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June 6, 2015
Playoffs
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Eastern Conference ChampionshipProjects overrun HomesManhattan's latest high draft pick, RB Anthony Kistmi, Eastern Newcomer of the Year, was the catalyst for a season of resurgence for the franchise that was the Eastern power about a decade ago. The Projects reclaimed a division title and now their playoff run has seen them overtake the Mobile Homes, Eastern power for the last four seasons, and return to the Hyperbowl for a chance at what former All-East QB Lance Boils could not achieve: a league title. Once again, the Projects were opportunistic and kept up with the favored and supposedly superior team. The two teams traded punches in the first quarter in what appeared to be a shootout, then settled into a defensive scuffle in the 2nd quarter. Mobile used two big pass plays to score on their first drive: a 31-yarder from East MVP QB Jethro Ittaway to WR Jeff Uckendick, then 54-yarder to then end zone to TE Jorge Girl. Manhattan struck right back, Kistmi ripping runs of 19, 17 and 11 yards on the drive, and running mate Avery Nastibooy scoring from 10 yards. Mobile led 14-13 at half. In the third quarter, the Homes appeared to take charge again with an 11-play, 87-yard drive, capped by a 7- yard pass to WR Guy Nicologi. They even intercepted Manhattan QB Oliver Klozoff on the next possession, and Nastibooy fumbled away the next time the Projects had the ball. But after Mobile to convert on a fourth down at the Manhattan 31, Klozoff ran 31 yards on a draw play, Kistmi covered 23 more two plays later, and WR Ezra Doctrine-House carried it from the one-yard line, to put Manhattan within a point, after the extra, at 21-20. The Projects forced two three-and-out possessions after that, then drove 58 yards in ten plays, consuming practically the rest of the time, to score the winning field goal, a 23-yarder by long-time veteran K Luigi Board. Icing on the cake came when Mobile, with a few seconds for a play from scrimmage, attempted a hail mary, which was intercepted at the Manhattan 20-yard line by Jason Skurtz and returned for a touchdown. Manhattan gave up more passing yards to Ittaway and the Homes, but Manhattan WRs Skurz and Doctrine-House dominated their counterparts, with 96 and 106 yards respectively, and of course Kistmi was the real difference. The Projects will make their fourth Hyperbowl appearance, the first since 2004. They have never won. |
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Western Conference ChampionshipPotatoheads bring down GhostsFor their third straight playoff game, starting from the wildcard, the Idaho Potatoheads dominated a favored opponent, led the entire game and set the pace. This time Idaho reversed the regular-season result against their division foe and champions, a 48-19 drubbing to Casper, the game which made the Ghosts look like they might be the best team in the league. Casper lost starting QB Peter Andy Woolf prior to the playoffs, and backup Ferris Fair had no problem in Caspers 36-10 win over Baton Rouge. Here it was a different story, and may have been the story. Fair was sacked four times, had five carries for -37 yards and was generally harassed by the Potatohead rush, causing Casper to miss scoring opportunities near the Idaho goal line. The Potatoheads used RB Ruud van Nastibooy to control possession with rushing, much as fellow back Roy Dreige had done in previous games, but Van Nastibooy was also a valuable passing target, surpassing even Western Newcomer of the Year, TE Hans auf der Butt win receiving yards in the game. Idaho QB Howard Juneau had 229 yards passing, to just 149 for Casper's Fair. The only touchdown of the game came on Idaho's second possession, in the first quarter, and in a nice gesture that was also a little trickery, it was on a 6-yard pass to veteran and former All-East TE Burt Brane. Auf der Butt, the number one draft pick and the main reason for Idaho's appearance here, was taken out on the play, possibly to lull the Ghosts into thinking they would not be throwing to the tight end. From then on it was field goals, with Casper twice pulling within four points, but the way Idaho shut down Fair and even RB Jock Kitsch, who in that previous meeting had been indomitable, it didn't seem Idaho's lead was much at risk. This was Idaho's first appearance in a conference championship game, let alone the Hyperbowl. Only Abilene has had fewer playoff appearances. |
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