Ultimini XXXIV
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| Stadium | Phillipine Arena, Phillipines | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Offensive MVP | Delores Bickerman, Quarterback (TIJ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Defensive MVP | D'Sqarius Green , Defensive End (TIJ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Ultimini XXXIV was an American football game played to determine the champion of the Developmental Simulation Football League (DSFL) for 2051 (S36).
The Southern Football Conference (DSFL South) champion Tijuana Luchadores defeated the Northern Football Conference (DSFL North) champion Portland Pythons, 27-3 in a blowout win, to win their record breaking 9th Ultimini Bowl championship in a DSFL record 16 appearances.
The game was played at Phillipine Arena located in Phillipines.
This was the 8th time the Portland Pythons matched up with the Tijuana Luchadores in an Ultimini Bowl. Which is the most times 2 teams met in an Ultimini Bowl. Portland won matches, Ultimini V, Ultimini IX and Ultimini XII while Tijuana won matchups in Ultimini VII, Ultimini VIII, Ultimini XIV, Ultimini XV and Ultimini XXXIV. Which makes the series of matchups 5-3 in Tijuana's favor. This was the first of consecutive Ultimini Bowl losses for the Portland Pythons
Contents
Background
Teams
The DSFL North was represented by the Portland Pythons, and the DSFL South was represented by the Tijuana Luchadores.
Portland Pythons
The Portland Pythons went into Ultimini XXXV after posting a 11-3 record, which was the 2nd best in the league behind the Ultimini favourites Tijuana Luchadores. During the regular season the Luchadores seemed to have the Pythons number going 3-0 against them including the preseason. The team also rostered some new faces with the team losing veteran QB Boone McCoy and superstar RB Jarvis Harbinger-Marjin who just rushed for 1700+ yards and 19 TDs. The Pythons knew they would be difficult to replace however their replacements actually performed admirably for rookie standards. QB Adrian St. Christmas threw for 24 TDs to only 7 ints while RB Dobromil Dvorak went for 1000+ yards and 9 TDs. The team also featured the league MVP on defence in LB Akaki Akayre who had a monster season as the heart of the defense, concluding the season with a league leading 15 sacks, 106 tackles and 2 INTs. The Pythons were a quite balanced team concluding the season with a top 3 offense and defense. They were rightfully named as the #2 favourite to win the Ultimini behind the Tijuana Luchadores
Tijuana Luchadores
The Tijuana Luchadores absolutely dominated the regular season, leading their division (the South) comfortably with a 12-2 record. Although many critics pointed to their weak division as the reason for their great record as the team that placed 2nd were a below 500 team in the Bondi Beach Buccaneers, making the Luchadores the only above 500 team in their conference. In my opinion those claim have no merit to it as the Luchadores only had 2 losses, one of them coming to a team within their conference in the Bondi Beach Buccaneers who placed second. The Luchadores were easily the best team in the league through 12 weeks not losing a single game but those 12 straight wins didn't come without its nail biters. Week 1 for example against Dallas Birddogs where they just nearly fought off a late comeback and week 9 against the Norfolk Seawolves where a last second field goal won them that bout.
The Luchadores also rostered a very well balanced team, the offense being led by superstar trio consisting of quarterback Delores Bickerman who threw 35 TDs. The team also featured the top back in the DSFL as well in CJ Breezy, who had 1708 yards which comfortably led the league by almost 400 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns to go along with it. Also not to be forgotten was WR1 Don Dobbler who ended the year with nearly 1152 yards, a league leading 14 TDs and a 16.8 ypc which was at the top of the league as well. Due to these 3 standout players the Luchadores scored the most points in the league with 402, or 28.7 points per game.
They also had a great defense, allowing the fewest points (232), just 16.6 points per game. Although the Luchadores defense did not lead in any major statistical category other than points allowed and passes defended, they did everything well. Their 45 tackles for loss, second best in the league, showed they were great at disrupting the rushing attack of opponents. Their twenty forced fumbles and twenty fumble recoveries (both tied for 3rd best), demonstrated the playmaking abilities of the whole defense. The pass rush was effective, with 44 sacks, good for second best. Their thirteen interceptions were 4th best and 97 pass deflections was best in the league. Individual standouts included Charlie Thorson, linebacker. He had 98 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumbles recovered, 10 sacks, and 10 pass defended. He was such a versatile performer and did it all for the defense. His heart and leadership in the middle of that defense was vital for the team's success. Another rookie, D'Squarius Green, defensive end, added 9 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries for the vaunted Luchadores defense. Cornerback Donatello McTurtle was one of the best defenders in the whole league. His six interceptions, 32 passes defended, and two touchdowns proved that he was a lockdown corner and helped Tijuana shut down many of the best wide receivers in the league throughout the season.
Playoffs
Portland were slight favourites in the Semifinals as they were pitted against the 2nd seeded London Royals. They tied series in the regular season going 1-1 in the 2 games, fans were excited as they thought it'd make for a great ball game. They were incredibly wrong as the Royals were battered and dominated by the superior Pythons. They only mustered 6 points in the 31 point blowout, losing in embarrassing fashion. Royals QB Nova Montagne had a stinker of a game throwing 5 interceptions which one being returned for a touchdown. WR Swantavius Torch was recognized as the offensive player of the game with his 117 yard performance. CB Suggs Upshar II also had a monster game with 3 passes intercepted to lead the Pythons back to the Ultimini
The Tijuana Luchadores started off at home, a result of being the 1st seed in their conference. They went up against the 6-8 Buccaneers and were heavy favourites. The Luchadores didn't dissapoint as they had a practically ended the game late in the 4th, holding a 10 point lead at the time so the 27-24 end score is not to be misunderstood. The player who played the most vital role in this win was RB CJ Breezy who saw himself finish with 130+ total yards with 2 touchdowns to lead the Luchadores to their record breaking 16th Ultimini appearance all time.
Game summary
First Quarter
Ultimini XXXIV began with the Luchadores kicking off to the Pythons. However, they saw marginal success on their first drive going 3 and out and punting it to the Luchadores. QB Delores Bickerman engineered a long 6 minute drive that eventually stalled out in Pythons territory, where they made the 32 yard field goal. The Luchadores once again forced a punt as QB Adrian St. Christmas couldn't get anything going on offence. On the Luchadores 2nd drive they quickly moved down the field with Bickerman throwing his first TD pass of the night to go up 10-0. Pythons offensive woes continued as they punted the ball back to the Luchadores who had all the momentum to end the 1st.
Second Quarter
The Luchadores started with the ball in this quarter as they quickly marched down the field. They found themselves in a 4th and inches situation where they elected for the FG which made the upright. The Luchadores now held a 13-0 lead. Scoring every time they touched the ball. The Pythons knew that they would have to make some stops or this game would get out of hand quick. The Pythons got the ball but went 3 & out once again, the 4th straight drive in which they failed to get anything going. The frustration was visible on the face of QB Adrian St. Christmas as he knew it'd be all she wrote if they couldn't get the stop. The Luchadores got the ball looking to increase the lead, However the Pythons defense forced a punt for the first time in the game, giving the ball back to their offense. The Pythons subsequent was long & gruesome where they saw themselves fumble twice but recover both. The drive however concluded with a miss FG as the 2 teams traded punts to end the 1st half.
Third Quarter
The 2nd half started with the Pythons kicking off to the momentum heavy Luchadores who were hungry to put points on the board. They exactly that as QB Delores Bickerman led yet another dominant TD drive to put the score at 20-0 Luchadores. The Pythons subsequent drive was another 3 and out as the Pythons traded more punts and a missed FG to end the 3rd quarter
Fourth Quarter
The 4th quarter saw the Luchadores with the ball in Portland territory looking to put the game away with another TD drive. Thats what they did as Bickerman tossed his 3rd TD pass of the night to put the game away for good. The score was 27-0 and the Pythons were just looking to put any amount of points on the board, they managed to do that on the subsequent drive where they made a 30 yard field goal. Couple drives later the Luchadores would be running the clock out to secure their record breaking 9th Ultimini win in a crushing victory over Portland who managed to convert 0 3rd downs.
QB Delores Bickerman was named the Ultimini Offensive Player of the Game as his monster game on the big stage made him a worthy recipient, throwing 3 touchdown passes to 0 Interceptions along with 274 yards through the air and a 120 passer rating. On the other side of the ball defensive stalwart D'Sqarius Green was named the Ultimini Bowl Defensive Player of the Game for his 5 tackle, 1 sack and a forced fumble performance.
Game statistics
Statistical comparison
| Statistic | Portland Pythons | Tijuana Luchadores |
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| First downs | 15 | 16 |
| Third down efficiency | 2/11 | 5/11 |
| Fourth down efficiency | 0/0 | 1/0 |
| Net yards rushing | 103 | 139 |
| Rushing attempts | 29 | 23 |
| Yards per rush | 9.8 | 7 |
| Passing – Completions-attempts | 19/29 | 23/40 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 2 |
| Net yards passing | 284 | 280 |
| Total net yards | 388 | 419 |
| Fumbles-lost | 2-0 | 1-1 |
| Penalties-yards | 5-40 | 4-30 |
| Time of possession | 32:48 | 27:12 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
Box score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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| Luchadores (DSFL South) | 10 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
| Pythons (DSFL North) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
at Phillipine Arena, Phillipines
- Date: 11 February, 2052
- Game time: 8:00 p.m. EST
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