Ultimini V

Ultimini V

Tijuana Luchadores (SFC) Portland Pythons (NFC) 17 24
1 2 3 4 Total TIJ 0 7 0 10 17 POR 7 7 3 7 24
Stadium	The Snake Pit, Portland, Oregon
MVP	Michael Scott, Running Back

Ultimini Bowl V was an American football game played to determine the champion of the Development Simulation Football League (DSFL) for 2022 (S7). The [[DSFL North] (NFC) champion Portland Pythons defeated the DSFL South (SFC) champion TIjuana Luchadores, 24-17, to win the inaugural Ultimini. The game was played at The Snake Pit in Portland, Oregon.

Background

Teams

The NFC was represented by the Portland Pythons, while the SFC was represented by their second seed Tijuana Luchadores. This was the Tijuana Luchadores first Ultimini Appearance in franchise history.

Portland Pythons

Main article: 2022 Portland Python season

The Portland Pythons were one of the strongest franchises in DSFL football, and this season would prove to be no different, finishing with a 12-2 regular season record. Despite having strong regular season performances, the Pythons still had not won the Ultimini. This season fans had high expectations for the Pythons, as they had stars on both sides of the ball, including the season's best QB, Colt McCoy, best WR, Mark Grau, and top 10 defensive player, Mason Brown.

The Pythons were heavily favored to win this game.

Tijuana Luchadores

Main article: 2022 Tijuana Luchadores season

The Tijuana Luchadores were a franchise plagued by poor regular season and post season performances, having never won a playoff game in franchise history. This season appeared to be no different, with the team barely making the playoffs with a losing regular season record of 6-8. Despite this losing record, the team had one of the best defenses in franchise history, with three future NSFL all-stars: Chad Pennington, Thad Pennington, and Ben Horne. This defensive unit would be critical in the upset victory against the San Antonio Marshals in the SFC Championship game, where the Luchadores would win with a final score of 22 to 10. In addition to this defensive unit, the Luchadores had the season's best running back, S. Spinelli.

Despite coming off of a huge win in the SFC Championship, the Luchadores were underdogs in this game.

Playoffs

Main article: 2022 DSFL playoffs

Portland defeated the Luchadores 24-17 to win the 5th Ultimini. The Luchadores would play from behind nearly the whole game, only tieing the game half way through the 4th quarter. A 37-yard touchdown pass from McCoy to Grau would seal the game late in the 4th quarter.

Pre-game notes

The Pythons and Luchadores met twice in the regular season, with the Luchadores losing both outings by large margins.

Game summary

First Quarter

In the first quarter, the Pythons defense was dominate, sacking Luchadores QB Brad Pennington 5 times and stopping Spinelli's rushing attack throughout the quarter. The Pythons would score 7 points in the quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run from Scott. Overall, both defenses played well, produces 5 punts total in the quarter.

Second Quarter

In the second quarter, both defenses would continue to play well. The Pythons forced 3 punts and an interception for a touchdown, while the Luchadores held the powerful Portland offense to 0 points. The Luchadores would get their first points on the board with 2:29 left in the half, scoring a 16-yard touchdown from Brad Pennington to Viggo Squanch.

Third Quarter

After the half, defensive was still king. The Pythons allowed no points in the 3rd quarter, despite only forcing 1 punt. The Luchadores forced and recovered a fumble on a McCoy sack, but would allow the Pythons to hit a 35-yard field goal late in the quarter.

Fourth Quarter

The fourth quarter proved to be the most exciting, with the Luchadores scoring on back to back drives to tie the game at 17. The first score came from an early rushing touchdown, while the second score came from a 20-yard field goal. The Luchadores would continue to play solid defense, forcing an interception to set up the 20-yard field goal. This tie would last for the better part of the 4th quarter. With 6:20 left in the game, the Luchadores would decide to go for it on 4th and 6, but were unsuccessful. This turnover on downs would become crucial, as the Pythons would score a touchdown on the very next play to take the lead. This would end up being the final score 24-17.

Game statistics

Statistical comparison

Statistic	Tijuana Luchadores	Portland Pythons
First downs	12	15
Third down efficiency	2/13	4/14
Fourth down efficiency	0/1	1/1
Net yards rushing	63	157
Rushing attempts	26	35
Yards per rush	2.4	4.5
Passing – Completions-attempts	18/28	12/29
Interceptions thrown	1	1
Net yards passing	163	197
Total net yards	189	232
Fumbles-lost	0–0	0–0
Penalties-yards	7–75	9–102
Time of possession	30:27	29:33
Turnovers	1	2

Box score

Ultimini Bowl V: Tijuana Luchadores 17, Portland Pythons 24

	1	2	3	4	Total
Luchadores (SFC)	0	7	0	10	17
Pythons (NFC)	7	7	3	7	24

at The Snake Pit, Portland, Oregon

• Game time: 6:00 p.m. EST

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP TIJ POR 1 4:45 8 75 4:00 POR Michael Scott 5-yard touchdown run, Stephon Simpson kick good 0 7 2 5:10 - - - POR Interception returned 35 yards for touchdown by Shcroeder, Stephon Simpson kick good 0 14 2 2:29 5 52 1:50 TIJ Viggo Squanch 16-yard touchdown reception from Brad Pennington, DerFisch kick good 7 14 3 0:50 11 60 4:00 POR 35-yard field goal by Stephon Simpson 7 17 4 10:27 14 75 5:00 TIJ {{{Runner}}} 3-yard touchdown run, 2-point {{{2pt type}}} {{{2pt result}}} 14 17 4 10:02 - - - TIJ Interception returned 34 yards for touchdown by D. Vranos, 2-point {{{2pt type}}} {{{2pt result}}} 17 17 4 5:58 1 37 1:00 POR Mark Grau 37-yard touchdown reception from Colt McCoy, Simpson kick good 17 24 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see wp:Glossary of American football. 17 24

References

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