Ultimus Bowl XXXVII
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| Offensive MVP | Wendell Sailor, Quaterback (ARI) | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Defensive MVP | Mark Goodhead, Cornerback (ARI) | ||||||||||||||||||
Ultimus Bowl XXXVII was an American football game played to determine the champion of the International Simulation Football League (ISFL) for 2052 (S37). The National Simulation Football Conference (NSFC) champions Arizona Outlaws defeated the American Simulation Football Conference (ASFC) champions Sarasota Sailfish , 28-11. The game was played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Contents
Background
Arizona Outlaws
The Arizona Outlaws had a strong season leading the ASFC with a record of 11 - 5, being led by their QB Wendell Sailor & RB Jay Cue Jr.. The Outlaws looked to take the next step forward this season, having been beaten in the conference round last season by Honolulu Hahalua. They started this by bringing in some new stars through the free agency period with Cornerback Mark Goodhead & linebacker Leonardo McTurtle being key among them. The team were able to get their revenge on Honolulu Hahalua in the conference round winning 31 - 19 setting up an appearance in the Ultimus, for the first time since S30.
Sarasota Sailfish
The Sarasota Sailfish came off a heartbreaking loss in the Ultimus final last season against Honolulu Hahalua and were looking to build the team to take that one final small step and finally lift the trophy after 7 long years. They were able to add the veteran cornerback HeHateMe PickSix II in free agency hoping that his presence will provide a rock to the Sarasota secondary. The Sarasota Sailfish were the best team in the ISFL this season with a very strong record of 12 - 4 and easily swept aside the Yellownknife Wraiths in the conference round 41 - 24
Game summary
First Quarter
The game started with the Outlaws winning the toss and deferring the kickoff, Sarasota started off strongly with a 20 yard reception by Nick Kaepercolin Jr. followed straight away by a sack from Raphael McTurtle the game really did start with some fireworks. A poor punt Swantavius King saw the Outlaws get their first possession of the ball on their own 43 yard line. The next Sarasota drive started off with real conviction making five first downs with ease, the drive came to a sudden end when Mark Goodhead jumped the route and was able to pick off the Sarasota QB [[Carter Knight]. The real dagger came the next play with Wendell Sailor throwing a 64 yard bomb to Quinton Crash for the first score of the game.
After the score Sarasota looked to pick off where they were on offensive easily driving down to the Outlaws Red zone in no time at all, so great defenisive play saw the Outlaws hold Sarasota to only 3 points when Swantavius King was easily able to kick the FG and bring the 1st quater to an end.
Second Quarter
Arizona started the second half with the ball on their own 34 yard line and were also looking to build some offensive momentum with no much to show other than than the big 64 yard paly, however some fantastic play by Rocky Rhoads was able to sack the Outlaws QB and force a long 2 and 21 which they weren't able to convert. Sarasota followed with a quick three and out and so the Outlaws were able to get the ball back around the same field position with a little bit of time lost. A methodical drive by the Outlaws was capped off by a special bit of play by the WR Kotoni Staggs who was able to take the ball 43 yards into the end zone for the second TD of the day. Sarasota really needed to get some more points on the board or the game could easily slip through their fingers by half time.
A great pass to Troy Barnes for 31 yard over the middle looked to be the perfect reply, however the ba great tackle by Tre’ Mendus Johnson was able to force the fumble which Leonardo McTurtle was more than happily able to pounce upon for Arizona second turnover of the day, giving them great field position (Sar 49 Yard line) to really turn on the hurt before the end of the first half. A sack on a first down by dont draft for a loss of 6 yards just when Arizona looked like they were going to score really gave Sarasota a much needed boost. Coming to a great surprise the 44 yard FG was missed by Savathûn T. Witchqueen and gave Sarasota a lifeline with 1:41 to go in the first half. On a 3rd and 10 after two drops by the WR, Carter Knight went to his trusty No1 Nick Kaepercolin Jr. for the 11 yard completion and keeping the drive alive. A DPI on the next play saw Sarasota on the Outlaws 32 yard looking to close the gap. However the footballs GODS were not on Sarasota's side as John Huntsman fumble the ball on 6 yard line a great tackle by Leonardo McTurtle.
Thus Arizona led 14 - 3 after the first half.
Third Quarter
Arizona received the ball and were looking to extend their lead with the first possession. They marched down the field spreading the ball around all the WR as well as utilizing the stud RB Jay Cue Jr. until a 3 and 5 when a 8 yard completion was negated by a holding penalty which moved them out of FG rang when the pass became incomplete. A great punt saw Sarasota start possession on their own 2 yard line needing a 98 yard drive to find the endzone. The drive started nicely working their way methodically to the Arizona 37 yard line before before they were held to a FG attempt from the 30. A big miss by Swantavius King on the FG attempt kept Sarasota 2 scores behind.
A quick 3 and out saw the Sailfishes start on their 6 yard line after a 56 yard punt by Savathûn Witchqueen. A 3rd and 10 on Sarasota's 18 yard line could be the pivotal play of the match with Carter Knight finding his No.1 WR Troy Barnes for 11 yards to end the 3rd quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Sarasota started the last quarter of the match down 11 with a 1st and 10 on their 31 yard line, another promising drive again did find the endzone only for the play to be negated by a holding call on the O-line man Coral Reef however two plays later Carter Knight was able to find the RB Pete Zuh for a 4 yard pass for the TD with the 2 point attempt converted by the trusty RB John Huntsman bringing Sarasota within 3 of Arizona.
With a little over 10 mins left on the clock Arizona looked to be on the back foot now with all the momentum clearly in Sarasota's favor. Without any stress the Arizona offence was lead down the field by Wendell Sailor spreading the ball around Sarasota's secondary with passes to all the WR including a 28 yard dime to the RB Jay Cue Jr. to leave Arizona just outside Sarasota's red zone. A great juke by 'Captain' Billy Stinkwater saw him juke the defender for a 16 yard TD. A disaster for Sarasota and that was only going to get worse as the very next play Toucan Sam is able to strip sack Carter Knight and recover the ball on Sarasota's own 19 yard line, fortunately for Sarasota they were able to hold Arizona to only a FG, leaving them trailing by 13 with 4:11 left.
The dagger was really put into the Sarasota's hopes when Mark Goodhead was able to snag the ball from Nick Kaepercolin Jr. and take the ball 23 yards for a pick 6. With a touch under 3 min left Sarasota now trailed by 20.
That is where the game ended with Arizona coming up victorious with a strong performance on both sides of the ball, Sarasota having the unfortunate accolade of losing two Ultimus in a row, will there be a 3rd loss for Sarasota? Can Arizona build on this performance of was this just a one off fluke? Only next season will tell.
Game statistics
Statistical comparison
| Statistic | Arizona Outlaws | Sarasota Sailfish |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 17 | 22 |
| Third down efficiency | 6/12 | 6/12 |
| Fourth down efficiency | 0/0 | 1/2 |
| Total Yards | 414 | 430 |
| Passing | 335 | 386 |
| Comp/Att | 22/35 | 34/51 |
| Yards Per Att | 9.6 | 7.6 |
| Rushing | 79 | 44 |
| Yards Per Rush | 4 | 2.6 |
| Penalties | 8-85 | 2-20 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Fumbles (Lost) | 0 (0) | 3 (3) |
| Had Intercepted | 0 | 2 |
| Time Of Possesion | 32:28 | 27:32 |
Box score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outlaws (ASFC) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 31 |
| Sailfish (NSFC) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 11 |
- Date: 09 February, 2053
- Game time: 8:00 p.m. EST
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