History of the San Antonio Marshals

Origins At conception of the Developmental Simulation Football League (DSFL), user kckolbe was granted the rights to start a DSFL franchise within the state of Texas, largely due to a favourable relationship with the league commissioner, fellow teammate Ballerstorm. After a long search, kckolbe chose fellow Wraith bovo to be his co-GM, and the two of them announced their concept, the Austin Hippie Hicks (the logo intended to feature Joe Dirt with tie-dye hair). The concept was vetoed by the Head Office, and the management team presented their secondary concept, the San Antonio Marshals. Bovo designed the logo that remains today.

Initial Concept / 2018 Draft Based on the Prospect Games that had occurred in previous seasons, kckolbe decided that the key was a strong run game on offense, and a strong run defense. As each team selected role-players before the draft, the Marshals went with large, slow defensive linemen and balanced linebackers to fill the front seven. On offense, heavy run blockers filled the interior with technicians on the outside for limited pass protection. Physical blockers were chosen at tight end and wide receiver, with a powerful back to serve as FB/goal line and an agile player as the primary.

The Marshals would be chosen to draft 4th (of 6 teams) in the inaugural snake draft, which included both rookies and veteran cast-offs. The team strategy for QB was a simple one: either get one of the best QBs and adapt accordingly, or save QB for last. Separately, an agreement was made to choose no one likely to be called up within two seasons, focusing on players who had topped out. With the first pick, blocking tight end Joseph Tkachuk was selected. He was one of the most athletic players available in the draft, but blocking TEs were not highly valued in the league due to the lack of quality running backs. The Marshals followed that up with the selection of big Ben Greene in the second round, giving them the nose tackle needed to anchor their run defense. Finally, in the 9th round, the Marshals selected Aaron Rasheed, recently drafted by the NSFL Baltimore Hawks. He would not prove to be a late round steal.

S1 Draft (in order): Joseph Tkachuk - TE Ben Greene - NT John Baker - WR Isaiah Rashad – SS Donovan Maric – LB Gui Worthy – OL Daniel Robicheaux – OL Matt Edilio – LB (bust, thought to be active) Aaron Rasheed – QB Jimmy Darkapple – K

2018 Season – Good Luck The Marshals were not the favorite to win the inaugural season. That title easily belonged to the conference rival Tijuana Luchadores, who had acquired both a tight end who had announced retirement in Rich Gucci, and defensive tackle Big Bot, who was the fastest player in the entire draft class. Both would not be in the DSFL the following season, but the Luchadores were going all out for victory. The second favorite was another conference rival, the Kansas City Coyotes. The Coyotes had hit a home run with the acquisition of Nicholas Pierno at QB, an exceptionally mobile passer, and built around him with the selection of Connor Tanner. Both were expected to spend one full season before being called up. Unfortunately, the NSFL had other plans.

During preseason, Colorado Yeti QB Logan Noble would receive a one season suspension for illegal substances, and the Yeti traded for Pierno, instantly calling him up. The Coyotes traded for Christian Adams, but then, mid-season, the Coyotes also lost TE Connor Tanner, and the Luchadores lost Big Bot. The way ahead was wide open for San Antonio, who had, at that point, avoided a losing record at 7-5, struggling against their more aggressive yet short-sighted rivals, but then they, too, would suffer a loss.

The Great Partnership While other DSFL teams lost players, the Marshals became the first to lose a GM. The Yellowknife Wraiths were reeling from the resignation of their co-GM (Archon), and the capable management of the Marshals against tough competition made both kckolbe and bovo team favorites for stepping into the role. After prolonged discussion, bovo agreed to leave the Marshals and become a Yellowknife GM, and kckolbe began searching for his replacement.

The ad received MANY responses. At that point, the Marshals were considered a safe pick for a playoff spot, sitting second in the conference and barely behind the now-weakened Coyotes. Kckolbe spoke to several strong candidates, before surprising many with the selection of iamslm22. The two were rivals in the NSFC, and had shared a wide variety of heated interactions. However, finally sharing the same goals, the two were literally unstoppable. With two games left in the season, both against conference opponents, the Marshals closed out the season with big wins, giving the Marshals home field advantage for their first playoff appearance against now #2 seed Kansas City.