"You can't do anything when the Ice storm comes"- Chineze throws for 5 TDs as Banija eliminated Kohnhead to advance to the World Bowl XLIV Quarterfinals
Ice Chineze, celebrating his fifth touchdown pass of the day wearing his new number- one
ELEPHANT VALLEY, SOUTH NEWLANDIA- EVU Field, a classic site for what was about to happen. The Round of 16 here at the World Bowl. Of course, the Round of 16, by the time the Banijans got around to playing, had already been full of surprises. The biggest one of them all- Dustin Beck and the Grid Corps knocking off the two-time defending champions, Ranoria, on home soil. Stunning the World Bowl polity in general, and suddenly, leaving the tournament wide open for any of the challengers to try and win a title. "Obviously, we wanted to be the team to knock off Ranoria." Ifeatu Chineze told reporters before the game. "But damn- the Grid Corps showed the world exactly what they are made out of." While nobody would ever say it publicly, that game had to reinvigorate the other 15 teams in the knockout stages. The Krauts seeming death grip on the trophy is suddenly over, and now everybody is out here fancying their chances to get that trophy.
That created a buzz here at EVU Field, as the world prepared for Banija v. Kohnhead. Banija's successes, and repetitive late stage failures, in this tournament are on display for all to see. But Thomas Hall has repeatedly said that Banija's history at this tournament is 'irrelevant'. "This team does not carry the load of past teams- we are here, right now, looking to play. As we saw in Ranoria's game a couple of days ago, anybody can beat anybody on any given day. Our focus today? We're all-in today, and we've been all-in throughout the week, on beating the Brains." Kohnhead, of course, doesn't have a long history of World Bowl success. But with Eric Dietrich, formerly of Richardson, as their head coach, they are certainly capable. They've got talent that is succeeding both in the RFL and in the NSCF, as well as talent that will be headed the GFLB"s way very, very soon.
And EVU Field was a fit venue for this one. While of course, only seating 7,000, plenty of Banijans traveled in-country without tickets. We're a gridiron obsessed country, of course. Bars across Elephant Valley were packed with Banijan fans, looking to be in town for this one. A stadium that Banijan fans are all too familiar with- Banija's NSCF teams are a combined 5-1 at this stadium, as Elephant Valley's Achilles heel continues to be the Banijan squads in the NSCF. And early on in the contest, Thomas Hall and his Offensive Coordinator tried to get fancy. They called a WR reverse in the early minutes, with Chinweuba Jelan coming all the way across the field to get the ball in the backfield. But it was the trick play- one that was a mistake. Kalu Alazar was covered, but Jelan threw it up anyways. The ball was picked off by veteran safety Chris Molina, who brought the ball inside the 30, to the 27 yard line.
"It was far too early for a trick play like that." Said one of Banija's TV analysts after the interception. "Plus, Ice Chineze has been unstoppable all tournament. Why in the world was somebody else throwing the football?" Fortunately, although Whitworth had a 7 yard carry on first down, the Banijan defense stood tall after that. Bringing down Whitworth at the line of scrimmage on a screen pass, and then a brilliant pass breakup by Makang Secka, forced Kohnhead to kick a field goal. An early 3-0 lead for the challengers. The teams traded three and outs, and with 7 minutes left in the quarter, Chineze came onto the field for Banija's third drive. That's when he finally started to settle into the game. Making some great throws, involving his receivers, and getting into the red zone. On a 3rd and 2 from the 7, he threw a swing pass to Kuenda Sello after Kohnhead came hard with the blitz, and the Banijan star running back high-stepped, untouched, into the end zone.
6 points for Banija, with the PAT making it 7. An early 7-3 lead for the Serpent Eagles. The second quarter was an interesting one, however- with 5 of the 6 drives in the quarter ended in points. Sparked by a 27 yard scramble by QB Byron Joseph, Kohnhead got their second field goal of the game, against Banija's seemingly bend but don't break defense, with Parkinson hitting a 48 yard field goal. Banija seemed likely to respond on the next drive. But after a wide open TE Rada Menasse dropped what would've been a clear first down and a lot more, Kohnhead got the ball and started driving again. Sparked by the big play- a 52 yard run by Herman Whitworth flipped the field, bringing Kohnhead from their own 31 to the Banijan 17. They threatened from there, but then back-to-back sacks by both Isaiah Bryce and Birom Ogunsola meant that Kohnhead were pushed all the way back to their own 30 yard line, for a 3rd and 23. Whitworth got 8 yards on a draw, and Parkinson hit a 39 yarder to put Kohnhead up again for the day, with a 9-7 lead.
The Banijans responded on O with a decent length drive of our own, and Komani Achaje nailing a field goal from 51 yards out. After that, Kohnhead broke out the 4 minute offense, and Byron Joseph was fully in command. He's obviously a capable passer- but most of his electricity comes from his legs. He showed that with just over a minute left in the quarter. Forced to scramble after pressure from Ogunsola, he outran the linemen, juked out Banijan linebacker Onindo Agot, and raced to the pylon, diving into the end zone before Banija's safeties could recover. It was the Brains first touchdown of the afternoon, after 3 previous scoring drives had ended only in field goals for Kohnhead. The pressure was put on Banija- and the Serpent Eagles responded. Sparked by a 31 yard pass to Alazar, and another 22 yard pass to Jelan, we were able to get all the way down to the 17 yard line. Our kicker Achaje hit a 34 yard field goal as time expired, and it was just a three point game at halftime, with the Brains leading, 16-13.
"We need to do a better job of establishing an offensive rhythm, and more importantly- a better job of finishing drives." Said the Head Coach, Thomas Hall, at halftime. "Our passing game can really get going against these guys, but we're just barely missing the timing for the big plays. Let's get out there and make them pay." But sometimes, you need your defense to help out, right? The Banijan defense has been much-maligned throughout this tournament, outshined by a record-setting offense. But after Banija punted on our opening drive of the second half, the defense really came to play. How else to help other than a cornerback blitz, right? Secka lined up in the slot and blitzed on Joseph's blind side, and the Brains QB felt him coming far too late. Secka not only sacked him, but knocked the football out of hands, which was recovered by Banijan DE Birom Ogunsola at the Kohnhead 22. What's more? The Banijans would only need one play to make Kohnhead play. A double move by Lamin Kah left Anne Boyer in the dust, and Chineze lofted a perfect pass to Kah, where the safety had no chance of making a play over the top. One play, 6 points, and suddenly, the Banijans back in business, up 20-16.
But Kohnhead wasn't simply going to take things lying down. A few drives later, a missed 44 yard field goal by our own kicker, Achaje, gave the Brains decent field position, and new life. Just a few minutes later, Kohnhead running back Herman Whitworth was barreling through the end zone for a 9 yard touchdown run, that gave the Brains the lead, once again. 23-20 to Kohnhead, and despite this being a 1v8 matchup, the game looking like it was headed towards an instant classic. "Both teams were throwing haymakers, responding with big play after big play- of course we thought it was gonna go down to the wire." Said one Banijan TV analyst. But it was at that moment, where Banija really decided to show why they were the top seed on this side of the bracket.
A drive towards the end of the third quarter had Banija facing a 2nd and 2, from the Kohnhead 47 yard line, at the left hash. "The plan was to run a version of play-action levels." Said Chineze after the game in regards to this touchdown pass. "Fake it to Sello going left, and then roll right. Jelan would be out deep, running across, occupying the safety, and I'd have Alazar sprinting across, running underneath." But it worked even better than expected. Everybody went with the fake, as you can't simply ignore Kuenda Sello. As Chineze rolled right, the who was supposed to be covering the deep space had abandoned it underneath, to come downhill and cover Alazar. Jelan's double move had been good enough to beat Percy Whitehead, and Jelan was all alone when he caught the football at the 10 yard line. He basically walked into the end zone, celebrating 6 points and the lead.
The Banijan defense, holding a 27-23 lead, really stepped up after that. Forced a three and out. After Chineze took a sack on the ensuing drive and the Serpent Eagles had to punt, the Banijan defense forced a three and out again. Now, up 4, a steady dose of Sello and Chineze feeding his WRs to chew up some clock. Then, with 9 minutes left, the Banijans had a dilemma. Fourth and 3 at the Kohnhead 37 yard line. Up 4, you kick the field goal to go up 7? Or if Achaje misses the 54 yarder, you give the Brains great field position and a chance to take the lead? Hall took a timeout to think about it, and ultimately, decided to go for it. The play-call was brilliant. The Brains brought pressure, and Chineze threw a great screen pass to Sello. With blockers in front of him, he was able to get 13 yards on a play where he only needed three, which gave him the first down. On the very next play, Lamin Kah went to the end zone, and Chineze threw an absolutely perfect dart, between two defenders, for Kah to catch it through the big hit and a touchdown. While Achaje missed the PAT, Banija was now up 10, 33-23, with just over 8 minutes left and all the momentum.
And a minute later, it would be the Banijan defense who would call game. Kohnhead, down 10 with under 8 minutes, was running some hurry-up offense. They got a pair of first downs, naturally. But when Joseph was pressured by Isaiah Bryce, he threw the ball early, trying to force an underneath curl route to William Carey. Koman Tabor jumped the route, picked it off, and was brought down at the Kohnhead 44 yard line. The Banijans would put this game to rest on the next drive, with some more steady doses of Kuenda Sello, and a 31 yard touchdown pass to Lafi Senghore to basically end this thing. Two-time NSCF champion Ozioma Mazzi intercepted a pass inside 2 minutes to literally end the game, as Chineze came out for some kneel downs. No matter- that left us a final score of 40-23, in favor of the Serpent Eagles after a massive second half.
"Chineze is simply unstoppable." Said Thomas Hall. "We've got one of the best QBs in the whole damn business. 5 touchdowns in a playoff game, four of them in the second half? But everybody across our team- our best players made big plays in the biggest moments. Forced fumble by Secka? That interception by Tabor? Sello getting 13 yards on a crucial, high-leverage, fourth down effort? What a fantastic game, what a team. But, this game is over. Well done to Kohnhead, they should be proud of their tournament. But now? Off to the next contest."
The Banijans will be facing off with South Newlandia at the Jungledrom. Another stadium familiar to Banijan NSCF fans. The Banijan teams are each 0-2 at the Jungledrom against RUoN- so no Banijan team has ever beaten a South Newlandian team at this stadium. Not to mention, of course, South Newlandia being the team that eliminated Banija at the last World Bowl, who are now playing on home soil at a Banijan house of horrors- well, it is certainly going to be a big game. "While I hate playing at the Jungledrom, if I was a South Newlandian organizer, I'd have done the exact same thing." Said Loyola-Istria grad Lafi Senghore, who has played at this stadium in his NSCF days. "But it's going to be quite a contest. Many of us have bitter memories of World Bowl 43. We want revenge for that. We want to finally beat a lot of South Newlandian teams at the Jungledrom. But we can't worry about all of that- we've simply got to watch film, and get our gameplan down to a T. If we do that, the rest will follow."
Lafi Senghore then went onto say that South Newlandia v. Banija is 'the most underrated rivalry in all of gridiron'. Is he right? The fundamentals are all there. Familiarity at multiple levels. A few South Newlandians are going to be playing in the GFLB next season. The frequency of matchups in the NSCF between Banijan and South Newlandian schools, as they share a conference. And then, finally, national team games at the highest levels of competition. Two World Bowls in a row meeting at the knockout stages? "It's one that's hard to quantify- but it'd be hard to deny its real, especially with these high-stakes World Bowl matchups." Said Banijan journalist Allison Karbago. "It's gonna be a see of Elephants fans there, as Banijan fans aren't really gonna travel out to Ratzupalfu. But expect plenty of fans out around the bars of Elephant Valley, and this game getting more excitement than normal."
Will South Newlandia be tired? They will be coming off a stunning 5 OT victory over Sarzonia in the Round of 16. All sorts of things can effect the match. But it comes down to this. Banija's gotta win a true road game, in our personalized house of horrors, to reach our first World Bowl semifinal since World Bowl 40? Can the team get it done and break the curse of the Jungledrom? Or will South Newlandia engage in some home cooking to reach the semifinal on their own?
Aerellen Explosions 33-27 
Sterrenwolde Dragonflies (Northern Arena, Aevanna att. 32000/32000, -1C Partially Cloudy)
Greencaster Godspeed 10-6 
Mayara Destroyers (Surbourneshire Square, Greencaster att. 56059/65000, 14C Deluge (rain))
