Playoffs 1st Round
The talking heads around the TUFF media, including those around these parts,
were predicting a close contest between the surprising Wisconsin Wreckers
and the defending TUFF champions, the Chicago Skyline, with the upstart
Wreckers pulling off the upset. After today’s game played out, those
predictions couldn’t have been more wrong. The Chicago Skyline came out of
the gates ready to go and firing on all cylinders. QB Chad Oxford threw for
223 yards and 3 TDs, in the first quarter.
The Wreckers gained their footing in the 2nd Quarter and trailed only 27-14 at
the half, but Oxford’s 3rd Quarter negated any gains by the visitors, totaling
199 yards and 3 more TDs in that period. Chicago rolled on to a 62-21 laugher
with Oxford throwing for 563 yards and 6 TDs without turning the ball over.
Except for a brief stretch in the 2nd Quarter, Howard Gatling struggled all day
in the Windy City.
The Skyline will move on to face the Honolulu Islanders, who won a 52-16
laugher of their own over the British Columbia Lynx. QB Mars Calixtro threw
for 341 yards and 4 TDs in the rout, but more impressive was the Islanders
defense. The Islanders held the Lynx to 12 of 40 passing, sacked their
quarterbacks ten times, forced five turnovers, and limited BC to 219 yards of
total net offense. Lynx QB Justin Rivera was abysmal, completing 7 of 22
passes for 73 yards with 3 interceptions.
were predicting a close contest between the surprising Wisconsin Wreckers
and the defending TUFF champions, the Chicago Skyline, with the upstart
Wreckers pulling off the upset. After today’s game played out, those
predictions couldn’t have been more wrong. The Chicago Skyline came out of
the gates ready to go and firing on all cylinders. QB Chad Oxford threw for
223 yards and 3 TDs, in the first quarter.
The Wreckers gained their footing in the 2nd Quarter and trailed only 27-14 at
the half, but Oxford’s 3rd Quarter negated any gains by the visitors, totaling
199 yards and 3 more TDs in that period. Chicago rolled on to a 62-21 laugher
with Oxford throwing for 563 yards and 6 TDs without turning the ball over.
Except for a brief stretch in the 2nd Quarter, Howard Gatling struggled all day
in the Windy City.
The Skyline will move on to face the Honolulu Islanders, who won a 52-16
laugher of their own over the British Columbia Lynx. QB Mars Calixtro threw
for 341 yards and 4 TDs in the rout, but more impressive was the Islanders
defense. The Islanders held the Lynx to 12 of 40 passing, sacked their
quarterbacks ten times, forced five turnovers, and limited BC to 219 yards of
total net offense. Lynx QB Justin Rivera was abysmal, completing 7 of 22
passes for 73 yards with 3 interceptions.
Player of the Week:
QB Chad Oxford 32-47 563 yards 6 TD
Chicago Skyline
Oxford was sensational to start and finish the game, thoroughly scorching the
Wisconsin defense. Oxford was in the zone and tossed the football all over the field,
turning the Wisconsin defense into wreckage.
QB Chad Oxford 32-47 563 yards 6 TD
Chicago Skyline
Oxford was sensational to start and finish the game, thoroughly scorching the
Wisconsin defense. Oxford was in the zone and tossed the football all over the field,
turning the Wisconsin defense into wreckage.
Team of the Week:
Pittsburgh Bulls
With any of this week’s winning teams more than deserving, the Pitt Bulls faced a
stiff challenge from a team that had already beaten them twice. Other teams were far
more dominant an impressive, but Pittsburgh came through in a big way in crunch
time, pulling out a thrilling win in the process.
Pittsburgh Bulls
With any of this week’s winning teams more than deserving, the Pitt Bulls faced a
stiff challenge from a team that had already beaten them twice. Other teams were far
more dominant an impressive, but Pittsburgh came through in a big way in crunch
time, pulling out a thrilling win in the process.
Looking Ahead: S013 Playoff Preview –
Conference Championships
United Conference
3 Baltimore Battalion (13-4) @ 1 Pittsburgh Bulls (15-2)
The Pitt Bulls won both regular season meetings and won the Atlantic Division title as
a result, but none of that is worth a hill of beans at this point. The Battalion withstood
Sacramento’s initial rush and then proceeded to take control of the game versus the
Vipers to get to this point. QB Ken Esposito was on top of his game, and he’ll need to
continue to play at that level. Despite all the recognition that Pittsburgh QB Joe
Monday has earned this season and this week, the defense is what makes the Pitt Bulls
so tough to beat. Not only do they make teams work for every yard, but they force
turnovers and make plays like no other. The Dawgs nearly let one slip away to the
Attack this week, and they will have to play much better to get by the Battalion next
week. It will be a monumental task to beat the Battalion three times in one season, but
if any team can do it, it’s the Bulls.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 30-27
Continental Conference
2 Chicago Skyline (12-5) @ 1 Honolulu Islanders (14-3)
Both teams breezed through their first round opponents with surprising ease. Chicago
ran away with what most expected to be a close game with the Wisconsin Wreckers,
while Honolulu crushed the BC Lynx. Chicago took home the TUFF Bowl prize just a
season ago, and after some early season troubles, the Skyline is starting to round into
TUFF Bowl shape. Honolulu on the other hand, started off S013 looking unbeatable,
yet has looked human in the latter part of the season. Still the Islanders look stronger
defensively than does the Skyline, but their toughness will be tested by Chad Oxford at
his best.
Prediction: Honolulu 41-38
Conference Championships
United Conference
3 Baltimore Battalion (13-4) @ 1 Pittsburgh Bulls (15-2)
The Pitt Bulls won both regular season meetings and won the Atlantic Division title as
a result, but none of that is worth a hill of beans at this point. The Battalion withstood
Sacramento’s initial rush and then proceeded to take control of the game versus the
Vipers to get to this point. QB Ken Esposito was on top of his game, and he’ll need to
continue to play at that level. Despite all the recognition that Pittsburgh QB Joe
Monday has earned this season and this week, the defense is what makes the Pitt Bulls
so tough to beat. Not only do they make teams work for every yard, but they force
turnovers and make plays like no other. The Dawgs nearly let one slip away to the
Attack this week, and they will have to play much better to get by the Battalion next
week. It will be a monumental task to beat the Battalion three times in one season, but
if any team can do it, it’s the Bulls.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 30-27
Continental Conference
2 Chicago Skyline (12-5) @ 1 Honolulu Islanders (14-3)
Both teams breezed through their first round opponents with surprising ease. Chicago
ran away with what most expected to be a close game with the Wisconsin Wreckers,
while Honolulu crushed the BC Lynx. Chicago took home the TUFF Bowl prize just a
season ago, and after some early season troubles, the Skyline is starting to round into
TUFF Bowl shape. Honolulu on the other hand, started off S013 looking unbeatable,
yet has looked human in the latter part of the season. Still the Islanders look stronger
defensively than does the Skyline, but their toughness will be tested by Chad Oxford at
his best.
Prediction: Honolulu 41-38
Archives
The defending United Conference champs, the Baltimore Battalion moved one
step closer to a possible TUFF Bowl rematch with the Chicago Skyline, though
both teams would have to win on the road next week to meet up again. The
Battalion fell behind 13-0 to the Vipers in Sacramento early in the 2nd Quarter
today, but the Battalion answered back, outscoring the Snakes 37-7 over the
next two plus quarters of play to go up 37-20 in the 4th. QB Ken Esposito
tossed 4 TD passes over that span, outgunning the Vipers QB Rodney White.
White struggled to solve the Battalion defense, and Baltimore rolled on to a 40-26
road playoff win.
Baltimore will face their nemesis, the Pittsburgh Bulls, who pulled out a 26-23
thriller over the Boston Attack. K Shad Dutschmann kicked a 41 yard game
winning field goal with only 0:13 to go in regulation to break the third tie in the
second half. Pitt QB Joe Monday was sharp, but the Pitt Bulls were unable to
cash in on some early opportunities, allowing Boston to keep the game close.
Monday threw for 427 yards, threw 1 TD and ran for another, but also threw 3
Ints.
TUFF’s final four face off next week with trips to Albuquerque and TUFF Bowl
XIII on the line.
step closer to a possible TUFF Bowl rematch with the Chicago Skyline, though
both teams would have to win on the road next week to meet up again. The
Battalion fell behind 13-0 to the Vipers in Sacramento early in the 2nd Quarter
today, but the Battalion answered back, outscoring the Snakes 37-7 over the
next two plus quarters of play to go up 37-20 in the 4th. QB Ken Esposito
tossed 4 TD passes over that span, outgunning the Vipers QB Rodney White.
White struggled to solve the Battalion defense, and Baltimore rolled on to a 40-26
road playoff win.
Baltimore will face their nemesis, the Pittsburgh Bulls, who pulled out a 26-23
thriller over the Boston Attack. K Shad Dutschmann kicked a 41 yard game
winning field goal with only 0:13 to go in regulation to break the third tie in the
second half. Pitt QB Joe Monday was sharp, but the Pitt Bulls were unable to
cash in on some early opportunities, allowing Boston to keep the game close.
Monday threw for 427 yards, threw 1 TD and ran for another, but also threw 3
Ints.
TUFF’s final four face off next week with trips to Albuquerque and TUFF Bowl
XIII on the line.
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