TUFF Week 16
The TUFF S013 season wrapped up without drama, with all playoff berths
and seedings already wrapped up, but a few TUFF teams took the opportunity
to make a final statement before the book closed on the regular season.
The Las Vegas High Rollers struggled all season long with their offense,
without much game-breaking talent to speak of at the skill positions. Their
defense managed to keep them in many games, but they were only able to win
three coming in today because of their offensive ineptitude. The offense
looked little better today against the top seeded Honolulu Islanders, but OLB
Gary Jacobs proved to be just enough on defense to put the High Rollers over
the top in the upset. Jacobs sacked Honolulu QB Mars Calixtro in the 1st
Quarter for a safety and in the 2nd, ran back an interception of Calixtro 92
yards for a touchdown to give Las Vegas a 15-14 lead.
Still, Honolulu led 17-15 at the half and after three quarters, but LV K Darren
DeSchenes kicked a 4th Quarter field goal to give the High Rollers an unlikely
lead which they held for the surprising 18-17 win. The Islanders would not
threaten to score in the 4th Quarter. Las Vegas won despite 3 interceptions
thrown by QB Billy Sandstorm. The High Roller defense held the Islanders to
191 yards of total offense.
In British Columbia Lynx will be participating in the Continental playoffs,
though few give them a real chance of getting out of the first round as the
fourth seed. The Lynx made a statement today with a 29-17 win over the third
seeded Wisconsin Wreckers. BC benefited from a big day from WR Mark
Chambliss and 5 field goals from K Deangelo Castera.
and seedings already wrapped up, but a few TUFF teams took the opportunity
to make a final statement before the book closed on the regular season.
The Las Vegas High Rollers struggled all season long with their offense,
without much game-breaking talent to speak of at the skill positions. Their
defense managed to keep them in many games, but they were only able to win
three coming in today because of their offensive ineptitude. The offense
looked little better today against the top seeded Honolulu Islanders, but OLB
Gary Jacobs proved to be just enough on defense to put the High Rollers over
the top in the upset. Jacobs sacked Honolulu QB Mars Calixtro in the 1st
Quarter for a safety and in the 2nd, ran back an interception of Calixtro 92
yards for a touchdown to give Las Vegas a 15-14 lead.
Still, Honolulu led 17-15 at the half and after three quarters, but LV K Darren
DeSchenes kicked a 4th Quarter field goal to give the High Rollers an unlikely
lead which they held for the surprising 18-17 win. The Islanders would not
threaten to score in the 4th Quarter. Las Vegas won despite 3 interceptions
thrown by QB Billy Sandstorm. The High Roller defense held the Islanders to
191 yards of total offense.
In British Columbia Lynx will be participating in the Continental playoffs,
though few give them a real chance of getting out of the first round as the
fourth seed. The Lynx made a statement today with a 29-17 win over the third
seeded Wisconsin Wreckers. BC benefited from a big day from WR Mark
Chambliss and 5 field goals from K Deangelo Castera.
Player of the Week:
OLB Gary Jacobs 5 Tkl, 2 Sk, 1 Def, 1 Stf, 1 Int-92yd TD, 1 Safety
Las Vegas High Rollers
Jacobs was a man possessed for the High Rollers, lifting his team to a stunning
upset of the powerhouse Islanders.
OLB Gary Jacobs 5 Tkl, 2 Sk, 1 Def, 1 Stf, 1 Int-92yd TD, 1 Safety
Las Vegas High Rollers
Jacobs was a man possessed for the High Rollers, lifting his team to a stunning
upset of the powerhouse Islanders.
Team of the Week:
Las Vegas High Rollers
Even though the game meant nothing in the big picture, that was as impressive of a
defensive performance as you are going to see, especially considering the caliber of
the offense the High Rollers were facing in the Honolulu Islanders and limiting them
to 191 net yards.
Las Vegas High Rollers
Even though the game meant nothing in the big picture, that was as impressive of a
defensive performance as you are going to see, especially considering the caliber of
the offense the High Rollers were facing in the Honolulu Islanders and limiting them
to 191 net yards.
Looking Ahead: S013 Playoff Preview – 1st Round
United Conference
4 Boston Attack (11-5) @ 1 Pittsburgh Bulls (14-2)
The Pitt Bulls have been dominant all season long, especially with their top ranked
defense and the rejuvenated play of QB Joe Monday and RB-WR Tank Smythe. The
Bulls were S013’s top team in the regular season, going undefeated against any team
not based in Boston. This week’s win by the Attack can be forgotten with the vanilla
gameplans and stars on the benches. Expect the best team in the league to play like the
best when the games really count, and move on to the conference title game.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 31-14
3 Baltimore Battalion (12-4) @ 2 Sacramento Vipers (12-4)
For a short stretch there, the Battalion looked human, and two losses to Pittsburgh
cost them the Atlantic Division title. But Baltimore has righted the ship behind QB Ken
Esposito and ILB August Mattawana, and they seem poised at another run at the
TUFF Bowl. Sacramento’s acquisition of QB Rodney White before this season has
turned the Vipers into a championship contender, and they ran away with the Pacific
Division. But they lost just a week ago to Baltimore without Esposito, so there are
doubts about the Snakes.
Prediction: Baltimore 38-24
Continental Conference
4 British Columbia Lynx (9-7) @ 1 Honolulu Islanders (13-3)
Honolulu breezed their way to a West division title, and for a long while looked like the
best team in TUFF. They are still a heavy favorite for the conference title behind an
underrated defense and dynamic QB Mars Calixtro. Even though the loss in Las Vegas
meant nothing this week, it raised some eyebrows around the league. The BC Lynx
were one of the biggest surprises of the season, somehow managing a winning record
despite being short on exceptional talent and being outscored by 6 points per game.
QB Justin Rivera threw 31 interceptions in the regular season.
Prediction: Honolulu 45-10
3 Wisconsin Wreckers (10-6) @ 2 Chicago Skyline (11-5)
If the Lynx weren’t the biggest surprise of S013, the Wreckers were. The talent was
there from Wichita a season ago, but questions abounded around the new ownership
and coaching staff. Those questions were answered, and then some. QB Howard
Gatling enjoyed his best season as a pro, and WR Terry McCord should be on the
short list for league MVP. The Skyline started S013 slow, with their defense
struggling badly, but turned things around in a big way in the second half of the
season. The offense again is one of the most explosive out there. This game will come
down to how well the defenses can contain the opposing offenses. The Wreckers may
have an edge defensively.
Prediction: Wisconsin 34-33
United Conference
4 Boston Attack (11-5) @ 1 Pittsburgh Bulls (14-2)
The Pitt Bulls have been dominant all season long, especially with their top ranked
defense and the rejuvenated play of QB Joe Monday and RB-WR Tank Smythe. The
Bulls were S013’s top team in the regular season, going undefeated against any team
not based in Boston. This week’s win by the Attack can be forgotten with the vanilla
gameplans and stars on the benches. Expect the best team in the league to play like the
best when the games really count, and move on to the conference title game.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 31-14
3 Baltimore Battalion (12-4) @ 2 Sacramento Vipers (12-4)
For a short stretch there, the Battalion looked human, and two losses to Pittsburgh
cost them the Atlantic Division title. But Baltimore has righted the ship behind QB Ken
Esposito and ILB August Mattawana, and they seem poised at another run at the
TUFF Bowl. Sacramento’s acquisition of QB Rodney White before this season has
turned the Vipers into a championship contender, and they ran away with the Pacific
Division. But they lost just a week ago to Baltimore without Esposito, so there are
doubts about the Snakes.
Prediction: Baltimore 38-24
Continental Conference
4 British Columbia Lynx (9-7) @ 1 Honolulu Islanders (13-3)
Honolulu breezed their way to a West division title, and for a long while looked like the
best team in TUFF. They are still a heavy favorite for the conference title behind an
underrated defense and dynamic QB Mars Calixtro. Even though the loss in Las Vegas
meant nothing this week, it raised some eyebrows around the league. The BC Lynx
were one of the biggest surprises of the season, somehow managing a winning record
despite being short on exceptional talent and being outscored by 6 points per game.
QB Justin Rivera threw 31 interceptions in the regular season.
Prediction: Honolulu 45-10
3 Wisconsin Wreckers (10-6) @ 2 Chicago Skyline (11-5)
If the Lynx weren’t the biggest surprise of S013, the Wreckers were. The talent was
there from Wichita a season ago, but questions abounded around the new ownership
and coaching staff. Those questions were answered, and then some. QB Howard
Gatling enjoyed his best season as a pro, and WR Terry McCord should be on the
short list for league MVP. The Skyline started S013 slow, with their defense
struggling badly, but turned things around in a big way in the second half of the
season. The offense again is one of the most explosive out there. This game will come
down to how well the defenses can contain the opposing offenses. The Wreckers may
have an edge defensively.
Prediction: Wisconsin 34-33
Archives
In Seattle, the Monsoon took advantage of four crucial turnovers by the
Cleveland Commandos to take control of the game and win 33-17. Cleveland QB
Fred Kelly threw for 385 yards and 2 TDs over 50 yards, but he also threw 2
key interceptions and lost a fumble to cripple the Commandos’ chances.
The Sacramento Vipers rebounded from last week’s loss to the Battalion with a
43-10 drubbing of the Los Angeles Paladins. Snakes QB Rodney White passed
for 350 yards and 3 TDs in the blowout. White led TUFF in passer rating, yards,
and touchdowns in his first season in Sacramento. LA’s only touchdown of the
game came on CB Justin Stahl’s interception return in the 4th Quarter off
backup QB Jesse Jensen.
In Chicago, the defending TUFF champions finished their warm-ups for the
playoffs by thrashing the New York Vendetta, 48-10. The Skyline, without QB
Chad Oxford in the lineup again, outgained New York 610-184 in net yardage.
Elsewhere, the Baltimore Battalion handled the San Diego Smoke, 38-10, and the
Miami Missiles outlasted the Memphis Shock, 20-6.
Cleveland Commandos to take control of the game and win 33-17. Cleveland QB
Fred Kelly threw for 385 yards and 2 TDs over 50 yards, but he also threw 2
key interceptions and lost a fumble to cripple the Commandos’ chances.
The Sacramento Vipers rebounded from last week’s loss to the Battalion with a
43-10 drubbing of the Los Angeles Paladins. Snakes QB Rodney White passed
for 350 yards and 3 TDs in the blowout. White led TUFF in passer rating, yards,
and touchdowns in his first season in Sacramento. LA’s only touchdown of the
game came on CB Justin Stahl’s interception return in the 4th Quarter off
backup QB Jesse Jensen.
In Chicago, the defending TUFF champions finished their warm-ups for the
playoffs by thrashing the New York Vendetta, 48-10. The Skyline, without QB
Chad Oxford in the lineup again, outgained New York 610-184 in net yardage.
Elsewhere, the Baltimore Battalion handled the San Diego Smoke, 38-10, and the
Miami Missiles outlasted the Memphis Shock, 20-6.
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