History of the Tijuana Luchadores
This article details the history of the Tijuana Luchadores, professional football team.
The Origins (2017 (S2)-2018 (S3))
The Tijuana Luchadores are an inaugural team in the Developmental Simulational Football League (DSFL), an affiliate of the National Simulation Football League (NSFL). During the 2017 ISFL season, largely due to his previous experience in simulation leagues, loco was selected as one of six general managers to develop a team for an upcoming developmental league which would serve as an affiliate and “feeder” league for the NSFL. Drawing on his Southern-California roots, loco was inspired by the local fascination with luchadores. Other brandings and locations such as the Tiburones and Mexico City were considered, but the Tijuana Luchadores was eventually chosen. After loco submitted initial concepts for logos, he chose his friend Sleepy as his co-GM who quickly sputtered out of activity. In 2018 (S3), despite a mediocre start to the first season with wins in 4 of their first 6 games, the Luchadores went on to lose 7 of their final 8 games and finish last in nearly every statistical category. The Tijuana Luchadores had their work cut out for them if they were to ever become a relevant force in the league.
A Penchant for Defense and Accidental Success (2019 (S4)-2022 (S7))
The Tijuana management opted to pursue success the following two seasons through smart drafting and, similar to other teams in the league, a focus on a high blitz defense. This led to the additions of several future NSFL stars in Terrell Brister (Team Captain and DSFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 (S4)), Elvin Enchant (DSFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and DSFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2020 (S5)), and Brian Mills (future General Manager and #1 Overall Pick of the 2021 Draft (S6)) in addition to Blackford Oakes of the inaugural season. Despite a budding reputation as a stingy defense, loco has admitted that poor game planning once again almost sank the Luchadores for the 2019 season. As fate would have it, a seven-game win streak would eventually salvage the Luchadores’ second season. The Luchadores first playoff experience was a short one due to a 24-7 embarrassment at the hands of the San Antonio Marshals. Nevertheless, the rush of the postseason left an impression on the young team who has not yet missed the playoffs since.
2020 (S5), the third DSFL season, saw a change in leadership for the Luchadores as jaskins811 took over mid-season as the second General Manager (GM), eventually selecting PaytonM34 (the user behind rookie Brian Mills) as his co-GM. Together they led the Luchadores to their first winning record of 7-6-1 as well as their first real shot at Ultimini glory. Unfortunately, the outcome was all but decided as Tijuana faced off against the overpowered and newly branded Palm Beach Solar Bears, who eventually went on shock the DSFL with an upset over the Portland Pythons to take home the Ultimini.
The 2021 (S6) season was a relatively quiet one as, with little fanfare, the Luchadores did what they needed to in order to reach the playoffs for the third time, but not before claiming Verso L’Alto off of waivers. L’Alto would eventually connect the team with Epictitus Milburn, a future GM for the club. The Luchadores again went home without a playoff victory, but this time not without a plan for managerial stability and player engagement which would lead the team into the next era.
Stability and Engagement (2022 (S7)-present)
Brian Mills, with Epictitus Milburn as his new co-GM, began the 2022 (S7) season with a focus on stable leadership presence and greater locker room engagement. They believed that an atmosphere of this kind would organically lead to more player development and a higher level of competition. Mills drafted well, landing top recruits in the outspoken Pennington brothers (Brad, Chad, and Thad), recreate Viggo Squanch, and future team leader Ben Horne. This strategy paid off as, despite another losing season, the Luchadores not only earned a fourth consecutive playoff berth, but won their first postseason game at home against their division rivals the San Antonio Marshals. With odds stacked heavily against them, Tijuana traveled north to face the Portland Pythons in Ultimini V. Despite finding themselves in a 14-0 hole, the Luchadores were able to claw their way back into the game finding themselves at 17-17 with only minutes left in the game. The pressure of the moment proved to be too much for the young team playing for their first championship as they failed to convert on 4th down deep in Pythons territory. The experienced Pythons drove the length of the field, Cole McCoy eventually hitting a wide-open Mark Grau for the go-ahead touchdown that would end the Luchadores most successful season to date.
This season marked a turning point for the Luchadores who began to set for themselves higher expectations. The promising young team made an impression on NSFL teams and general managers as six Luchadores were selected in the first ten picks in the following season’s NSFL draft.
In 2023 (S8), Brian Mills elected to step aside in favor of a more advisory role within the organization. Epictitus Milburn stepped up to take his place alongside Icy Douglas, agent for previous Tijuana linebacker, Ben Horne. Together they committed to following the recipe for success from the previous season as Tijuana continued to boast more active and engaged members than any other team in the DSFL. In the early stages of the season, general manager Epictitus Milburn declared "it will only be a matter of time before the Ultimini trophy travels south of the border for the first time."
