The LAF Report, May 31, 2003
Playoffs:
Conference Championships
EasternStones Rise, Maniacs FallWhen it comes to the LAF playoffs, the rules of gravity are different. Manhattan, the best team in the Eastern Conference over the last 6 regular seasons, once again fell in the playoffs, while the Flint Stones will be going to their 4th Hyperbowl, the 3rd in 5 years, with a chance to win for the 3rd time (and join Flagstaff, Chattanooga and Monterey for that distinction). Flint scored in the first quarter and twice in the 2nd before Mahattan got on the board. Flint QB Osborne Lucky threw 2 TDs to WR Jess Folks, then RB Eddie Pus scored. On Flint's next possession after Pus's TD, Manhattan blocked the punt attempt and recovered at the Flint 16-yard line, scoring two plays later on a 9-yard pass from QB Lance Boils to WR Ezra Doctrine-House. But the Maniacs could not score again until the 13th minute of the 4th quarter, and even after that, Flint recovered the onsides kick to squelch the comeback. Manhattan, known for its defensive play, was upstaged by the Flint defense, which didn't even let the Maniacs in range of kicker Luigi Board, who scored 5 field goals in Manhattan's win over Boston. The Stones forced Manhattan to punt on most possessions, but also intercepted Boils twice. With some of the biggest threats minimized in this defensive struggle -- Boils 155 yards passing in addition to the interceptions, Doctrine-House 4 catches for 51 yards, Pus 9 rushes for 48 yards -- El Pain was the big man again for Flint, also helping Lucky to respectable passing numbers. But Folks also had the 2 TDs, and rookie RB Drew Blanc had 2 catches for 60 yards. |
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Western Ghosts Shock SinnersWhile the Flint Stones lived up to their part of a 2nd Hyperbowl rematch with Las Vegas, the Sinners joined Manhattan as upset victims. Las Vegas losing to Casper, however, was far more a surprise. The Sinners ran away with the Western Conference and were considered the best team in the league, barring a healthy Monterey, while Casper stumbled to the top of the middling Northwestern Division, and was considered worse than the wildcard teams. Even after their upset of Baton Rouge in what has turned out the most exciting game of the playoffs so far, the Ghosts were still taken for granted as the stepping stone for Vegas's next Hyperbowl appearance, especially after the Sinners got past Monterey. But as Monterey did, the Ghosts defended well against Vegas WR Jason Rainbows, and Casper QB Sal Manella topped Vegas QB Andy Christ in passing yards. This latter was despite the fact that Casper star WR I.B. Long was held to just 3 catches for 36 yards. When the Ghosts held Vegas scoreless in the first half, to post a 3-0 lead on a 37-yard Lee Kittysplit field goal, it seemed promising enough. But in a sequence that extended into the 4th quarter, Casper really pulled the stunner when they answered the waking Sinner offense, and even stretched the lead. The opening drive of the 2nd half was vintage Vegas, and ominous for that: 82 yards in 8 plays, including 4 completions and no imcomplete passes by Christ. Blood scored on a run from the 4. Casper responded with Sinner-like fireworks: a 38-yard pass from Manella to TE Phil Ashio, then 2 plays later, a 20-yard TD strike to WR Johann Diskold. When the Sinners missed a field goal attempt, Casper drove to another TD, a 2-yard pass to Ashio. Then, when Vegas ripped down the field to a 2-yard TD pass to Rainbows, Casper responded with a 5-play drive capped by a 35-yard TD pass to Diskold. Christ and the Sinners had no miracles left. While Casper brings one of the worst records ever into the Hyperbowl, they are also, like Monterey last year, a surprising contender for a 3rd Hyperbowl victory, having won in '89 and '77 (as Cheyenne). Because Flint is also a 2-time winner, the winner of this Hyperbowl will join Flagstaff, Chattanooga and Monterey for the most wins. |
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