NSCF 33 - Everything Thread

[Chromatika]

Part 1: Preseason Top Fifteen
Part 2: Week 1
Part 3: Week 2
Part 4: Week 3
Part 5: Week 4
Part 6: Week 5
Part 7: Week 6
Part 8: Week 7
Part 9: Week 8
Part 10: Week 9
Part 11: Week 10

Chromatik High School Gridiron - Season Fifteen, Part Twelve: Conference Championship Games

Season 1 Champions: Central Heights High School (MVP: QB Harold Jieter)
Season 2 Champions: East Omnio High School (MVP: WR Alessandro Mio)
Season 3 Champions: Mt. Niar High School (MVP: QB Sarai Gwenderyn)
Season 4 Champions: Mt. Niar High School (MVP: QB Sarai Gwenderyn)
Season 5 Champions: Flames of the Revolution High School (MVP: RB Nyata Antonucci)
Season 6 Champions: Staramara Tech High School (MVP: Edge Nicole Manstrom)
Season 7 Champions: Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School (MVP: QB Liara Anderson)
Season 8 Champions: Vitoron School of Charge (MVP: QB Anne-Maurice Vivayavich)
Season 9 Champions: Myana Northwestern High School (MVP: QB Nicole Estera)
Season 10 Champions: Myana Northwestern High School (MVP: CB Lisa Bonsoon)
Season 11 Champions: The Chromatik Institute (MVP: QB Raul Sébastien Santos)
Season 12 Champions: Mt. Niar High School (MVP: QB Dante Flowers)
Season 13 Champions: Staramara Tech High School (MVP: OLB Freya Odinsdóttir)
Season 14 Champions: Staramara Tech High School (MVP: QB Amy Skylar)

Black Conference
Lanar High School @ Mt. Niar High School
Regular Season: MD1 - Mt. Niar High School 34-22 Lanar High School
MD6 - Lanar High School 26-20 Mt. Niar High School

Mt. Niar High School 14–35 Lanar High School

A true rivalry of schools that think they can win the National Title. The Rhinos got the revenge on the Anacondas on the return leg - and, traveling to Mt. Niar, they came to play. Kenneth Jordean-Johnson III threw for 311 yards and three scores, the defense held Maas van der Voorde to just 201 yards of passing and two interceptions, and Lanar High School used a 21-point Third Quarter to put the game away to take the Black Conference Title and a top two seed in the tournament. The National Runner-Up's defense is the biggest reason why they should be considered one of the favorites for the title. As for the Anacondas, Mt. Niar will continue to live and die by Quarterback play - with van der Voorde being the latest iteration of that. Will they face each other again in the playoffs?

White Conference
Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School @ Capital District Academy
Regular Season: MD1 - Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School 22-36 Capital District Academy
MD6 - Capital District Academy 24-16 Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School

Capital District Academy 24–7 Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School

The Regiment swept the Martyrs in the Regular Season by outscoring their opposition, Kingsley Dillard being the main star; in the Conference Title Game, it would be the defense that would take over. With Italo Fornaro having two interceptions off of a usually unshakeable Vi Merrot, Dillard didn't have to do much; Aksel Welhaven, their Running Back, added two touchdowns on the ground. Fornaro may be the best known player on the defense, but Capital District Academy has others that can step up; they will be the top seed in the tournament going forward. The Martyrs may sport a 6-5 record, but it is at this level; Merrot may be only a Freshman, but she has shown bright spots.

Therefore, the seeding for the Quarterfinals are as follows:

# Team                                   Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD
1 Capital District Academy                11    9   2   350  219 +131 
2 Lanar High School                       11    8   3   215  140  +75
3 Mt. Niar High School                    11    8   3   306  265  +41
4 Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School   11    6   5   275  261  +14

Yes, this means that if the favorites win, we'd have a fourth matchup between Conference mates in the National Semifinals. Unfortunate, but that's just how the seeding shook out. Will that actually happen? It isn't likely.

Blue Conference
North Sanar High School @ Lhor Central High School
Regular Season: MD3 - Lhor Central High School 13-17 North Sanar High School
MD8 - North Sanar High School 9-17 Lhor Central High School

Lhor Central High School 16–0 North Sanar High School

Now for the games that decide which teams will have a chance to play their way into the Black and White Conferences next season. Lhor Central split the series against North Sanar in the regular season in a pair of very tight, defensive affairs; the Flying Jellyfish, the home team despite having a negative Point Differential, would play a perfect game on defense this time, too - Mya Kinsella harassing Fardhe Rosenqvist, Terese Wheeler chasing down Makino Iku any time the Tight End caught the ball, and Dorothea Hannon playing mistake-free ball once again. Rosenqvist had a night to forget, going 14-of-23 for 191 yards, a fumble, and an interception. The Flying Jellyfish improve to -1 Point Differential - their wins all being close, defensive ones and their losses being rather large. Does any team want to pick to play them, though?

Green Conference
Gurshan High School @ West Omnio High School
Regular Season: MD4 - Gurshan High School 20-26 West Omnio High School
MD9 - West Omnio High School 43-12 Gurshan High School

West Omnio High School 44–26 Gurshan High School

West Omnio were one of the few teams to put up with the Drills' defense the hole season, eking past a win in Gurshan before dominating them at home. This time, the Spectral Monks' Adara Cueva came with a mission. Finding Carmen Maria Juárez twice in the first Quarter, the hosts went out to a 14-0 lead that they grew to 23-7 by halftime. Though the Drills tried to come back, their team wasn't ever meant to score in bunches; Quarterback Canna Gorlen committed back-to-back turnovers in subsequent drives, and the game was over. Sporting solid line play on both sides of the ball and a Quarterback that isn't afraid to take the game into her own hands, Cueva and the Spectral Monks live up to their preseason billing and will likely be the last team picked by the opposition in the Round of Sixteen.

Red Conference
Staramara Athletics Academy @ Tihon Elite Academy
Regular Season: MD1 - Tihon Elite Academy 36-16 Staramara Athletics Academy
MD6 - Staramara Athletics Academy 28-25 Tihon Elite Academy

Tihon Elite Academy 44–10 Staramara Athletics Academy

After the Rangers edged past the Fog Wall on Matchday Six, some thought this would be a close game - but Tihon Elite Academy had other ideas. Kimberly Decraene had 400+ total yards and four touchdowns, the Fog Wall lived up to its name defensively with Émilienne Rochette having three sacks, and the usually dangerous Ryan Nikt was held to only 71 yards rushing as the home team made short work of the visitors. Ranked #15 before the season began, Tihon Elite Academy outshines both East Shantarr and Staramara Athletics Academy to make it to the Playoffs.

Conference Loser Table

# Team                                   Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 North Sanar High School                 11    7   4   230  158  +72
2 Staramara Athletics Academy             11    7   4   224  236  -12
3 Gurshan High School                     11    6   5   185  197  -12

North Sanar makes it by virtue of Point Differential.

---

Playoffs

Round of Sixteen Matchups
1. The Chromatik Institute (White) vs. Lhor Central High School (Blue)

An expected pick from the Dread, who trust that Emmanuel de Silva is going to be good enough to handle the Flying Jellyfish's defense. Perhaps it could be argued that North Sanar should've been picked first due to being the only Conference Title Game loser to make it, but everyone knows that if you can solve Lhor Central's defense, you can beat them because their offense isn't good enough. For a team that was ranked fourth to start the season, this is a must-win game - especially in front of their rabid fans who won't take relegation for an answer.

2. West Shantarr High School (Black) vs. North Sanar High School (Blue)

West Shantarr was ready to take on the Flying Jellyfish, and then lucked into facing the Riflemen. The name of the game is to keep Leena Kadian, their Freshman Quarterback, fresh in the pocket; North Sanar doesn't have the most explosive of offenses, so this will likely be a terse, tight game played between the thirties. Many are considering this to be a toss-up going into the matchup, as the Scorpions actually performed better than expected by finishing fifth in their Conference and the Riflemen play almost every game close. Keep an eye on Natanaël Chappuis - how he confuses Kadian by running the defense will go a long ways in determining this matchup.

3. Staramara Tech High School (Black) vs. Tihon Elite Academy (Red)

The renewing of an old rivalry as the defending Champions try to keep their spot alive. The incorporation of Modrico Stalla as their new Quarterback hasn't yielded fruitful results, but it's the defense that gives the Battle Angels a shot at returning to the Elite Conferences next season. For all the accolades that Kimberly Decraene has earned this season, she hasn't faced a defense at the caliber of Staramara Tech - and her receivers definitely haven't faced a secondary as good as the Battle Angels', led by Strong Safety Lidia Montemayor. There will be no love lost here, as it's a matter of pride that Staramara Tech remain. To be relegated a season after winning the national title would be rather brutal.

4. City of Lorentine High School (White) vs. West Omnio High School (Green)

Everyone expected City of Lorentine to struggle the most in the White Conference. Everyone expected West Omnio to be rather good in the Green Conference. The Spectral Monks were actually ranked #9 nationally before the season, while the Wizards were ranked #14. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that this is the only game in this round where the visitors are favored. Adara Cueva is a dual threat that can do it all despite the lack of suitable weapons around her, while the Spectral Monks' lines of scrimmage definitely outpower the Wizards'. The only thing that City of Lorentine has in their corner is the existence of one Ariana Sadow. The Junior is way more experienced than Cueva, and has the potential to have a superhero game where she single-handedly keeps City of Lorentine in the Elite Conferences with the hope of improving next season. Short of that, West Omnio should promote.

[New Tamarind]

INTERNATIONAL: New Tamarind shuts down outside communication; indication of potential political upheaval or passing of Sovereign

MILLSBURGH: The gargantuan, theological nation of New Tamarind has shut down all outside communications, in a possible sign of political upheaval or the passing of their Sovereign, Holy Father Innocent XIV. Previous reports from official news sources — which are also the only sources most of the outside world has to news regarding the secretive nation — had indicated that Innocent XIV had been undergoing a period of ill health for some time, but updates offered scant information on his condition.

While the break-off of communications is not expected to severely affect its relations with the outside world — it only has full diplomatic relations with a select group of about ten nations, and has made a particular enemy of the Federal Republic of Tumbra — the move has left political analysts concerned about the country of a hundred and forty-six million, which is known to have advanced military capabilities.

"With how it goes, it could be anything, really," said political analyst Professor Calvin Liu of Hoxford Technological University. "New Tamarind prefers to keep its plots on the down low, which means that this could be anything from their Sovereign passing away — which most of us think is the most likely thing to have happened — to preparation for war. Until they come back online, there's unfortunately not much we can glean, because the only official source we have about goings-on in their nation are quite literally their news sources."

---

"Alastair, have you seen this?" Adrian Hill, holding a special edition of the Chronicle, said as he shoved the paper into international relations scholar Alastair Heo's hands.

"Adrian, you know I don't read anything from Tumbra," Alastair said as he wrinkled his nose and placed the wrinkled paper on the table, treating it akin to a dirty nappy. "You know how they distort the truth about our nation, how they propagandise our holy conflicts as brutal wars of genocide, and so on."

"Yes, but —" Adrian furrowed his brows "— I haven't been able to read the news from our country. The whole Network is down. And this is the only possible explanation."

Alastair rolled his eyes, took out his phone, and tried to access the Tamarindian Network — an intranet locked down from the rest of the world — and his eyes widened as he realised that the Network was down. He unfurled the wrinkled paper and began reading again.

"bla bla bla...passing of their Sovereign...No..." He put down the paper and tried again. "You sure it's not just a network problem? Drawkland is full of heathens, but it is also a long long way away from our homeland, Adrian, are you sure it's not just a connection thing?"

"Yeah. I asked Gabriel, he said that the Network should be accessible anywhere. And he emphasised anywhere."

"Well, unless Coach walks in with an announcement that the Holy Father has passed, I'm not believing anything. Political upheaval — pah! The Lord only knows they would want to tarnish our country's standing worldwide by insinuating we are in a state of political upheaval, the [untranslatable swear]s — Lord forgive me for my choice of words, I —"

"Alastair, relax," Adrian patted his team-mate on the shoulder, trying to relax him. "I'm sure it'll be all right. It could be just — just a problem with the Network, it could be..."

[Valanora]

Valanora Times
Champions of Power

The conference slate is over, five teams have been crowned champions of their conference after first winning their divisions before emerging triumphant in the conference championship game. However not all conference champions are made equal and as we head into the out of conference slate, we get to see if our perceptions of teams and their conferences are true or if there has been a bit of a misjudgement afoot. For some conferences, they may be undervalued and seen as weaker while others might be seen as innately better even if the talent on the field might not be able to back up that claim. The former has often been the case with our own teams, as the Raiders and Rockets have often been dismissed out of hand because of the perceived weakness of the Zephyr conference, though sometimes the latter is correct and it is the Vanorian schools who are merely carrying the conference banner along with their own. However as both the Vanorian and Chromatik schools have proved over the last ten editions or so, perceptions will leave you underprepared, which might be why our two nations schools have risen to the top in the last several years.

5. University of Columbus-Prairie (10-0, Mineral) - This is perhaps going to be the most controversial of rankings as there are many who will claim how you can have an undefeated team as the worst ranked of the five champions when they have just had one of the few undefeated conference slates in the entire history of the entire competition. Yet the Mineral has been seen by nearly everyone as the weakest of all the conferences this season and UCP has been the beneficiary of what might be one of the worst conferences in the history of the competition, thus how they have achieved their feat. They have a good first test to see if they are actually legitimate or are the frauds that many claim them to be as they take on the Skyhawks of Sadeg State in their first out of conference game. Despite their record, the Skyhawks are probably going to be the most stiff competitions that UCP will have faced for the entire season and if they even perform well, much less win, they will find far more legitimacy than what their record currently affords them.

4. Raynor University (8-2, Zephyr) - Despite their dominant performance in the championship game against the Mancodas, the fact that the Rockets were defeated in Poafmersia in a shootout against them and were defeated in the first week at home does somewhat cast a small shadow over an otherwise impeccable season. Defeating the champions twice over the season in dominant fashion is as strong a resume as any team might have and putting up forty-four points in the conference title game really showcases their elite offensive talent. The Rockets, along with their Vanorian brothers in Mar Sara Tech, have difficult out of conference schedules that will put their valor to the test and to see if the Zephyr really has had a bit of improvement this season as local media likes to believe. Playing at home against the Ranorian giants of Richardson in this upcoming week will be quite telling as the Ranorian schools looked sublime in their handling of the Big 8 this season and a big home victory over a team with that sort of quality and history would put those early season missteps far into the rearview mirror.

3. Cold Hill University (8-2, Big Eight) - Speaking of Ranoria, here is the champions of the Big 8 and they get the nod over the Rockets after an impressive display in their title game against LeBois Santura University, the Cardenao school being quite talented themselves. With one of their two losses coming in the final week at their rivals of Richardson, you had to admire their record and the eight win mark is the clear sign of superiority for this edition of the competition. However there is also the fact that Ranorian schools have faltered greatly when it has come to the playoffs in the last several editions and you have to wonder if they have been able to overcome those mental hurdles that have been their big issue over the last several years. They are good and have a lot of potential but if they lack the mental fortitude to see their games and goals through, all that talent will be for nothing.

2. University of Loyola-Istria (8-2, Celestia) - Like Cold Hill before them, Loyal-Istria could have had an even better record if not for a last week away loss to their national rival, losing in a high scoring affair against Northern Moravica by just three points. Then in the Celestia Conference championship game, they proved that defense wins championships holding their Quebecois opponents to a single field goal in a seven to three game. That defense is definitely on the elite end but to only put up a sole touchdown in the game does offer a bit of worry if they are going to be able to score enough when it matters, as well as the Moravica game showing that they can allow their rivals to get underneath their skin a bit. While their Week 11 game at home against Bingham Young University is a bit of a tune up game, we will find out a lot about them in the following two games as they travel first to Mountain District before going to Ranoria to face off against Richardson in the Rebel's Cannon Bowl, one of the best rivalry games in all of the NSCF. Getting at least one victory in those two tough away games will speak volumes on the growing whispers that Banija gridiron is back at the NSCF level after a long hiatus.

1. Cavsar University (8-2, Horizon) - This comes as the biggest shock to all, as Cavsar rose fast the Skyhawks as well as both Chromatik schools to win their division and then absolutely demolished Lithrelir University in the conference title game. This is a glow up in a way that no one would have seen coming a year ago when the Gladiators were struggling in the Horizon and now they are the conference champions and look to be among the early favorites for the entire NSCF going into the out of conference slate. However they have perhaps the weakest of all the five conference champions out of conference schedules, with games at home against Raukieff and LeBois Santura before traveling to New Rotterdam to take on Prince Pieter's. While none of these are easy games, compared to the slate that the rest of the conference champions have, it does look a lot more manageable to get three wins from three, while most of the other teams will be satisfied with getting two wins from the three. Regardless, you can only play who is in front of you and for now, the Gladiators have gone from being a meme to being one of the best teams in the tournament and the sky looks to be the limit if they can keep up this level of play.

[Banija]

OOC Note: This RP will just be 3 separate deep dives, from 3 different perspectives, into 3 different critical moments of the game. So they won't tie with each other.

Loyola-Istria WR Saul Lautner, in the huddle on 2nd & 3 from the 50 for Loyola, in a 0-0 game with 7:22 left in the second quarter

"Green left Y tiger shift X 47 grand lucky." Sebowa Jawara gave out the complicated play-call, as always. "Andddd- break."

It was a 0-0 game so far. And despite the last time these two teams played, they combined for 97 points, and the winning team, USC, got into the 60s, so far this game had been dominated by the defenses. Both defensive coordinators had been embarrassed by their last showing- particularly Loyola's, whose defense had gotten torn apart for 550+ total yards of offense, and 61 points. He had kept his job after that one, but it had been thoroughly in danger after a performance as abject as that one. And the defense, as a whole, had been pretty embarrassed. So the work the defensive unit had put into gameplanning this game, was immense. And hey- so far, so good. Unfortunately, the Blue Thunder offense had done nothing to take advantage. And USC would start scoring eventually- so the Loyola offense needed to start putting points on the board, and doing so pronto. And with a great first down run by Jackson-Smith, the Blue Thunder, with a second & short, wanted to try to continue the momentum of moving the ball.

The play-call itself, was simple. McNair and Lautner lined up in bunches, to the QB's left. McNair outside, Lautner in the slot. Two RB set in the backfield, and then a TE on the line of scrimmage. They would motion Lautner across, fake the handoff on the reverse to try and get the defense moving towards him, and then flip a screen to McNair. If he could beat his CB one on one, he'd have a lot of open field in front of him. Theoretically, anyways. Lautner was ready. They had ran a similar play last week against NMU, but they actually handed it off- and Lautner had ran it 37 yards to the house on a 1st & 10. So, it was surely something that would come up on film for Les Bleu et Blanc.

"Blue forty-right!" Jawara barked at the line. He continued barking his cadence- and then set Lautner in motion. It was set up perfectly- defenders seemed confused, the ball was snapped, and Jawara faked the handoff to McNair. Now, Lautner's role on this play was to just continue running. He slowed up, and then, looking into the USC portion of the crowd, he saw them cheer- and his eyes got wide as he turned around. On the opposite sideline, USC CB Rayshaun Nelson had punched the ball out, and Etienne Mutombo, the USC LB, had picked it up on one hop. And he, of course, was doing exactly what was expected of him- making a beeline towards the end zone.

"Fuck." Lautner whispered under his breath. He was so far away, and once he noticed the LB was a linebacker, he went into breakneck speed. He was already pretty fast- and Mutombo had no idea he was chasing him down. Hauling across the field diagonally, from his own 45, he made a diving leap of faith- and was able to shoestring tackle Mutombo at the Loyola 3 yard line, saving a touchdown- for now. And Lautner was GAASED. He had used every single ounce of energy he had- and it would be a tackle that would percolate across social media, talking about how even the son of a true legend of the game, Ian Lautner, could put in superhuman effort in a championship game. But- he was gassed. As the USC celebrated the fumble return, he eventually got up. He looked into the crowd- and somehow, found his father. Ian had given him a thumbs up- nodding to his effort.

Huffing and puffing, he walked to the sideline. It was stone-faced, as it always is when you turn the ball over. But Coach Zervos went to seek him out. "Saul- what a fucking hustle play. That's the shit I need on this team. Max effort- our defense will make it pay off. Go get some water." And what did you know- the Loyola defense actually held. First down, the massive Drawkian DT, Chad Vaughn, stuffed the USC HB for no gain at the line of scrimmage. On second down, they called a pass play- but Damion Battles sacked the QB for a 6 yard loss. And on 3rd & goal from the 9, pressure from a CB blitz by Jared Boss forced the USC QB to throw it away. A hell of a stand by the Loyola, to force a FG (that USC would convert). A lot of defenders high-fived Saul when they had gotten to the sideline, saying he gave them a chance. He was smiling- Loyola was in this one.

---

Banijan radio commentators. USC are facing 4th & 15 from their own 10 yard line with 4:20 left in the third quarter, with USC still leading 3-0

Color Commentator: Oh my, the defense came to PLAY today, didn't they! Damion Battles just got his second sack of the afternoon, as both defenses star in a game tha was expected to be a shootout. The over/under for total points for this game was set at 64.5 going in- and with USC leading 3-0 late in the third quarter, we can basically assure you that will be physically impossible.

Play-By-Play Commentator: Both defenses have made significant adjustments from the last time they played- and it has paid off tremendous dividends. It's not doing any good for anybody's blood pressure, however. Loyola is generally not built to win games this low-scoring. Sebowa Jawara has been elite all season, but today has mostly been a re-run of the greatest hits of NSCF 30-32 Sebowa Jawara. USC's thrown off his rhythm, they are blanketing WRs, and ergo forcing his throws to be inaccurate. They're not gonna have to score much- but two turnovers for the Blue Thunder O isn't helping matters either. Of course, the defense has forced one of its own, but still. They're gonna have to score SOMETHING.

Color Commentator: With USC punting from so deep in their own territory, even a halfway decent punt return should give Loyola their best field position of the day. The ball at the 10, and our punt returner, Saul Lautner- who made a TD saving chasedown tackle last quarter, by the way- is standing right around his own 45 yard line. It shouldn't take a ton for the Blue Thunder to get into FG range for their Chromatik kicker.

Play-By-Play Commentator: And now, USC is ready to punt. The punter, Jean-Claude Choo-Arcand, is standing about a yard into his own end zone. The snap is good, and Choo-Arcand connects- and oh my, that's a BOOMING kick!

Color Commentator: Truly field flipping. Look at Lautner turn around and go back for that!

Play-By-Play Commentator: And the younger Lautner, going backwards, has fielded the football at about his own 35 yard line, in the center of the field. A hell of a kick by Choo-Arcand- but did he outkick his coverage. Lautner runs forward, makes one man miss, and then runs towards the right sideline! He's at the 45... 50... the USC 45... And he's gonna cut it back! That's a spin move! No flags on the play, folks! He's running sideline to sideline, trying to reach the end zone! He's at the 35... 30... AND HE COULD GO! BUT IT'S A FOOT RACE! AND.. RAY-SCULLY FORCES HIM OUT OF BOUNDS AT THE USC FOUR YARD LINE! Oh my oh my, what a play, what a return! No flags anywhere. Ray-Scully had the angle, but an electric play by Saul Lautner to get this team going.

Color Commentator: Oh my- Saul Lautner has made the two biggest plays of this game! He's a guy who's improved over the course of the season, as he's gained Jawara's trust. While recording just 150 receiving yards combined over Loyola's first 5 games, he's really come on across the past 5 weeks. He had 100+ receiving yards both in Week 6 and Week 8, and last week he had 120+ yards of total offense (85 receiving plus 37 rushing). And while today, he's only got one reception for 4 yards.. Jawara's thrown for 57 total. And hey- that punt return has put Loyola in position to score. Will USC force a FG- or can Loyola punch it in to take the lead?

Commercial break, then back to the scene. First down, Jackson-Smith runs up the middle for a loss of one, stuffed by USC's DTs. We come back on second & goal from the USC 5.

Color Commentator: USC's defense are trying to show that Loyola's isn't the only one that can come up huge for a goal line stand. Their defense stood tall there- and now, there are big substitutions from the sideline. Dennis Zervos surely understands the importance of this possession- neither offense can do anything, and the chances that they start another drive inside the 5 are slim. Expect him to be aggressive. But how aggressive? Can he trust Jawara to not throw a pick down here?

Play-By-Play Commentator: They break huddle. Jawara's in the gun. Three WRs are bunched left- McNair, Lautner, and Jones. TE on the line of scrimmage, on the right. The ball is on the left hash, here at the 5 yard line. And Kakyomya Mulo, the backup HB, lined up to Jawara's right. Jawara's up to the line, barking orders.. It looks like he's changing protections. Are the Blue Thunder confused? He takes a couple of steps to his right, barking orders- and suddenly, the ball is direct snapped to Mulo! He runs left.. And pitches it behind him to Saul Lautner, who's running in the other direction! And he lofts one.. AND SEBOWA JAWARA IS WIDE OPEN IN THE END ZONE FOR A TOUCHDOWN!

He pauses for a few seconds to let the crowd noise come in.

Play-By-Play Commentator: The Philly Loyola special, at the goal line- who saw that one coming! In a critical juncture, in a critical moment- Coach Zervos gambled, and he was rewarded. Nobody on the USC D accounted for the quarterback, and Saul Lautner had the easiest pass he'd ever throw in his life. And can we say- what a game for the Quebecois kid? Huge tackle, the massive punt return to set this up, and then.. Throwing the TD that gave Loyola its first lead of the night. What a moment, a magical performance- and now, under the 4 minute mark in Q3, we can say that we have a hell of a game remaining on our hands.

---

Former NMU HC Lance Kabuye watching the ending of the Celestia conference championship game. 1:33 left, Loyola lead 7-3, USC have first & 10 at their own 32 yard line

Lance Kabuye was at home, with some of his family. Particularly, two members- his son and daughter-in-law. Sebastian Kabuye, the QB Coach at Northern Moravica, as well as his wife, who was the head coach, Hannah McKendry. There were two others here- Bernard McKendry, who was Hannah McKendry's son in her first marriage and served as NMU's DL coach. And, of course, Apollo Esther- former stud HB under Lance Kabuye. He wasn't related by blood by an institution that seemed to be rapidly becoming a family affair, but of course he had seemed to work himself into the inner circle here. The OC, of course, was off recruiting, and the younger McKendry was taking a break from his duties as part of Hannah's 'DC by committee' approach, after she had fired their DC following a 71 point ass whupping on the Busoga Islands.

The room was pretty silent. Lance Kabuye loved NMU football, and as everybody knew, he could not stand Loyola-Istria with every fiber of his being. So watching them in the Celestia conference title game, again, was a nightmare. "Man- this shit is so boring." The eldest Kabuye said. Nobody really responded. It was one of the positive marks of Lance Kabuye's that in his first season, he not only shattered a series of curses en route to NMU's first NSCF title, but he also ended Isaka Jawara's college football career early. There were QBs who have played in 3 NSCF Championship games. Isaka was not one of them- thanks to NMU taking him to town, at his house, in the NSCF 19 Semifinals.

In fact, he didn't think the game in front of him was boring at all. He had a lot of evolutions as a HC- but he loved smashmouth, low-scoring gridiron. And this, was exactly that- neither team reaching even 200 yards of total offense. It was a game that reached deep into the depths of his old soul. However, it was a game Loyola was winning- and therefore, one Lance hated.

"Hey- USC might come back." Apollo said.

"Hopefully." Hannah chimed in.

"Hey- Cameus-Landa can sling it." Sebastian chimed in. "She's got a decent chance to launch a comeback here."

And it was the chance that never was. She was in the gun on first down, and a blitz up the middle by Loyola LB Vile Mkutukana went unblocked. Cameus-Landa, feeling the pressure, had to get rid of the ball a beat too early- and the timing was a disaster. It floated straight to Theo Vage downfield, who returned the ball to the Loyola 25 yard line before sliding down.

"AND LOYOLA, WITH THAT INTERCEPTION, IS GOING TO WIN THEI-" and while everybody else in the room knew what the announcer was gonna say, Lance turned off his TV. He had no need to watch Loyola's kneeldowns and celebrations. Sebowa Jawara threw for 71 yards in the title game and was going to win a conference ring- it made him sick.

"Not even Isaka won the Celestia." Lance said, out loud. "7 seasons with a Jawara at QB... Last ever try, they win it because their punt returner balls out after Jawara had the worst game of his life. Unbelievable."

Room sat in silence for a minute. "Well, you know- next week we're going back to Raynor U." Hannah started. "Where our season ended last year. Last year's #1 overall seed. Zephyr conference champs, and in style. What's done is done- we're 6-4 and there's nothing that can be done about that. Monday we're locking in- there's an at-large playoff spot up for grabs, and we must pull it down like a Drawkian center grabbing a rebound."

"Toughest game on our calendar." Apollo Esther timed in.

"It would go a LONG way towards getting us back into the playoffs." Sebastian said. "How do we slow down that offense though?" They talked strat for about 30 minutes, and then both Apollo and Bernard left. They had busy recruiting events the next day, and needed to go to bed.

"My family." He looked at Hannah and Sebastian, and particularly his son. "I've got some news for you..."

[Sea Peoples League]

Previously in Sea Dome Gridiron

---

MD17
1
Regional Industrial Union 23–20 Sea Dome University Stingrays
Corporate City 1 23–7 National Party Corporates
Hub City Eagles 17–13 Midcity Dodgers
Sea Dome Navy 20–10 Independent Students Union
Gimlen Rams 14–21 Nonalignment PC
FC Skyport Zone 13–16 Quick Wholesale Packers
Syndicalist PC 7–21 House Lords Party
Midnight Auto Gremlins 13–3 Shiheda Electronics Bolts

   1                                      Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 Midnight Auto Gremlins                  16   12   4   385  350  +35    0.750 Q
 2 National Party Corporates               16   11   5   349  310  +39    0.688 Q
 3 Syndicalist PC                          16   11   5   393  342  +51    0.688 Q
 4 Hub City Eagles                         16   11   5   338  237 +101    0.688 Q
 5 Orange Farms SC                         16   10   6   325  329   −4    0.625 Q
 6 Regional Industrial Union               16    9   7   344  360  −16    0.562 Q
 7 Sea Dome University Stingrays           16    9   7   349  282  +67    0.562 play-in
 8 House Lords Party                       16    8   8   321  310  +11    0.500
 9 FC Skyport Zone                         16    7   9   342  371  −29    0.438
10 Independent Students Union              16    7   9   394  300  +94    0.438
11 Sea Dome Navy                           16    7   9   340  360  −20    0.438
12 Shiheda Electronics Bolts               16    7   9   314  356  −42    0.438
13 Gimlen Rams                             16    6  10   356  396  −40    0.375
14 Quick Wholesale Packers                 16    6  10   353  401  −48    0.375
15 Corporate City 1                        16    6  10   334  394  −60    0.375
16 Midcity Dodgers                         16    5  11   334  398  −64    0.312
17 Nonalignment PC                         16    4  12   297  372  −75    0.250

2
Hotlamp Quarter Flames 19–22 Liberal Conservative PC
Hub City Safety Patrol 27–30 UHC Bandits
Sunnyside FC 27–10 Electrogrid Chargers
General Steel Sabers 33–3 General Hospital Greens
Maroon Archipelago 13–27 Chigul Stampede
Private Banking Group Royals 10–3 CC1DoC
Taikonauts HC 24–30 Black Star PC
Maritime University Pirates 41–21 Xuelei Highlanders

   2                                      Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 Sunnyside FC                            16   11   5   477  340 +137    0.688 Q
 2 General Steel Sabers                    16   11   5   478  357 +121    0.688 Q
 3 Maritime University Pirates             16   10   6   403  275 +128    0.625 Q
 4 Hotlamp Quarter Flames                  16   10   6   416  355  +61    0.625 Q
 5 Xuelei Technical University             16   10   6   403  377  +26    0.625 Q
 6 Chigul Stampede                         16    9   7   326  329   −3    0.562 Q
 7 Maroon Archipelago                      16    9   7   434  408  +26    0.562 play-in
 8 Private Banking Group Royals            16    8   8   341  407  −66    0.500
 9 UHC Bandits                             16    8   8   373  357  +16    0.500
10 Liberal Conservative PC                 16    8   8   389  376  +13    0.500
11 General Hospital Greens                 16    7   9   299  353  −54    0.438
12 Black Star PC                           16    7   9   368  376   −8    0.438
13 CC1DoC                                  16    7   9   309  381  −72    0.438
14 Xuelei Highlanders                      16    7   9   362  446  −84    0.438
15 Hub City Safety Patrol                  16    5  11   324  414  −90    0.312
16 Taikonauts HC                           16    5  11   350  414  −64    0.312
17 Electrogrid Chargers                    16    4  12   281  368  −87    0.250

3
Federal Bank Panthers 27–24 Freedom School Athletics
Our Mother of the Wretched 26–10 Autonomous University Wildcats
Normal School FC 13–31 High City College Snipers
Nwfila Harvest Mice 9–10 Agriculture & Terraforming College
Anchor City Clippers 9–27 University of the Arts
StreetSec Inc. Nightwatch 33–6 Radical Democracy PC
Sea Dome Coast Guard 10–9 Heaven's Remora
Riverside Speed Club 17–3 Internationalist PC

   3                                      Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win %  
 1 Sea Dome Coast Guard                    16   11   5   367  403  −36    0.688 Q
 2 Agriculture & Terraforming College      16   10   6   322  315   +7    0.625 Q
 3 Our Mother of the Wretched              16    9   7   346  311  +35    0.562 Q
 4 Anchor City Clippers                    16    9   7   371  376   −5    0.562 Q
 5 Pentoia Massive                         16    9   7   359  368   −9    0.562 Q
 6 Heaven's Remora                         16    8   8   372  358  +14    0.500 Q
 7 High City College Snipers               16    8   8   379  332  +47    0.500
 8 Normal School FC                        16    8   8   385  357  +28    0.500
 9 Federal Bank Panthers                   16    8   8   383  392   −9    0.500
10 Autonomous University Wildcats          16    8   8   306  365  −59    0.500
11 Nwfila Harvest Mice                     16    7   9   373  409  −36    0.438
12 Freedom School Athletics                16    7   9   406  310  +96    0.438
13 Radical Democracy PC                    16    7   9   227  295  −68    0.438
14 University of the Arts                  16    7   9   355  314  +41    0.438
15 Internationalist PC                     16    7   9   350  341   +9    0.438
16 Riverside Speed Club                    16    7   9   381  418  −37    0.438
17 StreetSec Inc. Nightwatch               16    6  10   345  363  −18    0.375

4
CC1 Sanitation 17–20 Red Star PC
Hub City FC 20–7 Corporate University Sharks
Naval Academy 21–10 University of Liberation Theology
Mischief Society Wreckers 33–3 Revanchist Party Avengers
Solar Mart Rays 27–38 North Xuelei Mongoose
Space Exploration PC 26–3 BPR Industries
Riverside Land Sciences University 14–13 Deep Country AC
Civil Defense Union 40–23 IST Conglomerate

   4                                      Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 Civil Defense Union                     16   10   6   319  293  +26    0.625 Q
 2 Red Star PC                             16    9   7   384  345  +39    0.562 Q
 3 IST Conglomerate                        16    9   7   394  383  +11    0.562 Q
 4 Mischief Society Wreckers               16    9   7   421  328  +93    0.562 Q
 5 CC1 Sanitation                          16    9   7   390  357  +33    0.562 Q
 6 Hub City FC                             16    9   7   356  346  +10    0.562 Q
 7 Anti-Cartel PC                          16    9   7   312  328  −16    0.562 play-in
 8 Revanchist Party Avengers               16    8   8   402  383  +19    0.500
 9 Naval Academy                           16    8   8   325  374  −49    0.500
10 North Xuelei Mongoose                   16    8   8   374  412  −38    0.500
11 Corporate University Sharks             16    8   8   294  299   −5    0.500
12 University of Liberation Theology       16    7   9   367  421  −54    0.438
13 BPR Industries                          16    7   9   321  347  −26    0.438
14 Solar Mart Rays                         16    7   9   369  406  −37    0.438
15 Riverside Land Sciences University      16    7   9   343  307  +36    0.438
16 Deep Country AC                         16    6  10   294  294    0    0.375
17 Space Exploration PC                    16    6  10   346  388  −42    0.375

5
Jenoch Guerrillas 22–21 Language & Technical University
Iron Hill Ancients 27–23 Free Trade PC
Sea Dome Marines 33–23 Industry Zone Grinders
Floating Haven Gunnery 30–14 Hub City Raiders
Metropolitans 27–29 AFC Reyalto
Abolition PC 24–21 Corporate City Rangers
Olofsson Group Blues 10–20 Socialist Liberation Party Reds
Lemo Dolphins 23–23 Thought Reform PC (29–26 OT)

   5                                      Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 Floating Haven Gunnery                  16   10   6   373  308  +65    0.625 Q
 2 CC1 Dept of Civil Defense               16   10   6   377  332  +45    0.625 Q
 3 Hub City Raiders                        16   10   6   359  277  +82    0.625 Q
 4 Abolition PC                            16    9   7   351  357   −6    0.562 Q
 5 Corporate City Rangers                  16    9   7   362  338  +24    0.562 Q
 6 Sea Dome Marines                        16    9   7   369  320  +49    0.562 Q
 7 AFC Reyalto                             16    9   7   407  339  +68    0.562 play-in
 8 Olofsson Group Blues                    16    8   8   325  338  −13    0.500
 9 Industry Zone Grinders                  16    8   8   356  394  −38    0.500
10 Thought Reform PC                       16    8   8   338  394  −56    0.500
11 Socialist Liberation Party Reds         16    8   8   355  343  +12    0.500
12 Jenoch Guerrillas                       16    7   9   326  381  −55    0.438
13 Language & Technical University         16    7   9   306  344  −38    0.438
14 Iron Hill Ancients                      16    6  10   361  422  −61    0.375
15 Free Trade PC                           16    6  10   355  373  −18    0.375
16 Metropolitans                           16    6  10   338  365  −27    0.375
17 Lemo Dolphins                           16    6  10   331  364  −33    0.375
Riverside Land Sciences University Cougars 30–24 Sea Dome University Stingrays
Naval Academy Cutters 29–6 University of the Arts Elephants

Wildcard Round | H+A (2G)
SDU	50	UArts	40
RLSU	46	Navy	42
A
Hub City FC Academy 22–39 Iron Hill Ancients Academy Juniors (IHA)
Solar Mart Football Academy Beams (SMR) 23–17 Young Breakers (ACPC)
Sanitatation Academy Cleaners (CCS) 43–35 Electrogrid Academy Volts (Ele)
High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC) 26–10 Midcity Dodgers Academy (MC)
Quick Wholesale Young Packers (QWP) 6–6 Young Orange Farmers (OFSC) (13–19 OT)
E- Young Diplomats (NPC) 0–51 Young Athletics (FSA)
StreetSec Inc. Junior Guard (SSI) 23–3 FC Skyport Zone Academy Fighters (FCSZ)
BPR Industries Young Bulls 21–0 Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers (RIU)
Sunnyside FC Academy Rads (SFC) 17–17 AFC Reyalto Academy Islanders (AFC) (32–27 OT)
E- Floating Haven Gunnery Academy Runners (FHG) 42–45 Corporate City Rangers Academy

   A                                                            Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 Young Athletics                                               17   17   0   588   82 +506    1.000 won group
 2 Young Orange Farmers                                          17   10   7   442  378  +64    0.588
 3 StreetSec Inc. Junior Guard                                   17   10   7   454  340 +114    0.588
 4 High City Junior College Gunnies                              17   10   7   364  345  +19    0.588
 5 AFC Reyalto Academy Islanders                                 17   10   7   393  338  +55    0.588
 6 Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers                  17   10   7   334  360  −26    0.588
 7 Hub City FC Academy                                           17    9   8   423  403  +20    0.529
 8 Sanitatation Academy Cleaners                                 17    9   8   445  453   −8    0.529
 9 Electrogrid Academy Volts                                     17    9   8   341  386  −45    0.529
10 Iron Hill Ancients Academy Juniors                            17    9   8   386  348  +38    0.529
11 BPR Industries Young Bulls                                    17    8   9   317  319   −2    0.471
12 FC Skyport Zone Academy Fighters                              17    8   9   392  374  +18    0.471
13 Midcity Dodgers Academy                                       17    8   9   307  387  −80    0.471
14 Young Breakers                                                17    7  10   347  340   +7    0.412
15 Quick Wholesale Young Packers                                 17    7  10   296  358  −62    0.412
16 Floating Haven Gunnery Academy Runners                        17    6  11   326  417  −91    0.353 E
17 Young Diplomats                                               17    6  11   299  408 −109    0.353 E
18 Solar Mart Football Academy Beams                             17    6  11   346  475 −129    0.353 E
19 Corporate City Rangers Academy                                17    6  11   308  409 −101    0.353 E
20 Sunnyside FC Academy Rads                                     17    5  12   312  500 −188    0.294 E

B
Hub City Raiders Academy 3–17 Young Reds (RSPC)
Heaven's Remora Football Academy Hawks (HR) 12–14 Hub City Eagles Academy
Xuelei Technical Junior College Gorilla Cubs (XTU) 12–7 E- Corporate Junior College Barracuda (CUS)
North Xuelei Mongoose Academy 19–9 Young Abolitionists (APC)
Private Banking Group Young Money (PBG) 26–10 Chigul Stampede Academy (Chi)
E- Young Nationalists (NPC) 34–17 E-CC1DoC Football Academy Patrollers (DoC)
Young Independents (ISU) 15–35 Riverside Land Sciences Junior College Cougar Cubs (RLSU)
College of the Arts Octopus (UA) 9–27 Future Lords (HLP)
E- Space Academy Stars 14–19 Q- Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts (Shi)
E- Agriculture & Terraforming Junior College Badger Cubs (ATC) 26–71 Junior Marine Academy Lancers

   B                                                            Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts                    17   13   4   485  387  +98    0.765 Q
 2 Heaven's Remora Football Academy Hawks                        17   12   5   411  323  +88    0.706 Q
 3 North Xuelei Mongoose Academy                                 17   11   6   374  388  −14    0.647
 4 Hub City Raiders Academy                                      17   11   6   378  304  +74    0.647
 5 Young Reds                                                    17   10   7   407  375  +32    0.588 can't win group
 6 College of the Arts Octopus                                   17   10   7   419  353  +66    0.588
 7 Private Banking Group Young Money                             17   10   7   386  374  +12    0.588
 8 Young Abolitionists                                           17    9   8   345  334  +11    0.529
 9 Young Independents                                            17    9   8   416  373  +43    0.529
10 Riverside Land Sciences Junior College Cougar Cubs            17    9   8   318  332  −14    0.529
11 Hub City Eagles Academy                                       17    9   8   451  441  +10    0.529
12 CC1DoC Football Academy Patrollers                            17    7  10   399  406   −7    0.412 E
13 Corporate Junior College Barracuda                            17    7  10   364  408  −44    0.412 E
14 Space Academy Stars                                           17    7  10   325  414  −89    0.412 E
15 Young Nationalists                                            17    7  10   364  356   +8    0.412 E
16 Agriculture & Terraforming Junior College Badger Cubs         17    7  10   309  401  −92    0.412 E
17 Junior Marine Academy Lancers                                 17    6  11   470  461   +9    0.353 E
18 Xuelei Technical Junior College Gorilla Cubs                  17    6  11   321  357  −36    0.353 E
19 Future Lords                                                  17    5  12   350  489 −139    0.294 E
20 Chigul Stampede Academy                                       17    5  12   366  382  −16    0.294 E

C
E- HCSP Academy Interruptors 26–19 E- Junior Naval Academy Hoppers
Nwfila Harvest Mice Academy 13–35 General Steel Sabers Academy Blades (GSS)
Anchor City Clippers Academy (ACC) 48–17 E- Xuelei Highlanders Academy Lowlanders (Xue)
Young Neoliberals (FTPC) 9–36 Q- Young Liberators (ULT)
Hub City Junior College Robbers (UHC) 30–21 E- Young Democrats (RDPC)
Young Syndicalists (SPC) 29–38 Riverside Speed Club Football Academy
Jenoch Guerrillas Academy 30–13 Young Internationals (IPC)
Lemo Dolphins Academy Calfs 31–13 Pentoia Massive Football Academy Giants (Pen)
Federal Bank Panther Cubs (FBP) 31–24 Industry Zone Grinders Academy
Mischief Academy Miscreants (MSW) 29–47 Christian Junior College Sparks (OMW)

   C                                                            Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 Young Internationals                                          17   13   4   442  311 +131    0.765 Q
 2 Young Liberators                                              17   13   4   715  357 +358    0.765 Q
 3 Pentoia Massive Football Academy Giants                       17   11   6   441  386  +55    0.647
 4 Christian Junior College Sparks                               17   10   7   501  406  +95    0.588 can't win group
 5 Jenoch Guerrillas Academy                                     17   10   7   386  374  +12    0.588
 6 Riverside Speed Club Football Academy                         17   10   7   390  385   +5    0.588
 7 Young Neoliberals                                             17   10   7   359  394  −35    0.588
 8 Federal Bank Panther Cubs                                     17   10   7   343  376  −33    0.588
 9 Lemo Dolphins Academy Calfs                                   17   10   7   406  374  +32    0.588
10 Nwfila Harvest Mice Academy                                   17   10   7   422  408  +14    0.588
11 Hub City Junior College Robbers                               17    8   9   263  300  −37    0.471
12 Industry Zone Grinders Academy                                17    8   9   431  379  +52    0.471
13 General Steel Sabers Academy Blades                           17    8   9   407  379  +28    0.471
14 Junior Naval Academy Hoppers                                  17    7  10   391  435  −44    0.412 E
15 HCSP Academy Interruptors                                     17    7  10   341  373  −32    0.412 E
16 Xuelei Highlanders Academy Lowlanders                         17    6  11   356  438  −82    0.353 E
17 Young Democrats                                               17    6  11   382  504 −122    0.353 E
18 Mischief Academy Miscreants                                   17    5  12   348  444  −96    0.294 E
19 Anchor City Clippers Academy                                  17    5  12   310  420 −110    0.294 E
20 Young Syndicalists                                            17    3  14   316  507 −191    0.176 E

D
Deep Country AC Academy Jellies (DCAC) 13–34 Young Anarchists (BSPC)
Gimlen Rams Academy (GR) 28–19 Sea Dome Junior College Rays (SDU)
Young Explorers (SEPC) 33–3 Hotlamp Quarter Flames Academy
E- Young Avengers (RPA) 12–23 Automotive School Young Gremlins (MAG)
E- Normal School Changemakers (NSM) 23–26 Olofsson Group Football Academy Cyans (OGB)
E- Taikonauts HC Football Academy (THC) 10–12 CC1 Legion Academy Pikes (CC1)
Language & Technical Junior College Jousters (LTU) 41–30 Maroon Archipelago Football Academy Scrappers (MA)
Civil Defense Academy Pointers (CC1CD) 13–33 Metropolitans Academy
Young Socialists (SLP) 34–45 Junior Coast Guard Academy Snappers
Maritime Junior College Swabbies (MU) 9–26 Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs (AU)

   D                                                            Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 CC1 Legion Academy Pikes                                      17   14   3   419  269 +150    0.824 Q
 2 Young Socialists                                              17   12   5   480  414  +66    0.706 Q
 3 Olofsson Group Football Academy Cyans                         17   10   7   374  401  −27    0.588 can't win group
 4 Young Anarchists                                              17   10   7   467  403  +64    0.588
 5 Maritime Junior College Swabbies                              17   10   7   445  451   −6    0.588
 6 Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs                          17   10   7   426  394  +32    0.588
 7 Civil Defense Academy Pointers                                17    9   8   402  422  −20    0.529
 8 Language & Technical Junior College Jousters                  17    9   8   404  448  −44    0.529
 9 Sea Dome Junior College Rays                                  17    9   8   361  362   −1    0.529
10 Hotlamp Quarter Flames Academy                                17    9   8   373  353  +20    0.529
11 Metropolitans Academy                                         17    8   9   388  374  +14    0.471
12 Junior Coast Guard Academy Snappers                           17    8   9   409  454  −45    0.471
13 Maroon Archipelago Football Academy Scrappers                 17    8   9   474  454  +20    0.471
14 Gimlen Rams Academy                                           17    7  10   426  415  +11    0.412
15 Automotive School Young Gremlins                              17    7  10   342  349   −7    0.412
16 Young Explorers                                               17    7  10   385  377   +8    0.412
17 Young Avengers                                                17    6  11   378  442  −64    0.353 E
18 Normal School Changemakers                                    17    6  11   391  440  −49    0.353 E
19 Taikonauts HC Football Academy                                17    6  11   353  406  −53    0.353 E
20 Deep Country AC Academy Jellies                               17    5  12   319  388  −69    0.294 E
18
--PLAY-IN--
AFC Reyalto 25–17 Anti-Cartel PC
Sea Dome University Stingrays 20–12 Maroon Archipelago
SF
Freedom School Athletics 19–10 Naval Academy Cutters
University of Liberation Theology Liberators 20–6 Sea Dome University Stingrays
A
Iron Hill Ancients Academy Juniors (IHA) 17–7 Corporate City Rangers Academy
AFC Reyalto Academy Islanders (AFC) 17–20 Floating Haven Gunnery Academy Runners (FHG)
Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers (RIU) 25–34 Sunnyside FC Academy Rads (SFC)
FC Skyport Zone Academy Fighters (FCSZ) 52–31 E- BPR Industries Young Bulls
Young Athletics (FSA) 41–7 StreetSec Inc. Junior Guard (SSI)
Young Orange Farmers (OFSC) 40–31 Young Diplomats (NPC)
Midcity Dodgers Academy (MC) 43–13 E- Quick Wholesale Young Packers (QWP)
Electrogrid Academy Volts (Ele) 40–10 High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC)
Young Breakers (ACPC) 15–15 Sanitatation Academy Cleaners (CCS) (18–15 OT)
Hub City FC Academy 27–3 Solar Mart Football Academy Beams (SMR)

   A                                                            Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 Young Athletics                                               18   18   0   629   89 +540    1.000 won group
 2 Young Orange Farmers                                          18   11   7   482  409  +73    0.611
 3 Hub City FC Academy                                           18   10   8   450  406  +44    0.556
 4 StreetSec Inc. Junior Guard                                   18   10   8   461  381  +80    0.556
 5 High City Junior College Gunnies                              18   10   8   374  385  −11    0.556
 6 AFC Reyalto Academy Islanders                                 18   10   8   410  358  +52    0.556
 7 Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers                  18   10   8   359  394  −35    0.556
 8 Electrogrid Academy Volts                                     18   10   8   381  396  −15    0.556
 9 Iron Hill Ancients Academy Juniors                            18   10   8   403  355  +48    0.556
10 FC Skyport Zone Academy Fighters                              18    9   9   444  405  +39    0.500
11 Sanitatation Academy Cleaners                                 18    9   9   460  471  −11    0.500
12 Midcity Dodgers Academy                                       18    9   9   350  400  −50    0.500
13 Young Breakers                                                18    8  10   365  355  +10    0.444 E
14 BPR Industries Young Bulls                                    18    8  10   348  371  −23    0.444 E
15 Floating Haven Gunnery Academy Runners                        18    7  11   346  434  −88    0.389 E
16 Quick Wholesale Young Packers                                 18    7  11   309  401  −92    0.389 E
17 Corporate City Rangers Academy                                18    6  12   315  426 −111    0.333 E
18 Sunnyside FC Academy Rads                                     18    6  12   346  525 −179    0.333 E
19 Solar Mart Football Academy Beams                             18    6  12   349  502 −153    0.333 E
20 Young Diplomats                                               18    6  12   330  448 −118    0.333 E

B
Young Reds (RSPC) 19–19 Junior Marine Academy Lancers (19–22 OT)
Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts (Shi) 6–7 Agriculture & Terraforming Junior College Badger Cubs (ATC)
Future Lords (HLP) 27–34 Space Academy Stars
Riverside Land Sciences Junior College Cougar Cubs (RLSU) 42–28 College of the Arts Octopus (UA)
CC1DoC Football Academy Patrollers (DoC) 27–14 Young Independents (ISU)
Chigul Stampede Academy (Chi) 30–13 Young Nationalists (NPC)
Young Abolitionists (APC) 24–6 Private Banking Group Young Money (PBG)
Corporate Junior College Barracuda (CUS) 51–22 North Xuelei Mongoose Academy
Hub City Eagles Academy 23–9 Xuelei Technical Junior College Gorilla Cubs (XTU)
Hub City Raiders Academy 6–13 Heaven's Remora Football Academy Hawks (HR)

   B                                                            Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts                    18   13   5   491  394  +97    0.722 Q
 2 Heaven's Remora Football Academy Hawks                        18   13   5   424  329  +95    0.722 Q
 3 North Xuelei Mongoose Academy                                 18   11   7   396  439  −43    0.611 can't win group
 4 Hub City Raiders Academy                                      18   11   7   384  317  +67    0.611
 5 Young Abolitionists                                           18   10   8   369  340  +29    0.556
 6 College of the Arts Octopus                                   18   10   8   447  395  +52    0.556
 7 Young Reds                                                    18   10   8   426  397  +29    0.556
 8 Riverside Land Sciences Junior College Cougar Cubs            18   10   8   360  360    0    0.556
 9 Private Banking Group Young Money                             18   10   8   392  398   −6    0.556
10 Hub City Eagles Academy                                       18   10   8   474  450  +24    0.556
11 Young Independents                                            18    9   9   430  400  +30    0.500
12 CC1DoC Football Academy Patrollers                            18    8  10   426  420   +6    0.444 E
13 Corporate Junior College Barracuda                            18    8  10   415  430  −15    0.444 E
14 Space Academy Stars                                           18    8  10   359  441  −82    0.444 E
15 Agriculture & Terraforming Junior College Badger Cubs         18    8  10   316  407  −91    0.444 E
16 Junior Marine Academy Lancers                                 18    7  11   492  480  +12    0.389 E
17 Young Nationalists                                            18    7  11   377  386   −9    0.389 E
18 Xuelei Technical Junior College Gorilla Cubs                  18    6  12   330  380  −50    0.333 E
19 Chigul Stampede Academy                                       18    6  12   396  395   +1    0.333 E
20 Future Lords                                                  18    5  13   377  523 −146    0.278 E

C
Junior Naval Academy Hoppers 33–15 Christian Junior College Sparks (OMW)
Industry Zone Grinders Academy 30–0 Mischief Academy Miscreants (MSW)
Pentoia Massive Football Academy Giants (Pen) 34–37 Federal Bank Panther Cubs (FBP)
Young Internationals (IPC) 3–0 Lemo Dolphins Academy Calfs
Riverside Speed Club Football Academy 14–17 Jenoch Guerrillas Academy
Young Democrats (RDPC) 17–16 Young Syndicalists (SPC)
Young Liberators (ULT) 52–14 E- Hub City Junior College Robbers (UHC)
Xuelei Highlanders Academy Lowlanders (Xue) 26–23 Young Neoliberals (FTPC)
E- General Steel Sabers Academy Blades (GSS) 13–19 Anchor City Clippers Academy (ACC)
HCSP Academy Interruptors 20–34 Nwfila Harvest Mice Academy

   C                                                            Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 Young Liberators                                              18   14   4   767  371 +396    0.778 Q
 2 Young Internationals                                          18   14   4   445  311 +134    0.778 Q
 3 Jenoch Guerrillas Academy                                     18   11   7   403  388  +15    0.611 can't win group
 4 Federal Bank Panther Cubs                                     18   11   7   380  410  −30    0.611
 5 Pentoia Massive Football Academy Giants                       18   11   7   475  423  +52    0.611
 6 Nwfila Harvest Mice Academy                                   18   11   7   456  428  +28    0.611
 7 Christian Junior College Sparks                               18   10   8   516  439  +77    0.556
 8 Riverside Speed Club Football Academy                         18   10   8   404  402   +2    0.556
 9 Young Neoliberals                                             18   10   8   382  420  −38    0.556
10 Lemo Dolphins Academy Calfs                                   18   10   8   406  377  +29    0.556
11 Industry Zone Grinders Academy                                18    9   9   461  379  +82    0.500
12 Hub City Junior College Robbers                               18    8  10   277  352  −75    0.444 E
13 General Steel Sabers Academy Blades                           18    8  10   420  398  +22    0.444 E
14 Junior Naval Academy Hoppers                                  18    8  10   424  450  −26    0.444 E
15 Xuelei Highlanders Academy Lowlanders                         18    7  11   382  461  −79    0.389 E
16 HCSP Academy Interruptors                                     18    7  11   361  407  −46    0.389 E
17 Young Democrats                                               18    7  11   399  520 −121    0.389 E
18 Anchor City Clippers Academy                                  18    6  12   329  433 −104    0.333 E
19 Mischief Academy Miscreants                                   18    5  13   348  474 −126    0.278 E
20 Young Syndicalists                                            18    3  15   332  524 −192    0.167 E

D
Young Anarchists (BSPC) 29–37 Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs (AU)
E- Junior Coast Guard Academy Snappers 10–30 Maritime Junior College Swabbies (MU)
Metropolitans Academy 19–0 Young Socialists (SLP)
E- Maroon Archipelago Football Academy Scrappers (MA) 29–40 Civil Defense Academy Pointers (CC1CD)
CC1 Legion Academy Pikes (CC1) 17–19 Language & Technical Junior College Jousters (LTU)
Olofsson Group Football Academy Cyans (OGB) 57–26 Taikonauts HC Football Academy (THC)
E- Automotive School Young Gremlins (MAG) 21–23 Normal School Changemakers (NSM)
Hotlamp Quarter Flames Academy 17–3 Young Avengers (RPA)
Sea Dome Junior College Rays (SDU) 31–29 E- Young Explorers (SEPC)
Deep Country AC Academy Jellies (DCAC) 31–15 E- Gimlen Rams Academy (GR)

   D                                                            Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 CC1 Legion Academy Pikes                                      18   14   4   436  288 +148    0.778 won group
 2 Young Socialists                                              18   12   6   480  433  +47    0.667 Q
 3 Olofsson Group Football Academy Cyans                         18   11   7   431  427   +4    0.611
 4 Maritime Junior College Swabbies                              18   11   7   475  461  +14    0.611
 5 Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs                          18   11   7   463  423  +40    0.611
 6 Hotlamp Quarter Flames Academy                                18   10   8   390  356  +34    0.556
 7 Sea Dome Junior College Rays                                  18   10   8   392  391   +1    0.556
 8 Language & Technical Junior College Jousters                  18   10   8   423  465  −42    0.556
 9 Young Anarchists                                              18   10   8   496  440  +56    0.556
10 Civil Defense Academy Pointers                                18   10   8   442  451   −9    0.556
11 Metropolitans Academy                                         18    9   9   407  374  +33    0.500
12 Junior Coast Guard Academy Snappers                           18    8  10   419  484  −65    0.444 E
13 Maroon Archipelago Football Academy Scrappers                 18    8  10   503  494   +9    0.444 E
14 Young Explorers                                               18    7  11   414  408   +6    0.389 E
15 Normal School Changemakers                                    18    7  11   414  461  −47    0.389 E
16 Gimlen Rams Academy                                           18    7  11   441  446   −5    0.389 E
17 Automotive School Young Gremlins                              18    7  11   363  372   −9    0.389 E
18 Taikonauts HC Football Academy                                18    6  12   379  463  −84    0.333 E
19 Young Avengers                                                18    6  12   381  459  −78    0.333 E
20 Deep Country AC Academy Jellies                               18    6  12   350  403  −53    0.333 E
19
--SIXTEENTHFINALS--
1/7
Sunnyside FC 27–14 Sea Dome University Stingrays
Floating Haven Gunnery 26–20 AFC Reyalto

1/6
Midnight Auto Gremlins 15–16 Chigul Stampede
Civil Defense Union 9–29 Sea Dome Marines
Sea Dome Coast Guard 14–35 Hub City FC

2/6
General Steel Sabers 55–28 Heaven's Remora
CC1 Dept of Civil Defense 44–24 Regional Industrial Union

2/5
National Party Corporates 17–34 Xuelei Technical University
Agriculture & Terraforming College 38–23 CC1 Sanitation
Red Star PC 35–9 Corporate City Rangers

3/5
Syndicalist PC 20–3 Pentoia Massive
Maritime University Pirates 20–24 Orange Farms SC

3/4
Hub City Raiders 24–24 Abolition PC (24–27 OT)
Our Mother of the Wretched 27–13 Mischief Society Wreckers
IST Conglomerate 17–14 Anchor City Clippers

4/4
Hub City Eagles 10–23 Hotlamp Quarter Flames
Naval Academy Cutters 13–7 Freedom School Athletics
Sea Dome University Stingrays 39–29 University of Liberation Theology Liberators

Semifinal Round | H+A
FSA	26	ULT	49
Navy	23	SDU	45
A
Solar Mart Football Academy Beams (SMR) 38–33 Iron Hill Ancients Academy Juniors (IHA)
Q- Sanitation Academy Cleaners (CCS) 27–12 E- Hub City FC Academy
Q- High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC) 36–23 Young Breakers (ACPC)
Quick Wholesale Young Packers (QWP) 46–24 Electrogrid Academy Volts (Ele)
Young Diplomats (NPC) 34–27 E- Midcity Dodgers Academy (MC)
E- StreetSec Inc. Junior Guard (SSI) 24–24 Q- Young Orange Farmers (OFSC) (27–33 OT)
BPR Industries Young Bulls 16–19 Young Athletics (FSA)
Sunnyside FC Academy Rads (SFC) 23–9 E- FC Skyport Zone Academy Fighters (FCSZ)
Floating Haven Gunnery Academy Runners (FHG) 46–27 Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers (RIU)
Corporate City Rangers Academy 7–31 Q- AFC Reyalto Academy Islanders (AFC)

   A                                                            Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 Young Athletics                                               19   19   0   648  105 +543    1.000 Q
 2 Young Orange Farmers                                          19   12   7   515  436  +79    0.632 Q
 3 High City Junior College Gunnies                              19   11   8   410  408   +2    0.579 Q
 4 AFC Reyalto Academy Islanders                                 19   11   8   441  365  +76    0.579 Q
 5 Iron Hill Ancients Academy Juniors                            19   10   9   436  393  +43    0.526 Q
 6 Electrogrid Academy Volts                                     19   10   9   405  442  −37    0.526 Q
 7 Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers                  19   10   9   386  440  −54    0.526 Q
 8 Sanitatation Academy Cleaners                                 19   10   9   487  483   +4    0.526 Q
 9 StreetSec Inc. Junior Guard                                   19   10   9   488  414  +74    0.526
10 Hub City FC Academy                                           19   10   9   462  433  +29    0.526
11 FC Skyport Zone Academy Fighters                              19    9  10   453  428  +25    0.474
12 Midcity Dodgers Academy                                       19    9  10   377  434  −57    0.474
13 Young Breakers                                                19    8  11   388  391   −3    0.421
14 Quick Wholesale Young Packers                                 19    8  11   355  425  −70    0.421
15 BPR Industries Young Bulls                                    19    8  11   364  390  −26    0.421
16 Floating Haven Gunnery Academy Runners                        19    8  11   392  461  −69    0.421
17 Sunnyside FC Academy Rads                                     19    7  12   369  534 −165    0.368
18 Solar Mart Football Academy Beams                             19    7  12   387  535 −148    0.368
19 Young Diplomats                                               19    7  12   364  475 −111    0.368
20 Corporate City Rangers Academy                                19    6  13   322  457 −135    0.316

B
Heaven's Remora Football Academy Hawks (HR) 3–20 Q- Young Reds (RSPC)
Xuelei Technical Junior College Gorilla Cubs (XTU) 23–13 Hub City Raiders Academy
North Xuelei Mongoose Academy 34–37 Q- Hub City Eagles Academy
E- Private Banking Group Young Money (PBG) 7–10 Corporate Junior College Barracuda (CUS)
Young Nationalists (NPC) 38–16 E- Young Abolitionists (APC)
Young Independents (ISU) 32–30 Chigul Stampede Academy (Chi)
Q- College of the Arts Octopus (UA) 9–6 CC1DoC Football Academy Patrollers (DoC)
Space Academy Stars 19–27 Q- Riverside Land Sciences Junior College Cougar Cubs (RLSU)
Agriculture & Terraforming Junior College Badger Cubs (ATC) 30–30 Future Lords (HLP) (33–36 OT)
Junior Marine Academy Lancers 19–21 Q- Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts (Shi)

   B                                                            Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts                    19   14   5   512  413  +99    0.737 Q
 2 Heaven's Remora Football Academy Hawks                        19   13   6   427  349  +78    0.684 Q
 3 North Xuelei Mongoose Academy                                 19   11   8   430  476  −46    0.579 Q
 4 College of the Arts Octopus                                   19   11   8   456  401  +55    0.579 Q
 5 Young Reds                                                    19   11   8   446  400  +46    0.579 Q
 6 Riverside Land Sciences Junior College Cougar Cubs            19   11   8   387  379   +8    0.579 Q
 7 Hub City Raiders Academy                                      19   11   8   397  340  +57    0.579 Q
 8 Hub City Eagles Academy                                       19   11   8   511  484  +27    0.579 Q
 9 Young Independents                                            19   10   9   462  430  +32    0.526
10 Young Abolitionists                                           19   10   9   385  378   +7    0.526
11 Private Banking Group Young Money                             19   10   9   399  408   −9    0.526
12 Corporate Junior College Barracuda                            19    9  10   425  437  −12    0.474
13 CC1DoC Football Academy Patrollers                            19    8  11   432  429   +3    0.421
14 Space Academy Stars                                           19    8  11   378  468  −90    0.421
15 Young Nationalists                                            19    8  11   415  402  +13    0.421
16 Agriculture & Terraforming Junior College Badger Cubs         19    8  11   349  443  −94    0.421
17 Xuelei Technical Junior College Gorilla Cubs                  19    7  12   353  393  −40    0.368
18 Junior Marine Academy Lancers                                 19    7  12   511  501  +10    0.368
19 Chigul Stampede Academy                                       19    6  13   426  427   −1    0.316
20 Future Lords                                                  19    6  13   413  556 −143    0.316

C
E- Nwfila Harvest Mice Academy 13–23 Junior Naval Academy Hoppers
Anchor City Clippers Academy (ACC) 34–23 HCSP Academy Interruptors
Q- Young Neoliberals (FTPC) 54–34 General Steel Sabers Academy Blades (GSS)
Hub City Junior College Robbers (UHC) 33–19 Xuelei Highlanders Academy Lowlanders (Xue)
Young Syndicalists (SPC) 9–23 [b]Q- Young Liberators (ULT) won group
Q- Jenoch Guerrillas Academy 9–6 Young Democrats (RDPC)
Q- Lemo Dolphins Academy Calfs 43–24 E- Riverside Speed Club Football Academy
Q- Federal Bank Panther Cubs (FBP) 16–6 Young Internationals (IPC)
Mischief Academy Miscreants (MSW) 29–26 Pentoia Massive Football Academy Giants (Pen)
Q- Christian Junior College Sparks (OMW) 30–16 E- Industry Zone Grinders Academy

   C                                                            Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 Young Liberators                                              19   15   4   790  380 +410    0.789 Q
 2 Young Internationals                                          19   14   5   451  327 +124    0.737 Q
 3 Federal Bank Panther Cubs                                     19   12   7   396  416  −20    0.632 Q
 4 Jenoch Guerrillas Academy                                     19   12   7   412  394  +18    0.632 Q
 5 Christian Junior College Sparks                               19   11   8   546  455  +91    0.579 Q
 6 Young Neoliberals                                             19   11   8   436  454  −18    0.579 Q
 7 Pentoia Massive Football Academy Giants                       19   11   8   501  452  +49    0.579 Q
 8 Lemo Dolphins Academy Calfs                                   19   11   8   449  401  +48    0.579 Q
 9 Nwfila Harvest Mice Academy                                   19   11   8   469  451  +18    0.579
10 Riverside Speed Club Football Academy                         19   10   9   428  445  −17    0.526
11 Hub City Junior College Robbers                               19    9  10   310  371  −61    0.474
12 Junior Naval Academy Hoppers                                  19    9  10   447  463  −16    0.474
13 Industry Zone Grinders Academy                                19    9  10   477  409  +68    0.474
14 General Steel Sabers Academy Blades                           19    8  11   454  452   +2    0.421
15 Young Democrats                                               19    7  12   405  529 −124    0.368
16 Anchor City Clippers Academy                                  19    7  12   363  456  −93    0.368
17 HCSP Academy Interruptors                                     19    7  12   384  441  −57    0.368
18 Xuelei Highlanders Academy Lowlanders                         19    7  12   401  494  −93    0.368
19 Mischief Academy Miscreants                                   19    6  13   377  500 −123    0.316
20 Young Syndicalists                                            19    3  16   341  547 −206    0.158

D
Gimlen Rams Academy (GR) 21–28 Q- Young Anarchists (BSPC)
Young Explorers (SEPC) 40–13 Deep Country AC Academy Jellies (DCAC)
Young Avengers (RPA) 33–31 E- Sea Dome Junior College Rays (SDU)
Normal School Changemakers (NSM) 20–27 Q- Hotlamp Quarter Flames Academy
Taikonauts HC Football Academy (THC) 17–6 Automotive School Young Gremlins (MAG)
Q- Language & Technical Junior College Jousters (LTU) 14–7 Olofsson Group Football Academy Cyans (OGB)
E- Civil Defense Academy Pointers (CC1CD) 15–23 CC1 Legion Academy Pikes (CC1)
Young Socialists (SLP) 28–6 Maroon Archipelago Football Academy Scrappers (MA)
Q- Maritime Junior College Swabbies (MU) 12–6 E- Metropolitans Academy
Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs (AU) 30–41 Junior Coast Guard Academy Snappers

   D                                                            Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
 1 CC1 Legion Academy Pikes                                      19   15   4   459  303 +156    0.789 Q
 2 Young Socialists                                              19   13   6   508  439  +69    0.684 Q
 3 Maritime Junior College Swabbies                              19   12   7   487  467  +20    0.632 Q
 4 Olofsson Group Football Academy Cyans                         19   11   8   438  441   −3    0.579 Q
 5 Hotlamp Quarter Flames Academy                                19   11   8   417  376  +41    0.579 Q
 6 Language & Technical Junior College Jousters                  19   11   8   437  472  −35    0.579 Q
 7 Young Anarchists                                              19   11   8   524  461  +63    0.579 Q
 8 Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs                          19   11   8   493  464  +29    0.579 Q
 9 Sea Dome Junior College Rays                                  19   10   9   423  424   −1    0.526
10 Civil Defense Academy Pointers                                19   10   9   457  474  −17    0.526
11 Metropolitans Academy                                         19    9  10   413  386  +27    0.474
12 Junior Coast Guard Academy Snappers                           19    9  10   460  514  −54    0.474
13 Young Explorers                                               19    8  11   454  421  +33    0.421
14 Maroon Archipelago Football Academy Scrappers                 19    8  11   509  522  −13    0.421
15 Gimlen Rams Academy                                           19    7  12   462  474  −12    0.368
16 Automotive School Young Gremlins                              19    7  12   369  389  −20    0.368
17 Taikonauts HC Football Academy                                19    7  12   396  469  −73    0.368
18 Normal School Changemakers                                    19    7  12   434  488  −54    0.368
19 Young Avengers                                                19    7  12   414  490  −76    0.368
20 Deep Country AC Academy Jellies                               19    6  13   363  443  −80    0.316
20
Ranking Tournament
A
Midnight Auto Gremlins 19–26 Regional Industrial Union
AFC Reyalto 3–13 CC1 Sanitation
B
Hub City Raiders 19–9 Sea Dome Coast Guard
Hub City Eagles 10–12 National Party Corporates
C
Anchor City Clippers 34–6 Corporate City Rangers
Sea Dome University Stingrays 17–29 Pentoia Massive
D
Maritime University Pirates 20–3 Heaven's Remora
Mischief Society Wreckers 12–28 Civil Defense Union

--EIGHTHFINALS--
Floating Haven Gunnery 20–20 [b]Hotlamp Quarter Flames (20–23 OT)
Red Star PC 28–14 Agriculture & Terraforming College
Sunnyside FC 40–37 Abolition PC
CC1 Dept of Civil Defense 14–13 Xuelei Technical University
Our Mother of the Wretched 26–23 Hub City FC
General Steel Sabers 23–24 Orange Farms SC
IST Conglomerate 16–18 Sea Dome Marines
Syndicalist PC 20–12 Chigul Stampede
Education Bowl I @ Peak Field at Legion Tower
Freedom School Athletics 13–27 University of Liberation Theology Liberators
Double elimination

Hub Regional
Young Athletics (FSA) 40–6 Young Reds (RSPC)
Hub City Eagles Academy 42–24 AFC Reyalto Academy Islanders (AFC)
Young Internationals (IPC) 36–0 Hotlamp Quarter Flames Academy
Hub City Raiders Academy 13–10 North Xuelei Mongoose Academy

Top games:
Young Athletics (FSA) - Young Internationals (IPC)
Hub City Eagles Academy - Hub City Raiders Academy

Elimination:
North Xuelei Mongoose Academy - Hotlamp Quarter Flames Academy
AFC Reyalto Academy Islanders (AFC) -  Young Reds (RSPC)

Archipelago
Young Liberators (ULT) 20–6 Language & Technical Junior College Jousters (LTU)
Lemo Dolphins Academy Calfs 3–27 College of the Arts Octopus (UA)
Heaven's Remora Football Academy Hawks (HR) 16–0 Electrogrid Academy Volts (Ele)
Pentoia Massive Football Academy Giants (Pen) 44–27 Jenoch Guerrillas Academy

Top G:
Young Liberators (ULT) - Heaven's Remora Football Academy Hawks (HR)
Pentoia Massive Football Academy Giants (Pen) - College of the Arts Octopus (UA)

Elim G:
Lemo Dolphins Academy Calfs - Electrogrid Academy Volts (Ele)
Jenoch Guerrillas Academy - Language & Technical Junior College Jousters (LTU)

CC1
CC1 Legion Academy Pikes (CC1) 36–10 Christian Junior College Sparks (OMW)
Sanitatation Academy Cleaners (CCS) 0–12 High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC)
Young Orange Farmers (OFSC) 36–44 Iron Hill Ancients Academy Juniors (IHA)
Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers (RIU) 27–23 Maritime Junior College Swabbies (MU)

TG:
CC1 Legion Academy Pikes (CC1) - Iron Hill Ancients Academy Juniors (IHA)
Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers (RIU) - High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC)

EG:
Sanitatation Academy Cleaners (CCS) - Maritime Junior College Swabbies (MU)
Young Orange Farmers (OFSC) - Christian Junior College Sparks (OMW)

Industry
Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts (Shi) 29–26 Riverside Land Sciences Junior College Cougar Cubs (RLSU)
Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs (AU) 10–0 Olofsson Group Football Academy Cyans (OGB)
Young Socialists (SLP) 34–15 Young Neoliberals (FTPC)
Young Anarchists (BSPC) 23–20 Federal Bank Panther Cubs (FBP)

TG:
Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts (Shi) - Young Socialists (SLP)
Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs (AU) - Young Anarchists (BSPC)

EG:
Federal Bank Panther Cubs (FBP) - Olofsson Group Football Academy Cyans (OGB)
Young Neoliberals (FTPC) - Riverside Land Sciences Junior College Cougar Cubs (RLSU)

for Ranks#33-36
Nwfila Harvest Mice Academy 20–19 Young Independents (ISU)
Sea Dome Junior College Rays (SDU) 21–27 StreetSec Inc. Junior Guard (SSI)

37-40
Hub City FC Academy 37–30 Civil Defense Academy Pointers (CC1CD)
Riverside Speed Club Football Academy 35–30 Young Abolitionists (APC)

41-4
Private Banking Group Young Money (PBG) 13–0 FC Skyport Zone Academy Fighters (FCSZ)
Hub City Junior College Robbers (UHC) 29–42 Metropolitans Academy

45-8
Corporate Junior College Barracuda (CUS) 3–13 Junior Coast Guard Academy Snappers
Midcity Dodgers Academy (MC) 13–22 Junior Naval Academy Hoppers

49-52
Industry Zone Grinders Academy 40–33 CC1DoC Football Academy Patrollers (DoC)
Young Breakers (ACPC) 31–34 Young Explorers (SEPC)

53-6
General Steel Sabers Academy Blades (GSS) 31–30 Quick Wholesale Young Packers (QWP)
Space Academy Stars 26–16 Maroon Archipelago Football Academy Scrappers (MA)

57-60
Young Nationalists (NPC) 54–24 Gimlen Rams Academy (GR)
Young Democrats (RDPC) 19–23 BPR Industries Young Bulls

61-4
Floating Haven Gunnery Academy Runners (FHG) 44–31 Automotive School Young Gremlins (MAG)
Anchor City Clippers Academy (ACC) 28–20 Agriculture & Terraforming Junior College Badger Cubs (ATC)

65-8
Xuelei Technical Junior College Gorilla Cubs (XTU) 27–14 Taikonauts HC Football Academy (THC)
Sunnyside FC Academy Rads (SFC) 27–3 HCSP Academy Interruptors

69-72
Junior Marine Academy Lancers 14–10 Xuelei Highlanders Academy Lowlanders (Xue)
Solar Mart Football Academy Beams (SMR) 19–27 Normal School Changemakers (NSM)

73-6
Young Avengers (RPA) 10–3 Chigul Stampede Academy (Chi)
Mischief Academy Miscreants (MSW) 31–17 Young Diplomats (NPC)

77-80
Deep Country AC Academy Jellies (DCAC) 30–13 Future Lords (HLP)
Young Syndicalists (SPC) 47–31 Corporate City Rangers Academy
21
A
Regional Industrial Union 14–14 CC1 Sanitation (14–20 OT)
Midnight Auto Gremlins 39–37 AFC Reyalto

  A                                Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 CC1 Sanitation                     2   2  0   33  17 +16
2 Regional Industrial Union          2   1  1   40  39  +1
3 Midnight Auto Gremlins             2   1  1   58  63  −5
4 AFC Reyalto                        2   0  2   40  52 −12

B
Sea Dome Coast Guard 16–6 National Party Corporates
Hub City Raiders 50–13 Hub City Eagles

  B                                Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 Hub City Raiders                   2   2  0   69  22 +47
2 Sea Dome Coast Guard               2   1  1   25  25   0
3 National Party Corporates          2   1  1   18  26  −8
4 Hub City Eagles                    2   0  2   23  62 −39

C
Corporate City Rangers 34–22 Pentoia Massive
Anchor City Clippers 30–14 Sea Dome University Stingrays

  C                                Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 Anchor City Clippers               2   2  0   64  20 +44
2 Corporate City Rangers             2   1  1   40  56 −16
3 Pentoia Massive                    2   1  1   51  51   0
4 Sea Dome University Stingrays      2   0  2   31  59 −28

D
Heaven's Remora 9–7 Civil Defense Union
Maritime University Pirates 41–0 Mischief Society Wreckers

  D                                Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 Maritime University Pirates        2   2  0   61   3 +58
2 Heaven's Remora                    2   1  1   12  27 −15
3 Civil Defense Union                2   1  1   35  21 +14
4 Mischief Society Wreckers          2   0  2   12  69 −57

--QFR--
Sunnyside FC 17–27 Sea Dome Marines
CC1 Dept of Civil Defense 13–6 Orange Farms SC
Red Star PC 20–29 Hotlamp Quarter Flames
Syndicalist PC 18–20 Our Mother of the Wretched

[Sea Peoples League]

MD21
HT
Young Athletics (FSA) 17–3 Young Internationals (IPC)
Hub City Eagles Academy 26–7 Hub City Raiders Academy

HE
North Xuelei Mongoose Academy 24–23 Hotlamp Quarter Flames Academy | E
E | AFC Reyalto Academy Islanders (AFC) 7–12 Young Reds (RSPC)

Hub 2-0 G
Young Athletics (FSA) - Hub City Eagles Academy

1-1 G
Hub City Raiders Academy - North Xuelei Mongoose Academy
Young Internationals (IPC) - Young Reds (RSPC)

AT
Young Liberators (ULT) 36–24 Heaven's Remora Football Academy Hawks (HR)
Pentoia Massive Football Academy Giants (Pen) 29–12 College of the Arts Octopus (UA)

AE
E | Lemo Dolphins Academy Calfs 9–13 Electrogrid Academy Volts (Ele)
Jenoch Guerrillas Academy 18–14 Language & Technical Junior College Jousters (LTU) | E

Arch 2-0 G
Young Liberators (ULT) - Pentoia Massive Football Academy Giants (Pen)

1-1
Heaven's Remora Football Academy Hawks (HR) - Electrogrid Academy Volts (Ele)
College of the Arts Octopus (UA) - Jenoch Guerrillas Academy

CT
CC1 Legion Academy Pikes (CC1) 30–30 Iron Hill Ancients Academy Juniors (IHA) (33–30 OT)
Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers (RIU) 9–7 High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC)

CE
Sanitatation Academy Cleaners (CCS) 26–16 Maritime Junior College Swabbies (MU) | E
Young Orange Farmers (OFSC) 34–3 Christian Junior College Sparks (OMW) | E

City 2-0
CC1 Legion Academy Pikes (CC1) - Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers (RIU)

1-1
High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC) - Young Orange Farmers (OFSC)
Iron Hill Ancients Academy Juniors (IHA) - Sanitatation Academy Cleaners (CCS)

IT
Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts (Shi) 41–30 Young Socialists (SLP)
Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs (AU) 10–3 Young Anarchists (BSPC)

IE
Federal Bank Panther Cubs (FBP) 44–6 Olofsson Group Football Academy Cyans (OGB) | E
Young Neoliberals (FTPC) 20–7 Riverside Land Sciences Junior College Cougar Cubs (RLSU) | E

Ind 2-0
Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts (Shi) - Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs (AU)

1-1
Young Anarchists (BSPC) - Young Neoliberals (FTPC)
Young Socialists (SLP) - Federal Bank Panther Cubs (FBP)

for Ranks#33-36
Young Independents (ISU) 41–38 StreetSec Inc. Junior Guard (SSI)
Nwfila Harvest Mice Academy 23–44 Sea Dome Junior College Rays (SDU)

  for Ranks#33-36                                             Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 Sea Dome Junior College Rays                                  2   1  1   65  50 +15
2 StreetSec Inc. Junior Guard                                   2   1  1   65  62  +3
3 Young Independents                                            2   1  1   60  58  +2
4 Nwfila Harvest Mice Academy                                   2   1  1   43  63 −20

37-40
Civil Defense Academy Pointers (CC1CD) 19–19 Young Abolitionists (APC) (22–19 OT)
Hub City FC Academy 34–34 Riverside Speed Club Football Academy (34–41 OT)

  37-40                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 Riverside Speed Club Football Academy                         2   2  0   76  64 +12 Q
2 Hub City FC Academy                                           2   1  1   71  71   0
3 Civil Defense Academy Pointers                                2   1  1   52  56  −4
4 Young Abolitionists                                           2   0  2   49  57  −8 E

41-4
FC Skyport Zone Academy Fighters (FCSZ) 20–16 Metropolitans Academy
Private Banking Group Young Money (PBG) 3–33 Hub City Junior College Robbers (UHC)

  41-4                                                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 Hub City Junior College Robbers                               2   1  1   62  45 +17
2 Metropolitans Academy                                         2   1  1   58  49  +9
3 FC Skyport Zone Academy Fighters                              2   1  1   20  29  −9
4 Private Banking Group Young Money                             2   1  1   16  33 −17

45-8
Junior Coast Guard Academy Snappers 24–31 Junior Naval Academy Hoppers
Corporate Junior College Barracuda (CUS) 24–21 Midcity Dodgers Academy (MC)

  45-8                                                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 Junior Naval Academy Hoppers                                  2   2  0   53  37 +16 Q
2 Junior Coast Guard Academy Snappers                           2   1  1   37  34  +3
3 Corporate Junior College Barracuda                            2   1  1   27  34  −7
4 Midcity Dodgers Academy                                       2   0  2   34  46 −12 E

49-52
CC1DoC Football Academy Patrollers (DoC) 38–23 Young Explorers (SEPC)
Industry Zone Grinders Academy 18–3 Young Breakers (ACPC)

  49-52                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 Industry Zone Grinders Academy                                2   2  0   58  36 +22 Q
2 CC1DoC Football Academy Patrollers                            2   1  1   71  63  +8
3 Young Explorers                                               2   1  1   57  69 −12
4 Young Breakers                                                2   0  2   34  52 −18 E

53-6
Quick Wholesale Young Packers (QWP) 27–13 Maroon Archipelago Football Academy Scrappers (MA)
General Steel Sabers Academy Blades (GSS) 39–29 Space Academy Stars

  53-6                                                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 General Steel Sabers Academy Blades                           2   2  0   70  59 +11 Q
2 Quick Wholesale Young Packers                                 2   1  1   57  44 +13
3 Space Academy Stars                                           2   1  1   55  55   0
4 Maroon Archipelago Football Academy Scrappers                 2   0  2   29  53 −24 E

57-60
Gimlen Rams Academy (GR) 7–33 BPR Industries Young Bulls
Young Nationalists (NPC) 26–0 Young Democrats (RDPC)

  57-60                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 Young Nationalists                                            2   2  0   80  24 +56 Q
2 BPR Industries Young Bulls                                    2   2  0   56  26 +30 Q
3 Young Democrats                                               2   0  2   19  49 −30 E
4 Gimlen Rams Academy                                           2   0  2   31  87 −56 E

61-4
Automotive School Young Gremlins (MAG) 22–9 Agriculture & Terraforming Junior College Badger Cubs (ATC)
Floating Haven Gunnery Academy Runners (FHG) 52–20 Anchor City Clippers Academy (ACC)

  61-4                                                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 Floating Haven Gunnery Academy Runners                        2   2  0   96  51 +45 Q
2 Automotive School Young Gremlins                              2   1  1   53  53   0
3 Anchor City Clippers Academy                                  2   1  1   48  72 −24
4 Agriculture & Terraforming Junior College Badger Cubs         2   0  2   29  50 −21 E

65-8
Taikonauts HC Football Academy (THC) 23–17 HCSP Academy Interruptors
Xuelei Technical Junior College Gorilla Cubs (XTU) 51–27 Sunnyside FC Academy Rads (SFC)

  65-8                                                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 Xuelei Technical Junior College Gorilla Cubs                  2   2  0   78  41 +37 Q
2 Sunnyside FC Academy Rads                                     2   1  1   54  54   0
3 Taikonauts HC Football Academy                                2   1  1   37  44  −7
4 HCSP Academy Interruptors                                     2   0  2   20  50 −30 E

69-72
Xuelei Highlanders Academy Lowlanders (Xue) 28–14 Normal School Changemakers (NSM)
Junior Marine Academy Lancers 26–20 Solar Mart Football Academy Beams (SMR)

  69-72                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 Junior Marine Academy Lancers                                 2   2  0   40  30 +10 Q
2 Xuelei Highlanders Academy Lowlanders                         2   1  1   38  28 +10
3 Normal School Changemakers                                    2   1  1   41  47  −6
4 Solar Mart Football Academy Beams                             2   0  2   39  53 −14 E

73-6
Chigul Stampede Academy (Chi) 7–12 Young Diplomats (NPC)
Young Avengers (RPA) 7–0 Mischief Academy Miscreants (MSW)

  73-6                                                        Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 Young Avengers                                                2   2  0   17   3 +14 Q
2 Mischief Academy Miscreants                                   2   1  1   31  24  +7
3 Young Diplomats                                               2   1  1   29  38  −9
4 Chigul Stampede Academy                                       2   0  2   10  22 −12 E

77-80
Future Lords (HLP) 19–25 Corporate City Rangers Academy
Deep Country AC Academy Jellies (DCAC) 23–24 Young Syndicalists (SPC)

  77-80                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
1 Young Syndicalists                                            2   2  0   71  54 +17 Q
2 Deep Country AC Academy Jellies                               2   1  1   53  37 +16
3 Corporate City Rangers Academy                                2   1  1   56  66 −10
4 Future Lords                                                  2   0  2   32  55 −23 E
22
A
AFC Reyalto 45–38 Regional Industrial Union
CC1 Sanitation 38–7 Midnight Auto Gremlins

   A                                Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
17 CC1 Sanitation                     3   3  0   71  24 +47
18 AFC Reyalto                        3   1  2   85  90  −5
19 Regional Industrial Union          3   1  2   78  84  −6
20 Midnight Auto Gremlins             3   1  2   65 101 −36

B
Hub City Eagles 23–27 Sea Dome Coast Guard
National Party Corporates 24–29 Hub City Raiders

   B                                Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
21 Hub City Raiders                   3   3  0   98  46 +52
22 Sea Dome Coast Guard               3   2  1   52  48  +4
23 National Party Corporates          3   1  2   42  55 −13
24 Hub City Eagles                    3   0  3   46  89 −43

C
Sea Dome University Stingrays 43–10 Corporate City Rangers
Pentoia Massive 0–10 Anchor City Clippers

   C                                Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
25 Anchor City Clippers               3   3  0   74  20 +54
26 Sea Dome University Stingrays      3   1  2   74  69  +5
27 Pentoia Massive                    3   1  2   51  61 −10
28 Corporate City Rangers             3   1  2   50  99 −49

D
Mischief Society Wreckers 37–7 Heaven's Remora
Civil Defense Union 34–10 Maritime University Pirates

  D                                Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
29 Civil Defense Union                3   2  1   69  31 +38
30 Maritime University Pirates        3   2  1   71  37 +34
31 Mischief Society Wreckers          3   1  2   49  76 −27
32 Heaven's Remora                    3   1  2   19  64 −45

--S-F--
Our Mother of the Wretched 28–13 Sea Dome Marines
CC1 Dept of Civil Defense 42–40 Hotlamp Quarter Flames
HT
Young Athletics (FSA) 40–20 Hub City Eagles Academy

HE
Hub City Raiders Academy 27–16 North Xuelei Mongoose Academy | E
E | Young Internationals (IPC) 6–17 Young Reds (RSPC)

3-0 Young Athletics (FSA) - Hub City Raiders Academy 2-1
2-1 Hub City Eagles Academy - Young Reds (RSPC) 2-1

AT
Young Liberators (ULT) 23–0 Pentoia Massive Football Academy Giants (Pen)

AE
E | Heaven's Remora Football Academy Hawks (HR) 13–16 Electrogrid Academy Volts (Ele)
E | College of the Arts Octopus (UA) 0–13 Jenoch Guerrillas Academy

3-0 Young Liberators (ULT) - Jenoch Guerrillas Academy 2-1
2-1 Pentoia Massive Football Academy Giants (Pen) - Electrogrid Academy Volts (Ele) 2-1

CT
CC1 Legion Academy Pikes (CC1) 3–3 Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers (RIU) (9–17 OT)

CE
High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC) 14–9 Young Orange Farmers (OFSC) | E
E | Iron Hill Ancients Academy Juniors (IHA) 9–17 Sanitatation Academy Cleaners (CCS)

3-0 Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers (RIU) - High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC) 2-1
2-1 CC1 Legion Academy Pikes (CC1) - Sanitatation Academy Cleaners (CCS) 2-1

IT
Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts (Shi) 31–27 Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs (AU)

IE
Young Anarchists (BSPC) 44–27 Young Neoliberals (FTPC) | E
Young Socialists (SLP) 26–17 Federal Bank Panther Cubs (FBP) | E

3-0 Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts (Shi) - Young Anarchists (BSPC) 2-1
2-1 Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs (AU) - Young Socialists (SLP) 2-1

Ranking
Sea Dome Junior College Rays (SDU) 22–16 Young Independents (ISU)
StreetSec Inc. Junior Guard (SSI) 22–9 Nwfila Harvest Mice Academy

  		                                              Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
33 Sea Dome Junior College Rays                                  3   2  1   87  66 +21
34 StreetSec Inc. Junior Guard                                   3   2  1   87  71 +16
35 Young Independents                                            3   1  2   76  80  −4
36 Nwfila Harvest Mice Academy                                   3   1  2   52  85 −33

Riverside Speed Club Football Academy 12–6 Civil Defense Academy Pointers (CC1CD)
Young Abolitionists (APC) 21–17 Hub City FC Academy

  	                                                      Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
37 Riverside Speed Club Football Academy                         3   3  0   88  70 +18
38 Young Abolitionists                                           3   1  2   70  74  −4
39 Hub City FC Academy                                           3   1  2   88  92  −4
40 Civil Defense Academy Pointers                                3   1  2   58  68 −10

Hub City Junior College Robbers (UHC) 26–10 FC Skyport Zone Academy Fighters (FCSZ)
Metropolitans Academy 28–9 Private Banking Group Young Money (PBG)

	                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
41 Hub City Junior College Robbers                               3   2  1   88  55 +33
42 Metropolitans Academy                                         3   2  1   86  58 +28
43 FC Skyport Zone Academy Fighters                              3   1  2   30  55 −25
44 Private Banking Group Young Money                             3   1  2   25  61 −36

Midcity Dodgers Academy (MC) 24–14 Junior Coast Guard Academy Snappers
Junior Naval Academy Hoppers 24–16 Corporate Junior College Barracuda (CUS)

	                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
45 Junior Naval Academy Hoppers                                  3   3  0   77  53 +24
46 Midcity Dodgers Academy                                       3   1  2   58  60  −2
47 Junior Coast Guard Academy Snappers                           3   1  2   51  58  −7
48 Corporate Junior College Barracuda                            3   1  2   43  58 −15

Young Breakers (ACPC) 33–9 CC1DoC Football Academy Patrollers (DoC)
Young Explorers (SEPC) 60–22 Industry Zone Grinders Academy

  	                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
49 Young Explorers                                               3   2  1  117  91 +26
50 Industry Zone Grinders Academy                                3   2  1   80  96 −16
51 Young Breakers                                                3   1  2   67  61  +6
52 CC1DoC Football Academy Patrollers                            3   1  2   80  96 −16

Space Academy Stars 32–7 Quick Wholesale Young Packers (QWP)
Maroon Archipelago Football Academy Scrappers (MA) 0–10 General Steel Sabers Academy Blades (GSS)

	                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
53 General Steel Sabers Academy Blades                           3   3  0   80  59 +21
54 Space Academy Stars                                           3   2  1   87  62 +25
55 Quick Wholesale Young Packers                                 3   1  2   64  76 −12
56 Maroon Archipelago Football Academy Scrappers                 3   0  3   29  63 −34

Young Democrats (RDPC) 13–33 Gimlen Rams Academy (GR)
BPR Industries Young Bulls 27–0 Young Nationalists (NPC)

	                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
57 BPR Industries Young Bulls                                    3   3  0   83  26 +57
58 Young Nationalists                                            3   2  1   80  51 +29
59 Gimlen Rams Academy                                           3   1  2   64 100 −36
60 Young Democrats                                               3   0  3   32  82 −50

Anchor City Clippers Academy (ACC) 33–10 Automotive School Young Gremlins (MAG)
Agriculture & Terraforming Junior College Badger Cubs (ATC) 45–37 Floating Haven Gunnery Academy Runners (FHG)

	                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
61 Floating Haven Gunnery Academy Runners                        3   2  1  133  96 +37
62 Anchor City Clippers Academy                                  3   2  1   81  82  −1
63 Agriculture & Terraforming Junior College Badger Cubs         3   1  2   74  87 −13
64 Automotive School Young Gremlins                              3   1  2   63  86 −23

Sunnyside FC Academy Rads (SFC) 20–21 Taikonauts HC Football Academy (THC)
HCSP Academy Interruptors 41–7 Xuelei Technical Junior College Gorilla Cubs (XTU)

	                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
65 Xuelei Technical Junior College Gorilla Cubs                  3   2  1   85  82  +3
66 Taikonauts HC Football Academy                                3   2  1   58  64  −6
67 HCSP Academy Interruptors                                     3   1  2   61  57  +4
68 Sunnyside FC Academy Rads                                     3   1  2   74  75  −1

Solar Mart Football Academy Beams (SMR) 29–23 Xuelei Highlanders Academy Lowlanders (Xue)
Normal School Changemakers (NSM) 17–10 Junior Marine Academy Lancers

	                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
69 Junior Marine Academy Lancers                                 3   2  1   50  47  +3
70 Normal School Changemakers                                    3   2  1   58  57  +1
71 Xuelei Highlanders Academy Lowlanders                         3   1  2   61  57  +4
72 Solar Mart Football Academy Beams                             3   1  2   68  76  −8

Mischief Academy Miscreants (MSW) 26–3 Chigul Stampede Academy (Chi)
Young Diplomats (NPC) 19–9 Young Avengers (RPA)

	                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
73 Mischief Academy Miscreants                                   3   2  1   57  27 +30
74 Young Avengers                                                3   2  1   26  22  +4
75 Young Diplomats                                               3   2  1   48  47  +1
76 Chigul Stampede Academy                                       3   0  3   13  48 −35

Young Syndicalists (SPC) 40–17 Future Lords (HLP)
Corporate City Rangers Academy 30–13 Deep Country AC Academy Jellies (DCAC)

	                                                       Pld   W  L   PF  PA  PD 
77 Young Syndicalists                                            3   3  0  111  71 +40
78 Corporate City Rangers Academy                                3   2  1   86  79  +7
79 Deep Country AC Academy Jellies                               3   1  2   66  67  −1
80 Future Lords                                                  3   0  3   49  95 −46
23
TPG
Sea Dome Marines 17–17 Hotlamp Quarter Flames (36–30 OT)

Sea Bowl I @ High City College
Our Mother of the Wretched 0–10 CC1 Dept of Civil Defense
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
=========================================================
HT
RF | Young Athletics (FSA) 45–3 Hub City Raiders Academy

HE
RF | Hub City Eagles Academy 24–20 Young Reds (RSPC)

4-0 Young Athletics (FSA) - Hub City Eagles Academy 3-1

AT
RF | Young Liberators (ULT) 73–30 Jenoch Guerrillas Academy

AE
Pentoia Massive Football Academy Giants (Pen) 6–6 Electrogrid Academy Volts (Ele) | RF (6–13 OT)

4-0 Young Liberators (ULT) - Electrogrid Academy Volts (Ele) 3-1

CT
Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers (RIU) 3–16 High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC) | RF

CE
CC1 Legion Academy Pikes (CC1) 20–10 Sanitatation Academy Cleaners (CCS) | E

3-1 High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC)
3-1 Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers (RIU) - CC1 Legion Academy Pikes 3-1

IT
Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts (Shi) 19–30 Young Anarchists (BSPC) | RF

IE
Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs (AU) 34–24 Young Socialists (SLP) | E

3-1 Young Anarchists (BSPC)
3-1 Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts (Shi) - Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs (AU) 3-1
HF
Q | Young Athletics (FSA) 34–13 Hub City Eagles Academy

AF
Q | Young Liberators (ULT) 61–10 Electrogrid Academy Volts (Ele)

CS
Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers (RIU) 24–23 CC1 Legion Academy Pikes (CC1)

3-1 High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC) - Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers (RIU) 4-1

IS
4-1 Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts (Shi) 47–10 Autonomous Junior College Tiger Cubs (AU) | E

3-1 Young Anarchists (BSPC) - 4-1 Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts (Shi)
CF
Q | High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC) 38–23 Regional Industrial Union Academy Organizers (RIU)

IF
Q | Young Anarchists (BSPC) 39–24 Shiheda Electronics Football Academy Bolts (Shi)
SF @ Maroon Stadium, MA
Young Athletics (FSA) 6–0 High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC)
Young Liberators (ULT) 44–10 Young Anarchists (BSPC)
3PG: Young Anarchists (BSPC) 14–23 High City Junior College Gunnies (HCC)
Youth Bowl I: Young Athletics (FSA) 16–6 Young Liberators (ULT)

[New Rotterdam City]

SEA CHANGE
The Orders | Exit Interviews
—

January 30
Three weeks and four days from the beginning of deliberations

The nineteen emissaries of the Dutch Consolidated New World Company emerge from the Customs House, receiving their first sunlight in three weeks and four days.

Each emissary is approached for interview upon his exit.

Jan Houben, consultant, former Grand Pensionary of the Dutch Republic
"Many had the roar of a lion. Nobody had the heart of one."

Rinus Mulder, asst. Chief Operating Officer, Dutch Consolidated New World Company
"Despite what may seem a capitulation to the frothing, mad populace, the shareholders of the Dutch Consolidated New World Company need not worry. In fact, look at this as a bull opportunity! Be brave when others are fearful! Please do not blink at the impending stock dump and I encourage you to keep in mind the other many successful negotiation performances by senior management when at our upcoming shareholder summit in June—"

Remco Van Eijden, Director-General, Dutch Consolidated New World Company, West Indies branch
"Burned investor? The tax-light grottoes of the Dutch Consolidated New World Company's Carrijbean holdings? What else is there to say?"

Elbert Muskens, Chair of the Investment Bank of New Rotterdam
"Some sensationalists out there are sure to play up the extent to which New Rotterdam's fledgling democracy is vulnerable to manipulation by vested financial interests, please do not buy that steaming load."

Willem Van Dalen, Chief Brother, Noord-Atlantische Whalers' Guild
"The Brothers will not miss a corrupt oligarchy of pheasant-eating dandies who threw small whalers to the tarpon to feed their resource-inhaling corporate machine. We look forward to an era of popular sovereignty. Solidarity forever."

Jochem Van der Noot, official committee spokesperson
"Good negotiations. Some good deals in there. Nice work, proud of the lads. Real good opinions. Liked them a lot. Just a great time."

Godfried Knop, former Governor-General of New Rotterdam
"The first democratically-elected Governor-General will have a time getting the dog smell out of the carpets. Yeah not a ton else to say."

Wout Been, Chief Vice-Administrator of New Rotterdam City
"This whole [unprintable]storm stems from [unprintable]ing [unprintable]-loving [unprintable] Godfried [unprintable] Knopf. [Unprintable]. Lost everything. Lost the colony. The jewel in the crown. The royal charter. Because Mr. [unprintable] couldn't [unprintable]ing handle it. Son of a [unprintable]."

Heer Adriaen Pieterszoon Bicker–van der Knolk, patroon, House of Bicker of Utrecht and Zeist, major shareholder
"The House of Bicker stands ready to embrace this new era of liberty and sovereignty. We've always been "the peoples' noble family", some say."

Jannes Ooms, Director of Public Relations, Dutch Consolidated New World Company
"Like a beloved and tired king leaving behind his crown, the Dutch Consolidated New World Company will sail into the sunset as proprietor of New Rotterdam. We knew it was time, in a way. As a company we've always been attuned like that. And now with continued ownership of 27% of the total landmass of the New Rotterdam colony, we are poised as ever to guide the populace through the 'democracy' thing."

Wim Van der Geest, Assessor-General, New Rotterdam Colony
"I'm thrilled that we used tax information to draw up the constituencies. Rarely does the heart beat faster than when checking crosstabs of a well-ordered table."

Lars Waemelink, Esq., President, New Rotterdam Country Gentleman's Association
"I represent the constellation of disgusted non-patroon landed gentry staring down the barrel at a pillaging of our political power and societal standing. The movement for an upper house—a "House of Gentlemen," if you will—somehow was stricken down. Aghast! Appalled!"

Helmut Spuybreck-Spick, Chairman, All-Rotterdam Merchant's Agency
"How will the lustful passions of the mob be tempered? How will the animal shrieks of the peasant rabble be tamed?"

Commodore P. Hans Aanholt, Royal Merchant Marine Society
"I'm not as freaked out as the others. All their investments are in bonds. When this bungled pseudo-state inevitably fails, they'll lose everything. I of course chose the safer option, and have been stockpiling gold bullion in my cellar."

Cobus Van Wyk, Political Liason, Dutch Consolidated New World Company
"There is no way the Dutch Consolidated New World Company was forfeiting power to a cabal of nominally-elected wealthy jackasses with soaring ambitions."

Heidi Antwerpen, Director of Brand Management, Dutch Consolidated New World Company
"Do not print Cobus's comment. Erase that. Do not print that."

H.Q. Van de Bossche, Managing Director, New Rotterdam Farming Collective
"The New Rotterdam Farming Collective gleefully looks forward to another many years lying in the warm palm of the Dutch colonial mercantilist economic system. And I'm sure our tenants do too."

Eelco Kleffens, Lead Cartographer
"It's a one or the other choice, when drawing electoral districts—numerical consistency? Or sane-looking boundaries? We chose the former. Apologies."

Dr. Floris Verstappen, consultant, Professor of colonial governance, Prince Pieter's College (ret.)
"Please wish us luck."

[Chromatika]

Charles, Firehawks Face Murderer's Row as Out-of-Conference Schedule Begins

It's nice to know sometimes that you know what you are getting.

For the last few cycles, the Firehawks have had the exact same out of conference opponents. Cold Hill University, a traditional Big Eight powerhouse. Loyola-Istria from the Celestia, a team that has ties to Curentino herself and looks to bounce back from a rough stretch as of late. Raynor from the Zephyr, a growing rival whose brilliance matches the Firehawks in recent history. Three programs are always varying degrees of "in the mix", and this season, that may be the case more than most.

First off, all three opponents that the Firehawks face are Conference Champions. Cold Hill defeated LeBois Santura by ten points, Loyola-Istria handled St. Croix in a defensive slugfest, and Raynor made mincemeat of the University of Mancodas. They are all in the Playoffs, and playing now for seeding and the all-important bye. Mountain District is 7-3 - meaning that there is some wriggle room should the team struggle; however, at least one win is needed to be in the conversation, and preferrably two out of the three.

They head off to Cold Hill first before facing Loyola-Istria and Raynor at home. Hudson Charles, coming off of a bounce-back game where they handled the Lava, will need to lock in.

It may be the season where they let go of Estera on her Senior season, but that doesn't mean that the season has to end for this team. They've made it work with a backup Quarterback into the Playoffs before - why not now?

Lleyamana, Lava Face Must-Win Out-of-Conference Slate

Go 3-3 in the most competitive division in the NSCF? Good. Go 2-2 cross-division? Bad. The result? A 5-5 record after losing the Conference Season finale against your rivals, the running game that is the lifeblood of your program continuing to get found out over and over again.

Staramara Tech knew that the first season with Lleyamana at the helm would be a challenge. They never thought they'd be in the situation they are now. A 7-6 record is not good enough for the playoffs; for the Lava to make the postseason, they must run the table. Prince Pieter's College is a great beginning, and a tone-setter; that will be followed up by facing the Cougars of Northern Moravica before ending the season against Université du Saguenay.

The Lava Wall will continue to chase the opposition. Lleyamana and the backs will continue to run as much as they can.

Perhaps that will be enough.

[Dhemixia]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Columbus Dominion(Est.1873)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IS THE BLUE JAYS CLUTCH?

====Scoring Summary====
First Quarter
UCP TD - 12:34 - QB Larry Cunningham 13 yards to WR Kabe Heaton for a TOUCHDOWN. PAT IS GOOD. 7-0
PRP TD - 5:26 - RB Frits Otterloo 3 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. PAT IS GOOD. 7-7

Second Quarter
PRP TD - 9:07 - QB Florian Van Essel 3 yards to WR Pepijn Fagel for a TOUCHDOWN. PAT IS GOOD. 7-14
UCP TD - 8:18 - QB Larry Cunningham 25 yards to WR Kabe Heaton for a TOUCHDOWN. 2-PT IS GOOD. 15-14
UCP TD - 3:42 - RB Darius Haliburton 6 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. 2-PT IS GOOD. 23-14
PRP TD - 0:55 - RB Frits Otterloo 11 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. 2-PT IS GOOD. 23-22

Third Quarter
UCP TD - 7:52 - QB Larry Cunningham 12 yards to RB Darius Haliburton for a TOUCHDOWN. 2-PT IS GOOD. 31-22
PRP TD - 2:41 - RB Frits Otterloo 5 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. 2-PT IS GOOD. 31-30

Fourth Quarter
UCP TD - 0:29 - QB Larry Cunningham 4 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. 2-PT IS GOOD. 39-30

End of Game
Final:
Blue Jays, 39
Minutemen, 30

Schedule

*blue indicates home games
Week 1: VS. UNSJJ W 32-31
Week 2: VS. Nowa Kalanianska W 41-34
Week 3: @ Elysium City W 13-0
Week 4: @ Green City W 17-3
Week 5: @ Prince Pieter's W 43-30
Week 6: VS. Trent State W 74-27
Week 7: VS. St. Paulus W 33-29
Week 8: @ UNSJJ W 29-13
Week 9: @ Nowa Kalanianska W 35-17
Week 10: VS. Elysium City W 23-6
------------
CCG: vs. Prince Pieter's W 39-30
------------
Non-conference play
Week 11: VS. Sadeg State
Week 12: @ Cold Hill
Week 13: @ BYU (SPIT Bowl)

Is it possible to have two, separate embodiments of HIM? Better yet, is it possible to have them playing in the same game, on the same team? Well, as much as it pains you to say it, Craig Kelly and Larry Cunningham are getting awfully close to answering both of those questions with "Of course". Both of them, in combination with Darius Haliburton and Kabe Heaton too I guess, have taken UC-Prairie to the promised land flowing with milk and honey, fittingly enough against these so-called "milkmen and factory workers" of opponents. It's genuinely dumbfounding to believe that Craig Kelly, a man so incompetent at his job that the IQ test he took when he was hired came back with "[violet] save whoever took this test" as it's result, teaming up with a first-year quarterback who has a mustache that could arguably pull more than Lane Proudfoot, combined to win UCP's second-ever MinCon title and continue the 4-year playoffs streak, all while somehow maintaining a perfect 11-0 through conference play, only with the OOC and playoffs in their way of a perfect season.

Now, that's not to say they're gonna get even close to a perfect season, evidenced by how scarily close the Prince Pieter's game was in the MinCon title game, but if you have a man on the sidelines with enough balls to go for two up by seven with 20 seconds left in the game to officially ice it, you're probably gonna get somewhere. This game was an all-around shootout by both sides, with Kabe Heaton yet again confirming his vacuum allegations, forcing the Minutemen to practically triple him on every play after the third quarter. I'm not joking, Cunningham found him TWICE burning a helpless DB left praying on the ground, which would have been three if he hadn't bounced the pass off his left tackle's helmet and into the hands of Darius Haliburton for a score. Of course, the offense is good, they dropped 39 in a conference championship, but with a defense letting up 30? It's genuinely miraculous they're 11-0 at that rate.

With Vanorian journalists putting 10-0 UCP at a preposterous #5 in all of NSCF, behind every other 8-2 conference champion, the Blue Jays definitely have something to prove against the Skyhawks. In addition to the Week 11 matchup at The Brig being "1-Denarius Beer Night", this is also probably the fiercest competition they're gonna face all season, so the pressure is definitely mounting. Not to mention the heated rivalry between the two schools, sniping at each other all season before they finally face off in what feels like one of the biggest games of the entire NSCF season, initially started in Llamaphant Pro Baseball between Dhemixian Russelsheim Blue Sox fans and Drawkian Jaffro Drawks fans, this will be an atmosphere unlike any other conceived. Should the Jays win, they'd prove themselves not frauds, but should they lose, the rest of the NSCF's point will only be proven further. The game's outcome all comes down to one fundamental question: "Is The Blue Jays Clutch?". We'll just have to see what madness Margaret unleashes.

[Drawkland]

The Gallagher Heater

What a difference two months makes. Cavsar started the season with two ugly losses, scoring a total of six points across the two games while offering little resistance against the opposing Chromatik offenses. It was looking let yet another lost season right off the bat, with a surging Sadeg State coming into town intending to cement their Starlight Division lead. Fans and pundits alike pondered the viability of Cavsar being one of Drawkland's NSCF entrants. Of course, they'd done that for years, but this slow start gave the doubters far too much ammunition.

Then something changed. That something was throwing the ball to Julian Gallagher. The maligned recruit from the same Sadeg-area high school as Brooklyn Beck had a couple magic moments the previous season, but simply wasn't consistent enough to be the featured target of the offense. That was understandable at the time, as he was only a sophomore with much better receiving targets available for first-year starter junior Kevin Sajak. Gallagher also didn't get many targets in the subsequent DOCA season at the beginning of his junior year. Despite all this, on Week 3 of the NSCF season, he broke out.

See, head coach Scott Linhart remembered Julian's passion in the Week 10 matchup against Sadeg State the previous NSCF season. Julian had a few bad drops that game, but he hauled in a pass with just seconds left that saved the ballgame. The subsequent walk-off field goal helped spark Cavsar's late surge to eventually net a "historic" third Karmin-Falce Auto Bowl title. Going against Sadeg State again, and assuming an apparent rivalry between Julian and his former high school teammate Brooklyn Beck, Linhart stoked the flames. He ensured Julian had a heavy emphasis in their offense's planning, which he was doubly confident in thanks to his experience playing against Sadeg State's new defensive coordinator Michael Hunt at a previous school.

Julian Gallagher did the rest. He made good on all his opportunities against the flagship school of his childhood town. Four touchdowns and over two hundred receiving yards later, he was the hero against Sadeg State once more. Scott Linhart didn't want to lose the tiny bit of momentum that his team had captured. Going against the famously weaker Equinox Division slate, it was the most convenient time to tinker with the offense a bit. Cavsar was usually the team that dropped the most games to the Horizon's other division in the cross-divisional schedule, but Julian ensured this wasn't the case. Linhart rode the hot hand offensively. Julian was getting open so often and hauling in pretty everything that came his way. It was enough to actually inspire confidence in the usually flighty Kevin Sajak, playing in his final tournament with the Gladiators.

The offense opened up from there. Everybody was ignoring that, though. Some people laughed at Staramara Tech being the weak link this time around for once, while others were too busy gawking at Brooklyn Beck putting up obscene video-game level numbers in back-to-back weeks. It wasn't until Sadeg State immediately fell into an untimely losing streak that the public noticed what Cavsar was doing. The Gladiators were playing with utmost confidence. In five games, their defense allowed less than 12 points per game while the Gallagher-led offense averaged over 40 points per game.

So of course, everybody assumed that Cavsar would fold the instant they had to face real teams again. After all, everybody knows you Don't Count On Cavsar. Not unless you want to feel like an idiot afterwards, anyway. Julian Gallagher had other plans. Sajak now felt a lot more comfortable with his whole receiving core (not just Julian), and in reverse fashion, the rushing attack had been opened up thanks to fear of Cavsar's passing attack. Everybody also forgot the fact that even in their loss, Cavsar had held Mountain District to only 12 points in their first matchup. Staramara Tech got a taste of that medicine, getting stymied while two late touchdowns (one rushing from Lucas Utkin and another receiving by Julian) and two-pointers from the Cavsar offense put the Lava away.

The rematch against Mountain District would surely bring an end to Cavsar's inexplicable heater, though. They now had Hudson Charles under center to replace the ailing Nicole Estera! Plus, with how the other results shook out, this game was essentially a play-in for the Starlight Division title. Cavsar has always folded when they have a chance to take the Horizon Conference title. That's why they'd never won it in eleven previous seasons. It was going to be a double whammy - until it wasn't. Steve Gordon's pick six off Hudson Charles flipped the field and put the Firehawks on their heels. The Gladiators kept pushing, and the Firehawks burned out.

The Clash for the Axe

The Cavsar Gladiators had just put together 7 straight wins, reverse swept the Chromatik schools, and clinched the Starlight Division title a week early. Everybody in the Horizon (and really, the rest of the tournament) felt like the world had just turned upside down. This isn't supposed to happen. Even in Cavsar's surprise playoff seasons, they were mostly irrelevant in the Horizon title race. This was something nobody had seen before.

But surely, with playoff seeding somehow being played for, and momentum to lose, the Gladiators would finally fold against their rivals. Especially with the sudden additional stakes of the game being considered a bona fide rivalry contest with the leader of their nation in attendance and everything. The division may not be in play anymore for the Skyhawks desperate to break their losing streak, but they had to get revenge for the blowout earlier in the season.

Somehow, even still, this didn't happen. The Cavsar defense did bend a lot more than expected, giving up 25 points to Brooklyn and the Skyhawks. That was the most points the Gladiator D had surrendered in a game since their 34-point implosion in Week 1. The offense didn't live up to the loftier expectations, but it made sense. Sadeg State had two months to make defensive adjustments to what Linhart had shown them the first time. This was also the first time any school was seeing the Julian-led Gladiator offense for the second time. The Chromatik schools were taken by surprise because the Cavsar offense was so lifeless the first time they played.

All that came together to show a weaker offering than what Cavsar fans had grown to expect the previous few weeks. Still, they hung in there. In the fourth quarter, Cavsar even held the lead 22-17 thanks to going 2/3 on their two-point conversion tries. Julian didn't have a touchdown still, thanks to being double teamed nearly every snap, but that led to Sajak finding much more room for his other options. Dylan Copperfield, Jerome Jeffers, and David Dannel all had receiving touchdowns from Sajak (who himself had 70 yards rushing in addition to his solid passing attack).

Brooklyn Beck wasn't going down without a fight of course. She put together a masterfully-crafted drive on both the ground and in the air, capping with a read-option inside the five yard line that went in to score, lighting up the home crowd in Sadeg. Only holding a 1-point lead after the touchdown, Skyhawk head coach Trace Hayes elected to go for two so they'd have a field goal lead and force Cavsar to score a touchdown if they wanted to win without risking overtime. Brooklyn's running pass to Alex Moreno got the job done, and Sadeg State took a 22-25 lead over Cavsar with just five minutes remaining.

Kevin Sajak hadn't needed a last minute drive all season. The offense had been so good that he'd even gotten the last drive of the game off a few times to avoid injury. This was the moment he'd usually fall apart previously ... but he didn't. Sadeg State's defense was more in zone, giving up underneath yardage but forcing Cavsar to burn clock. Cavsar had barely made it past midfield by the two-minute warning. It looked like they'd need some luck just to tie the game with a field goal, much less win it. Finally, Julian Gallagher found a seam in a Cover 3 look, and Sajak saw the opening just in time. Gallagher snuck between the safeties and charged forward, eventually being tackled inside the ten. The crowd in Sadeg was stunned, but they ramped back up as the Gladiators came up goal-to-go.

The defense had to stand firm. This was their pride on the line. Instead, they failed. On first down Lucas Utkin got the ball to the three yard line. Linhart felt frisky with the second down play, so he called a fade pass to Julian. A straight heat check with short yardage left on third down if they failed. Sajak got the call and send the fade pass to Julian in the corner with authority. Julian absolutely mobbed Xavier Lowell, coming down with the dagger touchdown that shut down the crowd in Skyhawks Gridiron Park.

If there was any indicator that this wasn't the same old Cavsar, Scott Linhart did something he hadn't done in literal years: call for a PAT after a touchdown. Holding a 28-25 lead was great, but Sadeg State still had over a minute to kick a field goal. A five-point lead is no better than a four-point lead, and a three-point lead left the door open for overtime. Cavsar kicker Ted Carroll added another "strange" accolade to his junior season, easily booting the PAT to put Cavsar up 29-25.

Brooklyn Beck did not have the magic she needed, unfortunately. Jace Phoenix was not having the same game-winning heroics as Julian, getting zero separation from Cavsar's secondary while Brooklyn struggled to find anybody else open. She ended up getting some chunk yardage on scrambles, but time ran out on the edges of field goal range. A couple failed hail mary attempts later, and Cavsar's improbable season just had another signature win. For the first time since NSCF 29, Cavsar had swept Sadeg State.

The Conference Championship

A week later, Cavsar went where no Drawkians had been before. The Horizon Conference Championship Game, this time held in Iqaluit Stadium in the conference host's nation Quebec & Shingoryeo. Quebec's largest football stadium was selected when no forthcoming bids arrived from any member schools, and thus this is where the rematch between Cavsar's Gladiators and Lithrelir's Phoenixes took place.

It had been nearly two months since these two sides faced off. Cavsar's 47-20 blowout of Lithrelir came on the heels of Cavsar's blowout of Sadeg State. It was the first signifier that the Gladiators might've been recovering from their early season slump. However, Sadeg State did much better in their second matchup against Cavsar (despite the end result), so there was some worry that Lithrelir might have some defensive adjustments to make the game a little more stressful for already-frazzled Gladiator fans.

This is the thing. Cavsar has always been maligned for their ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, or crumble when the pressure was highest. A single game to capture the conference title, especially one where they're massively favored? This had Gladiator choke job written all over it. Internet shitposters already had a dozen DON'T COUNT ON CAVSAR posts drafted and ready to fire by Week 10. Just the concept of an easy game in theory was unbelievable.

For once, the theory proved true. Cavsar scored three touchdowns in their first three drives. Lithrelir did respond with one of their own and a couple field goals, but failed their two-point conversion as they tried to keep up with Cavsar who went 3/3 on their early conversions. Cavsar scored another 9 points before halftime, making it a 33-12 ballgame. The Gladiators put up another field goal and two touchdowns in the third quarter before letting the backups in, who also managed a touchdown and field goal. Lithrelir put up a pity touchdown in garbage time in the fourth, missed the conversion, and that's all the Phoenixes wrote.

It was almost anticlimactic. Who would've expected such dominance from the Gladiators in a game with real, actual stakes? Is Cavsar really, actually, legit? With a rather light out of conference schedule, there's a real danger of Cavsar capturing a top seed in the NSCF playoffs. SURELY the Cavsar snakebite will strike there, and all of this was just an exceptionally funny buildup to the biggest crash out in Cavsar history.

Julian Gallagher Season Stats (to date): 11 games, 87 receptions, 1589 receiving yards, 18 receiving touchdowns

[NSCF]

Out of Conference - MD11

---

LeBois Santura University (CAD) 20–3 Lithrelir University (GEX)

High City University (SEA) 30–0 Kobale University (GEX)

University of Columbus-Prairie (DHE) 29–13 Sadeg State University (DRK)

Mar Sara Tech (VAL) 25–34 Richardson University (RAN)

Raynor University (VAL) 17–22 Northern Moravica University (BNJ)

Staramara Tech University (CMT) 19–7 Prince Pieter's College (ROT)

Cold Hill University (RAN) 27–20 Mountain District University (CMT)

University of Loyola-Istria (BNJ) 34–10 Bingham Young University (UTA)

Islamic University of Busoga (BUS) 20–6 Université nationale de Saint-Jean-Jacques-sur-Mer (UNC)

Université du Saguenay (QUE) 47–26 Uniwersytet Nowa Kalanianska (QUE)

Université St. Croix (QUE) 26–7 St. Paulus College (ROT)

Cavsar University (DRK) 49–23 University of Raukieff (TMN)

[Chromatika]

Part 1: Preseason Top Fifteen
Part 2: Week 1
Part 3: Week 2
Part 4: Week 3
Part 5: Week 4
Part 6: Week 5
Part 7: Week 6
Part 8: Week 7
Part 9: Week 8
Part 10: Week 9
Part 11: Week 10
Part 12: Conference Championship Games

Chromatik High School Gridiron - Season Fifteen, Part Thirteen: Playoffs Round of Sixteen

Season 1 Champions: Central Heights High School (MVP: QB Harold Jieter)
Season 2 Champions: East Omnio High School (MVP: WR Alessandro Mio)
Season 3 Champions: Mt. Niar High School (MVP: QB Sarai Gwenderyn)
Season 4 Champions: Mt. Niar High School (MVP: QB Sarai Gwenderyn)
Season 5 Champions: Flames of the Revolution High School (MVP: RB Nyata Antonucci)
Season 6 Champions: Staramara Tech High School (MVP: Edge Nicole Manstrom)
Season 7 Champions: Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School (MVP: QB Liara Anderson)
Season 8 Champions: Vitoron School of Charge (MVP: QB Anne-Maurice Vivayavich)
Season 9 Champions: Myana Northwestern High School (MVP: QB Nicole Estera)
Season 10 Champions: Myana Northwestern High School (MVP: CB Lisa Bonsoon)
Season 11 Champions: The Chromatik Institute (MVP: QB Raul Sébastien Santos)
Season 12 Champions: Mt. Niar High School (MVP: QB Dante Flowers)
Season 13 Champions: Staramara Tech High School (MVP: OLB Freya Odinsdóttir)
Season 14 Champions: Staramara Tech High School (MVP: QB Amy Skylar)

The Chromatik Institute 37-9 Lhor Central High School

Summary: The Dread picked the Flying Jellyfish for a reason. Solve their defense, win the game. Emmanuel de Silva is an experienced Quarterback who has been through thick and thin; the defenses of the White Conference had mystified him, but Lhor Central's could not. Mya Kinsella tried off the edge, but the Dread's Offensive Line held firm; Terese Wheeler blitzed three times, but de Silva was quick to the throw. The Junior would throw for three touchdowns in the first half - one apiece to Jackson Green and Jerome Dixon, Jr. - and Dorothea Hannon couldn't handle the pressure of being behind by eighteen points.

Marijntje Prijs, the Junior Running Back of the Flying Jellyfish, was the one that did his hardest in the loss for the visitors. Contributing 101 yards wasn't enough as Lhor Central only scored one touchdown, the two-point conversion failing. The Flying Jellyfish would only put up 217 yards on the loss. For one game, they looked like the team that everyone had predicted to finish in last place in the Blue Conference.

So, the Dread move on - with a chance to catch up to their preseason billing. The beauty of being in this Conference is that you can have a really bad Conference season and still make a deep run in the playoffs. With de Silva, the two emerging receivers, and a great line, they have a shot - especially if their defense continues to play well.

Who dares to pick them in the Round of Twelve?

MVP: Quarterback Emmanuel de Silva - 21 of 29, 352 yards, 3 touchdowns

Next for the Loser: Lhor Central was never supposed to be here. The fact that they got here at all is ridiculous, and they'll only get better as they get older. They'll be one of the favorites to return here next season - especially if Dorothea Hannon continues to improve.

West Shantarr High School 37-41 North Sanar High School

Summary: North Sanar only made it here because they were the best Conference Runner-Up, having lost to Lhor Central. West Shantarr, on the other hand, had put up a decent season on Leena Kadian's Freshman year, almost making it to the next third of the table. With the two teams having decent but not spectacular defenses, things were ripe for a high-scoring affair - and that was exactly what happened.

Karian was the first to strike, finding Dujardin for a thirty-two yard score in their opening drive - just to have Fardhe Rosenqvist answer with a sixty-one yard throw to deep threat Rend Osterhalten. Gaëlle Arsenault ran an end-around for forty-one yards to take a 14-7 lead, only to see Makino Iku catch a screen pass to end the Quarter at fourteen apiece.

By halftime, it was 27-27. Kadian did well enough to score on a keeper from two yards out, but when Osterhalten scored on another deep bomb from Rosenqvist, the Scorpions finally blinked.

On third and three from the eleven yard line, Kadian's pass was tipped by Leonard Crusenstolpe. With the score being 37-34 in the hosts' favor, Fardhe Rosenqvist took to the field with less than six minutes remaining and left the field with it reading triple zeroes, having scored the deciding score himself from two yards out. A masterful performance, and one that puts a team that lost their Conference Championship Game into one of the two best Conferences of the Chromatik High School Gridiron System next season.

For now, Rosenqvist and the Riflemen move on.

MVP: Quarterback Fardhe Rosenqvist - 27 of 38, 297 yards, four touchdowns; 8 carries, 48 yards, one touchdown

Next for the Loser: West Shantarr needs some pieces if they are to remain a contender in the two better Conferences. Kadian is only a Freshman - and the team had three Seniors in total. They'll be back.

Staramara Tech High School 16-9 Tihon Elite Academy

Summary: The defending champions had had a rough season so far. Modrico Stalla, the new Freshman Quarterback, truly struggled; Grayson Marsh, their Senior Running Back, did all that he could but couldn't carry the offensive burden on his own. Taking on Tihon Elite Academy, a team that had truly looked elite at the secondary level, was going to be a challenge; Kimberly Decraene looked like a Quarterback that had taken the next step, Hendrik-Jan Dalvoorde is a #1 receiver as good as any at the high school level, and Émilienne Rochette had the defense whirring.

Modrico Stalla didn't perform very well in this game - but neither did Decraene. Both Quarterbacks threw for less than two hundred yards as this game was mostly Field Goals - three of them apiece by the end of the First Quarter. Arnau Bescós was the best target for Decraene, while Marsh had seventy-five yards by halftime, the only player on that side of the ball doing much for the the Battle Angels.

It was the second half when Jack Westhaven and the Battle Angels pounced. Faking out the defensive line, Modrico Stalla's toss in the flat to Grayson Marsh with three pulling Offensive Linemen allowed the Running Back to go fifty-three yards untouched into the end zone, the home crowd going nuts.

At the end, Decraene and the Fog Wall couldn't do much more. Three times, they crossed midfield offensively. All three times, they ended up turning it over.

The Angels had survived.

MVP: Running Back Grayson Marsh - 24 carries, 108 yards; 2 catches, 64 yards, 1 touchdown

Next for the Loser: A disappointing end for the Fog Wall - but like many of the best teams at the lower level, they are loaded with young talent. Decraene will only be a Junior next season, Dalvoorde a Sophomore, and the Elite Academy will be fine.

City of Lorentine High School 10-24 West Omnio High School

Summary: The only thing that gave City of Lorentine any chance against a team like West Omnio was their Quarterback, Ariana Sadow. The Junior had a decent season - but only because the other players on the team weren't up to par. When she scored on the opening drive on a ten-yard keeper, the crowd thought that they had a chance - but all that was squashed just five minutes later when Nadzieja Zaruba brought her to the ground, shattering her left wrist.

With their Quarterback out, the home team lost all hope. Drive after drive, Adara Cueva and the Spectral Monks wore down on the Wizards' defense. Drive after drive, they tried to hold the visitors at bay - but Cueva and Carmen Maria Juárez would not be denied. The Freshman slot receiver was clinical on the day with eighteen catches for one hundred eighty yards and three touchdowns, not able to be covered by Ruwon Ittiti, the Wizards' best Safety.

The score only ended up being 10-24, but it could've been much, much worse had Cueva completed more third down passes. West Omnio, often thought to be snubbed by not being in the Elite Conferences already, had reclaimed their spot.

MVP: Wide Receiver Carmen Maria Juárez - 18 catches, 180 yards, 3 touchdowns

Next for the Loser: The Wizards need to give Sadow some help if they are to remain relevant at all. Defensively, they'll be fine, but they really need some help offensively.

1. Myana Northwestern High School (Black) vs. North Sanar High School (Blue)

Of course, the Blue and White pick the Riflemen. Fardhe Rosenqvist may be good, but Kacper Grenda is better. Add in Alfonso Valverde coming off the edge, and it'll be a massive challenge for North Sanar. Jaylen Briar and Francine Brillard will truly challenge the Riflemen defense, and the Myana Northwestern defense is as good as they've been in the past. They'll be huge favorites here.

2. Vitoron School of Charge (White) vs. The Chromatik Institute (White)

The third head-to-head matchup between these two teams, but the Robots decided that they'd rather face a team they've beaten once already instead of facing the Battle Angels' defense nor the high-flying West Omnio High School. This game will be all about whether or not the three Wide Receivers of the Robots can make a dent on the defense of the Dread. Nestore Filippo failed once and succeeded the second time - they'll be banking on the same happening again.

3. Cheonju Korean Institute (White) vs. West Omnio High School (Green)

Kirsi-Marja Sibelius's presence on the Red Devils' roster means that Cheonju Korean Institute thinks they can outduel any Quarterback - even one as good as Adara Cueva. Instead of taking on the Battle Angels' defense, the home team here gets into a Quarterbacks' duel - and Sibelius will be favored with the duo of Haavisto and Salonen. Give the Spectral Monks a chance, though - they're flying high and Cueva could possibly get the job done.

4. Urrhed High School (Black) vs. Starmara Tech High School (Black)

Urrhed High School knows the Battle Angels well - having swept the meetings earlier in the Conference slate. Izajasz Piekarski has done well in the prior meetings, even without Wideouts of any note; more than that, though, it'll be about whether Stella can overcome the defense of the Sand Vipers.

[Valanora]

There is a bit of a somber mood over both campuses of Raynor University and Mar Sara Tech, despite both teams heading into their senior day with the last home game of the regular season for both team's coming up this weekend. That is because this past weekend was a bit of a humbling experience for both teams, being the only home teams in the entire NSCF that failed to defend their home field against visiting opponents, a fact that sits rather poorly for both Vanorian schools who are quite used to their home stadiums being impenetrable fortresses for their opposition. Credit needs be given where credit is due, the caliber of teams that both the Rockets and the Raiders were facing was extremely high, facing off against schools from Ranorian and Banija both of whom are renowned bluebloods in the NSCF. While there were plenty of other teams who hosted good opponents, there are few who hosted bluebloods the caliber of Richardson and Northern Moravica and though the losses that the teams took are painful, they are lessons to be learned from and prepare them for what is to come in the postseason.

For the Rockets, they have already secured their postseason berth with the successful campaign to win the Zephyr Conference, these out of conference games are jostling for position and home field advantage come the postseason. Home field advantage has been a key part of both the Raiders and Rockets title campaigns over the last two seasons and the Rockets will be desperate fighting to get their ship righted before these last two games in order to try and grab at least one win to help with the perception of their strength. For the Raiders, they are in desperation mode themselves, as they have not yet guranteed themselves a spot in the playoffs and would rather not have their fate be resting on a trip to Sadeg State and their rivalry game with the Skyhawks, which could turn into a playin game into the playoffs depending on how events play out during this week of out of conference games. It is perhaps this need for a win that those at home might wonder the wisdom in both teams scheduling what could only be described as quite difficult out of conference slates, up there with the like of Mountain District of Chromatika who are taking on a trio of conference champions.

This seems to be a course correction from the way things were done some seasons past, where the teams would look line up a pair of games each that they felt fairly comfortable would be victories and ensure better records over a stronger perceived strength of schedule. That strategy came about during olden days where certain teams would not schedule any out of conference opponents and while not getting any of that benefit, they would risk nothing and be awarded spots in the playoffs due to the way the old OSPI formula worked. While the modern game has disincentivized this through a reform of the formula used to determine the best teams, there is still quite a bit of debate in the Empire whether it is better to line up easier opponents for better record against what the teams are doing now and scheduling difficult opponents to try and test themselves before the playoffs begin. While you can hardly argue against the results, with the Raiders having won the last NSCF title and the Rockets having won in the edition before them, will the teams continue to do so if the Raiders go winless in their out of conference slate and miss out on the playoffs altogether?

The Raiders have their destiny in their own hands as they will be hosting St. Croix in their senior night, the Quebecois school coming off a fairly easy showing at home against St. Paulus College of New Rotterdam as the Quebecois schools have performed rather well this season in the Celestia. It is the runners-up of that conference who are looking to make their own statement of intent about why they deserve to be in the playoffs and perhaps make up for a complete offensive quagmire that cost them the Celestia crown. The Raiders were able to move the ball decent against Richardson, but the defense that had been outstanding nearly all season besides the two games against the Rockets was unable to deal with the Governors relentless attack and folded repeatedly in the second half. Kirai Englefond tried to engineer a five minute drilled to put the Raiders in position to set up a game winning field goal, but freshman Mukiibi Lukaja let a pass go off their fingers and Trent Gray performed the tip drill perfectly to come down with the ball and go the distance to seal the victory with just over forty-five seconds left. The freshman wideout was visibly distraught but the team all helped up and tried to reassure him it was okay, that there would be a next time. That next time could be this upcoming game as St. Croix is going to force the Raiders to pull out all the stops if they are to move the ball and the home side is going to need all hands on deck to come away with a vastly important victory.

In the capital city, the Rockets were in a bit of a slug fest against Moravica, which is a style of game that does not play into their strengths as the team would rather be up and down in a track meet or shootout style of game. The visitors did a great job at keeping the three headed attack of the Rockets receivers in front of them and not getting much in the form of yards after catch. The Rockets usually average a hundred and twelve YAC in a game but against Moravica that was limited to just thirty-two with the way the Banija team was playing them. The result was two drives in the fourth quarter that could have put the Rockets ahead falling short. The team going for it with fourth and goal from the four, sending Millie Harangyar and a jet sweep only to be stopped short at the two with eleven minutes left in the quarter and then four minutes later settling for a field goal when another red zone drive stalled out. The result was Moravica up by five, thanks in large part to the Rockets defense playing extremely well and keeping Banija out of the endzone for six of their red zone trips but still giving up five field goals. The Rockets got the ball with thirty seconds left and attempted to pull off the impossible, which seemed possible after two quick passes later they went from the twenty-five to midfield. Sidney Jones hit Kimberely Dread to put the Rockets on the twenty-eight with five seconds left after the side spike the ball. She dropped back on the last play and put up a corner fade for Storm Dybvik, which the wideout caught and everyone thought they had walked off, but the sophmore's feet were on the edge and out of bounds, giving the visitors the victory despite the valiant attempt to comeback.

Now the Rockets have their second of three grueling tests ahead of them, welcoming Alexandria of Cardenao to the Empire's capital, where the team knows that they are in need of a win if they want both a bye and at least one game in the playoffs in their home stadium. There is more than just jostling for better seeding on the line, there is quite a bit of pride, especially with continued doubts over the validity of the Zephyr outside the two Vanorian schools, doubts that were increased after both Vanorian schools lost at home and Raukieff was torched by Cavsar in Drawkland. Without victories over challenging foes in the out of conference, those doubts and questions about the validity of the conference will continue and could see the Rockets and Raiders continue to struggle for respect and seeding not just in this season but in the seasons to come. For a people as prideful as Vanorians are, that sort of slide in the eyes of others, the lack of respect is hard to swallow and if the Rockets (and the Raiders as well) do not come out with their best effort of the year in this game, I would be quite shocked. This is a team who after all who have made it their goal to be seen as the best school not just in the Zephyr but in all of the NSCF and they will need a big bounce back for a victory against a worthy opponent to get back on that path that they have set out for themselves.

[New Rotterdam City]

SEA CHANGE
The Orders | Exit Interviews | Pronouncements
—

Boer Town
The farthest periphery of the New Rotterdam colony

The townspeople had clumped in the middle of the single road that dribbled through their hamlet, listening to a herald sent from the City who is opaquely disgusted by his unenvious assignment to a nothing backwater.

Blauw Kill
A remote coastal village which farms oysters

On the pebble beach of Blauw Kill, another clump of people had gathered around another herald.

The Fish's Head Pub
Meunsteerstad

The throng of two hundred fell silent while the herald began to speak.

Mr. Herbig's grazing fields
Outside of Wamoset

"...where you will see the chance to vote, for the very first time..."

Paardklap
A farming village in the Appel river valley

"...to exercise the right of opinion now as a sovereign constituent..."

Maaskant Plaza
New Rotterdam City

"...with total control over your taxes..."

Wamoset Town
New Rotterdam suburbs

"...your regulations..."

Wiltwyck
A trading post on the Wessagusset

"...your liberties..."

Klaverveen
A bedroom community

"...your future..."

Vreewijk Commons
North New Rotterdam

"...you will be subdivided into boroughs, and you will elect your representatives..."

Kreekhaven
The frontier

"Boer Town-Kreekhaven-Bossendorp—"

Three Pigeons Pub

"Tweede-Mashtucket."

A marshy shoreline

"Wormstricht-West Meunsteer."

Downtown New Rotterdam

"Those of you on this side of the road, Kerkestraat–Little Neck, those of you on that side, Appel Harbor-Ponkapoag."

A church

"Sint-Joost."

A farmer's market

"Schaapsveld."

Boer Town

"You'll be voting July first—"

Blauw Kill

"Best of luck."

[Ranoria]

Mountain District University @ Cold Hill University
2nd quarter, 1:33
Cold Hill 0-14 Mountain District

@BuffaloMusse Chris Dale has always let low-character players slide but this is crazy. Bench Dante Flowers - this team has been through enough this season. Flowers needs a reality check anyway. Chris Dale's offenses have succeeded under a ton of different passers #CHUvsMDU #NSCF

@ColdHill_TopFanWow, big hit on Flowers there by Odinsdóttir. Buffalo have to fix these offensive line issues if they're going to make any kind of run this season. #Buffalo #Fluffalo

---

The second his feet crossed the sideline, Dante Flowers exploded.

"Hey! You! Fatass! What the hell are you doing out there!?" The entire offensive line whipped around, and Dante Flowers snagged the facemask of big Taylor Reeder, "You've got to block! Do you want to win this game? What the hell are you doing out there!?" It took everyone a moment to react to their quarterback literally grabbing, ripping into, and pushing back a starting tackle, but it was Miles Mullfritz, the blindside blocker, who stepped up.

"Dante, chill out ma-"

"Don't think you're off the hook dipshit!" By this time, coaches were trying to get between the guys, but with an entire starting line piled up around one guy, no one was getting through, and no one was getting a word in as everyone was shouting, pushing, it was damn near a full-on brawl on the sideline before coaches managed to pull them apart.

"What the hell's wrong with you?" Connor Hellsing, the offensive coordinator, grabbed his quarterback by the shoulder pads. But Dante, shoulders heaving, gave him a look, and whatever that look was, Hellsing got it. The coach shook his head and stepped aside, Flowers immedietely taking his place.

"Hey, listen up!" The offensive linemen all glowered, and all six players were breathing hard, frost painting the air between them. "I wouldn't be shouting if I thought you sons of bitches sucked! But you don't! You're better than this! And if you don't pick your shit up, we're going to lose this damn game! And I," he stepped forward and pointed to the opposing sideline just as the Firehawks booted in a field goal, "Am not going to lose to them! You got it!? Miles is dead! Dead! Fuck injuries, he's never going to walk again! He'll never see the damn sunrise! We're out here living our dreams! Take advantage of the opportunity of a lifetime in the lifetime of the opportunity!"

The rest of the team got called, and started running towards the locker room. But those six stayed, staring at each other as the snow began to fall. And it was Taylor Reeder who broke the silence with a nod. "Yeah, you're right." He grabbed Dante by the arm and pulled him into an embrace, "Let's go fellas."

---

4th quarter, 00:12
Cold Hill 20-20 Mountain District

@BuffaloMusseHoly fraud watch! Someone check these refs' bank statements man? Derek Boss was clearly over the line on that blocked kick- not that I'm #CHUvsMDU #NSCF

@ColdHill_TopFanChris Dale you slick bastard. Running hurry up and a dive just to prevent a challenge is diabolical work. #Buffalo #Fluffalo

---

The offense huddled around Chris Dale, and he gave them a couple seconds to laugh at his work before settling them down. "Gentlemen, we've got a timeout left. We're gonna hit Earl quick and trust him to try and get open, don't wanna risk an-"

"Coach!"

Chris Dale stopped, staring down his quarterback, and gestured for him continue before crossing his arms against the wind, "We can end this in one shot! No playing it safe, give us a shot to end this thing!" He pointed his thumb back into his chest, "I can throw through this wind. Sure, I can't see shit, but neither can they. You know I can throw it to a spot wihtout looking, I trust Earl," He moved that thumb to his top target, to be in that spot."

Chris Dale tossed his hands in the air and laughed, "You got it Dante."

He gave the playcall, they broke the huddle, and Dante stopped, clapping hands with Earl Silverman as they ran out, "Hey! You know where to be! No matter what, this ball's coming to you. Just turn around and it'll be there, got it?"

Earl punched him in the shoulder, "Yeah yeah, get outta here. Let's put this thing on ice."

Flowers rolled his eyes and got into the shotgun, deep breath in, practically breathing frost out, and shook his fingers out to fight the cold threatening to kill his grip. He knew it and so did they - chances were slim to none. This thing was going to overtime.

He had to suppress a grin when he saw the Firehawk safeties, who'd been so crucial to stopping the deep ball all game, cheating up hard through the blinding snow. He clapped hard, once, twice loud enough to hear.

He dropped back and reached out to his running back as the pocket formed around him. And when he pulled the ball back, he couldn't hide that grin - the entire defense was selling out against the run. He barely heard Jessica Kyle's desperate plea "Pass pass pass!" She was the only one who got it - and she was far too late.

A lot of people talk about throwing to a spot on a no look pass. Not a lot about being able to trust your man to be in the perfect spot. No one talks about doing it when the snow is so blinding that you can't see anyway. Flowers stepped up and put everything he had in that cannon of an arm into the throw, cutting through the snowstorm.

And for his part, Earl Silverman had to have absolute trust as well - in himself to run the route perfectly, and in his quarterback to put it in the right spot. Miraculously, he stopped along the sideline, put his hands up, and barely even saw the ball before it plopped into them. He laughed, overjoyed, and tucked the ball and ran - the Firehawks weren't just nowhere to be found - they couldn't even see him at this point. The receiver cut towards the middle of the field, taking a wide arc to bleed out what time was left on the clock, and crossed the plane with just a couple seconds to go. At first, it was the fans in the endzone who began to erupt, and it quickly spread all around the stadium and onto the field as Dante Flowers howled his triumph into the snow.

If they were on a mountain, it likely would've been an avalanche with the way the stadium shook.

@NSCFsSkepticHE WAS OUT OF BOUNDS HE WAS OUT OF BOUNDS!!! That's not a catch! How are they calling that a catch!? #ColdHill #Firehawks

@ChrisDaleDoomerHoly shit. That's the single best throw I've ever seen. That's why he's going number one in the #RFLDraft

@CollegeFootballCentelI want it known - it took a home game, a snowstorm, horrible officiating, and Fluffalo delaying the game for the Big 8 Champions to beat the Horizon's Starlight division runner up. Congrats, Cold Hill - whoever wins next week when you visit UCP will be the #FraudBowlChampion

---

---

Blooming in a Snowstorm:
Flowers Brings Cold Hill All The Way Back, Douses Firehawks For Second Straight Season

Cold Hill fans were undeterred by the cold temperature, and were rewarded with one of their most dramatic wins in recent memory

The game was delayed by about ninety seconds thanks to Fluffalo getting a little bit roudy after his usual run out - he had found a particularly tough clump of snow, and insisted on stomping through it to get to the grass beneath. That delay pushed the moment of silence being held for Miles Jackson and Gloyd Manniweather by a full minute - and with the way this one went, that might've won Cold Hill the game. The newly-dubbed Mountain District University remembered what happened last season in Felswyr. Dante Flowers had the game of his life - five hundred passing yards to hang 51 on the Firehawks. They weren't about to let that one happen here. They were better - despite a rough slate of Starlight division games, the Firehawks are always one of the favorites. They've always been road warriors. And they played like it.

Earl Silverman was by far the best weapon at Dante Flowers' disposal, and they knew it. Karen Michaelangelo was at his hip from the jump, and one of the Firehawk safeties was never absent overtop. Jordan Martinez? Having a great season no doubt. But Larry McMichael was no slouch. They weren't the real problem though. The real problem was Carlisle Gannelot, Shawn Jackson, and especially Freya Odinsdóttir harassing the living hell out of Dante Flowers. The Buffalo haven't been terrible when it comes to recruiting offensive linemen, but Richardson's beaten them out by a mile on the domestic front, and it was starting to show.

Shawn Jackson's hyper-aggressive style was consistently blowing up the pocket, Gannelot was turning Taylor Reeder into a turnstile, and Freya Odinsdóttir was everywhere. Cold Hill's top-heavy offensive personnel were quickly getting exposed, and Dante Flowers looked helpless to stop it as Mountain District University racked up four sacks in the first half alone.

The score? Yeah, it didn't look much better. With a couple minutes to play in the half, the Firehawks had spotted two touchdowns on the Buffalo defense, and their own was leading a shutout. Dante Flowers got the ball just as snow started to fall before halftime, and started to actually put a decent drive together. He connected on five quick shots early - three to Earl Silverman. It wasn't good for more than a couple first downs, but it got their offense into some semblance of a rhythm and avoided the lurking safeties overtop. No dropback - Flowers was just catching the snap and throwing the ball. But even then - Odinsdóttir was too good. Miles Mullfritz got voted the second best left tackle in the Big 8 this season - he sure as hell wasn't looking like it.

Just as Cold Hill got into field goal range, she blasted Dante Flowers just as he flipped his hips to throw, unblocked, and the ball went flying. One of the Firehawks landed on it, and Dante Flowers lost his shit.

Once the offense got off the field - he let the entire offensive line have it. Our mics couldn't pick up exactly what was said, but Flowers had had it. He grabbed both his tackles by the facemasks, got into all five of their faces, it looked ugly while Hudson Charles led a quick drive to put up another three to close out the half. Whatever was said, it was all anyone could talk about during the halftime show. Dante Flowers was always flashy, he always had personality, but was he toxic? Was he showing his true colors in the heat of the moment?

By the time they came out at halftime, the field had just started to get slick with snow - the field crew just couldn't get it off in time. And when the Firehawks took the field, they were looking to put the game away. Instead, they opened the door.

A minute earlier, and maybe Hudson Charles wouldn't have juggled the snap. A minute earlier, and maybe Henri Saya wouldn't have slipped when he tried to adjust to the blitz. Instead, Derek Boss practically blasted past the offensive line on a blitz, took the ball right out of the air when the ball bounced out of Charles' hands, and no one was stopping him once he got behind them. Charles tried to turn around, but no one else had any idea what was going on, and four seconds into the second half, the score was 17-7.

The Buffalo faithful offered some cheers, but Derek Boss didn't even pretend to celebrate - whether it wasn't warranted yet or because he was in pain, who knows.

Of course MDU wasn't particularly worried. A two score lead wasn't hard to hold. But the wind was picking up, the snow was starting to fall harder, and when their chip-shot field goal bounced off the uprights and into the goal posts, everyone knew this thing was just going to get straight up sloppy.

Whatever Dante Flowers had said to his linemen before half though? It worked. The quarterback came into the huddle with his helmet off, stuck his tongue out to catch some snowflakes, and then finally called the play. The ensuing drive finally looked like Cold Hill football - pure air raid offense in weather where it made absolutely no sense to play that style of football. Flowers connected on four of six passes, had time in the pocket, and generally looked like he was heating up in contrast to the weather. They capped the drive off with a screen - the Firehawk front had gotten used to getting through quickly, and never saw it coming when Flowers dumped it off to Hebron Naphtali. The power back proceeded to blast through Stephon Hunter for absolutely no reason for the touchdown to put them right back in this game.

Now the crowd was in it. Still down six, the Tundra was living up to its name and the capacity crowd was making itself known. Dante Flowers pounded his chest - barely visible now through the heavy snow. The broadcast was forced to change its camera angle, it was getting ugly. Twi.turr was going crazy with people saying the game should be delayed - but it was never on the mind of these coaching staffs. All of a sudden, Cold Hill's barren secondary wasn't an issue - throwing deep simply wasn't an option. Defensive coordinator Kaiden Daniels brought Derek Boss down into the box for run support - maybe risky in his condition, but between himself, Tom Zachariah, and Philbert Aitken, the Buffalo finally looked the part along the defensive line, smashing the Firehawks front and completely shutting down the run.

Offense was at a premium by then. But Cold Hill looked the better of the two teams - twice the Firehawks got into field goal range, and twice Sean Robinson's boot pushed wide right in the brutal winds. Meanwhile, Rio Bocan continued to be the best kicker in Buffalo history (not that that's saying much, kicking two through as Dante Flowers and co got him just close enough to make this thing winnable.

A game that had been out of hand early was now all tied up - five minutes to go in regulation. The Buffalo defense had their shot, and they finally buckled. Hudson Charles somehow managed to connect on three passes, the run game got the hell away from the abominable snow man in the middle who happened to be masquerading as Philbert Aitken, and they went on a long march. They knew what they were doing - they bled the clock, and when they got to the twenty five yard line, a Derek Boss TFL on3rd & 1 to force a fourth down.

What should've been an easy kick to win the game was all of a sudden a real question mark. The strategy was obvious - run the clock down to a few seconds, kick it, get out of Cold Hill with a few bruises and a win. Problem? No one could see anything, Robinson had already missed twice. But on fourth and three, running the ball was probably too risky, and throwing the ball in these conditions? Well, Charles and Dante Flowers were both completing less than half their passes in the second half.

So the Firehawks lined up the kicking unit. Maybe this one would have gone through - any other game and Derek Boss would have just sold the whole game - but in the white, the officials didn't catch it. The seven foot five centerpiece of this defense jumped early on the snap, was a half step deep by the time the play actually started, and blocked the kick with ease.

The linemen tried to tell Naia Curentino. She started to shout for the refs, but they were a second too late. Chris Dale had called a hurry up offense, ran the ball right up the gut, and it was too late to do anything about it by the time anyone was clued in. But the Buffalo were forced to call a timeout - just ten seconds on the clock - they couldn't be running this thing seventy yards.

Everyone figured on a safe draw or two - basically just concede overtime. What they did not account for is that Chris Dale, old as he is, still occasionally has a spark of brilliance left in him - and he found it here. He dialed up Earl Silverman deep. And somehow, the 6'3" wideout got lost in coverage, the Firehawks sold out against the run, and Dante Flowers ripped a prayer of a pass that somehow ended being a dime in the snowstorm. He'd take it all the way to the house with no one in the area.

The officials took a minute to review the play before making it official - Silverman had been so far along the sideline that they weren't sure if it was in bounds. But whether the snow-covered field and obscured camera angled made it impossible to determine, or if they were just cold, walking around in soaked boots, and wanted to go home - they called it. The ruling on the field stood. Rio Bocan made it a perfect day in the storm to get to 27-20, and a squib kick to end all squib kicks made it official - the Buffalo were 10-2. Big 8 champions, 1-0 in their rival's new Mountain District University era, and actually looking like a competent football team heading into their matchup with an undefeated University of Columbus-Prairie.

Key word, looking like a competent football team. This is Cold Hill after all - they haven't been relevant since NSCF 30. What's coming in week twelve is nothing short of the Fraud Bowl - sponsoring the MidCon Champions and a team who's coach should probably be looking into retirement homes.

When asked about the comeback and controversial calls - especially his running the hurry up to prevent a challenge - Chris Dale shrugged. "This team has faced more adversity than anyone signs up for as an athlete. And we have fought back, hard. We won our first conference championship in four years after losing Miles [Jackson], and that showed up here. We fought all the way back from being down seventeen zip. I am so proud of these young men, and yeah, maybe the refs missed a call. When don't they? Don't let that diminish what they just did here."

But of course, it was Dante Flowers we really wanted - after the fight on the sideline just before halftime, social media was going wild with takes on him. And he had plenty to say, completely ignoring our questions, "Yeah, hey, give me that," He yanked the microphone out of their hands.

"I just gotta say, we're playing inspired football out here. And yeah, I know our spat on the sideline didn't look good, but we're all brothers! I can come after them like that because we have forged unbreakable, absolute trust with each other. We can argue, we can fight, we can rip into each other and know at the end of the day we can trust each other to do our jobs, to always be family. I love each and every one of my teammates, and they've called me out on my shit too. We have earned the right to speak with each other that way. Like I said, absolute trust. And you don't have to look any further," he grabbed wideout Earl Silverman, who laughed at the emotional display, "than this guy! If I didn't trust him to be in the right spot, if he didn't trust me to put the ball right where it needed to be, we probably don't win this game. Go Buffalo, go Fluffalo, and Miles [Jackson] if you're watching! I hope we made you proud tonight! Woooooah!"

Flowers tossed the microphone back and tossed his head back in a victory cry - he's an elated man after leading Cold Hill's most dramatic comeback since their historic 4th quarter in the NSCF 29 championship against this same team. Albeit, a different name. So which Cold Hill is the real one?

The husk led by an increasingly weary coach that always wins some games, but never amounts to anything we've seen the last few years? Or is this the inspired bunch we've seen in the last month, playing their hearts out to take some semblance back from what they've lost?

"Fraud Bowl" or not - their matchup with University of Columbus-Prairie next week has significant playoff implications. The Blue Jays are 12-0 conference champions of the worst conference in NSCF, and the Buffalo are a team no one expected to win the Big 8, that no one expected to beat the Firehawks (and arguably, they shouldn't have with the footage that's come out postgame. Their dance with the Blue Jays could be a battle for number one seed in the tournament, with the most accomplished coach in NSCF history & a prospective top pick in the RFL draft facing off against the Posession Philanthropist & none other than Larry CunningHIM at quarterback.

[Ranoria]

@GovsMuse Dex Banka is set to become the first four thousand yard passer for Richardson since Ezekiel Bantoba - this offense is absolutely HUMMING under Brad Manlio. Can he keep his composure when Richardson visits Sadeg State in week 12? #Richardson #GoGovsGo

@GovernorsFootballRichardson visits Sadeg State in week twelve to renew an old rivalry as celebrated offensive coordinator Brad Manlio looks to avenge his messy exit with the Skyhawks. These two programs have some exciting history - make sure to tune in! #Governors #GoGovsGo #SadegvsRichardson

---

---

The following is a collaborative effort between Cardenao, Ranoria, and even Drawk this time around! Please grade accordingly.

Revealing: The NSCF 33 All-Big 8 Team: Offense

1st team:
QB: Dex Banka, Richardson, Sophomore
RB: Malik Starcevich, Richardson, Junior
TE: Erik Skarsgård, LeBois Santura University, Senior
WR: Deacon St John, Alexandria University, Senior
WR: Denario Southward, LeBois Santura University, Junior
Flex: WR Earl Silverman, Cold Hill University, Senior
LT: Tanielu Tupua, Alexandria University, Senior
LG: Marwin Finlayson, LeBois Santura University, senior
C: Bairo Oyañder, LeBois Santura University, junior
RG: Terrald Doe, Bingham Young University, junior
RT: Niklas Patel, Richardson University, junior


2nd team:
QB: Delbin Kaskende III, LeBois Santura University, sophomore
RB: Zaro Rodriguez, LeBois Santura University, senior
TE: Johnny Wall, Bingham Young University, senior
WR: Hodoi White, LeBois Santura University, sophomore
WR: Chad McOxley, Richardson University, freshman
Flex: TE Hezekiah Thomas, Richardson University, senior
LT: Miles Mullfritz, Cold Hill, sophomore
LG: Brian-Willie Richardson, Richardson University, junior
C: Abdullah-Aadi Makavan, Richardson University, senior
RG: Harold Teller, Alexandria University, junior
RT: Jass Reuhnmatkers, LeBois Santura University, junior

[Banija]

Defense rises to the occasion in 22-17 upset win over Raynor University

RAYNOR CITY, VALANORA- Much of the focus, this season, in Banijan college football has been on the resurgence of the Blue Thunder, and with it- Dennis Zervos saving his job. And, of course, the story of Sebowa Jawara, the failed spawn of a superstar, suddenly looking more and more like his uncle with every passing week- the Celestia Conference championship game notwithstanding. Nobody's really been focused on NMU. When the Islamic U put up 71 on them, of course, they were in the headlines. But with their best player sidelined in week 1, and not going to return this year, they really haven't been on anybody's radar. A quiet 6-4, probably starting non-con play right on the edge of the postseason.

And so that takes us to Raynor City. There's some history between these two schools- the NSCF 25 Championship Game, when Raynor took NMU to the cleaners in Banija to win the NSCF Championship. Then, there's last season- NMU, coming in strong late in the season, reaching the quarterfinals, only to see their season painfully end in the Vanorian capitol. Now, the two meet again in Week 11- and both are in at-large slots. But NMU are in a much more desperate position- at 6-4, they absolutely had to win one of their two road games to be reasonably considered by the Committee, which meant the stakes were incredibly high. "We're a team that's been forgotten about, thrown to the wayside." Coach McKendry told reporters. "But- we can go punch for punch with anyone in this competition, and by no means has our story been written in this competition."

NMU was never going to win a shootout at Vahalla Falls, and that was not the strategy. But still, on offense, when they had the football- it was absolutely a frustrating experience. 400+ yards of total offense- we were able to move the ball consistently. No turnovers. Buray Ceora might really be coming into his own as NMU's QB. In a home win against Loyola, he had his first 300 yard passing game of the season, and here in Valanora, he threw for 255 yards. He was consistent, accurate, and aggressive- except for in the red zone. NMU's first red zone trip went as planned, with Heavenworth running it in from 12 yards out on a HB toss. But the other trips- disastrous. "Horton's such a dynamic weapon in the red zone, and they really missed him today." Said a Banijan TV commentator. "Between the 20s, elite. Inside the 20? Well... A lot to be desired."

NMU kicked 5 FGs, all from 35 yards or closer- and the senior kicker, Kamoga Kirabira, was up to the task- splitting the uprights on 5 consecutive occasions. 22 points. How was that enough to win on the road? Their defense.

We all know how bad this defense has gotten at times. It was supposed to be a strength of this team- and it hasn't been across the season. It was Week 8 when NMU gave up 71. But with the team going for a DC by committee approach, and Hannah herself calling the plays... It has actually found some sort of success. Especially today. "We made it a point of emphasis- close the spaces quickly." She told reporters. "Raynor racks up huge amounts of yards after the catch, well over 100 per game.. Bring them down where they stand. Protect against the big play."

Protect against the big play, indeed. They only allowed 32 YAC- a season low for Raynor. And they had key stops in critical moments, as well. Let's go to fourth and goal in the fourth quarter.

It's early in the fourth quarter, and as NMU holds the slimmest of leads over Raynor, the Rockets are getting ready to go for it on 4th down. They're at the 4. The NMU fanbase is significant- about 40% or so of the fans are in the signature red? And they are doing their best to make themselves heard. NMU's offense has stalled down here all day- can the Cougars get a stop?

Sidney Jones is barking orders from the gun. Two WRs right, two left. He's got Millie Harangyar running in motion.. The ball is snapped and it's handed off- a jet sweep! Harangyar goes around the tackle and.. IS STUFFED AT THE 2! STUFFED AT THE 2! GOAL LINE STAND FOR THE COUGARS, AS MOCTOR BANE HAS MADE THE BIGGEST TACKLE OF THIS YOUNG SEASON!

They continued to stand firm- although they almost broke. Allowed a FG later in the quarter, and a hell of a last minute desperation drive. And Raynor almost pulled off what would have surely been the most insane ending of the seaons, when Jones hit Dybvik on a fade on the game's final play- but he was out of bounds, ending the game. "You know, I thought he was in bounds when he caught it." Said Okello Buj, the CB on the play. "But- I got just enough position. The boundary saved my ass." He chuckled.

But hey- a win's a win. And this upset win? Massive. It might be one of the best wins any borderline playoff team has, on the road against an elite title competitor. And the defense starred. Big stops in big moments- can they build on this. "Without a doubt, this was huge for us." Coach McKendry told reporters. "This is a playoff caliber team, and we're putting the finishing touches on a playoff caliber resume. A huge one, we're gonna enjoy this- but we got a rivalry game next. We've got to continue this in Staramara, or else the Lava, who are as desperate as we are, will make us pay."

A tremendous win for NMU, the crowned jewel of a banner weekend for the Celestia, who went a combined 5-0 in non-con play in Week 11. What a week, right?

[Chromatika]

The Introduction
The First Game
The Tackle
Battle for the Eternal Flame, Part 1
The Fake

LLEYAMANA

6. First Step

Things had not gone well as of late. Going 2-2 against the supposed inferior division was subpar. Losing to Mountain District for the season finale to drop the Battle for the Eternal Flame was also bad. It all ended with the Lava being at an unenviable 5-5 - likely needing to go 3-0 (or 2-1 with notable wins) to make the Playoffs in the first season of Lleyamana being under center.

There was no quit in the team, though. The Lava Wall - the bevy of defensive linemen that Jair played against every day in practice - weren't going to go away; the running back room, consisting of four foreign players who were at Staramara Tech to do one thing - carry the rock - was starting to really get along (it turns out that a Busogan, two Cardenaoans, and a Vanorian can actually play well together), and the offensive line was ready for war.

First up? Prince Pieter's College. A home game. A tune-up, for all means and purposes, before Northern Moravica came calling on Chromatika-Banija week. Though the visitors scored on their first drive, the defense stiffened after that; conceding only 239 yards in total, the Lava's defense did what it should.

Which meant everything was on Lleyamana and the offensive line. Evan Rheese, the Senior Center, called out all the protections needed. Anvil Rogoston and Natyn Goreshev was doing very well in helping out the younger tackles in Mawa Bugoli and Norman Odwin, and the five of them worked as a unit to pave the way for Lleyamana and the running backs.

Eleven carries for seventy-eight yards was what Jair managed, with the majority of the damage being done by Andrew Kun Wa Lee and Alexander Dokken. Vatan Vural added three carries, and Zayne Echols made it so that there were five total players with a run of more than twenty yards apiece as the Lava ran the ball for over 300 yards.

It wasn't a day in which Jair had to do much. He just followed the game plan of Vinny Stiraglione, handing it off, tossing, faking, and running. He only threw the ball five times - completing three times, twice to Laak Gyles. Everyone knew that they were going to run - the Lava, the crowd, and the visiting team - and nobody could stop them.

The score may have only been 19-7, but it was the perfect way that Staramara Tech liked to play games. A perfect way to return to their way of form.

All in time for a pivotal matchup. Northern Moravica University, fresh off of upsetting Raynor University, sitting at a 7-4 record. Staramara Tech University, with their win, improving to 6-5. Basically, an elimination game - while it also being Senior Night.

Johnston Memorial will be packed for Senior Night, the fans clamoring for the Lava to remain alive when they head off to Saguenay. Jair was up to the challenge - the runs would hopefully be enough, and he would try to keep the ball in his hands.

This was what he had prepared for his whole career. The first go was now.

[Quebec and Shingoryeo]

'...it is indeed weird to see the lack of discourse, or too much of, about Cavsar University and Julian Gallagher, and we all know that's not because people really hate the guy or even the school,' said a Joongyeongite sports podcaster Rodri Milner, better nicknamed as 'RM', as he ran a solo 'Sunday Sport' programming in his daily sports and entertainment show 'Bonk Tuah'. Bonk Tuah, famously named after the Quebeco-Shingoryeoite R-rated superhero movie of the same name, was one of the most popular podcasts in northern Arrosia the last half-decade, along the lines of Call her mammi and Club Tay Tay.

'I think people tend to not care much about Cavsar, or at least not to the level they would expect of him, even less than a Sadeg State side that has not won a playoff game before that his rival, what was his name, Penis envy?, was born because it's not a particularly coveted brand. Names like Raynor or Richardson or Northern Moravica draw prestige, and as of late Felswyr, and LeBois and Columbus might be heading towards it, but Cavsar hasn't had that level of consistency or even upsets to merit it.'

'So whatever happens with their success would be considered unusual. Whether it be the legendary thirty quarterbacks season or late Lane Proudfoot run to the semifinals, it's going to draw genuine surprise or people just rolling their eyes because it's Cavsar,' he said, before asking about a dozen neighbours and friends in the audience to say the line. 'Hit the line please!'

'DON'T COUNT ON CAVSAR!' was followed by the crowd.

'There you go. But guys, let's be honest to each other at what we are seeing. what we are seeing right now might be just it, as we are seeing not a historic second-half run from a graduating quarterback, whose first-round RFL selection did surprise many even if it turned out to be brilliant, franchise-defining in hindsight, but a guy who is setting a historic season of his own,' he continued. 'In eleven games, Julian Gallagher has recorded 11 games, 87 receptions, 1589 receiving yards, 18 receiving touchdowns and a probable Horizon Conference MVP award to boot in coming weeks, as Cavsar University Gladiators, believe it or not, are Horizon Conference champions with an 8-2 conference record and a 59–18 victory over Lithrelir at the Championship Game. And this, in fact, is combined by the fact he was clutch. When you have a receiver who can perform in key matches, and torch every living will out of your opposing cornerbacks, it's always going to be hard not to use him like a MOP.'

'And look, he's playing like a MOP. Nobody else in the league has had a season like him, especially with quarterback changes and inconsistencies in both Vanorian and Chromatik schools, Jack Archer being under a huge halfback stable in Richardson, and yes, Horny Horton is taking another redshirt. Literally there is no competition! Am I right, folks?'

'YES!' came another loud response from friends and neighbours.

'Now let's actually give Scott Linehan, I meant Lionheart, a credit for unlocking the true talent out of Julian Gallagher for whole season, the same way he did unlock Lane Proudfoot's career by setting off to buzz in the second half of that semifinals run,' he lifted his glass of whiskey before drinking. 'Because nobody expected Julian to be this good. He wasn't the five-star recruit the same way people had expected from Busty Beck's daughter, the very reason why Linehan, I meant Linhart, recruited him to start with. In most of those situations, especially with Brooklyn predictably ending up in Sadeg State, his scholarship would have been yanked out of him by his junior year. Goodbye cruel world and all that.'

'But Linehan did put his trust in a twink but hard-working receiver in Julian, the same way he let Proudfoot fool around in Cavsar campus like some hillbilly and oh my did the efforts reward him. The way he asserted dominance over Jace Penis, in a battle for Brooklyn's heart, and in both legs????? Who doesn't love that kind of dedication and black magic? That's the stuff that's made Proko the emo the best safety in the world, and Horny Horton the Kabuyean terminator.'

He then stopped, as a guest asked him for a question. 'Yes, ma'am?'

'It's interesting you mentioned Brooklyn Beck all of sudden, especially with asserting dominance in mind,' his neighbour, a college student studying sociology, asked. 'What do you think is her future with the program? There is surprisingly large discourse around her attributes versus overall stats versus performance in key matches, should she be requesting a transfer in your opinion?'

'Well, that's easy, yes,' he answered. 'I believe he should, but to Cavsar or Northern Moravica. Cavsar because if a Penis envy could bring her to decent stats, connections with Mr. Gallagher would bring her performance to a MOP-level one. It's like why Saul Lautner, yes that's Ian Lautner's son, a lacrosse star and a graduate transfer no less, has quietly been the massive contributor for Loyola's performance this year. But for Northern it's because I believe that Hannah McKendry, for what it's worth with her Mulkey-esque suit and ties, is a perfect coach for her. Mentally tough, very motivational, and she is surprisingly great with tight ends which could take the edge off Da Cougs' poor wideout output in recent years. This, with her being a more moderate playcaller, could benefit everybody. For one it would alleviate the load off Brooklyn's shoulders, and for two, a fresh change of scenery, combined with some time with Horton and Gallagher....hoo boy. Lance Kabuye gonna be smiling from grave by the time final whistle is made.'

'Wait, did you suggest that Beck and Gallagher transfer together???? To Northern?????'

[Dhemixia]

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The Columbus Dominion(Est.1873)
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THE BLUE JAYS IS CLUTCH.

====Scoring Summary====
First Quarter
UCP TD - 10:03 - QB Larry Cunningham 14 yards to WR Kabe Heaton for a TOUCHDOWN. PAT IS GOOD. 7-0
SSU TD - 2:47 - QB Brooklyn Beck 7 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. PAT IS GOOD. 7-7

Second Quarter
SSU FG - 8:52 - K Nicky Wolfe kicks a 46-yard FIELD GOAL. 7-10
UCP TD - 4:15 - QB Brooklyn Beck pass to WR Jace Phoenix INTERCEPTED by FAN Stuart Nova, Stuart Nova 106 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. PAT IS GOOD. 14-10

Third Quarter
UCP TD - 13:29 - QB Larry Cunningham 25 yards to WR Kabe Heaton for a TOUCHDOWN. PAT IS GOOD. 21-10

Fourth Quarter
SSU FG - 4:56 - K Nicky Wolfe kicks 38-yard FIELD GOAL. 21-13
UCP TD - 1:04 - RB Darius Haliburton 18 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. 2-PT IS GOOD. 29-13

End of Game
Final:
Blue Jays, 29
Skyhawks, 13

Schedule

*blue indicates home games
Week 1: VS. UNSJJ W 32-31
Week 2: VS. Nowa Kalanianska W 41-34
Week 3: @ Elysium City W 13-0
Week 4: @ Green City W 17-3
Week 5: @ Prince Pieter's W 43-30
Week 6: VS. Trent State W 74-27
Week 7: VS. St. Paulus W 33-29
Week 8: @ UNSJJ W 29-13
Week 9: @ Nowa Kalanianska W 35-17
Week 10: VS. Elysium City W 23-6
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CCG: vs. Prince Pieter's W 39-30
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Non-conference play
Week 11: VS. Sadeg State W 29-13
Week 12: @ Cold Hill
Week 13: @ BYU (SPIT Bowl)

Is this what it feels like? Pure triumph? Going home after beating your arch nemesis in dominating fashion, only to realize you're not dreaming, it's all real? This is a feeling nobody in Dhemixia has ever experienced, and however sad that is to be saying, it's still entirely true. Following the NSCF 30 MinCon CCG win over UCBP, one of maybe two other wins like this, it was just pure emotion, pure happiness. There was no hope, there wasn't any belief to begin with, there simply was celebration, and then acceptance that they would lose in the playoffs. Fast forward to the other win, the NSCF 32 playoffs at home against Staramara Tech. The win there, no matter the excitement surrounding JJ Garrett getting strip sacked for a scoop and score on the Lava's supposed game-winning drive, just didn't have the elation that this SSU win did. There wasn't any history there, there wasn't any feeling of truly vanquishing an enemy. All there was for these two wins, some of the only meaningful wins in program history, was just a feeling of shock that Craig Kelly didn't have an epileptic seizure on the sideline, a feeling of fleeting happiness as they slowly accepted that they were going to lose the next game, and a feeling of grim dread that this was all UCP was ever going to be good for: one-off, surprise upsets that meant nothing in the long run.

No matter the stakes, even if this was an OOC game and meant nothing towards the playoffs, the win against Sadeg State felt like the ultimate payback for the original torment that honestly never came to begin with. Be it the Skyhawks' program legacy (or the lack thereof) in juxtaposition with the miniscule NSCF impact the Jays have had, it had the dynamic of a little brother beating a big brother for Dhemixian fans, without that actually being the truth. Now, that could be because it was 1-Denarius Beer Night at The Brig and fans were hammered enough to create their own narratives, but the only true impact of that we know of came in the second quarter. Following a Brooklyn Beck scramble for six and a Nicky Wolfe field goal, the Jays found themselves backed into a corner, down three with BB and the Skyhawks driving once again in the red zone. The first Beck touchdown had been a scramble out of a lack of trust for the rest of her teammates, but this time, she had just enough restored to throw the ball. This decision would prove immeasurably costly, as a drunk, elderly, and confused Stuart Nova would storm the field one fateful play. On this play, the Jays only had 10 men on the field, but with Nova there, the referees didn't look close enough and let them play. Beck would drop back, fire a pass to Phoenix, before getting picked off by every Drawkian's reaper, the man who hit a devastating walk-off grand slam against them in WBC 41 to close out a 7-run comeback, a Stuart Nova 17 beers deep. The man, utterly confused, would somehow take it back 106 yards for a crushing touchdown, and the Skyhawks just could not recover after that. They'd only muster another field goal after half, as Craig Kelly would go for two on the Jays' last drive because he "couldn't go for 3".

No matter how good that win felt, UC-Prairie still has two more big games to go somehow. As if this OOC slate couldn't get more exciting, for the second time in school history, the Jays have to drag themselves all the way to Cold Hill University to tango once more with the rotting skull and bones of Chris Dale on the sideline with the Fluffalo by his side in the "House that Viktor Rowles built" (with his car dealership money). Last time around, it didn't go the Jays' way, losing by two scores and only putting up a pathetic 3 points all game against a defense similar to one of UCP's in the early 30s. That is, to say, absolutely horrible (with the least disrespect to CHU possible in that assertion). This time around, potentially with a #1 seed in the playoffs on the line, and certainly a perfect record on the line, it's safe to say both teams want this win in the worst way. In what some are dubbing the "Fraud Bowl" and what others call the "Game of the Season", we'll just have to see if the Possession Philanthropist, Larry CunningHIM, and company want to win it enough to preserve a 13-0 record going into the S.P.I.T. Bowl.

[Drawkland]

"The Crash Out"

If there was really a week between games, Brooklyn Beck wasn’t feeling it. The spring semester was long over by now. The summer break had begun, and there was nothing to distract Brooklyn when she was off the field. Football practice took up more of the day at this point, but there was nothing to take her mind off things when she was at her apartment. Her roommate and friend Grace Robbins had been on a long vacation with her family for the last couple weeks. Whenever Brooklyn was home, it didn’t matter what she did, she couldn’t keep herself from stewing.

Her normal fallback was pulverising balls in the batting cage, but even that wasn’t the sanctuary she was hoping for. She couldn’t make herself concentrate on the craft. Instead, her thoughts went back to what she was doing with her life. She’d started to worry about the team more, which she considered an improvement. Yes, it wasn’t helping her current mental state, but at least she wasn’t losing her focus on football entirely.

The time evaporated quickly. All of a sudden, Brooklyn was loosening up on the sideline for the Week 10 game against Cavsar, the last game of her Horizon Conference season. On the opposite sideline were the already-crowned Starlight Division champions. Brooklyn wasn’t the one to finally break the years of underachieving by Drawkians in the Horizon. It was Cavsar. The fact that they were certainly going to blow the conference championship game didn’t matter. The goddamn Gladiators beat her to the punch. And it wasn’t even future GLD golden boy Logan Oakley at the helm. It was a guy somehow objectively worse than Brooklyn in the physical skills department, Kevin Sajak, leading what should’ve been a trainwreck Cavsar team to heights Brooklyn had never been. And at the center of all that was Julian Gallagher. How was it possible? HOW?!

Brooklyn shook herself back to the present moment. She’d been so wrapped up in her thoughts she basically missed the entire Golden Axe debut presentation. The actual leader of her nation, Iarocav, was standing 50 yards away, and she frankly barely cared. As if this game needed any more stakes, now there was a stupid gimmick trophy attached. Thanks a lot. Did you spend taxpayer money on this, douchebag?

Brooklyn shook herself again. It was time for the captains to go on the field for the coin toss. This general thing happened over and over throughout the game. Brooklyn stayed locked in just enough to not be throwing the game, but she was hardly holding serve. Then, once she got off the field, her mind would start flowing in every direction in frustration. Almost everything was pissing her off. Any camera shots of her on the sideline showed a thousand yard stare and a scowl until she had to put her helmet on and trot back out for a drive.

Finally, in the fourth quarter, she pulled herself out of the funk. With time quickly ticking away in the fourth quarter, Brooklyn put down a drive that reignited the crowd and herself. She was passing and running with perfect efficiency. With the game on the line, the Sadeg State offense wasn’t pushed back on a single play. All yardage was positive. The Skyhawks were showing signs of life. Brooklyn finally got the ball inside the five with a nice curl to Jace Phoenix right on the sideline, and a play later she called her own number on a read-option to take the lead. Coach Hayes called a two-pointer to get a field goal lead, and Brooklyn’s rollout pass to Alex Moreno stuck for the vital extra points.

When Brooklyn returned to the sideline with the crowd still roaring, she looked like her old self. A smile cracked across her face as she high-fived and ass-slapped her teammates. Yeah, the defense still had to remain solid for five minutes, but that drive felt different. The Skyhawks were back. This would be the point where the season was saved.

Then it happened. Again. Julian Gallagher had been quieted all game against a determined Skyhawk secondary. They weren’t going to be made fools twice. Facing players his own size, Julian had to rely entirely on his moves, which were good but not completely game-breaking. The Sadeg State D held him in check, until they didn’t. All it took was one mistake. Jules got loose and Sajak somehow found him in stride. The Gladiators went from stalling on the edge of field goal range to having four shots at the end zone if they wanted them. Two plays later, Julian came down with a touchdown in the end zone.

Everything rushed back immediately. It really was no different. The losing streak had just extended itself, and now State’s playoff chances were pretty much dead barring an insane miracle during out of conference play. Yeah, the Skyhawks offense had a minute and a half to score a touchdown, but that wasn’t happening. Brooklyn made her best effort, but the secondary was clamped down. A couple first down scrambles were nice for her numbers, but the game was over. The supposed game-breaker Jace Phoenix just broke down. Nobody else found real space. The game ended on an incomplete pass in the end zone. No hail mary. No wins in the final four games of the conference schedule.

When the game ended, Brooklyn looked for Julian. She didn’t know what to do or say, but she just felt like she needed to say something. After some navigating through the throng of Skyhawks, Gladiators, and journalists, she finally found Julian. He was looking away until she came close to his field of vision.

“Good game, Julian,” Brooklyn said as evenly as she could manage. She went for a quick side hug and tried to add on. “Jules, I-”

“Yeah, good game, B.” Julian replied casually, giving Brooklyn a tap on the shoulder instead and immediately turning to another teammate that caught his attention.

“Y-yeah.” Brooklyn replied to Julian’s back. She lingered for a second longer, but Julian walked away without a second thought.

“I’m going to lose it, Grace!” Brooklyn yelped in the apartment living room. She thumped down onto the couch, then shot back up a second later in aggravation.

“You missed me that much?” Grace Robbins had been back at the apartment all of three minutes before Brooklyn started ranting. Grace hadn’t even opened her suitcase yet.

“This season!” Brooklyn groaned. “This was finally going to be it. We swept the Chromatik schools. Yeah we had a bump against Cavsar, but that happens. We were demolishing the Equinox schools. I played maybe the best six quarters of football I’ve ever played in my life. And it fucking evaporated. In an instant!”

“Losing streaks happen,” Grace replied, raising an eyebrow as she emptied out her travel water bottle and started cleaning it. “You know that better than anyone, playing baseball. Sometimes things just aren’t going right for a bit. You’ll right the ship soon.”

“Soon? SOON?” Brooklyn shot back. “The season’s over! Cavsar’s spending this week in Quebec, living up a potential conference title run, and now I’ve gotta scrap and fight for my goddamn life just to be bowl eligible. AGAIN.”

“It’s the first year with Coach Hayes. You knew you weren’t going to be world beaters,” Grace countered. “You told me yourself before the tournament started.”

“But we started so well! It was supposed to be OUR season. OURS!” Brooklyn paced manically around the coffee table while Grace watched with only mild concern. “And instead I’m stuck here preparing for a fraudulent Mineral team while Julian and his team get to play for the Horizon.”

“Ooooh.” Grace’s face twisted into a smirk. “So it’s about Julian.”

“What?!” Brooklyn’s head whipped around. “It’s not about him! Are you ignoring the fact that we’ve lost the last four games? I’m supposed to be turning this program around, and instead I’ve just tied the longest losing streak in team history for this damn tournament.”

“You fell apart and fell out of playoff contention literally a year ago and you never went insane like this.” Grace crossed her arms, cocking her head to the side. “But because ol’ Jules is doing better than you, it’s driving you nuts. I thought you didn’t like him.”

“I didn’t! I don’t!” Brooklyn insisted. “It’s not about that! I mean, he was a really good friend. But I never thought of him that way. How was I supposed to know he was crushing on me? How is it my fault that I wasn’t interested in him? I’m not obligated to put out for any guy that happens to like me. Nobody is. So why does he get to treat me like the asshole for it?”

“You also left him high and dry at Cavsar.” Grace pointed out. Even in the serious conversation she couldn’t help but quip. “A fate worse than death.”

“Who’s side are you on?” Brooklyn gaped.

“Clearly you’ve driven yourself crazy, so I think any amount of outside perspective might help. You’re WAY past the point of just venting actually helping.”

“Fine. Whatever. So not only am I a bitch for not going out with him when he didn’t even ask, but I’m a bitch for not changing my entire future just because he wasn’t good enough to get any real offers elsewhere? I’m the only reason Cavsar even fucking called him, and now he gets to act like I was doing him some great disservice by choosing Sadeg State. He has an entire football career ahead of him now, and guess what? That was because of ME. So why does he get to keep acting like I’m a villain? Why does he get to suddenly give me the cold shoulder? Why can’t we just be friendly rivals? Is that too much to ask?”

“Maybe it’s more about him than you.” Grace shrugged. “He clearly wasn’t over you, even after going to college. Maybe he had you propped up as this ultimate goal in his mind. Boys are like that with their first real crushes. He finally realized that he didn’t need you to be happy. Maybe being free from thinking about you made it possible for him to improve himself in other ways.”

“This is so fucking stupid,” Brooklyn whined, sitting heavily on a plush seat in the living room. “I didn’t want this. I shouldn’t be feeling jealous like this. This should be motivation. I should be making myself better with this, and instead I’m making myself worse.”

“You need a change.” Grace suggested, sitting on one of the bar seats between the kitchen and living room. “Maybe you should try getting out more to get your mind off of him. Maybe talk to some guys, maybe get a makeover or something. Girl’s night?”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Brooklyn sighed. “I don’t want to be more of a distraction to my team. Most of them can already tell that I’ve been on edge, I can’t give them reason to doubt me.”

“Okay, put a pin in girl’s night.” Grace leaned forward. “But we should definitely go do something this week. Not tonight, I’m still dead tired from flying, but tomorrow. Alright? Get you nice and relaxed before you go to … Columbus?”

“Yeah.” Brooklyn nodded. “Hanging out sounds great.”

She wasn’t convinced, and she didn’t really appreciate how Grace approached the situation, but talking things out helped a little bit. When the Skyhawks boarded the flight to Dhemixia, Brooklyn felt better than she had in a month. The paper tiger Blue Jays were going down. The Skyhawks were going to turn around for the better, finally, right here. Once the team was touching back down in Sadeg, they’d already be forgetting the cold streak and looking forward to a late surge of success.

Brooklyn was the first person off the plane in Sadeg a couple days later. That was all a lie. Maybe she was feeling better, but the rest of the Skyhawk roster was arguably even worse. Life was hell in The Brig. Columbus-Prairie embarrassed Sadeg State in front of the whole world. Everything seemed to go wrong. Passes dropped. Balls fumbled. Her rushing touchdown was the only arguable bright spot in the entire game, but there were too many ugly and disgusting moments to count. The good was forgotten. The bad was harped relentlessly.

The weird fans online raved about “Drawkland” being “0-2 against Dhemixia” in their bizarre calculus of relevance between the two nations. Brooklyn didn’t care about that. Maybe Grace was right. She needed to do something, anything, to break out of her funk. The quicker she could forget that nightmare in Columbus, the better.

Brooklyn always felt a joking jealousy to male baseball players with facial hair. Whenever they hit a slump at the plate or on the mound, they could go for a clean shave or a different look pretty easily, in hopes that the change would reverse their bad mojo. Brooklyn could theoretically do that with her regular hair, but she already kept it pretty short during football season so it wouldn’t snag in her helmet. She hated the shaved side look, so that was also off the table. She had to do something, though.

“I’ve got a great idea, then!” Grace said immediately when Brooklyn explained the dilemma on the way to the mall. At least this rant wasn’t some manic depressive episode about what happened in Columbus, which is what Grace expected after watching that unexplainable disaster. At the mall, Brooklyn and Grace swept through a few salons until they found the item suitable to both their standards.

“You know, I’ve never actually done this before.” Brooklyn said with a tinge of nervousness at her bathroom sink. She fiddled with the edges of the cap on her head.

“I do this all the time, you’ve got nothing to worry about.” Grace assured, popping open the cap of the bottle.

“Wait, really?” Brooklyn thought for a moment, remembering how Grace had darker brown hair when they first met in high school. “Oh yeah, I guess that makes sense.”

“Alright, hold still.”

Later that week, Sadeg State was back at home in Skyhawks’ Gridiron Park for the game against Richardson. Once again, the days had flown by for Brooklyn, but she didn’t care. It was probably a huge mental placebo effect, but she felt a lot more confident at practice and more at ease going into the game. Maybe the Skyhawks were going to lose in humiliating fashion again, but as long as she was doing her thing, who cares? She couldn’t keep harping on things out of her control.

During the team pregame warmups, Brooklyn looked across the field and saw Brand Manlio carefully watching the receivers run their route trees. Her former coach. In all of the chaos of the last few weeks, she’d nearly forgotten that this game represented the Manlio rematch. He was back home in Sadeg, against his former team that was weeks away from firing him just a year prior. Brooklyn didn’t know why, but she felt the desire to talk to him. Apologize maybe, or at least be sportsmanlike before the game.

“Hey there.” Brooklyn said as she calmly strode up to Manlio, helmet in hand.

“Huh? Oh.” Manlio looked at Brooklyn, a mix of suspicion and confusion on his face. He looked at Brooklyn’s head and squinted. “What did you do to your hair?”

“Just a spot of color. Needed a change,” Brooklyn replied simply. It was more than a spot. She’s colored almost half her hair jet black, with a medium blue highlight stripe off-center separating the black hair from her natural dark brunette. It was a little weird, but it didn’t look terrible.

“Hm. Okay.” Manlio shrugged. He turned back to his receivers, content to ignore Brooklyn.

“I just wanted to say good luck for the game.” Brooklyn pressed, hoping for some level of interaction. If anything, this could serve as some closure after their heated final exchange that happened right as Manlio was leaving the school.

“You don’t have to do all that. We can go our separate ways without exchanging pleasantries.”

“Oh. Okay.” Brooklyn paused, a little put off. “Well, I hope you enjoy your return home, Brand Manlio. If not on the field then-”

“What did you say?” Manlio froze, then whipped his head towards Brooklyn.

“Wha-?” Brooklyn stopped. “Uh, I was just wishing you well since you’re back home. I know-”

“No, no, after that.” Manlio stepped closer.

“Your … name?” Brooklyn said, trying to retrace her steps. “Sorry if that sounded weird. I guess I can’t really call you Coach anymore, because you’re not-”

“Ugh,” Manlio seemed to deflate, shoulders slumping as he buried his face in his hands. “My name. You said it.”

“Yeah?” Brooklyn leaned back a bit, thoroughly confused. Manlio looked seconds away from crying.

“You don’t know how long it’s been.” Manlio snapped his head back up, returning Brooklyn’s look with a piercing gaze. “Nobody in Ranoria knows my name. NOBODY.”

“That’s not true?” Brooklyn pitched her voice up in confusion, not sure if she was asking a question or not.

“It is.” Manlio stepped closer to Brooklyn, his breathing quickening as he started to rant. “Brooklyn, nobody here knows my first name. I don’t know if it was a clerical error, or a misunderstanding, or a cultural issue. I don’t know! What! Happened! But somehow, someway, somebody in Ranoria thought my name was Brad. So that’s what everybody calls me. Hey Brad, are we installing that run package at practice today? Brad, here’s your new email address. Brad, can you pass the salt? I can’t take it anymore, Brooklyn! It seems like forty days and forty nights since someone used my first name … including you.”

“Is this metaphorical or something?” Brooklyn asked, flinching a bit as Manlio clamped his hands on both her shoulders.

“No fucking joke, Brooklyn. It’s maybe been six months, probably more. My coworkers all call me Brad. My players all just call me Coach or Manlio. My wife only uses pet names anymore, which isn’t bad on its own, but it’s driving me fucking insane!”

“Couldn’t you just tell them-”

“Tell them what, Brooklyn? That they’ve been wrong for over a year without me saying anything?” Manlio finally took his hands off Brooklyn’s shoulders so he could throw them upwards in futility. “At first I thought I was mishearing them. The ‘N’ is subtle I guess. But then I realized everybody was saying it that way. And then I thought it was a practical joke. Maybe some sort of hazing. But it lasted FAR too long. Every day I prayed for a ‘gotcha, Brand!’ but it never came. I realized that they all just thought my name was Brad. Brooklyn, how could you possibly say something after months of them saying it wrong?”

“I mean yeah it’s awkward, but like … surely you gotta rip the band-aid off eventually, right?” Brooklyn didn’t know if she should be laughing or running away.

“It’s too late. TOO LATE, Brooklyn!” Manlio moaned. “It’s on everything. My Richardson school account. It’s on all my paychecks. It’s … look! LOOK!” Manlio indignantly fished into his pocket and pulled out his Ranorian driver’s license, which very clearly read MANLIO, BRAD P.

“I’m sorry that happened … Brand.” Brooklyn offered a wry smile. “Uh, I think I better go. Good luck, and all.” She zipped out of there quickly, heading back to her own sideline.

As Brooklyn walked briskly down the fifty yard line, one Richardson running back finished a drill and went to turn around to get back in line. When he saw Brooklyn walking past, he froze. It was Jack Archer.

Jack’s literal stopping in his tracks caught Brooklyn’s eye. She stopped too, turning to look at the running back, vaguely recognizing him. She looked him up and down, amusing by the bizarre deer-in-headlights look on his otherwise well-put-together face.

“Looking for something?” Brooklyn raised an eyebrow.

Jack Archer’s mouth opened slowly, flapped a couple times as if words were supposed to come out, then closed again.

“Alright then. Good luck out there, buddy.” Brooklyn winked at him as she resumed her walk back to the Sadeg State sideline. She wasn’t sure what that was all about, but she thought it was funny. Yet another bizarre moment in this insane season.

[Cardenao]

“What the fuck do you mean we scheduled a bye day?”

“Well…uh after the season we anticipated having, we thought having a bye would be in the player’s best interests.”

“……I have so many questions, what do you mean the season we anticipated having?”

“Based on pre-season analyzation, we expected reaching the Playoffs comfortably! So…give the team a break, that’s what we thought.”

“What you thought? What YOU thought? The hell do they pay you for, the hell do they pay me for?” Fumed Alanso Isa, the Banijan football player and coaching legend. It had been yet another disappointment for the Alexandria University Swordsmen, under his coaching they had exploded to a hot start, fueling talks of finally making their first CFB playoff, only for it all to come to an extremely disappointing 6-4 finish, though they had fucked up LeBois season so it was all worth it!!!

“You cost us a whole fucking game, a chance to get the team dialed in more, give Nick Singer and Deacon another appearance in our Red, White, and Blue, shit think of the money! Think of the presitgious we could get? But no you fucked it up, talm bout a break what the hell you know bout a jawn,” anddd Alonso added a few choice Banijan insults.

A whole missed opportunity for experience, for prestige, for those sweet, sweet rank points…thinks were looking down and out for Alexandria University, but were they ever looking up to begin with?

---

“And now, to analyze the LeBois Broncos vs the Gladiators from Cavsar, the one…THEEEE only……Missy LeCrown!!!”

“Thank you, thank youuu,” the Cardenaoan icon demurely said as her golden hair filled the screen like a gah dang goddess. “Let’s be quick with it!”

“The Broncos are up against the juggernaut named Cavsar, a legend of college football. After an 8-2 run in one of this seasons most competitive divisions, the Gladiators went on to smash Lithrelir 59-18 while the Broncos could only manage a 20-4 victory, well that shows plenty about their firepower!”

The Crown of Cardenao whirled around to stand in front of a graphic. “LeBois is coming up against a vertical offense that stretches play and relies on tight ends to make an impact. The Broncos defense lead by Drawkian sophomore linebacker Tito Bird will need to key in on Jerome Jeffers while denying the quick and space by dominating wide receivers space and quickness! This is a tough offensive line though, can the Fearsome Foursome of Jair Judge, Elias Olden, Priest Hunter, and the killer himself, Mack King break through? I think so!”

A new camera, a new angle that Missy slayed of course. “To win, LeBois needs to flip the pace and control the flow of the game, don’t be afraid to attack the secondary with Ranorian Denario Southward, and SUSTAIN. THE. DRIVE. That’s right, take a lesson from the Cardenaoan football team in the World Cup and control possession, that’s how you’ll win!”

“Well, this has been yours truly, Missssy LeCrown,” she said with a wink and a kiss, “Goodnight Cardenao!”

[NSCF]

Out of Conference - MD12

---

Lithrelir University (GEX) 23–13 University of Mancodas (PFA)

Kobale University (GEX) 64–10 Lakewood Plains University (NKR)

Sadeg State University (DRK) 13–30 Richardson University (RAN)

Prince Pieter's College (ROT) 47–0 Islamic University of Busoga (BUS)

Raynor University (VAL) 33–40 Alexandria University (CAD)

Mar Sara Tech (VAL) 7–3 Université St. Croix (QUE)

Staramara Tech University (CMT) 31–31 Northern Moravica University (BNJ) (31–37 OT)

Mountain District University (CMT) 39–13 University of Loyola-Istria (BNJ)

Islamic Madrasa of Pomena (JUV) 41–32 Université du Saguenay (QUE)

Cavsar University (DRK) 13–0 LeBois Santura University (CAD)

Cold Hill University (RAN) 23–13 University of Columbus-Prairie (DHE)

High City University (SEA) 16–3 University of Nordhammer (NKR)

St. Paulus College (ROT) 7–6 University of Raukieff (TMN)

[Valanora]

It was the night before the championship game and Abel sat in his room, laptop open and studying the offense of their opponents for the title decider. While it was largely assumed that Magnus was going to walk the title decider, he was not about to let those assumptions keep him from doing his part in being prepared for the game, so that they might actually be able to make those predictions come true. Watching the footage so far, their quarterback had a bit a tell when he was going to go deep, he seemed to drop his left shoulder a little right before he was going to snap the ball on those five step drops, which would give Abel and the rest of the line that little bit of extra time to try and either get the sack or hurry him into a poor pass. Heck maybe they would even get lucky with a deflection, though those were rarer than actually getting to the quarterback and getting a sack these days. Still, at least the last hour and a half studying the tape had given him something and he would pass it along to the rest of the team and coaching staff when he showed up for the pregame tomorrow.

Beside his laptop though there sat a large stack of letters, all of them were recruitment offers from various universities across the way, all trying to get him to commit to coming to their school for the next four to five years to play the game. While he appreciated all the interest, he also had his priorities, he did not want to go to a school that was in the process of building up their program, he wanted to go to a program that was in a championship window or would be if he committed to their school. Personal accolades meant nothing and sure he could go to a smaller school and be a star there, maybe set records for sacks, tackles, and tackles for losses, but what would those records matter if he never made the playoffs, never got a chance to make a run at the NSCF title? His coaches had told him to keep an open mind about his recruitment process and he was trying to, but he really wanted the opportunity to win a championship while he was at university and if he was not able to win one then at least be in the competition for one. If you were not trying to be the best, then what were you even doing?

The most obvious answer was one that he was perhaps the most hesitant on, which was the offer from Raynor University, the Rockets had sent him a recruitment package before the fall semester had began and the coaches there were keeping up with him every few weeks. While he appreciated their approach and that they were definitely a team primed to play in the playoffs, staying at home and just moving across the city felt like it was perhaps too safe of a choice. The Zephyr was not the most competitive conference and it was showing this year, as he had been in attendance the previous week when they lost another heartbreaker against Alexandria. It was a game that they probably should have won but somehow managed to lose it, with him thinking that failing to be tested outside two or three games during the conference slate had a lot to deal with that. It was the same reason he was not sold on the Raiders from Mar Sara Tech either, it felt like too cushy of a choice and where he was as like as not to make it to the playoffs and have a deep run or to have the team be eliminated in the first round cause they were not battle tested.

There were options still in the region but less close to home and perhaps a bit less safe, though they came with their own risks of course. There had been offers from both St. Croix ans Saguenay out of Quebec but Abel had heard that it was like as not that the coaching staff from Saguenay could be let go after the season. St. Croix could be interesting, they played in a competitive conference and just barely missed out on the conference crown this season, but they were also a bit of a yo-yo, having some years where they were great and other years where they were simply good and got thumped as soon as the out of conference slate and playoffs hit. There was also the options from Banija, as both Northern Moravica and Loyola-Istria had made initial approaches but did not seem to be keeping as close an eye on how his year and recruitment was going as the others. They however played in perhaps either the most competitive or second most competitive division in the NSCF and there was by no means any guarantees that they would be in the playoffs even three of the four seasons that he would play there, which was a bit of a downer.

The other major options were of course both Ranoria schools, but like their Banija counterparts, they were failing to keep up in the same way that the Vanorian or Quebecois schools were and it felt a bit rough that that was the case. While there was always the postseason recruiting period, that there had been as little follow up on their initial approaches just felt a bit wrong and odd as far as Abel was concerned. He was according to the Valanora Times, the most talented player who was going to be coming out of the nation in this recruiting cycle, surely there should have been a bit more intrigue from his suitors. There had been from Staramara and Mountain District out of Chromatika though, as the Lava had recently been recruiting him hard on the idea of being a key cog in their defensive identity for the next few years. Mountain District was playing up their own legacy and that he would be able to craft his own with his talent to get into the backfield, part of a championship caliber roster. It was tempting but they were in the other hyper competitive division in the NSCF, paired along with the pair of Drawkian schools who were seemingly taken turns in being good.

Abel shook his head and laughed a little as he closed the laptop and went to turn off the light in his room, getting ready to get a good nights sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a big night, a chance to win a title with Magnus and then the following day he would be taking a flight to Drawkland. As part of his birthday a few months back, his parent had gotten him a pair of tickets for him and a friend of his choosing to go see the Raiders play at Sadeg State. While it was not being billed as an important game, with the Raiders having looked shaky in their last three games and only managing to win one of those, the Skyhawks had had a bit of a dreadful season. It surely was not the sort of feature game that the two universities were hoping for after they had spent time branding their rivalry game, especially with a name as cool as The Battle of the Burning Skies. Oh well, he was sure it was going to be a good game regardless, rivalry games tended to live up to the hype despite whatever records the teams brought into them. Maybe the Raiders would even impress him enough for him to give their offer a serious second look over.

[Chromatika]

Part 1: Preseason Top Fifteen
Part 2: Week 1
Part 3: Week 2
Part 4: Week 3
Part 5: Week 4
Part 6: Week 5
Part 7: Week 6
Part 8: Week 7
Part 9: Week 8
Part 10: Week 9
Part 11: Week 10
Part 12: Conference Championship Games
Part 13: Playoffs Round of Sixteen

Chromatik High School Gridiron - Season Fifteen, Part Fourteen: Playoffs Round of Twelve

Season 1 Champions: Central Heights High School (MVP: QB Harold Jieter)
Season 2 Champions: East Omnio High School (MVP: WR Alessandro Mio)
Season 3 Champions: Mt. Niar High School (MVP: QB Sarai Gwenderyn)
Season 4 Champions: Mt. Niar High School (MVP: QB Sarai Gwenderyn)
Season 5 Champions: Flames of the Revolution High School (MVP: RB Nyata Antonucci)
Season 6 Champions: Staramara Tech High School (MVP: Edge Nicole Manstrom)
Season 7 Champions: Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School (MVP: QB Liara Anderson)
Season 8 Champions: Vitoron School of Charge (MVP: QB Anne-Maurice Vivayavich)
Season 9 Champions: Myana Northwestern High School (MVP: QB Nicole Estera)
Season 10 Champions: Myana Northwestern High School (MVP: CB Lisa Bonsoon)
Season 11 Champions: The Chromatik Institute (MVP: QB Raul Sébastien Santos)
Season 12 Champions: Mt. Niar High School (MVP: QB Dante Flowers)
Season 13 Champions: Staramara Tech High School (MVP: OLB Freya Odinsdóttir)
Season 14 Champions: Staramara Tech High School (MVP: QB Amy Skylar)

Myana Northwestern High School 15–3 North Sanar High School

Summary: The beauty of the way that Myana Northwestern decided to play Gridiron is that they can win in a myriad of ways. Run the ball with Jaylen Briar, the latest in a long line of bruising backs who love running through contact, carrying defenders. Have Kacper Grenda dissect the opposition, aided by one Francine Brillard. Or, the tried and true method - defense, defense, defense.

North Sanar, fresh off of being promoted, thought they had a chance. Fardhe Rosenqvist, fresh off of taking down one school in the Elite Conferences, walked into Myana...

And got destroyed. The Sophomore would commit four turnovers - two interceptions and two fumbles - that would end up helping Myana Northwestern with three Field Goals, Briar had 119 yards on 24 carries, and the home team advanced to the National Quarterfinals behind a stifling defense that only gave up one Field Goal.

To the Riflemen's credit, they kept Grenda in check - he only went 13 of 26 for 141 yards - but they had no answer for Briar and the defense. Earnest Ganes had both interceptions and Alfonso Valverde had three sacks on the win.

Park Gim-Hyeok made all five Field Goals - three of them over forty yards - and that was that. There will be a game coming up where this team will have to have Grenda throw the ball well. This wasn't that game, and they move on to the Quarterfinals.

MVP: Kicker Park Gim-Hyeok - 5 of 5 in Field Goals

Next for the Loser: North Sanar can't really complain - they made it to the Elite Conferences as a Conference Game Runner Up. They'll use this to be an edge in recruiting and get ready for the next season of play, no matter what conference they are placed in.

Vitoron School of Charge 55–14 The Chromatik Institute

Summary: The Dread had made mincemeat of the Flying Jellyfish in the first round, knowing all they had to do was solve the defense. In this rematch against the Robots with which they'd split, though, another problem came into the forefront: their defense. Eyla Grotten may be a Freshman, but she has an arm that can throw deep and accurately. Nestore Filippo is the deep threat, Maria Lura the slot receiver, and Tea Aquila the yard after catch specialist; each of them had two touchdowns apiece as Grotten put up six touchdowns, and a fumble return by Vivi Eliasen was the icing on the cake.

Speaking of Eliasen, the Middle Linebacker had nineteen tackles - and try as he might, Emmanuel de Silva couldn't match the firepower of the Robots. Jackson Green and Jerome Dixon, Jr. had a score each, but a twenty-four point Second Quarter put the game firmly out of reach.

Harkening back to the days of Anne-Maurice Vivayavich, the Robots with their latest batch of Wide Receivers will move on to the Quarterfinals, willing to match up against any other team's secondary.

MVP: Quarterback Eyla Grotten - 27 of 36, 519 yards, 6 touchdowns

Next for the Loser: A disappointing season ends for the Dread - ranked #4 in the preseason, the defense never really lived up to their billing, the protection in front of de Silva struggled from time to time, and they never lived up to their billing. They'll have de Silva for one more season, and for his sake if not any other, they'll need to do better.

Cheonju Korean Institute 27–12 West Omnio High School[/u]

Summary: Perhaps the most interesting matchup heading in, the way in which Adara Cueva had led the Spectral Monks to the next round had sparked some debate. Kirsi-Marja Sibelius, the Red Devils' Quarterback, need just a defense that stands up sometimes to get the job done; it would be all about which defense got some stops.

Enter Jurica Handover. A Sophomore Outside Linebacker that's been emerging through the season, the newfound lynchpin of the Red Devils' defense showed up at the right time. With the game tied at six apiece in the midway point of the Second Quarter, Handover intercepted a pass from Cueva in the flat and raced back forty-eight yards for a touchdown that gave the home team the lead for good.

Cueva would only manage one touchdown in garbage time in the defeat as the Red Devils showed they have some teeth. Sibelius found Haavisto on a pair of touchdowns, Partanen had over 100 yards, and Cheonju's offense did the rest.

"We are a complete team," promised Sibelius, "And we know how to step up in the biggest of moments."

MVP: Outside Linebacker Jurica Handover - 8 tackles, 1 interception, 1 defensive touchdown, 2 sacks

Next for the Loser: West Omnio made it to the Elite Conferences, but thought they had a chance to move to the next level. Cueva is only a Sophomore, and as long as they add some players in the Secondary and a capable Running Back, they could get even better.

Urrhed High School 9–9 Staramara Tech High School (12–18 OT)

Summary: Twice, these two teams had clashed in the Black Conference slate. Twice, the Sand Vipers had won, Piekarski outdueling Stalla and their defense stepping up. Things remained the same in this match - the calling card of the game being defense as expected. Stalla went 13 of 28 in regulation with 115 yards and a pick, and Piekarski wasn't much better, only completing 18 passes of 31 tries for 181 yards and a fumble. Both teams traded field goals in intervals, and the game inevitably went to overtime.

Both offenses stalled in the first overtime period as Jet Donnovan deflected Stalla's third down throw and Lidia Montemayor broke up a throw aimed at Shinsato Katsu, the Sand Vipers' Running Back, in the flat. Urrhed High School got the ball first in the second overtime period, and that's when things went weird.

On third and two from the eighteen, Piekarski turned to toss the ball to Katsu - but unbeknownst to him, Jack Westhaven and the Battle Angels had figured out how to read the toss timings. Raheem Santi, the Freshman Defensive End, crashed into Piekarski, and the ever reliable Willard Doha picked up the ball and ran it all the way back for a defensive score that shut up the sold out home crowd, sending the defending National Champions to the National Quarterfinals.

"Champions know how to win when it's time," commented Westhaven afterwards, "We know it's been a subpar season, but there is no way we're going to let that be the last of us."

Who dares challenge Staramara Tech next?

MVP: Freshman Defensive End Raheem Santi - 4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble

Next for the Loser: An unexpectedly solid season ends in disappointment for the Sand Vipers, being stuck with the defending Champions in this round. Piekarski returns with Katsu and Stavhn ahead of him - and as seen, their defense can play.

QF1. (1) Capital District Academy (White) vs. Vitoron School of Charge (White)

Why pick a school you've played twice? When you've swept them, it doesn't matter. Add in a corner in Italo Fornaro that has had Eyla Grotten's number in conference play, the fact that Kingsley Dillard wasn't harried at all by the Robots' defensive line, and it makes sense. Of course, it'd make sense if the three-headed monster of Wide Receivers from Vitoron pulled it off, but when you get to this level, there is no such thing as an easy matchup.

QF2. (4) Franscesca Larriet-Cortes High School (White) vs. Myana Northwestern High School (Black)

Myana Northwester will be favored here, given the power of their defense and the fact that the Martyrs sport a Freshman Quarterback and a Freshman Running Back. Vi will have her hands full, the defense will try to keep Grenda in check, and the way that Franscesca Larriet-Cortes can win this game is the way that Myana Northwestern likes to play.

QF3. (3) Mt. Niar High School (Black) vs. Staramara Tech High School (Black)

This could be a National Championship, don't you think? Has the glow-up by Staramara Tech been enough to catch the likes of van der Voorde and the Anacondas? Mt. Niar won both matchups in the Conference slate, though by small margins; the Anacondas' defense managed to hold down Stalla, even though it's the Battle Angels that have more established names on that side of the ball. How long will this run by Staramara Tech continue?

QF4. (2) Lanar High School (Black) vs. Cheonju Korean Institute (White)

One of two cross-conference matchups, Lanar High School's defense against Kirsi-Marja Sibelius and the passing attack will be the point here. Watch for Jacqueline Vom Bruch to spy Sibelius's eyes to try to pounce; Jordan-Johnson III should have an easier time, provided that Jurica Handover doesn't take over another game. Will the Rhinos' bid at returning to the title game go off without a hitch?