NSCF 32 - Everything Thread

by **Valanora** » Thu Dec 26, 2024 2:44 pm

Andy Magnusson had circled this game on the schedule when it had been revealed before the season, knowing that an away win against a team out of the conference was going to be a real tough test for his team and that a victory would show they were ready for the playoffs. Even before the season he was fairly sure that the team that had just won the NSCF championship would not be missing out on the playoffs, he held confidence that this team would be able to live up to the best shot that they would get from every team this season and be able to take it. The target on their back for winning the championship last season was going to be a large one but with the players and leaders that he had across the team, the belief that they were going to be up to the task was quite high. This team had proven to him last season in the road trip to Ranoria in Week 12 and getting that win and then in the playoffs when they had been able to put the bad loss to the Firehawks behind them and go on a three game winning streak with each victory being more impressive than the last as they went on to win the title, it was proof that they could rise to the occasion no matter the situation.

Now as the team was getting ready for the game, knowing that he had lead the team back to the zenith of the Zephyr and that the Islamic University had managed to win their own conference, despite having to play against the traditional Banija schools of Loyola and Northern Moravica, this game took on a whole new meaning. This was a battle to likely earn the right to the top seed heading into the playoffs and a small mental edge over the other if all the analysts were correct and this would likely end up being the championship game this season. The team had regained its health and its offensive firepower over the last month and with an impressive victory in the first week of non conference, they were now on the road for the biggest test of them all. A win here would do wonders for the Rocket's strength of schedule and their overall confidence, as well as get the voodoo that both them and Tech had been having in playing well when traveling, a notably major weakness of the Vanorian schools with their offensive first mindset when it came to the sport of gridiron. Teams like Silver Coast would never truly appreciate the Vanorian approach to the sport but four titles between Raynor and Tech meant that it did not matter.

The Rockets were however coming into a bit of a buzzsaw, with the Islamic University coming off a second half collapse against Trent State and now needing a signature win to get their seeding back into a high position, as the Trent State loss was one that would be quite difficult to try and explain away. The home crowd in Busoga was buzzing as the two teams were lining up for the opening kickoff. Azat Ocal took the opening kickoff back to the twenty-eight before the Rockets coverage team brought the returner down and the home team's offense trotted on for their first drive. It would be a rough and physical drive that went fourteen plays with twelve runs and just two passes but would end in a touchdown much to the delight of the home crowd. Odin Sørbø and the Rockets offense looked to respond quickly but despite a pair of first downs, the drive stalled out around midfield and they would be forced to punt it back to the home side. Not that either team would know it at the start but it was going to be a bit of a slugfest going forward, with each team's defense looking to one up the other in keeping these offenses under wraps, quite the feat for the home side if they could quiet the explosive Rockets offense all game.

They of course could not completely bottle up the Rockets offense and despite having to punt on their first three possession, about halfway through the second quarter Odin engineered a drive that got deep into the Islamic University's half. The Rockets thought they had tied the game up on a twenty-three yard pass on a deep out route but replays showed that Storm Dybvik left foot was out of bounds and the Rockets had to settle for a field goal. The home side would match in a prolonged drive to take the game to half time, with the field goal reestablishing the seven point lead for the Caracals. Zesiro Wattiti and the rest of the Rockets offense stepped up in the second half though, only allowing the home side to score a field goal on their second drive of the half and making it a two score game. The Rockets got the ball back with fourteen minutes left to go and in a vintage performance that echoed of what the team did last year, they went seventy-six yards in five plays and just a minute in a half as Odin connected with Svendsen out of the backfield for a twelve yard scamper into the endzone.

The home team was putting a drive together in response, looking to hold on to their three goal lead and trying to milk out the clock using a power running attack to come at the Rockets more pass preventative defense. Yet it was the Banija linebacker acting as the field general for the Rockets that was blowing up play after play and came up with the biggest stop. Fourth and two on the Rockets forty-one and the home side looked to run an inside zone with Alpay Tozlu but Wattiti was there to plug in the gap as the defense stood tall. With a little over three minutes left on the clock, Odin and the rest of the Rockets offense got to work, knowing they could afford to run the ball or play the middle of the field with two timeouts in their back pockets. A pair of runs with Svendsen took got the ball across midfield but the clock was down under two minutes to go and the offense began to hurry it up. A slant to Dybvik, a short curl to Olav Nodeland who was known more for their blocking, another four yard scamper by Svendsen. Then came the shots at the endzone, with Odin first overthrowing Dybvik in the back of the endzone and then Ueland not being able to come down with the ball after a hit from Tackin Gozubuyuk. On third and ten from the twelve, Odin went with an empty set and took two steps back before dashing forward, stiff arming Asim Atalay and diving into the endzone. Rockets going up four points with four seconds to go, smothering the return and running out winners. Bring on the Firehawks!

by **Banija** » Thu Dec 26, 2024 4:55 pm

Loyola HC Dennis Zervos, waiting to enter onto the field at the Ruwani Motor Speedway, ahead of the Rebel's Cannon Bowl

Loyola-Istria head coach Dennis Zervos stood there, with a stone cold look on his face. His emotions were notoriously difficult to read- but to say he didn't know about the pressure that he was under, would simply be a lie. Alanso Isa faced pressure for much, much less- but things were suddenly getting pretty bad for Dennis Zervos. NSCF 28 was so good for him, he signed a big time extension after that year- beating Richardson twice, including in the playoffs, and getting to the NSCF 29 Semifinals- simply put, it was a great place to be. They thought they were at the very beginning of great things to come.

But, of course, things had gone backwards, dramatically, for the Blue Thunder.

NSCF 29 wasn't so bad. But the defense had basically disintegrated into disaster. Allowing a combined 140 points over their last 3 games? A blowout loss to Richardson, allowing their hated rivals to put up a 50 burger on them. Then, a 49-47 playoff win against UC-Baker Park, that, despite being a playoff win- inspired no confidence at all. And then, losing to another rival, FSU, 42-27 in the Quarterfinals- but those three games showing the complete and total disintegration of any sort of defense that the team had. Lost twice to Felswyr State. That's a combined 0-3 against their OOC rivals, FSU and RU. Following closely? Because there's a theme...

Fire the DC, get a new one. And then, you've got Sebowa Jawara coming in. NSCF 30. They went 5-8, while 5-5 in conference play. Finished in 3rd place in the division. Shutout by FSU, blown out by Richardson. Somehow went to a bowl game anyways, where they had a blowout victory. Alright, one bad year- NSCF 30 was weird anyways. And NMU was so much worse, he was able to skate by. NSCF 31- promising to get things back to where they should be. But... More of the same. Swept by The Islamic University of Busoga(of all teams!) Letting the Caracals stunt on Loyola-Istria.

Despite all the promises of change... 5-5 in conference play, 3rd place in the division. Again. But this time, finishing behind NMU. And last year, the ULI-FSU rivalry took a hiatus, due to scheduling issues on Loyola's part. But they played Richardson again.. And while they battled, they lost a tough one- 22-7. 0-1 against the OOC rivals. So last three seasons, 0-6 against the non-con rivals. Last two seasons, a pair of 5-5 finishes in conference play, third place in the division, and nowhere near the playoffs.

But THIS year was going to fix their ails- right? Right?

They beat The Islamic University in Week 2, starting 2-0.. Maybe it was their year. But it, indeed, was not- and while Zervos has so much going for him (being a Zervos, former NSCF champion as a player at Loyola, two times as a Coordinator at Loyola, RFL Champion as a HC, a legacy, etc...) things have been a disaster since then. They finished 6-4, at least, instead of 5-5 in the Celestia... But still, third place in the division, and a dismantling, at home, at the hands of Felswyr State. Maybe Loyola fans were wishing themselves into delusion, after the Week 10 NMU game, that Loyola had a chance to build themselves back into a playoff team. And then a blowout road win over BYU gave them hope.

Hope, however, can be extinguished quickly.

Felswyr State came to the Istria Lightning Yard, and ripped Loyola apart. A 30 point home loss to a rival, that had long ago surpassed Loyola on the field- it might have been the low point of the Dennis Zervos era. A 30 point loss, at home- remember when the Istria Lightning Yard was a fortress? It was Loyola-Istria's worst home loss- ever. They have, quite literally, never lost by 30 points at home. They've been playing gridiron well over 100 years at Loyola. Not in domestic competition, not in NSCF competition, not in the regular season or the playoffs. It's literally never happened- and things have gone south quickly.

Just like that- the vibes are all down about this ULI team. NSCF 28 was such a banner year- conference title, beat both FSU and RU, beat RU twice, and went to the semifinals. Since NSCF 29, however, they are a combined 0-7 against their primary non-con rivals, FSU and Richardson. Zervos had been on the wrong side of the worst home loss for Loyola- ever. And now the fans, who used to adore him so... Were quickly turning against him. Three straight third place finishes in the division. And even if they beat R-U, this was likely going to be the third straight year Loyola missed the Playoffs.

He had done his best to lock in, to put together a gameplan to beat Richardson. But he could not lie- he was feeling the pressure. He had done his absolute best to lock in. He sent his wife and kids out to Aissa early in the week, on Monday- so at home, he could just focus on Richardson. All things Richardson. Did that mean his young kids would miss a week of school? Yes- but he knew that he wanted to beat Richardson probably more than anything right now.

If the senior class went winless against both FSU and Richardson across their entire careers? On top of three straight third place finishes, and three straight seasons going to bowl games, instead of playoff games? Well... That would not be good for him.

So he looked up, and watched some of the pre-game festivities. One of the cool things they had for an entrance was Isaka Jawara, the ULI legend, enter the race track in a Loyola-decorated monster truck- roaring out, and then a stunt man circling the track twice, in a Loyola decorated race car. Then... Was that Abram Fairbanks, another ULI legend, ziplining onto the field? The organizers had pulled out all the stops- a true celebration of the rivalry. Even Ice Chineze, the former Richardson QB, both a NSCF and a World Bowl champion, parachuted onto the field, wearing his Richardson gear.

Dennis Zervos stood at the entrance of his tunnel, with his team behind his back. He knew what this game meant- obviously, the significance of this rivalry, how badly this fanbase wanted to stuff R-U into a trash can. But even beyond that- what this meant for him. For his own legacy, as the HC here. For his own position- one would have never thought it was possible that Loyola could fire a Zervos. But once those discussions started, unless you responded with a series of wins... Zervos knew how this business went.

Zervos turned and looked at his team. Nearly time. "LOYOLA!" He told them. "This is our time, our moment! The Governors are on the other side, and I will be DAMNED if they beat us today. We are sending those bastards back to Winterfell!" And with that, the team bounded onto the field. Could Zervos pull off the win- or would he go into next season under the hottest seat in all of college football?

by **Chromatika** » Thu Dec 26, 2024 6:13 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
Part 7: National Quarterfinals

Chromatik High School Gridiron - Season Fourteen
Part 8: Playoff Semifinals

Semifinals

(2) Lanar High School 33-10 (3) Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School

Team                                   1Q  2Q  3Q  4Q  |  Tot
Lanar High School                       7   9  14   3  |   33
Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School   0   10  0   0  |   10

1Q
11:21 LHS TD - Marik Husseleher 38 yard run (Oliver Branch Kick)

2Q
14:29 FLCHS FG - Cameron Hines 52 yard Field Goal
12:21 LHS FG - Oliver Branch 42 yard Field Goal
09:48 LHS FG - Oliver Branch 49 yard Field Goal
06:31 LHS FG - Oliver Branch 44 yard Field Goal
01:59 FLCHS TD - Inga Edlund 3 yard pass from Darin Piltoffer (Cameron Hines Kick)

3Q
07:50 LHS TD - Anston Gainston 69 yard pass from Kenneth Jordean-Johnson III (Oliver Branch Kick)
01:28 LHS TD - Marik Husseleher 10 yard run (Oliver Branch Kick)

4Q
10:49 LHS FG - Olivia Branch 38 yard Field Goal

LANAR, RAINBOW DISTRICT - The story of the Lanar High School Rhinos is one to remember. Picked to finish second in their Conference, sporting a Freshman Quarterback, a Senior Running Back, and a dominant defense, and representing a part of the country that hasn't had the biggest success in gridiron football, they headed into the Semifinals with the knowledge that despite being home favorites, history viewed their visitors as a legitimate threat toward the Championship. For good reason, too - Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School was the one school that had arguably a better Running Back in Ray Donnovan and definitely a more experienced Quarterback in Darin Piltoffer.

In a torrential freezing downpour - it was 33 degrees at kickoff with a windchill of the upper teens - the Rhinos would prove to be inhospitable hosts, dominating the Martyrs to a 33-10 victory that immediately catapults them to be the favorites to win their first ever Chromatik High School Gridiron title. With the Martyrs deferring to the second half, the Rhinos took the opening kickoff and ran in eight of their first nine plays, culminating in a thirty-eight yard run by Marik Husseleher where he trucked over two defenders before running away from the rest of the field. On the other side, Ray Donnovan was stood up by Oliver Trausch on third-and-one from the Martyrs thirty-four, and despite the Rhinos being stopped in subsequent drives, the hosts had a 7-0 lead after the First Quarter.

It became obvious that Husseleher wasn't going to be stopped today, the defensive line of the Martyrs having a hard time with all the beef up front for Lanar High School. When looking at the future ,the fact that the Rhinos' starting Offensive Line are all underclassmen is such a boon. Andy Powers, Pierre DuPonski, Mark Jones, Jack O'Nelly, and Evan Washburn were pushing defenders to the second level, and with a back like Husseleher who isn't afraid of contact, the Rhinos were averaging more than six yards per rush. The Second Quarter saw them score three Field Goals, as the Martyrs were able to force enough stops on third down.

Franscesca Larriet- Cortes High School had Darin Piltoffer find Ray Donnovan in the flat for a big play - the biggest of the game for the Martyrs at thirty-four yards - to set up the visitors inside the Red Zone. Piltoffer would find Tight End Inga Edlund to take the lead down to just six points, but that would end up being the final points scored by the Martyrs for the rest of the game.

With barely eight minutes left in the Third Quarter, the Kenneth Jordean-Johnson III, who had rushed the ball for twelve times already, took the snap and faked a handoff to Husseleher. The play-fake froze the entirety of the Martyrs' defense, leaving Anston Gainston, the speedster who isn't used very often as a part of the Rhinos, beating his man. In a rare occasion, Isaiah Simmons IV was beat, and Gainston caught the pass in stride to put the home team back up by thirteen.

Then, the Martyrs fumbled the ball away, and Marik Husseleher punched it in from ten yards away to take a 30-10 win. Lanar would end up posting one last Field Goal for the final margin. Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School would end up with just 217 yards - while the Rhinos posted 318, with over 203 yards on the ground. It was an amazing win for the home team, and the Rhinos were headed to their very first Championship Game.

As for the Martyrs, this will be remembered as a season that got away. To lose Piltoffer and Donnovan will be difficult to replace, and though there are players coming up, it'll be interesting to see how they handle things going forward.

Lanar High School. Championship Game. It's going to be good - and a team led by a dominant Running Back and a defense may be the one to take it all.

(1) Myana Northwestern High School 13–13 (13-16 OT) (5) Staramara Tech High School

Team                                   1Q  2Q  3Q  4Q  OT  |  Tot
Myana Northwestern High School          0   3   7   3   0  |   13
Staramara Tech High School              0   3   7   3   3  |   16

1Q

2Q
10:33 MNWHS FG - Park Gim-Hyeok 50 yard Field Goal
00:09 STHS FG - George Damien 52 yard Field Goal

3Q
08:11 STHS TD - Grayson Marsh 4 yard run (George Damien Kick)
02:29 MNWHS TD - Kacper Grenda 2 yard run (Park Gim-Hyeok Kick)

4Q
07:11 MNWHS FG - Park Gim-Hyeok 42 yard Field Goal
00:04 STHS FG - George Damien 50 yard Field Goal

OT
1OT - STHS FG - George Damien 53 yard Field Goal

MYANA, MYANA ISLAND - When the Chromatik High School Gridiron system took a break the last season, the regions that missed their teams the most were Myana and Staramara. The Blue and White and the Battle Angels are such a fabric of their regions that to think of the cities without their High School teams would be a travesty in itself. For the Battle Angels, missing out a season where Amy Skylar was going to be a Junior and Grayson Marsh was in the backfield was a shame, while Myana Northwestern fans were wondering how good their defense was going to be once again.

A season later, the two teams faced off for the National Semifinals - Myana Northwestern trying to return to glory and Staramara Tech trying to repeat, even with a season in between. This would be a tense battle between two sides that know how to play defense and play it well, with the biggest storyline being if Kacper Grenda could step up to the matchup.

The First Quarter was all about defense as both sides traded four three-and-outs. No First Downs gained by either team in the First Quarter set a National Semifinals record in Chromatik High School Gridiron. Grenda was being harried already, while Marsh had five yards in his first six carries - the Blue and White knew that the Battle Angels' offense started with Marsh, and they weren't going to let him beat them.

It wasn't until thirteen minutes left in the First Half that Kacper Grenda escaped the pocket for a fifteen yard scamper and the game's First Down. Myana Northwestern's drive would stall at the Staramara Tech thirty-three, but Park Gim-Hyeok's kick was right down the middle for the first points of the game. This score would hold until the two minute mark, where Amy Skylar and the Battle Angels put together a drive to set up George Damien to tie the game - which the Senior did, despite the Blue and White calling a timeout to try to ice the kicker.

Both teams made some changes it halftime, and those changes seemed to work. Staramara Tech started to use the aggressiveness of Myana Northwestern against them, Amy Skylar starting to find room to connect with the likes of Lena Kassen and Neria Pinston. It would be a Grayson Marsh plunge from four yards out that would be the payoff, but the drive was all about Skylar.

Myana Northwestern wasn't going down without a fight, and Kacper Grenda accounted for seventy of the eighty-three yard drive as the Blue and White answered with a long drive. He found room on his feet and utilized Mark Lutt to get in scoring position, then took the ball in himself. They would head into the Fourth Quarter knotted at ten.

The home team would take the lead after more heroics by Grenda, undone by a holding call on Third Down that set the Blue and White back. Staramara Tech was fading, and when the Battle Angels took over with no time outs and forty seconds remaining, there wasn't enough time to just lean on Grayson Marsh.

Amy Skylar took over. With pinpoint passing and great pocket awareness, the Senior connected with Lena Kassen for fifteen yards and Nera Pinston for eighteen, then eventually spiked the ball with four seconds remaining. George Damien was true, and this battle was headed into Overtime.

Myana Northwestern would get the ball first. Kacper Grenda, knowing that he had to be the superhero, tried to make a play on third down - only for Willard Doha, the outstanding Sophomore, to sneak around him and punch the ball out for the turnover. Myana Northwestern almost did the exact same thing, but Amy Skylar was able to maintain hold of the ball on a third down sack, and even with the ball on the thirty-six yard line, George Damien was true from fifty-three - sinking a dagger into Myana Northwestern hearts.

Staramara Tech now gets to try for the most unlikely double - a year removed due to the competition being scrapped last season. Myana Northwestern won't go anywhere anytime soon, as Grenda is just a Junior next season; however, they'll be annoyed at letting this one go, too.

What a win by Staramara Tech - and they are one game away from establishing themselves as a historical program like Mt. Niar and Myana Northwestern.

Championship

(2) Lanar High School vs. (5) Staramara Tech High School

New blood against new-ish blood. Either Lanar wins their first, or Staramara Tech doubles up their recent success by winning their second, and in a row, too. These are two teams that love to run, and love to play defense; it'll likely be low-scoring, brutal, and very physical.

Just like gridiron should be.

Firehawks Face "Golden Opportunity" against Rockets after Defeating Thunder

When the dust settled at Istria with the fans having left the stands a while ago, Nicole Estera remained on the field. She'd done everything right - throwing for 312 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, while leading the team to five more scoring drives that ended in field goals. The eight scoring drives on the game was the highest amount that the Firehawks had had the whole season, and they had returned back to their winning ways after dropping games to Staramara Tech and Cold Hill.

She knew the situation that awaited for the Firehawks moving forward. They were now 7-5 - which was good, because it meant that they would at least have a winning season. Beating Loyola would help their stock in the rankings, but the Firehawks had a golden opportunity to shock the Collegiate Gridiron world and all but secure a spot into the playoffs - a road trip to Raynor.

It seemed an eternity ago that the Firehawks had played the Rockets in the Semifinals last season. Since then, the two teams had gone completely different ways. Felswyr State was mired in a dogfight in the Horizon Conference all season long, lost to Staramara Tech to miss out on the Horizon Conference game, and was in danger of missing out on the playoffs. Raynor, on the other hand, sported the best record in the NSCF (along with LeBois Santura) and won the Zephyr. In fact, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that Raynor was a favorite to repeat as NSCF Champions.

Estera and the Firehawks would have an opportunity to do the unthinkable. Defeat the defending NSCF Champions, on their Regular Season finale, on Senior Night, to add that win onto your resume? It would be a massive statement, bolster their hopes of making the playoffs, and show the competition that they weren't gone. Down a bit compared to prior years, maybe, but definitely not dead.

Noticing that some of her teammates were coming to get her, she finally stepped off of the field. It was time to get back to work - their season wasn't done yet.

Lava Look to Recover in Regular Season Finale

The Staramara Tech University Lava have been a Jekyll and Hyde team this season. When their way of playing works, they are running the ball, stopping the run, and letting their defensive front - the "Lava Wall" - take over. When this happens, their weaknesses in the linebackers and the secondary are covered, JJ Garret doesn't have to win the game by himself, and the team looks like a well-oiled machine that can beat anyone on the field. However, if that doesn't happen - a good example is how Northern Moravica handled them - then the Lava fall flat. JJ is not good enough of a pocket passer to will the team to win when the run game isn't working, the defense can be caught flat-footed if the pass rush doesn't get to the opposition, and the Lava can absolutely be beaten.

So, what is the Lava to do now that Northern Moravica put on tape exactly how to take them down? Dress their wounds, get back on their feet, and get ready for Senior Night, where they welcome Université du Saguenay of Quebec and Shingoryeo. The Fighting Irish are also 7-5 on the season, but did not win their Conference; they will be hungry to get that win to improve to 8-5 and potentially show the Committee that they belong in the playoffs.

For JJ and many of the Seniors on the team, this will be the last game that they play in front of the Lava faithful - unless something truly crazy happens in the playoffs where the Lava end up as the higher seed. It's been a rocky season, but they have definitely shown that they have the potential to beat anyone, especially when the way that they play works. Can they do that consistently for so many games in a row has been the question to answer, but it's too late to change the way you play now.

Hopefully, for the sake of the Lava faithful, they'll put on at least one more show.

by **Cardenao** » Thu Dec 26, 2024 8:51 pm

This is a collaborative effort between Cardenao, Utahn Theocratic Republics, Ranoria, and New Umoja. Thank you for reading an please grade accordingly.

All Big-8 Offensive Teams

First Team:

QB: Nick Singer - Alexandria University
RB: Reno Thai - LeBois Santura University
WR: Saivion Ware - LeBois Santura University
WR: Rashaun Holloway-James - Mantabalo Tech
TE: Hezekiah Thomas - Richardson University
OT: Tanielu Tupua - Alexandria University
OT: Björn Falkenrath - Mantabalo Tech
OG: Marwin Finlayson - LeBois Santura University
OG: Tāne Maleko - Mantabalo Tech
C: Abdullah-Aadi Makavan - Richardson University
FLEX: TE Wally Hendrix - Bingham Young University

Second Team:

QB: Jackson Zuercher - Bingham Young University
RB: Malik Starcevich - Richardson University
WR: Heine Stølan - Cold Hill University
WR: Deacon St. John - Alexandria University
TE: Johnny Wall - Bingham Young
OT: Toma Bawu - Bingham Young University
OT: Niklas Patel - Richarsdon University
OG: Brian Willie-Richardson - Richardson University
OG: Malick Sumner - Richardson University
C: Taylor Dirkman - Cold Hill University

(The following is not part of said collaboration.)

Reviewing Cardenaoan All Big-8 Selections

1st team:
QB: Nick Singer - Alexandria University

A deserved selection for Nick Singer, the junior Ranorian showed precision and power with his passing to lead Alexandria University to their best record yet. Still though, the Swordsmen finish as LeBois’ little brother and some way behind the Ranorian colleges as well.

RB: Reno Thai - LeBois Santura University

A World Bowl winner in the NSCF pre-season, senior Reno Thai had a relatively disappointing start to the season as he only broke the 100 yard mark once over the first five games. The second half of the season marked a change in game plan for the Broncos as they shifted to a more run heavy approach; Reno benefited to the tune of 147.0 yards per game and eight touchdowns over that stretch.

WR: Saivion Ware - LeBois Santura University

Once a breakout freshman with Bobby Dials passing the ball, senior Saivion Ware just turned in his finest season as he eclipsed both 1200 yards and 10 touchdowns for the first time. The World Bowl champion has electric speed which Broncos QB Brett Hannah was too eager to take advantage of.

OG: Marwin Finlayson - LeBois Santura University

The Battleship of Quebec, junior Marwin Finlayson has made it to his third Big-8 First Team and, once again, nobody’s surprised. Deceitfully agile and powerful as hell, this big boy is the main reason the LeBois quarterback is one of the least pressured at the position.

2nd team:
WR: Deacon St. John - Alexandria University

World Champion Deacon St. John will likely be furious at the first team snub after going for over 1300 yards and 16 touchdowns, you just know he’ll come back his senior season ready to take it to the next level.

DT:Jair Judge - LeBois Santura University

The Ranorian Terror, Jair Judge had a dominating season as he led the team in sacks. He’s quick and strong at 6’8 280lbs, and the LeBois playoff run will hinge on Jair’s ability to continue this high level of play.

DE: Mack King - LeBois Santura University

The second of the LeBois destroyers to hit the second time, you know the World Bowl winning Mack King will be desperate to show he belongs on the first team once again. The junior edge rusher did look a little off pace in the first half of the season before finishing strong as the bull in a china shop that he is.

DE: Caden Larrazabal -Alexandria University

Senior Caden Larrazabal finally gets his flowers with his first all-team selection and it is well deserved. Just over 300 pounds, Caden moves with surprisingly fluidity that helps him smash through the line.

LB: Tito Bird - LeBois Santura University

A lot of expectations were placed on freshman Tito Bird, the Broncos have been looking for a replacement for Big Red, and the Drawkian looks set to pick up the mantle. He finished top three in the team with total tackles and showed some potential getting into the backfield to drag down the running back or get himself a well worked sack.

S: Heinrik Dessler - LeBois Santura University

Once again Heinrik Dessler finds himself on this list, the junior from Chromatika has developed into a remarkably talented pass coverage safety feared across the conference. 6’4, 210lbs, Heinrik knows how to pair his physical gifts with his innate understanding of the game.

K: Maxx Dye - Alexandria University

Earning his first all Big-8 team nod is junior kicker Maxx Dye from Alexandria University. Maxx showed a lot of power as he regularly hit field goals from 50 yards, but showed some short range accuracy issues that relegated him to the second team.

by **Quebec and Shingoryeo** » Thu Dec 26, 2024 9:54 pm

Part 1: Northlake Fennell - Introduction
Part 2: Northlake Fennell - Allins - D-Two Weeks
Part 3: Bonneville Rocky Top - Introduction

Part 4: Northlake Fennell - Du Mauriers - D-One Week

A full team of sophomore to senior years stood waiting on the practice field. The coaching staff, about a half-dozen deep and mostly older than the actual players, watched the players get ready on a half-hour warm-up exercise. For most part it's a fairly straightforward exercise in checking if the players were in shape and form, mostly because the spring game's not one that the Dragons had done in some time. It took a surprisingly long time for the Northlake Fennell, one of bigger powerhouses in the Saguenay province, to get back to winning the state title, after all, and with the ever-revolving nature of collegiate athletics, the ramp-up to the Silverthorn Classic felt somewhat new to both the players and the coaching staff.

Northlake definitely had plenty of points to centre themselves around. Obviously Leslie Allin, the son of Lester, was oing to be the one. Most had considered Allin, the very same junior who torched the venerated Gyeongbuk Collegiate Gaels with 431 yard, 5 TD performance, to be the focal point of the team. It was hard to ignore Mr. Saguenay Football, after all, and even without considering that he's the coach's son, his talent and poise were hard to ignore. That aside, it was still an all-arounded squad with seven seniors committing to a QIS program, and four juniors other than Allin receiving offers, and among twelve who received the offer eight of them were coming from defence. A relative rarity for high schools across the country but not in Saguenay, it was more than enough to suggest plenty as to where their priorities stood.

The force behind the team's menacing defence, of course, came from their defensive coordinator Claude du Maurier. Maurier had a certain reputation that preceded him long before arrival, both as an all-conference linebacker for the University of Banbh and then linebackers coach for his alma mater, UTJ and then St. Croix, before being hired by Leslie Allin on a rare matter of chance involving an out-of-town educators' conference. As with Allin, he also had a son on the team. Corentin du Maurier, was a senior linebacker who also doubled as a second-string running back behind a more natural sophomore Leo Chamartín. There's no doubt the hyper-athletic linebacker had all the instincts and upsides, but with his limited frame at 6'2", 220 lb, even with his athleticism, has so far meant that he, though all-state linebacker with top 50 placement in ranking, likely heading to safety for his next destination.

This was less than ideal, even for a country that tended to value their safeties lot higher than their equivalents in Quebec and Shingoryeo. Du Maurier rarely spoke about Corentin's recruitment to the public, mostly choosing to focus on the team and other players, and it appeared as if he was being harsher to his son on purpose. This assessment wasn't wrong - his intention was that a clear intention had to be set - but with Corentin heading to Saguenay on the nation's third-ranked class, from a Northlake Fennell program that didn't have a huge tradition of funnelling talent to the Fighting Irish program, it was a moderate surprise to many. They both knew that, at least internally, and tried to make too much out of it even when the public asked and hummed.

It was about half an hour into the exercises, as the players started to feel warm in the outdoors where the light snow were still on the ground and the sky still full of it on the skies. With Coach Allin deciding to wait and watch how the players motivate with a week to go before the national showdown, he drew the whistle and let the players handle.

'PEEP-PEEP!' The whistle rang, as the players stopped and got to the huddled circle. Two whistles, one more than usual from a guy who didn't like spicing too many words, meant that it was time for the huddle. It wasn't going to be Allin taking charge this time though - Allin was bit too soft-spoken at times for that - but Du Maurier got himself ready anyway. 'Gentlemen, I'm sure you and I have been through hell and high water of a year,' said the 53-year old, wearing a military-styled shades and green hoodie while with a cigarette on his mouth. 'But we have made it, bringing back the state title to its deserved home of Northlake. Now, we have one more time to show out, not just for the seniors and the juniors, but for those coming after too.

'Some of you have come from afar - let's be honest, no shame in that - to be seen under the big lights here. It's true, they say the lights do get bigger on some schools. But it's about setting standards for the future. I'd like you all to show out at the Apple Bowl in exactly a week's time, and tell the NMUs and FSUs and Cold Hills this is SAGUENAY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL. You hear me?'

'AYE, AYE, CHIEF.' came a roaring answer from the team faithful.

'Thank you. Now, I will let the defensive captain speak to your calls,' he said, as he stepped back and burned off a cigarette stump.

Now, what came from Corentin was very different, one of fire and fury. 'WE SHALL WIN THIS, YOU HEAR ME?' he jumped into the centre. His brown curls flowing and brown eyes alert, it was all but clear that he wanted it. 'For fifteen of us here, the seniors, this is our last game before we graduate and move on. For some of us we'll keep on playing, but for others this is it. The final game, the final steps, the final huddle.'

The ground was silent, as the players continued to listen. He started moving around the circle. 'Memories can last forever, but you gotta earn that. And where else better is to do it other than the Apple Bowl? Let's go get this win and engrave ourselves into the history books!' He shouted, before starting to draw claps. 'BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!' The team, one after another, started to follow and with claps going faster and faster, it started to resemble a cult chant until their huddle broke off.

by **Drawkland** » Thu Dec 26, 2024 9:59 pm

"The Death Blow"

Another week, another do-or-die game on the docket for Sadeg State University. The win against Alexandria may have been cathartic for Brooklyn and approximately nobody else, but all it amounted to was delaying Sadeg State’s inevitable playoff elimination. That was the prevailing mindset, at least. Brooklyn and part of the Skyhawk roster still believed that they could make a run and sneak into the playoffs via an at-large bid. After all, their remaining schedule was definitely winnable. Roane State were 3-8 and thoroughly out of contention, and though Mar Sara Tech looked dangerous as ever this year, the Skyhawks often found a way to outplay the Raiders when it mattered.

Even so, Brooklyn herself wasn’t too sure that she wanted Sadeg State to make the playoffs at all. Obviously she wanted the team to succeed. It’s not like Brooklyn had ever been part of a juggernaut team, but North Craggold High was often in contention and always playing meaningful games. Part of the reason Brooklyn went to Sadeg State was the fact that their athletic teams were always in the upper echelon of the Drawkian domestic collegiate circuit. She was very competitive, and though she wasn’t unfamiliar with losing, she felt that the motivational edge of playing big games and contending helped fuel her performance. Above all else, Brooklyn wanted Sadeg State to be one of the big dogs throughout her tenure.

When Brooklyn was still in high school, Brand Manlio looked like the perfect coach for that. While Sadeg State had fallen on some more mediocre years, especially in the NSCF, Manlio had shown a pedigree of building competitive rosters and competing at a high level in both DOCA and NSCF. To Brooklyn’s horror, the Skyhawk slump in NSCF play was not an aberration, but merely a harbinger to come with Manlio at the helm. That’s how it felt to her after three seasons of Skyhawk football, at least. The media seemed to agree, with many predicting or requesting Manlio’s firing from his post. Obviously, players need to believe in their coaches and ability to manage the team. The idea of having to deal with the uncertainty and growing pains of a new coaching administration was dreadful, but was it really worse than the idea of two more years under Manlio’s diminishing coaching abilities?

It started to connect back to what Spencer Harrelson had told Brooklyn earlier in the season. It appeared that Manlio was a sinking ship. His credibility was plummeting, his relationship with the AD was strained, and Brooklyn had even severed the trust between QB and HC. It would be a little overkill to say that Manlio had also lost the locker room, but it was getting to that point. Brand Manlio’s tenure at Sadeg State was being held together with scotch tape and toothpicks. If the Skyhawks didn’t pull out a respectable end to the season, it could be over for him.

In her heart, Brooklyn felt like it would be wrong not to help. She was naturally caring for her teammates, and she didn’t want to wish ill on her own coach. But again, would it not be better for the program as a whole if Manlio were fired? She wasn’t sure there was much she could even do to help right the ship, but she could at least try to apologize for her outrageous behavior last month and try to lobby for Manlio among her teammates. Yet if Brooklyn made those moves and things didn’t improve, she’d be essentially tied to him when things went down. Her credibility among her teammates could be shot. Regardless of who ended up coaching next season, Brooklyn had worked her ass off to gain the respect of her teammates, and she wasn’t going to risk losing that for a coach on the way out that probably already despised her. She wasn’t going to do anything to actively harm Manlio’s chances of succeeding, but it felt like careful neutrality was the best idea.

Spencer had said that backstabbing was simply part of the game when you reach the top. Most everyone in those high-end positions are only looking out for themselves, so it would be foolish to not look out for yourself. While pondering these things, it reminded Brooklyn that Spencer would be in town that weekend. She texted him to ask if he was available, but Spencer cryptically responded that “unfortunately” he had plans with other friends. It wasn’t a big deal, it was probably better for Brooklyn to focus on the Roane State game coming up. It was the last home game of the NSCF season, so she wanted to send the fans home on a high note. If they weren’t going to make the playoffs or postseason at all, at least they’d have one solid memory at the end of the season.

So came the week twelve tilt between Sadeg State and Roane State. With both teams combining for 8 wins on the year, it didn’t demand a desirable time slot, so the Skyhawks and Red Pandas did battle at high noon. With the Sonnelian summer sun beating down on the crowd, both teams got to work.

For the first half of the game, Brooklyn was giving the Skyhawk crowd exactly what she was hoping for. A couple impressive touchdown drives, one ending with a Scott Fierro 4-yard run, another ending with a 12-yard pass to Dylan Copperfield. Tack on a field goal by Donald Jensen following a 200-second drive right before halftime, and Sadeg State was holding a 17-0 lead going into halftime. Yes, the Skyhawk defense had done their job to shut out the Red Pandas, as Roane State were simply unable to get their run game rolling at all.

In the second half, though, fortunes turned. Roane State’s offense made the necessary adjustments to get the ball moving. The Sadeg State defense, resting on their laurels, were caught on their heels. On the first drive of the second half, the Red Pandas scored a touchdown off a 28-yard pass from Anthony Thierfelder to Max Ruffner. Sadeg State went three-and-out on their next drive. Then Roane State punted, but not until getting past midfield and stalling just outside of field goal range.

For the remainder of the third quarter and most of the fourth, Sadeg State had multiple opportunities for field goals, but elected to go for it on fourth down, hunting for a killshot. Instead, they repeatedly came away with nothing. On one drive, undone by a holding penalty to call back a touchdown. On another, Jim Pollock dropped a nicely-thrown ball from Brooklyn that would’ve been a first down. Meanwhile, Roane State managed to put together another touchdown drive, this time with their running back Kai McKown punching it in from two yards out. It served as the conclusion to a frustrating 14-play drive that had the Sadeg State defense gassed.

Thankfully, Sadeg State still held a 17-14 lead with seven minutes left on the clock. It was just enough time to drain the game, get a dagger score, and escape without choking away a desperately needed win. Roane State’s defense was well aware that Sadeg State intended to run out the clock, so their defense wisely keyed on the run and put the Skyhawks behind the chains. Twice Sadeg State’s first two downs were runs for minimal gain followed by Brooklyn finding a curl or checkdown on third down to keep the drive going. Naturally, Sadeg State pulled out a play-action pass with a new set of downs near midfield, and Brooklyn hit a wide-open Jason Oberro for a big gain. A few plays later, Sadeg State had the ball goal-to-go.

There was a little too much time left on the clock, but at least the Skyhawks would be putting points on the board to force Roane State to score a touchdown just to stay alive. Unfortunately, all three runs would be stuffed, including Brooklyn’s third-down read option that fell a yard short of the end zone. At that point it was 4th and Goal at the one yard line, with Sadeg State still holding that three-point lead. Roane State called a timeout to save themselves some time for their impending last-minute drive.

“Let’s finish this, coach.” Brooklyn lobbied for herself in the sideline huddle during the timeout. “Roll us out there and I’ll get the touchdown. Game over.”

“No.” Manlio replied gruffly. “We take the points here, force them to score a touchdown rather than being able to settle for a field goal, and put them in panic mode where our defense can shut them down.

“Our defense has been leaky all second half,” Brooklyn protested. She didn’t say it out loud, but she shot a glance at Manlio that clearly asked “don’t you trust me?”

“Hm.” Manlio set his jaw, then eyed his playsheet. “Okay, fine. Here’s the play.”

Brooklyn didn’t feel great about the playcall. She was hoping to sneak across, but the defense was obviously going to be ready for that. Manlio enjoyed a little razzle-dazzle, anyway. This play, a jump pass to a tight end that sneaks past the line of scrimmage after a chip block, would hopefully catch the run-expecting defense unawares.

That was the plan, anyhow. With the crowd trying their best to stay quiet as their offense took the field for a pivotal 4th-and-Goal, disaster struck. Brooklyn got the snap from under center, took two steps back as if to hand off to Fierro for the straight run, but suddenly dug her foot into the ground and hopped up, tossing the ball forward to Oberro in the end zone. Unfortunately, Kenzie Reed III saw Oberro slide behind and pulled back in their coverage just far enough to tip the ball away. Oberro dove and missed the ball fluttering to the turf, where it fell incomplete. Turnover on downs.

It didn’t even matter that Roane State’s offense was now stuck on their own one yard line. Their defense had just saved their asses and kept the game alive. Momentum was swinging back in their favor, and this was their last chance to capitalize. Just over two minutes left, and only needing a field goal to tie.

“Finish this!” Manlio commanded his defense as he sent them out for first down backed up inside the five. He called a run blitz, hoping to catch the Red Pandas in a conservative run and pin them in the backfield for a safety. Instead, Roane State had a pass dialed up. The protection held just long enough for Thierfelder to find an open Daniel Tashtin. The slant route had Tashtin a couple steps ahead of Rolan Carver, and the Red Panda receiver gashed State for over 20 yards before he was brought down. Sadeg State’s defense was caught on their heels, and even with the two minute warning to think things over, things didn’t improve.

Roane State had stolen the momentum. Thierfelder benefitted from some excellent play calls, and suddenly the Red Pandas were nearly in field goal range. Manlio continued calling zone blitzes, which were simply not working. The protection held up just long enough for Thierfelder to find his men. With just 8 seconds left and one timeout right outside of field goal range, the Red Pandas had one play left to get into range for Elijah Salas to tie the game. The snap came, and finally, the pocket was collapsing. Thierfelder was forced to his right to try and keep the play alive, and he ended up unable to hit Max Ruffner for the needed yardage … but Sadeg State defensive lineman Ewan Fernandez seemed a little too frustrated at not getting to the QB in time from the previous plays in the drive. Fernandez slammed into Thierfelder and brought him down about three steps after the ball was released. Right as the Skyhawk crowd started to cheer for what they thought was the dagger incompletion, they saw laundry fly onto the field.

“Roughing the passer, defense, number 93. 15 yard penalty, automatic first down.”

That brought Roane State right in range for Elijah Salas, and despite the rage from the Sadeg State crowd, he nailed the game-tying kick as time expired in regulation. This game was going to overtime, knotted up at 17-all.

Brooklyn was obviously pissed at this point, and her mood didn’t improve when Roane State won the OT coin toss and elected to defend first. That put a lot more pressure on her Skyhawks, and though she was confident in her ability to get a touchdown, it didn’t make that any less annoying. The game should be over. She should already be in the locker room celebrating another week of survival. No matter, it was time to show the Red Pandas who the boss was.

After three plays, Brooklyn was no longer worried. They had the game in the bag. Three straight runs had seen little resistance from the defense. Now the ball was inside the ten yard line, 2nd and 7. Essentially six opportunities at the touchdown? Yeah, that’s easy points for the Skyhawks. Then their second down read option was shut down by a blitz. To make matters worse, the third down passing play seemed dead on arrival. Brooklyn had to dash out of the pocket to avoid a sack, but a spy on the defense kept her from escaping downfield. At the last second, Brooklyn found Rolo Fishman’s checkdown near the sideline. Fishman hauled in the pass and zipped downfield, but he was pushed out of bounds a couple yards short of the line to gain.

It was 4th and 2 from the 4 yard line. After the previous play was whistled dead, Brooklyn returned to the center of the field, expecting to huddle for the fourth down attempt. Instead, she saw the field goal unit coming onto the field as she looked to the sideline. Reluctantly, Brooklyn returned to the sideline, but anger coiled in her stomach the closer she got to Manlio. Against her better judgement, she said something.

“Why are we kicking? We need this touchdown!” Brooklyn protested. “I’d get those two yards and probably the whole touchdow-”

“Sit the fuck down!” Manlio yelled back. He didn’t care that half the team heard the outburst. “You’re gonna come out of the game when I fucking tell you to. If we’d sent out Jensen 20 minutes ago we wouldn’t be in this goddamn mess to begin with!”

Brooklyn couldn’t argue the logic at the time, but it still pissed her off. This whole game sucked. None of this should be happening, yet when she looked up at the scoreboard, reality confirmed itself. 20-17 Sadeg State, overtime, now handing the ball back to Roane State.

Now it was Roane State’s turn to respond. No points would be game over for them, a field goal was second overtime, a touchdown put them ahead for good. The first two plays were seemingly innocuous, a first down run stuffed for just a yard, and an incomplete pass. Then came the play that would probably define that entire NSCF season for Sadeg State.

Third and long, a conversion would be nice but it wasn’t game over if they had to settle for 3 points. Anthony Thierfelder decided to take a chance, and he chucked the ball to the end zone. Max Ruffner was there with Gabe Benson … and the pair got tangled up as the ball sailed past them. Unfortunately for the Skyhawks, the referee saw Benson tugging a bit too hard at Ruffner’s uniform as the ball came in. There was yellow on the field again.

“Pass interference, defense-” The head referee’s voice was drowned out by the overpowering chorus of boos in Skyhawks Gridiron Park. Gabe Benson pleaded in front of the ref, trying to explain that the contact was mutual, it should at least be offsetting penalties, but it fell on deaf ears.

“That’s fucking horseshit!” Brand Manlio roared from the edge of the field as his assistant coaches desperately tried to corral him back onto the sideline. “That’s horseshit and you know it, Jerry!” They were the cries of a prey animal who knew that a predator was closing in.

Two plays later, senior Andy Verco punched in the touchdown on a fullback handoff right up the gut. Rather than falling into a stunned silence, the Sadeg State crowd merely increased their cacophony of boos, jeers, and outrage. Was it at the refs? The Red Pandas? Manlio? Brooklyn? Probably all of the above. Sadeg State had somehow given up 17 unanswered points to go from an easy win to overtime, then found a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

If Brooklyn was furious, she didn’t show it. Unlike the outburst against Cavsar, she gathered her things calmly and went straight to the locker room after minimal formalities with the ecstatic Roane State players. For better or worse, the future was clear in Sadeg. Brand Manlio was done for.

by **Dhemixia** » Thu Dec 26, 2024 10:02 pm

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The Columbus Dominion(Est.1873)

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How to (potentially) miss the playoffs at 8-2

Craig Kelly, also known as the "Possession Philanthropist", has officially mastered the dark arts of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. He has somehow done his job (that is, to say, lose games for UCP) so good that the Jays have lost 3 in a row, and all of their composure is gone. First, losing what appeared to be a free win in the Mineral Championship Game against sleeping giant Niakursk, having to then play at the most hostile environment in all of NSCF in Raynor and getting blown out of the water, before losing at home by one score to some washed-up rejects from whatever they call "Ranoria" for the second season in a row doesn't exactly sound like a recipe for success. You'd think, depending on the outcome of the upcoming game against rivals BYU, that they'd fire him, right? Wrong. Somehow, because of how Craig Kelly counts as faculty of Columbus-Prairie, he has tenure. Could he be fired for "incompetence" or "gross negligence (of the football program)"? Technically, yes, but with the absolute boatloads of money the university's been paying him, combined with the fact that he is a D1 bag securer, he will get out the big guns and find expensive lawyers to fight that.

In a game that everyone in Dhemixia would appreciate to forget, the Jays, somehow and some way, got out-air-raided in front of their home fans. Literally refusing to use his runningback outside of the redzone, it feels impossible that this could happen to someone like Craig Kelly, but incompetence finds a way. Jerry Atkinson immediately found his partner in crime Kabe Heaton for his 24th touchdown of the season, alongside Alex Reynolds reliably punching one in, but that's about it. After leading 16-7 at one point, Craig Kelly bumbled his way into losing the lead, and eventually, on the last play of the game, Jerry Atkinson dialed up the first pick-six of his career on a last-ditch hail mary.

To actually miss the playoffs at 8-2, the Jays would need to lose to their rivals BYU, but with them not being the best this season, there's no way right? Spoiler alert, there is almost certainly a way for them to lose, especially with Craig Kelly of all people at the helm, so we'll just have to hold on and see if Craig Kelly fails again in COMICAL fashion.

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 L 19-26
Week 13: @ BYU (SPIT Bowl)

by **NSCF** » Thu Dec 26, 2024 10:08 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 Three (MD13)

Alexandria University (CAD) 45–3 Northern Moravica University (BNJ)

Staramara Tech University (CMT) 33–23 Université du Saguenay (QUE)

Cavsar University (DRK) 48–10 Green City University (TJU)

Cold Hill University (RAN) 33–25 Université St. Croix (QUE)

Islamic University of Busoga (BUS) 54–16 Uniwersytet Nowa Kalanianska (UNC)

Lithrelir University (GEX) 30–50 Université nationale de Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer (UNC)

Mar Sara Tech (VAL) 10–6 Sadeg State University (DRK)

Osenku University (NKK) 3–56 Mantabolo Tech (USN)

Roane State University (KNP) 38–21 Steicesve Strava (SCH)

University of Loyola-Istria (BNJ) 30–3 Richardson University (RAN)

Raynor University (VAL) 30–32 Felswyr State University (CMT)

Bingham Young University (UTA) 24–52 University of Columbus-Prairie (DHE)

by **NSCF** » Thu Dec 26, 2024 10:56 pm

The regular season is over! Congrats to the five conference champs. Those schools have qualified automatically for the NSCF 32 Playoffs:

Big 8: LeBois Santura University (CAD)
Celestia: Islamic University of Busoga (BUS)
Horizon: Staramara Tech University (CMT)
Mineral: Niakursk University (IMP)
Zephyr: Raynor University (VAL)

The RTC points (current version, that is proposed by SNL) proposal, which was run in a long-term effort to replace the OSPI, will take an effect for this cycle as well.

As for the other seven places, four will be allotted to the teams with the highest remaining RTCs. As per the seeding spreadsheet, these are:

Big 8: Cold Hill University (RAN)
Horizon: Felswyr State University (CMT)
Mineral: University of Columbus-Prairie (DHE)
Zephyr: Mar Sara Tech (VAL)

The remaining three Playoff spots will be voted on at-large by the NSCF Committee. I will telegram NSCF Committee members to ask for their nominations. The final 12-team Playoff field should be finalised by 11:59 p.m. EDT this Sunday (Toronto-New York Time).

The match-ups for bowl games will also be announced then. Ultimately, this will give everyone three days to RP before the postseason begins on the 2nd of January. Good luck to all competing schools.

For this cycle, the list of active members are: Anthor, Banija/Busoga Islands, Cardenao, Chromatika, Dhemixia, Drawkland, Natanians and Nosts, Nova Calania, Quebec and Shingoryeo, Ranoria, South Americanastan, TJUN-ia, Utahn Theocratic Republic, Valanora

by **New Umoja** » Sat Dec 28, 2024 10:08 am

End of season full stats (edit -- updated after Pioneer Bowl):

Passing, Rushing & Receiving

Defense

Kick & Punt Returns

Kicking & Punting

End of season honors:

Big Eight Most Promising Player:
Sai’f Collins (STAR)

1st Team All-Big Eight:
Rashaun Holloway-James (WR)
Björn Falkenrath (OT)
Tāne Maleko (OG)
Jaidon Blackwell Jr. (LB)
Tariq Abdullah (CB)
Kareem X (S)

2nd Team All-Big Eight:
Anwar Kumalo (DT)

Pioneer Bowl MVP:
Thabiso Mthembu (S)

by **Ranoria** » Sun Dec 29, 2024 7:49 pm

This is a collaborative effort between Cardenao, Utahn Theocratic Republics, Ranoria, and New Umoja. Thank you for reading a please grade accordingly.

Presenting - The Class of the Big 8
NSCF 32 All-Big 8 Team

Defense:

1st team:

DT:Jair Judge - LeBois Santura University
DT: Philbert Aitken - Cold Hill University
DE: Mack King - LeBois Santura University
DE: Caden Larrazabal -Alexandria University
LB: Jaidon Blackwell Jr. - Mantabalo Tec
LB: Tito Bird - LeBois Santura University
CB: Landon Rayne - Richardson University
CB: Tariq Abdullah -Mantabalo Tech
S: Heinrik Dessler - LeBois Santura University
S: Kareem X - Mantabalo Tech

2nd team:

DT: Anwar Kumalo - Mantabalo Tech
DT: Elias Olden - LeBois Santura University
DE: Terrance Savage -Richardson University
DE: Erik Kessler - Cold Hill University
LB: Lyn Dairon - Richardson University
LB: Rashad Nijman - Alexandria University
CB: Vilde Lauritzen - Richardson University
CB: Aydin Gomall - Bingham Young University
S: Cheeto Masarati - LeBois Santura University
S: Jerome Peavey - Alexandria University

Special Teams:
1st team:

K: Maxx Dye - Alexandria University
P: Abner Tille - Cold Hill University

2nd Team:

K: Rio Bocan - Cold Hill University
P: Errol Rodriguez - Alexandria University

Individual Awards:
Most Promising Player: STAR Sai’f Collins - Mantabalo Tech

OPOY: Running Back Reno Thai - LeBois Santura University

DPOY: Defensive End Mack King - LeBois Santura University

Big 8 MVP: Quarterback Brett Hannah - Lebois Santura University Broncos

by **NSCF** » Sun Dec 29, 2024 10:00 pm

The results for NSCF Committee voting is here. It was very close, but the votes for the three playoff spots are as follows:

NSCF 30 PLAYOFFS - First Round

For the first round, Alexandria-NMU and Richardson-IUB will be scorinated will be scorinated by Chromatika, while the STU-UCP and FSU-Niakursk will be scorinated by Quebec and Shingoryeo.

Top Half
_#9Alexandria University (CAD) @ Northern Moravica University (BNJ) _#8
Winner plays #1 Raynor University (VAL)
_#12Staramara Tech (CMT) @ University of Columbus-Prairie (DHE)_#5
Winner plays #4 Mar Sara Tech (VAL)

Bottom Half
_#10Richardson University (RAN)@ Islamic University of Busoga (BUS)_#7
Winner plays #2 Cold Hill University (RAN)
_#11Niakursk University (IMP)@ Felswyr State University (CMT)_#6
Winner plays #3 LeBois Santura University (CAD)

by **NSCF** » Sun Dec 29, 2024 10:12 pm

Bowl Games

For this NSCF, I have received eight bowl games. Seven are approved, which covered all bowl-eligible teams.

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

The Cannabiscorp Pioneer Bowl
(TMN) University of Raukieff vs. St. Paulus College (ROT)
Best newcomer teams not in Playoffs
Iqaluit Stadium, Iqaluit, Quebec and Shingoryeo

The Drawk Bowl
(CAD) Alexandria University vs. High City College (SPL)
Top non-playoff team from Celestia Conference vs. Top non-playoff team from Zephyr Conference.
Corps University Hub, Drawk City, Drawkland

The Karmin-Falce Bowl
(DRK) Sadeg State University vs. University of Mancodas (PFA)
Highest points scored vs. Highest point difference.
Karmin Falce Superdome, Ranoria City, Ranoria

The Mugisha III Memorial Bowl
(DRK) Staramara Tech University vs. Islamic University of Busoga (BUS)
Top non-playoff team from Horizon Conference vs. Top non-playoff team from Celestia Conference.
Stadium of Restoration, Busukuma, Banija

The Mihaly Invitational Bowl
(UNC) UUniversité nationale de Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer vs. Trent State University (TJU)
Top non-playoff team from Anaia region vs. At-Large.
The Blue Bowl, LeBois, Cardenao

The Valhalla Bowl
(PFA) Maximus Rochester Institute vs. Lithrelir University (GEX)
Best remaining Zephyr team vs. Best remaining Horizon team.
Vahalla Falls, Raynor City, Valanora

The Shiheda Electronics Arrosia Bowl
(UTA) Bingham Young University vs. Université du Saguenay (QUE)
Best remaining Arrosian team vs. At-Large
Peak Field at Legion Tower, Corporate City 1, Sea Peoples League

by **New Umoja** » Wed Jan 01, 2025 4:51 am

by **Banija** » Thu Jan 02, 2025 3:52 pm

NMU HC Hannah McKendry, talking to her husband and assistant coach, Sebastian Kabuye, as well as her Father-In-Law, Lance Kabuye,

"Man, yesterday was fucking rough." Sebastian Kabuye told his wife and boss, Hannah McKendry. "45 to 3, my heavens... It's rare we are on the receiving end of shellackings that are that bad." Sebastian, of course, was the Quarterbacks Coach.

"I try not to think about it." Hannah McKendry said. "Besides, today's supposed to be a happy day- we're going to make the playoffs for the first time since NSCF 29. Yesterday was brutal, but it doesn't effect the long-term trajectory of this program. We're taking steps forward- last year, back to .500. This year, back to the NSCF Playoffs. And next year..." Her voice trailed off in the quiet conversation between husband and wife.

"Well, hey- we are here this year." Sebastian told the head coach. "We're the highest ranked non-AQ, sitting in the 8 seed- so we're probably gonna start at home. No better time than the present to go on a run, right?" And then, Lance Kabuye walked up. A larger-than-life figure at Northern Moravica University, universally beloved at the university for a succession 12 season tenure at NMU, from NSCF 19 to NSCF 30. A run ended because of an unfortunate cancer diagnosis, he brought NMU their first, and to date their only, NSCF title, won way back in his first season, in NSCF 19. He went to three other NSCF Championship Games, including a miraculous run in NSCF 25, where as the last team into the playoffs, they won three straight away games to reach the NSCF 25 Final. (ANd all NMU fans try to forget what happened at the end of that).

Lance Kabuye, of course, was also Sebastian Kabuye's father- which made him Hannah McKendry's Father-In-Law. These Banijan college sports programs had a tendency to turn into family affairs, and that was true at both NMU and Loyola. Of course, not egregious family affairs- Hannah McKendry is an experienced HC in Quebec, with many successful years in both domestic sport, and the NSCF, at USC. But it was a tight family- and the "First Family" Of Northern Moravica Athletics.

The three exchanged pleasantries, before Lance started speaking. "Congrats Hannah- about to be back in the Playoffs. Where NMU belongs. And the best part? The NSCF isn't likely to debase itself by allowing the stench of Loyola-Istria anywhere near the Playoffs. I'm sure Dennis is having a great time..."

"Well, my mind's focused on how we beat Alexandria." Coach McKendry replied. "Our likely opponent in the next round, just smoked us by 42? A lot is going to have to change..."

Just then, the Selection Show started. Matong Sports held the rights in Banija- and they were going through, announcing all the teams.

... "And, as expected, the NSCF Committee voted in the top 3 ranked non-AQs into the Playoffs- a move that many expected." Simon Kobongo, a Banijan TV reporter, was speaking. "That means Northern Moravica will be the first Banijan school to compete in the NSCF Playoffs since NSCF 29- a two season drought that was previously thought unthinkable. But despite their complete and total capitulation in Cardenao last night, Coach McKendry has done a tremendous job- inherited a three win team, took them to .500, and now, is hosting a playoff game. Which means, of course, their opponent at Mugisha II Memorial Stadium will be a rematch of last night's game- the high-flying Alexandria Swordsmen, led by familiar face- Alanso Isa." At the mention of the former Loyola head coach's name, the room booed, and then Hannah McKendry turned off the TV, and jumped to the front of the room.

"GENTLEMEN!" She boomed. "Northern Moravica is BACK!- WE are in the playoffs, and have confirmed ourselves as a top 8 team in this competition!" The room cheered. Filled with players, their families, girlfriends, and wives, and even a few kids bouncing around- it was a packed house. "Second chances don't often come in life, and even less so in football- but the football Gods have given us a chance at second life! This sport is all about learning, and all about improving. We've done it across the season- remember how we started, and remember how we finished- besides last night. We outlasted The Islamic University in a rematch, if we all remember. And we are going to do the same thing next week."

"We all know how good they are! This week has to be one of focus, and drive- for the Swordsmen are going for the kill shot again. Does anyone want to let Alanso fucking Isa waltz into this stadium, and walk out with a playoff win? At our house??"

The room boomed NO! back at her, with Lance Kabuye's old voice probably the loudest.

"Good! Everything's going to change. Offensive gameplan, defensive gameplan- nothing worked last week, and we didn't get you ready. But remember that feeling from last night. Don't let that turn you despondent. Channel it into anger. Controlled fury. The thought of one more Swordsmen player doing a touchdown dance makes me sick."

"Enjoy the party, and rest up. Be ready tomorrow bright and early- it's beat AU week, and we are going to outwork, outhustle, and outphysical them- physically dominate the game from beginning to end. Go get 'em!" The room cheered, and people returned to their food. Hannah McKendry then started talking to some of the parents, particularly the ones who had flown from abroad. Leave it all on the line in the Playoffs.."

NMU QB Wade Hurley, sitting alone in his dorm room after his last final exam, two days before NMU v. AU

Wade Hurley might be the most controversial quarterback in NMU history. There was nobody really quite like him- a school not known for the superstar QB, making a big swing in recruiting to get one with Wade Hurley. And... mostly, missing. Most would agree that he hadn't quite lived up to his 5 star billing from when he stepped on campus. He had shown up about as raw as they come, with massive amounts of talent oozing from the player- but, of course, lacking the consistency. A flying start as a freshman followed him coming back down to Earth, radically quickly, and just being a one man series of highlights, and lowlights, en route to a rough four years at Northern Moravica.

But now, here he was- at the end of the line. The senior year wasn't exactly what he thought it would be when he stepped on campus four years ago. Hell, he thought back then that he'd go pro after 3 years, after lighting up the skies for the Big Red. The future was a dark and scary place- there was no GFLB and RFL war over him, and he'd have to enter one of those drafts unheralded, likely going in the 6th or 7th rounds of either of those drafts- if he was drafted at all. The future was a scary place, and frankly, he'd be fortunate to be a long-term career backup in either of those leagues. So this, what was about to happen- it was going to be the absolute pinnacle not only of his CFB career, but probably his own football career in general.

Many would let the gravity of the moment, that last realization, hang over their heads like a stormcloud- menace over them until it was over. And for Wade, it was a legitimate question. His home and away splits had grown to stunning levels- actually largely looking like a decent QB at home with accuracy issues, and many times away from home, looking like the worst starting QB in the entire competition. See NMU losing 45-3 in the final game of the regular season, just last weekend- and yet, here he was, against Alexandria U once again, a chance to get a playoff win for Northern Moravica, and get them into the Final 8 of the competition.

Easier said than done. But Wade was trying to lock in. Not think of the gravity of the moment- this could be his final game as a college football player. Considering his pro prospects, this could be the very last time that he was a headline player for his gridiron team for the rest of his life. So he got up to go and read into the gameplan again- there was no way that he could lose his final home game as Northern Moravica's starter. The road would not- no, could not- end here.

Dr. Tumusiime, a Banijan scientist and Triceratops Handler, morning of the NMU Playoff game, with his wife

Dr. Tumusiime was not somebody who particularly enjoyed sports- pretty rare for a Banijan, especially for a Banijan male. No, he was through and through an animal guy- dedicating himself fully to the study of flora, and other zoology related things, throughout his college years. He was at the University of Moravica when they won a NSCAA Championship in men's hoops- and, true to form, he might have been the only student on campus not to celebrate the title. Nope- he was working on a paper, that was due the next day. And was one of those people who was annoyed that there was no classes the next day, so that the team, and the school, could celebrate- he knew that there would be too much chaos on campus. And when there was a victory parade the following Saturday in Slobochia, he had to be the only person who was leaving town, rather than coming in- while alumni and fans from all over came into the city, he knew it would distract from his focus, and he drove about an hour out, so he could get work done.

So to say he knew very little about sport, was an understatement. To say he paid almost no attention to sport, was probably the most charitable thing he could say. He always laughed when his friends, or co-workers, made fun of him for paying no attention. Currently, he worked a job at the Herzegovina City Zoo- one of two straight up zoos in Banija to have a captive triceratops population. Banijan law was very stringent and specific when it came to Banija's rarest animal, generally requiring the triceratops to go out and live in the wild, or on safaris. The Herzegovina City Zoo, as Banija's oldest, had a small group of triceratops living there, and was the only public zoo that had them. The Royal Zoo, generally not open to the public, also had some triceratops- and of course, nobody really tells Royals what they can or can't do. Especially the Katendes.

He was the zoologist in charge of the Triceratops. And so, on Tuesday, when they had their weekly team meeting, he was surprised at how the meeting went.

... "Well, onto the final item on our agenda. As we all know, there's a NMU playoff game happening on Saturday." Dr. Tumusiime's boss said.

"There's a football game on Saturday? Is it here?" Dr. Tumusiime replied. His co-workers all rolled their eyes before one replied, yes, NMU had a home game against Alexandria U- a Cardenao school.

"Yes, it's here. And as we all know, the triceratops is a symbol of cooperation and friendship between Cardenao and Banija. It is a bond that unites us- Banija has many allies. Each unique in their own way. And Cardenao- the only country, to date, which Banija has shared its triceratops population. Naturally, when we are competing in sport, something needs to be made of that." Dr. Tumusiime simply continued to listen to his boss speak.

"Dr. Tumusiime- we want to bring one to the game on Saturday. Is the male ready?"

Dr. Tumusiime was thrown for a loop- he wasn't ready for that question. "Well... I think he would be, yes. In a cage, naturally- you don't want to let these things get a head of steam. But they can handle the crowds quite well, and they can handle the lights. Probably won't keep him around for an entire football game though, right? Wheel him out of there after the first quarter or something."

"Fantastic work, Dr. Tumusiime." His boss said. "Now, there's another request from the NMU Athletic Department."

"Go Golden Bears!" Dr. Tumusiime interjected, laughing. He may not know much about sport- but he knew that his alma mater, the University of Moravica, always hated on NMU. But being in Herzegovina City, pretty much 85% of this meeting was NMU grads- a guy who was a Loyola grad laughed, but the rest of the room basically gave him a death stare. He stopped laughing.

"ANYWAYS." His boss said. "There's another request. They want to have Horace Horton ride on the triceratops for an entrance. Is that possible, Doctor?"

"What?" Dr. Tumusiime said. "Who's Borace Lorton?"

"His name is HORACE." His boss said.

"You've never heard of Horace Horton?" "Bro, what kind of a rock do you live under?" "Brah, he's on a billboard on the M-1 Freeway, how have you not heard of him?" People across the room ripping on him for not knowin who Horace Horton is.

"Uhhh... Well, he can't ride the triceratops. National law regarding this zoo wouldn't allow for that, you see. Plus.. The liability issues." Dr. Tumusiime. "What if something went wrong? We'd have to take him out of his cage."

"Horton would sign a waiver for sure." The Boss said.

"Sorry boss, no can do." Dr. Tumusiime said. "But I'll prep for Saturday."

And so now here he was, on Saturday, talking to his wife before leaving for work. "Baby, of course, this gig comes with tickets- I've left yours on the coffee table. For you and your Dad." Despite him not liking sports, his wife was sports-mad- and she was a U of M grad as well, alongside being a NMU hater.

"Babe, I can't believe you're wearing that horrific shirt." She replied to him. He was wearing a red NMU polo- issued one for this event, since he'd be working on behalf of the University for a day.

"Eh, it's just a shirt- who cares?" Dr. Tumusiime relied. "Plus, you get playoff tickets, right? Exciting..."

"Yeah, I'm gonna scalp an Alexandria U shirt if I can find one- I would rather die than put on that NMU red."

"Sports fans, so intense." Dr. Tumusiime said. "Isn't that strong?"

"You just don't get it... Go on babe, enjoy the day!" She kissed her husband, and Dr. Tumusiime was about to be off. He started to leave, and then paused and turned on a dime.

"Wait babe- the other day, they asked me if Lorace Porton could ride the triceratops. Do you know who that is?"

"Did you say Lorace Porton?!?!" She was almost aggravated. "His name is Horace Horton babe- please don't tell me you asked who that was?"

"Ohh yeah.. Horace! And I did..."

"So embarrassing babe. But hey- love you! Go get 'em!" And just like that, Dr. Tumusiime left, hitting the road. Big things awaited him

by **Ranoria** » Thu Jan 02, 2025 4:52 pm

A New Tradition for the Buffalo - Introducing Fluffalo

Fluffalo the Buffalo is part of a small herd recently introduced to Cold Hill City Zoo

Cold Hill's first playoff game in NSCF 32 will introduce everybody to a new friend - Fluffalo the Buffalo.

Chris Dale showed plenty of enthusiasm when asked about it at his post recent press conference. "It recently came to my attention that some of our fellow competitors, namely those in Banija, misunderstood our mascot. They believed that "Buffalo" refers to their native water buffalo. Well, that's wrong, and when I started poking around looking at the idea of having a native buffalo on the sideline to dispel that idea, I came across an article outlining the newest addition to our local zoo. Worked out perfectly!"

Fluffalo is an older bull, with probably about two years of working prime in him. But he's well trained, friendly, and reliable. His son and successor, Fluffalo II, is a bit too young and ornery to take the role right now, but should be ready by the time his old man hangs up his...horns. No that sounds grim. Cleats, I guess, even though he won't wear those.

According to the senior management at Cold Hill City Zoo, they've worked out an agreement with Elephant Valley University to potentially retire older members of the herd to South Newlandia if they don't quite like the zoo life anymore. As is, Fluffalo will be on the sideline for Cold Hill's game against the winner of Richardson University and the Islamic University of Busoga.

Introducing The Top Three: Ranoria's Top Recruits

Name: Cassius North - **VERBALLY COMITTED TO RICHARDSON UNIVERSITY**
National Rank: 1
Position: Middle Linebacker
High School: Berlin Northern Catholic
Traits: Fast, enforcer, playmaker
Size: 6'1", 225 lb
Handedness: R

Here's a fun one - North has clocked sub 4.4 forty times at multiple scouting camps and has the game speed to back it up. Absolute physical dominance, he's been the fastest player on the field in any game that our sources at RSNN have had the pleasure of watching, and has multiple instances of baiting quarterbacks into interceptions and zipping right through unawares high school linemen to blow the whole damn play up.

His Crusaders defense - when factoring in defensive scores - allowed -1.1 points per game during his senior year. While he's verbally committed to Richardson, he has yet to actually sign his letter of intent, and last time a top prospect did that, Akhello Volson went on to dominate for the Blue Thunder. It'd take one hell of a program to sway him, but a flip isn't off the table.

Name: Manny Lopes
National Rank: 2
Position: Defensive End
High School: Ranoria City Cathedral
Traits: Energetic, fit, flashy
Size: 6'5", 245 lb
Handedness: R

The top program in the country delivers yet another elite edge rushing prospect out of Ranoria. Lopes isn't shy about being exactly who he is, a physical freak with a bottomless gas tank. Somehow, at seventeen years old, he's two hundred forty five pounds and sports a six pack. Lopes lead the defense of a Ranoria City Cathedral squad that hasn't lost a game in years. With a coaching staff dedicated not just to winning, but instilling collegiate-level technique in their elite talent, Lopes looks to continue his dominant form at the next level as an incredible hybrid between elite burst, great speed, and bullish power.

Lopes is used to winning and winning big - he wants to go to a team with established presence and consistent playoff contention.

Name: Paul Linares **COMMITED TO COLD HILL UNIVERSITY**
National Rank: 3
Position: Quarterback
High School: Ranoria City Cathedral
Traits: Unflappable, Smooth, Aggressive
Size: 6'6", 225 lb
Handedness: R

Another elite product out of the nation's top program this season, Ranoria is slowly starting to legitimately pump out elite quarterback talent on a regular basis. The young man was the center of a heated recruiting battle between Cold Hill and Ranoria State, but after the Wolfhounds' mediocre showing in NSCF 31, he made his choice as a junior and will be suiting up for the Buffalo under Chris Dale. With quarterback Dante Flowers widely projected to declare for the draft following NSCF 31, it gives him a year to learn the ropes and two seasons to dominate. Linares has the look of a dominant pocket passer with a cannon for an arm, breaking a couple school records in his senior season.

Name: Chad Sills
National Rank: 4
Position: Running Back
High School: Ranoria City Central High School
Traits: Fast, Violent, Durable
Size: 6'2", 236 lb
Handedness: R

An enigma of size and speed, Chad Sills has been getting recruitment offers since prior to getting into high school. With a legit 4.4 flat top end, once he gets going, it's pretty much impossible to bring him down. His acceleration is good, and he thrived in a high volume offense, recording 35+ touches in 21 straight games to close out his career. Receiving leaves a lot to be desired, his hands aren't great and while he can pretty reliably grab the ball, it's not often he can break it off for a big run with the concentration it requires of him.

There's not many offenses Sills won't thrive in - even your air raid squad could use a dynamic rushing threat. Sills wants the ball early and often in his career.

Name: Estaban Feliciano
National Rank: 5
Position: Wide Receiver
High School: Dawnport High School
Traits: Physical, Balanced, Sure Handed
Size: 6'5", 210 lb
Handedness: R

Another freakshow, Estaban Feliciano's everything you could ask for physically as a wide receiver. His route tree's a bit lacking - it happens when your high school offense basically consists of chucking it to you on deep go, corner, and post routes for a few seasons - but when you're that good at it, who cares?

His long strides and quick feet make him a matchup nightmare, let alone his obvious size. Feliciano's caught a ton of balls in his career, and digging into his film study won't show you any drops over the past couple seasons at least. He rarely had to contend hard for a pass on the field, but his basketball background shows plenty of rebounds on the highlight reel as well.

Overall, not much else you can ask for out of a wideout on the field. The only concerns will be developing a strong route tree if the offense requires it, and the sticking point - NIL. Feliciano wants to show up on campus and be an instant star with compensation to match. Anyone willing to pony up?

Quick Hitter:
- Richardson has fired offensive coordinator John Glassner in a bold move following their 30-3 loss to Loyola-Istria in the Rebel's Cannon Bowl. Kasen Harrowitz has assured a replacement is already in place, but has been mum on just who that is.

by **Cardenao** » Thu Jan 02, 2025 7:08 pm

Missy LeCrown: “….and that man is Brett Hannah! Brett, welcome to the program and, first of all, congratulations on picking up the Big-8 MVP award! You’re the second Cardenaoan to ever win this prestigious honor, following in Bobby Dials’ footsteps. How does it feel to be recognized with this award, especially given the challenging road to get here?”

Brett Hannah: “Well Missy…it feels crazy, surreal to be honest. Man, this time last year I was just fighting for my place on the field, trying to make the most of my quarter of play, here I am now as a back-to-back champ and the Big-8 MVP. This award ain’t just about me though, it belongs to my teammates and my coaches, to everyone that adapted to my game and helped me adapt to theirs, that’s how we got it done this season. Bobby Dials is a legend of the game so to be mentioned in the same breath as him…man this is crazy, an honor I’ll never forget!”

Missy LeCrown: “Let’s talk for a second about NSCF 31 for Brett Hannah. Last season you became part of a never before seen quarterback rotation where you and a pair of freshman alternated quarters. What were your thoughts when you were relegated to this rotation, and how did you turn it all around?”

Brett Hannah: “It was tough…I mean it was brutal. Being the reason why the team, my teammates, weren’t succeeding to the max, that hurt. Knowing people on campus were angry at me, knowing people watching across the multiverse were laughing at me, it was probably the hardest time of my life to be honest, it was my hell. I used to stay up late in the gym or in the practice field wondering why, why this was happening and how I could get back in control. So I leaned on my crew, my family and my friends, I put in extra reps with my teammates after practice, and I visited a sports psychologist. She taught some techniques to keep myself calm, at my baseline and ready to perform to the max. I worked hard, Missy, on myself, on my game, on my team. It was tougher, but I’m even tougher for it and that just makes me great fun for the whole ordeal.”

Missy LeCrown: “For the first time in program history, LeBois has won back-to-back titles. What does this accomplishment mean to you and the rest of the boys?”

Brett Hannah: “It means everything to us, Missy, everything. We’re the Broncos baby, this program is built on hard work and running it as hard as we can no matter the opponent, and to turn that into this piece of history? Shitfire, that’s crazy. The first one was pretty damn good, but the second one was incredible. It meant that first one wasn’t a fluke, it meant we’re legit, even if we lost some of the boys to the pros. We have the same vision, Coach got us running the same scheme, we’re all bought in and look at what we can do with all that.”

Missy LeCrown: “With the playoffs right around the corner, the Broncos are considered a contender for the championship and have a first round bye. How are you dealing with expectations to lead this team to victory and perhaps a first ever NSCF championship?”

Brett Hannah: “We love it. Expectations means people are watching and people think you’re good, that’s exciting stuff and you gotta embrace it. We’re taking it one day at a time, staying steady, staying disciplined because we know we gotta earn our keep, nothing given to you in this game. We know we can play at the highest level, everyone knows that. Now we gotta prove it on the biggest stage.”

Missy LeCrown: “In a similar vein, what’s next for you, Brett? Any personal goals or things you’re hoping to accomplish in the postseason?”

Brett Hannah: “Win, name…win. That’s it, Missy, all there is to it. It’s about the team and making a run at the championship, it’s about winning. I don’t care about my stats or awards or any of that noise. It’s time to win and that’s all I’m thinking about, that’s what being a quarterback is about.”

Missy LeCrown: “One last question for you, Brett. The Broncos have a lot of fans back home in Cardenao who’ve been supporting you and this team during this journey, what’s your message to them?”

Brett Hannah: “(Looks directly into camera) Hey Bronco fans home in Cardenao and worldwide, thank you all from the bottom of my heart. This MVP award, both championships—we’re sharing these moments together. Y’all helped me get back in my feet last season, well this year I’m hoping to pay it back in full. You’re all out there on the field with us, we feel it, so keep the faith in us because we ain’t done yet. Now let’s get out there and get after it, we got a championship to win. And ay, Missy, LeBois fans—It’s Broncos country…. Let’s RIDE!!!”

Missy LeCrown: “Inspirational, simply inspirational words from Brett before the BSU rallying cry made popular by Bobby Dials. Good luck to the LeBois, good luck to you Brett, and let’s go Broncos!!”

………

ZZZZPP.

‘Can you believe this shit?’

Nick Singer slammed the remote onto the table, the Ranorian clenching his jaw hard enough to make his teeth hurt as the screen mercifully went black.

Brett Hannah Crowned Big-8 MVP

That headline was burned into his mind, even with his eyes open it seemed to linger like a screen left too bright for too long. He paced the ever shrinking Alexandria University locker room, his frustration palpable, cooking the air around him.

“They changed the fucking votes,” the star QB muttered, his voice shaking in sync with his hands, the anger, the disbelief…the sheer indignation was too much. “I was supposed to be the MVP, I was the MVP. Everyone knew it, everybody fucking knew it. HOW CAN THEY DO THIS???”

He was pissed to all hell, more angry than he could ever remember as he felt the unquenchable need to punch a hole through the wall, to smash one of the hundred e-pads they reviewed film on, the need to transmit his mental rage into physical destruction. All of those leaks he’d received…all of those leaks. The reporters, analysts, shit even Coach Isa had patted him on the back as they had all confirmed it. Straight from the secretive Discourse of the Big-8 Committee, NSCF 32 Big-8 MVP: Nick Singer, QB, Senior Alexandria University.

This was exactly what the Swordsmen needed to take into the first round of the playoffs. Between AU getting their first ever Big-8 MVP and their 45-3 drubbing of North Moravica University, that’s the sort of wave you want to be riding. But it wasn’t meant to be as the fucking committee decided to shit on the voters by changing the MVP winner to Brett Hannah. Back-to-back Big-8 titles for those Bronco Bitches was apparently too good of a story to go unrewarded. Even though Nick threw for more yards. Even though Nick threw for more interceptions. Sure, Nick threw more interceptions ‘but that’s because I’m the better QB,’ he thought to himself. ‘I push the tempo, I sling the ball like a pro, interceptions are always going to come with positive play.’

Fucking Brett Hannah didn’t deserve it, the Ranorian QB thought. Not after his trainwreck of a previous season, not after he was dragged all over television and social media, sure some decent wins but this award was about the player. And Nick the player had been spanking defenses all season, he led Alexandria to another playoff berth, and had already destroyed Northern Moravica University in their Week 13 clash, 45-3. This was some bullshit.

“Ay Singer, you good?”

Nick stopped pacing and looked up at Deacon St. John standing against the doorway, looking at him with a mixture of amusement and genuine concern. “Nah man, no, NO I’m not good bro. I’m not. That was my fucking award man…I worked so hard this year, I played my ass off and I know that shit is mine.”

“Maannnn, you really need a piece of metal to tell you that? You think everyone ain’t know you’re the truth? Cmon man, find the focus Nick.”

Nick wasn’t sure what pissed him off more, this bullshit with the MVP award itself or the fact that Deacon was speaking the truth and, most annoyingly, it was starting to calm him down. Nick didn’t want to be calm, this anger felt powerful, this anger felt useful so he kept spitting his words through his teeth.

“Yeah I don’t need some bullshit trophy from some bullshit idiots. That shit should’ve been mine but you know what, I’m so big that I can forget it. Yeah, yeah I can forget it,” the quarterback said as he tried to convince himself that he actually didn’t care about the MVP award. “I don’t need some metal to show I’m the best, I been showing it all year on the field and I’m gonna show these fuckers that they made a mistake……good thing we got NMU up next on the calendar, you can circle that shit in red.”

By this point, junior tight end Qamiya Parrine had entered the room. The Chromatik brute was fairly quiet but had an understated sense of humor and a sly smile that always seemed to make Nick laugh. Deacon St. John and Qamiya were Nick’s best friends on the team and they were rewarded by being #1 and #2 in targets respectively.

Qamiya nodded in agreement with all the confidence of someone entering an incredible tense conversation mid-convo. “Yes friend, we gave them the spanking once, we give them the spanking twice!”

Once again, Nick couldn’t help but chuckle at his friends meandering style of speaking with a comically deep voice. “Yeah yeah Q, something like that at least.”
“You think they’re ready to run it back, Nick? Deacon asked.

The Ranoria ground his teeth together. “Don’t matter much to be. Ready or not, here I come and I’m not just gonna beat them, I’m not just gonna spank them…we’re going to embarrass them boys. We’re going to pants them again and show that fucking committee what the fuck is up.”

Coach Isa’s voice came booming in from the hallway. “Team meeting in five, get your shit together and your helmet on, let’s go Swordsmen!”

Nick Singer was still pissed as all hell, he was furious, but now he had an outlet for that burning anger. Now he had a recipient for his rage and that helped him turn that into a hardened determination to destroy NMU.

He looked at Q and St. John in the eyes.

“We’re winning this game boys or we’re dying on that field. No fucking mercy.”

As the Alexandria Swordsmen huddled in the film room, Coach Isa laid out the game plan that would take them to victory, but Nick barely heard it. All he could see was the image of Brett Hannah, smiling like a damn idiot, holding his MVP trophy, and that white-hot anger came back.

Could he channel this rage into another dominant performance, or would it blind him when it mattered most? Did he even need to feel this way considering how one-sided the last game against NMU had been?

Either way, Northern Moravica was about to face a quarterback possessed.

Cardenao Championship Classic: Ficilian Point vs J.C. Evermore Academy in High School Final

Cardenao Championship Classic:

Here we are ladies and gentlemen, the second edition of the Cardenao Championship Classic where the final two high school football teams do battle. It has been a helluva year over the course of the regular season, and the playoffs took that to a whole nother level. Against all the odds, the eighth seeded Ficilian Point High Seabirds burst through the competition to reach their first ever Championship game while the J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans return after a humiliating loss to the Alexandria High School Red Raiders last season. Will they be able to avenge that defeat and win their first title, or will the plucky Seabirds deny them yet again……let's find out!

#8 Ficilian Point High Seabirds 38-44 (2OT) #3 J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans

Ficilian Point Seabirds: Junior RB Kelton Hutson, 90 RusYds, 88 RecYds, 2 RusTD
J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans: Junior QB James Ross, 348 PssYds, 3 PssTD, 12 RusYds

Junior QB Elijah Bartholomew had an efficient, if perhaps overly cautious as he completed 29 of 36 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown, nothing more, nothing less. Sure he didn’t throw an interception, but he did fumble the ball once and generally failed to target a more ambitious pass that would’ve put the Seabirds in a better position to score. His favorite target was junior RB Kelton Hutson, who Elijah tossed to eight times and Kelton pulled in six of them for 88 yards though most of that came on a 53 yard catch in the third quarter. Senior TE D.J. Hicks and senior WR Eric Goss showed their glue hands as both players caught all of their targets, with D.J. getting 5 for 58 and Eric 6 for…58, but neither of these players found the end zone. That honor went to sophomore WR Ricky Wadhams on a 4 yard TD reception, his second of the season made the score 21-7 in Ficilian Point’s favor a few minutes into the second quarter. For the Seabirds offense, most of the scoring came from the running back run. Junior RB Kelton Huston led both teams with 90 yards and two touchdowns, the first opening the scoring with 7:10 left in the first quarter. He had to wait until 8 minutes were left in the third quarter to add six more points to his tally on a 11 yard run and that made it 35-23 in Seabirds favor. His fellow junior partner Garett Flowers did a solid job on the ground as well to put up 65 yards and punch in two touchdowns of his own, the first with just under three minutes in the first quarter left, the final with a minute and a half left in the first half. On the defensive aspect of things, well considering they let several leads slip before ultimately losing the game so that’s not very good at all. Senior linebacker Darren Driscoll did play pretty damn good though, 16 total tackles was pretty impressive as he set the tone in his final high school game, college football seems certain for him so that’s good at least. His sophomore partner Dana Dalton finished a fantastic campaign with 9 total tackles including a huge sack in the 3rd quarter. Beyond the trio of linebackers trying their hardest to keep the final result in Ficilian Point’s favor but they simply weren’t able to contain a radiant J.C. Evermore Academy offense.

An offense led by junior QB James Ross who perhaps had his best game of the season when it mattered most for the Green Titans. The junior threw 44 times and completed 31 of them for 348 yards and a trio of interceptions and he avoided turning the ball over, that’s exactly the sort of tempo you want your quarterback in during the biggest game of the season. And yet, there was perhaps another player who had an even more impressive performance for the Green Titans, senior WR Pokey Wilson. Yes he’s been injured for most of the season, resulting in the worst statistical year of his career despite leading the league in reception yardage last season, but with the lights shining brightest, the 18 year old delivered. 12 targets, 11 catches, 156 yards and a 31 yard touchdown pass five minutes into the second period of overtime to win the game for J.C. Evermore. Fellow senior WR Michael Walker put in his most clutch performance of the season to catch all seven (7) of his targets for 80 yards including a 16 yard touchdown with 2:45 left in the first half to bring the Green Titans within striking distance of Ficilian Point, 21-14. Not to be left out of the party, junior WR Scott Butler had a ridiculous 18 targets and hauled in 9 of them for 74 yards and a great 10 yard touchdown where he juked a defender right out of his cleats before easily crossing into the endzone. Senior RB David Brown caught both of his targets for 22 yards and he added 58 yards on the ground on 12 carries, but he banged his knee up in the 4th quarter and had to exit the game. Not too much of an issue though as sophomore RB Devin Miller showed signs of things to come with 56 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns, the first a 47 yard rip with less than a minute gone in the third quarter and the second the vital game-tying score with 30 seconds left in regular time. How did the Green Titans defense do? Well they gave up 38 points so not particularly great but 28 of those came in the first half; after the break the team looked ready to down the Seabirds and that they did. Junior S Ben Passmore was all over the field as he recorded 14 total tackles, and he got one tackle for loss when he wrangled down Kelton Hutson in the backfield. Senior LB Wes Simon was right behind him with 13 tackles while senior star DL Jerrid Réamann got ten tackles and three sacks. Perhaps inspired by this display, sophomore DL Will Singh recorded a career high 10 tackles and he sacked Elijah Bartholomew in the end zone for a vital safety that led to a quick 17-7 run that put them in the perfect position for a comeback. What a game this was, that game winning 31 yard touchdown pass from James Ross to Pokey Wilson will be played on repeat before every J.C. Evermore Academy game for the foreseeable future.

And that concludes the second season of Cardenaoan High School Football! It was, once again, entirely unpredictable with the pre-season favorites and unbeaten regular season hypebeasts Brøgby Miners going on woefully in the first round while the lowest seeded team in the championship tournament, the Ficilian Point Seabirds, took the Final to double overtime before bowing out. What does next year hold for us as fans? I’ve got zero clue as of now but that’s not gonna stop me from making some predictions in the pre-season! That being said, I’ve still got some more content for all you sickos who actually read this slop: that’s right boyos, it’s prospect and recruiting time but for now though, celebrations for the J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans as they celebrate the first national championship in program history!

Preliminary Recruiting Prospects

QB:
***** Stan Aniol Dereschi, Hatathia High School Pirates, Strong Arm (Season 1 MVP)
***** Raymund Fitzgerald, Obyedako High Blue Devils, Dual Threat
**** Alec Hickman, Timberline High School Wolves, Dart Thrower
*** Temuro Brown, La Escuela Nacíonal DCPF Footballers, Field General
*** Kanthony Marley, Riverstone International School Otters, Improviser

RB:
*****Ammon McCauley, Alexandria High School Red Raiders, Elusive Back (Season 1 Champion+Rushing Leader)
**** Ka’hleel Makaio, Mokuleia Island High Surfers, Elusive Back
****Joey Royal, St. Bonaventura Gold and Blues, Power Back
**** DeColdest Carey (RB/CB), St. Bonaventura Gold and Blues, Receiving Back
**** Neiko Yemm, La Escuela Footballers, Receiving Back

TE:
***** Artur Ryouichi, Glenelg Athletic Academy Dragons, Vertical Threat
***** Demetrice Blasingame, Treasure Valley Triceratops, Mr. Do It All
***** Kainao Savaiinaea, Mokuleia Island High Surfers, Catch N Block
**** Damarcus Koger, Hatathia High School Pirates, Blocking Beast
*** D.J. Hicks, Ficilian Point High Seabirds, Vertical Threat

WR:
*****Joey Ma’afala, Mokuleia Island High Surfers, Dual Threat Speedster
****Pokey Wilson, J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans (Season 1 Receiving Leader, Season 2 Champion), Athletic Freak
****Jack Caver, Academia Cardonia Golden Knights, Route Technician
***Dakota Mitherali, Alameda High School Desperados, Route Technician
***Devin Kitcher, Brøgby Preparatory Academy Miners, Power Receiver

OL:
**** Shane Alcorn, Ficilian Point High Seabirds, Pass Pro
**** John Lawson, J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans (Season 2 Champion), Offensive Anchor
*** Deonte Babineaux, La Escuela Nacíonal DCPF, Run Blocker
*** Kale Kalarano Matthewson, Mokuleia Island High Surfers, Blocking Beast
** Ikenna Buckley, Treasure Valley Triceratops, Big Boy

DL:
***** B.J. McNutt, Skyview Mountain Fliers, Sack Master
***** Zaiden Montreclair, Mokuleia Island High Surfers, Power Rusher
**** Abraham Dove, Brøgby Preparatory Academy Miners, Run Stopper
**** Jerrid Réamann, J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans (Season 2 Champion), Agile Rusher
**** Antonio Blair, St. Bonaventura Gold and Blues, Power Rusher

LB:
***** Bradley Furman, Alexandria High School Red Raiders (Season 1 Champion), Field General
***** Maliek Davis, Glenelg Country School Dragons, Disrupter
**** Joel Maxey, Skyview Mountain Academy Fliers, Run Stopper
*** Darren Driscoll, Ficilian Point High Seabirds, Blitzing LB
*** Wes Simon, J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans (Season 2 Champion), Coverage King

CB:
***** Steven Sheehan, Timberline High School Wolves, Shut Down
**** DeColdest Carey (RB/CB), St. Bonaventura Gold and Blues, Ball Hawk
**** Alexis Mac Siuhe, Riverstone International School Otters, Power Corner
**** Alphonso Stengal, Alexandria High School Red Raiders (Season 1 Champion), Ball Hawk
*** Woody Wilson, J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans (Season 2 Champion), Field General

S:
***** Demon Robertson, Alameda High School Desperados, Field General
***** Richard Bolduc, Riverstone International School Otters, Pass Coverage
**** Ryan Howard, Brøgby Preparatory Academy Miners, Run Stopper
*** Christian Kolar, Alexandria High School Red Raiders (Season 1 Champion), Pass Coverage
** Kashif Belcaster, J.C. Evermore Academy Green Titans (Season 2 Champion), Run Stopper

by **Valanora** » Thu Jan 02, 2025 8:24 pm

For fans of gridiron in the nation, it hardly gets better than this, as the dawn of the NSCF playoffs are upon us and both Vanorian representatives in the competition have made it into the prestigious postseason competition. It seemed a bit touch and go there for Mar Sara Tech after they failed to win the division and retain their conference title, then not getting a much desired win in Ranoria against Richardson, but back to back victories in including a fairly substantial one for the Raiders against their rivals of Sadeg not only allowed them to clench a spot in the playoff but also a first round bye with the fourth seed. For the Rockets, it had been a lot more straightforward with their win of the division and then the absolute domination in the conference title game to seal up their spot but seeding was important. Wrestling with several other good schools for the top spot, the team went to Busoga and knocked off the back to back champions of their conference and added a signature to their resume that the pollsters and computers all would have to appreciate and respect, with plenty of doubt around the Zephyr and the Vanorian schools rife this edition of the competition.

All that was left for the Rockets was a home game against the growing rival from Chromatika in the Firehawks of Felswyr State University, the team who absolutely shredded the team on their trip to Chromatika the previous season. It was an agreed series of games that had the Firehawks returning to the Empire this season and while the Rockets seemed better on paper and especially in the last month and a half, they still were not operating at the same level that they had in the previous season. Perhaps a bit of a hangover after winning that title in such an emotional way, the somewhat improbable performances that they had put up in the past season not being able to be replicated, or maybe it was just getting everyone's best shot as the title holder. Whatever the circumstance or reason for it, despite everything on paper and coming into the season saying that the team should have been good if not better than the team that won the title last season, they had failed to live up to that standard. As if punctuating the point, the Firehawks had been able to come into the capital and walk away with a narrow victory.

Perhaps the loss will go on to inspire the Rockets as the loss against the Firehawks in the last season seemed to light a fire underneath the team and they can go on to pull off what right now seems like a very unlikely title defense. The team is not on their own standard of play while the level of the competition definitely seems like it has been turned up a few degrees from last season where it seemed only schools from Banija, Chromatika, and Ranoria seemed to pose that large of a challenge to the Vanorian pair. The field is more competitive and the talent spread is far less concentrated than it was a season past, which really goes to show that the addage that any team at the collegiate level is merely one good recruiting class away from being a contender seem a stark reality. Nevertheless, all things ended up still aligning with the Rockets despite the loss to the Firehawks, as they were still able to maintain the number one overall seed and with it get home advantage throughout the playoff bracket, something that they will treasure dearly given the woes that both the Rockets and Raiders have had when traveling away from the Empire for some years now.

With both teams having secured a first round bye, they will have that extra week to rest and try to gameplan for whom they expect to be playing in the Quarterfinals of the competition. For the Rockets, that number one overall seed will not feel much like a boon even with the home advantage as they will be awaiting the winner of Northern Moravica and Alexandria, both quite formidable schools who could both look to be using the first round as a spring board to get their team in the right form with momentum heading into the quarterfinal fixture. Neither team will be an easy out and truly the Rockets probably have no preference in whom they will face, though the businesses around the university will no doubt be rooting for Northern Moravica knowing that Banija fans are more likely to make the trip to the Empire than that of Cardenao. Elsewhere the Raiders are looking at what seems a likely matchup against the Horizon champs Starmara Tech but they do have to travel to face UCP, the same team that was put to the sword by the Rockets in Week 11. If given the choice the Raiders likely would prefer UCP as an opponent, to try and replicate what the Rockets did given the disparaging remarks fans and students of the univeristy have said about Vanorian teams. Regardless like the Rockets, the Raiders will be facing quite the test but playing at home where they have been quite difficult to beat would seemingly make them slightly favorites regardless of who does advance from that fixture.

by **Chromatika** » Thu Jan 02, 2025 9:15 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
Part 7: National Quarterfinals
Part 8: National Semifinals

Chromatik High School Gridiron - Season Fourteen
Part 9: National Championship

Championship

(2) Lanar High School 6-27 (5) Staramara Tech High School

Team                                   1Q  2Q  3Q  4Q  |  Tot
Lanar High School                       0   3   3   0  |    6
Staramara Tech High School              0   7   6  14  |   27

1Q
None.

2Q
08:11 LHS FG - Oliver Branch 32 yard Field Goal
02:49 STHS TD - Neria Pinston 3 yard pass from Amy Skylar (George Damien Kick)
00:03 LHS FG - Oliver Branch 50 yard Field Goal

3Q
09:01 STHS FG - George Damien 42 yard Field Goal
03:23 STHS FG - George Damien 47 yard Field Goal

4Q
11:01 STHS TD - Grayson Marsh 2 yard run (George Damien Kick)
07:05 STHS TD - Willard Doha 72 yard fumble return (George Damien Kick)

D'REA, CAPITAL DISTRICT - The National Championship. The pinnacle of competition, a culmination of a full season. Sure, this season only had twenty-four schools compete, but the return of high school gridiron was a tremendous boon to Chromatik society. Now, Lanar High School would face Staramara Tech High School for the championship, the Battle Angels trying to be the first in a while to repeat as National Champions - albeit a year apart. Both schools loved to run the ball, both loved to play defense, and both had gone through many hoops to get to this point.

A tense First Quarter was what came to pass. Both teams would have three-and-outs to begin the match, and neither team would cross midfield until two minutes into the Second Quarter where Kenneth Jordean-Johnson III finally hooked up with Anston Gainston for thirty-two yards on a route where Lidia Montemayor was beat. The Rhinos would hold onto the ball for more than nine minutes before settling for a thirty-two yard field goal, which Oliver Branch knocked through.

This galvanized the Battle Angels into action, as Grayson Marsh started to get chunks of yardage. Amy Skylar started to run the Offense, and converting three third downs in a row led Staramara Tech to a goal-to-go situation at the three yard line. The Battle Angel Quarterback took the snap, wheeled to the right, and tossed the ball underhanded to Neria Pinston in the flat for the game's first touchdown, which Staramara Tech would take into halftime. Sure, the Rhinos tacked on three more, but that would end up being the last points they'd score all game.

The dismantling of Lanar High School in the second half was very systematic. They may have been the second best Offensive Line on paper, but the core of Anston Graven, Winston Machiavelina, Evan Reelan, Paul Inkhaven, and Marx Duhain know how to pave the way for Grayson Marsh. Marsh and this line would combine for 218 yards on the game, and 149 of those yards came in the second half. Sure, they led to two Field Goals first in the Third Quarter, but by the time that the Battle Angels finally scored their second touchdown of the game with barely eleven minutes left in the game, it was all but over.

Kenneth Jordean-Johnson III would take the Rhinos on one last-ditch effort, but a strip-sack by Lidia Montemayor would lead to the ball being scooped up by Willard Doha, who would return it seventy-two yards for the final score. Staramara Tech had repeated as national champions. Grayson Marsh picked up Most Valuable Player honors by running for more than 200 yards, while Amy Skylar was an efficient twelve of fourteen for one hundred thirty-two yards. The Rhinos' best offensive weapon, Marik Husseleher, was held to fifty-four yards on eighteen carries in the defeat.

"We've shown that we aren't a one-season wonder," commented Head Coach Jack Westhaven of his Battle Angels, "And we're going to continue establishing ourselves as a perennial power alongside the likes of Myana Northwestern and Mt. Niar. We at Staramara Tech have a proud tradition going up to the university level, and it's a pleasure to be able to add to that moniker."

They will lose Amy Skylar, but the Battle Angels have never been dependent on their Quarterbacks. Last season, it was Freya Odinsdóttir that led them to the title; this time, it was Marsh, the line, and the defense led by Defensive Coordinator Cherry Edmonton - who may make that move to the NSCF ranks.

As for Lanar High School, the future remains hopeful. Jordean-Johnson III is a Freshman, the line is young, and though Husseleher is a Senior, there will be other backs coming through.

The night, and the year, was Staramara Tech's.

Five Things I Think I Think - Pre-Playoff Edition
by: Jordan Lawless

OOC: This is my riff off of the RL equivalent written by Peter King.

1. I Think Felswyr State being ranked ahead of Staramara Tech is a joke, even considering the slate of results from the out-of-conference slate. Sure, they have the far better loss (to Cold Hill instead of to Northern Moravica) and the better win (taking down Raynor is great, while the Lava only beat Saguenay), but the Lava are Horizon Conference champions for a reason. JJ Garret, Jr. and company took down the Firehawks with ease, won the Conference for the second season in a row, and don't deserve to be six places behind them in the seeding. The result is that the Firehawks are seeded sixth - to host Niakursk University - while Staramara Tech will head over to University of Columbus-Prairie. Crazy seeding, but that's just how the cookie crumbles.

2. I Think both Chromatik schools will be expected to win their first-round matchups. Felswyr State gets to be at home to take on the weakest conference champion - at least on paper. Niakursk shocked everyone by winning the Mineral, but the Mineral wasn't a strong conference at all. If Nicole Estera and the Firehawks lose to Niakursk, there will be hell to pay - it's expected that they at least make it to LeBois Santura, if not further. As for Staramara Tech, the Lava will visit University of Columbus-Prairie, an up-and-coming school. If the Lava lose, it'll mean that they have taken the next step - while taking care of business would allow the Lava to travel to Mar Sara. There is a lot on the line for both schools, and they should both win.

3. I Think JJ Garret, Jr. is playing with house money as far as his legacy is concerned. He's won two Conference titles in a row. He has a 6-2 record against Felswyr State. The Lava have made a run in the playoffs while he's been their Quarterback. Staramara Tech isn't a school like Felswyr State where there's a Quarterback-rich history. When compared to Sheila Pantoja, JJ has done more than enough to leave a legacy - and whoever the next Quarterback will be, they will have a lot to overcome if they are to supplant JJ's legacy. Often beleaguered, but talented - with the potential to do far more.

4. I Think Nicole Estera's potential remains. See how she took care of the comeback against Raynor, where she scored fourteen points in the Fourth Quarter to lead them back. Amos Pickard and Lenny Rhimes got a touchdown each, and the Junior shined. Sure, she's been inconsistent at times, but the potential in Estera from her days at Myana Northwestern is starting to be realized. It's so hard to follow up the resume of Sarai Gwenderyn and Kadesh Odika, but Nicole Estera hasn't been a bad Quarterback at all. What will she do these Playoffs?

5. I Think these playoffs won't go to chalk. Cardenao and Valanora have definitely spiced up the landscape along with the Busoga Islands in a field usually dominated by Ranorians, Banijans, occasionally Drawkian, and Chromatik schools. Whether it be Staramara Tech taking down Mar Sara Tech (hopefully), Felswyr State over LeBois Santura (also hopefully), or Richardson/Busoga winner beating Cold Hill, there will be at least one large upset. Nothing ever goes to chalk in these playoffs, right?

by **Busoga Islands** » Thu Jan 02, 2025 9:47 pm

Matong Sports, for the duration of the NSCF 32 Playoffs, is Launching Good Morning Busoga- a Busogan studio show, in Buosga. With the heavily publicized launch of MUTV in Banija showcasing heightening competition for the lucrative sports TV market in Banija, Matong Sports is trying to race ahead to grab a dominant market share in Busoga before MUTV steps in. Ergo, the Islands have seen major investment, including this TV show.

It is primarily hosted by former NT soccer player and prominent Busogan journalist Servet Ornet, and she is the centerpiece of the show. She is joined by former IUB CB Ozen Saltik, a starter for the Caracals during NSCF 21.

Servet Ornet: "Hello all, and welcome to the first ever edition of Good Morning Busoga- live, from central campus here at the Islamic University of Busoga! I a Servet Ornet, the host of this show- and joined by my co-host, former Caracals cornerback Ozen Saltik.

Ozen Saltik: Great to be here- thank you, Servet!

Servet Ornet: No, thank you Ozen! As many of you know, we are here with a live studio audience- we got a big crowd behind us here, at 9 AM! Caracal nation, let's hear you! (The camera pans to a large crowd behind the studio, maybe about 1,000-1,500 people. The vast majority of them are Caracals fans and students, but of course there's some RU fans there as well.) But let's dive straight into the meat of the show- it's the NSCF Postseason! It's going to be a tremendous day- four first round playoff games, alongside six bowl games- 10 tremendous postseason games, all sharing a weekend. Of course, the four playoff games are the priority. The Islamic University of Busoga, right behind us, are now the two-time defending Celestia Conference champions. And will host one of the bluest of the blue bloods in the NSCF- none other than Richardson University themselves, who are coming off of a 30-3 beatdown at the hands of Loyola-Istria.

Ozen Saltik: "Yes, obviously, that is our primary focus today. There's an interesting slate- we all know Loyola-Istria is not in the playoffs for the third straight season- yet again, going bowling." (Boos from both sets of fans come at the mention of Loyola). And we know that NMU also has a home playoff game this weekend- they'll get all they can handle against a highly motivated Nick Singer and his Alexanria Swordsmen, who beat down NMU 45-3 a week ago. And we will talk about each school later in the show, we promise. But I'm an Caracal alumni, right? Hoist Busoga High!

The crowd, at his behest, start singing the fight song, led, of course, by the school band- the commentators, naturally, wait for the entire fight song to be sung.

Servet Ornet: "Look at this energy here, from the Busogan fanbase. The excitement is extremely high- the Islanders feel as if they belong in the conversations among the best. They've proven consistently over the last two years that they can go toe to toe with the blue bloods, in the biggest games, at the biggest moments. So they are good enough to be here- that conference title banner is proof of that. But beyond that, the question is- can they win this first round playoff game today? It's basically a toss-up, with The Caracals sitting as 2.5 point favorites- which means, factoring in home field advantage, it's about as even a matchup as can be.

Ozen, you're an alumnus of this campus, a former player for the Islamic U- even played your freshman season on the NSCF 21 team. You know, more than anybody, how the transition from the BCSG to the NSCF can be such a challenge for new schools. They went 2-11 then, so bad that they didn't return for 10 seasons. But now, the return- two straight years, two straight conference titles. What's the biggest factor here?"

Ozen Saltik: Well, we cannot deny- all credit has to go to the head coach, Julian Aigo. It was, really, a case of near perfect institutional alignment in this case. From the fans, from the administration, from the head coach- they came in with a plan this time, put together the resources to give Julian a chance, and he's hit the ground running. We've already shown up those Banijan schools- outpacing them twice for division titles, and frankly, leaving Loyola so far in the dust that we look like the roadrunner to them. (More boos, and then laughs, at Ozen's attack on Loyola, from both sets of fans). And NMU's got quarterback problems with Wade Hurley. So we're the class of the Celestia- it's been 11 seasons since our conference has brought home the NSCF title, the second longest drought of the 5 current conferences. This school is the Celestia's only shot- can't trust anyone else."

Servet Ornet: Ok Ozen, let's talk shop on the Islamic U. They came out to a high-flying start this season, starting the season at 6-1, being their usual, dominant selves. But down the stretch, they particularly struggled in one possesion games- in particular, struggling to hold onto leads. Once, shit happens, twice is a pattern, and thrice- well, the inablity for this team to hold a lead could very well end their season. Week 8, against NMU. Team up 16-0 going into the fourth quarter- we allow NMU to come back, tie it, force OT, and lose in double overtime. Week 11, against Trent State- up 21 in the second quarter, yet we are going to OT at 24-24, and losing in OT. The very next week, welcoming the #1 team in the competition, Raynor U, into town. Raynor U throws the game-winning TD pass with less than 5 seconds left in the game.

It's a bad pattern. The Islamic U, of course, is always capable of dominating a game. Week 13, Senior day, the Caracals won by a 38 point margin over UNK. And we beat Loyola by a couple of scores in Week 9. But the playoffs promise to be a dogfight- and we saw this against Cold Hill last year, when Cold Hill took the lead for good in the SF with under 10 seconds to go. That's four examples of falling at the latest possible stages. What can Coach Aigo do to improve his team in the late going?"

Ozen Saltik: Losing a game at the late stages, of course, is a tough time. And when it's becoming a problem, like it seems to be this season- well, it's something that has the ability to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Especially in college football, when players are so young, emotions, and the ability to master them, can be the crucial difference when it comes to executing plays. Doing the little things, maintaining your fundamentals, etc... It's something that Coach Aigo is going to have to solve. He's maintained that it isn't a problem for his team, and they can finish a game that goes down to the wire- but until we see them do it, they have lost three games in a row that have been one possesion games, and they are 1-4 this season in games that have a 7 point margin or less- their only win in this situation, an ugly, 10-7 win over one win Rosemount U.

"Now, of cousre, both blowing leads, and the ability to win these games, kind of go hand in hand. Similar problems. Where does it trace to? The lack of a run game. This defense is pretty damn good- holding an offense as electric as Raynor's, to 17 points, is impressive. But when we've got the ability to have a killer, crushing drive at the end of the game- they haven't quite figured out how to do that this season, compared to last season. The running game simply isn't as good- and while Kohan Ersoy has been playing some fantastic ball, he's not quite the singular force of nature that a team needs when their running game is lacking. They've got to figure out how to run Tozlu and Ifeatu better- either coaching up the OL, or being more creative, etc... Wearing down a defense throughout the game."

Servet Ornet: This makes sense. And what do you think- oh my, is this the President??

Suddenly there erupts a big cheer. Unbeknown to everybody, the President of the Isalmic Republic, Delbin Kasekende, is suddenly crashing the studio set. You can see his bodyguards and the guards for the show get into a slight argument- but of course, if the President of the country sits down on your show, the President of the country sits down on your show. From there, all sorts of pandemonium.

It's fairly obvious the journalists are stressed out, as clearly they've got to think on the fly about how to do this. However, the President knows ball- and talks shop with everybody else. He talks about The Islamic University, and they mention his grandson, DK3, who is at LeBois Santura right now, sitting behind Brett Hannah, biding his time to be the next Busogan star QB.

Servet Ornet: Mr. President, er... Thank you for coming onto our show! It's been our pleasure to have you here. But before you go- can I get a quick prediction?

President Delbin Kasekende: Let's go baby, I got the Caracals all the way! The Islamic University triumphs in a tight one over Richardson University, 24-20.

by **Dhemixia** » Thu Jan 02, 2025 10:02 pm

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The Columbus Dominion(Est.1873)

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How to not miss the playoffs at 8-2

For the first time in his career, or at least what felt like it, Craig "the Possession Philanthropist" Kelly has managed to not completely crash and burn when it matters. In the fourth playing of the S.P.I.T. Bowl, unfazed by the very few BYU fans, if any in attendance, UC-Prairie came out on top, utterly demolishing the Miners 52-24. Subsequently, Craig Kelly clinched the playoffs for not losing a game, the third time he's done as such, and you have to think at this point, "The third time's the charm right?". We'll just have to see, as the Jays earn a date with Chromatika's Staramara Tech in The Brig, but more on that later.

Jerry Atkinson and Craig Kelly had to be on the same wavelength during that game, with Kelly dialing up the most diabolical plays imaginable and still getting Atkinson four touchdowns, the magnum opus of which being a flea flicker 67 yards to his partner in crime, and also former Utahn, Kabe Heaton. This passing onslaught gave Atkinson his 28th all-purpose touchdown of the year, giving him a real shot to hit 30 on the season in front of the home fans. Also, despite Kelly's outright refusal to call run plays outside of the 20, Reynolds still found the house twice, making opposing teams respect the run just a little bit more from this air raid offense. Also, would it really be a Craig Kelly masterclass, if you could even call it that, without freak of nature and human joystick Mario Joseph taking a punt over 100 yards to the crib? No matter your answer to that question, Joseph doesn't care, and did it anyway, in the 4th quarter up three scores no less.

Thankfully or unfortunately, depending on how you choose to view this, most people taking the latter, Craig Kelly was not assassinated and lives to fight another day in more ways than one. As a result of his "masterclass", the Jays and Jerry Atkinson get a 3rd chance at the playoffs, earning a date with the #12 seed, the Staramara Tech Lava. Led by program legend John Garret Sr.'s son, John Garret Jr., also known as JJ Garret, finds himself in a similar spot to Jerry Atkinson. In their senior years, each quarterback looks to end their college career with a playoff win, and leave a legacy at their respective school. The Horizon Conference champs, yet being seeded lower than counterpart Felswyr State, we'll just have to see how JJ Garret and Staramara Tech handle the hostile environment that is The Brig, having over triple the capacity of Lava home Johnston Memorial Stadium, and probably triple the intoxication too. We'll just have to see how things shape up in the Jays third time around.

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 L 13-33
Week 12: VS. Cold Hill L 19-26
Week 13: @ BYU (SPIT Bowl) W 52-24

PLAYOFFS: VS. Staramara Tech

by **Drawkland** » Thu Jan 02, 2025 10:03 pm

"The Back Door"

After the Roane State loss, everybody knew what was going to happen to Brand Manlio. The 10-6 road loss to Mar Sara Tech that wrapped up the NSCF regular season was just a garbage bow on top of the pile of crap that was Sadeg State’s international season. Manlio had been at the helm for the Skyhawks for several decades at this point, and while he had led Sadeg State to a couple of championships, both DOCA and NSCF, the Skyhawk football program had been floundering long before Brooklyn got there.

To an outside observer it may seem insane to oust your long-tenured football coach over an international exhibition type tournament that only one other team in your nation even participates in. What should matter are the real results in your main league, right? Well, Sadeg State had several playoff appearances in recent memory, even during Brooklyn’s early career. Despite this, they hadn’t been to the championship game since the era of Nick Parks. At some point, the athletic director had to make a decision. The fanbase was no longer interested in watching Manlio’s grasp on the game of football wilt away.

Nothing had been formally announced at the time, but Brooklyn Beck knew as well as anybody that the news would be coming any day now. Brand Manlio was sure to be fired from his post as Sadeg State’s head football coach, preferably out of a cannon aimed at the nearest sun (or maybe a landfill, if that was a little easier). Despite this, Brooklyn didn’t feel too great about the whole situation. For better or worse, it was going to be a shakeup that Sadeg State hadn’t had since before her dad was playing.

Maybe it was pity, maybe it was guilt. No matter the true motivation, Brooklyn found herself wandering around the athletic park plaza on the south end of Sadeg State’s campus a couple days after returning from their loss to Mar Sara. It was obviously too late to truly patch things up, but maybe there could be some amount of reconciliation. Perhaps whatever bowl game the Skyhawks were bound to land in could be a bittersweet sendoff. The announcement of the playoff bracket and bowl games wasn’t set to happen until that weekend, so there was no use practicing before then. It was summer vacation, too, so campus felt nearly deserted.

It was so deserted, in fact, that Brand Manlio’s secretary wasn’t even in. The lights were on in the football coaching offices, though, so Brooklyn pressed through the door when she got there. She heard sounds of movement and muttering coming from Manlio’s office, as the door was ajar. Brooklyn took a cursory look around, but nobody else seemed to be around.

“Coach?” Brooklyn asked tentatively, poking her head through the office door. The scene was surprising, but not too surprising. Manlio was indeed there, with a dozen cardboard boxes in various stages of being filled. He was cleaning out his office. “Oh - is this a bad time?”

“Not worse than any other time you show up here unannounced,” Manlio sneered in response. He was emptying a drawer against the far wall, his back turned to Brooklyn.

“Uh, right.” Despite her better judgement, Brooklyn stepped into the room. “Are you … leaving? Like right now?”

“What great instincts you have, Beck.” Manlio turned around, a little sweaty and red-faced from exertion. He looked tired, but there was a strange manic glint in his eye. “That’s the kind of shit that got you recruited. Maybe if you were able to deduce scenes a little quicker, I wouldn’t be doing this right now.”

“Excuse me?” Brooklyn didn’t know if she should feel annoyed by that comment. “Did you get fired?”

“Nope!” Manlio’s face cracked into a grin, though it might’ve been a grimace. It was hard to tell. “Donnie Hollis doesn’t have the balls to fire me yet. I’d be surprised if he’d even do it before the bowl game. But we know it’s coming, don’t we Brooklyn? Is that why you’re here? To gloat? To rub it all in my face?”

“No, no.” Brooklyn opened her mouth, but struggled to find the words. This wasn’t what she expected at all. “I-”

“Right, because you’ve finally gotten what you wanted.” Manlio continued to speak, as if he didn’t hear Brooklyn reply at all. “I was your only obstacle. I was the only one stopping you from getting every little thing you wanted. Because you’re the perfect princess, the heir to the king of the Skyhawks, and you should always get everything you want. Didn’t get recruited by your favorite school? Send your daddy to come in and threaten the coach. Didn’t get to start as soon as you wanted? You got your friends and family hard at work to discredit the guy in front of you.”

“What?” Brooklyn sputtered. “I didn’t do any of that-”

“Coach not letting you start as soon as possible following a potentially dangerous injury? Go ahead and threaten him yourself! Because you’re Brooklyn Beck, and that means you get to have this perfect life.” Manlio stopped suddenly, then shook his head. “Well not anymore. You’ve finally gotten rid of me, as if I was the one preventing you from having everything you wanted. Guess what, princess? If it weren’t for me handcuffed by Hollis and your dad and the expectations of this braindead fanbase, you’d be lucky to have started a single game at this point. I’m the only one whose hands were tied enough to give you the opportunity to start. Whatever idiot they hire after me will have no such obligations or reservations. You won’t get any more special treatment. You’ll have to claw tooth and nail to keep your job against whatever pet QB transfers in to follow the new guy. Have fun with that when your army of nostalgia-blinded fans no longer have any sway in this building.”

“So that’s it?” Brooklyn crossed her arms. She wasn’t even going to try to unpack any part of that rant. “But you said you weren’t fired. Where are you going?”

“Far away from everybody here.” Manlio turned back around to finish packing up the box he was working on. “I spend the greater part of my coaching career here, and what do I get? Threats from my boss, threats from my former players, threats from my current players, constant complaints from a fanbase that doesn’t know how good they have it. Scott Linhart leads that shitsack school in Cavsar to a single national championship and they practically worship the ground he walks on despite the fact that they barely play .500 ball in this ridiculous tournament. I’m stuck with a diva quarterback, the most difficult division in football, plus all the difficulties of coaching high-level DOCA ball, and I still deliver on making a competitive team every year. And what do I get for it? Opinion pieces about how I’m a fraud. Petitions for my resignation from a fanbase that not three years ago was cheering about my contract extension. Well, I’ve had enough. ENOUGH, Brooklyn. All you spineless and traitorous goons are getting what you wanted. My resignation is currently sitting on Hollis’s desk, whenever he cares to come in and read it. I’m leaving Sadeg, and hopefully I’ll never be back.”

“You didn’t say where you’d be going.” Brooklyn raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, of course. I’m going to a real football program. A place with actual championship pedigree. A school where they appreciate fundamental football. A program that’s not stuck reliving seasons from 20 years ago.” Manlio turned back around, with a disgusting smirk on his face. “I’ve been hired as the offensive coordinator for Richardson University.”

“RICHARDSON?!” Brooklyn exclaimed. “You’re joking.”

“No joke, girlie.” Manlio grinned savagely. “It’s no head coaching job, but quite frankly, I’m done with that garbage. Having to deal with all that recruiting, all those expectations, I’m too old for that anymore. As the offensive coordinator, I’ll be able to work on the X’s and O’s like I actually enjoy doing. It’ll be back to basics, and I’ll be at a program with real pedigree. I’ll even be there in time to coach for their bowl game … or should I say, playoff game, given the current rankings.”

“That’s bullshit!” Brooklyn was disgusted. She couldn’t even organize her thoughts properly, but her mouth did the talking well enough. “They looked at the mess you’re leaving us with here and thought you’d be a good hire? And did you say X’s and O’s? If your playcalling was actually good then we’d be in a playoff spot right now ourselves!”

“Oh, so when somebody else gets bailed out and lands in a perfect situation, suddenly it’s a big problem?” Manlio rolled his eyes. “Get a mirror, Beck. You and I are not so different.”

“I’m not the one that crashed this program!” Brooklyn protested. “I did everything I could for this team, while your incompetence tanked us into oblivion, and now you’re just gonna skip out while we have to pick up the pieces?”

“Come now, Brooklyn,” Manlio clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “First of all, this is roughly the exact same result for you, whether I’d have been fired or quit on my own accord. Second of all, I’m truly astounded that you can say that with a straight face. Are you really so self-absorbed that you think you’re blameless in this whole scenario?”

“Okay, I know I’m not a perfect quarterback, but what college sophomore is? Isn’t it your job to help me develop? And it’s not exactly my fault that I got injured.”

“There’s only so much I can do.” Manlio twisted his lip. “I’m sorry, did you want me to say ‘hey Brooklyn, don’t throw balls into triple fucking coverage when the game is on the line’ in every QB meeting? Would that have made a difference when you’re in your little ‘zone’? And even if we ignore the fact that if you were more careful with your running you wouldn’t have gotten hurt in the first place, it’s your fault that we didn’t have a suitable backup for that scenario. If only we had some quarterback with experience at the NSCF level and familiar with the playbook. Maybe then we could’ve survived the absolute terror of playing without Baby Beck under center. Oh wait, WE DID. And because of you-”

“Hey! Last I checked, Jimmy Chapman didn’t skip town because I told him to!” Brooklyn interrupted. “I never talked to him outside of practice. If anybody here is responsible for him fucking off, it’s you.”

“My my, don’t you have it all figured out?” Manlio’s face and voice absolutely dripped with sarcasm. “You don’t know anything about what happened with Jimmy, so quit acting like it.”

“Oh yeah? What happened, then?” Brooklyn folded her arms again. If she was going to get into a shouting match with her now ex-coach, she might as well make it count. The question had been burning since the news broke.

“He came into my office before camp, same as you did.” Manlio scowled. “Unsolicited. Trying to be as casual as possible, acting like he wasn’t about to basically beg to start next season. Asked if he was going to be starting. I told him the same thing I told you. It would come down to camp, and I’d make the decision then. He didn’t like that answer though. He made compelling points. He’d been here longer. He piloted the team to a conference championship in the DOCA season. And could you really blame the NSCF season on him with how our defense had performed? Really-”

“Seriously?” Brooklyn shook her head with disgust. “Were you deliberately ignoring everything I’d done?”

“Funny, Jimmy said the same thing.” Manlio plunked down in his chair, surrounded by the mostly-filled boxes all over his desks. Very suddenly, he seemed exhausted. “He felt betrayed. Just because you were the hot prospect, this golden child that everybody wanted to see, he got shafted. What did he do wrong? If he never got in that car accident, he would’ve played through the playoffs. He may have even gotten further than you did, after all, it was mostly the defense playing well that carried us to the semifinals that year. Instead, it was you getting the undeserved glory, while everybody continually derided him. Of course he left. There was nothing for him here. You made sure of that.”

“It wasn’t on purpose …” Brooklyn said. The words hit like a senior linebacker. Obviously her goal was always to start, but it’s not like she wished ill upon Jimmy Chapman. If anything, the QB room had been a lot lonelier the last year with only the novatim Reed Harper alongside her. “I just wanted my shot. You told me I’d get a chance to start when you recruited me.”

“And you would’ve, once you waited your turn.” Manlio rolled his eyes again. “Your impatience doesn’t make me a liar. If it weren’t for your dad and the fanbase getting up my ass, you probably wouldn’t have even seen the field until this year.”

“That’s not fair!”

“Not fair?” Manlio raised his eyebrows. “Maybe, maybe not. But look around you, Brooklyn. Look at the program. Are we, sorry, are you really better off having started this early? Your program is in ruin. Your coach is gone. The future of the team is more uncertain than it’s been in a half century.”

Brooklyn opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her heart had dropped somewhere into her colon.

“So tell me, Beck.” Brand Manlio continued coldly. “You got exactly what you wanted. Everything seemed to align in your favor … but are you really better off?”

“I …” Brooklyn swallowed hard. “I don’t know.”

“I think you do know.” Manlio sighed. “Far too late, it seems, but maybe you’ll learn from this. Thankfully, it won’t be my ass on the line if you don’t. Now get the hell out of my office. I have a plane to catch tonight.”

“Okay.” Brooklyn replied sullenly. She turned to leave, but looked back one more time as she reached the doorframe. “Goodbye … Manlio.”

There was no response.

by **NSCF** » Thu Jan 02, 2025 10:03 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.

Playoff First Round

Top Half
_#8 Northern Moravica University (BNJ) 27–17 Alexandria University (CAD) _#9
Winner plays #1 Raynor University (VAL)
_#5University of Columbus-Prairie (DHE) 23–16 Staramara Tech University (CMT)_#12
Winner plays #4 Mar Sara Tech (VAL)

Bottom Half
_#7Islamic University of Busoga (BUS) 10–6 Richardson University (RAN)_#10
Winner plays #2 Cold Hill University (RAN)
_#6Felswyr State University (CMT) 45–13 Niakursk University (IMP)_#11
Winner plays #3 LeBois Santura University (CAD)

by **NSCF** » Thu Jan 02, 2025 10:16 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.

Bowl Games

The Cannabiscorp Pioneer Bowl
Uniwersytet Nowa Kalanianska (UNC) 6–9 Mantabolo Tech (USN)
Iqaluit Stadium, Iqaluit, Quebec and Shingoryeo

The Drawk Bowl
Silver Coast State College (SAS) 6–32 University of Loyola-Istria (BNJ)
Corps University Hub, Drawk City, Drawkland

The Mugisha III Memorial Bowl
Cavsar University (DRK) 29–10 Bowerstone University (ATH)
Stadium of Restoration, Busukuma, Banija

The Karmin-Falce Bowl
Lithrelir University (GEX) 20–27 Université du Saguenay (QUE)
Karmin Falce Superdome, Ranoria City, Ranoria

The Jaguar Bowl
Green City University (TJU) 13–30 Sadeg State University (DRK)
Field of Dreams in The Gardens, New Washington, TJUN-ia

The Mihaly Invitational Bowl
Université nationale de Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer (UNC) 27–14 Trent State University (TJU)
The Blue Bowl, LeBois, Cardenao

by **New Umoja** » Fri Jan 03, 2025 9:54 am

When a punter finishes runner up in the fan voting for MVP, it’s generally not a sign of a classic game, but in truth the Pioneer Bowl was an enthralling, if low scoring, encounter. “One for the purists”, you might say, so long as the purists come from an age when most of the Mantabolo Tech team wouldn’t have been allowed to vote. The game was a little low key compared to some of the high profile clashes in the playoffs, and as always with bowl games, affected by numerous players sitting out. Sitting out bowl games will always be contentious with fans. “It’s up to the players to decide what’s best for them,” was coach Isaiah Carter’s non-committal take.

The icy conditions at the Iqaluit Stadium suited neither team and led to a subpar offensive performance on both fronts. At least for the Golden Kings, players sitting out were a factor, with the team’s leading rusher Rashad Muhammad and receiver Rashaun Holloway-James, and starting left tackle Nasir Muhammad all sitting out. Jelani Ogden, second in receiving stats behind RHJ, was also out injured, leaving a very depleted receiving corps and a running back committee that lacked Rashad Muhammad’s brute force power. Evasive scat backs were never likely to thrive on the snow-tinged Iqaluit surface that made lateral movement extremely difficult. Pass rusher Sincerity Matombo and strong safety Zaire Bailey, both considered potential NUFL draft prospects, sat on the defensive side, though nose tackle Anwar Kumalo and cornerback Tariq Abdullah both decided to play, for Abdullah meaning he would play at least one snap in every single game of his college career eligibility. To cap it all, first-team All-Big Eight right tackle Björn Falkenrath was out injured.

Both teams struggled to retain control of the ball. UNK fumbled on their opening drive but managed to recover to kick a short field goal; no such luck for Mantabolo Tech as Grzegorz Abrahamowicz forced a turnover as he brought down Zayvon Booker, who lost control of the ball. Zheng Yu Zhong recovered, and the Aztecs marched down for a second field goal in the red zone after stalling on an offensive holding penalty on the 3 yard line. 6–0 down and with Booker going nowhere, the Golden Kings stalled and had to punt. Rashad Coleman booted it 61 yards downfield to pin the Aztecs at their 5, and the Golden Kings ended the first quarter by at last getting some points on the board: 2 of them. De’trell Whitfield blew past Grzegorz Pietrzykowski and wasn’t deterred by the bewildering number of zs facing him to hit Swietomierz Wojtkiewicz with force, forcing away a loose ball. Bartosz Jaskula quickly got to it to prevent a touchdown but was immediately tackled by Thabiso Mthembu for a safety.

Receiving the kick to start the second quarter, the Golden Kings aimed to capitalize. Tyriq Vaughn hit Tavian Mills for 25 yards to move into the red zone but the play was waved off for an OPI call on Quindarius Hale that brought howls of outrage from the Golden Kings sideline, with Carter lucky not to be tossed. Coleman had to punt away again with another precision kick to the corner. Wojtkiewicz managed to drive the Aztecs out of danger of a second safety, but in midfield Carter McElhaney threw an errant pass that was picked off by Tyreek Howard III. Vaughn strung together passes to Hale and DaQuan Bradley to return to the red zone – only to be picked off himself in the end zone by Nathan Jefferson. With less than three minutes to go in the second quarter, a costly roughing the passer call on Marcellus Bryant IV (producing yet more outrage from Carter) gifted the Aztecs 15 yards, but as they crept into range for a field goal to end the half, McElhaney fumbled a snap. Cold fingers receiving the ball amid bellowing clouds of frosted breath did not make exchanges easy for either quarterback. Jaidon Blackwell Jr. was live to the opportunity and dove on the ball for a turnover.

Still more than a field goal down, the Golden Kings began the second half needing to score a touchdown, and did just that. Dontravious Cole has been an extremely hot and cold receiver this season, with some huge gains and some costly drops; today he flashed hot on a day when everyone else was shivering. His 52 yard catch instantly shifted the momentum, given the Golden Kings’ Muhammad/RHJ-less offense was looking incapable of stringing together a scoring drive without a big play. Trayvon Harris, LaMarcus Freeman, and Quindarius Hale moved the ball through the red zone, and from 9 yards out Zayvon Booker jinked home. It was his longest run of the game and accounted for 30% of his total rushing yards on 15 carries, but it was all the Golden Kings needed. Up just 2, the crucial PAT was initially missed by Jamila Scott, but Abrahamowicz had jumped offside trying to block it: she nailed the re-kick to make the lead 3.

The Golden Kings pressed the advantage by forcing a quick three and out, then drove downfield chewing up time with Freeman rushing the ball and Vaughn finding Jay’Vion Scott and Chike Mensah for short completions. On the 11, Freeman dropped a short pass out of the backfield to leave them 4th and 3, and Carter opted for the field goal. Unfortunately Scott swiped it wide right. At least the drive had used up plenty of time in a frustrating third period for the Aztecs. McElhaney was being forced to pass as the Golden Kings kept Wojtkiewicz and Kaplanski quiet on the ground, and those passes were tough to reel in in the stinging cold air. They punted away; the Golden Kings punted back, with Coleman’s 78 yarder his career long. Another stalled drive as Quashawn Granger batted away a pass intended for Wojtkiewicz. Then near disaster as Abrahamowicz finally made up for his earlier mistakes, strip-sacking Vaughn just outside the Golden Kings’ own red zone. Jabari Rasheed fell on the ball just ahead of Wlodzimierz Jakubowski, but it meant yet another punt for Coleman as the third quarter ended.

McElhaney was struggling, throwing three successive incompletions, two of them nearly picked off. But Vaughn then went one better than him, aiming for Emeka Okeke, who had a pretty terrible game in his audition to be next season’s #1 option and ran the wrong route, allowing Zheng Yu Zhong to swoop in for the pick. But the Aztecs just couldn’t keep their cold-numb hands on the ball. Jhalil Grant forced a fumble on Wojtkiewicz, who was lucky to see the ball bounce out of bounds before Mthembu could get to it; but later in the drive McElhaney put another snap on the ground, and this time D.J. Lee was there to scoop it up. A Zack Hansen sack prevented Vaughn capitalizing and Carter opted for a short pouch punt over a long field goal attempt given Scott’s inconsistent leg, leaving McElhaney facing a long drive down the field. With time ticking down he finally put together a sequence, completing pass after pass to drive all the way down to the 8 yard line. Shane O’Connor was a favored target, but he was stopped on the 1 yard line by an heroic saving tackle by, who else, Mthembu. He ripped the ball free and Abdullah swallowed it up.

There was still enough time that the Golden Kings, wretched on offense all day, needed a drive to avoid punting back with time enough for the Aztecs, who needed only a field goal to force overtime, to score. Vaughn had endured a miserable game, going 16 of 27 for just 145 yards with 2 interceptions, a fumble, and being sacked 5 times by an offensive line sorely lacking Nasir Muhammad and Björn Falkenrath. Facing 3rd and 15, with less than a minute to go, he dropped back, stared down Okeke, who had caught just 2 of 8 targets on the day, and then took off, scrambling up the sideline and bravely fighting for the first down rather than avoiding the hit. Result of the play – 16 yards, first down, Golden Kings. And game.

Emeka Okeke didn’t play well but the AI image generator still included him in the celebration

That bit of hero ball wasn’t quite enough to put a positive gloss on Vaughn’s game overall, but he was still there to lead the team celebrations afterwards. This wasn’t a game dominated by the biggest star players, several of whom weren’t even playing. Instead, it was a player who wasn’t even a regular season starter and who hailed from a little known postcolonial backwater with no tradition of [gridiron] football at all: Libesian safety Thabiso Mthembu was voted player of the game, narrowly beating an attempt by the subreddit r/UmojanPeopleTwii.tur to organize a vote for punter Rashad Coleman, who did in fact have a great game too and played a key role in the safety. But it was Mthembu who came out ahead, starting in place of the absent Bailey. He led all players with 13 tackles (9 solo) and 1.5 TFL, forced 2 fumbles, and was credited with the safety.

NSCF 32 - Everything Thread

Brooklyn Beck (S4:E9)

Brooklyn Beck (S4:E10) Season Finale

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