs. Now, before we reveal the teams, the selection committee had to weigh a number of factors before deciding on the teams." Broderick decided he wanted to end the suspense early.

"With seven votes, advancing as the number 11 seed and getting set to face Loyola Istria with seven votes by the committee is Woodstock City College."

The players in the team house erupted in cheers. The Board of Regents members who had voted to decline a bowl bid if the Climbers failed to advance to the playoffs now didn't have anything to worry about. Their vote was now moot. The Climbers certainly would be underdogs against Loyola Istria, but they were in and that was all that mattered.

Woodstock City College were in on the strength of their 9-4 record. They had the only winning non-conference record of any Sequoia Conference team. They had a huge win over Northern Moravica and were getting ready to face yet another Banijan school. A date with Raynor University awaited the winner.

Sure, the ratings dropped off after City College was announced as being playoff bound, but the drama that saw Northern Moravica being chosen as the 12th seeds was enough to keep the ratings from a total freefall.

"Congratulations, team!" Arthur said. "We've got more work to do. We'll start installing the game plan for Loyola tomorrow morning. Practice begins tomorrow afternoon."

NSCF 25 - Everything Thread

NSFB: Important Games, Important Wins

Out of Conference, Week (1)3

NUAA Gridiron Season II Standings (WIP)

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