NSCF 32 - Everything Thread

(O.O) · by **TJUN-ia** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 5:16 pm

The first one ended with a bang. Time for a rematch. Earth Trophy XV was such a spectacle that it practically set the tone for the six games that were to come afterwards - for both teams. One team lost it all and never fully recovered. The other took the Trophy and ran with it. 0-2 and 1-1 became 6-3 and 3-6 just like that...and all because of one kick in one game. Now, the picture heads to the Horseshoe in Notts with the visitors having a goal in mind and the hosts looking for pure revenge - pure and simple.

Entering this game, the Green City Royal Eagles knew that they had to win to have any shot of making it to the Mineral Conference Championship Game...but there was certainly belief within that team. Paul Abdullahi and Ngimphiwe Cele have dragged this team to both defending this trophy and the closest point a TJUN-ian side had come to a Conference Title in a good while...but entering enemy territory with the Trophy is always a thought task and today would be no exception. The Trent State Feathercaps fell apart once they lost the Trophy, going from 1-1 to 3-6, but Jessica Daniels did manage to get a great win in Kormania to enter this home showdown with some form of momentum. It certainly has been a difficult year for Johnny Bridgeford and the Caps, but they were desperate to try and get that piece of revenge against the Eagles - to keep their slim hopes of bowl eligibility alive.

So everyone knew what was at stake when kickoff arrived and despite how poor TSU have been, this place was still packed for this game because that is what rivalry means around here. The opening half was an absolute slog fest as both teams struggled to find ways past the opposition defense in more ways than one. Daniels rushed home the first TD of the game, with "Jenkins" hitting the PAT, but Cele found sister Bongekile Cele to level things up at 7-7 before halftime (because you knew Colleen Fletcher Christian would hit the PAT). The 3rd would see both Daniels and Cele find Vaaltari Vakalinen and Celiwe Cele for scores, making it 14-14 with 15 minutes to go, but the real drama would come in the final 5 minutes of this game. Cele knocked and knocked on the door but finally, she managed to find Yassan Namnganda with 2:31 to go...but inexplicably, CFC missed the PAT. It remained 20-14. That left time for Daniels to try and end this once and for all. The drive was certainly long and arduous but in the end, with time winding down, Daniels found space to find Esko Vakalinen as time expired. That would mean, like ETXV, a kick would decide this game - this time "Jenkins" striking home the PAT for the win and the field storm that would immediately follow. TSU had the Earth Trophy back...and just like that, TJUN-ia's long wait for a conference title must continue.

SCHEDULE (MINERAL Conference, Heartland Division + 3 Non-Conf)
Week 1: vs Niakursk (IMP) L 7-19 (0-1)
Week 2: vs Kormania (BRS) W 33-17 (1-1)
Week 3: @Green City (TJU) - Earth Trophy XV L 34-36 (1-2)
Week 4: vs Nowa Kalanianska (UNC) L 23-27 (1-3)
Week 5: @Roane State (KNP) L 29-32 (1-4)
Week 6: @UNSJJSM (UNC) W 29-13 (2-4)
Week 7: vs Columbus-Prairie (DHE) - Homecoming L 15-17 (2-5)
---------------------Mineral Division Rematches---------------------
Week 8: @Niakursk (IMP) L 10-24 (2-6)
Week 9: @Kormania (BRS) W 57-53 (3-6)
Week 10: vs Green City (TJU) - Earth Trophy XVI W 21-20 (4-6)
Week 11: ~~Conference Championship Week~~
---------------------Non-Conference---------------------
Week 12: vs Islamic U (BUS/9-2/Celestia Conference and Savannah Division Champions) - Senior Day
Week 13: @LeBois Santura (CAD/10-1/Big Eight Conference and Evermore Division Champions)
Week 14: (vs/@) Silver Coast SC (SAS/7-4/Horizon Runner-Up/Equinox Division Champions) (pending confirmation)

SCHEDULE (MINERAL Conference, Heartland Division + 3 Non-Conf)
Week 1: @Kormania (BRS) L 17-33 (0-1)
Week 2: @Niakursk (IMP) L 13-27 (0-2)
Week 3: vs Trent State (TJU) - Earth Trophy XV W 36-34 (1-2)
Week 4: vs UNSJJSM (UNC) W 23-12 (2-2)
Week 5: @Columbus-Prairie (DHE) W 24-23 (3-2)
Week 6: @Nowa Kalanianska (UNC) L 7-37 (3-3)
Week 7: vs Roane State (KNP) - Homecoming W 51-34 (4-3)
---------------------Mineral Division Rematches---------------------
Week 8: vs Kormania (BRS) W 41-10 (5-3)
Week 9: vs Niakursk (IMP) W 23-13 (6-3)
Week 10: @Trent State (TJU) - Earth Trophy XVI L 20-21 (6-4)
Week 11: ~~Conference Championship Week~~
---------------------Non-Conference---------------------
Week 12: @Staramara Tech (CMT/7-4/Horizon Conference and Starlight Division Champions)
Week 13: @Mar Sara Tech (VAL/8-2/2nd in Zephyr (Celestial Division))
Week 14: vs Cavsar (DRK/5-5/4th in Horizon (Starlight Division)) - Senior Day

by **Drawkland** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 5:34 pm

"The Crab Bucket [1]"

By all mathematical means, Sadeg State University was out of the running for the Starlight Division title, and therefore the Horizon Conference as a whole. The mission that Brooklyn placed upon her team during preseason camp had failed. Part of the blame could be put on her - a particularly nasty performance against Staramara Tech caused a loss and risking her health against Silver Coast State indirectly led to two losses - one could make the argument that Brooklyn’s inconsistency caused State to fall one win short of contending for the conference championship.

You would also be in the right to point the finger at a leaky Skyhawk defense that allowed the worst team in the conference to score four times. You’d be completely rational to mention how a special teams meltdown allowed Felswyr State to flip the script with a minute left on the clock. You could easily make the point that Brand Manlio, a supposed elite head coach, had gone almost an entire decade without earning more than six wins. If a team isn’t sniffing conference contention for a couple years, you can blame it on a few bad recruiting classes. When two full generations of players come through your program without a conference win, though, you start to lose credit.

If you were completely insane, you could also blame Cavsar for not getting a win against Felswyr State that would’ve made things interesting. They got blown out, but only a fool would’ve been counting on Cavsar to keep their own hopes alive, much less anyone else’s.

Regardless of the circumstance, fate brought Sadeg State and Cavsar together for yet another meaningless week ten matchup. For both squads, the only thing left to play for were their fleeting playoff resumes. It was a frustratingly familiar feeling for Skyhawk and Gladiator alike. For some, it caused tensions to boil over in group chats of old high school teammates.

NORTH CRAGGOLDS FINEST FELLAS

Kevin: good luck to you guys this weekend, will be watching from home lol

Mark: yeah good luck to one of ya and have a great loss to the other one

Thanks guys! Hoping for a great win to boost our playoff chances

Julian: You mean our playoff chances

Well I certainly didn’t mean your conference chances, thanks to your bum-ass defense taking last week off

Julian: maybe if your special teams unit didn’t fall asleep two weeks ago you’d have to find a real scapegoat for the fact that you weren’t going to win the conference anyway

Mark: guy who had six drops last week thinks he’s got a point

Kevin: y’all are both acting like you didn’t lose to something called gerthos state

Okay that wasn’t my fault tho

Cavsar’s season is over anyway so I dunno why he’s heated

Julian: OVER? We’re literally going to be .500 next week

cap

Kevin: cap

Mark: bullshit

If you thought week 3 was a bad blow for you, tomorrow is gonna send you into a coma

Julian: go ahead and talk your shit B

Julian: we’ll see who’s laughing tomorrow night.

Mark: ooooh look at mr big meat over here

Kevin: bro brought out the period for that one

Can’t wait till a month from now when Jules is trying to convince us that a Mugisha III Bowl appearance is actually cool and not completely embarrassing

Julian: can’t wait till a month from now when Brooklyn is spending all her time seething in a batting cage while real teams are still playing football

Kevin: ladies stop fighting, both your teams are completely unwatchable

At least I’ve got something to fall back on when the season’s over. What do you do for fun in Cavsar? Cow tipping?

Kevin: racing rusty shitboxes

Shooting at rodents in a field maybe?

Mark: setting couches on fire

Kevin: getting Proudfoot’s sloppy seconds

Julian: alright guys

Mark: knowing jules probably spanking it to B’s highlight reels

What?

Julian: dude..

Kevin: nice going man good one

Mark: what is this, prison? didn’t know we had the joke police in chat today

Julian: whatever.

Kevin: time and a place dude

Kevin: this was not the time or the place

Enjoy the game tomorrow I guess…

Thankfully that disaster of a conversation was quickly forgotten, as Brooklyn had the important matter of the actual game to worry about. The Skyhawks were traveling to hostile territory. The fact that Cavsar’s season was on life support at 4-5 was irrelevant. It was a favored pastime of the Gladiators to lose whenever it would be convenient to win, and win whenever it would be convenient to lose. Brooklyn was no fool. She knew Cavsar would be playing hard for revenge. The whole team knew it. Their own season hung in the balance, too.

That was the message in the pregame meeting for Sadeg State, and in their first few drives of the game, you could see that motivation. Brooklyn herself did her job adequately, but the rest of the Skyhawk roster were doing their best to silence the crowd in Roy Memorial Stadium. Sadeg State had the ball first and scored a touchdown, a goalline read option that Brooklyn took into the end zone herself. Then the Skyhawks forced a punt after just a single first down from the Gladiators. The Skyhawk offense managed a field goal on their second drive of the game, taking an early 10-0 lead.

Things seemed to be moving even further in Sadeg State’s favor when they forced a Cavsar punt on a three-and-out. Novatim punt returner Steve McCloud even made the first couple men miss when he caught the kick, showing potential for a nice return. Unfortunately, the third man didn’t miss. Backup middle linebacker Bert Mulligan popped McCloud hard, sending the ball flying out of McCloud’s hands backwards onto the turf. Freshman Hunter Driscoll landed on the ball and recovered the fumble for Cavsar.

Suddenly the Gladiators had the ball deep in Skyhawk territory and a new set of downs. It breathed life into the home crowd and offensive unit alike. The shift in momentum became palpable when Gladiator QB Kevin Sajak kept the ball on a 2nd down option play and gashed through the Skyhawk interior for a 16 yard gain. Now Cavsar had the ball 1st and Goal inside the 10 yard line. Two plays later, Sajak found Jerome Jeffers on a shallow out route for Cavsar’s first touchdown of the night. The standard Cavsar two-point conversion attempt failed this time, making it a 10-6 ballgame in the waning seconds of the first quarter.

Now the Cavsar defense was fired up, too. Sadeg State’s next drive didn’t last very long, and an incredible third down shoestring tackle by Scout Phillips prevented Brooklyn from scrambling for an easy first. The Gladiators got the ball back, and though their offense wasn’t getting any more big plays, they were still moving the ball effectively. Both of Cavsar’s drives in the second quarter ended in field goals, while their defense took care of business and shut out Sadeg State for the remainder of the first half. At the halftime whistle, the score was 12-10 in Cavsar’s favor.

“This is where we turn it around,” Brand Manlio proclaimed to his team in the locker room as the coaching staff made tactical adjustments. “They think they have us on the ropes, but they’re dead wrong. Our defense is going to remind them who’s boss right out of the gate.”

Manlio turned out to be right. Even with the Cavsar crowd in loud spirits after halftime and the Gladiator offense looking as poised as they did in the second quarter, the Skyhawk defense stood firm. Sajak couldn’t lead the Gladiators past midfield, and they were forced to punt away their first possession of the second half. Sadeg State, in their first possession, looked a lot sharper. Scott Fierro had a couple runs gain double digit yards, including a huge 30-yard touchdown run on 3rd and 6. Unfortunately for Fierro, the run was called back due to a holding penalty, adding insult to injury as the Skyhawks now faced 3rd and 16 outside of field goal range. Brooklyn’s pass to Jason Oberro fell short of the sticks, but at least it got the ball back into Donald Jensen’s range. Jensen made his second field goal of the game to give Sadeg State the lead back, 12-13.

That would be it for the rest of the third quarter, as both defenses were doing better at restricting the run game. Both offenses kept falling behind the sticks. It wasn’t until a Cavsar drive which leaked into the fourth quarter that an offense made it past midfield. Sajak made a couple good throws, including a 22-yard dime to Colton Gorman for a touchdown. It was the fourth reception Gorman had on the drive, and his work wasn’t done yet. Now holding a 18-13 lead, the typical Cavsar two-pointer became paramount to gain a seven-point advantage. Sajak called Gorman’s number one more time, hitting him on a perfect fade route to give Cavsar their largest lead of the night.

Sadeg State’s next drive didn’t last long, but at least it didn’t take too much time off the clock. Still, with 8 minutes left, the Skyhawk defense needed a stop. Thankfully they got one, but not without a little help. Cavsar’s offense was driving about midfield, facing a 2nd and 9. Sajak looked the way of Julian Gallagher for the second time all night, as Julian had gotten free on an out route. Instead of making an easy first down play, Julian couldn’t haul in the ball and it bounced incomplete. Maybe the pass was a little high, but it was definitely catchable. To make matters worse for him, he stumbled out of bounds onto the Skyhawk sideline, landing right in front of Brooklyn.

“Nice bricks, loser!” Brooklyn blurted out as she saw Julian pop back onto his feet. She didn’t even know why, she just felt herself say it. To be fair, he was wide open. The slander was justified.

Julian spun around to get back to the huddle without a word, though he did briskly shake his head a couple times while jogging back. He’d been paired up against Sadeg State’s Kendrick Dempsey, and so far Dempsey had him blanketed. The first time he’d gotten real separation all night, and he’d blown it. Things just compounded when Sajak looked his way on the very next snap. Julian ran a curl route right at the sticks, but couldn’t hang on to the pass with Dempsey in the mix. Cavsar were forced to punt after the two incompletions, and now Sadeg State once again had a chance to tie the game.

With 4 minutes remaining on the clock, Brooklyn executed an excellent four-minute drill. Though the Skyhawks continued to run the ball, their sense of urgency kept the ball moving quickly. A couple key passes on the sidelines from Brooklyn got the chunks they needed to flip the field, while retaining some time. Even so, the clock continued to roll due to a few passes in the middle of the field, and a couple more quick runs. Eventually it got within 90 seconds, and Brand Manlio was forced to use the rest of his timeouts. With the ball on the 3 yard line, Brooklyn hit Jason Oberro on a rollout pass for the big touchdown. Jensen’s PAT went through, and the score was now tied at 20 with 53 seconds to go.

Brooklyn once again came through in the clutch. Even being locked into The Zone, she made the right plays, kept the ball moving, and got the game-tying score. She was fired up, especially seeing the dejected Cavsar crowd pacify. They weren’t out of it yet, but a significant amount of air had been sucked out of the building.

“That’s what we do, O!” Brooklyn shouted on the sideline as the kickoff unit took the field. “Perfect execution, perfect hustle, perfect drive! Let’s take that into overtime and end this thing!”

Cavsar weren’t content to let those 53 seconds go to waste, however. Freshman returner John Henrick had a good return, burning a little time but getting the ball to the 32 yard line with 44 seconds remaining. When Kevin Sajak came out in the empty set, it was obvious that Cavsar were going to be trying to pass into field goal range, with only 1 timeout to play with.

Once again, Colton Gorman was coming in to save the day. On first down, he beat State’s Gabe Benson on a corner route, getting to the sideline to stop the clock after a 12-yard gain. Sajak decided to play the hot hand, dishing the ball to Gormon again on the next play. This one was a 9-yard completion on an inside slant, downing the ball right on top of the Cavsar logo at midfield. Facing 2nd and 1, Cavsar coach Scott Linhart opted to rush his offense to the line, where Sajak executed a quick QB sneak as soon as his offense was set. Then, Linhart called their last timeout, giving his offense the longer break to discuss their final few plays.

Brooklyn was standing anxiously on the sideline. She stood right next to the field of play, right around the target line for Cavsar’s kicker. She figured as long as the ball didn’t get past her spot, they’d be safely headed to overtime.

With 16 seconds remaining on the clock and about 12 yards needed to make a sensible field goal attempt, Cavsar’s mission was obvious. They’d have about 3 shots to get a first down. The ball had to be in the air. It had to be past the sticks, or else they’d risk running out of time. If they get tackled past the sticks it would be fine thanks to the college ruleset stopping the clock for a first down, which would give Cavsar just enough time to spike it for a field goal attempt. That, or they’d have to play with the sidelines.

First down, Sajak tried to find Gorman again, but he sailed the pass a bit into the home sideline. Gorman was open, too. Sadeg State defensive coordinator Chris Pearson decided that Gorman would not be allowed to face a 1-on-1 for the rest of the game.

Second down, Sajak once again tried to find Gorman, but the double team forced him to bail on that idea. An excellent move by Dominic Lister collapsed the pocket on Sajak, who managed to down the ball at the feet of his running back just in time. Sack avoided, pass incomplete, clock stopped.

There were now 8 seconds remaining on the clock. If Cavsar didn’t convert here, they’d be forced to try a hail mary to avoid overtime. Even getting another play wasn’t a guarantee. This was their last chance to avoid overtime against a surging Sadeg State offense.

Third down. Kevin Sajak recognized the double team developing on Gorman once again. He knew Gorman wouldn’t have time to get open. Sajak had enough time in the pocket to check his second read, Julian Gallagher, who was actively destroying Skyhawk corner Rolan Carver’s ankles. Julian had faked inside and broke outside, getting a jaw-dropping amount of separation. Kendrick Dempsey was busy helping with the Gorman double team, and Carver hadn’t seen Julian’s out move all night. Sajak had no time to worry about Gallagher’s drops over the past few weeks. He pulled the trigger and zipped the ball ahead of Julian.

This time, he didn’t whiff. Julian hauled the ball in perfectly and sprinted the rest of the way to the sideline, stepping on the white chalk with just over a second left on the clock. The clock was now stopped. Cavsar didn’t have to spike, and now they were in plenty comfortable field goal range for Ted Carroll.

Julian slowed to a stop as soon as he stepped out of bounds. He looked in front of him, and saw Brooklyn standing, frozen, jaw agape at what she’d just witnessed right in front of her. Brooklyn and Julian locked eyes for what was probably half a second, but to Brooklyn it felt like 20 minutes. Julian glared back, and brought a finger up to his facemask. Shhh.

He made a no-look toss of the ball to the line judge, then spun around and jogged to the opposite sideline without a backwards glance. Julian pumped his fist as he ran past the oncoming field goal unit and reunited with his teammates.

Brooklyn felt like she’d just been stabbed.

The metaphorical dagger for the game came seconds later, as Cavsar kicker Ted Carroll nailed the 50-yard field goal from the left hash. The Gladiators didn’t have to wait for the referee’s arms to go up, because the ball was hammered straight through the pipes. No doubt about it. The Gladiator sideline swarmed the field, hounding their kicker, their quarterback, and their wide receiver who just made everyone forget about three weeks of drops.

Brooklyn managed to swim through part of the crowd to give a deflated congratulations to Kevin Sajak.

“Good drive, man. Can’t do much better than that,” she said curtly into Sajak’s ear.

“Hey, thanks for the receiver.” Sajak smirked as Brooklyn turned to face him. “Good luck in the home stretch.” Then he was once again surrounded by his ecstatic teammates, and Brooklyn was pushed out of the fray.

She looked around to try and find Julian. She didn’t know what to say, but she felt like she had to at least congratulate him, or something. Similar to Sajak, though, Julian was totally blockaded by a litany of teammates, coaches, and media members. Brooklyn tried to peek through the gaggle and make eye contact, but even as he looked around, she never caught his eye.

After a few minutes, Brooklyn shook her head and turned back to her sideline. She grabbed her helmet and things and jogged lightly to the locker room. She didn’t know what she was feeling as the buzzing crowd turned into a muffled roar in the concrete tunnels underneath. The only thing she could identify was a strange emptiness. Was it about the game? The season?

Was it something else entirely?

by **Chromatika** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 9:18 pm

The State of Chromatik Football
Part 1: Alpha Conference
Part 2: Beta Conference
Part 3: Delta Conference
Part 4: Gamma Conference
Part 5: Conference Championship Games

Chromatik High School Gridiron - Season Fourteen
Part 6: Playoff First Round

First Round

Vitoron School of Charge 23–6 West Shantarr High School

Sidney Jones goes 18-of-24 for 218 yards and two touchdowns, the Scorpions can't do much as Marcus Aureleus struggles with two interceptions thrown, and the Robots cruise to a First Round victory. Nestore Filippo and Maria Lura scored the two touchdowns, but it was Tea Aqulia that had the best day with over 113 yards received. The Robots had the ball for thirty-seven minutes, and the Scorpions never had a shot.

Cheonju Korean Institute 47–19 City of Lorentine High School

After losing the Conference Championship Game, the Red Devils decided to take it out on the Wizards. Kirsi-Marja Sibelius had five touchdowns through the air - Sisko Haavisto and Helena Salonen getting a pair apiece - and as much as Ariana Sadow tried, the Wizards could not keep up. The Red Devils had a twenty-one point Second Quarter that led them to 28-10 lead that they would not relinquish. Sibelius and company will try to make some noise.

Mt. Niar High School 36–37 The Chromatik Institute

What an insane game. The Anacondas, with history behind them, seemed to have the game in hand with a 20-13 lead at halftime; then, Emmanuel de Silva decided to take over. Running for 161 yards and three touchdowns in the second half, the Dread controlled the flow of the game. Maas van der Voorde did his best to bring the Anacondas back with two scores and two two-point conversions, but a pass from Emmanuel de Silva to Yavin Ott brought the Dread into field goal range, and their Kicker did the rest. The first true upset of the tournament.

Quarterfinals

(3) Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School vs. (6) Vitoron School of Charge
(2) Lanar High School vs. (7) Cheonju Korean Institute
(1) Myana Northwestern High School vs. (9) The Chromatik Institute
(4) Urrhed High School vs. (5) Staramara Tech High School

Martyrs will host the Robots - two high-powered offenses going at it; the Rhinos will try to handle the upset bid of the Red Devils' vaunted passing attack, while the Blue and White's defense deal with the upstart Dread. The match of the round, though, is Urrhed High School facing Staramara Tech High School for a fourth time this season - with a trip to the Semifinals on the line.

Out-of-Conference Preview: Firehawks and Lava on Different Trajectories

The Conference slate is behind us. Staramara Tech managed to edge past Silver Coast State College, with JJ Garret, Jr. scoring the game-winning touchdown with four minutes left on a Quarterback keeper of all things. Staramara Tech's defense held up, Silver Coast didn't score a single point in the second half, and the Lava managed to win a second straight Horizon Conference championship. Felswyr State, on the other hand, were swept by Staramara Tech and lost to Silver Coast State College. If it wasn't for the wins against Drawkland, the Firehawks wouldn't even have the record that they have.

Staramara Tech is firmly placed in the Playoffs - and will be playing for seeding. They will start off with playing Green City University of TJUN-ia, a school that's had a down year. This will be followed up by a road game at Northern Moravica University in what always ends up being a highly physical game. Finally, they will end the season against Université du Saguenay of Quebec and Shingoryeo, in a game that has ended up being a home-and-away series. They are three winnable games, but also games that they can lose - the Lava have shown that they can't handle Drawkland, after all.

The biggest wildcard for Staramara Tech's hopes for the rest of the season is the continued emergence of JJ Garret, Jr. Besides just having the best statistical season on his tenure with the Lava, JJ just seems to be more tuned in than ever before. His decision making is solid, he's making the right throws, and he's not turned the ball over. With such a dominant defensive line and a running game that can take over games, having a Quarterback that can take advantage of a defense that's selling out on the run is such a plus. If he can continue his play from the last two games, the Lava can hit a gear like never before.

As for 6-4 Felswyr State, things are far more dire. Sure, they have the same number of losses as the Lava, but they don't have the advantage of already clinching a playoff berth. Also, their Out-of-Conference schedule is rather insane. They always play three schools in three different conferences, and all of them are known names. First, there's the annual matchup against the Cold Hill University Buffalo. The Buffalo lost their Conference Championship Game against LeBois Santura University, and will be looking to recover from that narrow defeat. Then, the Firehawks travel to a Blue Thunder squad that is in the same shoes as them - needing to win to have a chance at the Playoffs. It's the renewing of a rivalry that they've for a long time - and even with the absence of one Anne-Maurice Vivayavich, this will be a tough contest. Finally, the Firehawks will travel to Raynor University to renew a matchup that has been unkind to them in the last two seasons - the Rockets having defeated them in the Playoffs last time on their way to the title. It doesn't help that Raynor is 10-1 this season, and look poised to repeat.

It's been truly a strange season for the Firehawks. Their defense is good but not spectacular. Their duo of running backs are solid but not amazing. Nicole Estera isn't having the best year either, but a lot of that is on an offensive line that isn't playing like they're made of Seniors. Felswyr State hasn't lost big, but they just simply don't win the games that they should this season. With the legacy of Sarai Michelle Bradwyn Gwenderyn and Kadesh Odika behind them, everyone knows that Felswyr State is a team that can kick it into another gear - but it doesn't seem like this is the season for this team.

Rumors say that change will be looming for Felswyr State if they don't turn things around. Both Nicole Estera and Eve "Swoosh" Moraxis are playing for their jobs. To miss the Playoffs will be unacceptable - especially not when Staramara Tech looks to be hitting a different stride. Will the Firehawks play up to their legacy? Or will they fall flat and showcase that they are a shadow of a team that is living in the memory of the golden days?

Three more games to play for each team. Two programs that look to be headed in different directions - but there is a chance for Felswyr State to turn things around (if they beat Cold Hill and Raynor, it will truly go a long way), and for Staramara Tech to lock in a Top Four seed and a First-Round Bye.

Not the way that people expected this season to go, right? The story is far from over - but it's definitely taken a few turns that weren't expected from the Chromatik perspective.

At least there's still a chance to make a difference before it's too late.

by **Quebec and Shingoryeo** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 9:53 pm

Part 1: Northlake Fennell - Introduction
Part 2: Northlake Fennell - Allins - D-Two Weeks

Part 3: Bonneville Rocky Top - Introduction

But what about Bonneville? The hinterlands situated halfway between the Keewatinook Plains out northeast, the Arrosian arctic up north, and the Prince Raoul Islands southwest, it's probably best remembered mostly for its mountains, potatoes and skiing. The ski hills here weren't as big as those right next to Prince Eric out west, where the chalets and the resorts were world-class and maintained like such, but it contained its share of hot springs in winter and raftings in winter for people to spend time. Otherwise it's a fairly straightforward city of 300,000 people with a growing population and size with its primary industries dominant, secondary industries on the outs, and the tertiary industries growing rapidly. The influx of out-of-town residents were enough to prove that, their influx making it important.

In many ways, the small Bonneville suburb of Rocky Top isn't so much different than that of their equivalents in Northlake. Both suburbs were quite well to do, with majority of the population being locals but with increasing number of out-of-town residents, and there's always going to be a lot of ego flying around. Most youth in town were either going to get out to bigger cities for higher education and move away permanently, or staying in town presumably for rest of their lives. The town always had plenty of jobs, even if they weren't conducive for advancement, and the tenuous living conditions on the other towns of the region certainly meant that even the dull suburbs were going to be fine.

This also made Bonneville a relatively stable place for sports. Due to its location and population the town didn't have much in the way of professional sides outside of the Bonneville Wanderers. The Wanderers, who were on the Q-League, even were not the best examples to present, them having only been in the Q-League for two seasons in 1972-1973 and then 2004-2005, but their fortunes seemed to have dramatically turned around Taxhavnite mogul Taite de Luntte of Oroboros Cooperative infamy, and now their existence seems to be on the ever-tumultuous middle-half of the Q-League. The city was still a sports-heavy one. There's Bonneville State University, a local fan favourite with their famed blue and orange courts and fields. While it had a fairly large number of programs offered, they were primarily known for their football teams. Even though they have not won a Tiger Bowl yet, their history with both the SAL-10 Conference and the post-season bowls were well known enough that it was safe to say they were on the collegiate sporting map to say the least. Currently they were being led by Theodore Galstian, the former St. Croix offensive coordinator now in charge of the Broncos for past three seasons, and with a Tiger Bowl game appearance and two NY6 bowls won, it is rumoured that Galstian might be next in line to coach the Bleu et Blanc should their Kirby Wright experiment fail.

But at the level below the Broncos were there significant interest in football. High school and club sports alike were moderately popular in this part of Quebec and Shingoryeo, and while Bonneville's ten high schools didn't exactly have the population or the football-mad mindsets to consistently generate state contenders, there would be a team or two every few years that would make a deep run into the championship game. Sometimes they would, but majority of the times they usually ended up facing more powerhouse sides from the southwest or even Jolbonopolis, where kids would move schools as early as sixth or seventh grade for 'enrichment' sake, that they didn't stand chance. It's especially hard to beat the teams from the southern half of the province on the upper weight classifiations of the bracket since 'semi-professional' kids with well-gilded parents, high-profile transfers and out-of-province games. Money flew differently there, and so did the flare and scout attention - the instances of Pater-Dei and Santa Ana Poly were among the biggest names in the country, let alone province.

This doesn't mean that the city didn't see its share of championship teams either. It was only half a decade ago when Bonneville Central, the inner-city school that had a small squad of about 34 kids on their varsity squad - they didn't have JV - won back-to-back states in the 3A classification titles. Those teams, while mostly outmanned, were led by a highly dynamic slotback named Horace 'Horny' Horton, with the current Northern Moravica star playing almost every snap of his high school career either as a linebacker or slotback. In the world of high school sports it would usually help to have guys like Horton, a true gamebreaker, to step into the chart, and even high-powered programs down south or in Prince Eric would be overpowered in those cases.

Five years later, the title would return to Bonneville again, though it would not be Central's Cavalier bringing it home. The Central, with its population base and location, had a relatively limited talent pool. This was all but evident in their record since with them going 26-24 in five seasons, respectable but not groundbreaking. Instead, it would be one of the suburban schools out west who would make their mark again. Rocky Top High School, located on the western end of the city boundaries, was a school of about 1,300 students. Led by seventh-year coach Leland Amirault V, who previously played for UPRI and USM in the 2030s, the Titans had a bigger squad with about 46 players on their senior team and a smaller, 28-player JV team, but they relied a lot on a splendid group of seniors who were going to graduate in 10 offensive and 8 defensive starting positions. Having come up short twice on state semifinals, this group finally broke the mantle when they ran the gauntlet their final year, with a 23-0 performance on the state championship game against Santa Ana Poly in Jolbonpolis Coliseum, and would finish out a historic chapter with their first state title to boot.

Sounds fairytale huh? Of course, you know how the story goes in situations like this though. Their best player, Vince Dalbec-Hwang, wasn't one of the graduating seniors. A 6'0, 216 lb running back who also doubled up as a rover, Vince was the guy to go for the Titans' historic season. With 2,100 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, as well as 5 interceptions and 8 sacks to boot, he was everywhere and rarely took breaks unless for medical caution. He's had a couple of close calls with injuries earlier - especially in the non-conference match against Nogojiwanong CVI where he had a light ankle sprain after diving into the endzone following a 62-yard touchdown - but had mostly walked away fine in a 14-0 season that was about to have one more game added to their record.

by **Dhemixia** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 9:59 pm

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The Columbus Dominion(Est.1873)

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Craig Kelly disappoints yet again, Jays forced to run the gauntlet

It constantly eludes me and the rest of the fanbase how Craig Kelly still has a job and continues to be a choker. This game keeps the "Big Game Win Total" at 1, being @ UCBP in the NSCF 30 MinCon CCG and actually winning. After stumbling into the Championship in the first place, it's clear the defense needs to be blown up when letting up 47.

The offense starts with Jerry Atkinson and Alex Reynolds. Atkinson made it 23 all-purpose on the season, and Reynolds tacked on with 2 more TDs to make it 37. When you're scoring 37 in a championship game, you definitely shouldn't be losing the game, and yet, Craig Kelly managed to do it by 2 scores. However, when you're tied in the 4th quarter, and the next play you let up a kick return TD, that's how you know it's time to blow up the defense.

If the Jays want any chance at getting into the playoffs, they're gonna have to run the GAUNTLET. Starting AT 9-1, Zephyr Champs, Raynor University, there is a very good chance that it absolutely will be a blowout and Jerry Atkinson's gonna find his way into playing Punter. Next up, the Jays welcome back Ranoria's own Cold Hill University Buffalo to The Brig, and will have to prepare for yet another wave of the onslaught of 8-2 division winners. Should the Jays win either of those, they're pretty much a guarantee to be in, but nothing is given in NSCF. In case they lose both, Craig Kelly always has a fallback in the form of a rivalry game. 3-7 BYU in their first ever rivalry, the SPIT Bowl, will play host (or spoiler to) the Jays, attempting to take them out of the playoffs. If the Jays miss all 3 of those things and still somehow make the playoffs, trust me on this one, they do not belong there. It's not entirely impossible that the Jays beat Raynor, which would be absolutely huge for the program. The fact that it's not impossible like that means anything can happen, which we'll just have to find out in week 11.

Schedule_

*blue indicates home games
Week 1: @ Université nationale de Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer W 41-30
Week 2: @ Nowa Kalanianska W 25-0
Week 3: VS. Roane State W 30-16
Week 4: @ Kormania W 15-9
Week 5: VS. Green City L 23-24
Week 6: VS. Niakursk L 9-17
Week 7: @ Trent State W 17-15
Week 8: VS. Université nationale de Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer W 36-34
Week 9: VS. Nowa Kalanianska W 36-34
Week 10: @ Roane State W 37-27

CCG: VS. Niakursk L 37-47
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Non-conference play
Week 11: @ Raynor
Week 12: VS. Cold Hill
Week 13: @ BYU (SPIT Bowl)

by **Cardenao** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 10:17 pm

“Ay settle down you don’t want any of this trust.”

“Yeah I do lil boy.”

This got a laugh out of Marwin Finlayson, how couldn’t he when both he and Cold Hill player Ryan Harriet knew the Quebecois offensive lineman was the bigger of them.

“You a lil truck come get some of this then.” He wasn’t about to let some Buffalo talk that kinda shit to him…..

And that was just the theme of the night.

The LeBois fans were ravenous, alight in a blaze of Blue and Orange as they yelled and cheered for perhaps Cardenao’s most well known export: the BSU Broncos. They were back in the Big 8 Championship with a chance to make it two in a row, so the fans were giving it their all to throw the Ranorian offense off their game and sophomore quarterback Dante Flowerswas feeling the heat.

Late in the 3rd quarter, a vital set of downs to set up the flow of the fourth quarter, it was do or die time Cold Hill….. and for Flowers, the read for the play was wrong, he needed to call an audible.

“Hey listen up, HEY I NEED—I NEED MORE….” Dante paused to look over to his coach on the sidelines, he wasn’t sure what to do and the screaming Bronco fans were making it hard for him to both hear and be heard. His task wasn’t made easier by freshman linebacker Tito Bird from Drawkland waving his arms telling them to get even louder.

Mack King, junior stud defensive lineman and World Bowl winner loved this situation. It was the perfect moment for the type of shit talking he love dishing out.

“Dante! DANTE SPEAK UP!” With this Mack actually stood up from his go stance to come within a millimeter of an offsides call to point to and address Flowers personally.

“They don’t know, THEY DON’T FUCKING KNOW THE PLAY BRO! DANTE! WHAT YOU GONNA DO BOY?”

Playclock dropped to five and the Buffalos got a hurried snap off but the confusion was clear and the result less than desired as Priest Hunter blew threw the line and absolutely manhandled Dante down to the ground.

The tone was set. This game was over.

High School Championship Quarterfinal Results!

#5 Hatathia High School Pirates 25-23 #1 Brøgby Preparatory Academy Miners

Players of the Game:

Hatathia: Senior LB Vince Brown 8 Solo, 1 Sk, 1 FR
Brøgby: Senior WR Devin Kitcher 196 RecYds, 2 RecTD

I am legally required to make this disclaimer: I put money on the Brøgby Miners to win the Championship. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, what the hell Brøgby?? What was this?? A 10-2 lead at halftime giving way to a 23-25 loss? Shambolic from the #1 seed but we’ll get started with the winners, the Hatathia Pirates. Senior QB Stan Aniol Dereschi kept things going with 152 yards and a touchdown on 16 completions, though fans definitely would’ve liked to see even more from him. Junior WR Will Vaughan led his team with 54 yards on five catches, one more than senior TE Demarcus Koger’s 53. Neither fielded the sole passing touchdown of the day though, that honor went to junior WR Dan Brenner on a 8 yard wheel route. When it came to the nitty-gritty run game, senior RB Antoine McNeely led the charge with 40 yards and an 8 yard touchdown haul while QB Stan Aniol Dereschi showed some wheels to go for 35 on 7 carries. Pretty ugly, kinda shit, but good enough to get that W! Senior LB Vince Brown set the tone on defense with his 10 combined tackles including one for loss and a sack on top while also recovering a fumble for nine yards. Senior DL Devin Allen had the play of the game when the 6’5, 254 cornfed 18 year old intercepted Jordan Coleman and brought it back 64 yards for a pick-six in the third quarter. Next week they face off against the J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans in a thrilling semi-final clash.

For the losing Brøgby Miners, this is the second season in a row they’ve been by far the consensus number one team yet fail to make an impact in the Championship competition. Senior QB Jordan Coleman threw some real dots as his 18 passes went for 271 yards and 3 touchdowns and one untimely interception. He did get sacked four times but stood strong in the pocket to try and fire his team to victory. Senior WR Devin Kitcher said what the fuck is up as he caught all 8 of his targets for 196 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns while senior TE Keenan Pankey also got into the end zone as part of four catches for 20 yards. For the Miners run game, junior Ranorian RB Saul Thomas III led both teams with 45 yards and he was backed up by Jordan Coleman putting up 27 on four attempts. Junior LB Tim Tauaefa, yeah I’m jumping to the defense again, led his team with 10 tackles and 2 for losses while senior DL destroyer Abraham Dove jut 6 total with 1 for loss and 2 for sacks. All that being said…damn, just not good enough for Brøgby this season…again. Maybe if Jordan doesn’t throw that pick-six, things change but truth be told Brøgby never really looked like champions during the tournament.

#8 Ficilian Point High Seabirds 13-3 #2 Timberline High School Wolves

Players of the Game:

Ficilian Point: Senior LB Darren Driscoll 6 Solo, 4 Ast, 4 TFL
Timberline: Sophomore LB William Miller 4 Solo, 2 TFL, 1 Sk

This game kinda sucked but my editor says I have to write about so let’s get this snoozefest going. Timberline……what the hell was this? Roll into this game as a free flowing, high scoring offense and then do this shit? 3 points? What the hell man? Let’s start with the winning team, the Ficilian Point Seabirds who put their #8 seed in the rearview as they reach the semifinal. Two field goals and a touchdown and that’s their ticket to next round! Junior QB Elijah Bartholomew was kinda meh to be honest, sure he completed 76% of his passes but only 169 yards and no touchdowns? Yikes. Senior TE D.J. Hicks brought in 8 of 9 targets with his big ass hands for 81 yards but he couldn’t find the endzone. Actually, none of the receivers could find the end zone but junior WR Kyle Vasey came close with a 14 yard effort before getting brought down at the one yard line. Whose number did they call to punch that in? Junior RB Kelton Hutson with one of his 45 yards on the day. Honestly not much more going on here for the Seabirds, the Ficilian Point offense did what they had to do and no more to get the win. On defense though, these boys played their hearts out full credit to them. The Double-Double Ds came through huge, senior linebacker Darren Driscoll led the way with ten combined tackles with four for losses while sophomore Dana Dalton had seven with two for losses and a sack. While they were getting it done on the ground, junior CB Shaun Williams defended two passes with incredibly athletic plays. So here they go then, the #8 seed advances once again to their semi-final clash against La Escuela Nacíonal DCPF Footballers…good luck!

Commiserations to the losers, I would say the Timberline Wolves gave it their best effort but…the number #2 seed really didn’t. Three points…three? Really? Terrible, one of the worst performances of the entire season from any team. Senior QB Alec Hickman turned in a bad, bad performance as he only completed 13 of 22 passes for 147 yards and zero, zilch, nada going beyond that except a pair of sacks. Senior WR Ryan Tully led both teams with 86 yards as he caught all three passes while he was followed by freshman TE Isaiah Shipman’s…18 yards. Yikes. Fortunately the touchdown pass went to……oh that’s right, they didn’t score a passing touchdown but at least the rushing touchdown went to……oh right, the #2 seeded team only put up 3 points! Well at least freshman RB Walker Laughlin showed some skill to put up 44 hard earned yards on 14 carries. Hooray junior kicker Josh Dunlop hit his only field goal attempt of the day to give the Wolves their only points of the day. Alright then, how bout the defense? Well they gave up 13 points to the lowest seeded team in the competition to lose the game so…bad. Senior LB Rasheed McNeal put up 8 tackles while his sophomore LB partner William Miller got 7 with 2 for losses, but it was senior safety Byron Jackson who really got down behind enemy lines to get four tackles for losses. Not enough though, not enough. Try it again in 365 days…if you’re a lucky Wolf!

#3 J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans 24-17 #2 Mokuleia Island High Surfers

Players of the Game:

J.C. Evermore: Sophomore RB Devin Miller 41 RusYds, 1 RusTD, 33 RecYds, 1 RecTD
Mokuleia: Junior QB Akumo Manuwai 228 PssYds, 1TD, 1 INT, 62 RusYds, 1 RusTD

What match this was for fans and neutrals alike with back to back scoring, somewhat high flowing offensive displays! For your victorious Green Titans junior QB James Ross was efficient if not entirely staggering as he completed 16 of 30 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Touchdowns good, yardage bad but shit JR12 quarterbacked his way to a win and that’s what you need to do in the Championship tournament! Surprisingly it was freshman Jai Rolle who led the Titans with 55 yards on four receptions and junior WR Scott Butler put up 46 on four while senior WR Pokey Wilson did 45 and got the opening touchdown for the J.C. Evermore Academy. Following the parade was sophomore RB sensation Devin Miller who caught 2 of 5 passes for 33 yards and a touchdown to add on to his 41 rushing yards including a nicely maneuvered 11 yard TD. Senior RB David Brown posted 73 yards to lead both teams but he wasn’t particularly effective with his 14 carries and that’s truly what matters most at this stage of the tournament. They did get the win though, so who can you blame! When it came to doing that whole defense thing, senior LB Jay Kazee planted his flag at center field, which is apparently a crime in certain jurisdictions, with a game leading 12 total tackles but senior S Kashif Belcaster had the best game of his career with 7 total tackles, a pass batted away, a pass intercepted, and not one, but two fumbles recovered to give his offense three additional possessions against the second seeded team in the competition……and they won. Look, I understand the decision to give Devin Miller the Player of the Game award for his team with his 2 touchdowns and 74 combined yards, but my personal vote for player of the game would easily be Kashif Belcaster for giving his team the opportunities to be in those positions. So there you go Green Titans, holy hell you got the win and move on the semis! Your reward? The Hatathia Pirates led by senior star QB Stan Aniol Dereschi, so have fun with that!

Here we go then Mokuleia Island Surfers, you came rolling into this game as the #2 seed but in the end, the defense fell apart with less than 3 minutes left when they shriveled in front of a commanding J.C. Evermore game winning drive. Junior QB Akumo Manuwai had a pretty damn good day out there as he connected on 20 of his 27 passes for 228 yards and a TD:INT split, while also adding 62 yards on the ground and a 28 yard rushing touchdown; despite their season ending, fans will be happy to have another year of eligibility for Manuwai. Unfortunately though, this was senior WR Joey Ma’afala’s last game wearing the white and green of the Mokuleia Surfers. He showed off the two-way play Joey’s become known for with a game leading 68 receiving yards on five receptions and 33 rushing yards on six carries. He also had 65 yards worth of kick returns and 43 of punting. Junior WR Brock Lefau found the endzone on one of his four catches for 67 yards while freshman TE Doug White caught just his 6th pass of the season for 27 yards. Leading both teams in rushing was senior RB Ka’hleel Makaio with a nice 69 yard day on ten carries but it was Akumo Manuwai who found the endzone on a 28 yard scramble. Tough loss lads, tough. When it came to the defensive action, not a lot to be proud of here. Junior LB Sam Robertson led his team with 9 tackles and did well to bat a pass down while senior DL Mason Muaau was an absolute menace with 8 tackles including one for a loss and a big sack. I’ll be curious to see how the Surfers come back next season!

#6 Academia Cardonia Golden Knights 16-23 #5 La Escuela Nacíonal DCPF Footballers

Players of the Game:

Academia Cardonia: Senior RB Joe Duncan 66 RusYds, 13 RecYds, 1 RecTD
La Escuela: Senior K Jaxon Larrañaga 3FGA/3FGM, 2XPA/2XPM

Always great when we get a rivalry matchup in the Championship, this time La Academia vs La Escuela. Right from the start this was a one sided affair as the Footballers of La Escuela got off to an early lead and it took the Golden Knights until halfway through the third quarter to get their first points of the day. For Academia Cardonia, this was a tough loss after they won the Championship last season but that does mean a new team will get to win the competition so that’s fun! Sophomore QB Charlie Slaughter continued to show that he’s the real deal as he completed 25 of 33 passes for 254 yards and a sole touchdown as he managed to avoid throwing an interception. Senior WR Jack Caver had another great game as he again caught all of his targets for 123 yards on seven receptions meanwhile sophomore TE continued to show his ability to find gaps in coverage as he pulled in 6 of 8 for 53 yards. Neither of these players scored the receiving touchdown though, that honor went to senior RB Joe Duncan on his second and last catch of the night. He had a solid day rushing the ball too as Big D led both teams with 66 rush yards on 15 carries while backup RB senior Ben Devine got 34 yards on 11 carries and one sweet touchdown on a slippery 13 yard run. On defense, senior LB Ben Karr tried his hardest to set the tempo with his nine total tackles with two for losses but it wasn’t enough, even though junior DL Tannor Tomlinson got himself two sacks and senior LB Jeremy Ruff got three tackles for losses. Better luck next season for the Golden Knights!

For La Escuela, hell yeah brothers, welcome to the semifinals for the first time in program history. Senior QB Temuro Brown completed 22 of 31 passes for a disappointing 162 yards…but also two touchdowns while not turning the ball around, so that’s bueno for them! Senior WR Jonathan Jackson caught 8 passes to lead his team with 75 yards but it was the sophomore pass catcher Jer’Michael Montrenobe who caught the two touchdown passes as part of five receptions for 28 yards. Senior RB Neiko Yemm led his team with 59 yards on 14 carries but there was never really anything going on the ground for the Footballers. Senior kicker Jaxon Larrañaga was in fine form for his side as he absolutely nailed all three of his field goals to give his side the lead. Junior LB Richard Fink led the defensive unit strongly with 12 total tackles while junior CB Cody Fay and senior S Kevin Jenkins both forced fumbles that led to scores.

by **NSCF** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 10:18 pm

Note: Chromatika scorinates all non-conference and playoff matches other than matches involving Chromatik schools. Those involving Chromatik schools, as well as bowl matches, are scorinated by Quebec and Shingoryeo.

Non-Conference Play Week One (MD11)

Alexandria University (CAD) 23–30 Sadeg State University (DRK)

Bingham Young University (UTA) 20–40 University of Loyola-Istria (BNJ)

Lithrelir University (GEX) 29–9 Steicesve Strava (SCH)

Niakursk University (IMP) 63–6 Vikramandayu University (VAI)

Northern Moravica University (BNJ) 36–23 Cavsar University (DRK)

Felswyr State University (CMT) 38–51 Cold Hill University (RAN)

Staramara Tech University (CMT) 43–0 Green City University (TJU)

Raynor University (VAL) 33–13 University of Columbus-Prairie (DHE)

Richardson University (RAN) 25–9 Mar Sara Tech (VAL)

Roane State University (KNP) 22–13 Mantabolo Tech (USN)

Trent State University (TJU) 24–24 Islamic University of Busoga (BUS) (31–24 OT)

Université du Saguenay (QUE) 24–28 LeBois Santura University (CAD)

Uniwersytet Nowa Kalanianska (UNC) 20–7 Osenku University (NKK)

by **Grand Exultia** » Fri Dec 20, 2024 9:51 am

Phoenixes Win First Non-Conference in style, 29-9
By the Phoenixes Sports Desk, Vaelis Brightsong

In the first non-conference game of the week we come head to head with the Eagle-watchers and in an exciting game the Phoenixes secured a solid 29-9 victory in front of the thousands of home fans at the Skyfire stadium. A resilient defensive performance that is exemplary of the season as a whole and a dynamic offense that is starting to really come into their own.

An opening drive from either side tested both offences and defences and it was clear that the Phoenix team had the edge over discipline. A couple of flags forced some turnovers and the Eagle-watchers were quickly onto the back foot giving up good field position and struggling to string some convincing plays together. It was midway through the first quarter when the Phoenix offense broke the deadlock, a number of running plays allowed the Goldheart duo to demonstrate their abilities forcing missed tackles and evading the defenders for consistent long gains driving the ball up to the 15-yard line where Stormheart connected with Hearthsong for a sharp touchdown pass firing between the lineman for the reception. Duskblade as steady as always made sure of the extra point. 7-0. A quiet end to the quarter as both sides tussled but could find no meaningful breakthrough, the Phoenix defence the edge in the quarter as they hold the Eagle-watchers outside of scoring range thanks to the efforts of Nightingale and Sparkleheart.
A number of stalled drives later and it was the Phoenix who were breaking through again, Stormheart handing off to Oscarlot Goldheart to blast through the middle of the Eaglewatchers defence, in no small part thanks to Silkenheart with a crucial block to create the opening, and run it in for a 30 yard touchdown, a key example of agility and power to steer clear of any attempt to bring him down. Duskblade doing what Duskblade does, 14-0. The Eagle-watchers not to be dismayed led another drive with Drajson making some well timed passes leading the charge just inside the Phoenix territory before Sparkleheart broke his block and managed to sack Drajson forcing a punt after the 3rd and long. With good field position gained and momentum swinging Windrider called for a simple 35 yard field goal attempt rather than risk the 4th and 2, the safe option one would assume but an agile Popov managed to block the kick and the Eagle-watchers recovered the ball to maintain their momentum shift charging down the field with some well timed passes before the inevitable clock ran down and the Eagle-watchers had to settle for the field goal, Phoenixes lead 14-3 at half time.

More control from the Phoenixes saw them dictate positively on their drives moving the ball with ease securing decent territory gains, a miscalculated 4th down attempt saw a turnover deep in Eagle-watcher territory allowed the defence to exhibit their strengths holding the Eagle-watchers to a 3rd and out and forcing the punt which Cobaltheart returned to the Phoenix 45. Two incomplete passes from Stormheart saw the third play audibled to a run play and an effective call as Stormheart hands off to Shadowheart who broke free wide to the right and marauded down the pitch to be brought down at the 5 yard after an impressive 50 yard run. Sticking with the run game Stormheart would hand off once again to shadowheart who could only close half the distance before Asher Goldheart punched through for a 3 yard touchdown run. Another point from Duskblade and the Phoenix extend their lead 21-3. A spark from the Eagle-watchers in the second half saw Drajson pick out Jaan who slipped his tackle and was forced out of bounds after a 22 yard gain but the drive would stall as Violet Stormheart would snuff out any chance at the 4th and 3.

The Phoenixes continued to dominate with the defence letting up little territory and the offence stringing together plays showcasing some bright talents. Jackalope coming in for Stormheart at QB gave a new dynamic as he took the riskier plays looking for the juicy rewards and he found it, a quick rush and scramble for 15 yards up the middle before connecting with Laughingleaf out wide a 13-yard pass guiding the Phoenixes into the red zone before throwing a dart to Leopardfoot who caught in the back of the endzone just getting their boots to the turf. At home in front of the fans Windrider clearly wanted to show off as he called the 2 extra points, Jackalope linking up with Bearclaw with a sly hand off and fake pass to draw the defense, 29-3. As the game drew on the Eagle-watchers were not to go down without a fight as Drajson led an 8-play drive culminating in a huge pass to find the running Fiid who took it in stride scoring a 43 yard touchdown pass, an attempt at 2 presumably in response to the Pheonix play was held up by Nightingale and the full time whistle goes at 29-9.

A dominant performance from the Phoenixes saw many positives but there are still some things to work on. The versatility of the offense easily changing from pass to run and back kept the Eagle-watcher defence honest and was key. The defence forcing a number of turnovers kept the Eagle-watchers at bay and ensured the Phoenixes never lost control of the game. An away trip now to Mantabolo Tech will see this Phoenix team against it’s biggest rookie challenge following Mantabolo’s impressive conference season seeing them go 6-4. Stay tuned, as this team is ready to soar once more.

by **United States of Nova Calania** » Sat Dec 21, 2024 5:46 am

Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer crushed by Nowa Kalanianska

Ostrow Krolewski, Odlegla Ziemia, Nova Calania - Both Nova Calanian universities faced each other for the 2nd time of the season and despite Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer being better on paper, Nowa Kalanianska crushed them 37-0 and took the 2nd place in boreal division. Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer started off with the ball in the 1st quarter and their first drive ended with a punt. Nowa Kalanianska made a 28 yards field goal on their first drive of the game. The Aztecs increased their lead before the end of the 1st quarter on a 7 yards rushing touchdown by Swietomierz Wojtkiewicz. The score was 10-0 after 15 minutes. Early in the 2nd quarter, Nowa Kalanianska had the ball at their own 46 yards line and Carter McElhaney made a screen pass to Swietomierz Wojtkiewicz who caught the ball and ran all the way to the endzone for a touchdown.On Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer's next drive's, Alexia Laframboise's pass intended to François-Pierre Lebrun was intercepted by Wlodzimierz Jakubowski who ran to the endzone for a pick six. Nowa Kalanianska added 3 more points within the two minutes warning and the score at halftime was 27-0.

Both teams were scoreless in the 3rd quarter and Nowa Kalanianska increased their lead early in the 4th quarter when Alexandra Lebouthillier caught Ethan Hallstrom's 16 yards pass into the endzone. McElhaney started the game at quarterback but Hallstrom came in midway in the 3rd quarter to rest McElhaney. The Aztecs made a 44 yards field goal later in the 4th quarter and the final score was 37-0. After 10 games, Nowa Calania is 2nd with 6 wins and 4 losses while Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer is 3rd with 5 wins and losses. Columbus-Prairie wins the division with a 8-2 record and will play against Niakursk next week for the conference championship game. Nowa Kalanianska will have a bye during conference championships and will play on week 11 against Osenku. Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer will rest two week in a row, during conference championships and week 11. Their next game is on week 12.

GAME SUMMARY

1st quarter
10:12 FIELD GOAL NOWA KALANIANSKA - François McDuff's 28 yards kick is good.
4:29 TOUCHDOWN NOWA KALANIANSKA - Swietomierz Wojtkiewicz runs for 7 yards. Extra point is good.

2nd quarter
14:24 TOUCHDOWN NOWA KALANIANSKA - Carter McElhaney passes to Swietomierz Wojtkiewicz for 54 yards. Extra point is good.
12:06 TOUCHDOWN NOWA KALANIANSKA - 62 yards interception return by Wlodzimierz Jakubowski. Extra point is good.
1:47 FIELD GOAL NOWA KALANIANSKA - François McDuff's 46 yards kick is good.

3rd quarter
No score

4th quarter
11:54 TOUCHDOWN NOWA KALANIANSKA - Ethan Hallstrom passes to Alexandra Lebouthillier for 16 yards. Extra point is good.
6:36 FIELD GOAL NOWA KALANIANSKA - François McDuff's 44 yards kick is good.

Audrey Plouffe-Maheux

Wlodzimierz Pruszkowski to be appointed as Co-Consul of Nova Calania

Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer, Nova Calania - After deliberating for 4 hours, governors of the 5 Nova Calanian states (Prince Pierre-Alexandre 1er de Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer, General Secretary of the Burnhamese Communist Party Braelynn McIlwain, Grand Duchess Wladyslawa Wozniakowska, General Zhang and Supreme Leader Moctezuma XIX) appointed Wlodzimierz Pruszkowski as Co-Consul of the Holy Empire of the United States of Nova Calania, effective on january 1st 2027. Another Co-Consul will be elected during summer 2027. Pruszkowski, who served as Grand Duchess Wladyslawa Wozniakowska's advisor for nearly 20 years after his 30 years career in municipal politics is very thrilled to be the 1st Co-Consul in Nova Calania history. Shockingly and unexpectedly, he announced he may consider changing the nation name because he says " The United States of Nova Calania " might be too pretentious and there is other nations in Nova Calania. He says he has a name in mind but it's too early to reveal it. He also said he plans to improve Nova Calania's relations with other nations in Anaia and with other sporting nations.

Anne-Charlotte McDermott

by **Banija** » Sat Dec 21, 2024 7:37 am

Former Banijan Katikkiro Xolile Lubabalo, the Chairwoman and namesake of the Lubabalo Fund, gives a talk on the Banijan-Chromatik relationship at the University of Loyola's Bouveil campus, in Chromatika

Xolile Lubabalo, despite obviously being a political animal, was known as a huge sports fan. A diehard NMU supporters, as well as a diehard supporter of Hoima's sports teams- particularly the Warriors, in the S-FPL, and the Zebra, in the GFLB. But it was Banija v. Chromatika week in the NSCF- the week 12 rivalry tradition, where NMU took on Staramara Tech, while Loyola-Istria took on Felswyr State. They had been doing so for forever- although took a year off last season due to scheduling issues on Loyola's side. But now, the annual double rivarly week was back- and it was a great place for Xolile Lubabalo to take center stage.

"Thank you all for your warm welcome!" Xolile Lubabalo said as she took the stage, ahead of this talk. "As a diehard Northern Moravica fan-" And she got a scattering of boos. Even way out at Loyola-Bouveil, still too new to compete at the highest levels of Chromatik college sport, NMu was unpopular. "But as a diehard NMU fan, it's gonna be a hell of a weekend. Go Cougs- beat Tech!" Again, a smattering of boos- this was a Chromatik school, through and through- even if it was a part of Loyola University. "And, of course- go FSU!" Another round of laughter from the crowd. She had never rooted for Loyola-Istria at any point in her life, and the proud NMU alumnus was not about to start now.

"Now, of course, we have some important issues to talk about today. But Banija-Chromatika Week in the NSCF- it is, indeed, a good time to reflect upon this relationship. Let's start with a history..."

Victory for NMU- Cougars recover from brutal rivalry loss to defeat Cavsar by 2 scores at home, keeping their playoff hopes firmly alive

HERZEGOVINA CITY, MORAVICA- Northern Moravica had a brutal loss to end the regular season, after so much good had been built here. Starting just 2-2, they had won 5 in a row- before getting blown out, in Istria, allowing 54 points to a Loyola-Istria squad that had struggled in so many big games throughout the season. There was no rest for the weary, however- they did not have that much time, they had Conference championship week off, yes, but they then had to turn around and get ready for the non-conference schedule. A potential playoff appearance is in front of them- they know that, if they want to impress the committee, they've got to get to at least 9 wins- and probably a 10th one if they want to be absolutely safe. And that all started against the electric offense of Cavsar University.

Playing them at home was always going to be a challenge. Consistently a better team than their record shows, playing in probably the deepest division that the NSCF has to offer. "I know their reputation, they are Cavsar U, whatever whatever- I mean, it wasn't that long ago when Cavsar beat us in the playoffs, yes?" Said former NMU HC Lance Kabuye. "They have potential- despite, of course, the moniker that they are Cavsar and just blow these kinds of games. It's an important game in its own right- show that we have moved past the Loyola loss, and try to get back to where we belong- the NSCF postseason."

And of course, in true Drawkian fashion, this is a team that values aggression above all else- among the NSCF leaders in both 2 point conversion attempts, and 4th down attempts. The aggression makes them a difficult opponent to play against. "Look, they play a more aggressive brand of football than most teams- and you've got to be ready to deal with it. Those plays inside the 5... They are huge. They are going for it consistently, and you've got to be ready." And so, when the game kicked off, everybody was ready for an aggressive Cavsar U squad. And, at the midway point of Q1, when they scored the game's opening points, they did so in classic fashion. Kevin Sajak calling his own number, having an 11 yard TD run. And they went for 2, and converted it- with the QB calling his own number again, bowling over a smaller NMU safety for the 2 point conversion.

Cavsar 8, NMU 0. "You've got to match aggression with aggression." Hannah McKendry said before the match, and the Cougars aimed to do exactly that. They had a near 5 minute drive of their own, and faced with a key fourth down decision, even in the first quarter- they matched Cavsar's aggression. 4th & 2 from the Cavsar 15, and they did not kick- they went for it. The multi-talented TE, Horace Horton, lined up as the deep back- and he ran, up the middle, for 8 yards behind the bruising FB, Horace Springhorn, for a first down. Was it any surprise when he lined up out wide, and caught a fade pass on the very next play for a touchdown? It was not. An 8-6 game, NMU matched Cavsar's aggression- going for 2 immediately. And they converted, with Brianna Heavenworth running it in for 2 points. So at the end of 1, it was a distinctly Drawkian scoreline- NMU 8, Cavsar 8.

A team built on physicality, the Cougars did want to run the football- and they did so successfully throughout most of the game, including in the second quarter. While Brianna Heavenworth's 3 yard TD run was the highlight of the quarter, she had 70 rushing yards in that quarter alone- and Horton had 25 of his own. Physicality- moving Cavsar off the football, and paving their way. This was something that continued into the third quarter, when Horace Horton had a long, 42 yard touchdown run of his own. With the Cougars leading, the Cougars were pacing- no 2 point attempts when they were in the lead. Up 22-8, and then getting a stop after that, the Cougars seemed to be cruising to yet another home win- until, of course, Wade Hurley showed up.

Is that mean? Maybe a little bit. That Cavsar D-Line wreaks havoc, and they swung the game in the third quarter. Gilligan Ahn tipping a pass into the air at the line of scrimmage, picked off by the Cavsar DE. Game flipped entirely on its head. Cavsar converted in the short field, and got another 2 point conversion- meaning that they were down just 6, 22-16. These scorelines are why they go for 2 so often. And then, after forcing a punt, they used the art of the big play to retake the lead, with Sajak hitting Gallagher for a 48 yard touchdown pass. Tie game in the third quarter, you kick the PAT, and they did- that gave Cavsar a slim 23-22 heading into the fourth quarter. Was an upset brewing in Herzegovina City?

The Cougars stayed calm- and once again, imposed their physicality on Cavsar's aggression. 9 plays, 75 yards on their next drive, taking nearly 5 minutes off the clock- and 8 of those were running plays, totaling 64 yards. Just big chunk plays for Heavenworth and Horton- winning the battle at the point of attack. She ran it in from 7 yards to give the Cougars the lead again, just by 6 points, a score of 29-23. Cavsar would get the ball back, and they had a chance to respond- and with just under 8 to go, they had a chance for the play of the game.

Banijan Commentator wrote:The crowd is getting very loud here! A sea of red making themselves heard, as Sajak is struggling to get his own orders out. It's 4th & 3 for Cavsar at the NMU 37, and with this little time left, the way NMU has been running the ball- any coach is going for it here. He motions his WR across the formation- Gallagher is running from right to left, claps, and the ball is snapped. He surges forward.. AND HE'S STUFFED AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE! STUFFED AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE! NO GAIN FOR SAJAK AS HE RAN STRAIGHT INTO CORMAC O'HENNESSY, WHO SHED HIS BLOCKER- TURNOVER ON DOWNS, NMU FOOTBALL!

A huge turnover. And just a couple of plays later, Hurley found Halvor Moe running wild in the secondary for a 51 yard TD, and that was basically that- NMU 36, Cavsar 23. "This was a strong win for our team, a great recovery from a tough loss two weeks ago." Hannah McKendry told reporters. "Now, we're 8-3, a great place to be. But we gotta keep chugging forward- we've got an important rivalry matchup next week, against Staramara Tech, and the home fans, naturally, will be expecting win #9 against that outfit." An important win to improve to 8-3, and 6-0 at home this season.

Rumble Out East- Ruwani Motor Speedway preps for the return of the Rebel's Cannon Bowl, as they launch bid to host NSCF 32 Title Game

RUWANI, HANGAZA- Ruwani Motor Speedway, naturally, is known as Banija's only major racecar track. Purpose built for that, it has hosted NSSCRA events- but, of course, there's obviously a Banijan obsession with gridiron. Naturally, the racetrack has hosted a number of NSCF games- including a prior edition of Loyola v. RU, as well as NMU v. Woodstock U- and hosted the NSCF 25 Title Game. Whle it's been a while since international college football has graced the racetrack, the stars seem to have aligned- Loyola's Athletic Director, Isaiah Lavaga, secured the venue as this year's host for the annual Rebel's Cannon Bowl- the blood rivalry between Loyola-Istria and Richardson University.

"This is such a unique venue." He told reporters. "It's not something that should be used all the time- but everyone once in a while, why not come out east?" And so in Week 11, while most were watching Loyola pummel BYU in another victory for the Blue Thunder in the relatively fresh Holy War rivalry, he was out East, in this Aissa suburb, overseeing the turnover of the venue into a gridiron venue. The Hangaza state championship games were held here this weekend, mostly as a test event for the Rebel's Cannon Bowl.

As a venue that seats 150,000, it figures to pack the city of Aissa. Loyola fans, obviously, making the trek across Banija, and R-U fans, making the journey from Ranoria for one of college football's most unique venues. That said, the Aissa Metropolitan Event Force, in conjunction with Banija's NSCF Universities, officially launched their bid to host the NSCF 32 Championship Game at the event. "Hangaza is Banija's second largest region, and Aissa is one of Banija's fastest growing cities and metropolitan areas. Ruwani, and Aissa, are great towns, and great cities, to be hosting major events like this in. It is a further opportunity to bring the NSCF to non-NSCF cities, and bring the title game back here for the first time since NSCF 29."

Some bid highlights-

Bid Highlights

- Obviously, the Ruwani Motor Speedway is about 10 minutes south of Aissa itself, via public transportation. But with a robust public transportation system, there is sure to be easy access from the city out to the stadium itself.
- The AMEF would ensure that the NSCF 32 Championship participating teams, as well as NSCF officials and other VIPs, would get priority access to the limited hotel space in Ruwani itself, while friends & family, as well as fans, would be expected to stay in Aissa. With a population of over 1.6 million, Aissa is Banija's 6th largest city, and has plenty of capacity to handle the fans.

In terms of events surrounding the game

- The AMEF shall sponsor a 'tailgating' experience for fans. On both sides of the stadium, there are parking lots, and team specific tailgates shall be set up on each side of the stadium. Tailgating materials will be available for purchases, and items like grills will be available for rent.
- As a strong suppoter of academics, there will be a four way chess tournament held the day before the Final, in the Aissa Convention Center. The two NSCF participating schools shall participate, alongside Hangaza Tech(a local university), and the reigning Banijan chess national champions- the University of Aksum.
- The AMEF will also host a "Model World Assembly" Event, inviting top HS students from across Banija, as well as HS students from various NSCF nations.
- The AMEF, as the bowl game gift, shall gift each player and coach on the roster a pair of luxury sunglasses, as well as a silver watch.
- There will be a marching band expo the day before the game, where various local marching bands will be able to march down the Riverwalk at the heart of Downtown Aissa, ending with the two marching bands from the NSCF 32 title game participating institutions.

by **Yuugria** » Sat Dec 21, 2024 2:06 pm

Yuugrians thrash Island Fusion in bloody affair 2-0

Estadio Capital
Curumba,Huelavia

By Hurshi Affas

Manah Morok everyone! The Yuugrians have just thumped the Island Fusion soccer team in an absolutely aggressive defensive and painful affair with 4 injuries on the Fusion side. The Yuugrian defenders especially Bansa Bafalli absolutely took the aggression and anger over an 0-1-1 start out on the young,weak and poor Island Fusion Team.

First Half: Yuugria 1-0 Island Fusion

The Warriors entered with a blood thirsty and angry attitude that you normally only see in Gridiron ball players. They opened up firing as off the first kick Ishari Pal ripped the ball away from Frank Harrow and booted the ball deep to kick off the Yuugrian Attack. They absolutely dominated from the first kick as they had 11 shots on goal in the first half. The Warriors had many missed chances though like when Zakar Usanao lost control of his dribble when he was on and advantage break on goal and the keeper took it.

The first Injury came when the Island Fusion were on an advantageous attack. Frank Harrow had the ball and booted a pass to Asher Gray who was near the keepers box but as soon as he took it Bansa Bafalli absolutely leveled him breaking his ankle and injuring his shoulder on the fall. Kish Junne saved the penalty. The second came when Bansa Bafalli leveled Frank Harrows ankle.

The Goal came when Faf An Hari took it past the Island Fusion Defenders and played a pass to Sammya Shag who buried it into a wide open left side of the goal leaving a stunned Keeper in the middle of the box.

Second Half: Yuugria 1-0 Island Fusion

The Warriors scored off another goal from Faf An Hari when he took a fars hot at goal

by **New Umoja** » Sun Dec 22, 2024 1:15 pm

With 2:50 to play, down 2 points, 3rd and 7 on his 28 yard line, Tyriq Vaughn dropped back and threw a perfectly weighted pass. It was a precision strike, at the exact angle to leave Rashaun Holloway-James no chance of getting to it, but with just the right velocity to fall straight into Cole Salem’s outstretched hands. Vaughn also, of course, made sure Salem had a clear route to the end zone to complete a pass deserving of a place in a museum. With Mantabolo Tech 6–4 and needing wins in the OOC schedule of the season to get into the playoffs, it was instead a pass that sank them to a loss with such incredible laser-guided potency one could almost see the hand of Allah in it. It was, quite simply, the worst pass of his career.

“Worst pass of my career so far,” corrected Vaughn after the game as he looked ahead to next week’s hosting of the Lithrelir Phoenixes.

by **Valanora** » Sun Dec 22, 2024 2:01 pm

Odin Sørbø and the Rockets offense really seem to be coming into their own and hitting their stride at just the right point in the season where they could potentially mount a successful defense of their NSCF championship. Winning the division over the Raiders with that stellar performance against Tech in Raynor City in week ten is starting to feel like a coming out party for the team where everything seems to be falling right for them at the right time. Getting the offensive line back to healthy status and getting a lot of the skill players who have been nursing nagging injuries back to near a hundred percent has seem a complete change in the way the Raiders have been able to move the ball and control games against their opponents, regardless of how good the team lining up across from them might be. It is a bit weird to call it a coming out party considering that the team returned twenty of its twenty-two starters from last season when they lifted the NSCF crown in Chromatika, but the way that the team had played for a lot of the season, it had not felt the same as to how they had played last year in the title triumphant season.

The Raiders were the last major test over the last three games for the Rockets however, with Bowerstone having a second half collapse as has been sort of their tradition over the past few seasons, while new team Roco could hardly put up any sort of resistance against the Raiders or Rockets in their debut season. So it was hard to tell that if the team simply had gotten up for the Battle for the Royal Sabre and knowing that the divisional title was on the line or if they had truly turned a corner. The conference championship game answered that question to an extent but it still was not an opponent which the teams and media from the other nations competing in the NSCF would look at and give the Rockets any sort of respect or recognition. Earlier this season a media outlet out of Ranoria boldly proclaimed that they were getting numb to Vanorian dominance over the Zephyr in an article that seemed to dismiss the achievements from the Vanorian universities, perhaps in a bit of sour grapes after the way the Rockets managed to embarrass both of their teams last season first in the out of conference matchup and then in the title game.

It seemed that the University of Columbus-Prairie out of Dhemexia seemed to hold the same set of beliefs from that Ranorian journalist as in the lead up to the game against the Rockets, which was taking place in Raynor City, players and staff from the university seemed to be downplaying the Rockets success and record. One bold player proclaimed that they were going to come to the Empire's capital and steal away a win from the Rockets, which Raynor did not need any more motivation but the staff welcomed the free bulletin material in the lead up to the game. Knowing that their opponents did not respect them and that they thought they were better, despite the Rockets having easily won their conference championship game while UCP managed to choke theirs away in a game that they had been heavy favorites for, the team prepared quite readily. They wanted to let Columbus-Prairie know exactly what it meant to come into the Empire and play against one of the best teams in all of the NSCF, to why you should underestimate teams from the Empire at your own disastrous peril, with an edge to the Rockets that is uncommon for Vanorian teams as a whole.

Winning the toss, the Rockets elected to play on offense first to get the show on the road and it was the first drive of many where Odin Sørbø would showcase his playmaking ability and why he believes he should be in the running for the Most Valuable Player at the end of the season. Eight completed passes for sixty-seven yards before a four yard scamper by Tobias Svendsen on a strong toss play and the Rockets were up a touchdown with less than three minutes off the clock. The defense then stymied the UCP offense on their first drive and the resulting punt and excellent return by Damba Kawumbi set up the Rockets at midfield and with a short field. Odin did not need a better invitation and four passes later, he found Storm Dybvik on a fade route and the tall wideout high pointed the ball, toe tapping in the back corner of the endzone to double up the Rockets advantage. On the ensuing kickoff, a holding call on UCP brought them back to their own four yard line. The first play of the drive was blown up by Gerry Hawthorne and Zesiro Wattiti chased down the quarterback trying to scramble in the endzone for a safety. It was sixteen to nil before even halfway through the first quarter.

The visitors were given no quarter as the Rockets continued to exert their will on them, scoring a field goal on the ensuing drive before UCP finally put together a long drive of their own to take up most of the second quarter, yet a goal line stand by the Rockets forced the visitors to settle for a field goal. A stalled out drive for the Rockets gave UCP the ball back with a little over two minutes left to go in the half and eighty yards to drive to get a touchdown. However once again the defense stood tall and played a bend but do not break game and forced the visitors to once more settle for a field goal, with the score being nineteen to six heading into the half. The first drive of the second half and UCP looked like they could put up a fight, stringing together first downs and chewing up the clock before finally punching in for a touchdown to bring the game back within a score. Yet the Rockets then scored in three players after back to back short runs set up a play action that caught the UCP defense cheating up and Mille Ueland was behind them and gone before they knew what happened. It killed any momentum that the visitors had, going three and out on their next drive before a methodical drive by Raynor ended in a touchdown and reestablishing the three score lead. The defense stood tall in the fourth quarter and the offense milked the last seven minutes of the clock away, taking a knee at the five to kill off the game.

While the Rockets were busy sending a message, the Raiders were in Ranorian looking to pull off the same feat that the Rockets did the previous season and pull off a major upset against Richardson in their home stadium. However it was not going to play out the same way with a desperate Richardson needing a quality win and the Raiders lacking the same experience and poise under center that the Rockets had last season to weather the storm and come out on top. It leaves the Raiders with a pair of home games that they likely need to win to ensure they make it into the playoffs, but it wont be easy with the season ending rivalry game against Sadeg State, who will be looking for a fine feather in their cap in what has otherwise been a rough season for the Skyhawks. The Raiders will first have to deal with Green City out of TJUN-ia, with a win likely putting them in the playoffs and perhaps easing some pressure before the big rivalry game. Meanwhile Raynor enters into its two game gauntlet as first they travel to Busoga to take on the Islamic University, which feels like a potential title game, before their end of season tilt against Felswyr State in the capital city, looking to get back at the Firehawks for that bad loss to end last season's non-conference slate. Both teams have a lot to play for and this is the time of season where the cream rises to the top.

(O.O) · by **TJUN-ia** » Sun Dec 22, 2024 4:54 pm

Was it good? Or was it bad? The questions surrounding Earth Trophy continued to churn as we entered Out of Conference play. On the one hand, the series ending 1-1 with TSU getting the Trophy back was certainly an entertaining way to finish the regular season and it was a result that pushed TSU's Bowl hopes back into the spotlight...but that win also cost GCU a spot in the Conference Title Game and now, they were going to try and get into the Playoffs the hard way. This season has already seen so many twists and turns...so why not a few more, huh?

For the Trent state Feathercaps, that revenge of all revenge felt so good to everyone in Notts...but now, it was back to work. With the game against Silver Coast now definitely not happening, everyone knew that TSU and Johnny Bridgeford only had two shots of reaching a Bowl game - and they had to win both of them. Up first would be Senior Day in Notts - where Saraj Ghislandi, Jonjo Kristiansen, Zhu Feng, Zhu Da and Klara Ghislandi would say goodbye officially - and this would be a big Senior Day at that, up against the Celestia Champions in the form of the Islamic University of Busoga Caracals. Hosting a 9-2 team is always going to be a tough task, especially one with an inform QB like Kohan Ersoy who is headed up by a legend of the sport like Julian Aigo. At halftime of this contest, IUB lead 21-3 after Ersoy found Ja'Mar Houston (twice) and Miles Sikes in open space to give Ife Onika 3/3 on PATs. "Jenkins", the TSU kicker, had to kick the HT walk-off FG to at least enter the break with points on the board...but come the 2nd half, the roles would reverse. Jessica Daniels would end up with 3-straight TDs as she found Esko Vakalinen, Daniela Alcoba and Vaaltari Vakalinen for scores and "Jenkins" added 3 PATs of their own...meaning Ife Onika had to kick a FG as time expired to send this game to OT. Daniels would strike first with a rushing TD, with "Jenkins" getting the PAT...but Ersoy couldn't respond in kind. Game over. Another field storm in The Horseshoe. TSU is 5-6.

As for the Green City Royal Eagles...well...Project Playoff took a turn in Notts...and in Staramara, it may've just died.
It was always going to be a huge task, travelling to the Johnston Memorial Stadium to face the Staramara Tech Lava - Champions of the Horizon - and expect a good result. Laverna Getz and John "JJ" Garret Jr. are in a different league in terms of expectations and production than our QBs have produced in a long while...but even still, did things have to go like this?
GCU makes the effort to schedule this game, to willing play an NSCF powerhouse in their house...and they get shut out? 43-0?
Nothing worked...because under those bright lights, Ngimphiwe Cele wasn't ready to face a team like this. Nothing wrong with that, it's just simple logic.
To get nothing out of this game...it hurt...and now, GCU are 6-5.

SCHEDULE (MINERAL Conference, Heartland Division + 3 Non-Conf)
Week 1: vs Niakursk (IMP) L 7-19 (0-1)
Week 2: vs Kormania (BRS) W 33-17 (1-1)
Week 3: @Green City (TJU) - Earth Trophy XV L 34-36 (1-2)
Week 4: vs Nowa Kalanianska (UNC) L 23-27 (1-3)
Week 5: @Roane State (KNP) L 29-32 (1-4)
Week 6: @UNSJJSM (UNC) W 29-13 (2-4)
Week 7: vs Columbus-Prairie (DHE) - Homecoming L 15-17 (2-5)
---------------------Mineral Division Rematches---------------------
Week 8: @Niakursk (IMP) L 10-24 (2-6)
Week 9: @Kormania (BRS) W 57-53 (3-6)
Week 10: vs Green City (TJU) - Earth Trophy XVI W 21-20 (4-6)
Week 11: ~~Conference Championship Week~~
---------------------Non-Conference---------------------
Week 12: vs Islamic U (BUS/9-2/Celestia Conference and Savannah Division Champions) - Senior Day W 31-24 OT (5-6)
Week 13: @LeBois Santura (CAD/11-1/Big Eight Conference and Evermore Division Champions)
Week 14: ~~(vs/@) Silver Coast SC (SAS/7-4/Horizon Runner-Up/Equinox Division Champions) (pending confirmation)~~

SCHEDULE (MINERAL Conference, Heartland Division + 3 Non-Conf)
Week 1: @Kormania (BRS) L 17-33 (0-1)
Week 2: @Niakursk (IMP) L 13-27 (0-2)
Week 3: vs Trent State (TJU) - Earth Trophy XV W 36-34 (1-2)
Week 4: vs UNSJJSM (UNC) W 23-12 (2-2)
Week 5: @Columbus-Prairie (DHE) W 24-23 (3-2)
Week 6: @Nowa Kalanianska (UNC) L 7-37 (3-3)
Week 7: vs Roane State (KNP) - Homecoming W 51-34 (4-3)
---------------------Mineral Division Rematches---------------------
Week 8: vs Kormania (BRS) W 41-10 (5-3)
Week 9: vs Niakursk (IMP) W 23-13 (6-3)
Week 10: @Trent State (TJU) - Earth Trophy XVI L 20-21 (6-4)
Week 11: ~~Conference Championship Week~~
---------------------Non-Conference---------------------
Week 12: @Staramara Tech (CMT/7-4/Horizon Conference and Starlight Division Champions) L 0-43 (6-5)
Week 13: @Mar Sara Tech (VAL/8-3/2nd in Zephyr (Celestial Division))
Week 14: vs Cavsar (DRK/5-6/4th in Horizon (Starlight Division)) - Senior Day

by **Ranoria** » Sun Dec 22, 2024 7:30 pm

Dietrich Stadium
Saturday, 12:00

Couldn't blame a guy for being a bit nervous. No one in the program had any illusions of their position. The only way to guarantee a playoff spot was to win out. But they'd likely need at least two of the next three, and Jack Archer's foot tapped incessantly on the bench for a moment.

"Kick return!"

The call came out, and he stood, jogging out with that helmet dangling from his fingertips. Fortunately any jitters he had would be hidden by legitimate shivering in this chill. And all the eyes in a see of red focused, from a grass field speckled with white to a lone man, Archer, in the end zone. That rattled him for a second longer - but when the helmet came on, his own world came into focus. "Thanks Nik," he muttered under his breath - it had been the tackle's idea to try and mimic the experience he felt on a motorcycle to some extent. Hell, he was wearing his back protector under his pads, and he was wearing heavily padded lineman gloves to mimic his riding pair.

It worked.

The stadium noise reached its apex just before the kick went out, and finally went quiet, not that he noticed. The ball came down, Archer snagged it, and he took off. He wasn't the fastest player on the field, but he'd wager he was the only one between these lines to push two hundred kilometers an hour, and that meant he could see the openings so much better than anyone else.

The one he saw happened to come behind a member of the coverage team who he pretty casually jumped over, planting a hand in the Vanorian's helmet to help clear the tackle - he called it a kong vault in his parkour days, these guys called it a hurdle, either way the Richardson fanbase exploded, and he landed in stride like he always did. Another defender completely whiffed, having counted on him needing to regain balance that he'd never actually lost, and two missed tackles on a return is often damning.

Unfortunately, as indicated, Archer wasn't the fastest guy on the field. He sprinted down the middle of the field with all he had, but one more defender got a shot and took it, trying to lay down a hit stick while running laterally, but once again Archer's uncanny balance was far too much for that to bring him down. He took a quick hop step after the hit, recovered before his feet even hit the ground, and was back at full speed before anyone else got close.

That's a touchdown, by the way.

Archer couldn't help but go nuts after that one, flexing at the adoring crowd while the rest of the kick return unit - who likely had just had the biggest play of their lives, let's be real - rushed him.

Defending Dietrich:
Richardson's Weather and Faithful Overwhelm Tech

Richardson won in all phases of the game, and it led to a decisive victory

Jack Archer's kicking things off with a kick return touchdown - see what I did there? - put the Raiders in a hole early, but ultimately it was just one symptom of what would turn into a statement victory over one of NSCF's best. Whether it was Noah Nygård's third down pass going wide to force an immediate three and out on the game's first true possession, a rabid fanbase, or enough chill to severely hamper the passing attack, everything went in the favor of the Governors in this one.

As a matter of fact, after a failing to convert on fourth and two on their own first drive, the Governors still didn't surrender points. Instead, Landon Rayne batted down a third down pass to force a second consecutive three and out, and Kasen Harrowitz's offensive staff managed to show some creativity. Offensive coordinator John Glassner has taken some flack for keeping Banka in a box - sticking to quick screens, slants, and other high completion, low upside concepts, but Tech wasn't quite prepared for Scott Yadav to get subbed into the red zone.

They treated him as a passer, probably figuring they just wanted to sub in a guy with more experience starting - especially at a World Bowl level - down where processing speed needed to be faster. Nope.

Yadav came out in a shotgun set, with fullback Brady St. George serving as the only other man in the backfield. That clearly wasn't enough of a clue though. Yadav took the snap, St. George charged the a gap as he is so wanton to do, and the quarterback was right behind him while the line pushed. Classic quarterback dive? Not quite! Because when the Raider front actually held up pretty well, Yadav stood up and popped the ball up over the line to tight end Rio Good. Easy, wide open touchdown - and Yadav's 20th on the career!

Getting down fourteen points late in the first quarter against Richardson is a brutal prospect. Their base offense is to run the ball down your throat, and unless Noah Nygård could lead the competition's best offense to put some points up quickly, this thing was basically over. And points were at a premium in this one.

It wasn't until the end of the second quarter when Mar Sara Tech ended the half with a field goal to get on the board. They'd double it up on the opening drive of the second half, but Dex Banka answered with his eighth touchdown pass on the campaign to pretty firmly put the game out of reach. Not that the Governors had much more success in the passing game - between Glassner's aforementioned conservative offense and the cold, yards through the air were hard to come by. Between the two teams, you could count eight hard drops with plenty more catchable, contested passes ending up in the dirt.

Regardless, Richardson's defense looked absolutely suffocating, bringing the NSCF's top offense into their house and absolutely locking them up. Landon Rayne and Vilde Lauritzen continued to look like the best cornerback duo in the NSCF - Rayne notched a pair of deflections and Lauritzen reeled in the fifteenth interception of her career while a young pass rush continued their disruptive tendencies with three sacks.

Huge win for the Governors in the eyes of the comittee, but their work is far from done. They've got two of the most anticipated games of the season to close out the year - a week 12 showdown against Silver Coast State College that'll probably feature eighty combined handoffs and then, of course, perhaps the biggest rivalry in sports gets renewed in Ruwani Motor Speedway.*

If you're looking for a preview of the upcoming clash with the Cadets, Staramara Tech is probably your best bet - between those two squads, these Governors and St. Croix, you won't find more run-heavy programs in the tournament. Hell, Richardson's Malik Starcevich racked up his fourth game of thirty plus rushing attempts this season, clearing the three hundred carry and fifteen hundred yard mark in the same game where he knocked in his fourteenth score. That's not accounting for Yadav's gadget runs, Archer subbing in, or St George being called on in some short yardage situations. It's exactly the game Silver Coast wants to play, but Harrowitz won't be the one to blink first. The guy called a run on the goal line with seconds to go in an NSCF Championship, nearly costing them the game. It's still controversial to bring up whether or not they got the final snap off in time.

And what's crazy about it is that it's still going to be overshadowed by the crucial showdown in week 13. With both teams at 7-4, this is far from the peak regular season form we've seen from them, but anyone doubting their ability to win a championship doesn't know their history. And that game, as it has to many other times, very well may be a win or go home date between two of the NSCF's true blue bloods.

*Image from Ban's last RP

Five Hundred For Flowers In Felswyr:
Buffalo Star Outguns Firehawks To Improve To 9-2

Dante Flowers had a season-best performance against one of Cold Hill's biggest rivals

Most Buffalo fans probably wish they could say they've never seen a defense try so hard to blow a game. Unfortunately - outside of a three year mirage of Victoria Mio, Koman Tabor, Agnor Viridian, and Proko, it's been an almost weekly occurrence under Chris Dale's watchful eye. Not that it's mattered much - he's gotten the team to a record six NSCF championship appearances and tied the record at three times hoisting college football's greatest trophy.

Regardless, that nearly happened here. It had even looked like the Buffalo actually had a decent defensive game plan for once, too!

6'6" Quebecois sophomore Philbert Aitken has come into his own this season, but rather than use him for an occasional sack, the Buffalo had him effectively play a spy role. If the rush wasn't an instant success, he'd stand up to his full height and stay in front of Estera's 5'9" frame, making it nearly impossible to see past an already tall offensive line. Oh, right, and more often than not they brought Kenny Parham on a blitz behind him. He's six foot five, two hundred and sixty pounds and doesn't know what coverage is anyway, so it was no net loss.

Estera's got three truly distinct traits - she's accurate, she's shifty, hence how often she skillfully evaded Parham's rush when be broke through, but the last trait is slight. That five foot nine frame took one solid hit from Parham in the first quarter, on one of their better drives early in the game. She didn't even have time to tuck the ball before the menace of a backer barreled straight through her, not even breaking stride when he trampled the helpless quarterback - and with everyone else turned around, the defensive line was able to jump on the fumble.

Between that and Dante Flowers racking up over four hundred yards and a half dozen passing touchdowns in the first forty five minutes, this looked like a complete route through three quarters, 41-17.

But he wasn't perfect - the final play of the third quarter, he was clearly getting a little cocky. Cornerback Karen Michaelangelo isn't one you throw too often, and sophomore wideout Jordan Martinez got completely stuffed on the press - he didn't even recover his balance by the time the ball was in Michaelangelo's hands, and their offense in prime field position.

Anyway, if you wanna guess what happened next, the Nicole Estera threw seven passes on the next two drives. We won't elaborate too much - as fellow Cold Hill fans, it's too painful to really describe how embarrassing this pass defense is - but ultimately between that and a three and out wedged between them, this thing was all of a sudden looking a bit too much like an inverse of NSCF 29's championship.

Flowers had been scorching the Firehawks all day, but suddenly he looked hapless. On a drive where Cold Hill was starting to feel the pressure, he managed just one completion four attempts, heavily relying on lead back Hebron Naphtali to chew up yardage and try and get out of thing thing alive. They still boasted a ten point lead, but that was no longer a guarantee. Flowers' third down pass at the ten yard line went wide, and fortunately Rio Bocan was able to nail the field goal, he's actually been pretty good this season with just one miss.

Anyway, six minute drive, should've been enough to slow things down, right? Nah. Ulrich Hammer took the first play of Felswyr State's next drive - a quick screen, because like literally everybody else, they knew the importance of getting back into rhythm, for nearly yards. It wasn't until Derek Boss ran him down from the opposite side of the field that they managed to stop yet another deep touchdown drive.

They managed to make Estera's firehawks work for it after that, but ultimately, with just a few minutes left, the Firehawks scored yet again to get it within six points.

Some teams would've tried running the clock out. Unfortunately Chris Dale has a bit of a lead foot, and after watching his defense flop for one quarter and nearly ruin the best offensive performance of the season, he wasn't gonna risk letting them back on the field. At least not without a cushion. So he grabbed Dante Flowers, told him something that he refused to repeat on national television in the postgame interview, and sent out the guns.

The sophomore proceeded to jump out of his brief lapse and do what he's done all season - score touchdowns. He connected on four straight passes to start the drive. It was only thirty or so yards, but he was seeing the field well again. A miss to Heine Stølan deep broke up the momentum, but who would've thought, he went right back to the NSCF's top deep threat on the next play.

Stølan ran a deep post, slowed just a bit to give Flowers time to hit him in the dead zone in the deep cover three, snagged a ball that Flowers but on a rope, and ended up going down at the sixteen.

Felswyr State - the fans, the coaches, the eleven players on the field, knew this was it. And they played like it. They forced a quarterback who'd now cleared five hundred passing yards on the day two miss twice, and they only picked up third down by a miraculous Earl Silverman snag at the four.

Sure, Chris Dale could've kicked a field goal at this point to put it on ice - time was wearing down - but he and Flowers were on the same page with this. If you can run it up, why wouldn't you?

So Flowers dropped back one more time. The Firehawks rush broke through the offensive line, and he used the one thing in his toolkit he hasn't displayed much this season - his legs.

Flowers jump stepped to the other side of big guard Tyler Reeder, grabbed the big man's shoulder pads with one hand while he secured the ball with the other, and used the practical wall of a man to push off and get up to speed he took off, bouncing off one tackler just as he crossed the plane, and his victorious shout came out at the perfect time - just as the Firehawks crowd sank down with their hearts, he was celebrating.

The sophomore passer couldn't help but add a little flare, pulling out a very-crumbled up purple iris from his sock, sushing the crowd with his free hand, and placing the flower down in the end zone.

Ballgame.

Five hundred and twenty one total yards and seven touchdowns for their quarterback. Cold Hill hadn't had it's best season to date - but with the stakes turned up to eleven, Dante Flowers showed the world exactly what they are at their best, led by a quarterback playing at the highest level, forcing the opposition into exactly what his side wants - a boatrace of a shootout.

Eight wins deep into the season, the Buffalo are coming for blood, and vying for the same thing they've been hunting since NSCF 30 - that elusive, record breaking, fourth championship.

Beating Felswyr State in their stadium? That's a hell of a way to start it off.

by **Chromatika** » Sun Dec 22, 2024 7:40 pm

The State of Chromatik Football
Part 1: Alpha Conference
Part 2: Beta Conference
Part 3: Delta Conference
Part 4: Gamma Conference
Part 5: Conference Championship Games
Part 6: Playoff First Round

Chromatik High School Gridiron - Season Fourteen
Part 7: Playoff Quarterfinals

Quarterfinals

(3) Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School 51–25 (6) Vitoron School of Charge

Team                                   1Q  2Q  3Q  4Q  |  Tot
Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School  10  17  10  14  |   51
Vitoron School of Charge                8   3   0  14  |   25

1Q
14:01 FLCHS TD - Ray Donnovan 79 yard run (Cameron Hines Kick)
12:38 VSC TD - Maria Lura 32 yard pass from Sidney Jones (Tea Aquila pass from Sidney Jones)
06:11 FLCHS FG - Cameron Hines 38 yard Field Goal

2Q
13:29 FLCHS TD - Inga Edlund 23 yard pass from Darin Piltoffer (Cameron Hines Kick)
08:28 FLCHS FG - Cameron Hines 51 yard Field Goal
05:11 VSC FG - Sandy Mamoa 48 yard Field Goal
00:32 FLCHS TD - Ray Donnovan 2 yard run (Cameron Hines Kick)

3Q
10:21 FLCHS TD - Ray Donnovan 58 yard run (Cameron Hines Kick)
04:11 FLCHS FG - Cameron Hines 48 yard Field Goal

4Q
14:11 VSC TD - Tea Aquila 33 yard pass from Sidney Jones (Sandy Mamoa Kick)
10:22 VSC TD - Tea Aquila 48 yard pass from Sidney Jones (Sandy Mamoa Kick)
06:01 FLCHS TD - Isaiah Simmons IV 81 yard interception return (Cameron Hines Kick)
02:30 FLCHS TD - Mira Ekberg 28 yard fumble return (Cameron Hines Kick)

CHROMIA, CAPITAL DISTRICT - For one Quarter, the Vitoron School of Charge Robots hung tough with the vaunted Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School Martyrs. After Ray Donnovan broke three tackles on a seventy-nine yard run, Sidney Jones answered with a ten-play, eighty yard drive ending with a thirty-two yard pass to Maria Luna. Then, the Robots cheekily scored on a two-point conversion to take a one-point lead. The teams traded punts before a Martyrs drive ended on a Cameron Hines field goal.

That would be the closest that the Robots would get, as the Martyrs would go on a 27-3 run in the middle Quarters to run away to a 51-25 win in Quarterfinals action. With the Robots defense struggling against the run, Martyrs Senior Quarterback Darin Piltoffer had the easiest day, going eleven-of-fifteen for one 152 yards and a score; Running Back Ray Donnavan set a school record with 213 yards and three touchdowns on the day, including touchdown runs of 79, 58, and 2 yards.

The Martyrs defense was tested by the talented receiving core of the Robots, but by the end of the game, Sidney Jones could not carry her team. She went thirty-one of fifty-two for 313 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions, and a lost fumble on the defeat, but wasn't helped by the fact that the Robots could only muster twenty-five yards on the ground. It was a classic case of the Quarterback having to do more than they would like to, and by the end, the Martyrs' defense had her figured out.

For Vitoron School of Charge, the future is bright - given that they get the right Quarterback in the next season. With such a stable of pass-catchers, the Robots will always have a potent passing offense, having earned the moniker of Wide Receiver High School from the collegiate scene. There's talk about the Robots getting more of a dual-threat to add to their already potent offense, but that would mean pivoting away from the drop-back passing attack that they have had.

As for the Martyrs, they return to the Semifinals for the first time in a while, and with a back like Ray Donnovan and the veteran presence of one Darin Piltoffer, it can be argued that they should be one of the co-favorites to win the title, especially if they can continue to win the turnover battle along with time of possession.

It'll be fun to watch.

(2) Lanar High School 31–22 (7) Cheonju Korean Institute

Team                                   1Q  2Q  3Q  4Q  |  Tot
Lanar High School                      10   7   7   7  |   31
Cheonju Korean Institute                7   7   8   0  |   22

1Q
08:11 CKI TD - Helena Solonen 38 yard pass from Kirsi-Marja Sibelius (Agaha Baines Kick)
05:39 LHS TD - Marik Husseleher 3 yard run (Oliver Branch Kick)
00:11 LHS FG - Oliver Branch 49 yard Field Goal

2Q
10:11 LHS TD - Kenneth Jordean-Johnson III 19 yard run (Oliver Branch Kick)
03:48 CKI TD - Sioila Lehto 3 yard pass from Kirsi-Marja Sibelius (Agaha Baines Kick)

3Q
13:21 CKI TD - Katriina Partanen 29 yard run (Sisko Haavisto pass from Kirsi-Marja Sibelius)
02:28 LHS TD - Marik Husseleher 48 yard run (Oliver Branch Kick)

4Q
05:39 LHS TD - Jacqueline Vom Bruch 88 yard interception return (Oliver Branch Kick)

LANAR, RAINBOW DISTRICT - The classic battle of Offense against Defense, of the spear against the shield, Lanar High School facing Cheonju Korean Institute in the Quarterfinals was always going to be interesting. The Rhinos' ground attack against a red-hot Kirsi-Marja Sibelius that had really found her form was the name of the game, and the two sides didn't disappoint. It would actually be the visitors that would start off the scoring, as Sibelius avoided two would-be tacklers before finding Helena Solonen in the back corner of the left end zone on the second drive of the game for the visiting Red Devils. The ensuing drive, though, the triple-option game of the Rhinos started to work - and Marik Husseleher snuck in from three yards out to tie up the game. A Oliver Branch Field Goal as the Quarter ended gave the hosts the lead, but they were only getting started.

Halftime would come with the margin still at three, the two teams having traded touchdowns with often-maligned Kenneth Jordean-Johnson III finding paydirt on a QB keeper to be answered by another pinpoint pass by Kirsi-Marja Sibelius. Then, a rare rushing touchdown by the Red Devils - Katriina Partanen can be quite shifty - gave the Red Devils a 22-17 lead after they went for two, but that would be the last lead that the visitors would have.

Having run the ball thirty-two times to that point, the Red Devils' defense was tired, and Marik Husseleher's forty-eight yard run was backbreaking, as he ran through three arm tackles and stiff-armed a fourth defender to paydirt. With the Red Devils behind 22-24 and only needing a Field Goal to take the lead, Kirsi-Marja Sibelius's thirty-third pass attempt - a pass in the flat toward Sioila Lehto - was picked off by the ever-dangerous Jacqueline Vom Bruch, and the Outside Linebacker returned the interception eighty-eight yards for the final margin, sending the Rhinos to the national Semifinals.

For a team that was projected to finish last in their Conference heading in, the Red Devils can exit this season with their heads held high. All of their key players, including their Quarterback, will only get better as the seasons roll on. Cheonju Korean Institute's decision to move from being a Korean diaspora only school to being a school that focuses on teaching Chromatik Korean culture has paid dividends with this Finnish contingent doing so well, and the sky is the limit for the Red Devils moving forward.

Just ask the opponents that they faced this season.

(1) Myana Northwestern High School 20–14 (9) The Chromatik Institute

Team                                   1Q  2Q  3Q  4Q  |  Tot
Myana Northwestern High School          0   3   7  10  |   20
The Chromatik Institute                 7   0   7   0  |   14

1Q
07:11 TCI TD - Emmanuel de Silva 38 yard run (Marshall Kean Kick)

2Q
10:11 MNWHS FG - Park Gim-Hyeok 53 yard Field Goal

3Q
08:02 TCI TD - Emmanuel de Silva 27 yard run (Marshall Kean Kick)
04:48 MNWHS TD - Mark Lutt 77 yard pass from Kacper Grenda (Park Gim-Hyeok Kick)

4Q
12:37 MNWHS FG - Park Gim-Hyeok 34 yard Field Goal
00:51 MNWHS TD - Gorgo Lusmon 22 yard pass from Kacper Grenda (Park Gim-Hyeok Kick)

MYANA, MYANA ISLAND - On paper, The Chromatik Institute wasn't supposed to be here. They had to beat Mt. Niar High School to get here, for goodness sakes. Facing Myana Northwestern, in Myana? Sure, Emmanuel de Silva is a good dual-threat Quarterback with some speed, but surely the Blue and White would be able to contain that. The Dread heard that noise all week long, and they came to Myana with a point to prove.

It became clear that this wasn't going to be a game going to chalk in the middle of the First Quarter when the aforementioned de Silva juked Alfonso Valverde, the outstanding Freshman Linebacker from Myana Northwestern, to run thirty-eight yards untouched into the end zone. Then, Kacper Grenda and the Blue and White went three-and-out for the third straight time, and the home fans started to worry.

Thankfully, Myana Northwestern's coaching staff knows what they are doing, and by the middle of the Second Quarter, they were starting to move the ball. Park Gim-Hyeok kicked a season-long Field Goal, and they were only behind by four... Just for de Silva to do it again it the Third Quarter to get a twenty-seven yard run. Emmanuel de Silva would end the game with 131 yards on thirteen carries and two touchdowns on the ground.

Thankfully, the game wasn't over, and though they were down 14-3, nobody panicked. It isn't often that Kacper Grenda needs to put the team on his shoulders, but the Sophomore came through. Grenda would go fourteen-of-seventeen for 141 yards and two touchdowns in the last twenty minutes of the game after starting one-of-eight.

Everything turned around the five-minute mark of the Third Quarter when Mark Lutt, the Senior Wide Receiver, ran by Will Brockman and Lee Bo-Dan to take a midrange pass seventy-seven yards to make the game 14-10. Yes, the Dread played tough in the Fourth Quarter to hold the Blue and White to a Field Goal with little more than twelve minutes left, but all the air had left the Dread's offense. De Silva and the offense would only muster thirty-four yards in the Fourth Quarter, meaning that everything would be up to the defense.

Kacper Grenda and the Blue and White would take over at their thirty-seven with two and a half minutes remaining. What would follow was a thirteen-play, sixty-three yard drive, culminating in a twenty-two yard pass to Gorgo Lusmon with fifty-one seconds remaining. Yes, Myana Northwestern could have kicked the Field Goal, but with time left, they decided to go for the kill - and they won it.

The Chromatik Institute had come so close to pulling off an upset for the ages, but Myana Northwestern will survive and move on - two wins away from another national title.

Now, battle tested more than ever.

(4) Urrhed High School 16–30 (5) Staramara Tech High School

Team                                   1Q  2Q  3Q  4Q  |  Tot
Urrhed High School                      3   3   3   7  |   16
Staramara Tech High School              7  10   3  10  |   30

1Q
11:01 UHS FG - Mera Alsott 32 yard Field Goal
02:46 STHS TD - Grayson Marsh 11 yard pass from Amy Skylar (George Damien Kick)

2Q
10:45 UHS FG - Mera Alsott 38 yard Field Goal
07:11 STHS FG - George Damien 34 yard Field Goal
02:01 STHS TD - Grayson Marsh 3 yard run (George Damien Kick)

3Q
11:22 UHS FG - Mera Alsott 31 yard Field Goal
06:28 STHS FG - George Damien 41 yard Field Goal

4Q
10:27 UHS TD - Shinsato Katsu 44 yard run (Mera Alsott Kick)
08:29 STHS FG - George Damien 48 yard Field Goal
05:11 STHS TD - Grayson Marsh 2 yard run (George Damien Kick)

URRHEDDIAO, URRHED ISLAND - What defines a rivalry? Both sides have to play well, and both sides have to hate the other. Sure, you can say that Staramara Athletics Academy is more of rival to Staramara Tech High School than Urrhed High School. However, when it comes to intensity, it can be argued that the Sand Vipers and the Battle Angels hate each other more than the Rangers hate either of them.

This was the fourth meeting between these two teams this season. They split the regular season, and then the Sand Vipers won the Conference Championship, just for seeding to make it so that they would face each other in the National Quarterfinals. All the intensity was on the field, resulting in eighteen flags and five unsportsmanlike conducts.

The deciding factor of this game was the fact that the Sand Vipers could not punch the ball into the end zone. Urrhed High School only lost the total yards to Staramara Tech High School by fifty-three. In fact, Shinsato Katsu, the Sand Vipers' Running Back, matched Grayson Marsh's production. However, with Mera Alsott kicking three Field Goals, all within forty yards, the Sand Vipers had no chance.

Staramara Tech High School's best player was Grayson Marsh. The Running Back totaled three touchdowns - two on the ground, one through the air - and ended with 181 yards of total offense. Amy Skylar had some trouble with the Sand Vipers' defensive front, but the Battle Angels did just enough to get the job done, being the only road team to win the National Quarterfinals.

Urrhed High School doesn't lose a whole lot this season. It's not the best to lose, but the future is bright for the Sand Vipers. Izajasz Piekarski will only get better, and the team will only get closer together. Staramara Tech has ball left to play - and with the way that this team plays defense and the offensive weapon that is Grayson Marsh, the Battle Angels could repeat as Champions.

Semifinals

(2) Lanar High School vs. (3) Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School
(1) Myana Northwestern High School vs. (5) Staramara Tech High School

Four schools remain, and three of them have amazing Running Backs. Marik Husseleher, Ray Donnovan, and Grayson Marsh are three of the best. Then, there is Kacper Grenda - the Blue and White Quarterback that has gained some confidence. Expect a defensive bout in the matchup between the Blue and White and the Battle Angels, while the Rhinos and the Martyrs will try to run on each other. Lanar High School is favored by three, while Myana Northwestern is only favored by three and a half.

The only team that hasn't won a title here is Lanar High School. Could the Rhinos and their triple-option make a run?

Firehawks Face Do-or-Die Game at Loyola-Istria

Nicole Estera tried. She really did - she threw forty-two times, over three hundred yards, and four touchdowns. However, it didn't matter. It really doesn't matter when you give up over six hundred total yards - over five hundred and seven touchdowns through the air.

On paper, it doesn't make any sense. Eight of eleven starters on Felswyr State's defense is upperclassmen. The secondary should still be one of the better units in the Horizon Conference. Sure, the linebacking core has changed quite a bit, but even with that, the talent is absolutely there. To give up over five hundred to Dante Flowers and the Buffalo is quite a knock on a team that's had such a defensive pedigree in the past.

It leaves Felswyr State in a precarious spot. At least they went out swinging, so Nicole Estera and Eve "Swoosh" Moraxis get to keep their jobs. However, it means they are 6-5 - and with a trip to Raynor University still looming in the horizon, losing to Loyola-Istria is not an option when they travel to renew the longstanding rivalry.

Is Sebowa Jawara a Quarterback to the standard of Dante Flowers? Will Felswyr State continue to struggle so mightily on defense? If the defense does recover, will Estera return to being a pedestrian instead of showing some of the spunk that she's gathered recently? That is the biggest question regarding this game.

Lose this, and stare a losing record straight in the face - with some heads rolling. Nicole Estera is facing being benched her Senior year. Swoosh and Curentino could get fired. To finish 6-7 would be the worst record in the storied history of Felswyr State, and coming off of a season where they were in the Semifinals would be the worst of it all.

Pride dictates they win this one. Unfortunately, pride doesn't guarantee anything...

Lava Dominate in the Trenches to Demolish Green City University

Lennard Thompson. Sveinung Stang. Kathryn Behera. Armen LeFonde. Solomon Seyewanek. Paul Grayson. Jeremiah Stone. William Bosfort. These are the members of "The Lava Wall", the vaunted Staramara Tech front that has really established themselves as one of the best in the NSCF. Staramara Tech is not good enough to win if they don't get to the Quarterback or cause tackles for loss - their Linebackers and the Secondary aren't elite. When they are going off, though, everything clicks - just like the way that it did against Green City University.

The eight members of The Lava Wall combined for nine sacks, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and two defensive scores as the Lava romped to a 43-0 victory over Green City University. Davis Pill added two scores and 181 yards on the ground, and JJ Garret, Jr. didn't have to do much at all.

It's not the game that the Lava needed to get tested for the playoffs, but it was the game that showed that they can put away opponents that get overwhelmed. When the Lava get to play the game that they want to play, they can absolutely just splatter teams - and this was a splattering.

JJ Garret, Jr. only had 151 yards. It didn't matter. Green City never crossed midfield, and Lava fans were dancing by halftime, when they were up 24-0.

Going to Northern Moravica will be a lot harder, and the team is very aware of that - but for now, this was a good win.

by **Cardenao** » Sun Dec 22, 2024 7:46 pm

((OOC: This RP is based on Brett Hannah talking trash on Discord before realizing he actually didn’t play Sadeg, it was Saguenay.))

“Another one bites the dust huh Brett?”

“Yeah man I mean look, this was a tough game alright. Sadeg State, man I’ve heard a lot about them over the years, heard alot about Brooklyn Beck so getting the chance to finally lock horns with ‘em was a great time. I can’t believe they finished third in their division, that’s crazy man.”

“What would you say was the key to victory today, especially when you end up needing to score in the last few minutes to get the win?”

“It’s some good stuff man, look we were firing on all cylinders today, it just took us a little to get that fire firing. Big shout out to the defense man, sure 24 points is more than any of us want to give up, but they held strong against Brooklyn and a sneaky good Sadeg offense. We gameplanned well though man, they hit us with the early heat like we figured they would but we weathered that then brought the pain in the 4th quarter.”

“Hey Brett, with respect just want to make sure you know who you were playing tonight…can you talk about that some more?”

“Sure yeah hey, Brooklyn Beck, the Sadeg…I’m not even sure what they’re mascot is some kinda bird I think, but look this game has been built up for a minute. Brooklyn vs Brett, the Birds vs the Broncos, and man I’ll tell you what. Last season this time, I’ll tell you what people were asking a lot of questions about me. But here I am now man, back to back Big-8 champ, just beat one of the most hyped QB prospects out there, Bobby Dials to Brett Hannah ain’t that big a drop off is it?”

“Brett……you played Université du Saguenay tonight…the Fighting Irish. Not Brooklyn Beck, not Sadeg.”

“Oh……well look Saguenay, Sadeg, they both got S’s in their names, man it’s a game of football okay it doesn’t matter if it’s St. Croix or God himself, it’s a game of football to me okay? I’m here to play football, I just get so locked into the moment nothing else matters.”

“I’m not really sure what to say to that Brett.”

“That’s why I play football man, cause it’s about the game in front of me, who’s playing doesn’t really matter as long as I’ve got my boys with me. That’s how we do it man, we just play ball. Brooklyn Becker, Raúl Sébastien Santos, shoot Bobby Dials? Put them all out there in front of me and the boys and let’s see where we get man.”

“Alright Brett, I really don’t know how to follow that up so we’re going to end the interview now. Anything you’d like to say?”

“Go Broncos baby.”

High School Championship Semifinal Results! Read On For The Championship Matchup!!

#5 Hatathia High School Pirates 24-28 #3 J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans

Hatathia: Senior QB Stan Aniol Dereschi 290 PssYds, 2 PssTD, 56 RusYds
J.C. Evermore: Junior QB James Ross 246 PssYds, 2 PssTD, 32 RusYds

When the 4th quarter started in this semifinal clash between the Hatathia Pirates and the J.C. Evermore Green Titans and the score was 17-7 with Hatathia High doing pretty much whatever they wanted in the offense stage of the game, we all kinda thought this game was over. Boy oh boy, were we wrong as the Green Titans put up 21 points in the 4th to narrowly snag the victory and punch their ticket to the Championship game for the first time in program history! For the losing Pirates, damn this was tough and there was a part of me that wanted to do everything I could to help senior QB stud Stan Aniol Dereschi reach the Championship but unfortunately the team couldn’t quite get there. Stan Aniol showed off that laser arm as he completed 23 passes for 290 yards and a pair of touchdowns and he didn’t throw an interception, though he did get sacked five times. Senior TE Demarcus Kroger was his favorite target but those 11 passes were only caught 5 times for…well alright this makes that conversion rate worth it, those five catches were good for 116 yards and both of the Pirates passing touchdowns. Junior WR Matt Brown caught 5 of his six targets for 67 yards while his fellow junior WR Dan Brenner chowed some sharp senses to turn four catches into 55 yards but neither could find the endzone. Senior RB Antoine McNeely got five targets but could only turn that into three catches for ten yards to go with his 52 and a touchdown on seven carries. Leading the team in rushing was senior QB Stan Aniol Dereschi who did everything he could to get to the championship game. On defense, man this unit absolutely fell apart in the fourth quarter as they gave up 21 unanswered points to lose the game. Senior LB Vince Brown did earn some glory for himself by leading both teams with 11 total tackles while Junior DL Nick Thorpe was a menace behind the line with 3 tackles for losses and a sack. Senior Saftey Mike Bowers put in a solid display too despite the loss with 8 total tackles and 2 forced fumbles. This was a tough loss for Hatathia High; Stan Aniol Dereschi is easily one of the best QBs in program history so replacing him and moving forward will be a challenge.

For the victorious J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans, welcome to the championship game for the first time in the school’s history! Junior QB James Ross turned in the best game of his season as he hit 70% of his 33 passes for a clean 246 yards and a pair of touchdowns, no interceptions and no sacks thank you! He looked comfortable slinging it and star senior WR Pokey Wilson was on track to have a massive day with five catches for 71 yards but he unfortunately herniated a disk on a bad tackle and will likely miss part of his freshman year. That’s the way the game goes, but when one goes down, another gets their opportunity to shine and that someone was Chromatik sophomore receiver Alaia Cain Wordsmith, who caught four of five targets for 59 yards and his first career touchdown with 34 seconds left in the game to complete the miraculous 4th quarter comeback! I will be excited to watch this talented sophomores progression through the next two seasons. The other touchdown throw went to sophomore TE Kai Rolle on a 16 yard catch and go, one of his four catches for 43 yards. Not content to let the air game get all the attention, the Green Titans running group came ready to pound the rock. Senior RB David Brown led the way with 116 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries and his sophomore partner Devin Miller got 40 and 6 points on 12 carries. Junior QB James Ross got after it too as he scrambled for 32 yards on four carries, though he did give away a cheap fumble but hey, they’re in the final so who gives a damn?? Let’s talk defense! Some good, some bad as they got murdered in the air but put in a heoric performance in the 4th quarter to keep the offense on the field scoring points. Senior LB Wes Simon was in fine form as he collected 8 total tackles and forced a fumble while junior S Ben Passmore backed him up with 6 total including 1 tackle for a loss. Special shoutout to freshman CB Anthony Morgan for his miraculous interception in the 4th quarter to set up the game winning drive. Hell yeah Green Titans, get on into the Championship game and show the world what you got!

#8 Ficilian Point High Seabirds 34-20 La Escuela Nacíonal DCPF Footballers

Ficilian Point: Junior QB Elijah Bartholomew 283 PssYds, 3 PssTD, 1 INT
La Escuela: Senior QB Temuro Brown 308 PssYds, 2 PssTD, 1 INT

I have to be honest, I didn’t have the 1-4 Ficilian Point Seabirds going to the Championship game on my bingo card but…the 1-4 Ficilian Point Seabirds are going to the Championship! This marks the first time a #8 seed has reached the Championship, will they go on to be the first to win it all? We shall see! Junior QB Elijah Bartholomew was allowed to sling the ball and boy did he, 40 attempted passes turned into 25 catches for 283 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception that didn’t really matter as it was in the dying minutes of an already dead game. Junior WR Kyle Vasey had a fantastic game as his 118 receiving yards led both teams, and he got himself a trip to the endzone to cap it off! Senior TE D.J. Hicks saw him in the endzone and thought to himself, you know what? I might as well join you in there my guy, and he did so on a 35 yard buster as part of his 76 total yards on 5 of 11 catches. Junior RB Kelton Hutson saw them in there and figured, hey three’s a party right? And so he got in the endzone too on one of his 5 catches for 41 yards which he paired with 55 ground yards on 11 carries. The lad leading the rushers though was junior RB Garett Flowers whose 76 yards led both teams, which he put up on eight carries. A solid defensive effort was led by senior LB Darren Driscoll with ten total tackles with two for losses and a fat sack to go on top. Sophomore star LB Dana Dalton was right behind him with 8 tackles while junior CB Shaun Williams got 2 tackles but a nice interception that ultimately led to a field goal with 4:21 left in the third quarter. Welcome to the Championship game, better give it your best effort!

For the losing Footballers from that famous La Escuela Nacíonal De Cardenao Por Football, this has to hurt. The biggest chance in program history to reach the Championship and you lose to the #8 seed…that’s tough! In his final game for the program, senior QB Temuro Brown had one of his better games of the season as he completed 30 of 42 passes for 308 yards and a pair of touchdowns, though he did have an interception that ultimately led to a Seabirds touchdown. Sophomore WR Jer’Michael Montrenobe led his team with 94 yards on 7 carries and he scored the first touchdown of his young career, so that’s something to be proud of! Junior TE Chris Gilbert caught 70% of his ten targets for 77 yards and a trip to the end zone, while senior RB Neiko Yemm got 47 on 4 catches to go with his 41 rushing yards on 11 carries. The Footballers just couldn’t get the run game going at all, the rest of the rushing room could only combine for 17 more yards so, yeah 58 total rush yards is no way to win a game, and so they didn’t and have to head home till next season. Senior S Kevin Jenkins was a man on a mission with his 10 total tackles and two passes defended while fellow S, the sophomore Jakai White defended two more and got an interception for himself. The sophomore LBs Landry Stuart and Frank Wingate did well despite the loss as they both forced a fumble, but it just wasn’t enough, none of it was. L, this was an L though, so what else can you say? Better luck next year!

Cardeano High School Championship Classic:

#3 J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans vs #8 Ficilian Point High Seabirds

by **Drawkland** » Sun Dec 22, 2024 9:58 pm

"The Paltry Revenge"

The college football season is relentless. It's both a blessing and a curse: as you face pain and brutality one weekend, you have to turn right back around and prepare for the next weekend. Your mindset comes above all, because that week is just enough time to forget and focus on the next task, but easily enough time to get wrapped up and overthink the shortcomings of that previous week. After the crushing last-second loss to Cavsar, Brooklyn Beck could've easily given into the emotions of the entire ordeal. Losing a crucial game to potentially fall out of playoff contention? Getting shown up by your former teammate in the worst way? Giving Cavsar fans more material for future trash talk? It was potentially a worst-case scenario.

It even came at an especially inopportune time. The conference championship week necessitated an additional week of practice and preparation for those who did not participate. In this situation, it provided twice as much time for Brooklyn to stew over Sadeg State’s failures. It wasn't just the loss to Cavsar, which was bad enough, but the very fact that Sadeg State had that extra break week. In Brooklyn's bedroom, she had the Horizon Conference Championship gameday circled on her calendar. In the preseason, she imagined she'd be playing that week. Instead, it was yet another disappointment heading into the out of conference slate.

All things considered, it would've made sense if Brooklyn shut down for the season. Any more losses in a tough out of conference slate would effectively be a killshot. Brand Manlio’s influence in the locker room was diminishing. His leash with the AD might as well have been a keychain with how short it was. His goodwill among the fanbase was plummeting at close to terminal velocity. Nobody would be blaming Brooklyn for how the season turned out, because Manlio was now taking a majority of the heat. She had a pass to dial it in, get out without too much hassle, and focus on the DOCA season in the fall.

There was just one thing that kept her locked in for the start of the out of conference set. The Horizon Conference Championship wasn't the only weekend circled on Brooklyn's calendar. Week 11 against Alexandria University was more than just another game on the schedule, for Brooklyn more than anyone else in the Skyhawk football roster. For Brooklyn, this was a chance for a small bit of vengeance.

Two years prior, Brooklyn had been part of the Sadeg State basketball squad as they played through the NSCAA season. For a majority of the season, she rode the bench as a pure emergency option. Injuries to the regular Skyhawk basketball varsity roster necessitated one more body, and Brooklyn was the only person in the Sadeg State athletic department who had a reasonable amount of basketball experience in their background. In the conference tournament and beginning of the Ultra 64 tournament, though, Brooklyn became a pretty good piece off the bench. A few key shots from her allowed the Skyhawks to reach the NSCAA championship game with a 34-0 record to that point.

Against Alexandria University and their Swordsmen, the dream fell apart. The game fell apart in the second half for the Skyhawks, who eventually lost 89-74. The season ended 34-1. A chance for true immortality, the only undefeated season in NSCAA history, killed at the very end. It was eerily similar to Sadeg State’s 31-1 season in NSCAA 7 where hopes were dashed. Brooklyn wasn't alive to see that infamous finale, but her mother Elie (then Cooper, not Beck) was on that very roster. The loss to Alexandria wasn't just a failed chance at history for Brooklyn and her teammates, it was a failed chance at redemption for her mother. After a few seasons of similar failures to recapture her father’s college glory on the gridiron, it just made that desire for revenge stew even more.

Now, was the Swordsmen football team the same as their basketball team? Not at all, in fact most of the main players in that NSCAA 15 win have since graduated. Is the NSCAA championship equal to a regular season game in the NSCF? By no means. But if there was anything that could turn Brooklyn around, keep her looking forward in the NSCF season rather than behind, it was the motivation to redeem one fractional piece of herself. Defeating Alexandria, especially in front of their own home fans, would provide some tiny bit of catharsis to carry forward. At this point in Sadeg State’s season, it was all about gleaning tiny victories. After all, their chances for real victories on the scorecard were waning.

Brooklyn couldn't really use the NSCAA thing as real motivation for her Skyhawk teammates, but her mindset was apparent in the two weeks leading up to that matchup. “She's really turned it around this week,” some said during practice. “She's locked in.” It managed to rub off on much of the roster. Yes, this season was already a disappointment. Yes, their postseason chances were on life support. Yes, a lot had to go right for this season to not be a total loss. But is that really an excuse to dial it in? That's not what true contenders do. There's no room for that philosophy in a championship type locker room.

Now, head coach Brand Manlio hardly communicated any of this in practice. For most people that saw him that week, he looked almost like a zombie. Practices and gameplanning operated with business as usual, but those who knew Manlio could tell that he was almost like a hollow shell shuffling through the motions. Brooklyn didn't know if she loved it or hated it.

Finally, after a torturous two weeks, the time came for the Skyhawks to travel out to Cardenao. The trip to Anaia wasn't terribly grueling, and after the extra time of waiting and preparing, most of the team was just glad to finally be on the road. Any tiny chance of a playoff berth was on the line here, so the feeling in the Skyhawk locker room prior to the game was definitely antsy. As Sadeg State took to the field at The Acropolis, the do or die attitude truly came out.

by **Dhemixia** » Sun Dec 22, 2024 10:06 pm

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The Columbus Dominion(Est.1873)

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Rockets smoke Jays, Kelly on the ropes against CHU

Craig Kelly, with his mismanagement of this squad, has forced the Jays to run the gauntlet, and run the gauntlet they have. In hindsight, with the defense being this inconsistent and bad, maybe Craig Kelly wasn't the problem, and it was instead the DC, but the general populace wouldn't have any of it. Getting smoked at Raynor isn't exactly the best look for a team coming off choking a CCG, but then again, they are the defending champs.

On top of a dysfunctional defense, add in a dysfunctional o-line to that bunch with Jerry Atkinson getting safetied for the first time in his career. Other than that, the only notable thing he managed was handing off a TD to Alex Reynolds, and even then, that's a bit of a stretch. The Rockets' defense strapped up Kabe Heaton all night, taking away his number 1 option, all while Odin Sorbo was wreaking havoc on the Jays' side.

Again, if the Jays want anything to do with the playoffs, they're gonna have to bounce back and make a move, and there's no better opponent for that than Cold Hill. Running it back for a second season in a row, this time in The Brig, UCP might fare better with home field advantage, and even potentially could improve the defense. However, this is out of conference, and literally anything could happen, so who knows.

Schedule_

*blue indicates home games
Week 1: @ Université nationale de Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer W 41-30
Week 2: @ Nowa Kalanianska W 25-0
Week 3: VS. Roane State W 30-16
Week 4: @ Kormania W 15-9
Week 5: VS. Green City L 23-24
Week 6: VS. Niakursk L 9-17
Week 7: @ Trent State W 17-15
Week 8: VS. Université nationale de Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer W 36-34
Week 9: VS. Nowa Kalanianska W 36-34
Week 10: @ Roane State W 37-27

CCG: VS. Niakursk L 37-47
------------
Non-conference play
Week 11: @ Raynor L 13-33
Week 12: VS. Cold Hill
Week 13: @ BYU (SPIT Bowl)

by **NSCF** » Sun Dec 22, 2024 10:30 pm

Note: Chromatika scorinates all non-conference and playoff matches other than matches involving Chromatik schools. Those involving Chromatik schools, as well as bowl matches, are scorinated by Quebec and Shingoryeo.

HOST ANNOUNCEMENT: There will be no scorination on this Tuesday, the 24th of December. MD13 cutoff will be on this Thursday the 26th of December. The OP has been updated accordingly so please check the schedule there.

Non-Conference Play Week Two (MD12)

Alexandria University (CAD) 35–12 Université St. Croix (QUE)

Cavsar University (DRK) 24–6 Université du Saguenay (QUE)

Islamic University of Busoga (BUS) 13–17 Raynor University (VAL)

LeBois Santura University (CAD) 33–7 Trent State University (TJU)

Mantabolo Tech (USN) 37–44 Lithrelir University (GEX)

Mar Sara Tech (VAL) 50–34 Green City University (TJU)

Northern Moravica University (BNJ) 35–10 Staramara Tech University (CMT)

University of Loyola-Istria (BNJ) 6–36 Felswyr State University (CMT)

Osenku University (NKK) 0–26 Université nationale de Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer (UNC)

Sadeg State University (DRK) 17–17 Roane State University (KNP) (20–23 OT)

Silver Coast State College (SAS) 6–16 Richardson University (RAN)

Steicesve Strava (SCH) 3–9 Uniwersytet Nowa Kalanianska (UNC)

University of Columbus-Prairie (DHE) 19–26 Cold Hill University (RAN)

by **Grand Exultia** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:48 am

Phoenixes Triumph over Mantabolo Tech, 44-37
By the Phoenixes Sports Desk, Vaelis Brightsong

In a breathtaking contest that had the packed Jamari Billings stadium on the edge of their seats from start to finish the Phoenixes pulled off a hard fought 44–37 victory against the Golden Kings. The win was a testament to the resilience and grit of the Lithrelir players who overcame early adversity, mounted a second-half comeback, and held strong under pressure to secure a much-needed win on a day when the defence had an uncharacteristically poor day.

It was the Golden Kings who would receive the ball in the first quarter and set the tone of the game early by launching a massive drive that would take them from deep within their own territory all the way up to just 6 yards from the endzone before Tyriq Vaughn would take advantage of a momentarily lapse in concentration from the Phoenix defence and dash into the endzone for a touchdown, an extra point and the Phoenixes find themselves 7-0 down. The Phoenix team having gone from strength to strength as the season has progressed started positively receiving the ball and Stormheart once again displaying poise and precision as he led the offensive drive down the field utilising his receivers in turn. In less than 3 minutes the Phoenix offense was lining up on the Golden Kings 14 yard line as Stormheart took the snap, assessed the field, reading the blocks and lane coverage before firing to Hearthsong for a 14 yard touchdown, an extra point from Duskblade and the score was all tied again, 7-7. A usually dominant force on the field the Phoenix defence has built up a reputation for stalling drives and holding up scoring plays so it is rare for a team to score more than once in a quarter but that is what the Golden Kings achieved as they marched down the field, finding gaps in the coverage and creating channels before a hand off from Vaughn let Muhammad burst through the line and charge down the field for a 25 yard touchdown run, another extra point and the Phoenixes are losing 14-7.

The second quarter started with the Phoenixes moving the ball down the field again, once again rotating amongst the more senior players and the more inexperienced. The running game being rotated as usual this season and once again it was Bearclaw who was the star of the drive as he found himself time and again in space to run, a particularly impressive run saw him swing round the line, break a tackle and power through to the endzone for an 18 yard touchdown, Duskblade tying the score again, 14-14. Another quick drive from the Golden kings saw them entering Phoenix territory, again letting up ground far too easily considering the solid state of the defence this competition so far, thankfully a couple of big stops from Hollybranch and Leafdance stalled the drive forcing the Golden kings to accept a field goal, the first drive not to end in a touchdown. The Phoenix offence in fine form again headed by Stromheart started a drive from their own 20 and could not be stopped, a range of plays featuring some explosive runs and impressive catches keeping the Golden Kings on the back foot as the Phoenixes keep changing the calls and finding players in space, none more so than Vakz Goldenwing who received the ball on the Golden Kings 10 yard and managed to punch through for a 22 yard touchdown pass, the first time the Phoenixes have been ahead this game, an extra point from Duskblade see Lithrelir lead 21-17. But that lead would not last for long as the Golden Kings respond with another drive to set up on the Phoenix 37, the defence starting to wake up and holding them to a 3rd and long before a moment of brilliance from Trayvon Harris saw him break through and charge in for a 37 yard touchdown run, Mantabolo lead 24-21 at half time.

The Phoenixes receive the ball in the second half, a strong return from Cobaltheart sees the Phoenixes start on their own 35 yard. Jackalope leading the line early in the third quarter sticks to a consistent run game, constantly looking to make gains up the field of play without risking any passes. As effective as the backs have been, Bearclaw fighting for every yard and Shadowheart dancing between defenders the Phoenixes ground down the defence threatening the redzone when Jackalope caught all the defence unaware as he looked to find Dram Goldenwing for a 22 yard touchdown pass, his only pass of the drive, the extra point made the game 28-24. In this back and forth game an immediate response was not unexpected but as LaMarcus Freeman broke the second challenge and found some ground to run into with blockers ahead the Phoenix defence weren’t expecting such a response, a kick return touchdown and extra point later and the Phoenixes were losing again 31-28. Another drive and more work for the running corps as this time Shadowheart was the main carrier forcing the line forward making numerous double figure gains but it was Goldheart who managed to run the ball over the line to restore the Phoenix lead just before the end of the quarter, 35-31 after Duskblade’s extra point.

Another quarter started with the Golden Kings drive, led by Vaughn as he took advantage of a tired looking Phoenix defence finding numerous open receivers, lots of open territory as the Phoenix defence just couldn’t stop another Golden Kings drive, setting up on the Phoenix 4 yard line, the snap called, the ball handed off, or so all the defence thought as they all followed Muhammad leaving Vaughn to wander in for another touchdown. This time though the extra point was not good leaving the game at just 2 points, 37-35. A huge return from Cobaltheart saw the Phoenixes starting from the Golden Kings 40 Jackalope finding his passing game as he made 3 successive passes each for 9 yards to set up the Phoenixes in the red, a quick hand off to the dominant Bearclaw saw him run in for another touchdown, another extra point from Duskblade puts the Phoenixes ahead 42-37. Not much of a breather but with Nightingale spurring on the weary defence they took to the field again but this time with a vigour that we haven’t seen all game, a blitz play to start caught the Golden Kings, Vaughn brought down or a 5 yard loss by Cloverleaf, an incomplete pass followed by a run that was brought down for just a 1 yard gain by Nightingale saw the golden Kings make the decision to kick and hope to receive the ball back again. Once more the Phoenixes took advantage of the form of their back, running up the field and down the clock. As time ticked on the Phoenixes drive started to stall as Jackalope lost his rhythm and with the 2 minute warning found themselves 4th and 3 on the Golden kings 7. All receivers covered and Jackalope threw it away allowing the turnover, but it was the resurgent Phoenix defence spearheaded by Nightingale that would drive the result of tis game as another blitz found it’s way through the offensive line and Vaughn caught unable to avoid the hulking size of Nightingale as he is brought down for a safety. With no more timeouts for either side the game was brought to an end as a formality.

An uncharacteristic defensive performance that let up far too many points will not be making many Phoenix fans celebrating but another win ground out thanks to a relentless offense and some individual moments of brilliance. A big test next match at home to Université nationale de Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer. Stay tuned, as this team is ready to soar once more.

by **New Umoja** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 4:12 pm

In what was less a game of football than a Baudrillardesque deconstruction of the concept football, Mantabolo Tech Golden Kings lost a shootout to the Lithrelir University Phoenixes. It was a game full of baffling coaching decisions from both teams, made all the more incomprehensible by the fact that most of them worked. On 3rd and long with 25 seconds remaining in the 1st half, the Golden Kings ran a run play, handing the ball to a sixth string running back who had not taken a single carry all season. And it worked. The Lithrelir University Phoenixes pulled a quarterback who’d gone 14 of 15 for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns at the half. And it worked. When they scored to go 4 points ahead in the 4th quarter, they didn’t go for 2 but instead kicked a PAT. And it worked. And then came a play call that made all that had come before look downright sensible. On 4th and 3rd with a dominant rushing game that had managed to stack together multiple minutes-long drives throughout the 2nd half without ever being stopped, up 5 points, with 2 minutes to go and no timeouts on the Golden Kings 7 and a kicker who’d gone 6 from 6 on PATs, they called – a pass play. And threw it away.

And it, somehow, worked, too.

Needless to say Tyson Adeyemi has been fired. Linebackers coach Maurice Blackwell will serve as defensive coordinator for the remainder of the season, which with this loss is now likely to consist of just a single game, any hope of the playoffs evaporating with it. It’s not just this defeat: in the previous game, Adeyemi was unable to muster any kind of pass rush against a bunch of 200 pound linemen. Though the Golden Kings will advertise the vacancy, it’s unlikely to be an attractive proposition given this is clearly a team that is incapable of the most basic football fundamentals.

by **Banija** » Thu Dec 26, 2024 12:11 pm

Xolile.Lubabalo
10:37 PM

NMU wrecks Staramara Tech, Loyola is getting smoked by Felswyr State... Which means we'll go to the playoffs while they go bowling... And hell, even Busoga lost! It's a great day to be alive folks, isn't it?? #GloryToNMU #BigRedNation

"The Lava Wall comes tumbling down"- NMU dominant in all three phases in blowout victory over Staramara Tech on Senior Day

Cougars defenders celebrate a 3rd down stop during their victory over Staramara Tech

HERZEGOVINA CITY, MORAVICA- After two weeks, and again after four weeks, the vibes were WAY down at Northern Moravica. Many thought that the team was headed towards a lost season. After 2 weeks, of course, they were 1-1, with their QB1 throwing just for one TD, and 5(!) interceptions over that time period. And after four weeks, the team was 2-2, with losses both against the Islamic University, and a then struggling, 1-2 USC team. The offense was a disaster, with a QB who simply could not get his guys the football. Terrible at QB meant terrible overall. They did have a nice, shootout win against their blood rivals, Loyola- but Loyola, frankly, didn't look that good either. The thought of spending a third straight season watching the playoffs from the couch? Enough to make any NMU fan hurl.

What a difference, say, 8 weeks makes- right?

Since Week 4, NMU has been on a tear- they are 7-1 since that point, with their only loss a 54-33 no-show road game in the rematch against Loyola-Istria. But since then, they've been stacking up impressive win after impressive win. Saguenay? 51-7 blowout at Mugisha II Memorial. The Celestia conference champs, the Islamic University? A heartstopping, 25-22 double OT victory, that featured a thunderous comeback, where Wade Hurley (of all people!) brought his team all the way back from a 16-0 deficit. And now, this game, against the Horizon Conference champions, in a rivalry game, no less- a 35-10 beatdown, of JJ Garrett and Staramara Tech. There is no question about it. NMU are back. They are firing on all cylinders, they sit at 9-3, and sitting at #7 overall in the official rankings, not only look firmly like they will make the playoffs- but they are on the brink of a home playoff game.

Things are simply going right for these guys. Offense making plays. Defense making plays. Scoring touchdowns. Can't go wrong with that, right? So let's dive into this one- what happened, right here, in this matchup?

It all started up front for the Cougars, on both sides of the football. Remember, they just destroyed Green City U, 43-0, in Week 11. And despite their conference record, just 6-4, they were the reigning Horizon Conference champions. They are similar to NMU, in a lot of ways. Struggling QBs- JJ Garrett and Wade Hurley. Built on the power run game. Love smashmouth football, and elite on defense- although most would say the Lava's defense probably clears the Cougars defense- although, once again, not on this day. What was the strategy? You've got to both stack the box, and double cover Laak Gyles. But you can't do both- you've only go so many players to go around on defense. And then remember, Tech loves 22 personnel- 2 HBs, 2 TEs. So you've really got to match up, size wise. And what did NMU do? Complete strategy change- running a base 5-3, for a lot of this game, to counter Staramara Tech.

How does that work? 5 down linemen on most plays, particularly the early downs. 3 LBs. Two safeties, and just 1 CB- Michael Larson. Both Larson, and the FS, Laak Gyles, having primary responsibility to double cover Gyles, the other star WR. Everybody else? Hat for a hat. Tech received the opening kickoff, kneeled it in the end zone for a touchback. First drive was simple- Pill ran up the middle for one yard, into the arms of O'Hennessy. Toss play to Pill for another yard, chased down by true freshman LB Kysil. 3rd &8? Crowd noise really getting amped- false start, back to the 13. 3rd & 13, JJ Garrett under overwhelming pressure, forced to throw it away. A dominant defensive series- one that would really set the tone for how the game would go.

A booming punt by the Lava from there set NMU up with first & 10, at their own 16 yard line. The offense came out, and started looking good. 4 straight running plays would net them a total of 30 yards- Heavenworth up the middle for 4, Horton on the ground for 8, Heavenworth on a toss play for 6, and then Heavenworth taking the FB fake HB toss play for 12 yards. Avoiding the heart of the Lava Wall. And then, first & 10 at their own 46. A great play-action- Heavenworth got crushed by two DL after fake getting the football. But she didn't have it- and Horton was streaming down the field, on a post. Wade Hurley- yes, THIS Wade Hurley- hit him in stride, as the LB covering him simply did not have a chance. The Quebecois national out ran the LB, and the safeties had bit on the play-action- so just like that, it was a 54 yard TD pass for the Cougars.

After the teams traded punts for a little bit, the Cougars would start their third drive of the game at their own 42 yard line, good field position after a quality punt return. The second drive went poorly because they ran straight into the Lava Wall, repeatedly. This drive, perfectly designed to put them in a blender. A series of misdirection, via the screen. TE screen, to Horton. They ran a WR bubble screen, to Duta Kyambi. And they even ran a WR reverse, to Halvor Moe, who ran it for 22 yards. They eventually would score on the drive, with Brianna Heavenworth punching it in from 6 yards out. Up 14-0 early, the crowd was rocking, the city was bouncing- this is what Cougar football was all about.

And while Tech's freshman kicker hit a 53 yard FG in the second quarter to stop the bleeding a little bit, it was NMU's ability to go around the 'Lava Wall' that was the difference in this game so far. It eventually yielded Hurley's second TD pass of the game, and 3rd TD overall- a 32 yard TD pass to Halvor Moe, on a long throw, attacking the safety blitz. Something we don't do often, but McKendry, in the post-game, gave Hurley a ton of credit there. "The original play-call there was a HB dive, on 2nd & 3. But Hurley recognized that the safety was going to blitz- so he audibled protections, and Horace Horton, who was supposed to run an out route, was audibled to block against the blitzing safety. Then, told both of his receivers run streaks, and knew one of them will be in single coverage- and Moe was. Made a great throw- but that was created at the line of scrimmage, in the pre-snap." Another score, and it was all NMU, all the time in the first half- with a Tech drive trying to respond, ending in a Michael Larson interception. But that meant the Cougars led big at halftime- NMU 21, Staramara Tech 3.

NMU wanted to go for the killshot early in the second half in this one. But the Lava knew that they needed to make a big play of some sort, of any sort, to come back in this one. And they've got too much tradition, too much talent, to simply just go out with a whimper. The jolt of a comeback would come from the infamous wall. A strip sack by star DE Lennard Thompson was recovered by Tech, and that got them going. Three minutes later, Davis Pill was pounding the ball into the end zone for a touchdown, and suddenly, it was 21-10. NMU would move the ball a little bit on the ensuing drive, but Tech would force a punt. Pinned back at their own 11 yard line. Was the comeback truly well and on- would JJ Garrett get his signature moment?

Banijan Radio Commentator wrote:It's 2nd & 10 for Staramara Tech, as NMU are urging their fans to get into this. They've dominated for so long- but in this quarter, it's been all about the Lava, and while they are 89 yards from the end zone, you can feel the momentum shifting towards them. Garrett is in the Gun- after getting stuffed on 1st & 10, they want to go to the air. The oft-criticized QB is barking out signals, and the ball is snapped.

There's a blitz from NMU! Larson is flying in on the CB Blitz, and Garrett didn't see him- sees him coming, forces one over the middle.. AND IT'S PICKED OFF! PICKED OFF! CARMEN DIOR IS RUNNING IT BACK... AND SHE WILL SCORE! CARMEN DIOR, THE 4 YEAR LINEBACKER, THE CAPTAIN, ON SENIOR DAY- HAS RAN BACK A PICK 6 IN A RIVALRY GAME! THE CROWD IS GOING BANANAS, AS THE COUGARS NOW LEAD, 27 TO 10!

Bananas, indeed. A defensive touchdown, a pick six? It was simply going to be NMU's day- and that was essentially a wrap on any comeback attempt by Staramara Tech. Heavenworth would hit a long run herself for another TD for the Cougars, to make it 35-10. And Horton should have made it 42-10- but dropped the ball as he was crossing the goal line, starting his celebration just a split second too early. But that was it for the scoring- the final score was NMU 35, Staramara Tech 10. A huge win for the Cougars. A move up to 7th place in the RTC rankings- one more win next week, against Alexandria U, and that will not only likely wrap up an automatic playoff berth- but get them a home game alongside it.

"We. Are. Back." Hannah McKendry said in her postgame press conference. "There's only one Celestia conference team that finished unbeaten at home in the regular season- that's us, at 7-0. We beat our foreign rivals. And hey, we're 9-3, on the verge of a playoff berth. Like I've been saying, it's a process- but we are seeing the fruits of the process in real time. A great win for the boys- but as always, it's onto the next." Onto the next, indeed.

by **Busoga Islands** » Thu Dec 26, 2024 1:26 pm

The Lakiska Daily

Islamic U upset bid falls short against the #1 team in the NSCF- face crucial Week 13 contest before the start of the NSCF Playoffs

LAKISKA, SOUTH ISLAND, BUSOGA ISLANDS- "While this is disappointing, just remember- the season is far from over." Head Coach Julian Aigo told reporters after the game. "All things have to be put in perspective- we are 8-4, we are the reigning back to back Celestia Conference champions, and we are still a team fully capable of making a playoff run." Sometimes, you need to keep things in perspective when things are going wrong- and it cannot be denied, things are indeed going poorly for the Islamic University at this juncture. Suffering a complete collapse on the road, against Trent State, was not great. Blowing a 21-0 lead when you are the favorites, even on the road... That's a bad look all-around. No getting around it- that Trent State loss will be a bitter pill to swallow. But fortunately, unlike last year's playoff loss, there was a chance to respond- and they responded decently, giving Raynor U, the undisputed #1 team in this competition, all they could handle. However, the upset bid fell just short- and that meant back to back losses for the Islamic University for the first time since their NSCF 31 return to this competition.

Two losses in a row- a lot to gleam from these two games. The Raynor loss, of course, is painful- a lot to learn from there. But as the Islamic University goes into its final non-conference game needing a victory to ensure a playoff home game, let's talk about exactly what we can learn in these two games.

Lesson #1- The Defense, outside from the second half of the Trent State game, is really all that

The Islamic University has been built on its on defense, and all season, many thought that they would try to ride them to a championship. They have been pretty damn good for most of the year, although sometimes things can get patchy. But let's zero in on the Raynor game, specifically. Remember, this is an offense that just scored 79 points in its conference championship game. That is likely a record for points scored in a NSCF game, not only all season- but all-time in the history of this competition?

A dominant offense, in elite form. Last 3 games? Put up 39 against Mar Sara Tech, put up 79 in the conference championship game, and then 33 against Columbus. Our defense was able to hold them to 17. Now, of course, the reason Raynor are the favorites to win their third NSCF title, of course, is because they've got the defense to match the offense- when one falls down, the other picks them up. And see how they stuffed Trent State in the first half of that game- holding TSU to just 3 first half points. A second half collapse, yes, which we will get to.

However, the defense has playmakers everywhere. It all starts at the CB1 slot- Julius Adhon, who already has World Bowl experience. Whether they will step up for four straight games is another story, but when you've got a shutdown corner, in Adhon, and you also have a star EDGE rusher, in Zelotes Okoth, well... You can ruin a lot of people's days.

Lesson #2- This team's running game is struggling- and with it, so is their ability to hold onto leads

Let's compare 2 of the Islamic University's most recent losses- Week 8, on the road, against Northern Moravica, and Week 11, also on the road, against Trent State.

LEADS HELD- Islamic U was up 16-0 over NMU, and were up 21-0 against Trent State.

Took the foot off the gas in both games, yes. But in reality, we've got to look deeper- one of the reasons they were so potent last year, able to finish 11-2 and top of the entire competition at the end of the regular season, was because their running game was so dangerous. Okombo was running all over people- and late in games, he was even more effective, breaking off big-time chunk runs. And while Kohan Ersoy has stepped up in his absence, with the Busogan QB having one hell of a campaign, the running game has went in the other direction. That hasn't really been an issue a ton- but has been a serious issue in recent games. Let's go back to it?

First, the week 8 NMU game. They went, what- 1/7 in the red zone, in terms of scoring touchdowns? Pathetic- a flatout embarrassment. So many opportunities to put the game away early- but instead, they kicked field goals from 31 yards, from 25 yards, and from 24 yards in that game. Even worse- they had another opportunity, where the Caracals had 4th and goal at the 2 yard line. A frustrated Julian Aigo went for it.. And was stuffed, for a turnover on downs. Goal line stand. And... Jaja Ifeatu stripped, in the red zone, in the fourth quarter, when the team was only up one score.

If you can't run the ball, you aren't going to score in the red zone- and that was true for the Islamic University against NMU. Now, fast forward to the Trent State. The pass game was working out great- Ersoy throwing three TDs in the first half, we were up 21-0 in the 2nd quarter- and 21-3 at the break. Second half, up 18, you've got to just run the ball? Now, of course, they should have probably stayed more aggressive- but in reality, they tried to run the football, and the Trent State defense had htem in a pretzel. They had just 67 rushing yards, as a team, throughout the entire game, including overtime. Biggest moments, they couldn't open up holes for their HBs, or even their QB- and it has made their offense one-dimensional. Ersoy is a hell of a QB who is having a hell of a season- but this team is not built to air raid you to death. Aigo's offense needs some balance- and if they don't get their running game to return, then winning even one playoff game in this year's playoffs will be an uphill battle- let alone 4.

Lesson #3- This is a true football school, and everybody on these Islands have bought into the Islamic University

To show you how big of a game this was- the #1 team, and defending NSCF champions, Raynor University, paying a visit to a fellow conference champion, the Islamic University? A record crowd at Bucak Field, as they brought temporary bleachers, and squeezed in some standing room only seats, to get a record crowd of 60,505. And probably even more importantly- the fan culture behind the game. Tailgating all day long- obviously in Lakiska, yes, but it was like the entire country was shutting down for the game. On the North Island, in Dukuma, there was a street watch party- replicated across the country. It's definitely not a NT, of course, but the Caracals have become a definitive national symbol in the sporting world, a place where the Busoga Islands is best known for mediocrity, or as the forgotten sidecar to whatever Banija is doing(S-FPL, anyone?)

TVs were tuned in all day to the gripping contest- the #3 highest rated NSCF game in the history of this University. That makes it the #1 regular season game, and even outpaces both of the Celestia Conference title games they've played in, in terms of viewers. The only ones that beat them? The two playoff games, from last season. The passion is there. The size of the fanbase doesn't compare to some of the more historic NSCF fanbases, of course- but Busogans would argue that their passion runs every bit as deep as some of those bigger fanbases. The Richardsons, Cold Hills, Loyolas, etc... of the world. There are talks of building a new stadium to replace the aging Bucak Field- and while that may be down the line, this fanbase will support it.

The NSCF move has been a stunning success. But if they want to keep climbing up in this competition, they will have to do just a little bit more. But most importantly- the passion of the fanbase, plus the team on the field, has garnered the respect of their opponents. How many Busogan teams truly have the respect of the world, as a worthy opponent or fanbase? This... Might be it. Maybe Twenty20 Cricket in Damukuni? But Trent State stormed the field- against The Islamic U. It's about as underhanded a compliment as it gets.

We're among them. It's time to take that next step forward, however, and be in the only grouping that matters- the one that calls themselves NSCF champions.

by **Ranoria** » Thu Dec 26, 2024 2:30 pm

Victory At What Cost?
Richardson, Silver Coast Stubbornly Refuse To Stop Running The Ball - Will It Cost RU Against Loyola?

The Governors were pretty excited after earning this win - it only took about forty six rushing attempts to get it done

The first thing we have to admit is that Richardson may have a serious problem at offensive coordinator. Because the guy in that spot, John Glassner, also coaches the running backs, and it shows. He's taken a lot of heat for typically restricting a guy as talented as Dex Banka to a lot of quick screens and the occasional slant and out route - sure, it's got him completing over seventy percent of his passes, but Banka didn't come here to play it safe. He's already proved a selfless nature by committing to such a run-first team - let the kid play!

So Glassner is taking a ton of flak. Especially after he limited Banka to eight pass attempts against the one team in the NSCF - before any other - that would have struggled against the pass. It was almost as if he felt honor bound to meet the challenger head on rather than exploit their weaknesses.

I mean hey whatever it worked I guess.

Malik Starcevich has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt this season that he can handle the ungodly workload expectations of a future RFL lead back, posting his second consecutive and fifth total game with at least thirty carries. Silver Coast got a strong dose of change of pace man Jack Archer as well, with the 21 year old freshman handling a dozen carries, and Scott Yadav got in on the fun with a couple gadget play runs.

Their lone touchdown? A 0-yard run from fullback Brady St George, his second of the season.

Silver Coast State College game into this game ready to play the exact style of football they're known for, they were going to welcome the Governors with open arms into John K. Randall Memorial Field by running the ball through their face. And again. And again, and again, and again until one of them stopped moving. The over-under on this thing was set to twenty, and a lot of people were smart enough to take the under.

With a Richardson football team that refused to rip the ball deep, this game became one of attrition very early on. Aside from Tommy Lugg breaking a pair of tackles to get into field goal range on the opening drive, neither team managed to drive inside the other's forty in the first half. For as stubborn as their offensive game plan was though, the Governors were better on defense, consistently rotating their front seven aside from the all-important Lyn Dairon to keep them fresh as this boxing match of a football game ensued.

Down 3-zip at halftime, the game was obviously still up for grabs, and the Cadets finally started to show some cracks in their armor on the first drive of the second half. The Governors opened things up with Scott Yadav under center, letting the South Newlandian take a few snaps - he handed it off to Starcevich a couple times for just a yard, then finally kept it himself. Really, he played right into the Cadets' hands - breaking to the outside where the back seven could make the stop, but when Nick Tanner underestimated the South Newlandian's speed, he was a goner.

When we say "goner" we mean Yadav picked up seventeen yards - one missed tackle isn't enough to break down this defense, and cornerback Ash Long is more than used to getting his fair share of tackles - he caught up and brought him down after the big run, then made a second consecutive stop when Banka hit receiver Lukas Müller for a quick screen pass that gained a solid three yards. But it was enough to finally get some momentum. Richardson followed that up with a double-iso, running out two fullbacks who climbed straight up to the linebackers. Malik Starcevich was patient enough to wait for them to pick up their blocks before he turned on the jets.

And now there was some trouble. Starcevich made it a twenty yard gain - the biggest by RU in this contest - to firmly put them in striking distance, and they'd manage their first of three consecutive field goal drives to take the lead 9-3 in a game that was quickly running down the clock.

Funny, in a shootout, a ten point deficit feels pretty easy to close. In a slugfest like this, a six point differential is seemingly game over.

The Cadets did manage to chip in another three - Mike Randall stepped up big on the next drive. First, he kept it himself and gashed Richardson's defense when they blew contain (it's hard defending the triple option, okay?). Then, he pitched the ball out at the perfect moment, laughing as he was dragged to the turf by Terrance Savage. Carl McCreery got the ball, Tommy Lugg got out in front of him, and over four hundred seventy combined pounds of running back blasted through the Governors defense to get into field goal range. The drive fizzled out after that, but they got back within three.

That next drive was the killer, unfortunately. There were no big plays. The most exciting moment perhaps was Scott Yadav running the ball a second time, barely picking up the first down on a fourth and two in their own territory to keep the drive moving. No, this was a ten minute, seventeen play drive by Richardson where they didn't even average four yards per snap. But it didn't matter - because when Brady St George got the ball just inches from the goal line, he was completely unstoppable, getting just enough push to cross the plane for six.

Now, with just a few minutes left, the Cadets had to go fast - score once, get the ball back, score again. Mike Randall managed a deep play action shot on the first snap of the drive, right down the middle of an unsuspecting defense to pick up forty three yards in one go, but they were in desperation mode here. His next dropback was batted away by Landon Rayne, and when they tried to go back to the triple option, it got blown up. This time, Terrance Savage went completely unblocked, smashing through Randall just as he was pulling the ball back and pretty much ruining everything.

That made it third and forever, and they only managed a few yards on their next play. Out of field goal range and with no other options, the Cadets tried to rip the ball deep, but this time it was Vilde Lauritzen who batted it harmlessly to the ground to ice this thing.

The Cadets were dejected after the game - it's 1990 for them, but it felt like the Ranorians living in 2038 got sent back to our own 1980's to watch this thing, with both teams stubbornly refusing to abandon their bread and butter run game, insistent they'd come out the tougher squad. "Tougher" is still up for grabs, but Richardson wins in the talent department with their consistently loaded recruiting classes. As incredible as the win was to watch though, Governors fans have been fixated on one game, the same one they've been fixated on all season, in the aftermatch. And that means they've got one thing in mind: How is this going to impact the Rebel's Cannon Bowl?

With their eighth victory, they're ready for a trip to Ruwani Motors Speedway coming off back-to-back wins. They're the number six team in the NSCF based on their resume, and even with a loss would likely make it into the tournament at this point.

But nobody wants that. Nobody wants the mark of having lost to Loyola-Istria on their resume.

Kasen Harrowitz, in fact, even acknowledged that such a bruising contest against the Cadets meant they'd have to approach the upcoming week differently. "Our guys are banged up. We had three defensive linemen exit the game with injuries and and two of our guys up front on offense. Landon [Rayne] was a limping around at the end there too. We've got to be one hundred percent healthy going into the biggest game of the year, and our training staff will make sure the appropriate measures are taken."

Loyola's in a tough spot. At 7-5, they likely need the victory to have a shot at the playoffs. Sebowa Jawara is feeling the pressure of Isaka Jawara's legacy and their prodigal son, Dennis Zervos, is finally starting to feel some heat. Back to back losses to the Governors, a stunning lack of a return to dominance, and plenty of losses to Northern Moravica. Those two need this win like they need air. They aren't going to back off a bit just because Richardson's feeling a bit banged up.

"We'll be ready to play," Niklas Patel insisted. "No way in Hell any of us aren't going to be as prepared as possible to play Loyola-Istria." Patel exited the game against the Cadets for about half of the third quarter with an upper body injury.

But one man really made his voice heard in the week leading up to the Rebel's Cannon Bowl - Malik Starcevich had this to say leading up to the sixteenth edition of the NSCF's most bitter rivalry.

"Wanna tell all those bums in Istria - be ready. You will be perfectly focused in the film room, you will be accurate, disciplined, and clinical on the practice field. You will eat perfectly, you will be sharp and purposeful in your training, and you will be well-rested all week. Because I want nothing less than the best you have to offer - that makes it so much more satisfying when we get to that tipping point in the game where it dawns on you, when you realize you can't beat us."

Malik Starcevich has carried the ball a whopping 341 times this season, and this is the most words he's strung together for the media since week 3 - an encouraging sign given the speculation of fast onset CTE on his part.

NSCF 32 - Everything Thread

NSCF: CHAOS II (Earth Trophy XVI)

Brooklyn Beck (S4:E7)

NSCF: OOC I

Brooklyn Beck (S4:E8)

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