The LAF Report, May 22, 2003
Playoffs
Wildcard Games
Maniacs Get Around StonesManhattan was sent the long way in the playoffs by the surprising Washington, but it's the route Flint took to the league championship last year, beating Manhattan later on the way. This time the wildcard game was good for Manhattan, as they avenged last year's playoff loss to Flint and knocked out the defending champs. The Maniacs like to dominate with defense, but Flint returned the favor, and Manhattan led 6-3 at the beginning of the 4th quarter. On the second play of the 4th, Flint scored on a 23-yard pass play from QB Osborne Lucky to WR Roy El Pain, and Manhattan appeared to be caught in its own rope. But the Maniacs followed with a 17-play drive to consume most of the quarter and reclaim the lead on a 6-yard dash by QB Lance Boils. Flint sent kicker Oodleson Oodles to attempt a 65-yard field goal when their next possession resulted in no first down despite a short kickoff. The Maniacs scored again on the last play of the game, a 23-yard pass from Boils to Head, to add a little emphasis to the payback. Manhattan's win means they will travel to Washington in the Eastern Semifinals for rematch with the team that took the Central Division from them, while Boston will be sent to Orlando. |
|
||||||
Linemen Edge Gila Monsters in ThrillerThe two biggest stories in the Western Conference this year were those of quarterbacks Payne Indiass and Lou Gestures. While the number one draft pick, Indiass, became the first player not only to be named a conference Rookie of the Year and MVP, but also in the season following a Demetrius Award in the SCAB, while leading Wichita to the playoffs (after also winning the SCAB championship with DeSade S&M), Flagstaff's Gestures had a break-out year, after a less illustrious career, with similar results for the Gila Monsters. The success of both teams was unquestionably due to these two players. One of them had to lose in the playoffs, but it was as close as you could get and a showcase duel. Gestures passed for more yards and scored a touchdown rushing, but Indiass rushed for more yards and ultimately engineered the victory. In the first quarter, it looked as if Indiass and his wide receiver duo, Ringo Fire and Adolph DeFlore, would rout Flagstaff. The Linemen scored on their first two possessions, each time Indiass completing 5 of 6 passes, all of them to the duo. After the 2nd TD, a 3-yard run by Barry Del Ive, Wichita improvised a 2-point play after the snap for the extra point kick was miffed. Back-up QB Hardy Tack recovered the errant snap and ran the ball into the end zone himself. It would be the difference in the game after the Gila Monsters' formidable come-back. Flagstaff began the 2nd half with a bang, a 39-yard pass play from Gestures to RB Carlo DeChix on the first play from scrimmage, but after Gesture fumbled away to Wichita on the next play, Flagstaff fell behind further as Wichita converted the error to a 12-play scoring drive. Gestures and the Monsters were not out. On the next possession, they took 4 plays to score, thanks mostly to a 49-yard pass to All-West WR Donahue Upset-Maugham. In the 4th quarter, DeChix spearheaded a drive, 10 plays of which 9 were runs, including ones of 18 and 9 yards by DeChix, the only pass a 7-yard play to him, and the TD his 4-yard run. With half the quarter left, Wichita controlled possession, allowing Flagstaff only one other of 18 yards in 4 plays. Indiass had runs of 26 and 12 to help Wichita keep Flagstaff at bay. The Linemen will now host the semifinal game against Tucson, by virtue of their better season record. |
|
||||||