Playoffs - Conference
Championships
Championships
While both teams each had home field advantage in their both of their respective playoff
games the two TUFF Bowl participants have taken drastically different routes to
Albuquerque.
The Honolulu Islanders have pummeled each of the visitors to the Hawaiian Islands in each
of the last two weeks, first the BC Lynx, and today, the defending TUFF Champion
Chicago Skyline. Chicago was dominant last week against Wisconsin, but this week were
no match for a fired up Honolulu team looking for the first TUFF Bowl berth in franchise
history. Honolulu rolled over and past Chicago to earn that first berth, beating the Skyline
61-14.
The vaunted Skyline offense struggled against an energized Islander defense that forced
some critical errors. In the 1st Quarter, Chicago P Marco Manila coughed up the football
on a botched punt attempt. Early in the 2nd, Honolulu CB Marc Seminick stole an errant
screen pass from Chicago QB Chad Oxford to set up the Hawaiian offense inside Skyline
territory.
Islanders QB Mars Calixtro threw three first half touchdown passes to stake the home team
to a 27-7 halftime lead, and the Islanders didn’t look back from there. After Oxford helped
close the gap to 27-14 early in the 3rd Quarter, Calixtro added another two TD tosses of his
own to widen the lead to 41-14 after three quarters.
Desperate to turn their fortunes around, the Skyline turned to a pair of backup quarterbacks
from there, and things got even uglier. TE Jerry Whorton, who caught 3 TDs a week ago
in Chicago, fumbled the ball away on the first play of the 4th Quarter, and James also
fumbled to end the Skyline’s next possession. Then QBs Earl Smith and Leo Champagne
threw two interceptions each the rest of the way while the Islanders ran away with a 61-14
win to advance to the TUFF Bowl. In desperation mode, Chicago combined for six 4th
Quarter turnovers, totaling eight in the game. Honolulu CB Frank Minnifield racked up 11
tackles, 3 passes defensed, and 4 interceptions, including one for a TD.
games the two TUFF Bowl participants have taken drastically different routes to
Albuquerque.
The Honolulu Islanders have pummeled each of the visitors to the Hawaiian Islands in each
of the last two weeks, first the BC Lynx, and today, the defending TUFF Champion
Chicago Skyline. Chicago was dominant last week against Wisconsin, but this week were
no match for a fired up Honolulu team looking for the first TUFF Bowl berth in franchise
history. Honolulu rolled over and past Chicago to earn that first berth, beating the Skyline
61-14.
The vaunted Skyline offense struggled against an energized Islander defense that forced
some critical errors. In the 1st Quarter, Chicago P Marco Manila coughed up the football
on a botched punt attempt. Early in the 2nd, Honolulu CB Marc Seminick stole an errant
screen pass from Chicago QB Chad Oxford to set up the Hawaiian offense inside Skyline
territory.
Islanders QB Mars Calixtro threw three first half touchdown passes to stake the home team
to a 27-7 halftime lead, and the Islanders didn’t look back from there. After Oxford helped
close the gap to 27-14 early in the 3rd Quarter, Calixtro added another two TD tosses of his
own to widen the lead to 41-14 after three quarters.
Desperate to turn their fortunes around, the Skyline turned to a pair of backup quarterbacks
from there, and things got even uglier. TE Jerry Whorton, who caught 3 TDs a week ago
in Chicago, fumbled the ball away on the first play of the 4th Quarter, and James also
fumbled to end the Skyline’s next possession. Then QBs Earl Smith and Leo Champagne
threw two interceptions each the rest of the way while the Islanders ran away with a 61-14
win to advance to the TUFF Bowl. In desperation mode, Chicago combined for six 4th
Quarter turnovers, totaling eight in the game. Honolulu CB Frank Minnifield racked up 11
tackles, 3 passes defensed, and 4 interceptions, including one for a TD.
Player of the Week:
QB Mars Calixtro 26-49 363 yards 5 TD
Honolulu Islanders
Calixtro answered the call in the biggest game in Islanders franchise history,
torching what had been a hot defense for Chicago. Calixtro could not be stopped
today no matter what defense was on the field.
QB Mars Calixtro 26-49 363 yards 5 TD
Honolulu Islanders
Calixtro answered the call in the biggest game in Islanders franchise history,
torching what had been a hot defense for Chicago. Calixtro could not be stopped
today no matter what defense was on the field.
Team of the Week:
Honolulu Islanders
The Pitt Bulls had a lot more drama and a lot more excitement, but the Islanders were
the best team this week from start to finish, dominating the defending champs in a
big way. Not only was the offense explosive behind QB Mars Calixtro, but the
defense clamped down on a powerful Skyline offense, forcing 8 turnovers for good
measure in the process. The franchise earned its first TUFF Bowl berth in its history.
Honolulu Islanders
The Pitt Bulls had a lot more drama and a lot more excitement, but the Islanders were
the best team this week from start to finish, dominating the defending champs in a
big way. Not only was the offense explosive behind QB Mars Calixtro, but the
defense clamped down on a powerful Skyline offense, forcing 8 turnovers for good
measure in the process. The franchise earned its first TUFF Bowl berth in its history.
Looking Ahead: S013 Playoff Preview – TUFF
Bowl XIII
United Conference Continental Conference
Pittsburgh Bulls (16-2) vs. Honolulu Islanders (15-3)
It’s only fitting that the two best teams in TUFF in S013 meet up in the TUFF Bowl.
Sure, there has been no shortage of other quality contenders out there in Baltimore,
Sacramento, Wisconsin and Chicago, but even so, clearly the two best teams in TUFF
were the Pittsburgh Bulls and the Honolulu Islanders. What better way to close out the
season than to have the two best teams face off for the championship?
And what a matchup TUFF Bowl looks to be? Both teams bring a strong offense with
cool, efficient quarterbacks at the helm with QB Joe Monday and QB Mars Calixtro.
The Pitt Bulls may hold a slight edge in the running game with RBs Felix Sierra and
dual threat Tank Smythe. Both teams feature a stable of explosive wide receivers and
rock solid offensive lines.
The defenses have been among the best TUFF has to offer, ranking at or near the top
in most rankings. While the defenses are solid, there are also many playmakers on
both sides. Pittsburgh’s defense boasts CB Derek Evans and DB Rodney Oh, while
Honolulu features CBs Frank Minnifield and Marc Seminick.
With all the playmakers on the field, there should not be any shortage of big plays and
exciting moments in TUFF Bowl XIII. The two teams met during the regular season
with Pittsburgh taking the win, but there seems to be no clear favorite in the big game.
Honolulu has been blowing out their opponents thus far in the postseason while the
Pitt Bulls have provided all the drama. The matchup is a good as it gets in TUFF.
Pittsburgh may be a bit more battle tested in the playoffs, but the Islanders are firing
on all cylinders.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 48-45
Bowl XIII
United Conference Continental Conference
Pittsburgh Bulls (16-2) vs. Honolulu Islanders (15-3)
It’s only fitting that the two best teams in TUFF in S013 meet up in the TUFF Bowl.
Sure, there has been no shortage of other quality contenders out there in Baltimore,
Sacramento, Wisconsin and Chicago, but even so, clearly the two best teams in TUFF
were the Pittsburgh Bulls and the Honolulu Islanders. What better way to close out the
season than to have the two best teams face off for the championship?
And what a matchup TUFF Bowl looks to be? Both teams bring a strong offense with
cool, efficient quarterbacks at the helm with QB Joe Monday and QB Mars Calixtro.
The Pitt Bulls may hold a slight edge in the running game with RBs Felix Sierra and
dual threat Tank Smythe. Both teams feature a stable of explosive wide receivers and
rock solid offensive lines.
The defenses have been among the best TUFF has to offer, ranking at or near the top
in most rankings. While the defenses are solid, there are also many playmakers on
both sides. Pittsburgh’s defense boasts CB Derek Evans and DB Rodney Oh, while
Honolulu features CBs Frank Minnifield and Marc Seminick.
With all the playmakers on the field, there should not be any shortage of big plays and
exciting moments in TUFF Bowl XIII. The two teams met during the regular season
with Pittsburgh taking the win, but there seems to be no clear favorite in the big game.
Honolulu has been blowing out their opponents thus far in the postseason while the
Pitt Bulls have provided all the drama. The matchup is a good as it gets in TUFF.
Pittsburgh may be a bit more battle tested in the playoffs, but the Islanders are firing
on all cylinders.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 48-45
Archives
The Pittsburgh Bulls came off a close call in the 1st round of the playoffs and
followed that up with an even tougher matchup with the Baltimore Battalion.
Baltimore, seeking a second consecutive trip to the TUFF Bowl coming off an
impressive first round win in Sacramento, jumped out early out of the gates, scoring
on each of their first four possessions to take a 20-0 lead midway through the 2nd
Quarter. Battalion QB Ken Esposito hit veteran WR Hugh Suen on a pair of
touchdown plays, from 37 and 39 yards to take command early. Pittsburgh on the
other hand, struggled to find their rhythm offensively, finally breaking through with
their first points before the half, still trailing 20-3 at the break.
In the 3rd Quarter, a couple of big interceptions on consecutive throws by Esposito
helped the Pitt Bulls back into the game, with CB Derek Evans and DB Rodney Oh
doing the harm to the Battalion. Pittsburgh took advantage with a field goal and a TD
pass from QB Joe Monday to TE Jason Zink to close quickly to within 20-13.
Just minutes after the Pitt Bulls closed to with a touchdown, Esposito and the
Battalion answered back with a 56 yard bomb to WR Jerrell Phenix. Pittsburgh was
able to hold them to a field goal and trailed only 23-13. Before the end of the 3rd,
Pittsburgh got even closer after an 8 yard score by RB Felix Sierra.
Early in the 4th, the Bulls seized the momentum by tying the game at 23-23 then
capitalizing on a Ken Esposito fumble with another TD toss from Monday to Zink
and an unthinkable 30-23 lead with 7:20 left in regulation.
The Battalion were not done yet, however taking their next possession at their own
20 yardline. Baltimore drove down the field slowly and methodically even fighting off
a 4th Down and 1 the Pittsburgh 21 with 3:25 to play. RB Leonard Wisdom broke
through with a 7 yard gain to keep the drive alive. Just a few minutes later, Baltimore
faced another 4th and 1, this time at the Pittsburgh 1 yardline with Goal to Go. Again
Baltimore gave the ball to Wisdom, but this time he was met at the line by OLB
Wayne Spelling, stopping him cold at the line to preserve the win for the Pitt Bulls,
sending them to the TUFF Bowl for the second time in franchise history, and the first
time since S003.
followed that up with an even tougher matchup with the Baltimore Battalion.
Baltimore, seeking a second consecutive trip to the TUFF Bowl coming off an
impressive first round win in Sacramento, jumped out early out of the gates, scoring
on each of their first four possessions to take a 20-0 lead midway through the 2nd
Quarter. Battalion QB Ken Esposito hit veteran WR Hugh Suen on a pair of
touchdown plays, from 37 and 39 yards to take command early. Pittsburgh on the
other hand, struggled to find their rhythm offensively, finally breaking through with
their first points before the half, still trailing 20-3 at the break.
In the 3rd Quarter, a couple of big interceptions on consecutive throws by Esposito
helped the Pitt Bulls back into the game, with CB Derek Evans and DB Rodney Oh
doing the harm to the Battalion. Pittsburgh took advantage with a field goal and a TD
pass from QB Joe Monday to TE Jason Zink to close quickly to within 20-13.
Just minutes after the Pitt Bulls closed to with a touchdown, Esposito and the
Battalion answered back with a 56 yard bomb to WR Jerrell Phenix. Pittsburgh was
able to hold them to a field goal and trailed only 23-13. Before the end of the 3rd,
Pittsburgh got even closer after an 8 yard score by RB Felix Sierra.
Early in the 4th, the Bulls seized the momentum by tying the game at 23-23 then
capitalizing on a Ken Esposito fumble with another TD toss from Monday to Zink
and an unthinkable 30-23 lead with 7:20 left in regulation.
The Battalion were not done yet, however taking their next possession at their own
20 yardline. Baltimore drove down the field slowly and methodically even fighting off
a 4th Down and 1 the Pittsburgh 21 with 3:25 to play. RB Leonard Wisdom broke
through with a 7 yard gain to keep the drive alive. Just a few minutes later, Baltimore
faced another 4th and 1, this time at the Pittsburgh 1 yardline with Goal to Go. Again
Baltimore gave the ball to Wisdom, but this time he was met at the line by OLB
Wayne Spelling, stopping him cold at the line to preserve the win for the Pitt Bulls,
sending them to the TUFF Bowl for the second time in franchise history, and the first
time since S003.
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