World Bowl II Rosters/RP/Scores/Disc Thread [Archive]

Arroza

19-07-2008, 20:03

Arroza Tar Hornets

Coach: Andreas Waulequah
Home Stadium: Fletcher Field (The Hive, Conqueror Park)

Play Style: -1
PAT: Logical
Colors: Black, Tan, Crimson

Offense: Based on a strong line that pushes off the ball and looks to open up holes every play for the multitude of backs that come through Arroza. The “Thunder & Lightning” pairing of Chadwick and Chavez are going to get a lot of carries and rack up the yards. Laraque comes off the bench to provide power, and Maximiano and Malone have enough speed to keep defenses honest.

Bold denotes a starter:
#6 QB: Christopher Chamesi (30, Evangeline Seraphs)
Not the greatest arm in the world, but he doesn’t need to throw much. He’s more known for his flashes of brilliance running the ball, and running over safeties.
#14 QB: Erik Smythe (28, Huracan Tropicals)
Probably the best arm of all three of the quarterbacks on the team. Unfortunately his pocket-passer style doesn’t fit in with the option style of the offense. Still, too good of a talent to pass up.
#11 QB: Afif Bassem (24, F.C. Atalanta)
He’s started to come into his own over the last 2 years, and can now be considered one of the best domestic quarterbacks in Arroza.

#21 HB: Abraham Chadwick (23, Pine Forest United)
Fastest runner on the team, combined with great upfield vision, and a killer first step. Lead the league in rushing, averaging 140 yards a game.
#31 RB: Lake Major (21, Black Tide F.C.)
After World Bowl I, Major really stepped up his game becoming one of Arroza’s bast running backs. He does it with heart and grit more that any divine amount of taent, and that makes him a fan favorite, too.
#28 RB: Kenyon Laraque (28, Nova Lyon Panthers)
Doesn’t see a lot of first team time with the national team due to his lack of the speed necessary to get around the corner. But if you need 2 yards and a cloud of dust, he’s the man.
#23 HB: Donovan Hailey (19, Big Thicket Cavalry)
#25 RB: Randolph Crown (27, Resurgens Flames)
He’s as fast as a fiberglass Corvette. If his vision, and hole finding matched his sped, he’d be unstoppable. Can play slot receiver as well, and comes in on a lot of Flex sets.

#49 FB: Vaughan Harley (25, Atalanta Senators)
Lead blocker. Monster. Destroyer of Linebackers.
#46 FB: Percy Marquis (32, Northland Cannons)
Good hands for a fullback and is very proficient in catching passes out of the backfield.

#48 TE: Tawfiq Rudolph (28, Way Path Pioneers)
Very versatile, great hands, good check down receiver for when the option’s in danger.
#84 TE: Vincent Paloma (25, Lake St. Anthony Blues)
If he’s in the game for Rudolph, you know they’re running. Better blocker than some OL’s
#88 TE: Salomon Arraza (20, Biloxoulaport Seabees)
Blocking TE, used on goal-line situations.

#82 WR: Ikraam Maximiano (26, Northland Cannons)
Runs a 4.43 40. Decent hands, but wishes he could get the ball more. Known for his exuberant “Spiderman” celebration.
#89 WR: Taesean Malone (18, Huracan Tropicals)
Malone has been impressive in his first year in the league, rapidly become the favorite target of NT quarterback Smythe. He’s more of a possession receiver than a speed guy.
#83 WR: Chauncey Hopton (31, Resurgens Flames)
A good WR, but is just too out-classed to get onto the field in this run-heavy offense much.
#81 WR: Luke Hollam (22, Huracan Tropicals)
Speed wideout, normally sees the field on 4 WR or Flexbone sets.

#66 T: Philemon Placido (26, Black Tide F.C.)
#67 T: Timon Gonzales (32, F.C. Atalanta)
Half of the “Great Wall” of F.C. Atalanta, along with Kwaku. Recorded 48 pancake blocks last year.
#65 T: Addison Merritt (35, Huracan Tropicals)
#64 G: Garrett Phillips (22, Aransas County Sea Stars)
#60 G: Faragi Kwaku (28, F.C. Atalanta)
#68 G: Luther Sithimbile (31, Port Wentworth Pilots)
#61 C: Christian Napier (32, Atalanta Senators)
#63 C: Harun Marasseh (22, Port Lange Archers)

Defense: 4-4.
Not the biggest in the world, the Arrozan defenses pride themselves on their tactical knowledge and their speed. These two ideas, when combined in the Arrozan D, normally mean opponents get to see a varying array of zone, man, and option coverages, with blitzes coming in from all angles, and interceptions going the other way for 6 points.

#91 NT: Tony Jackson (Pine Forest United)
His playing style has earned him the nickname, “Big Nasty”. He wears than name like a badge of honor.
#94 NT: Randy Miles (Evangeline Seraphs)
#96 DL: Alex Batanian (Aransas County Sea Stars)
Here more for his versatility than for his ability Batanian can play any line position.

#99 DE: Joseph Reed (24, Biloxoulaport Seabees)
Commands a double team on almost every passing down. The bookend of him and Charles may become the best tandem in Arrozan history.
#92 DE: Roland Harling (34, Nova Lyon Panthers)
#98 DL: Raibonne Charles (24, Biloxoulaport Seabees)
Recorded 14 sacks last year, benefiting from the double teams Reed got on the other end.

#54 OLB: Fred Davis (31, Port Lange Archers)
Covers like a strong safety. Hits like a Mack truck.
#59 OLB: Nathan Fitzgerald (29, Port Wentworth Pilots)
Can do it all with professionalism, if not the best of skill.
#52 OLB: Karon Robinson (27, Atalanta F.C.)
#53 MLB: Trey Douglas (28, Evangeline Seraphs)
Leads the domestic league in tackles with 12.7 per game.
#56 MLB: Marcus Aurelin (21, Resurgens Flames)
Leads linebackers in sacks domestically with 10. Great on the blitz.
#58 MLB: Denzel Person (22, Evangeline Seraphs)
#55 LB: Fremont Cannon (21, Port Lange Archers)

#24 CB: Orkeys Aurienne (24, Biloxoulaport Seabees)
Fastest man on the team. Can cover anyone man-to-man.
#33 CB: Calvin Brandon (23, F.C. Atalanta)
Good at anticipating plays, and leads the domestic league in interceptions.
#39 CB: Matthew Barber (28, Pine Forest United)
Brought in on nickel situations, Barber’s known to have hands of stone.
#33 CB: Jared Turcotte (26, Lincolnton Suns)

#38 S: Daylon Rolle (34, Lake St. Anthony Blues)
This is Rolle’s last go-round internationally. He may have lost a step, but he’s ridiculously smart. You’re not going to catch him out of position.
#30 S: Caron Saint-Marais (20, Farragut Torpedoes)
Division II MVP, Saint-Marais led the minor league with 18 interceptions, and is linked with a big money move to a North Island club in the off-season.

#4 K: Drew Albrect (31, F.C. Atalanta)
Can kick anywhere, in winds that would blow other kickers off the field.
#13 P: Tyler Edmiston (26, Way Path Pioneers)
#24 KR: Orkeys Aurienne (24, Biloxoulaport Seabees)

Rennidan

19-07-2008, 20:50

After they failed to make a full-force appearance in the last World Bowl, the Sports Association of Rennidan decided to cut all funding to the sport known as 'American Football'.

For most fans of the Gridiron, this was a blow that could very well have spelt the end of their favourite sport all together.

But luckily, at the heart of the industrial centre of Rennidan, there are a group of fans that are willing to give more than 'most other' fans are.

These, ladies and gentlemen, are the Rennidan Brutes.

And they're really not all that nice.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk176/rennidan/BRUTES.png

RENNIDAN
Team Roster|Second World Bowl Entry|The "Brutes"

Play Style: As defensive as physically possible.
PAT: Logically

Team Kit: Luckily, these guys don't have the finances to pull a kit together. Instead, they wear their work jeans. They wear t-shirts or jackets. They wear heavy damned boots without studs, and they don't wear pads.

They would look like ordinary Joes if it wasn't for the fact they look meaner than most professional players.

Team Stadium: Warehouse 17, The Industrial Sector, Rennidan.
If they can't afford a uniform, there's no way in hell they're getting the cash for a stadium. Instead, Larry managed to wrangle up an old cheap warehouse that was falling to pots in Rennidan's Industrial Sector. A bit of spray paint to mark out the lines and the posts on the floor and walls, a few planks of wood and some fun with nail guns means that, whilst it's still a shithole, it won't be falling down on anyone's head and you can actually play a game.

Team Owner, Coach, Manager and General Head of Everything: Larry Daniels

Players:

Note: Rennidan doesn't play with substitutes. Someone gets injured? They keep playing. Someone dies? They make a great offensive lineman.

OFFENCE

Quarterback:
Pat McGraw
19, 6’4”: Young, restless, and wants to win, McGraw works part time as a mechanic. He chooses to wear his work overalls when he plays as "it gives me boss free advertising".

Wide Receivers:
Lewis Seffer
20, 6’5”: Uses his height for the long throws, he’s not the fastest on the team, but he can break a lot of tackles. Often gets a bit drunk before playing. Can be quiiite amusing.

Marcin Lai
20, 6’0”: Fast, fast and fast. Slightly furious too. If you don’t keep both eyes on him, you’ll just see a cloud of dust.

Fullback:
Duncan Smie
25, 6’0”: A powerhouse of a man, Smie can run through a brick wall if he had the heart to. Unfortunately, he's lazy as hell. Still, he's enough to make most men have second thoughts about whether the tackle is worth it.

Tight Ends:
Tom Gui
34, 6’1”: Gui is one ugly mofo. Seriously, this guy should be the advertising campaign as to why you should wear a damn helmet when you play football. Just don't say that to his face.

Ed Yecks
23, 6’2”: Likes knocking people over. A lot.

Halfback:
Jason Yeilds
20, 5’8”: The fastest guy willing to play. He’s often called Supes, as he ‘moves faster than a speeding bullet’. Good at squeezing through the smallest of gaps in the defensive line.

Center:
Nathan Yecks
28, 6’4”: A big bastard of a player. Not afraid to play dirty in order to keep the other team away from the QB. Watch out for brass knuckles.

Offensive Guards:
Glen Feik
24, 6’3”: Nothing special. He gets the job done and, whilst he does it well, he’s hardly hall of fame material. Not that we can afford a Hall of Fame...

Wayne Willas
23, 6’1”: Likes pancakes. On and off the pitch. Seriously, this guy is one heavy sonova...

Offensive Tackle:
Rick Sestan
32, 5’11”: Former Rennidan National Wrestling champion, Sestan signed up when he realized Wrestling was getting too camp for him. He needed a real sport. Without Speedos.

Micah MesAlta
24, 5’11”: Heavy and fast, this combination means no one’s getting past him if they value their internal organs.

DEFENCE

Linebackers:
Daniel Cuddeford
23, 6’7”: Often used as a MLB due to having the best eyesight out of the three LBs. Strong and mean.

Daniel Guest
27, 6’1”: Stronger and meaner. Good at smacking the run blocker into the turf. Guest works part time as a butcher, and often elects to wear his work clothes during the match. It's never fun running at a guy smothered in animal blood. At least, we hope that's animal blood.

Nick Stow
22, 6’2”: Fastest of the LBs, he’s good in the open field. He’s incredibly focused when in the game, and a trouble maker off it. He's liable to cause the most injuries in the match. Strongest and meanest of the defensive guys.

Defensive End
Daniel Comach
23, 5’10”: Good at stopping pass and running plays coming from the outer edge. Dodge him if possible, regret him if not.

Sim Telek
23, 6’1”: Has a habit of hurting the other team’s running back. We like that.

Defensive Linemen
Owen Powis
28, 6’1”: Probably the heaviest on the team, he’s built like a bull combined with a pick-up truck combined with a brick shithouse. He can probably pull the other team into a geocentric orbit. We don't know what that means, but it's a big fancy word.

Lewis Buxton
22, 6’0”: New kid on the block, he’s very cold and calculating when it comes to playing on the grid. Probably the smartest of the defence, he also manages the teams accounts. Which stands at three Golden Crowns. Or $12.42.

Center Backs:
David McKay
28, 6’7”: Tall and slim, he has good hands and can pick the ball from the air easily if the QB underestimates his ability.

Graham Goldie
23, 6’5”: Brilliant speed. Can easily follow any WR on their route, and often shouts of 'yo momma'' jokes whilst he's doing it for added insult.

Strong Safety
Mosef Cracke
22, 6’3”: When he hits, he hits hard.

Free Safety
Dan Cooper
21, 5’5”: Fast as hell. Don’t blink.

That Guy That Kicks The Ball:
Clive
??, about six foot?: We didn't bother learning anything about Clive because, let's face it, he's just the kicker.

Dancougar

19-07-2008, 21:39

Head Coach Will Moohim gives you your Dancougar American Football Black Wings. There is no professional American football in Dancougar, only amateur... as a result the team is drawn mainly from these teams, as well as from the few colleges that play the game competitively, chiefly those in the states of Sullivan and Keats Island. Home games are played at the Jared Koeppel Memorial Stadium at the University of Sullivan. Their aim, of course, is to repeat as World Bowl champions. But that's going to be harder than it was to win the first one!

Players are listed in depth order.

Quaterback
9 - Dusty Haynesworth (26)
11 - Todd Appelgate (24)
13 - Michael Hussey (19)

Runningback
27 - Kirk Hatchitt (25)
36 - Oliver Tangermann (24)
30 - Walter Atcitty (27)
26 - Allan Shinabery (26)
32 - Harrison Vanord (20)

Fullback
32 - Vincent Bozwell (27)
39 - Dennis Goldwire (25)

Tight End
48 - Stephen Trayler (27)
81 - Joseph Coerver (25)
45 - Ed Mendenhall (20)
84 - George Laventure (21)

Wide Receiver
80 - Jermaine Divalerio (26)
82 - Simon Whitham (27)
83 - Russel Seelbinder (25)
86 - Roger Summerlin (25)
87 - Edward Calwell (27)
89 - Jay Milon (20)
81 - Jordon Surgeon (21)

Center
74 - Owen Boepple (28)
70 - Timothy Shackleford (26)
66 - Ray Chartier (20)

Guard
63 - Brent Stonebreaker (26)
67 - Al Billen (28)
68 - Thomas Mickell (28)

Offensive Tackle
73 - William Keeser (28)
75 - Vaughn Claybrooks (27)
62 - Jeff Hommerding (27)
60 - Dennis Ginnings (28)
64 - Donny Cullivan (19)

The Black Wings tend to feature a lot of two-back sets with Hatchitt and Tangerman, although don't be surprised to see fullback Vincent Bozwell get a few carries, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Coerver will come in as a second tight end when extra blocking is needed. Seelbinder, Summerlin, and Calwell are the third, fourth, and fifth wide receivers, although if the Wings end up in long passing downs that require them, they're doing something very wrong. Dusty Haynesworth leads the attack, and he prefers the short, methodical approach - three yards and a cloud of dust, a short pass here and there. The goal, of course, is to control the clock and keep the opponent's defense on the field. Defenses don't need to be afraid of the bomb, but that's not to say the Wings aren't capable - Divalerio and Whitham can run the deep routes.

Nose Tackle
95 - David Kucera (27)
78 - Cesar Tramonti (24)
94 - Nick Pasley (26)

Defensive End
90 - Joe Arnone (26)
99 - Grant Martella (28)
93 - Blake McKnight (28)
91 - Leonard Cristelli (21)
95 - Lance Basilio (21)

Linebacker
53 - Travis Abramovitz (26)
54 - Troy Claridge (27)
58 - Daryl Yearling (26)
97 - Butch Easley (29)
52 - Kirk Manly (18)
57 - William Tolston (25)
51 - Neil Samples (19)
99 - Mitchell Furlough (20)

Cornerback
23 - Anthony Corona (25)
31 - Zane Meriweather (26)
42 - Thomas Ostlund (25)
35 - Tony Rorick (19)
21 - James Lundy (28)

Safety
20 - Daniel Morgenstein (26)
33 - Michael Somerville (28)
46 - Jack Enright (25)
29 - Stanley Latronica (29)
22 - Paul Dady (20)
24 - Alex Isabella (19)

The Black Wings feature a 3-4 defense, with a mixture of blitz packages designed to keep offenses off-balance. Defensive backs Corona and Meriweather are not afraid to come up, either, and harass opposing quarterbacks, and as a result, the Wings face danger when up against a strong passing team. It doesn't help that the overall speed of the corners and safeties is average at best. Ostlund appears in the Nickel package, Enright in the Dime.

Punter
2 - Brandon Shelpman (26)

Kicker
5 - Corey Stottlemyer (28)

Well... they kick the ball. And as with most special teams, the other ten that line up with them at a motley assortment of second and third string players of all shapes, sizes, and positions. Summerlin and and Enright share kick returning duties.

Milchama

20-07-2008, 18:32

New Babylon Times of doom-Dispatch-Sun-Cheese-Pirate-Pilot-Bob

Sports Section

Wait! A real roster?

After an anonymous from Milchama played terribly at the first World Bowl they decided to actually have a real team represent them this time around. The team will play as they have always played, in true Milchamian style, attacking. All of the best athletes that choose to play gridiron in Milchama play offense. This leads to great offenses that quickly harass and beat overmatched and outplayed defenses. A low scoring game in Milchama is a 28-25 contest. More regularly the games are about 42-35 to 49-42 with teams regularly getting into the 50s, 60s and 70s in points. This is also true of great passing attacks of the teams with running usually secondary, or only used to compliment a great passing attack. This type of offense is not usually seen in the world but here goes nothing, again. Of course with gridiron being a second tier sport in Milchama most athletes who play this sport are dedicated and not really appreciated.

The Milchama Attackers Roster:

Offense:
QB: Kendrick Holmes- A rare double threat who luckily chose to stick to gridiron over the calls of kleptochase and suicide footballer. Both his running and passing skills are second to none.
RB: Barrett Guertin- Big for a running back, his height made him an ideal hooker in rugby but he chose gridiron for its pads. Now he's the starting running back after leading Megito to the championship.
WR:Henry Delalforth- Fast but very small. Wanted to be a winger or attacking backmen but couldn't cut it so became a wide receiver instead.
WR: Noach Flum- The rare athlete who chose gridiron first. The best possession on Milchama for his great hands and good route running.
WR: Kenton Kelly Thomas- The three named assassin. A great deep threat who has twice led the Milchama league in touchdowns.
RG: Eddy Kipper- Normally a left tackle but can be dominating anywhere so was forced here as the 4th best blocker in Milchama.
RT: Orion Jones- When not beating up people as a prop in rugby he comes to gridiron and takes names playing both sides of the ball. Was decided to be more important on offense so will only be used on offense for this tournament.
C: Willie Flomallard- The leader in pancakes the last 4 years in the local league. He's huge at 7'0 400.
LG: Bone Quild- A great technical blocker with good athletic ability. The perfect offensive lineman.
LT: Pokey Moosh- The best offensive lineman in Milchama (some would say the world) hasn't had anybody beat him in a year and a half. Great player.

Defense: DB, DL, LB
A 5-2 defense? What?! Oh well that's coach Paul Hittem for you. Oh and you don't care about defenders so we're not going to give them bios.

DE:Boris Kushin
DT: David Marlor
DT: Gary Hersh
DT: Boom Gilter
DE: Or Malam
LB: Dominic Harris
LB: Ori Mole
CB: Marion Juno
SS: Hershel Morlock
FS: Vyvyan Anarch
CB: Darius Fron

Kicker:
Avi Belmowitz- The all time goal scoring leader in Milchamian football history couldn't get out of a clubhouse but didn't want to play football so he came to gridiron where he has been a welcome addition not only to the popularity of the sport but as a great punter and place kicker in his own right.

Style +5. Extra point style: Every other.

Qazox

21-07-2008, 04:05

Qazox Roster: (Style: +2)

STARTING OFFENSE:
FORMATION: SPREAD WISHBONE

QB: 8
RB: 8
WR: 2
LINE: 7

QB: Harry Pitts
HB: Kevin Hertz
WB: Brian Dorett
FB: Sean O'Malley (1st and 3rd Quarters only)
WR: Frank Dobbs
TE: Lyle Beckett
RG: Henry Steiner
RT: Jason Valdez
C: Pete Dannig
LT: Brian Freeman
LG: Harold Brees

STARTING DEFENSE: 3-3-5
Line: 7
LB's: 6
Secondary: 9

LE: David Ryan
NT: Francis Ardt
RE: Ray Valens
ROLB: Lonnie Sterns
MLB: Daryl Whitely
LOLB: James Fuller
RCB: Dave Tyrone
LCB: Sean Briggs
SS: Xavier Green
NB: John Redding
FS: Wesley King

SPECIAL TEAMS:
Kickers: 5
Return: 3

K: Harvey Pollack
P: Victor Van der Wahl
KR/PR: Frank Dobbs

RESERVES:
QB: Drew Warmack (Place-Holder and 3rd and Long situations)
QB: Jake Rolfs (Only comes in during blowouts)
FB: Ellis Abbruzzese (FB during 2nd and 4th quarters and OT)
RB: Al Abele (3rd and short situations)
WR: Marcos Taborn (comes in on 3rd downs)
TE: Marty Reins (Comes in on Goalline situations)
OL: Dallas Vitti (Long Snapper)
OL: Levi Pinzone (extra TE on goalline situations)
DL: Mack Carrithers (Comes in on 3rd or 4th and short and goalline situations)
DL: Dewey Quinoes (Comes in on 3rd or 4th and short and goalline situations)
LB: Ellis Canal (Comes in on 3rd down and long)
LB: Jody Halt (Comes in on Short yardage situations)
DB: Ismael Colello (Comes in on Dime defense)
DB: Al Rickenbaugh (Comes in on Quarter defense)

Notes: For those who may not know what the following positions are:
NB: Nickel-back (5th Defensive back)
WB Wing-back (3rd Running back)

Qazox

23-07-2008, 05:02

So.... when is this starting again?

Newmanistan

23-07-2008, 09:20

Signups will close on the 25th (Fri). We will have a group draw on the 27th (Sun), and gameplay to begin on Wednesday July 30th.

Exhibitions can be scheduled at any time, including now.

Newmanistan

25-07-2008, 17:12

Participating nations:
1) Newmanistan
2) Dancougar
3) Rennidan
4) Kura-Pelland
5) Bluth Corporation
6) Sorthern Northland
7) Am3ricans
8) Arroza
9) Taeshan
10) Lovisa
11) Secristan
12) Milchama
13) Qazox
14) Bettia
15) Swilatia
16) Unified Capitalizt States
17) kenavt
18) Kosovoe

Signups are closed. Around noon EDT on SUNDAY the group draw will be announced!

Arroza

25-07-2008, 17:30

3 Groups of 6 with seeding, I assume?

kenavt

25-07-2008, 17:35

Seems pretty obvious, yes. How else would he do it?

Arroza

25-07-2008, 17:41

Seems pretty obvious, yes. How else would he do it?

Who knows...he is the host after all.:eek: He could go 2*9 or 4*5. Or he could ignore seeding for the group draw which could mean I might get drawn against Dancougar (do not want).

Actually 2 x 9 might be preferable as it would be a lot easier to get 8 playoff teams from 2 groups than from 3.

Dancougar

25-07-2008, 18:00

You mean nobody wants six groups of three followed by a double-elimination bracket with play-in games? :-D

kenavt

25-07-2008, 18:10

I feel stupid now :(

Roster cummin'

Newmanistan

25-07-2008, 18:21

Actually, I was leaning towards two groups of nine. Eight games for each team, top four teams in each group advance, and could create for some competitiveness late in those battles for fourth place. Making the knockouts are going to be more difficult this time around. :)

Qazox

26-07-2008, 03:13

Actually 2 x 9 might be preferable as it would be a lot easier to get 8 playoff teams from 2 groups than from 3.

Top 2 from each group and 2 best 3rd place teams. 2 groups of 9 is too dang long. 3 groups of 6 is a good number.

Secristan

26-07-2008, 05:32

Top 2 from each group and 2 best 3rd place teams. 2 groups of 9 is too dang long. 3 groups of 6 is a good number.

The negative thing about this is if one group is stronger then the other, then their third place team will get beaten up a little more, theoretically, and since everyone isn't playing everyone that might not be the best way to do it.

Two groups of nine is ok, but as you say, it is long. If we will do three groups of six, let's get all the third place teams in. Top two teams in each group advance, as well as the best third place team, giving seven teams. Then the other two, play a "preliminary round" game to determine the 8th seed. It's like a conference tournament in NCAA basketball deal.

Newmanistan

27-07-2008, 04:31

Two groups of nine won't be longer though. With three groups of six, I'll have everyone play each other (within group) twice. With two groups of nine, everyone will play each other once (within group). If that new nation formally signs up by 9am EDT, I'll let him in. Being nice because 20 is a better number then 18 to work with.

Newmanistan

27-07-2008, 05:21

NEWMANISTAN ROCKETS

Style Modifier: +3
Conversions: Logical
Starters in standard offensive & defensive formations in bold, though we will switch formations up quite a bit.

Offense:

QB: #5 John Pivonka (26, Tundra Falls Mariners): An outstanding passer, reads coverage extremely well, and hits his receivers with pinpoint accuracy. Mobile enough for defenses to respect it, but not a scrambler. Throws the long ball extremely well.
QB: #7 Steve Keisler (28, Southport Tigers): Keisler puts up outstanding passing numbers, and it’s not just because he has some great weapons. If Pivonka goes down, the Rockets will not be too worried having him come in. He is a total pocket passer; little mobility.
QB: #15 Keith Scholten (33, South Charlotte Condors): Accurate with his passes, an all-around quarterback. The best scrambler of the three.

HB: #29 Corey Parisi (26, Tundra Falls Mariners): Parisi and Pivonka have played together their entire career, and their familiarity will certainly help here. Reads his blocks well, sees holes as they develop. Able to take it outside and up the middle, and also must be respected as a receiver.
HB: #33 Chris Padgett (27, Loudon Leopards): Never afraid to get dirty, Padgett will be used to spell Parisi, but is a dangerous as a third-down back. Will give defensive coordinators a headache when in a two-back set with Parisi.
HB: #31 Ahman Carlson (23, South Charlotte Condors): A physical back, likes to pound it up the middle. When you need a yard, he’ll get it.
FB: #44 Tiberius Gillepsie (33, Loudon Leopards): A pure, blocking fullback. Occasionally he might get a handoff to throw the defense off, but blocking is his game.

WR: #85 Chris Nicolette (27, Springfield Thoroughbreds): After an injury plagued rookie season, Chris is on his way to become one of the top receivers in the empire. Not a speed burner, but he has enough to get by. Outstanding set of hands.
WR: #83 Alex Foster (26, Southport Tigers): Foster is the Empire’s primary deep threat. His speed allows him to get open deep, but that’s not all he’s about. He can catch the short passes, and is not afraid to go over the middle.
WR: #80 Christian Gagnon (26, Southport Tigers): When Southport drafted Gagnon in the 2nd round immediately after picking Foster in the 1st, some thought it was strange. But it has worked out extremely well. Gagnon is definitely your prototypical third receiver.
WR: #84 Mike Rancourt (22, Olympia Gladiators): Pure speed. Unfortunately his hands aren’t the greatest. Will be used in 4-receiver sets, likely as a decoy more often then not.
WR: #81 Corey Brooks (25, Loudon Leopards): Brooks will be the teams primary kick/punt returner. His elusiveness makes him ideal for that, but from time to time, he’ll be used as a receiver.
WR: #86 Jarrett Landry (24, Pocono City Capitals): Best known for his flat out refusal to sign with Fairfield City after he was drafted there, forcing them to work out a trade. Pocono City took the chance, and have reaped the benefits of the multi-dimensional receiver.
WR: #82 Jordan Lyons (27, Tundra Falls Mariners): A possession receiver. Don’t expect to see a lot of him during the World Bowl, but if he is needed, his good hands will be appreciated.

TE: #87 Jim Crosby (25, South Tier Seagulls): More of a blocking TE, but he is versatile enough for Pivonka to look his way when needed. Generally makes the catch, his problem is getting open.
TE: #89 Shane Seymour (23, Centralia Cougars): A receiving TE. Will come in mainly in two tight end sets, which will be often.

LT: #77 Benny Halvorsen (34, Centralia Cougars): Perhaps, the all around best player on the entire team. He is strong and quick off the ball, and will very rarely get beat, protecting his QB’s blindside exceptionally well.
LG: #68 Nick Russo (30, North Charlotte Wildcats): Nick is the brother of Nathaniel Russo, who is the backup goalkeeper on our other football (soccer) national team. Russo isn’t the biggest offensive lineman, but he makes up for it with athleticism.
C: #69 Shawn Whitney (33, Tundra Falls Mariners): After being accepted into Newmanistan’s most prestigious university, Shawn signed up for the football team just to “have something to get his mind off of studying”. Safe to say it worked out well. He is also a certified lawyer in the off season.
RG: #70 Brent Pemberton (28, Dover City Mountaineers): A 6'7" 360 pound mass of humanity that is just as intelligent as he is big.
RT: #71 Anthony Colanno (31, South Charlotte Condors): Unusually agile for a tackle, this allows him to be an outstanding run blocker, in particular.
C: #64 Kevin Whitney (32, Brighton Bulldogs): Kevin followed in brother Shawn’s footsteps his whole life, and in college, played guard beside him for three years. Yes, he too, is also a lawyer. He is also the long snapper on punts/field goals.
G: #55 Sal Morris (23, Fairfield City Admirals): Sound in all aspects, best as a pass blocker.
G: #63 Archie Hawkins (30, South Charlotte Condors): Another huge guard, very good at creating holes.
T: #62 Mick Karpenko (25, Pocono City Capitals): A capable tackle, and should see some occasional playing time. Still a little raw, and in a few years could be starting.
T: #67 Terrence Spearman (36, Centralia Cougars): “Old reliable” in Centralia. Big and physical, he backs down from no one. Injuries have slowed him up a little, hence his role as a sub. Can play guard if needed.
Utility OL: #59 Jacob Beasley (30, North Charlotte Wildcats): Versatile, can play all offensive line positions, and is mainly on the squad in case of injuries, but he can hold his own when needed.

Defense:
DT: #98 Marcus Carroll (35, Portsmouth Whalers): Solid and steady up front, does what he is asked to do. Gets outstanding penetration, and is usually a clean player.
DT: #97 Martin Conti (35, South Tier Seagulls): Was a teammate of Carroll’s for seven years before the business aspect separated them. They’re expected to have great chemistry still.
LE: #92 Tyrone Booker (27, Southport Tigers) Quick off the snap of the ball, loves to blitz, and isn’t intimidated by any offensive lineman. Will likely lead the team in sacks.
RE: #99 Jason Hutchins (29, Olympia Gladiators): Similar to Booker, the biggest difference is he is not quite as strong. But if you focus too much on Booker, Hutchins will sneak up on you.
OLB: #76 Kalvin Thorson (30, Putmam Lake Eagles): Agile, very good in coverage. Is often assigned to the opposition’s tight end.
MLB: # 90 Marcellus Hanlon (32, Fairfield City Admirals): Very intelligent run stopper. Physically imposing and deceptively quick for someone his size.
ILB: #93 Julius Conte (32, Pocono City Capitals): Conte is an aggressive linebacker. Physical and not afraid to rough up the opponent, especially QB’s. He can go overboard sometimes, though, being prone to personal fouls.
DL: #73 Andrew McClure (33, Loudon Leopards): Difficult to move out of the way, and is a very good team player. Not going to wow you, but he does what is asked of him.
DL: #94 Brock Kahnberg (26, Fairfield City Admirals): Consistent run stopper. Generally gets good penetration off the ball. Not flashy.
DL: #95 Mario Martuzzo (29, Tundra Falls Mariners): A big man. Nearly impossible to move off the line. If only he was a little more agile. He’ll see time on occasion.
LB: #52 Jaquan Hatcher (26, Hampton Terriers): Will see time when the Rockets mix it up with 3-4 base as opposed to the 4-3. His best asset is his quickness. Prone to “illegal contact” penalties with receivers when in coverage.
LB: #53 Jesse Savage (22, Dover City Moutaineers): Still young, Savage knows he has a cool last name for a linebacker, and does his best to live up to it.
LB #72 Kirk Comforth (27, North Charlotte Wildcats): Signed with North Charlotte as an undrafted free agent out of college, and through nothing more then hard work has made himself an outstanding, all-around linebacker.

CB: #41 Dan Strasser (28, Portsmouth Whalers): Decent speed to stay with most receivers, but won’t blow you away. Good height but won’t outleap all receivers. He makes up for all this with his intelligence, and intimidating hitting.
CB: #30 Danny Giles (30, Springfield Throroughbreds): After being traded four times in his first three years, Giles has played with a bigtime chip on his shoulder. It’s made him a much better player. Very speedy DB, though not ideally physical.
FS: #26 Michael Ahearn (24, Pocono City Capitals) Very popular with female groupies, Ahearn’s physical nature makes him popular to true fans as well. And not as much to receivers.
SS: #38 Davisen Manzella (28, Dover City Mountaineers): Outstanding in coverage, is very wise to the tricks and moves that receivers will attempt to put on him.
DB: #43 Chris Johnson (24, Loudon Leopards): Has blazing speed, but sometimes that works against him as he can tend to overpursue, and get beat on cutback routes. Still learning. Will be alongside Brooks on kickoff returns.
DB: #46 Stanley Bressler (21, Dover City Mountaineers): Was recently the #1 overall draft pick out of college, Bressler has a ton of potential, and is wise beyond his years. The complete package.
DB: #27 Calvin Horrigan (27, South Charlotte Condors): Somewhat of a headcase, but his bone crushing hits often are on highlight reels. He can be a little inconsistent, though, and intelligent receivers often are able to outsmart him. Can play CB or Safety.
DB: #44 Chris Stilwell (32, Olympia Gladiators): A physical DB. Greatly inconsistent, if he didn’t have his poor stretches, he would be an obvious starter. He’ll only play at safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS
K: #3 Ashton Colfer (32, South Tier Seagulls): Very accurate, and composed. His career long is 61 yards, though it was wind assisted.
P: #1 Steve Meadows (39, Springfield Thoroughbreds): Gets solid hang time and distance on his punts, but his best attirbute is pinning opponents inside the 10 without the ball going back for a touchback. Also is the holder on FG attempts.
K/P: #4 Terry Kallay (28, Pocono City Capitals): A punter by trade, Kallay is on the squad in case of an injury to either Colfer or Meadows. He has a powerful leg, so he can make the distances needed for FG attempts.

COACHING STAFF
Head Coach: Brett Nicholson, Springfield
Offensive Coordinator: Jarred Scott, Southport
Defensive Coordinator: Craig Sanders, South Charlotte
ST Coach: Dennis Hartman, Loudon

Secristan

27-07-2008, 14:18

Presenting the highest bidders to represent Secristan at World Bowl II:
(I don’t have the time to write out bios, so I’ll give a short description of the type of player these starters are.)

Offensive Starters

QB: #5- Tom Mitchell - Pocket Passer
HB: #33- Adam Pritchard - Sprinter, good cut back moves
FB: #44- Jake Pemberton - Outstanding blocker. Rarely gets carries
WR: #81- Paul Zambito- Possession Receiver
WR: #80- Johnnie Baker- Deep threat; speed burner
TE: #88- Brian Hammond- More of a third WR then a blocker.
LT: #62- Matt Cross- Extremely intelligent. Great pass protector.
LG: #66- Charles Burdick- Versatile in creating holes for the ground game.
C: #60- Scott Haines- Tons of experience. Great at getting the team calm and focused.
RG: #69- “Bubba” Jones- A very big man, as evidenced by his nickname.
RT: #68- Rick Geisser- Good blocker, but will lead the team in holding calls.

Defensive Starters (Using a 4-3 base)

LE: #92- Ahmad Dillon- Mean, very mean. Will get his sacks and likes to hit hard.
DT: #99- Kenneth Lincoln- Versatile for a DT, gets great penetration more often then not.
DT: #98- Mack Delmore- Very strong, can bench over 500lbs.
RE: #56- Shawn Rodgers- Gets off the block well. Solid all-around player.
ILB: #58- Ryan McGrout- Solid pass rusher and run stopper.
MLB: #94- Aaron Baxter- Very tempermental. VERY, will lead team in personal fouls.
OLB: #38- Kurt Bannister- Excels in pass protection, especially on the tight end.
LCB: #36- Curtis Henry- Tall and speedy, will be assigned to the opponent’s top WR.
RCB: #30- Dave Sinclair- Not as fast as Henry, but anticipates a receivers moves quite well.
FS: #21- Kellen Venter- Never gets caught out of position.
SS: #27- Larry Passaro- Nasty hitter. He’ll make you pay if you catch it in his area.

Special teams

K: #3- Kevin Rodney- An accurate kicker. Generally hits everything from 40 yards in. His career high is 54.
P: #10- Matt Fonti- Powerful leg, but an even better directional punter.

Offensive Backups:
QB: #11- Jerry Eiseman
QB: #7- George Wurth
RB: #32- Matt Garven
RB: #29- Ryan MacEwan
RB: #34- Shawn Lidestri
TE: # 89- Adam Noble
WR: #85- Tony Proctor
WR: #84- Kevin Robertson- KICK/PUNT RETURNER
WR: #86- Carl South
WR: #83- Pete Harris
WR: #82- Eric Chartwell
OL: #63- Theo Sidwell
OL: #64- Fred Garrison
OL: #61- Michael Oxford
OL: #65- Trent Zabrinsky
OL: #67- Edward Wofford

Defensive Backups:
DL: #93- Vince Tillery
DL: #97- Jeff Wilson
DL: #78- Andrew Jones
DL: #72- Otis Redmund
DL: #76- Quincy Merritt
LB: #75- Matt Kandlar
LB: #74- Scott Lawson
LB: #77- Dale Fredericks
LB: #73- Milton Karris
CB: #24- Oliver Pullara
CB: #25- Nate Dudley
CB: #35- Nick Hempstead
CB: #37- Phil Collier
CB: #48- Mario Izarrio

Backup Kickers:
K: #4- Brian Ford
P: #1- Chris Stephenson

Newmanistan

27-07-2008, 15:45

(This post will also have a link to it in the first post of the thread for it to be retrieved easily. Rosters will be linked on the first page as well in time for the first game.)

Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the official group draw for World Bowl II. Originally, I was leaning towards doing two groups of nine, but after trying to work out a schedule for that and finding it very cumbersome, I am going back to a the more conventional 3 groups of six.

First a few key things:
– Getting eight teams with three groups of six to advance to the knockouts is not an easy thing. But with a suggestion posted here in this how things will go:

– The top three teams in each group will head to Newmanistan for knockouts. Yes, I realize this makes nine. Of the three third place teams, the two with the worst overall record will have a “play in game” before the rest of the knockouts begin. The winner of that game becomes our eighth seed.

– Each team will play the other TWICE. Once at home. Once on the road. You will have 10 games overall, which works out nicely because there were 10 games in the group stage of World Bowl I as well.

– Games are scorinated using NSFootySim 2.7 in the same manner as they were in World Bowl I. Rankings are being instituted for the first time, however they will not hold anywhere close to the same value that RP bonus will. After World Bowl II, though, I may go into more of a World Cup type mode that will start to value rankings greater. But for now, it’s all about the RP. If you have zero World Bowl points, and you RP a lot, you have a shot at winning the World Bowl.
What makes a good RP? Well, looking at the names of the nations participating, I think you all are well aware of what does.

– I will scorinate all of my own Newmanistan games as well with the same standards that I will have for everyone else. I have better things to do then cheat at something I host, but if anyone has an objection to this and would like to scorinate Newmanistan’s games, then speak up. (I will not RP in the World Bowl anywhere near the amount I RP in other tournaments, by the way).

Tiebreaker criteria:
2 way: (Fortunately, unlike that other football/soccer, or baseball, the higher nature of gridiron scores make point differential a separator in 90% of the instances)
– Head to head; point differential; points for; tiebreaker game.

3or more:
– Head to head; point differential. If Point differential can only separate one team, that team advances. If a 4-or-more way tie, and PD separates two teams, those two “advance” to the 2 way tiebreak criteria. Then again, head to head, points for, tiebreaker game to determine the rest of the order.

GROUP DRAW INFORMATION
The Pots were as follows:
1- Dancougar, Arroza, Qazox
2- Taeshan, Kura-Pelland, Newmanistan
3- Rennidan, Bluth Corporation, Bettia
4- Unified Capitalizt States, Milchama, Swilatia
5- Sorthern Northland, Am3ricans, Lovisa
6- Secristan, kenavt, Kosovoe

And now, at last, your groups.

GROUP A
Arroza
Kura-Pelland
Bluth Corporation
Swilatia
Sorthern Northland
kenavt

GROUP B
Qazox
Taeshan
Bettia
Milchama
Am3ricans
Secristan

GROUP C
Dancougar
Newmanistan
Rennidan
Unified Capitalizt States
Lovisa
Kosovoe

The Schedule: RP CUTOFF TIME WILL BE AT APPROX 9 AM EDT (1-2 PM GMT) DAILY

MD1 (July 30)- 1 @ 3, 4 @ 2, 5 @ 6
MD2 (July 31)- 6 @ 3, 1 @ 4, 2 @ 5
MD3 (Aug 1)- 5 @ 1, 3 @ 4, 2 @ 6
MD4 (Aug 2)- 2 @ 3, 6 @ 1, 4 @ 5 (Aug 3 will be an off day as I will be out all day)
MD5 (Aug 4)- 1 @ 2, 4 @ 6, 3 @ 5
---- HALFTIME BREAK ----
MD6 (Aug 5)- 3 @ 1, 2 @ 4, 6 @ 5
MD7 (Aug 6)- 3 @ 6, 4 @ 1, 5 @ 2
MD8 (Aug 7)- 1 @ 5, 4 @ 3, 6 @ 2
MD9 (Aug 8)- 3 @ 2, 1 @ 6, 5 @ 4
MD10 (Aug 9)- 2 @ 1, 6 @ 4, 5 @ 3
— END GROUP STAGE: ALL GAMES NOW IN NEWMANISTAN ----

Teams are seeded: Group winners automatically the top 3 seeds. Remaining teams treated as “wild cards” and will be seeded according to record. The above tiebreak criteria will be used.

Aug 10: “Play in Game” #8 vs # 9 (winner will be the new “#8") @ Tundra Falls Proving Grounds
Aug 11: Quarterfinals
Game A- #1 vs #8 @ Pocono City Stadium
Game B- #4 vs #5 @ Loudon Stadium
Game C- #2 vs #7 @ Tundra Falls Proving Grounds
Game D- #3 vs #6 @ Dover Field

Aug 12: Semifinals
Game E: Winner Game A vs Winner Game B @ Tundra Falls Proving Grounds
Game F: Winner Game C vs Winner Game D @ Pocono City Stadium

Aug 13: Third Place Game: Loser Game E vs Loser Game F @ Loudon Stadium

*** WORLD BOWL II ***
Date: August 14th
Where: Tundra Falls Proving Grounds
Who: Winner Game E vs Winner Game F

Newmanistan

27-07-2008, 16:08

Also want to mention.... RP bonus now COUNTS!!!!

Milchama

27-07-2008, 16:14

Are there style modifiers? RP permission boxes? Anything else that should be included in our roster posts, besides a roster?

Qazox

27-07-2008, 16:37

(ooc: NEW, you did that on purpose, putting Taeshan and Myself in the same group, you cheeky bastard. There by ensuring that 2 of the stronger teams would beat each other up and maybe not qualify :wink:)

Bruxen Globe

Qazox Once again Qualifies for World Bowl

4 years ago, in Vephrall, this team lost in the quarterfinals of the Gridiron championship; 2 years ago, in Newmanistan, they lost in the Semifinals of the World Bowl I. Now here we are again, as Qazox attempts to win a Gridiron championship.

The road this time is difficult, as the team we defeated 2 years ago for 3rd place, Taeshan, who also just happen to be our biggest Gridiron rivals not only on the world stage, but in the Q-Continuum as well.

As for the other 4 teams; (Bettia, Milchama, Am3ricans, Secristan) they could pose problems. First, Bettia, they made the knockout last time around and they could be just as good again. Milchama, had a dissapointing run 2 years ago, look out for them to return with a vengance. Am3ricans, never heard of them, and therefore inherently dangerous, and finally is Secristan, who is trying to put together the best team money can buy.

The schedule is brutal as well:
MD1 @ Bettia
MD2 @ Milchama
MD3 vs. Am3rican @ Ox-Cola Stadium, Bruxen. Capacity 66,152
MD4 vs. Secristan @ Ox-Cola Stadium, Bruxen. Capacity 66,152
MD5 @ Taeshan
MD6 vs. Bettia @ SaxerDome, SaxerVilla. Capacity 85,000
MD7 vs. Milchama @ SaxerDome, SaxerVilla. Capacity 85,000
MD8 @ Am3rican
MD9 @ Secristan
MD10 vs. Taeshan @Qazian Memorial Stadium, Qazox City. Capacity 98,000

Kura-Pelland

27-07-2008, 16:54

Kura-Pelland Arrows are back. They've worked on their defence, especially their secondary, which should place their offence under less pressure to always score late touchdowns (granted, they seemed to thrive under that pressure last time). As such they now possess a 0 style modifier, from +1 last time. (PAT style is still logical.) Base offence is a straight I form, and on most plays the team will opt for various two-back sets with anything between one and three wide receivers. The team like to go no-huddle even if there's lots of time on the clock, simply as a change-up; this will still usually involve short-yardage plays, typically quick passes, and the intention is to use the offence's stamina to their advantage by wearing down the defence. The base defence is a 3-4, and the OLBs like to come close to the line of scrimmage. On short-yardage situations a 5-2 is deployed, on passing downs expect to see the nickel or dime but not the quarter.

The squad has been increased in size to 50 with the addition of a reserve kicker and punter for the worst-case scenario; the rest of the squad still consists of 23 players on both sides of the football.

This time round, there will be individual player guides. Players are listed in depth chart order for each position.

QUARTERBACKS
#7 Michael Bernard
Lacking in physical toughness but certainly not in mental toughness, quite possibly the coolest-headed quarterback in the world right now. Has a quick, accurate release but not the strongest arm.

#4 Dick Vernasse
The new star of Kura-Pellandi gridiron, the 23-year-old has a more powerful arm than Bernard, is quite willing and able to scramble, and is only getting better. Expect to see him used occasionally for a change of style to keep the defence guessing.

RUNNING BACKS
#32 Graham Illingworth
The main tailback, his key strengths are acceleration and awareness. He's also got the soft hands to be used as a backfield passing option, and in this short-passing offense he invariably is.

#38 Horace Buntley
A big brute of a fullback. A useful blocker, but loves nothing more than to run through defenders with ball in hand. He's the man you want on third and short.

#35 Dennis Murphy
A clear number two to Illingworth but he's got speed and agility and is the second-choice returner. Occasionally gets playing time in a split-back formation, especially when chasing a game.

WIDE RECEIVERS
#80 Giovanni Cassano
Has everything a wide receiver needs except blazing speed - height, soft hands and great awareness of where he is on the field. A possession receiver par excellence, and Bernard's go-to guy.

#83 Xavier Lecavalier
Also a possession receiver, though not quite in Cassano's class, he usually plays on the left with Cassano on the right.

#13 Charlton Fernandez
The main deep threat, ex-sprinter Fernandez is used on three-receiver sets and occasionally replaces Lecavalier. He's also the first-choice returner.

#88 Dominic Burton
Good but not great at everything. A well-rounded option for emergency situations.

#82 Duncan Turaley
Why is he still in the team?

TIGHT ENDS
#87 Bryan Torse
A great pass blocker, very occasionally used as a receiving option and picked up a couple of TDs last time around.

#81 Tom Tanfield
Primarily used as a run blocker on short-yardage plays.

OFFENSIVE TACKLES
#63 Alexander Constable
The biggest guy on the team at 2.09m and 163kg (6'10" and 359lbs). Particularly good at opening up holes for Illingworth. Starts at right tackle.

#66 Portis DeVille
Replaces the injured TJ Hatton as starting left tackle. If there's a weakness in this front five, he is it, but that's quite a big 'if'.

#61 Clive Hulton
The reserve left tackle is a finesse blocker but arguably undersized at 123kg (271lbs). There's talk of converting him to tight end, but the inclusion of Tanfield over receiving TE Ben Whitcroft probably rules that out for now.

#65 Freddie Kuscher
Nothing much to say about him. He's good, but not good enough to get ahead of Constable at right tackle.

OFFENSIVE GUARDS
#69 Stephan Sechsen
The starting right guard. He stinks. He's also a very good pass blocker and unusually mobile for a guard.

#70 Tristan Sloman
The starting left guard, very powerful and particularly good as a run blocker, so Illingworth is likely to prefer inside runs to the left and outside runs to the right - until he spots the defence shifting to combat that.

#77 Phil Cottee
The 22-year-old is going to be a legend some day. This isn't his day yet, but he'll be looking to make his mark on special teams.

#73 Marshall Shore
The same can be said of 23-year-old Shore, really. Though his run-blocking credentials mean he might be used over Sechsen on some plays.

CENTRES
#50 Dominic Harvest
As reliable a snapper as they come, he's also got good pass-blocking ability. An excellent technician.

#52 Harold Whyte
Bigger and stronger than Harvest, but his technique isn't so hot which is why he's number two.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES
#99 Stephen Oliseh
Weighing in at a monstrous 152kg (335lbs) and with great tackling ability, you won't want to meet Oliseh on any given Sunday.

#90 TC Morrison
Replaces Kris Carlton who quit over the lack of playing time he had, and in particular not being used in the short-yardage 5-2. Morrison might not get any more time but he's versatile, with surprising agility and acceleration.

DEFENSIVE ENDS
#95 Mack Grundig
While he's listed as a DE, he weighs the same as Oliseh. Converted to this position from DT, and he still plays there in the 5-2; he gets through a lot of left tackles and that can terrify quarterbacks, but his real strength is in stuffing the outside run. Leads the domestic league in tackles for losses.

#96 Frankie Colgrove
Has shot onto the scene after missing out on the first World Bowl through injury. Loves to blitz, and has blazing acceleration for a DE. Offers something different to...

#92 Kevin Silibo
...who was the choice at LE last time, thus completing the giant three-pronged defensive line that was the strategy then (Silibo is 148kg/326lbs). Silibo lacks the pace to be a true DE, but his run-stopping ability means he'll be used in the 5-2 for sure, though Colgrove will likely take his place in the 3-4.

#91 Max Belgrave
Well-rounded, more agile than Grundig and Silibo. Any playing time will be out wide in the 5-2.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
#54 KC Borsten
He's strong and fast enough to scare anyone, and has a penchant for blitzing. First choice on the right.

#58 Vincenzo Delgotti
On the left is his partner-in-crime. Delgotti's a little smaller and slower but his tackling is superb.

#55 Terry Dopella
More of a coverage option, and can play as an inside linebacker as well. Not a big hitter, but has excellent field awareness and is always looking for the pick. Second-string but still useful.

#51 Artur Harrison
Unlikely to see any playing time. He's pretty mediocre and is only here because of an injury to bright young thing Timothy Caldwell, who would have threatened Delgotti for a starting place.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS
#59 James Watton
A canny player who likes to spy on the quarterback or drop into coverage and look for picks while Borsten and Delgotti blitz.

#53 Harry Fish
Taken as a second-string player last time, but he's improved greatly since, he's a very well-rounded linebacker and his hits are big. He's still only 24 and his best years are to come.

#49 Gerry Lottora
A coverage linebacker, usurped by Fish but still capable of doing a job.

#57 Iain Benson-Wright
From the country's top university, Minsten University, where he gained a degree in medicine. He'll need injuries to get playing time, ironically - but at 23 and with less than a year as a pro, he's got plenty of potential left to exploit, and is already showing field awareness beyond his years.

CORNERBACKS
#28 Alex Nicholson
The 23-year-old prodigy who could revolutionise the defence. His electric pace and surprisingly hard hitting makes him a wide receiver's nightmare.

#29 Steve MacNaughton
Pick of the corners from last time around, and keeps his starting spot on the left. He's always keen to make a big play, and quite often blitzes.

#26 Aron Crispin
He'll mostly be used as a nickelback this time around. His demotion is how he's reminded of what he really is - a mediocre player who shouldn't have been a first-string player to start with.

#23 Terry Mills
The 24-year-old was seen as a controversial pick for the last World Bowl, and was used on just two downs. Now he's expected to be used quite a bit more, potentially ending Crispin's career.

#21 Alan Hemery
Young and fast, but lacks field awareness. Could be the next Mills though.

SAFETIES
#25 Kevin O'Toole
'The KO Tool' starts at strong safety, but he blitzes and hits like a linebacker. Wide receivers will run out routes just to avoid taking a tackle from him.

#20 Billy Spinks
The starting free safety is all about awareness and coverage. Invariably makes touchdown-saving tackles.

#27 Freddie Cockell
Threatening Spinks for a starting spot but his aggressive style might hold him back, as Spinks provides a dose of caution in a defence that really needs it.

#24 Paul Madeley
The 23-year-old replaces Don Wells in the squad and will eventually replace O'Toole at strong safety, not least because of his ability in zone coverage. O'Toole is too good to go yet though.

KICKERS
#12 Tim Pogley
An accurate kicker who thrives on clutch situations, but lacks power.

#11 Graham Brightman
Former soccer player converts to gridiron at the age of 22. Two years later he's at the World Bowl, and is expected to be used for long distance attempts and possibly kickoffs.

PUNTERS
#6 Graham Joel
Solid and reliable. Likely to take kickoffs.

#9 Alexis Tanfield
A hard worker but not the greatest talent. Has gained a cult following.

Newmanistan

27-07-2008, 17:17

For Milchama, and everyone else wanting to know: (Straight cut and paste from World Bowl I thread)

Extra Points/Two Point Conversions– The extra point is a very uneventful part of the NFL as the only time you’ll see one on Sportscenter is when one was botched. Therefore, a complicated formula for one is not necessary. According to a information I retrieved, the historic extra point success rate is 97.5%. Therefore, a random number, 1-100, will be generated per TD. If its 2.5 or above, the extra point will be successful.
– The same concept will be used for determining whether a 2-point conversion will be successful. According to the same source, the historic 2-point conversion success rate is 32%. Therefore, for a team with a “0"style modifier, a random number between 1-100 will be generated, and if its 32 or under, the conversion will be successful. Because offensive teams, in theory, are more likely to convert, I will add/subtract your style modifier to the 32. So if you are a +3, if it is 35 or under, it will be successful. If you are a -5, if you are 27 or under it will be successful.

When to go for two?
– At time of posting a roster, you will provide me with one of four options: always, aggressively, logically, or never.
It will be done as follows:
1) always/never= Self explanatory. You will either always kick an extra point or always go for two, no matter what.
2) aggressively= You will go for two every other TD.
3) logically= Here’s where it gets good. If the end result has you losing by one, and you scored at least one TD with an extra point, you will then have the extra point processed as a 2-point conversion and the shot at getting that additional point. If you lost by two, and you had at least 2 TD’s, you will get 2 cracks at 2-point conversions, and so on.

The deal with style modifiers:
This is where we factor in how offensive or defensively focused your team will be. +5 is the highest offensive setting, and -5 the highest defensive. This is my interpretation of the type of team each modifier number would likely produce:
+5: Your team will have a heavy pass based offense. You’d rather win 56-49 then 14-7.
+4: Still relatively pass based. But a little better defensively.
+3: Offensively focused, but with good run/pass balance.
+2: Offensive mainly focused on the run.
+1: A grind it out, run down the clock, running team.
0: Everything is balanced, but nothing stands out.
-1: Balanced, but with a bit of an edge to the defense.
-2: Defensively responsible, but you can score as well. Pittsburgh Steelers-ish.
-3: Strong defense, with an offense that can have its moments.
-4: Still defensively dominant, but your offense is not quite as lethargic as a -5.
-5: Defensively dominant, but not much offense. The Baltimore Ravens come to mind. You like winning 6-3.

With RP permissions, there hasn't been an established box of parameters, but I would recommend everyone mention what is and isn't allowed in the theme of other RP permission boxes you have used.

Taeshan

27-07-2008, 19:34

My Team is a -5 Team, and were logical

Secristan

28-07-2008, 15:45

MILLIONAIRES SEEK TO CRASH “Q” PARTY

The Group Draw for World Bowl II has been set, and Secristan is excited about our opportunity in the competition. The Millionaires were assigned to Group B, which is one of three groups of six. Each team will play the once at home and once on the road, and the top three teams from each group will head to Newmanistan to participate in the knockout stages. Should Secristan make it, it is possible that the team could enjoy somewhat of a homefield advantage, especially if we wind up in the games in Pocono City, which is just west of the Penthoria River, and our international border. Secristan, though, is not one of the favorites. There are two teams in Group B who stand tall above everyone else, and they have one thing in common. The letter Q, as in their home region, the Q Continuum. Naturally Qazox and Taeshan are excited about meeting each other, though both probably expect to advance to Newmanistan. Bettia and Milchama also will be tough opponents, so the road is tough. The Millionaires, in all fairness, are a considerable underdog as the group draw did them no favors. Group B looks like it has the potential to be a very active group. Quarterback Tom Mitchell is optimistic though, “Our team is capable of winning on any given day. Football is a tough and unpredictable sport. With that, we have confidence that we can make a strong showing here. Obviously it will not be easy, but we’re going to surprise some people.”

The Following is the Millionaires Schedule. All Secristan home games are played at the 72,000 seat Monopoly Stadium in Amherst. Secristan will use a nice neutral modifier of ZERO. With LOGICAL conversions.

MD1: vs Am3ricans
MD2: @ Bettia
MD3: vs Taeshan
MD4: @ Qazox (Ox-Cola Stadium, Bruxen)
MD5: vs Milchama
MD6: @ Am3ricans
MD7: vs Bettia
MD8: @ Taeshan
MD9: vs Qazox
MD10: @ Milchama

Taeshan

28-07-2008, 17:15

Draw bodes well for Fitin' Falcons

Yesterday Newmanistan football officials released the official groups for the second world bowl. With there being 3 groups of 6. The Falcons were placed in group 2 with such foes as Secristan, Milchama, and Qazox, but first before going over the Falcons groups we will talk about groups 1 and 3.

Group one fetures World Bowl one Champions Arroza. The Tar Hornets look to regain the trophy, but they will have to first get past the likes of Kura-Pelland, Bluth Corpration, Swilatia, Sorthern Northland, and Kenavt. The group will be competetive, but i think the Tar Hornets will advance with Kura-Pelland, and Sorthern Northland.

In group 3 we find the hated Dancougar side that stunned the Falcons in the last tournament and led to there final finishing place of fourth after Qazox a main rival defeated us. The Black Wings will have to surpass the Rockets of host Nemanistan, the Rennidan squad, United Capitalizt States, Lovisa and the Kosoveo Blue Tornado. The group finishings should leave the Rockets, Black Wings, and UCS in the finals.

Now to the Fitin' Falcons group 2. In group 2 you will find Qazox who defeated the Falcons for third place in the first World Bowl. You also have Bettia a team who will suprise everyone out there and be extremely competitive. Finally you have Milchama, and two newcomers Secristan, and Am3ricans. All 3 should compete for the 3 place spot. But there should be no suprises in group 2 as Taeshan, Qazox, and Bettia should easily advance past the first round.

Schedule
Home against Milchama @ Atlantea Coliseum
Away at Am3ricans
Away at Secristan @ Monopoly Stadium
Away at Bettia
Home against Qazox @ Fadron Pizza Field at Wonder Park(Home of the Wiechester Wonders football Team)
Away at Milchama
Home against Am3ricans @ Atlantea Coliseum
Home against Secristan @ Fadron Pizza feild at Wonder Park
Home against Bettia @ X Island Metropark
Away at Qazox @ Qazian Memorial Park

Dancougar

28-07-2008, 21:30

Dancougar News in Brief(s)
Because when the news is on the line, boxers won't cut it.

World Bowl II draw set: The Black Wings will begin their title defense in qualifying group C along with Newmanistan, Rennidan, the Unified Capitalizt States, Lovisa, and Kosovoe.

Tournament officials unveiled the qualifying round draw yesterday in order to whittle down the tournament's eighteen entries into a bracket of eight. There are three groups of six and the top three teams from each group advance to the final tournament. A play-in game between the teams seeded eighth and nineth after qualifying will be used to finalize the field.

Coach Will Moohim is expected to at least guide his team back to the semifinals, although he admits that even with all starters returning, it won't be an easy task. "Our team has been thoroughly studied," he said, "and teams only come back hungrier after you've knocked them out. The Falcons, for sure, are not going to forgive us!"

Current predictions put the Wings at 7-3 in group play, facing stiff competition from Newmanistan and Rennidan. But the Unified Capitalizt States is also a team on the verge of success, and Lovisa and Kosovoe are of unknown quality and could sneak in under the radar for a few upsets. "I look forward to seeing if we've still got our edge," said Moohim. "We're certainly going to go out there and grind the way we like to. To us, it's the way you're supposed to play the game."

All of Dancougar's home games during qualifying will be played at the 30,000 seat Jared Koeppel Memorial Stadium, known to locals as the "Jay Kay," at the University of Sullivan.

Fans eager to welcome Rockets: The home game against the Newmanistan Rockets is the most eagerly anticipated clash of the qualifying round based on ticket inquiries, according to team officials.

The Rockets and Black Wings have only met once on the gridiron: a 17-14 away win for the Black Wings in an exhibition before World Bowl I. In other sports, though, the Newmanistan has dominated, leading many to question if the two nations can really be considered as rivals. The Rockets have won two of their three association football meetings, including an Oxen Cup VI semifinal, and chalked up big wins in two IBC qualifying games.

Some fans, however, are quick to point out that all three association football meetings were decided by one goal and were hotly contested, and Dancougar sucks at basketball, anyway. "They're more evenly matched than the record indicates," said sports fan Derek Wildstar, conveniently forgetting how Newmanistan's Centralia Cougars whipped Port Royal FC during the recent TakilQuip Champions' Cup. "But Newmanistan always seems to bring it harder than most teams... I don't know, but I'm hoping it will be a close game!"

DSPN faces fines, possible sanctions: The nation's top-rated sports network has been fined $500,000 and may face additional punishment in the wake of an Oxen Cup VII reporting scandal.

DSPN, the home of the popular Sportscenter highlight program, received the punishment after a government investigation revealed poor journalistic practices and controls. The network was called out publicly by Land de Wood Prime Minister Andrew Wood for erroneous reports which affected his decision-making for several of his nation's qualifying round games. As the Prime Minister could not always communicate directly with his team in Qazox, his only recourse was to rely on the media's reports.

As a result of the ruling, several former interns sued the network for wrongful termination, claiming that they were blamed for what the government's report called "intrinsically flawed verification methods."

Rival network Airsport is expected to use the scandal to increase their own market share. The satellite network, which began broadcasting before Oxen Cup VII, also hopes to see increased ratings of its flagship highlight show, Airsport News.

Government warns fans against hooliganism: In an effort to prevent another Battle of Pocono City, government officials today announced that foreign police forces in nations Dancougar will visit have been given free reign to deport troublesome fans. The policy will be tested right away, with Dancougar's first matched scheduled away at Rennidan in a dingy old warehouse, which seems to be the perfect place for some hard-nosed football and knife fighting.

Following a brawl with Arrozan fans before the final of World Bowl I, a few dozen hardcore American football fans formed the Black Wing Brigade, which has since seen its membership swell to around 400. Brigade members on several web forums have already called for fans to travel en masse to opposing stadiums to "blast opposing fans and players with obscenities and notorious anti-cheers, and thrash anyone who doesn't like it." Dancougar government officials have tried to downplay the threat, but does plan to increase security at Dancougar home games.

The Brigade is seen as much less friendly than the much larger Three Yards Club, which likes to sing its polka fight sing during long breaks in the game and has also been seen waving the Horrible Hand-Towels made popular by the association football national team.

Sportsman Erika opening theme revealed: Just in time for World Bowl II, the studio behind the anime adaptation of Shugo Unohana's Pretty Sportsman Erika has revealed the group behind the opening theme song, 'Fourth and Ten.'

Pop group Pierce the Heavens made waves earlier this year with their debut single, 'Divine Combination.' Their energy and youth was seen as a perfect fit for the show, which, in its manga form, has already introduced tens of thousands of people, mostly teenagers, to American football. "We're proud to announce that Pierce the Heavens will be working with us to produce music for the show," stated the official production blog. "Like many of their songs, 'Fourth and Ten' is an upbeat tune that urges listeners to think the unthinkable and fight the power."

Earlier this week, the studio announced that voice actress Keiko Minami, who had been cast in the title role of Erika Terajima, would sing the show's ending theme, 'Heartbeat.'

Arroza

29-07-2008, 01:49

Atalanta Constitution: Special Section (Part I)

All You Ever Wanted To Know About World Bowl 2! (And some stuff you didn’t want to know.)

Front Page: Group Draw Released in Newmanistan.
Pocono City, Newmanistan –
In a ceremony watched by several thousand people live, and over 2 billion football fans around the world, Newmanistan’s Princess Jessica was not in attendance for the World Bowl II draw, but that didn’t stop the post from being filled with the ping-pong balls, and the teams from being selected in professional fashion. As the second place finisher in the inaugural World Bowl, the Tar Hornets were in the 1st seed pool, and didn’t have to worry about playing Qazok or Dancougar in the group stage. Arroza, was actually the first country out of the hat, and is spearheading group 1, with the following teams: Kura-Pelland, Bluth Corporation, Swilatia, Sorthern Northland, and kenavt.

Page 3: Newmanistan Government Issues Warning to Arroza, Dancougar.
Pocono City – Newmanistan
In a warning that seemingly couldn’t wait until the respective favorites of their groups could get to Newmanistan, the Newmanistan government sent a strongly worded memo to officials at the Arrozan Department of Sport, who then leaked the news as fast as they possibly could. According to the memo, a fight like the one that happened at World Bowl I between drunken supporters of both sides will not be tolerated anymore, and that all criminals from Arroza caught in Newmanistan would be prosecuted to the fullest extent on local law and customs. This news should help to stop vigilante groups like Dancougar’s Black Wing Brigade, and Arroza’s All-Blacks from being allowed to travel into Newmanistan, or cause anymore violence. As for the inter-regional games, the Arrozan Government sees no need to heighten security for any of the games, except for the home game against Sorthern Northland on Matchday 3.

Page 4: Group A Schedules

MD1 (July 30)- Arroza @ Bluth Corporation, Swilatia @ Kura-Pelland, Sorthern Northland @ kenavt

MD2 (July 31)- kenavt @ Bluth Corporation, Arroza @ Swilatia, Kura-Pelland @ Sorthern Northland

MD3 (Aug 1)- Sorthern Northland @ Arroza, Bluth Corporation @ Swilatia, Kura-Pelland @ kenavt

MD4 (Aug 2)- Kura-Pelland @ Bluth Corporation, kenavt @ Arroza, Swilatia @ Sorthern Northland

MD5 (Aug 4)- Arroza @ Kura-Pelland, Swilatia @ kenavt, Bluth Corporation @ Sorthern Northland

---- HALFTIME BREAK ----

MD6 (Aug 5)- Bluth Corporation @ Arroza, Kura-Pelland @ Swilatia, kenavt @ Sorthern Northland

MD7 (Aug 6)- Bluth Corporation @ kenavt, Swilatia @ Arroza, Sorthern Northland @ Kura-Pelland

MD8 (Aug 7)- Arroza @ Sorthern Northland, Swilatia @ Bluth Corporation, kenavt @ Kura-Pelland

MD9 (Aug 8)- Bluth Corporation @ Kura-Pelland, Arroza @ kenavt, Sorthern Northland @ Swilatia

MD10 (Aug 9)- Kura-Pelland @ Arroza, kenavt @ Swilatia, Sorthern Northland @ Bluth Corporation

OOC: RP Permissions
Don’t do anything permanent to my players if you RP first (I.E. you can say they’re injured, just not for the rest of the tournament.)
Try to let me know if you’re going to do something off the wall like man-eating desserts.
Everything else should be cool.

Qazox

29-07-2008, 04:40

Bruxen Globe

New Bruxen Casino Posts Lines

The early betting lines for each team in the 2nd World Bowl:

GROUP A
Arroza: 3-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 7.5 wins in group.
Kura-Pelland: 12-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 6.5 wins in group.
Bluth Corporation: 15-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 5.5 wins in group.
Swilatia: 25-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 4.5 wins in group.
Sorthern Northland: 40-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 3.5 wins in group.
kenavt: 75-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 1.5 wins in group.

GROUP B
Qazox: 5-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 7.5 wins in group.
Taeshan: 6-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 7.0 wins in group.
Bettia: 18-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 5.5 wins in group.
Milchama: 30-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 4.5 wins in group.
Am3ricans: 70-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 2.5 wins in group.
Secristan: 40-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 4.0 wins in group.

GROUP C
Dancougar: 4-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 8.0 wins in group.
Newmanistan: 10-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 6.0 wins in group.
Rennidan: 25-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 5.5 wins in group.
Unified Capitalizt States: 25-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 5.5 wins in group.
Lovisa: 45-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 3.5 wins in group.
Kosovoe: 80-1 to win World Bowl, over/under: 1.0 wins in group.

Early lines for Qazox' Games:
MD1 @ Bettia (Qazox +4.5)
MD2 @ Milchama (Qazox +3.5)
MD3 vs. Am3rican (Qazox +9.5)
MD4 vs. Secristan (Qazox +7.5)
MD5 @ Taeshan (Qazox -2.0)
MD6 vs. Bettia (Qazox +6.5)
MD7 vs. Milchama (Qazox +6.5)
MD8 @ Am3rican (Qazox +5.5)
MD9 @ Secristan (Qazox +4.5)
MD10 vs. Taeshan (Qazox +2.5)

Milchama

29-07-2008, 04:45

For Milchama, and everyone else wanting to know: (Straight cut and paste from World Bowl I thread) <snip>

OOC: New- you should probably post this at the top of every World Bowl until the system changes. They still do that for every roster thread in the WC for example. Oh and look at my roster post for changes.

IC:
New Babylon Times of doom-Dispatch-Sun-Cheese-Pirate-Pilot-Bob

Sports Section

Draw Up. Gridiron fans excited

While by far the biggest sporting event of the last week was Milchama's foray into international warball, losing to Zactairn Prime by a measly two (not to mention the great resurgence of the Milchama City Avenues in the MBL), the World Bowl 2 draw was also announced. Milchama were drawn in Group B along with other teams. Let's have a look at them while going through the infamous Milchamian predictions:

GROUP B
Qazox- THEM! The Oxen lovers! Bastards! They cost us World Cup glory! Bastards! We NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED to win! I cannot emphasize that enough. NEED TO WIN. And we will don't worry. Bastards.
Taeshan- Them we might actually lose to. I'm not really sure. Don't really know much about international gridiron. They just seem to know what they are doing. They also are arrogant bastards. Only we can do that! No arrogance from those bird lovers! Victory shall be ours!
Bettia- They don't like red. We're Milchama, we're wearing red. Our dead guys beat them in the quarters of AOCAF, we should easily beat them here as well with actual live players. Another win for the Warriors.
Milchama- That's us. We can't defend, we barely have gridiron players and we sucked last time out. That should be an easy win.
Am3ricans- Numbers in a nation name? That's low class. Probably like their gridiron team. We eat up teams like this for lunch and maybe dinner also. Easy win for the Warriors.
Secristan- Their capitalists. They are called the millionaires. For a socialist country like ours that should be all the incentive to win (still can't help beat UCS though, whatever, they're not UCS). Therefore they must be bad and capitalist and we will stop them! Another win for the Warriors.

So as you can see these predictions are much more accurate than our old predictions. And you can trust us because we are experts.

Qazox

29-07-2008, 05:10

(ooc: We ain't Ox lovers no more, Milch...lol;))

Rennidan

29-07-2008, 11:47

Stupidity.

It's something that is pretty common in today's world. Take, for instance, a man stupid enough to take on two other men in a fight. That would count as 'simple stupidity'. Take then, for instance, a man who would take on three other men in a fight. We'll call that 'sheer stupidity'.

So then, what is it we label the man who is stupid enough to take on four men in a fight? Is he 'unbelievably stupid'? Does he suffer from 'superior stupidity'? Is he simply the 'stupidest'?

No.

This man, we call 'brave'.

_________

Angry Rennidan Fan: Launches Scathing Attack on Black Wing Brigade. (http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk176/rennidan/Untitled-343.png)
OoC: Uuuh, just one thing, that IS a link above. In my current state of unwellness, I forgot that I needed to change the 'date added' on that image. So... imagine it's today’s date. xD

The leader of the Rennidan Brutes' thuggish supporter squad 'Brute Force', Michael McDavies, has let rip at Dancougar's hooligan group, the 'Black Wing Brigade'. In his one and a half minute rant, McDavies tells that 'if the Brigaders want a fight, they've got a fight' and how the fact that the Brigade outnumbers the Brute Force by roughly four-to-one because 'they'll never have as much heart as [Brute Force]'.

The video, posted on YouTube, has already received a large number of views, and officials believe this could generate a larger following for Brute Force than they currently have, possibly tripling their number by the time the first match between Rennidan and Dancougar kicks off later this week in the heart of Rennidan's Industrial District. City officials are said to be leaving the fans to get up to what they want. Rennidan has a long history of leaving the Industrial District alone when it comes to criminal affairs happening within it. The technique is shown to have worked well, as, whilst the crime rate in that particular District is the highest in Rennidan, since implementing the unofficial 'law', the crime rates around other districts have dropped drastically.

Whilst other nations may frown upon how Rennidan is dealing with the situation of hooliganism, it must be said that at least we're promised a memorable match from the very start.

Bettia

29-07-2008, 12:54

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/bettia/cgub1.gif

The Bettian Union WorldBowl Squad - Enter The Dragons

The Cymdeithas Gridiron yr Undeb Bettiaidd (Gridiron Association of the Bettian Union) has announced the 45-man combined Bettian and Northern Bettian squad representing the two nations - the Bettian Dragons. In keeping with your average Bettian's Takilan leanings and Northern Bettia's aggressive nature, spectators can be sure of plenty of ambitious passing plays, hard tackling and a lot of blitzes (or at least, attempted blitzes). The team's kit shows this blending of national characteristics by utilising the primary colours of the two nation's flags, green and orange. The coaching staff have also been preparing the team rigorously, with special emphasis on going for two-point conversion plays at every opportunity - that's the Northern Bettian side of the team psyche again, always wanting to inflict as much punishment as possible without bothering to consider the consequences.

Style Modifier: +5 (or the maximum possible)
Two-Point Conversions: Always
RP Permissions: Anything goes, short of killing or maiming anyone.
Team Colours:
1st Kit: Orange helmets with green facemask and trim, green shirts with orange trim, orange pants
2nd Kit: Two-tone gold helmets, shirts and pants

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/bettia/bettiagridiron.gif

Players to watch:
The Bettian squad features a number of versatile players able to play in a range of positions whenever the need arises. Nick Woods from Huwbridge has a very quck turn of speed that has made him a feared Wide Receiver and Running Back, but it is also as a Gunner that he has made a name for himself, bearing down on the opposition's Kick Receiver as fast as possible to try and prevent any major gains from kickoffs and punts. Likewise, Gabalfa's Jamal Tucker has shown himself to be an adept Running Back, Linebacker and Kick Receiver. At Quarterback, Andy Andover was the star of Downton's AroraBowl winning squad and was a major transfer coup by league newcomers Gloucester, and the Bettian team management will be hoping he replicates that form here.

Quarterbacks

1. Andy Andover - Gloucester Cherrywhites (QB)
32. Olly Konaha - Minini Fearless (QB/DB)
13. Tom Blackthorne - Gabalfa Thrashers (QB)

Running Backs

4. Leo Asahara - Agetegri Rage (RB)
45. Ieuan Bell - Pen-y-Bydd Reapers (RB/LB)
26. Simon Brockworth - Gloucester Cherrywhites (RB)
7. Richie Frampton - Downton Eagles (RB/WR)
38. Andy Spratt - Akani Sands Destroyers (RB/LB)
19. Jamal Tucker - Gabalfa Thrashers (RB/LB/KR)
10. Nick Woods - Huwbridge Hammers (RB/WR/GUN)

Wide Receivers

81. Rick Beckford - Agetegri Rage (WR)
7. Richie Frampton - Downton Eagles (RB/WR)
97. Idris Jones - Deudegg Dderw Bears (WR)
98. Dewi Miratu - Subarnas Volcanos (WR)
87. Ishmail Williams - Southward Ho! Hitmen (WR/K)
10. Nick Woods - Huwbridge Hammers (RB/WR/GUN)
82. Abu Sakura - Tamrida Warriors (WR/KR)

Tight Ends

80. Danny Sulyard - Huwbridge Hammers (TE)
84. Will Cholen - Spiddaford Spiders (TE)
89. Nadim Keondre - Thymeford Titans (TE)
91. Mike Rollo - Ceffinton Turbos (TE)
99. Sam Milton - Pifton Ifrits (TE)

Offensive Linemen

73. Joe Chise - Anyuna Giants (OL)
62. Ashley Ghain - Pifton Ifrits (OL)
76. Glyn Hafren - Porthbalfa Blazers (OL)
64. Padarn Hancock - Pen-yr-Heol Hurricanes (OL)
77. Inoichi Hoseki - Agetgeri Rage (OL)
68. Lewis Jones - Downton Eagles (OL)
70. Tom Nielford - Lorshill Lions (OL)
57. Tom Overton - Bettialis Blasters (OL)
50. Martyn Seddenham - Gloucester Cherrywhites (OL/DE)
61. Ashley Sunaga - Anyuna Giants (OL)

Defensive Linemen

16. Alun ap Iorwerth - Sharluta Strike (DE)
27. Chris Hutchings - Pen-yr-Heol Hurricanes (DE)
28. Nick Miyuki - Anyuna Giants (DE)
49. Ali Hussain - Fiilghud Chargers (DL)
30. Colin Hutchings - Gabalfa Thrashers (DL)
50. Martyn Seddenham - Gloucester Cherrywhites (OL/DE)

Defensive Backs

11. Aaron Daniels - Downton Eagles (DB)
32. Ben Dunmore - Anyuna Giants (DB)
43. Sameh Fidari - Tamrida Warriors (DB)
34. Matt Harris - Porthbalfa Blazers (DB)
25. Mark Hitchins - Pen-yr-Heol Hurricanes (DB)

Linebackers

45. Ieuan Bell - Pen-y-Bydd Reapers (RB/LB)
36. Da'ud Crisp - Pifton Ifrits (LB)
37. Dave Hartley - Lorshill Lions (LB)
9. Mirkanala - Subarnas Volcanos (LB)
38. Andy Spratt - Akani Sands Destroyers (RB/LB)
19. Jamal Tucker - Gabalfa Thrashers (RB/LB/KR)
39. Ashi Walid - Sukatra Sabres (LB)
40. Rashid Power - Pontybalfa Panthers (LB)

Special Teams

19. Jamal Tucker - Gabalfa Thrashers (RB/LB/KR)
87. Ishmail Williams - Southward Ho! Hitmen (WR/K)
10. Nick Woods - Huwbridge Hammers (RB/WR/GUN)

Secristan

29-07-2008, 15:36

GAMBLERS RAID NEW BRUXEN WEBSITE

The New Bruxen Casino in Qazox saw their website get a ton of traffic from addresses originating in Secristan this morning due to a betting line published by the them. It wasn’t necessarily the 40-1 odds for the team to win the World Bowl that had them drooling, it was the 4.0 wins over/under that had them quickly registering and wagering on the site. Said one gambler wishing to remain anonymous, “4 wins? We can get 4 wins. Playing the over was a no brainer. I put down a lot of rusas on that, and I can’t wait until I win by bet.” That was the common theme amongst most of the gamblers we spoke with, believing that the Millionaires will easily get 4 wins. “At worst, you get a refund if its 4.0 wins,” said another anoynmous better, “It’s a very safe bet. You only lose if we get 3 wins or less. I’m confident that will get two against Am3ricans. They’ll find two more somewhere else. I expect that we will be in the thick of things to advance to Newmanistan.” One of the bigger gamblers was Jason Duncan, a member of the Secristan Department of Wagering, “Two words. No Brainer.”

I confess, this articles author just put down three months salary on the over, myself.

Dancougar

29-07-2008, 16:10

Dancougar News in Brief
Because there are no penguins this time, we need something else to make this interesting.

Brigade books charter flights: The Black Wing Brigade plans to take advantage of the lax laws in the Rennidan Industrial District, where the teams will meet for their first World Bowl qualifier.

The entire Brigade has made travel arrangements despite warnings from the Dancougar government that hooliganism will not be tolerated. With the Rennidan government completely silent about the issue, and fans from both sides already heating up the internet in a war of words, police chief Kento Ilita said today that there was no legal roadblock preventing the fans from leaving.

"They haven't done anything wrong yet," he said simply, "and we don't have the sweeping power that we used to in order to nip these things in the bud." The police chief cited growing concerns that the voluntary relaxing of government power has allowed crime to pick up all over the country.

"It's sad, really, that these people call themselves fans," said sports ministry official Mike Trenton. "It surprises me that, in this day and age, we should see these people tarnish the gentlemanly sport of American football." The interview was concluded abruptly as this reporter began laughing his ass off.

Brigade leaders have been drumming up support all week after one Rennidan fan's verbal berating achieved cult status on YouTube.

Silver and black to leave Brutes black and blue? Members of the Black Wing Brigade have taken to purchasing mock armor, chainmail, helmets, and other equipment to build their intimidating appearance at the upcoming World Bowl II qualifier in Rennidan.

"Football is a war!" declared Brigade leader Joe Moore. "We need to show our support for the boys on the field. They have their armor, and we have ours. They don't back down, and we don't back down."

The team has adopted silver as the secondary color to the team's official black partially in the response to the easygoing Three Yards Club, which has chosen to go with black and gold. Members of the Club are also traveling to the game, but haven't said much about the whole ordeal.

"We're going to enjoy the game, not fight a war," said one. "We'll steel ourselves against their raid."

Dancougar team officials are worried about the climate this will produce for the home game with Rennidan, as well as matches with other teams. "We don't want to give them the wrong impression," said security manager Frank Hornsby. "This is just a handful of fans causing trouble for trouble's sake."

Rennidan

29-07-2008, 16:39

We're open. We're honest. We know what we are here. We don't prance around it with fancy words or comparisons to 'ferocious' animals. We know we're not birds, or lions, or wolves, or mythical fire-breathing beasts.

We are what we are.

And we are brutes.

_________

"Yo'! You better be shuttin' yo' mouth, man."

Needless to say, Owen Powis was a big man with a big voice. Actually, he was the biggest man on Rennidan's team, and even dwarfed most players in other teams. Not only was he a healthy six foot, one inch high, he was also an unhealthy 423lbs. Yeah, sure, he had muscle, but it was muscle wrapped up in stringy, goopy fat. Right now, big-man Owen was sat inside a BeffyQuick, Rennidan's most popular fast-food chain. He was sat alone as his team mates, and good close friends, were currently in the toilets regretting their choice of going supersize on their Mountain Dew. Across the room from him was a twenty-something, wise-ass college boy, surrounded by his like minded, preppy, Stepford friends. This particular wise-ass had, ahem, noticed that Owen was 'rather large' and had decided to bring it to Owen's attention.

In the world I'm from, we call that a 'big mistake'.

You don't make fun of a bull for being fat, because you know that if you taunt a bull, you're gonna' end up being pretty damn fecked.

And, ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you. Right here, right now? This situation with Owen 'Holy Shit It's The Moon' Powis? It's pretty much the same damn thing.

Mess with him, he's gonna' mess with you.

And it's gonna' hurt worse than a bull.

So then, with that in mind, let's get back on track.

"By the looks of things, I don't think I'm the one that needs to shut my mouth."

"Man, I swear to Nature, you're makin' one big ol' mistake here, ya' scrawny college boy."

"What are you going to do about it, fatty? It's not like you're gonna' catch me."

"Nope, he probably won't. But I bet I could." Came the holler from the toilet doors. Standing there was Nick Stow, hitching up his jeans slightly. Behind Rennidan's fastest linebacker stood four other men, each of which were muscular, mean and meant business. In Rennidan, insulting ones friend isn't taken kindly to, and this bonds are built even stronger when the friends in question come from a life in the Industrial District.

Now, at a time like this, it would be wise for one to hold their tongue. When you're speaking to a group of men who relish in hitting people, and hitting them bloody hard at that, it's never the best idea to tell them to go have sexual intercourse with themselves.

Unfortunately, college boy did just that.

_________

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk176/rennidan/Untitled-2.png

BROKEN RIBS TO GO, PLEASE.

Sensationally, the sport of 'American Football' has claimed an injury even before Rennidan's unofficial team has kicked off. At a local BeffyQuick near the Oldtown-Industrial District border, 22 year old Dawson Roberts, a student at Oldtown University, engaged in an insult-slinging match with Rennidan Brutes defensive lineman Owen Powis. It is said that Roberts verbally assaulted Powis over his weight, and Powis repeatedly warned the college-goer off, but to no avail. When the insults were reaching their peak, a group of Powis' friends and team-mates stepped in to try and halt the incident from going any further, but when Roberts insulted them as well, the defensive players of the Brutes decided to show him what's what. After a brief, heavy skirmish between Powis' friends and Roberts' friends, in which the Brutes' suffered no injuries what-so-ever, Roberts was left on the floor with a broken arm. Not satisfied with the pain already caused, Powis decided to give Roberts' hospital trip a more 'personal' touch, and, with his friends help, climbed atop a nearby party-sized table, and leapt off onto Roberts' prone body. The resulting injury was five broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

There is still no word from the authorities on what action is to be taken, but we advise everyone to stay away from any member of the unsanctioned Rennidan Brute's American Football team.

WAR?

Today, Michael McDavies, head of the Rennidan hooligan squad 'Brute Force, accepted the Brigade leader Joe Moore's cry for war, but at the same time shunned the Brigade for choosing to nab armour for the upcoming match.

Joe Moore recently went on record in Dancougar as saying "Football is a war! We need to show our support for the boys on the field. They have their armor, and we have ours. They don't back down, and we don't back down." It is here that McDavies points out that, whilst Dancougar's team has the finances and backing to be able to afford padding, the Rennidan Brutes actually play without any formal protection. It is because of this that Brute Force hooligans will not be copying their rivals act of getting 'lame' metal armour, but instead will be buying items that make them seem more 'barbarian', with animal pelts and leather belts becoming a Brute Force uniform. Many of the 'Brute Force' are also getting the Brute's logo tattooed to their chest in the traditional Rennidan green, as well as having their bodies painted in Rennidan tribal war paint in this weeks upcoming match.

Officials are still silent on what they plan to do about the hooligans, but have assured that fans who are just there to watch and enjoy the match will be looked after. Hospitals and ambulance services have also been preparing for the suspected influx of trauma causes which will erupt from both on and off pitch collisions, especially now that Brute Force membership has swelled to match the Brigade's number of roughly four hundred.

Swilatia

29-07-2008, 18:46

Oh, no, I won't stay
you won't make me stay!
Done with you today!
I'm not going to stay!
----
You're listening to channel 317 from Narmora, Swilatia. We're a channel you've never heard of, from a city you've never heard of. And yet we have the broadcast of the World Bowl, even if it's because no-one else wanted it.

...Wait? Swilatia has an American football team? Why?

Well, entering on tournaments for sports we don't actually play over here seems to be the new fad really. We also entered the World Baseball Classic after all. We're kind of tired of being known only for WorldVision.

Why don't we just enter the World Cup?

'Cause we never qualify for that anyway?

Well we got close to it anyway? Do we have a team this time?

No, they're going for the blank kits with no names on them approach again. We do have a stadium this time though. American Football Stadium or something like that. It's right here in Narmora, in an attempt to put this "city" on the map. Except this city doesn't have an airport, so they're going to have to take the train from Wenesia. And the InterCity doesn't go here, so they're going to have to take a pospieszny, something most Swilatians never had to do in their entire lives.

Wow, they must really not like american football here.

No, we don't really, we know we're going to lose all our matches anyway, so we won't even bother taking a look at our group. I'd rather just be playing WorldVision dropout songs on the channel, like we usually do.
----
Tell me if I seem like I in a-

Milchama

29-07-2008, 22:20

OOC: Qazox when was the the last time we had accurate information in the Milchamian press? We once created a werewolf because of a misreport about who was on which team.

It don't matter.

Dancougar

29-07-2008, 22:45

OOC: Qazox is still reeling from the Sportscenter debacle... obviously his perception of the media has been twisted FOR~EV~AR.

Sorthern Northland

30-07-2008, 00:41

The Sorthern Northland WorldBowl Squad

The Sorthern Northland Association of Gridiron (SNAG) has announced it's 45 man squad of confused men in loads of armour. The team will attempt to work out the rules of the game as they go along and will probably go for touchdowns in the wrong places and tackle the wrong man or something. The team's kit shows is made up of a claret tops, white pants (pants in the British English sense, the players got confused) and plenty of armour to limit mobility. The coaching staff have also been preparing the team rigorously, with special emphasis on going for two-pint conversion downing of beer at every opportunity - that's the Sorthern way, always wanting to inflict as much punishment as possible without bothering to consider the consequences.

Style Modifier: +5 (or the maximum possible)
Two-Point Conversions: Yep
RP Permissions: Anything goes, short of killing or maiming anyone.
Team Colours:
1st Kit: Claret helmets with white facemask and trim, Claret shirts with white trim, white pants with claret trim
2nd Kit: Green helmets, shirt and socks, black pants

Quarterbacks

11. Keith Dick - (QB)
32. George Harry - (QB)
13. Barry Tom - (QB)

Running Backs

4. Adam Johnson - (RB)
45. Dylan Thomas - (RB/LB)
26. Alejandro Holmes - (RB)
7. Dominic Phillips - (RB/WR)
38. Tyler Matthews - (RB/LB)
19. Ryan Warren - (RB/LB/KR)
10. Kelly Brady - (RB/WR/GUN)

Wide Receivers

81. Durell Antoine - (WR)
7. Brucie Gubbins - (RB/WR)
97. Darell Johnson - (WR)
98. Moses Henderson (WR)
87. Wilson Woodson (WR/K)
10. Shuvel Elriod - (RB/WR/GUN)
82. Pruit Igoe - (WR/KR)

Tight Ends

80. Donny Druid - (TE)
84. James Ward - (TE)
89. Elliot O'Neil - (TE)
91. Jonny Hanson - (TE)
99. Enda Flanagan - (TE)

Offensive Linemen

65. James Moore (OL)
62. Shawn Loos - (OL)
76. Glyn Jones - (OL)
64. Floyd Broke - (OL)
77. Inagawi Jakomin - (OL)
68. DiMarco Hernandez - (OL)
70. Danny Pearson - (OL)
57. Ossel Ling - (OL)
50. Rosi Di Maggio (OL/DE)
61. Bernard Dupéré - (OL)

Defensive Linemen

16. Lewin Gafforth - (DE)
27. Johnson Clemmits - (DE)
28. Carlos Valverde - (DE)
49. Javier Ventuso (DL)
30. Charlie Ward - (DL)
50. John Bonmerde - (OL/DE)

Defensive Backs

11. Tyrone Jol - (DB)
32. Ben Dunlevy - (DB)
43. Sami Fisher - (DB)
34. Lloyd Jenkins - (DB)
25. Harput Singh - (DB)

Linebackers

45. Byron Lita - (LB)
51. Dave Goode - (LB)
37. Claude Lagacé - (LB)
9. Ronald Leftwich - (LB)
38. Jerimie Allere - (RB/LB)
19. Kemel Oblick - (RB/LB/KR)
39. Chris Auriel - (LB)
40. Aurel Dumitrescu (LB)

Special Teams

19. Radomir Popp - (K)
87. Niek De Graaff - (K)
10. Taher Schreiner - (P)

Qazox

30-07-2008, 03:37

Wasn't this supposed to start today?

AND (ooc: to Secristan: In Qazox, if a bet is a push, you get only 75% back, not a full refund., so you better hope you go 5-5 or better or else there will be a bunch of poor people in your country)

Sorthern Northland

30-07-2008, 03:40

It's starting on 30th July. Or later today if it's 03:39 where you happen to be. :D

Arroza

30-07-2008, 05:41

It's starting on 30th July. Or later today if it's 03:39 where you happen to be. :D

Nope, you're 6 hours ahead of anti-civilization. It's still Tuesday.

Dancougar

30-07-2008, 05:41

Dancougar News in Brief
Some networks sleep. Others stay up writing the god damn news.

Wings develop plan for Powis: After news broke in Rennidan earlier today that national team member Owen Powis turned a college student into a human pancake. The student miraculously avoided being consumed by Rennidan guard Wayne Willas, who is rumored to carry a bottle of Log Cabin on his person at all times in case of a serious breakfast emergency.

Faced with the prospect of a four-hundred-pound-plus behemoth on the defensive line, Black Wing coach Will Moohim has formulated a plan which running back Kirk Hatchitt was kind enough to share with us, at least in part. "Run hella fast," said Hatchitt. When it was pointed out that the speedy Rennidan defensive backs like to break people, Hatchitt gulped and then shrugged. "Run hella faster?"

Scientist publishes white paper; no one cares: University of Helmut professor Frederick von Steuben released a paper earlier today entitled "The Orbital Mechanics of Owen Powis," which has already generated a great deal of controversy.

"Ve heff determined," announced professor von Steuben, "amoongst usser sinks, zat a player at mex speed, aboot feefteen meeters a second, vould need to pess vissin about two nano-eenches of Oven's center of mess to be drawn eento a circular orbit." He went on to say that this would never be observed directly because, at that distance, the poor bastard's already been tackled.

Moore to Rennidan fans: "Cry me a river": Joe Moore says he refuses to feel any shame after he and his Black Wing Brigade were called out for their medieval get-up.

"Those goons think this is all just for show?" he challenged. "I say let them find out for themselves! They're going to dress like a bunch of wild animals, fine! I like that. They've got some fight in them. Romans and Goths, let's do this!"

Outside observers, including those beyond the fourth wall, say that all of this buildup is going to seem pretty ridiculous without some seriously epic football. Given DSPN's track record, we're not sure what to expect.

Police chief Ilita also says that while Rennidan's lack of action in the run-up to the game is only inviting trouble, he says it may be better for Dancougar in the long run. "They seem to enjoy getting out of here and running amok," Ilita said. "So wouldn't be fortunate for them if they were refused re-entry because someone on our end accidentally lost all their paperwork? In a fire? That we set?"

Rennidan

30-07-2008, 07:24

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk176/rennidan/BRUTES.png

Rennidan: Matchday One Preview.

RENNIDAN versus DANCOUGAR

Weather: We're in a warehouse! That leaks! So we're going to say 'mildly moist'.

Expected Attendance: Barbarians and knights!

One thing that I can't help but giggle like a prepubescent schoolgirl about is the fact that this match's publicity is being directed at the games to be played off of the pitch (not that the warehouse HAS any grass or anything). It seems in all the drama of Brute Force versus the Black Wing Brigade, we have forgotten that the teams themselves are actually playing.

So let's see how the teams stack up.

Firstly, we have Dancougar. They're World Bowl Champions. They have proper kits, a proper stadium and a proper education. All good and well then.

Then we have Rennidan. They're not even the same team as the last World Bowl, they play in their casual clothes without any protection, they play in a dingy old warehouse bought for a couple of bob, and most of them flunked kindergarten.

So we reckon they're pretty even...

Or, y'know.

Maybe not.

_________

McDavies to Moore: "Stop quoting Justin Timberlake, ya' pansy".

Michael McDavies tells us that he and Brute Force are in their final stages of preparation for their upcoming brawl with the Black Wing Brigade. McDavies told us that "We're ready for whatever these Brigade types have to throw at us, just like the lads on the pitch are gonna' be."

When asked about his direct rival, Joe Moore, McDavies said that he "[has] some respect for that fella'. He's puttin' a lot on the line by bringin' him and his boys so far from home, and y' just gotta' respect a guy with that much heart. Who knows, maybe if he's still able to move his jaw, I might take him out for a pint afterwards."

Powis 'Hungry For Some Quarterback'.

Owen Powis, not satisfied with his recent crushing of a poor college lad, has now declared that he wants Dancougar QB, Dusty Haynesworth, served up with some fat French fries. In a recent interview, when asked to comment on Dancougar's quarterback, Powis sat and stared at the camera for eight minutes straight, repeating a little rhyme.

"Dusty, Dusty, what will you be?
Grilled for me?
Flambéed for the team?
Dusty, Dusty, better move fast.
Or we'll have a blast
At frying the fat
From your ass!"

Needless to say, we're pretty damn scared of the bastard ourselves now.

Kura-Pelland

30-07-2008, 11:36

THE SPORTS BETTING COLUMN by Mickey Orton

ARROWS STRAIGHT THROUGH
Qazox-based New Bruxen Casino have offered odds on each of the 18 World Bowl teams. I'm not sure who cares about the World Bowl, and apparently whoever did the 'over/under' odds for the group phase is not amongst them, for these numbers are practically random.

Two must-bets are apparent. Newmanistan are offered at 6.0 - in other words, if they win seven you get a profit of your stake, if they win eight you get double, etc, but winning five costs you your stake, four double your stake, etc.

Not that you'll be losing with this. They're utterly certain to win all their matches against Lovisa and Kosovoe (that's four) and their home matches against Rennidan and whatever SLANI are calling themselves this week (that's six). That guarantees a push (but remember that in Qazox that's only good for a 75% rather than 100% return of stake) and the probability of more is very high indeed. They could sneak a home win against Dancougar too, they're certainly good enough on offense to disrupt even this top-quality defence.

Kura-Pelland have tightened up their defence, and we know about their play in pressure situations. While Dancougar stopped them last time, do not rule them out at 12-1. The over/under of 6.5 for the group is also well worth considering, and it's worth a small bet the other way on UCS/SLANI/whatever, who are offered at 5.5 but will be lucky to win four.

Newmanistan

30-07-2008, 14:00

It's matchday one cutoff time!

Group A:
Arroza 20, Bluth Corporation 17
Kura-Pelland 27, Swilatia 7
Sorthern Northland 34, kenavt 17

Group B:
Qazox 33, Bettia 30 (OT)
Milchama 17, Taeshan 13
Secristan 20, Am3ricans 3

Group C:
Rennidan 34, Dancougar 30
Newmanistan 30, Unified Capitalizt States 20
Lovisa 19, Kosovoe 16

Arroza

30-07-2008, 15:02

Arroza 20, Bluth Corporation 17

Underperforming
Team saved by Chadwick’s second
Touchdown in the fourth.

Cain Wells. Nice, indeed
The scouts from Pine Forest couldn’t
Stop drooling on chin.

Swilatia, next.
We need more effort from the
Front seven to win.

Poetry experimentation week, here in Arroza.

Bluth Corporation

30-07-2008, 15:59

QB Cain Wells put up 293 yards passing today, but that wasn't enough to overcome the late-game heroics of Arrozan running back Abraham Chadwick, who desperately leapt over the Bluth defensive line into the end zone for the winning touchdown on 4th-and-inches inside the 1.

Bluth Corporation thought they had the Arrozans stopped, expecting them to take an easy field goal and then onside the ensuing kickoff. But when they saw the Arrozans sending out the offense on fourth down--after they had already sent out their special teams unit--they were forced to take a frantic timeout to put their regular defense on the field. Expecting a run up the gut, the linebackers were used almost as linemen to fill in all the gaps, but they could do nothing about Chadwick's unsuspected leaping ability.

It must be admitted, though, that it would never have come down to this had coach Steve Rankakis not made the controversial decision to kick a field goal on fourth-and-short early in the second quarter, when Bluth Corporation had dominated the entire game so far and many believed that going for it on fourth down in that situation would have totally broken the Arrozans' backs.

Kura-Pelland

30-07-2008, 16:18

Kura-Pelland have taken charge of Group A in World Bowl II's preliminary stages after defeating Swilatia 27-7 at Shanvley Stadium in a very convincing display, far and away the best of any team in their group.

The Arrows scored a touchdown in each of the first three quarters, with Graham Illingworth scoring one in the first quarter with a 19-yard run and another in the third when he was used as a receiver on third-and-3 at the 6. In between those two, Xavier Lecavalier's great catch against double coverage on the 2 created a simple rushing touchdown for Horace Buntley.
Illingworth finished with 112 rushing yards at an average of exactly seven yards per carry, and added 45 receiving yards to that. Quarterback Michael Bernard threw for 191 yards with a 72% completion rate.

After the third touchdown, with the score at 21-0 and 2:09 left in the third, the second string came on. Swilatia scored against it with the fourth play of the fourth quarter, a Dick Vernasse long bomb on third-and-10 being intercepted and taken for six, but two field goals followed, one from each of the two kickers, Graham Brightman's coming from 50 yards. Brightman also hit the post with a 53-yard attempt at the very end, but there was no need to add any gloss on this scoreline - especially with Arroza needing a desperate fourth-down conversion from Abraham Chadwick to defeat Bluth Corporation 20-17.

The next match is at Sorthern Northland, a rather ragbag team in many ways and one whose defensive naivety looks certain to be exploited, but also a team quite capable of scoring big points, as illustrated by their 34-17 defeat of fellow debutants Kenavt, who welcome the Arrows on matchday three. Bluth Corporation complete the three-game away stint, and a win here would mark the Arrows out as genuine contenders.

Dancougar

30-07-2008, 17:02

Dancougar News!!
The Battle of Industry!

In the end, everybody was satisfied. The game on the field turned out to be exactly what the fans were hoping to see - a slugfest between two teams that weren't about to go down easily, and at the end of the day, it was fitting that the team that provided most of the electricity came out on top. Meanwhile, in the mean streets of the Rennidan Industrial Sector, opposing fans brawled to their hearts content. Here, too, were the visitors forced to admit defeat.

They came from all over the country. Men - big and small, lean and huge - decorated in their gameday finest. But for men of this caliber, that's not saying much. Silver and black warpaint on the faces of the Brigade, who made sure to make a lot of noise as they came down the main streets. Opposing them, the Brute Force. All intentions to defend their turf. No intentions of letting the Brigade escape without a thorough beating. Torches held aloft in the predawn, as football fans made their way uneasily to the warehouse for the game itself. They wanted to escape the full fury of the fighting which would no doubt begin at kickoff.

Oh, and that goes for on the field, too. Owen Powis had done his best to get inside the head of quarterback Dusty Haynesworth. And although Dusty was certainly not a jittery mess in the locker room before the game, the concern was definitely still there. His offensive line couldn't compare to Powis for size. Strength... who knew? He flipped through the playbook and decided that the best way to avoid being destroyed would be to use a lot of quick three step drops. The longer he stayed in the pocket, the more punishment he was asking for. As for the running attack, this game was definitely going to be three yards and a cloud of dust. The big question was whether or not the Brutes would let anyone emerge from that cloud of dust with all their teeth.

The Brutes got the ball first, and they wanted to send a message to the world champions. Oh, sure, you were better than all those pansy teams, but welcome to the real world of American football, boys! "Supes" Yeilds said hello with a twelve yard gash through the Black Wing defense, with Claridge struggling to bring him down from behind with the secondary's help. The opening drive saw Rennidan march seventy six yards in nine plays with Supes squeezing through Kucera and Martella for the score.

The Wings would respond, right? They were good about that in the last World Bowl, and made sure never to let an opponent gain any momentum. But do you think the Brutes give a damn about all that? Owen Powis was true to his word and blew up the Wings' first play from scrimmage. Haynesworth and Hatchitt saw the rush and fumbled the exchange, which Powis picked up after running through Hatchitt for good measure. Haynesworth threw himself at the giant lineman, but to no avail - this was the express O-Train with service to the endzone. Powis to the house, and just like that, it's 14-0. Nick Stow tried a chest bump and just bounced off, tumbling backwards awkwardly. He crawled to his feet and threw Powis a deranged smile. They were enjoying this.

Oh god... thought Hatchitt, we're screwed!!

So the Wings got the ball back and tried to make it a ballgame. They needed to keep the defense off the field for a few minutes and avoid falling into an even bigger hole. Sure enough, they found a rhythm. The three step drops prescribed by Haynesworth before the game kept the rush from being too much of a threat, although Powis made good on his word and picked up a huge sack on a 2nd and 3 from the Rennidan 45. Faced with a third and long, Haynesworth was forced to sit back in the pocket longer than he wanted to set up a bigger play.

Dan Guest got through and chased the quarterback down, his bloody uniform and primal roar seeming to suggest that Haynesworth was going to be on dinner plates tonight. Dusty was flushed right and got a pass off just as he was hit from behind. The ball wobbled in flight but landed in the grateful arms of Jermaine Divalerio, which kept the drive alive. Three plays later, Haynesworth went to the air again, and Seelbinder hauled it in for the touchdown. The towels went up, but the fans had to sense that something was wrong. Dancougar forced to the air? This did not bode well.

The Brute offense came back on the field, and a few big passes to Seffer and Lai seemed to indicate that they wanted to put this game to sleep before halftime. But the nice thing about the Brutes was that their playbook wasn't that expansive. Corona broke on the ball and made the interception, giving the Wings a long field but getting their defense some more time to breathe. Surprisingly, Haynesworth's passing had set up the run! Hatchitt found a hole and rumbled for eight, although he was always taking his time getting back up... those hits were brutal. Then with the ball on the Rennidan eighteen, a play action play found Divalerio behind Graham Goldie, who made the touchdown catch despite his mama being so fat that she thought the World Bowl was the planet's house special.

Tied up at fourteen, the Brutes added a pair of field goals while holding the Wings scoreless for the rest of the half. Powis forced another Hatchitt fumble, and Stottlemyer missed from thirty five. In the locker room, no one on the team counted more bruises than running back Kirk Hatchitt, who had paid for his forays into the Rennidan defensive end. Meanwhile, on the mean streets of the Industrial Sector, fighting had erupted all over four or five blocks surrounding the area's main street. Anyone stupid enough to leave their car parallel parked would find smashed windows and dented hoods. The Brigade made it clear that, while their armor was almost certainly just for show, they were effective fighters in their own right. Still, the Brute Force was asserting its superiority. One guy decided it was taking too long to knock the Brigade out of action, so he ripped a parking meter out of the sidewalk and started going to work.

At halftime, Coach Moohim began drawing up plans to take some of the burden off Kirk. He was covered in bruises and sore from the beating he'd taken, but he wasn't about to give up. Moohim started drawing diagrams on the whiteboard, when Hatchitt stood up and pulled his jersey back over his pads. He had a determined look on his face. "Just gimme the ball," he said. "I promised those guys 'hella fast.'" And as the second half started, Haynesworth did indeed keep it on the ground. Four yards and into Stow... pow. Then four more before being pulled down by the big end, Telek. Third and two, now, and surely they'd go play action. NO! Hatchitt gets the corner, and picks up twelve before being knocked out of bounds. Four plays later, Hatchitt burst up the middle for a six yard touchdown, narrowly avoiding Stow with a wicked cut. After the extra point, it was 21-20, and the Wings had their first lead of the game.

But unlike the Wings of the first quarter, Rennidan were able to respond. Seffer had used his time on the bench to known down a few beers so that he'd be ready when his time came. And on the ensuing Rennidan possession, his routes were incredible. Not because of any clever design, really, but more like the poor bastard couldn't run straight. Zane Meriweather, assigned to cover Seffer, had no idea which way to turn. He would cut right, cut left, spin around... at one point, Meriweather tripped over himself and Seffer was left wide open. McGraw opened up the field with a forty yard bullet, and Seffer would've taken it to the house if he hadn't fallen down in a drunken stupor after somehow composing himself enough to make the catch.

The Brute defense roared with laughter on the sideline, but Seffer got to his feet and got those points later in the drive. McGraw to Seffer, twelve yards on a crossing route, and the lead was restored, 27-21. At this point, the Wings were still definitely in the game. But in what would become a theme for the final twenty minutes of the game, the endzone became a no-fly zone for the Black Wing offense. They responded to the touchdown with a field goal, but should've had more. Faced with a third and ten on the Rennidan twenty five, Haynesworth was unable to hit a wide open Simon Whitham because Owen Powis had once again made his presence felt in the backfield.

Rennidan's next drive saw McGraw take the team back to the red zone, but this time, the Black Wing defense came up with a big play. After two runs by Supes made it third and three from the eight, McGraw thought he'd try to catch the Wings off guard with a pass. Lai ran a simple five yard curl, but Corona read the play perfectly and jumped the pass. Interception, with nothing but green in front of him. The footrace began, and after he crossed midfield, it looked like the lead would be Dancougar's. The towels were waving as the Three Yards Club cheered him on, but Supes lived up to his billing and dragged him down. Twenty three yards to go. Short pass. Short run. Third and two, now, from the five yard line. The Wings lined up in the Power I and tried a fullback draw to the weak side. But the hole never opened, and the overload blitz on the strong side was through. Powis took Bozwell down, and the Wings tied the game with a Stottlemyer kick.

Still plenty of time left in the game, but fans were worried that Dancougar was out of time. They'd fought back, but they were beaten. As it turned out, their brand of smashmouth football paled in comparison with that of the Rennidan Brutes. Tight end Trayler had limped off the field after a run-in with Stow, who rewarded a leaping catch across the middle with a bone-crunching tackle. Offensive lineman Vaughn Claybrooks got the wind knocked out of him by Powis. And even after forcing a rare three and out, the Wing offense returned to the field and could only manage three points after Haynesworth's pass on third and long was incomplete.

Out on the streets, a general charge had been initiated by the Brigade. Earlier, small contingents of Brute Force members had attempted to outflank the Brigade by coming through small side alleys. They met stuff resistance and were beaten back in a fierce fight over the tiny spaces. It seemed like Moore had picked his spot carefully, so the best thing to do was to take him down directly. McDavies had already watched as Moore challenged parking meter guy. A swing for the head. Dodged. Tackled. Beaten. Moore was eager to engage the rival leader. McDavies only cracked his knuckles and marched forward with confidence.

Down three points with two and a half minutes to play, Pat McGraw took control. He wanted to put the exclamation mark on this game, certain that the Wings hadn't done nearly enough to earn a victory in their house. No, the champs were going down. Fifteen yards to Lai. Twelve to the tight end, Gui. Now at midfield, it was third and nine. The receivers were well-covered, so McGraw was forced to scramble out of the pocket to avoid Easley. Yearling chased him down and would've made the play, except Gui came out of nowhere to for a massive block. Yearling was sent flying over the sideline and into the Dancougar bench. Armed with a fresh set of downs, McGraw continued his assault, with Supes pitching in to keep the defense honest. But once he reached the thirty, McGraw went for it all. A pass over the top to Lai, who was in double coverage. Surely this was a pick. McGraw, however, knew it was over. His will was indomitable. Touchdown. Rennidan. BALLGAME.

As fans emptied the stadium, pockets of combatants stopped just long enough to ask for the score. Moore and McDavies exchanged blows before a high kick sent Moore stumbling backwards. It was then that he learned that the Brutes had finished the job. Rather than charge back at his foe, Moore dusted himself off and spat, a dollop of blood and a tooth going along for the ride. "Feck," he said at last, "I guess we owe you boys a drink."

Taeshan

30-07-2008, 18:59

Fitin' Falcons lose at home in a 590,00 strong packed arena

Okay i'm just gonna go staight out with it there is now way the Falcons lost at home last night, in the Coliseum the biggest stadium in the world in the heart of Taeshan theres just no way we lose the opening game of the tournament to a team from Milchama who doesnt even beleieve there really good. Sure Kendrick Holmes threw 2 touchdowns to esteemed wideout Kenton Kelly-Thomas, and Avi Beliswot had two extra points and a 39 yard field goal its just not right. We just don't lose, especially not to such a lowly team as Milchama. Behind Gabe Martins touchdown throw to Jack Cito, and Martin Gramatica's two 40+ yard field goals we should have been able to win. Apparently there is no home field advantage in a 590,000 people packed stadium. Yeah Right.

Arroza

30-07-2008, 21:26

More: Matchday 1 in haiku.

Kura-Pelland smash!
Opponents ask the Arrows
What did we do wrong?

Kenavt still lose game
Check for Winstrol is in the
Mail, needle pricks soon.

Taesean loses in
Front of half a milli fans
Too bad fans can’t play.

Rennidan over
Dancougar, more injuries
Than points on the board.

Qazok needs more time
Bettia isn’t going
Down without a fight.

Lovisa, Kosovoe
Secristan and Am3ricans
No one gives a damn.

Bettia

30-07-2008, 21:55

The Enlightener: my washing machine's crap, it keeps smashing my plates
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/bettia/cgub1.gif

Dragons Run Out of Puff

Bettia..........................30
Qazox.........................33
(After 1 period of Overtime)

The Bettian Union Dragons have always been known for their gung-ho approach to football - their risky but spectacular plays, their big hits from defense, their ethos of going for 2-point PATs after each and every single score... and it was that last element that ultimately proved their downfall in this, their first game of this WorldBowl tournament.

They couldn't have asked for a trickier opening match - the group's top seeds Qazox, and they came to Tiddles Park hoping to carry on where they left off after their impressive showing in the last tournament. After winning the toss and electing to receive the kickoff, specialist kick returner Frank Dobbs showed his worth by running the ball deep into Bettian territory, giving Qazox an excellent position for their opening drive. However, on only the second down, Brian Dorrett was doubled-teamed by star linebackers Da'ud Crisp and Mirkanala, the former blocking the visiting wide receiver behind the line of scrimmage and the other intercepting the pass and running the ball 69 yards for Bettia's opening touchdown. The try attempt fell out of bounds to leave the Dragons 6-0 up.

Qazox came back strongly, using their preferred formation to good effect and putting in some strong runs up the middle with Bettia responding with their usual long-range passing game. Towards the end of the first period, the visitors found themselves inside the Bettian 10-yard line and finally scored after the Dragons' defense tried one too many blitzes, leaving space for Sean O'Malley to break through. The kick was good, leaving Qazox 7-6 up going into the second quarter.

The Dragons dominated the next two periods, running in four more touchdowns to Qazox's three. However, none of the Bettian conversion attempts were successful whereas Pollack's kicks were all on target. With just one minute to go, Bettia were leading 30-28 and seemingly on their way to scoring a important victory. However, all that was undone by one foolish schoolboy error. After being forced back onto their own 2-yard line, the ball was snapped long to Ismail Williams for what should have been a routine punt. However, an inexplicably bad long snap sailed straight over his head and across the end line, gifting Qazox the softest of safeties.

With the scores level at 30-30, the game moved into overtime. After winning the toss, Qazox elected to play offense first and chose to attempt a field goal right from the off. With their kicker Pollack being well on form, the result was, rather predictably, three points, putting Qazox into the lead for the first time since the opening quarter. Rather than go for a kick themselves, Bettia began their series with a passing play in order to kill the game off. Lining up in a spread formation with four of the Dragons' menacing receivers all aiming their sights on the endzone, quarterback Andy Andover picked out Richie Frampton racing for the corner. The pass was straight and true, and sailing straight into the receiver's hands. Unfortunately for him, James Fuller was equal to the task and managed to fingertip the ball out of Frampton's reach. Qazox's defensive line stood resolute, not allowing Bettia to make any further progress, and so securing the win.

Despite outscoring their opponents by five touchdowns to four, the Bettian Union Dragons find themselves on the receiving end of a narrow but crushing defeat, and must pick themselves up quick for their second game. Their next opponents are Secristan, whose tails will be up after scoring a rather more comfortable win on matchday one.

Fixtures / Results

MD..OPPONENT...................VENUE......RESULT

Qualifying Group 2

01: Qazox......................HOME.......L 30-33 (OT)
02: Secristan..................HOME.......
03: Milchama...................Away.......
04: Taeshan....................HOME.......
05: Am3ricans..................Away.......
06: Qazox......................Away.......
07: Secristan..................Away.......
08: Milchama...................HOME.......
09: Taeshan....................Away.......
10: Am3ricans..................HOME.......

Kura-Pelland

30-07-2008, 21:58

(OOC to Bettia - one score in overtime ends the game. Otherwise, loved your RP :D)

Bluth Corporation

30-07-2008, 23:42

(OOC to Bettia - one score in overtime ends the game. Otherwise, loved your RP :D)

Well, do we know that, though?

Sure, the NFL uses sudden-death. But not all leagues do. Have the overtime rules for the World Bowl tournament ever been made explicit?

Qazox

31-07-2008, 00:39

Bruxen Globe

Phoenix Squeak By Dragons

A tough game against Bettia on the road last night, as Qazox won in Overtime 33-30, on a FG by Harvey Pollack, jsut a few minutes into the Overtime.

The big news was the fact that the usually stout Qazox defense allowed 30 points, but thanks to Bettia's unusual tactic of attempting a 2-pt conversion every time, Qazox stayed within striking distance the entire time. Trailing 30-28 with about 30 seconds left, Bettia's Ismail Williams muffed a punt attempt, scoring a safety for the Pheonix, sending it into OT.

SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM 1 2 3 4 OT Final
Qazox 7 7 7 9 3 33
Bettia 6 12 6 6 0 30

SCORING:
Bettia: Mirkanala 69yd INT return for TD, 2-pt conversion failed. (6-0 Bettia)
Qazox: Sean O'Malley 10yd TD run, Pollack PAT Good. (7-6 Qazox)
Bettia: Jamal Tucker 7yd TD run, 2-pt conversion failed. (12-7 Bettia)
Bettia: Jamal Tucker 80yd Punt Return for TD, 2-pt conversion failed. (18-7 Bettia)
Qazox: Kevin Hertz 9yd TD pass from Harry Pitts, Pollack PAT Good. (18-14 Bettia)
Bettia: Rick Beckford 15yd TD pass from Andy Andover, 2-pt conversion failed (24-14 Bettia)
Qazox: Harry Pitts 28yd TD run, Pollack PAT Good. (24-21 Bettia)
Bettia: Nick Woods 40yd TD pass from Andy Andover, 2-pt conversion failed (30-21 Bettia)
Qazox: Lyle Beckett 5yd TD pass from Harry Pitts, Pollack PAT Good. (30-28 Bettia)
Qazox: Ismail Williams fumbled ball out of endzone (SAFETY) (30-30)
Qazox: 37 yd FG by Pollack (33-30 Qazox)

Qazox' TOP THREE Stars:
Harry Pitts: 12/18 156 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs; 3 rushes 51 yds, 1 TD.
Kevin Hertz: 17 rushes, 135 yds; 2 rec. 35 yds, 1 TD
Sean O'Malley: 4 rushes 37 yards, 1 TD

Newmanistan

31-07-2008, 05:37

For clarification, the World Bowl uses sudden-death NFL-style overtime.

Rennidan

31-07-2008, 10:37

A WIN!?

Well, and please, excuse the upcoming French, holy shit. Rennidan actually managed to peg themselves a win against the current World Bowl champions in their opening match of World Bowl II. In a match which could be described as a close affair, a great match and a shamble of hosting, Rennidan fought fiercely against the Dancougar side, and no one found this out faster than the Black Wings' leading halfback, Kirk Hatchitt, who left the match with more bruises than an extreme daredevil with von Willebrand disease. With the final score 34-30 to the home team, we ourselves were whooping with joy at the spectacle we had witnessed both on and off the pitch. Hopefully, this will show the Sporting Activities Department of the Rennidanian Government that, yes, we DO need a national American Football team.

_________

WAR OVER, YOU CAN ALL GO HOME. THANKS.

Not only did we kick some arse on the gridiron, but we also laid the smack down outside Warehouse 17, on the streets of the smoggy Industrial Centre. Late at night, as the match raged on, Brute Force and the Black Wing Brigade rallied up their numbers and fought an onslaught of a battle, reminiscent of the olden day medieval battles. Brigade knights faced off against Brute Force barbarians, with both sides adopting different tactics. Whilst the Brigadiers held a firm spot on the Ten/Ninth Street intersect, the Force tried their best to outflank the large gathering and get at them through the Industrial Sectors small side alleys. Unfortunately, the Brigade had been expecting this, and had beaten them back into said alleys with ease. It wasn't until the game itself rolled over halftime that the Force seemed to start getting their footing back. Re-gathering at the Eight/Ninth Street intersect, both sides faced each other from opposite ends of the blocks. At one end, the Brigade waited, dressed in their metallic armour splendour, and painted in their black and silver swirls. At the other, the Force stood strong, covered in animal pelts and the dark green tribal war paint that flourished in Rennidan so many centuries previously.

And then they charged.

And what resulted was pretty damn messy.

I stand now in the aftermath of the fight, where cars are upturned and beaten, walls are covered in scorches and blood, and the stale reek of alcohol floods the streets. I even think I have a tooth in my shoe. Already the cleanup crews are here, trying to make amends before the upcoming match against Kosovoe, but I can guarantee that the authorities can't wait for Match Day Three, where the Rennidanian team finally leaves the country to play a match.

As for the fierce rivalry between McDavies and Moore, the leaders of both sides of the hooligan armies?

Rumour has it they went out, got hammered, and almost got kicked out of the bar. I say almost because, well... the bouncer wasn't really up for that task.

_________

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk176/rennidan/BRUTES.png

Rennidan: Matchday Two Preview.

RENNIDAN versus KOSOVOE

Weather: We're in a warehouse! That leaks! So we're going to say 'mildly moist'. Again!

Expected Attendance: Joe, Henry and Phil said they were coming. They might even bring their kids! We should probably start charging admission.

Well, to start with, we don't even really know who these guys are. We know they're called Kosovoe! But, uh, apart from that? They've been pretty damn quiet. No trash talking, no praising, not even a parade of manatees.

We're going to knock on wood and say that, hopefully, we can pick up a second win here against the mute Kosovoe side.

Bettia

31-07-2008, 11:25

(OOC to Bettia - one score in overtime ends the game. Otherwise, loved your RP :D)
OOC:
I wasn't sure what rules we were using so I went by BAFA rules (the rules I'm most familiar with which I believe are based largely on NCAA) where an overtime period consists of one series per team starting from a designated 25-yard line, with the winner of a coin toss deciding whether to start on offense or defense or what end of the field to play each series.

Newmanistan

31-07-2008, 11:34

Narrator: And now, we return to your Pocono City Sports Report (OOC: Previous segment is in the lacrosse thread, if you care).

Traynor: We are back again, and now let’s take a look at the World Bowl II action. Eventually these teams will descend on Newmanistan, and qualifying is underway.

Collins: That’s right, kickoff time for Matchday two is rapidly approaching, and where we have the Rockets who won somewhat comfortably against The Unified Capitalizt States.

Traynor: SLANI just isn’t the same in this version of football.

Collins: No, they are not, which is why we should enjoy beating them in something while we have the opportunity.

Traynor: There were some surprises in matchday one though. Rennidan knocks off Dancougar. Milchama over Taeshan, all the while Arroza survives a scare against the Bluth Corporation.

Collins: It was an exciting day of football, or as others call it, gridiron. The Rennidan-Dancougar match was especially entertaining, with them playing the old warehouse and all.

Traynor: Those conditions must make for a big home field advantage when teams go in there, not knowing what they will be faced with. Dancougar had to be the first one to go into that unfriendly environment and our time will come too, what do you think about games being played in this atmosphere.

Collins: It is definitely a home field advantage. Nothing is going to be easy, but I think when we do go in there, we’ll be ready. Those guys like to hit, especially that Powis. He is brutal. I hope he never hits you, Meghan.

Traynor: Yeah I’ll, uhmm, stay on his good side.

Collins: Back to those other scores though, it’s always good to see an upset as long as they don’t involve Newmanistan. With one World Bowl in the books, I think we’ll see more parity. I really hope we do.

Traynor: Yeah, that’d be great. Group C, is, you think, a 3-team battle?

Collins: With Rennidan beating Dancougar, and the Rockets always pesky to Dancougar, these group is wide open amongst those three. Fortunately for those three, I don’t see a fourth team right now causing them much trouble. Three teams will move on.

Traynor: Is it the easiest group?

Collins: That’s hard to say at this point. I know that right now Group B looks brutal. Group C is not easy because there are three good teams. Group A is a tough group too. In all, I think we’ll see each group be competitive in its own way. It should be exciting.

Traynor: Well, that’s all the time we got.

Collins: Yeah, we might be cutting it a little short, but that’s all for this edition of your Pocono City Sports Report. Enjoy the Di Bradini Cup, the lacrosse, and the World Bowl. And pretty soon, there’ll be Olympics to talk about too.

Traynor: Thanks for watching, from the Pock City Sports Report, have a great day!

Newmanistan

31-07-2008, 14:14

MD2 Cutoff Time!

For now, records are in ( ).

Group A:
Bluth Corporation (1-1) 41, kenavt (0-2) 24
Arroza (2-0) 20, Swilatia (0-2) 16
Kura-Pelland (2-0) 23, Sorthern Northland (1-1) 22

Group B:
Bettia (1-1) 25, Secristan (1-1) 23
Qazox (2-0) 27, Milchama (1-1) 23
Taeshan (1-1) 24, Am3ricans (0-2) 0

Group C:
Rennidan (2-0) 16, Kosovoe (0-2) 3
Dancougar (1-1) 23, Unified Capitalizt States (0-2) 17
Newmanistan (2-0) 20, Lovisa (1-1) 13

GROUP A W L GB PF PA PD
Kura-Pelland 2 0 0 50 29 21
Arroza 2 0 0 40 33 7
Bluth Corporation 1 1 1 58 40 18
Sorthern Northland 1 1 1 56 40 16
Swilatia 0 2 2 23 47 -24
kenavt 0 2 2 37 75 -38

GROUP B W L GB PF PA PD
Qazox 2 0 0 60 53 7
Taeshan 1 1 1 37 17 20
Secristan 1 1 1 43 28 15
Milchama 1 1 1 40 40 0
Bettia 1 1 1 55 56 -1
Am3ricans 0 2 2 3 44 -41

GROUP C W L GB PF PA PD
Newmanistan 2 0 0 50 33 17
Rennidan 2 0 0 50 33 17
Dancougar 1 1 1 53 51 2
Lovisa 1 1 1 32 36 -4
Kosovoe 0 2 2 19 35 -16
U. C. S. 0 2 2 37 53 -16

Sorthern Northland

31-07-2008, 15:15

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/1680/snpaperdf1.png (http://imageshack.us)

Go team, go!

With the second edition of the WorldBowl already two matches in, the Sorthern Northland team have already exceeded all expectations of them. A win over kenavt caused Sorthern Northland's non-existent Gridiron community to party style. The next match was a mere one point defeat to Kura-Pelland, causing an almost as big party. It should however be noted that kenavt are newcomers to the Gridiron scene and perhaps as clueless as their Sorthern counterparts.

Speaking after the opening match quarterback Keith Dick commented, "We're all pleasantly surprised to tell the truth. I still have no how idea how this game actually works and just chucked the ball around a bit and hoped for the best, and it seemed to do the trick."

Asked whether he thought another win was on the cards he said, "Doubt it, everyone here at least knows the rules as far as I can tell, and we're all hugely shocked to have got a win. A couple of our players have even gone to hospital for shock since the game."

That game was followed by the narrow defeat to Kura-Pelland. A slightly less tedious game than the first with a stoppage roughly every 10.93 seconds as compared to 8.94 seconds in the opening game. The Kura-Pelland game was also a hit for the TV execs as a record number of viewers tuned in. "It's quite exciting stuff to be honest, the numbers watching this tournament are through the roof compared to previous Gridiron viewing figures in Sorthern Northland. For the Kura-Pelland game we even had up to 973 viewers at peak times."

President calls for counter-terrorism discussions with Newmanistan

Following the recent bomb scare at the Sorthern Northland - Newmanistan Di Bradini Cup game, President of Jimmy Sheridan has requested discussions with Empress Jessica of Newmanistan to discuss countering the threat of terrorism at the ongoing World Bowl. Speaking to SNTV earlier this morning Sheridan said, "Ríora Urraim dtí Inisnadún Náisiún have already targeted one major sports event, thankfully that failed, but we have reason to believe that attempt was not a one off. It seems RUIN's aims are to bring worldwide attention to what they feel has happened. To do this they seem intent on targeting events and places where Sortherners are taking part or are gathered, and the World Bowl is such an event. Whilst it is largely not of interest to Sortherners and as such there will only be a small Sorthern contingent there, it is of huge interest to other nations. Nations where RUIN may feel similar organisations to themselves will support there cause. For those reasons it is imperative that we do everything we can to assist Newmanistan in countering any threats, no matter how small."

Bluth Corporation

31-07-2008, 16:55

SCORING SUMMARY

TEAM 1 2 3 4 FINAL
Bluth Corporation 0 6 21 14 41
kenavt 14 7 3 0 24

kenavt dominated the first half of their World Bowl game against Bluth Corporation, putting up three unanswered touchdowns--all through the air--right out of the gate. Bluth's coaching staff was totally flustered by kenavt's novel and complex pass-blocking schemes, and the Corporation was unable to get any pressure at all on the quarterback.

As bad as it was at the line, it wasn't any better downfield for Bluth Corporation's defense in the first half. A massive thunderstorm had drenched the field just a few minutes before kickoff, and the old football truism that bad fields favor the receivers since they know in advance where they're going certainly held true, as Bluth Corporation's defensive backs were no match for kenavt's exceedingly agile and sure-footed receiving corps.

The one bright spot for Bluth Corporation's defense early was their success against the run; after stopping five of kenavt's runs in the backfield, kenavt abandoned the run altogether for the remainder of the game.

Bluth Corporation's offense hardly fared any better initially. Their first two possessions ended in three-and-outs as the receivers failed to run their routes correctly; by their third possession the team was so far behind that quarterback Cain Wells made the mistake of trying to force something downfield, resulting in an interception that set up kenavt's third touchdown. The team finally managed to get something going offensively with an impressive execution of the two-minute drill, resulting in a touchdown by running back Sean Blakley followed by an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt.

By the end of the first half, Bluth Corporation's coaching staff had figured out how to not only stop kenavt's offense but also overpower their defense. On the first drive of the second half, Bluth Corporation's offense came out playing zone coverage in a dime package to compensate for the inability of their cornerbacks to keep up with the receivers on the sloppy field. The ploy work, as Bluth Corporation managed to totally shut down the long ball, and kenavt was forced to revert to its already-discredited ground game. They managed to hold kenavt to a single field goal in the third quarter, which would turn out to be their final score of the game.

Meanwhile, the new spark shown by the defense inspired Bluth Corporation's offense, which put up twenty-one points in the third quarter to lead by 3 with 15 minutes left in the game. Cain Wells's dismal 22 yards passing in the first half were followed up by a phenomenonal 433 in the second, as he passed for four touchdowns (3 in the 3rd quarter and 1 in the second), and Sean Blakley, spelling starter Richard Anthis, carried the ball in untouched with four minutes to go in the fourth quarter for his second score of the game.

BLUTH CORPORATION SCORING SUMMARY:
Blakley 1-yard rush TD (Wells-Wildt pass failed)
Winters 17-yard pass TD from Wells (Shipley kick)
Wilkinson 3-yard pass TD from Wells (Shipley kick)
Anthis 9-yard pass TD from Wells (Shipley kick)
Winters 52-yard pass TD from Wells (Shipley kick)
Blakley 9-yard rush TD (Shipley kick)

Dancougar

31-07-2008, 21:29

Dancougar News!!
Lah-trobe or Lay-trobe, this here is Stiller country, yinz!

Capitalizts downed 23-17: Through two games, the Black Wings have given up about half as many point as they did through all of World Bowl I qualifying, but the Wings' second straight game on the road ended with a 23-17 victory over Capitalizt SLANI, behind 124 yards from Kirk Hatchitt and a touchdown passes by Dusty Haynesworth.

"It doesn't feel like we've lost a step," said linebacker Troy Claridge, "but it feels like everyone has gained one. We haven't been doing enough work these last few years to stay ahead of the pack, and now we're paying for it."

"It's going to take some hard work to get back where we want to be," said head coach Will Moohim.

The Black Wings scored first on the team's second drive, with Haynesworth going 5-6 for 62 yards, as Hatchitt was held to just 10 yards on his first four carries. Fullback Vincent Bozwell capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown run up the middle, giving the Wings an early 7-0 lead. That was extended to 10-0 after safety Daniel Morgenstein intercepted a deep pass and returned it up to the Capitalizt 43-yard line. The Wing advance was halted just inside the twenty after Hatchitt was stopped on a third and three shotgun draw, bringing on Corey Stottlemyer for a field goal.

SLANI's next drive carried the game into the second quarter, and their team into the endzone. A methodic 12-play drive was capped by a five yard touchdown run in which not one, not two, but three Black Wings failed to make a tackle on the wily runningback. "It was a mistake to just try and use my arms," said lineman Grant Martella, the first man to get beat. "He had a lot of power behind him."

The only other score of the half was a second Stottlemyer field goal, a chip shot from 20 yards away. In an eerie repeat of the second half of the Rennidan game, the Wings came tantalizing close to a touchdown but just couldn't finish the job. A 35-yard pass to Jermaine Divalerio brought the Wings within the red zone, and Hatchitt rumbled inside the ten on the next play. The SLANI defense held firm, stopping him for a loss on first down, holding him at the 3-yard line on second, and batting away a jump ball intended for Divalerio on third.

"I thought that we executed very well in the open field," said Moohim, "but we had some big problems in the first half. We were trying to force too many plays."

SLANI opened the second half with a 66-yard drive that ended with a field goal two plays after Anthony Corona nearly got his third interception of the tournament. This made it 13-10, and SLANI would take the lead one drive later. Haynesworth was sacked on his own 28-yard line and failed to protect the ball; SLANI recovered and took it to the 15. Two plays later, the tight end got a mismatch on linebacker Daryl Yearling and caught a bullet right up the middle to make it 17-13.

Haynesworth led the response and took his team 85 yards in fourteen plays, eating close to seven minutes of clock. Hatchitt had 48 yards on eight carries on the drive, and Haynesworth finished the drive by connecting with Simon Whitham for a 22-yard touchdown pass. "Simon ran a great route right across the middle and I was just hoping I led him enough," said Haynesworth. The strike made it 20-17 with a quarter to go.

SLANI was unable to pass midfield on the next possession, but a booming punt pinned the Wings at their own 10-yard line. Suddenly, though, they looked like the Wings of old. Oliver Tangerman was brought on to assist Hatchitt's ground offensive. Haynesworth used this to set up play action. Tight end Joseph Coerver, filling in for the injured Stephen Trayler, caught four passes on the drive, including two on third down. Six and a half more minutes came off the clock as the Wings advanced slowly into field goal range. Stottlemyer made a 25-yard attempt, giving the Wings a 23-17 lead.

"Ollie came up huge for us in the fourth quarter," said Hatchitt. "I'm still sore from the Brutes, so to have someone else who could pound away like that really worked to our advantage."

SLANI's next drive was three and out, but the Wings' momentum was short-lived. On the ensuing possession, Haynesworth called for a double crossing route on 2nd and 10 from the Dancougar 48. However, his pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by the middle linebacker, who was immediately tackled by Divalerio. SLANI now had the ball with five minutes to go and only half a field to go.

But the comeback was not to be. SLANI chipped away at the clock and the yardage in the same manner as the Wings, eventually reaching the 35-yard line with three minutes to play. On first down, Claridge blitzed from the quarterback's blind side and hit him while he was settling his feet, causing a fumble with the SLANI offensive line recovered. Two straight incomplete passes set up fourth down just out of field goal range. SLANI elected to go for it, and the pass was broken up by Corona. The Wings took over and were able to run out the clock for the win.

Brigade stopped at the border: Members of Joe Moore's Black Wing Brigade were denied entry into the country after it was discovered that their visa papers had mysteriously vanished in an office fire started by an intern.

Riot squad teams were on hand when the charter flights returned to Eastport International, as the contingent's reputation proceded it. Early estimates claim that they caused tens of thousands of dollars of damage to the Rennidan industrial sector, at a minimum. Although, it was pointed out that the stuff there to begin with wasn't worth that much, and on top of that, they pumped the local economy full of beer money later that night.

They men were later seen leaving with a man in a black cape and mask, whose significance is unknown. And no, this is not at all foreshadowing for my ongoing World Cup story arc, no sir.

Trayler sidelined three more weeks: Tight end Stephen Trayler will miss the next three World Bowl qualifying games with a sprained ankle, team doctors reported. Trayler was on the sidelines for Dancougar's 23-17 victory over the Unified Capitalizt States, but was not in uniform. Joseph Coerver will continue to start in his place.

Pretty Sportsman Erika air date confirmed: The show's official production blog reports that the first episode is planned to coincide with the midpoint of World Bowl qualifying. The series, which tells the story of a high school freshman who becomes the quarterback of her school's American football team, will air on Fridays at 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM on the KDE network.

Rennidan

31-07-2008, 22:42

http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/rennidan.png Rennidan : Kosovoe http://spaam.mrdrake.net/flags/kosovoe.png
16:3

Match Report:

Rennidan - I always enjoy coming to Warehouse 17. It's a whole new experience from the usual humdrum of 'magnificent, bright, shiny, awesome' gridiron stadiums that you find in all the other sporting nations. I know it's weird, but which other stadium only has a wall for the toilets? Which other stadium gives you a keg instead of a pint? Which other stadium only cost twenty dollars and still has a roof? Fair enough, it leaks, and that can make the lines on the floor run, but still, you have to respect it.

Anyway, today I was there for Rennidan versus Kosovoe. After the recent high of busting some Dancougar butt, we were hoping for another win. The Brute Force members were there; drunk, boisterous and cheering on the wondrous home team. Kosovoe fans, however, were non-existent at good ol' Warehouse 17. And really, I can't blame them. Looking at Brute Force, I understood why. Half of them were in casts or slings, the other half were bruised and battered to hell and back, yet they still were happy to be jumping, hollering and bouncing off the walls. So, the Kosovoe side was now stranded in the midst of Brute black and green, and their only hope of making it out alive was to lose, because, let's face it, if they won, they'd be goners.

I downed another bit of my keg, and already feeling the effects with a bout of Wobbly Leg Syndrome, the whistle blew and Rennidan kicked off to Kosovoe. The kick returner for the away side caught if happily... and then got carried off into his own end zone for 2 points to Rennidan. Beautiful.

The free kick then went and we got into the match proper, with Rennidan already stamping it's dominance within the warehouse's walls. Kosovoe's first drive went surprisingly well, perhaps down to the fact the defence had been joining me in my keg stands previously, or perhaps because the defence was even busier doing keg stands in the middle of the pitch. To say the least, Kosovoe got a good kick, which bounced off the wall, between the painted 'posts'.

The rest of the match saw Jason "Supes" Yeilds get two so-so touchdowns, a 2nd and Goal on the third, and a 3rd and Eight on the twenty two. We left the stadium in a similar manner we entered. Loud, obnoxious, but with a bit more alcohol in the system.

Long live the Brutes!

_________

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk176/rennidan/BRUTES.png

Rennidan: Matchday Three Preview.

RENNIDAN versus SLANI

Weather: ???

Expected Attendance: ???

Well, well, well. The big boys of soccer have finally given in and jumped over for a real man's game. Well, we here are ready to give them a chance, and are hoping that Rennidan's first away match will be a nice, close affair. We want to seem some brutal action down on the SLANI pitch.

_________

McDavies Rages

McDavies, head of Rennidan hooligan group 'Brute Force', is said to be several angered by the way the Dancougar government is treating rival hooligans 'The Black Wing Brigade'.

"It's fricken' disguistin'. They're good men, and they showed their nation proud when they were over here. Yeah, we beat 'em, but they gave it their all, and we respec' that. Those Dancougar government types should get a boot up their arse for keepin' the true fans outta' the country."

McDavies himself, after gaining the upper hand in a one on one fight against rival leader Moore, said he and the 'lads' had a good night out after the brawling was all but over. Local pubs and bars have claimed a thirty percent increase in profit thanks to the heavy drinking that came about after Rennidan's close victory over the Dancougar side.

Secristan

01-08-2008, 02:31

WIN THEN A LOSS

After an expected crushing of Am3ricans at home by the score of 20-3, the Millionaires fell in Bettia by the score of 25-23, outdone by the Dragons unorthodox strategy of lining up for the two-point conversion every time they score a touchdown. It may have cost them a matchday one stunner over Qazox, but they made up for it here. First, against Am3ricans, our team was solid all around. QB Tom Mitchell went 19-for-28 on the day, throwing for 233 yards with 2 TD passes, one to Paul Zambito and the other to Tony Proctor. They also added two field goals. It almost appeared as though they were heading to a shutout victory before a late 4th quarter field goal by Am3ricans broke it up. Oh well. Despite the loss in Bettia, it was at least an entertaining game. Bettia kicked an early 50-yard field goal on their first possession, as we assume this a rare instance in which they use a kicker, but the Millionaires responded and going into the 4th quarter, we were tied up at 17. Bettia had two touchdown, making one 2 point conversion and missing the other to get to that point, and for the Millionaires Adam Pritchard ran for two scores. With just 3:03 remaining in the game, Bettia’s Andy Andover connected with Rick Bedford for a go-ahead touchdown. Then game the two-point attempt, Andover on a bootleg then just as he waw about to cross the line of scrimmage a quick shovel pass to Danny Sulyard. Conversion successful, Dragons by eight. The Millionaires respond, finding the end zone with just 19 seconds remaining as Mitchell finds Johnnie Baker for an 11-yard TD reception in the corner of the end zone. But now, the Millionaires had to go for a conversion. This is obviously the intention of Bettia’s uncommon strategy and it worked like a charm here. They get the late conversion, and now giving up a TD that in a traditionally played game would have sent the game to overtime if each team kicked an extra point, the Millionaires had to go for two. They tried, giving it to Pritchard for a counter play which was snuffed out perfectly by Chris Hutchings. After failing at the onside kick, Bettia’s victory was official. A tough one for our boys to swallow, but they will try to get some revenge back at Monopoly Stadium against Taeshan, who are one of the group favorites.

Taeshan

01-08-2008, 03:24

Fitin' Falcons win finally

Well the game was pretty easy as they were playing an unknown people from the far off land of Am3ricans. Nobody knew who they were going into the games, and the Falcons showed them what it feels like to buy the farm as the Falcons slaughtered the Am3ricans 24-0, azeroating them just like in Rebound. Jeese we just slaughtered them and left them dead for the crows to eat up.

The Falcons had won it five minutes into the game when Gabe Martin scrambled out of the backfeild on a bootleg and never looked back as he ran the ball into the endzone for a 59 yard touchdown run. Then just 6 minutes later Alais Patrick intercepted the ball of the Am3 QB, and just minutes later at the end of the first Martin Gramatica lined a 39 yrd. field goal, to give the Falcons a 10-0 lead. The second started with a kickoff return by the Am3's to the Falcon 2 yard line wear hge was stopped by Gramatica, and a goaline stand that led to a blocked 20 yrd. field goalby Rudi Williams. Gramatica would make two more field goals to end the half up 16-0.(37, and 47 Yrds.

The second half started with another Falcon field goal as Gramatica smashed another one from 53 yrds. Boy can he kick, he is the best. Anyways the ball was ki9cked around a few more times by the punters until the quater ended. To start the fouth the Am3rican team were lined up to recieve another Sean Landetta punt wich they almost blocked but suceeded in knocking Sean ?Landetta off his feet and onto a stretcher, with a five yard foul. Then Martin Gramatica had to sub in and he pinned the Am3's deep in there territory wich led to the final score of a qb sack safety for Nose Tackle Alan Zito. The game was pretty much over from then on. Next the Falcons fight Secristan, which should be exciting as even though Secristan is knew to the World Bowl, the Knights(other sports teams in Taeshan) have met them elsewhere.

Qazox

01-08-2008, 04:59

Bruxen Globe

Phoenix 2-0 after 'nother Thriller vs. Attackers

It didn't go into overtime, but Qazox, one of the best teams competing in World Bowl II, has struggled on the road in its first two games, though the two teams are amongst the best in the world as well.

A 27-23 win, that was as close as it looks, keeps the Pheonix atop the Group B standings, as they prepare for the home opener against Am3rican, who have been demolished in their first two games by a combined score of 44-3. The early line of Qazox +9.5 is now up to Qazox +15.5, and is still climbing.

SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM 1 2 3 4 Final
Qazox 0 14 7 6 27
Milchama 7 3 3 10 23

SCORING:
Milchama: Barrett Guertin 4 yd TD Run, Belmowitz PAT good. (7-0 Milchama)
Qazox: Kevin Hertz 47 yd TD run, Pollack PAT Good. (7-7)
Qazox: Kevin Hertz 7 yd TD run, Pollack PAT Good. (14-7 Qazox)
Milchama: Belmowitz 38 yd FG. (14-10 Qazox)
Qazox: Xavier Green 34 yd fumble return for TD, Pollack PAT Good. (21-10 Qazox)
Milchama: Belmowitz 43 yd FG. (21-13 Qazox)
Milchama: Belmowitz 40 yd FG. (21-16 Qazox)
Qazox: Brian Dorett 29 yd TD run, Pollack PAT BLOCKED. (27-16 Qazox)
Milchama: Barrett Guertin 4 yd TD pass from Kendrick Holmes, Belmowitz PAT good. (27-23 Qazox)

Qazox' TOP THREE Stars:
Kevin Hertz: 25 rushes, 186 yds, 2 TD
Brian Dorett: 12 rushes, 86 yds, 1 TD; 5 Rec, 47 yds
Xavier Green: 7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 FRec, 1 TD

Arroza

01-08-2008, 05:10

Arroza 20, Swilatia 16:

Chadwick and Major
score one apiece, still nothing
through the air so far.

Chamesi doesn't
have enough time in pocket
To free the men deep.

Teams from nowhere are;
becoming a challenge. Time
to step our game up.

Newmanistan

01-08-2008, 13:13

EMPRESS ISSUES SECURITY STATEMENT

Pocono City, Newmanistan- In light of several factors, Empress Jessica made an Official Royal Statement this morning concerning security at Newmanistanian World Bowl venues. This came about for two reasons. One of which is that Newmanistan is coming off a war of its own within the region. This conflict, in which we have referenced at times, is one that has been taken off the battlefield and into a diplomatic venue. It is not completely resolved as the involved parties discuss territorial land, but the fighting has stopped. Both nations wish to settle the matter now diplomatically. Though perhaps there is still the fear that someone might hold a grudge at some point. The second reason, and the one is the much greater concern refers to the terrorist organization RUIN. This organization’s beef is solely with Sorthern Northland, but they were more then willing to kill Newmanistanians at the Di Bradini Cup, so this is considered a threat, even if Sorthern Northland doesn’t make it out of the group.

Here was the Empress’ Statement:

“Good morning citizens of Newmanistan and people throughout the world. As we know, the World will be returning to Newmanistan for World Bowl II action once the qualifying rounds are complete, and we expect to have an outstanding competition. It already has been, and I can report that things are going absolutely great. Sadly, there is a group out there known as RUIN that may intend to keep it from being as great of a tournament as it could be. In Starblaydia, during the Di Bradini Cup, this group intended to detonate a bomb during our quarterfinal match with Sorthern Northland. RUIN’s main enemy is the nation of Sorthern Northland. However, their willingness to blow up a stadium in Starblaydia shows their complete disregard for human life as they didn’t care if Newmanistanians or Starblaydis were in the wrong place at the wrong time. This shows them to be a ruthless and heartless group. And sadly we know that they aren’t the only organization in the world with these motives, and the concern that they could join forces with other organizations that may have issues with other participating nations in the World Bowl is a real threat in which we will stand on guard for......

“I have been in contact with President Jimmy Sheridan of Sorthern Northland and he has provided me with knowledge needed to understand the full story of what is going on in regards to his nation and RUIN. Based on that, and the fact that RUIN had a bomb set to go off in an area in which Starblaydi authorities have informed me was near a section in which there could have been significant Newmanistanian casualties had it gone off, I have let him know that we can be considered an ally of theirs in the battle. Furthermore, we have begun counterterrorism discussions specifically related to this group so that we can be familiar with them. They have offered to provide assistance, in which we have accepted, due to their familiarity with the enemy......"

“While we were confident in our security measures already in place, there is no such thing as erring on the side of caution when it comes to this. Therefore, I have called for even greater security numbers at each venue for during the World Bowl........

“For the other nations, we would encourage you to be alert to this threat as well during qualifying. Sadly, they may decide to target an unsuspecting country if they feel our presence is too strong......

“Finally, for all the fans please do not let this deter your enthusiasm of the World Bowl. We are confident that all stadiums, and warehouse, will be safe for all the games.”

Newmanistan

01-08-2008, 14:04

It's RP Cutoff time for MD3.

Group A:
Bluth Corporation 27, Swilatia 17
Arroza 26, Sorthern Northland 11
Kura-Pelland 34, kenavt 10

Group B:
Milchama 39, Bettia 37
Taeshan 16, Secristan 13 (OT)
Qazox 23, Am3ricans 7

Group C:
Rennidan 20, Unified Capitalizt States 6
Dancougar 44, Lovisa 10
Newmanistan 19, Kosovoe 17

Tables!!

GROUP A W L GB PF PA PD
Kura-Pelland 3 0 0 84 39 45
Arroza 3 0 0 66 44 22
Bluth Corporation 2 1 1 85 57 28
Sorthern Northland 1 2 2 67 66 1
Swilatia 0 3 3 40 74 -34
kenavt 0 3 3 47 109 -62

GROUP B W L GB PF PA PD
Qazox 3 0 0 83 60 23
Taeshan 2 1 1 53 30 23
Milchama 2 1 1 79 77 0
Secristan 1 2 2 56 44 15
Bettia 1 2 2 92 95 -1
Am3ricans 0 3 3 10 67 -57

GROUP C W L GB PF PA PD
Rennidan 3 0 0 70 39 31
Newmanistan 3 0 0 69 50 19
Dancougar 2 1 1 97 61 36
Lovisa 1 2 2 42 80 -38
Kosovoe 0 3 3 36 54 -18
U. C. S. 0 3 3 43 73 -30

Dancougar

01-08-2008, 18:07

Dancougar News!!
It's a good day at work when you find a half empty computing cluster.
NEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRD.

Lovisa steamrolled 44-10: Now, that's more like it! With Rennidan and Newmanistan showing no signs of slowing down, it was critical that Will Moohim's team get some eye-opening results at home against Lovisa and Kosovoe. So far, so good. Last night's 44-10 victory was exactly what the team and the fans were looking for.

"It was good to get a rest and feel comfortable about the result," said Kirk Hatchitt, who stepped aside at halftime with the Wings up by four scores. "I think some of the other guys felt the same way." Hatchitt was happy to get some rest after two brutal road games against Rennidan and Capitalizt SLANI that showed that teams weren't going to let the Black Wing rushing attack push people around in World Bowl II.

But first, Lovisa.

On the first play from scrimmage, the Wings got the sellout crowd at Jared Koeppel Memorial Stadium on its feet, as a powerful lead block by tight end Joseph Coerver sprung Hatchitt for a 26-yard run, followed by runs of four and eight yards. Dusty Haynesworth connected with Simon Whitham for a 15-yard gain, and then used play action to find Coerver across the middle for 18 more. After an incomplete pass, Hatchitt took it seven yards for a touchdown. Not the kind of slow, painful drive the Wings like, but points are points.

Lovisa went three and out after Anthony Corona broke up a 3rd down pass, and the offense went right back to work. Hatchitt hit the outside for a 12-yard sweep on a crucual 3rd and 5, and Haynesworth came up big again with a 32-yard strike to Divalerio to move into the red zone. The Lovisa defense looked outmatched, and the team was spurred on by the home crowd. Hatchitt, a seam up the middle... into the secondary! Down to the Lovisa 5-yard line, which set up Haynesworth to Divalerio on a short little curl to the front corner of the endzone. The Wings were showing a more balanced attack and had a 14-0 lead to show for it. They controlled the ball for 11 minutes in the first quarter.

"A lot of my passes felt good," said Haynesworth. "The line was giving me all day to do something with the ball."

"We wanted to come out and make sure our fans knew that we were going to be okay," said offensive lineman William Keeser. "Gotta pick up steam now!"

The second quarter brought more of the same. After a Lovisa field goal made it 14-3, Hatchitt continued his march to a hundred. Runs of 13 and 17 on the ensuing drive drove Lovisa to play eight men on the box, which prompted Haynesworth to call a deep route to Whitham. He delivered the ball in stride and Whitham did the rest - a 45-yard touchdown pass that made it 21-3. Joe Arnone forced a fumble on Lovisa's next possession, bringing the Black Wing offense back onto the field.

This time, Haynesworth barely avoided disaster when a tipped ball threatened to be intercepted, but Divalerio alertly knocked the ball to the grass. Hatchitt ran the ball three times on the drive before it stalled at the Lovisa 18-yard line, leading to a Corey Stottlemyer field goal. The Wings also scored on their last possession of the half. After a 25-yard pass to Russel Seelbinder got the Wings down to the Lovisa 6, Hatchitt notched his second score of the day. The teams went in the locker room with Dancougar up 31-3.

"It was nice to have the crowd on our side," said Hatchitt. "I mean, the fans who come out on the road are awesome, but the atmosphere at home is way different. You can feel the energy of the place pick you up."

Most of the starters came out when the second half began, and while Moohim admitted that it was a bit early in the tournament for that, he felt there was a need to get some of the younger players involved. "We hadn't really gotten the chance to explore our depth chart in the early games," he said. "This was an opportunity to break these guys in, so we can rely on them later in the really close games."

Lovisa was stopped at midfield on their opening drive of the second half when Butch Easley and Kirk Manly teamed up for a big third down sack. On the ensuing drive, Todd Appelgate drove the team downfield behind the running of Oliver Tangermann. Ed Mendenhall, the third choice tight end, made his first international catch for a 12-yard gain and a first down, but Lovisa was able to hold the Wings to a field goal when Appelgate threw the ball yards over the head of Ed Caldwell. Stottlemyer converted from 38 yards to make it 34-3.

The defense ceded a touchdown at the end of the third quarter, as Lovisa mounted an eight play, 72-yard drive capped by a 23-yard strike after luring Tony Rorick out of position. "I was trying to deny him the inside," said Rorick, "but he stopped his route and I bit on it. That gave him the time to cross and make the play." Dancougar responded with a field goal to make it 37-10. Runningback Walter Atcitty saw action on the drive, picking up 24 yards in five carries.

The last score of the game came with a little under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, when Todd Appelgate found Russel Seelbinder from 13 yards out after a seven play drive in which Appelgate went 4-4 for 52 yards. "Russ made a good cut to the outside and I put it up," Appelgate said. "That's as good as I've felt in awhile."

Gameday 3 Roundup: Arroza and Kura-Pelland remained unbeaten in Group A with big wins over Southern Northland and Kenavt... Swilatia dropped to 0-3 with a loss to Bluth Corporation... Taeshan survived a scare from Secristan and needed overtime to pick up their second win... Qazox improved to 3-0 in Group B after breezing past Am3ricans... Milchama nipped Bettia in a shootout... Newmanistan squeaked past Kosovoe to keep pace with Rennidan.

Ilita to McDavies: "Fans, what fans?": In response to comments by the leader of the Brute Force, Eastport police chief Ilita challenged McDavies' assertion that their essential deportation of the Black Wing Brigade is dishonorable and unjust.

"To call them 'loyal fans' is somewhat misleading," said Ilita, "especially when their sole purpose for traveling to Rennidan was the brawl. Tell me, how does fighting a street war support a sports team? I've never heard of such a thing."

The measure is one of the most drastic taken in recent days to try and curtail the growing crime problem in Dancougar. Ilita said that he would also like to see the Brute Force be denied visas to travel to Dancougar for the return leg, which has met vocal opposition from barkeepers surrounding the Koeppel Stadium.

King keeps security stable: No additional security has been announced for upcoming Black Wing home games in the wake of a press conference held earlier today by Newmanistan's Empress Jessica. Levels have already been tightened compared to World Bowl I, but King Daniel wants the atmosphere in Dancougar to remain as friendly as possible.

"While we recognize that athletic events are always potential targets, we believe that it is in the best interests of our nation that we proceed as we have," said King Daniel. "Of course, should it become necessary, we will reevaluate our priorities."

Dancougar plays three of its next four games at home, with Rennidan among them. This game has been the greatest cause for concern because of its hardcore contingents of fans.

Bluth Corporation

01-08-2008, 20:13

The Bluth Corporation coaching staff once again proved itself the masters of the halftime adjustment, as the team emerged from a scoreless tie after the second quarter to put up 21 unanswered points in a 27-17 victory over Swilatia.

Bluth Corporation was playing its second straight game on a muddy field, and they put their defensive lessons from the previous game to good use, with heavy dime zone coverage to shut down the passing game and their usual excellent run defense. The game initially looked to be an epic defensive struggle, as both teams exchanged four three-and-outs apiece until Swilatia finally managed to put together a sustained drive late in the first quarter; however, that drive was ended after linebacker Braiden Rainey intercepted a pass intended for a Swilatian tight end in the end zone. Asked about it after the game, Rainey said, "You know, I started that out playing run. I was totally fooled by their play-action fake, and I moved up to stop the running back...I just got lucky that that put me exactly in the path of the tight end's route...I don't even know why he threw it to the guy, I was standing right there." Bluth Corporation defensive coordinator Francis Haymer added that, "Rainey sure did us all a big favor...football's a game of momentum, and in a game like that you need all the momentum you can get and he kept them from getting it. I tell you what, I think all the rest of the linebackers are buying him beer tonight."

Bluth Corporation answered with a sustained drive of its own, taking over on their 20 after Rainey kneeled the interception for a touchback and leading off with a direct snap to running back Richard Anthis on a draw play. With tight end Kyle Wildt (a pure blocking end) anchoring the strong side of the line, Anthis was able to stretch to the outside before cutting upfield for a twelve-yard pickup. Wells then followed up with two passes of 7 and 9 yards to slot receiver Thaddeus Wilkinson, picking apart Swilatia's man coverage before failing to pick up on a nine-man blitz on the next play and being sacked for a loss of seven yards.

Knowing the Swilatian defense would be expecting a pass on second-and-seventeen, Bluth Corporation lined up in shotgun to give Wells plenty of time to run a triple-option play. After the snap Wells dropped back as if to pass, and then as the rush converged on him lateraled the ball to Anthis, who took advantage of the defense's confusion and the deep play of the safeties to pick up fourteen yards, setting up a manageable 3rd-and-3 on Swilatia's 45-yard-line.

However, the Corporation was slow getting back to the line and drew a delay of game penalty, moving them back to the 50 and giving them no viable option but to pass on 3rd-and-8. Swilatia decided to forego the blitz and instead settled into tight man coverage, putting cornerbacks on the tight ends as well as the wide receivers. Their ploy worked, as Wells's attempt downfield to wideout Erwin Winters was batted down, forcing the Corporation to send out Lamar White to punt.

The punt was recovered at the 3-yard-line but returned for only two yards, as a vicious hit by Wesley Ice resulted in Swilatia's return man signaling for a fair catch on the remainder of the game's kicks.

The Swilatians started the drive out well, moving themselves out of the danger zone to their 15-yard line after three plays, but after two successive sacks drove them back to their own two-yard-line, they opted to punt on third down rather than risk giving up a safety.

Swilatia's booming punt sailed out of bounds at the Bluth Corporation 41-yard-line, and with three minutes to go Bluth Corporation was content with picking up a first down and then just letting the clock run out.

The Corporation's one significant drive in the first half had exposed some potential holes in Swilatia's passing defense, and as they headed into the locker room the coaches thought they knew how to exploit them. Bluth Corporation would get the ball to start the second half, and as their offense set up shop on Swilatia's 44-yard-line after a 49-yard runback by Donald Deputy, they begin putting their plan into action. They certainly took the Swilatians by surprise when they lined up in trips to the right, and a quick snap count got the play off before the defense was able to adjust. The Swilatians were even more surprised when they realized that Bluth Corporation was running from this formation, and by the time they were able to bring down running back Sean Blakley he had already made it to the 30-yard-line. From there Wells threw a couple of quick dump-offs to Blakley and tight end John Burgess before handing it off to William Williams to pick up three yards for another first down. Wells then attempted a pass that bounced off the fingertips of flanker Norman Shade before handing it off to Anthis to pick up an easy four yards to set up 3rd-and-6 from the fifteen. Despite the incompletion Bluth Corporation had clearly found a rhythm, and they got the feeling momentum was starting to swing their way when they lined back up in trips again, hoping to draw the defense to the right to clear the way for Erwin Winters to make a completion downfield and jog into the end zone.

It didn't work as they had intended. Having been fooled after the last time Bluth Corporation ran a play from trips, Swilatia remained in their base defense and brought the linebackers up to protect against the possibility of a run. Wells was flustered when he unexpectedly saw zone coverage, and it was enough to make him try to force something to Burgess that had no chance of ever being caught.

Faced with fourth-and-six and desperate to not just get something going but also to take advantage of Deputy's huge runback, Bluth Corporation decided to trick Swilatia one last time, with a Statue of Liberty play. It worked well enough to enable Anthis to not just pick up the six yards that were needed, but to advance all the way to the one-yard-line before finally being tackled by one of Swilatia's safeties. From there, it was a simple matter to line up in an offset I and hand off to fullback George Canaan and let him pound the ball the rest of the way in.

The enthusiasm of the game's first score carried over to the defense, and when Swilatia took over after a fair catch by their cowed kick returner everyone came out flying and swarming. The quarterback was given no time at all to throw, and they were only able to pick up a first down on the ground because left end Matthew West tripped over his blocker's feet and an untimely encroachment call on Chase Allen. Swilatia finally managed to complete a pass on the first play of the next set of downs, albeit for only six yards, and after two successive runs were stopped at the line Swilatia was forced to punt it away.

From then on out, it was all Bluth Corporation. Having solved the Swilatian pass defense, Wells threw for one more touchdown midway through the third quarter, and after the defense forced a three-and-out they started taking their time, running as much as possible until finally Richard Anthis broke loose for a 20-yard touchdown run to put them up (after the ensuing PAT) 21-0 one minute into the fourth quarter. From there Bluth Corporation took out its starters and went into the prevent defense; however, Swilatia's desperation was enough to enable them to put up two touchdowns in garbage time while Bluth Corporation managed to put up two field goals with its second-string offense. The coaching staff was starting to sweat as it returned its starting defense to the field, and they were able to hold Swilatia to a single field goal with seven minutes to go in the game.

Swilatia onsided the ensuing kickoff and managed to recover it, but Bluth Corporation's reinvigorated pass defense forced them to stay on the ground, burning up valuable time. Finally, Bluth Corporation managed to put the game away for good when linebacker Braiden Rainey obtained his second turnover of the day, stripping the ball from the running back at the Bluth Corporation 17 and managing to advance it nine yards downfield before being stopped by Swilatia's much faster quarterback.

Bluth Corporation got the ball back with under four minutes remaining in the game, and since Swilatia was out of time-outs two runs and a seven-yard pass from backup quarterback Henry Weber gave them a first down with ninety seconds to go, from whence the offense lined up in the victory formation and knelt on the ball to run out the clock.

Kura-Pelland

01-08-2008, 21:35

Kura-Pelland were almost humiliated by Sorthern Northland, but that seemed to serve as a wake-up call. kenavt were slaughtered 34-10, a score that still doesn't serve to reflect the Arrows' total second-half dominance.

Playing with more of a long-bomb style than usual, not that this is difficult - Vernasse as starting QB, Fernandez as a starting WR - there was initial promise when the former found the latter for a 63-yard TD reception on the game's first drive. On the Arrows' second, though, Vernasse threw a pick that was taken back for six, and with the score at 7-7, in came Bernard. He calmed the situation down impressively, keeping the Kenavt offense off the field. While initially the Arrows, trying various unusual plays still, were restricted to two field goals to make it 13-7, once Kenavt made it 13-10 with 2:12 to halftime the Arrows turned on the gas with a great two-minute drill that led to a TD with :23 on the clock, courtesy of a draw play on second-and-7 that turned into a 24-yard scoring run for Graham Illingworth against an utterly confused defence, who were still in pass-stopping formation as the Arrows went no-huddle. 20-10 was the halftime score, and throughout the second half the Arrows just toyed with their lowly opposition, trying to make highlight-reel touchdowns knowing it didn't much matter if they didn't. It was the defence who proved critical, and Kevin O'Toole fittingly got a TD of his own, recovering the fumble KC Borsten forced while blitzing. Another TD followed from Vernasse, now back on the field, with another long pass to Fernandez, and these two seem to work quite well together. But it'll be the settled Bernard/Lecavalier combo that's in play for the big one, against Arroza.

Secristan

01-08-2008, 21:36

BIG EFFORT FALLS SHORT IN OT

In this afternoon’s World Bowl II match at Monopoly Stadium, the Millionaires of Secristan played yet another strong game. Effort though doesn’t matter. What does is the fact that the Millionaires lost 16-13 in overtime, a game after losing to Bettia 25-23 as we couldn’t match the Dragons ability to convert on 2-point conversions. We are 1-2, yet so close to being 3-0. Hopefully, despite our win only coming against the pathetic team from Am3ricans, we are beginning to draw some international respect on the gridiron.

The teams exchanged field goals in each of the first two quarters, leading to a halftime score of 6-6. The defense of Taeshan was outstanding but their offense was not. Despite only getting six points in the first half, they made five trips into the red zone; kicking two fields goals, a failed fourth-and-goal from the 1, and then the biggest miscues, two fumbles, each by Rudi Williams. Ahmad Dillon and Aaron Baxter were the Secristan players that caused the fumbles. Early in the third quarter, Gabe Martin hit slot receiver Alais Patrick along the right hashmarks for a 27-yard TD reception. Their defense continued to shut down the offense, but their own offense could not score any more. Tom Mitchell was struggling and it appeared as though the Millionaires would not be able to make a comeback. But with 4:10 left in the 4th quarter, Taeshan’s Williams fumbled for the third time, and it was retrieved by Curtis Henry. Henry then took it to house. 66 yard fumble recovery for a TD, and just like that, we were tied at 13. Unfortunately, in overtime, we could not score first. A 44 yard pass reception by Zellefrow set Taeshan up in good field position, and Gramatica hit a 31-yard FG to win. Gramatica then proceeded to jump around and dance like an idiot, in which Ahmad Dillon shoved him down to the ground anyway. Surprisingly, not many teammates really came to his aid, and actually some of them seemed to think it was funny.

Taeshan

01-08-2008, 23:33

Fitin' Falcons beat Secristan at there house

Gramatica hits 3 field goals and Alais Patrick recieves a ppass for a touchdown from Gabe Martin, and the Falcons won in overtime 16-13. Next we face Bettia a former football foe in the Gridiron World Chmapionships in group play which the Falcons won. It will be exciting.

Qazox

02-08-2008, 03:15

Bruxen Globe

Phoenix still unbeaten after blowout against Am3ricans

The final line was Qazox +16, and the casinos made their money as Qazox won by...16 exactly, 23-7. I'm guessing the team called off the dogs after taking a 20-0 lead into the 4th quarter. Perhaps they are preparing for the Secristan match, which is currently on the boards at Qazox +8.5; or they just don't want to show all their cards before the Taeshan clash in 2 weeks.

SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM 1 2 3 4 Final
Am3ricans 0 0 0 7 7
Qazox 3 10 7 3 23

SCORING:
Qazox: Pollack 39 yd FG (3-0 Qazox)
Qazox: Harry Pitts 5 yd TD Run, Pollack PAT good. (10-0 Qazox)
Qazox: Pollack 48 yd FG (13-0 Qazox)
Qazox: Frank Dobbs 97 yd Kickoff Return for TD, Pollack PAT Good. (20-0 Qazox)
Am3ricans: 1 yd TD Run, PAT good (20-7 Qazox)
Qazox: Pollack 48 yd FG (23-7 Qazox)

Qazox' TOP THREE Stars:
Frank Dobbs: 2 KO returns, 137 yds, 1 TD; 6 Rec, 89 yds.
Harry Pitts: 10-12, 182 yds, 4 rushes, 50 yds, 1 TD.
Harvey Pollack: 3/3 FG, long of 48, 2/2 PAT.

Rennidan

02-08-2008, 11:31

Rennidan : UCS SLANI
20:6

Match Report:

SLANIWORLD - Today, I got on and off a plane. I found my luggage, after what seemed to be an eternity, and then found my fancy little chauffeur the company had hired for me to have so he could drive me to and from my hotel, and to and from that week’s game. As pleasant as this was, it got my brain ticking. As I sat in my hotel room of a plush five star room, sipping on the free booze from the mini-bar and watching some kind of SLANI prime time television, I couldn't help but miss the dire and decrepit state of affairs I had come to know back home.

So, I trudged onwards, in my chauffeur driven limo, to the SLANI stadium, with a heavy heart full of the knowledge that their toilets would flush, that they'd have proper lighting, and that they'd probably have actual places to sit. Designated seats at a football match? What a silly bloody idea.

So, yes, I sat in what was, for that match, MY seat. And a man came with me to actually check that, yes, in fact, I did own the slip of paper telling me I could sit there. Heaven forbid I sat anywhere else.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm not used to this atmosphere anymore. I used to love the cleanliness, the clean cut of it all. I used to revel in the organization it took for something like this to run, and run well. And then the Rennidan Brutes came along, in a warehouse no less, and showed me that all you need to actually enjoy a football match was, in fact, a match of football. All this other stuff, the high rise seats, the press boxes, was too much. It got in the way of the game.

And Rennidan was now kicking off that very game. I must admit, it was an odd site, seeing a bunch of lads, dressed in their Sunday casuals, down on that pitch about to face off against the behemoths in their big kit. But I slowly realized, I've seen things like this before, it's just the fact the environment suited the Brutes better then. So, out tumbles Clive for the kick, he boots it down to SLANI's twenty three, and the match is off.

I'm not going to go into a long process of what happened today, but give a brief skim over, if you like.

Powis broke two halfbacks and half a fullback. Jason 'Supes' Yeilds scored two touchdowns, to which Clive scored the PATS, and Lewis Seffer, rather drunk, managed to wrap his hands around a twenty two yard touchdown pass. It was here, in the forth quarter, that the team forgot that they still had the rest of the match to play and a PAT to make. Needless to say, SLANI then made an 80 yard run to score a touchdown. This didn’t even rattle the away team, who were now celebrating through drinking their collective weight.

It was here SLANI decided they might as well go for two points, seeing as the Rennidan team was away celebrating prematurely. So, handing off to the third and final SLANI halfback so that they could at least get an extra two points on the board and for their point difference, the Quarterback then realized he had made a fatal mistake. Not all the players on the Rennidan side were off celebrating.

Powis was still there.

Needless to say, the final result was 20-6, and the medics get another halfback.

_________

McDavies to Ilita: "Bite me, ya' pansy."

Following Eastport Police Chief Ilita's clear cut response to the Brute Force leader, McDavies, the hooligan himself bit back with his own cold response.

"How are they fans, he asks? How are they fans? These are lads willin' to give bones and bloods in honour of their team. They're willin' to fight to keep their teams name good. Tell me, if you fight a man in a bar because he called your wife a slutty tramp, are you not fightin' in your wife’s name? In her honour? That's all we do for our teams. We protect their names, and our nation’s honour."

When told that Ilita is also planning on rejecting Brute Force member's visas when they try and get into Dancougar, McDavies gave a toothy grin and bellow "We'll find a way. Don'cha' worry. We'll be findin' a way."

_________

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk176/rennidan/BRUTES.png

Rennidan: Matchday Four Preview.

RENNIDAN versus NEWMANISTAN

Weather: Leaky

Expected Attendance: A couple of handfuls.

This here, lads and ladies, is the dogfight for the top of Group Three. Whoever wins becomes first, and both teams want it bad. For the Brute's it'd be a sign that you don't have to have finances and fancy kits to be top o' the crop. For Newmanistan, it'd be proof that someone out there can take the lousy louts down.

All we know is it'll be a match to remember.

'MON THE BRUTES!

Newmanistan

02-08-2008, 14:09

We have reached your Saturday Morning MD4 cutoff. Also, keep in mind that there will be no games Sunday, and I hope to see plenty of World Bowl RP's when I get back from the race (NASCAR). MD5 will be scorinated Monday morning.

Group A:
Bluth Corporation 23, Kura-Pelland 17
Arroza 20, kenavt 7
Swilatia 10, Sorthern Northland 6

Group B:
Bettia 16, Taeshan 10
Secristan 17, Qazox 15
Milchama 34, Am3ricans 7

Group C:
Rennidan 10, Newmanistan 3
Dancougar 27, Kosovoe 10
Unified Capitalizt States 34, Lovisa 17

Tables:

GROUP A W L GB PF PA PD
Arroza 4 0 0 86 51 35
Kura-Pelland 3 1 1 101 62 39
Bluth Corporation 3 1 1 108 74 34
Sorthern Northland 1 3 3 73 76 -3
Swilatia 1 3 3 50 80 -30
kenavt 0 4 4 54 129 -75

GROUP B W L GB PF PA PD
Qazox 3 1 0 98 77 21
Milchama 3 1 0 113 84 29
Taeshan 2 2 1 63 46 17
Secristan 2 2 1 73 59 14
Bettia 2 2 1 108 105 3
Am3ricans 0 4 3 17 101 -84

GROUP C W L GB PF PA PD
Rennidan 4 0 0 80 42 38
Dancougar 3 1 1 124 71 53
Newmanistan 3 1 1 72 60 12
U. C. S. 1 3 2 77 90 -13
Lovisa 1 3 2 59 114 -55
Kosovoe 0 4 4 46 81 -35

Qazox

02-08-2008, 16:30

Bruxen Globe

MASSIVE UPSET OR MASSIVE CORRUPTION?

Qazox lost its first game of the Group stage 17-15 to Secristan, but controversy swirls around the end of the game, as John Redding's 74 yd- Interception return for a TD as time expired, was nullified by a penalty, which numerous TV replays show never occured. A penalty was called on Ray Valens for holding the Secristan RB Adam Pritchard, but Valens was never within 5 yards of Pritchard at anytime during the play. Back Line Judge Tim Donaghy, who has had links to gambling rings in the past, was the offical who called the penalty. Qazox only had time for one last desparate Hail Mary attempt, from their 43 yd-line, but Harry Pitts' pass was knocked down at the 3 by Secristan's Kellen Venter. Donaghy was not available for comment after the game, but was seen entering a limousine owned by Secristan QB Tom Mitchell. Qazox has offically protested the results of this game to the World Bowl Council, but the attempted were rebuffed, as no such organization exists.

SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM 1 2 3 4 Final
Secristan 0 7 3 7 17
Qazox 9 3 3 0 15

SCORING:
Qazox: Secristan's Matt Cross called for holding in endzone (Safety) (2-0 Qazox).
Qazox: Lyle Beckett 15 yd TD pass from Harry Pitts, Pollack PAT good (9-0 Qazox).
Secristan: Johnnie Baker 48yd td Pass from Tom Mitchell. Kevin Rodney PAT Good (9-7 Qazox).
Qazox: Pollack 39 yd FG (12-7 Qazox).
Secristan: Rodney 47 yd FG (12-10 Qazox).
Qazox: Pollack: 44 yd FG (15-10 Qazox).
Secristan: Adam Pritchard 4 yd TD Run, Rodney PAT good. (17-15 Secristan)

Qazox' TOP THREE Stars:
Harvey Pollack: 2/3 FG, long of 44, 1/1 PAT.
Harry Pitts: 12/21, 201 yds, 1TD, 2 INT; 4 rushes, 11 yds.
Daryl Whitely: 18 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 FF

Secristan

02-08-2008, 18:26

Announcer 1: Mitchell drops back, wow he’s gonna throw....

Announcer 2: Why are we passing from the Qazox 30, with so little time left while we have a two point lead?

A1: Nevermind that.

A2: And it’s picked off. Why did we pass the ball? And there he goes. That’s John Redding, and the stupid play calling is going to cost us another one.

A1: Hold on, there’s a flag.

A2: It looked like Mitchell may have said something to the official after the pick.

A1: Holding on Valens, it’s coming back!

A2: Ain’t that a relief! Where was the holding though?

A1: Who cares!

(After the game)

Mitchell: Hey Donaghy, thanks man.

Donaghy: No problem.

Mitchell: Here come take a ride with me. I got a couple chicks in my room, you can have one for yourself in addition to that check.

Taeshan

02-08-2008, 20:22

Fitin' Falcons living down to Expectations Lose again

Coming into this World Bowl things were looking up only half of the other teams coming into this tournament even looked like they had a chance coming into this tournament, but after 3 games the Falcons were 2-1 with a loss against the lowly Milchamans, but even if that wasnt bad know they had to play the Dragons of Bettia a team who on any other day would not pose a threat to the power that is Taeshani football, but no this was not like any other day as the Falcons were steamrolled by the Dragons 16-10. Wiped out on there enemies turf the Falcons were down and out of the tournament barely even in it anymore. The Football Association of Taeshan has even thought about expelling the members of the Team after the gam on Wednesday in Taeshan at the Coliseum if they cannot make the Qazian Phoenix respect our homes, are families. There is news that the Qazoxian fans who are bitter rivals of the regional comrades, may even pillage the city of Atlantea, even commit arson in the greatest city of Taeshan, the capital, this is not an option we must win.

Saturdays game in Bettia was horribly played by the Falcons as they just gave up after the Bettians scored two straight touchdowns to open the first, and even when as far as rubbing it in the faces of the Falcons as they scored twice on two point conversions, and kept that very lead going into halftime up 16-0. Thje second half was not much better as the Falcons could only salvage a 46 yrd. Martin Gramatica field goal, and a Gabe Martin 2 yrd touchdown dive. The Falcons were down and it showed.

Now it seems there is a light at the tunnel though as going into the big rivalry game against Qazox, it will be home, but Qazox was also beaten to a pulp this weekend as they lost to a lowly Secristan Millionares who even the Falcons have earlier beaten 17-15. The game will be a show of brute strenghth.

Kura-Pelland

02-08-2008, 21:46

An epic encounter with Bluth Corporation led to a heartbreaking 23-17 defeat that effectively ends the chances of Kura-Pelland Arrows ever being taken seriously.

The game was won and lost in the air, with Michael Bernard producing just 93 yards and no touchdowns while also facing seven sacks, one for a safety. Graham Illingworth produced one excellent 29-yard run for a score, while Kevin O'Toole's fumble recovery led to another. But between those two scores Bluth Corporation scored three touchdowns on successive drives, and Graham Illingworth can't be expected to win games on his own, especially against this run defence.

The media are now calling for Dick Vernasse to start the game against Arroza, but they're most unlikely to get their wish. 'Bernard is a big-game player and the Arroza game is now even bigger than it already was,' said head coach Robert Lottbridge. It looks set to be the same team against Arroza, and 5-0 for the losers of World Bowl I seems a near-guarantee if you believe the media.

It's incredibly hard not to in this instance.

Bluth Corporation

03-08-2008, 00:26

Bluth Corporation's pass defense took center stage, sacking Kura-Pelland's quarterback seven times for a total loss of 63 yards (including one that went for a safety).

The safety-sack was, ironically, credited to free safety Chaz Livermore as Kura-Pelland's utter disaster in the air enabled the defensive backs to cheat on their positioning.

It didn't start out that way, though. Bluth Corporation fielded the opening kickoff, but was promptly forced off the field with a three-and out; the same fate met Kura-Pelland's first drive as well as Bluth Corporation's next possession. Kura-Pelland finally got things going after running back Graham Illingworth was sprung free for a 29-yard touchdown when the secondary bit on a draw play while in man coverage. Defensive backs coach Phil Lewis was irate, reminding his players that "you've gotta keep one eye on your man and one eye on the play! God gave you two eyes, and you damn well better be using 'em both!"

The one highlight of Kura-Pelland's day was their kick coverage unit, which made itself known when Terry Mills came out of nowhere to put a punishing hit on Donald Deputy after he had managed to take just three steps. Bluth Corporation's offense went to work at the 17, and quarterback Cain Wells had no trouble finding wideout Erwin Winters on a slant route for 12 yards. The next play was originally planned as a run up the gut, but when Kura-Pelland brought eight in the box Wells audibled into a weakside end-around. As flanker Norman Shade took the toss from Wells, however, Kura-Pelland linebacker KC Borsten flew right into his face to drop him for a loss of 3. Another run up the gut was stopped at the line, and facing third-and-13 Wells lined up in shotgun, five-wide. With plenty of time to decide, Wells hit Kyler Hayes for a 30-yard strike against zone coverage that moved them to the Kura-Pelland 44-yard-line. From there, Wells threw to Hayes again for nine yards and Sean Blakley ran a stretch play for three yards; on the next play, an attempted run off-tackle by Blakley was blown up for a loss of two. Bluth Corporation picked up nineteen yards on a flea-flicker pass, with Wells getting rid of the ball just as Kura-Pelland's Mack Grundig had him in his grasp for a near sack. After an incompletion and a trap run that was stopped at the line, Wells found Thaddeus Wilkinson in the back of the end zone for the team's first score of the game.

From there, Bluth Corporation totally dominated on both sides of the ball until midway through the third quarter. Kura-Pelland's next possession was ended by the above-mentioned safety; the free kick was blocked and Bluth Corporation began their next possession at Kura-Pelland's 16-yard-line. A quick touchdown strike from Wells to running back Richard Anthis put the Corporation in the lead for the first time, and the Bluth Corporation defense took the field with just under seven minutes to go in the first half. Their inability to get anything going through the air forced Kura-Pelland to burn valuable time on the ground, and they had barely gotten past midfield--certainly well out of field-goal range--when the first half ended.

Kura-Pelland almost managed to score on the opening drive of the second half, but a questionable decision to try a pass on first-and-goal at the 4 handed Bluth Corporation cornerback Lamar Walden his first career interception in international play. Bluth Corporation's offense took the field at the 20 and was a picture of efficiency and balance as they used eight runs and eight passes (including three incompletions) to take a 23-7 lead with thirty seconds to go in the third quarter.

By this time, Kura-Pelland was getting worn down. Though they had enjoyed surprising success against Bluth Corporation's vaunted run defense, their inability to mount a credible passing threat meant that Kura-Pelland's backfield committee was taking a considerable beating. Because of Kura-Pelland's passing deficiencies Bluth Corporation's safeties were able to play much shallower than usual, making the situation even worse for Kura-Pelland's running platoon. It came to a head when, after kneeling the Bluth Corporation kickoff in the end zone for a touchback, Kura-Pelland's offense was driven back seventeen yards on three successive runs, forcing them to punt out of their own end zone.

Even the punt almost turned into a disaster, as Graham Joel had difficulty fielding the snap, which gave Bluth Corporation's line plenty of time to get in the backfield and nearly record another safety.

Donald Deputy muffed the punt but still managed to fall on it at the Kura-Pelland 42-yard-line. The possession didn't last long, though, as a desperate Kura-Pelland blitzed the safeties on the very first play of the drive, with Kevin O'Toole stripping the ball from Cain Wells and running it out to midfield before finally being stopped by fullback George Canaan.

The usually reserved Wells had to be restrained as he shouted insults and curses at his linemen, until finally one of them pointed out that the replay on the stadium Jumbotron clearly showed him holding the ball way out away from his body, totally up for grabs. "It was your own fault, dude...if it was a sack it might have been on us, but the strip was totally on you," concluded center Robert Winkler

Meanwhile, on the field Kura-Pelland decided it had to try to pass, since there was no way a running attack could be sustained the entire rest of the game. Two passes for 20 and 17 yards took advantage of Bluth Corporation's defense not anticipating this mindset, and by the time they finally started playing honest Kura-Pelland had advanced to the 13-yard-line. Having finally forced the safeties back a bit, Kura-Pelland decided to try a run, handing the ball off to Graham Illingworth for a pickup of six. The next play was a quick dumpoff to Illingworth for five that took advantage of a linebacker blitz. Finally, on first-and-goal at the two, quarterback Michael Bernard snuck in, barely touched, to bring his team to within nine.

Bluth Corporation had started to celebrate on its sidelines, but soon realized that the game wasn't over yet. Kura-Pelland onside-kicked the ball and recovered it at their own 44. Bluth Corporation's defense had gotten wise to Kura-Pelland's thinking and succeeded at shutting down the long pass; still, the offense was able to advance pretty steadily dinking-and-dunking, until two consecutive sacks put them at 4th-and-5 at the Bluth Corporation 22. Needing to get something out of this drive, Kura-Pelland opted to send in their kicker, who split the uprights to make the score 23-17.

Rather than risk giving Bluth Corporation excellent field position with a failed onside kick attempt, Graham Brightman instead kicked the ball into the end zone to give the Corporation the ball at their own 20. Kura-Pelland's obvious plan was to force them into a punting situation and take the ball back, but with under four minutes to go in the game they were cutting it rather close. They almost succeeded, forcing Bluth Corporation to punt on 4th-and-2 on their first set of downs. However, Kura-Pelland's Max Belgrave jumped offsides before the ball was snapped, giving Bluth Corporation a fresh set of downs with just over two minutes to go. After running the ball for five yards to take the two-minute warning, Wells threw for six to Norman Shade to pick up the first down that would enable them to run out the clock.

OOC: This should be my last roleplay until the end of next week...I am an instructor for a high school marching band, and our second band camp is next week; I won't have access to a computer during that time (and even if I did I'd have more important things to do than this)

Rennidan

03-08-2008, 17:17

Rennidan : NEWMANISTAN
10:3

Match Report:

Warehouse 17, Rennidan - I'm not gonna' lie. That was, perhaps, one of the fiercest games I have seen fought under Rennidan's leaking roof. The situation was simple: The current top dogs of Group C, going against each other to try and knock one another down a notch. Both teams were on unbeaten records of 3-0, so by the end of the match, one of the team's would no longer be Group C's perfect child.

The contenders were at opposite ends of a spectrum here. In one corner, we have Newmanistan, the shiny, happy hosts of World Bowl I and II. They kick started the global competition for this sport we've all come to know and love. In the other corner, we have us. Rennidan. All dirty and mean and playing in a warehouse that used to keep raw meats fresh before the company got bankrupted by a food poisoning case. Not exactly Ali versus Fraizer, I know, but still, I was bloody well excited to be standing at the sidelines for this one. This is another reason I prefer reporting from Rennidan's home stage. At any other stadium, we're miles away getting the coverage. Here though, we're right on the lines, hearing the bones snap and blood spurt.

Newmanistan won the flip and decided to receive to start with. It was a wise move really, as it meant they could get to grips with the stadium without offering a big chance for Rennidan to cakewalk some points in the opening minutes. Corey Brooks stood ready, and Clive from Rennidan booted the ball back to the Newmanistan 12. Brooks put his acceleration to good use and blasted it down the line, weaving between both teams, before being blown over by Nick Stow at the thirty four. It was a good return, but from the looks of things, Rennidan weren't going to give the away team an easy time.

The Rocket's opening drive left a little to be desired as they went to the air on the first two plays with moderate success, before trying their luck on the third and one with a run play. Pivonka handed off to Corey Parisi for a straight run up the middle. Unfortunatley Owen Powis was already there, and knocked Parisi down. Hard. The ball went flying from the halfback's grip before he had even hit the floor, and Nick Stow was there in a flash, hands firmly gripped around the pigskin. The linebacker made it to Newmanistan's thirteen yard line before Jim Crosby managed to drag him down.

That there was Rennidan's way of telling Newmanistan that they'd need to step their game up, and fast.

And, suprisingly, Newmanistan rose to the challenge.

The Rockets managed to keep Rennidan down to a 4th and 5 situation, from which Clive came on and kicked the fieldgoal. Yeah, Rennidan was now 3-0 up, but it was obvious from the home team's reaction that they realized that this would be harder than they had hoped. If anything, this was Newmanistan calling the Brute's challenge, and raising them.

The first quarter came and went with little in the way of groundbreaking plays or record breaking scores. It was an evenly matched tug of war, with Rennidan pushing Newmanistan back until they punted, and then Newmanistan doing the same. Airborne plays from the Rockets were in too much risk of interception from the linebackers, and the running plays from being demolished by Powis and Co., whereas Rennidan's harsh running plays were put into shambles by Newmanistan's defensive line.

The second quarter dragged on, with the only real mentionable plays being the two where Daniel Guest blew over the offensive line to sack John Pivonka for substantial losses and the one where Julius Conte sacked Pat McGraw, and the match then had to be postponed for five minutes thanks to the ensuing brawl.

Then there was the usual ceremony of drinking known as 'half time', and both teams rolled back out for the third quarter, which, yet again, was uneventful until the dying minutes.

Newmanistan had possession at the 50, thanks to Michael Ahearn picking up the stray ball after Marcellus Hanlon forced a fumble. When it looked as through the Rockets had a clear run downfield with Ahearn, Ed Yecks came outta' nowhere and bowled Ahearn over hard. I'm talking the kind of hard where stretchers had to come out to carry the safety off. With the Newmanistan defence suddenly coming to grips with the fact that the Rennidanians were willing to obliterate others to maintain their lead, they shuffled off the pitch and offered hushed words of warning to the oncoming Rockets offence.

Finally awakened to why these kitless players were called 'Brutes', the Newmanistan offence finished the third quarter tentavily with no real progress made. It wasn't until a barking down from Brett Nicholson in the short break between quarters that the Rocket's offence came on with new heart, and pushed on to the Rennidan thirty five, where the Brutes successfully held them back to a 4th and 8 situation. It was make or break time, and Newmanistan brought on Ashton Colfer for the kick. The ball easily struck between the painted posts on the home team wall, and the match was suddenly tied at the start of the fourth quarter.

With a new fire, the Rockets held the Brutes back up into the dying seconds of the match, where the away side had possession and were doing the darndest to run the ball to try and bring the clock crushing down on the homeside. The ticker read eight seconds left, the play clock read three seconds, and Newmanistan were pushing for overtime. They were on their own thirty, so a kick was out of the question. A kneel would anger the homeside way more than it would be worth, so the Rocket's played on with a handoff to Tiberius Gillepsie. And suddenly, the away fans erupted into a harmonious cheer. Gillepsie wasn't built for the long runs, but somehow, by some miracle, the beefy fullback had found an opening wider than the Pearly Gates themselves. And, by God, was he going for it. Thirty, forty, fifty, and back down to forty, thirty... Twenty? The clock's hit zero. By God he's made the ten and, and....

And out of thin air Mosef Cracke and Sim Telek doubleteamed the poor fullback into oblivion. Cooper hit high from the left, Telek hit low from the right, and Gillepsie was hit hard enough for his helmet to be launched high, meaning he was brought down headfirst without any protection on his domepiece. That was that the--Wait. Wait. Hold up. There hasn't been a whistle blown.

The ball's still in play! Gillepsie fumbled!

And it's a head-to-head between Dan Cooper and Alex Foster for who gets to that ball first.

Lord Almighty, Cooper has his fingers on it. He wraps it up under himself and meets Foster head on! And Foster is knocked down! Cooper has the ball and he's running from his own seven yard line! Nicolette misses him by a hairs width! Halvorsen is knocked out of his interception route by Nick Stow, who's now blocking for the Free Safety! Cooper dodges around Pemberton, who dives and misses!

Sweet Mother Nature he's made the halfway line!

Past Parisi! Russo! Pivonka!

It's just Cooper versus Colanno!

The ten. The five.

Cooper goes through Colanno, who bites the concrete hard!

Cooper stumbles! He falls!

But my GOD is he stretching those arms!

The whistle goes!

The ref's arms go up!

TOUCHDOWN BRUTES!

Rennidan have come out on top against the World Bowl Hosts, and remain atop Group C for one match longer! A 93 yard run from Dan Cooper means Rennidan has done it! Mother Nature hold me!

And the stretchers go out onto the pitch to take care of Colanno and Gillepsie. Rennidan's Clive takes the kick, and bolsters the troops up to a 10-3 victory.

What a match.

What a win.

Newmanistan leave with broken hearts and broken bones, whilst Rennidan stay and drink into the early hours of the morning with their fans and one old fart of a reporter.

Next up is an away match at Lovisa, but I can tell you now, ladies and gentlemen, there is no way in the lowest depths of Hell that it will be a better match than the one I have laid witness to tonight.

Jeremy Riklo, over and out.

Milchama

03-08-2008, 17:45

"Hey"

"What?"

"We're playing in the gridiron championships"

"Another international championships?"

"Yep"

"Well as long as we don't embarrass ourselves we'll be fine"

"Yep"

"So how are we doing?"

"Really really well"

"No way!"

"Yep, we're 3-1 with wins over Bettia, Taeshan, and a crappy team"

"Cool"

"There is a problem though"

"What?"

"Our offense has been terrible, we haven't scored 40 in a game yet and our we've had to rely too much on our running attack."

"But I thought our running back was sweet"

"Yeh he is but still relying to much on him could cause problems"

"Who are we talking about again?"

"The Milchama Attackers running back Barrett Guertin"

"Oh that guy"

"Yeh"

"Good man, good player, likes cheese"

"How do you know that?"

"I don't, I just like saying that"

"Cool"

"So we're in good hands"

"Yeh man"

"Sweet"

"Go Attackers Go!"

"Yeh man"

Dancougar

04-08-2008, 06:36

Dancougar News!!
I no longer fear hell, for I have survived my grandmother's basement.

Ground attack wears down Kosovoe: The Black Wings pulled into second place in the Group C standings before pivotal back-to-back matches against Newmanistan and Rennidan, dispatching Kosovoe 27-10 before 25,000 fans at the Jared Koeppel Memorial Stadium.

Kosovoe had no answer for Kirk Hatchitt, who ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns, while Oliver Tangerman pitched in 52 yards. Dusty Haynesworth continued to play average, but solid, football with 180 yards passing, a touchdown, and an interception. While they were unable to run up the score quite as much as they did against Lovisa, the Wings did their best to return to fundamentals, forcing four turnovers and keeping Kosovoe scoreless in the second half.

"We made some adjustments at halftime that turned out to make all the difference," said coach Will Moohim. "Obviously, no gameplan is foolproof, but Kosovoe really came out and fire and forced us into a corner early."

Kosovoe held firm throughout the first half and looked capable of the upset before being overwhelmed by a resurgent Black Wing squad. The game started with three and outs from both teams, as neither offense was able to pick up any steam. Kosovoe had the first sustained drive of the game, carrying the ball into the Black Wing half before being forced to punt. This gave the Wings a long field, and after Hatchitt was stalled on the 24-yard line on a 3rd and 3, the Wings were forced to cede field position. Kosovoe opened the scoring on the following drive with a 32-yard field goal.

"I couldn't seem to find any holes," said Hatchitt. "Credit to their line, they weren't giving me anything to work with."

The Wings evened the score on the following drive when Corey Stottlemyer connected from 40 yards. Kosovoe returned the ensuing kickoff to their own 39-yard line and drove into Black Wing territory before committing the game's first turnover. Daryl Yearling blitzed from the quarterback's blind side and caused a fumble, which was recovered by Joe Arnone. Haynesworth went right to work, connecting on what turned out to be the game's longest pass - 43 yards to Simon Whitham to immediately put the Wings within Stottlemyer's range.

Haynesworth gave Hatchitt another chance, and this time, the runningback had more success. The pass forced Kosovoe to devote fewer men to the rush, and Hatchitt picked up 20 yards on his next four carries after gaining only 12 on his first five. Haynesworth then connected with tight end Joseph Coerver to put the Wings inside the five, and Hatchitt swept right around a packed defense to put the Wings up 10-3. He faked the inside draw and bounced to the weak side, which had been cleared out by fullback Vincent Bozwell and a huge lead block.

Kosovoe responded, but not immediately. The offense stalled near midfield and once again pinned the Wings deep in their own end with effective punting. "We just couldn't get a touchback out of that guy," said kick returner Jack Enright. "But, I mean, you let anything inside the ten just go. What else could I do? He was getting insane bounces."

Hatchitt worked the ball upfield on three straight handoffs, picking up the first down and giving his team some breathing room. Haynesworth then attempted a pass on first down to try and catch Kosovoe asleep. He very nearly did. Divalerio beat his man and had a clear path up the sideline. Haynesworth attempted to go up top for what would have been a certain touchdown, but the ball was underthrown, leading to a Kosovoe interception. The turnover led to a touchdown six plays later, as Anthony Corona was beaten on a wicked cut to the sideline, giving him no chance to make a play on the ball, as the receiver's body cut him off.

The score was tied 10-10 at halftime, and the crowd was growing restless. "Points off turnovers will kill you," said Moohim. "They had some momentum going on, so we wanted to try and take the fight out of them at the start of the second."

Moohim's offense started the second half in the Power I and started to chip away. Backup fullback Dennis Goldwire saw playing time as an additional backfield blocker. Kosovoe stacked nine men in the box, but Hatchitt was still able to break through for the necessary yardage. This seemed to demoralize the Kosovoe defense a bit, and when they had been drawn in, Haynesworth went to the play action. Tight end Coerver got open over the middle for an 18-yard grab, and fullback Bozwell caught a ball out of the backfield that turned into a 10-yard gain. This gave Hatchitt more running room, and he capped a seven minute drive with a 7-yard touchdown run to make it 17-10.

"Leave it to the offense to put up another big drive to open the half," said linebacker Butch Easley. "It takes a lot of pressure off of us when they're able to do that."

The Kosovoe defense tried to respond right away, but it led to another turnover. On 3rd and 15 from their own 24-yard line, Kosovoe lined up the shotgun against the dime. Third safety Jack Enright found himself on the receiving end of a Kosovoe pass right up the middle. He stepped under the route and made the interception, returning it up to the Kosovoe 31-yard line. Six straight runs by Hatchitt only advanced them to the 10-yard line and resulted in a field goal, but it burned two and a half more minutes off the clock. The score stood at 20-10 with the third quarter close to over.

Kosovoe attacked the Wing defense on the ensuing drive, burning the secondary for passes of 22 and 24 yards to set up the run. But the defense was able to make a big play once again, as Easley forced a fumble that was recovered by Yearling. Kosovoe attempted to challenge the call and claimed that their back's knee was down before the ball came out, but an official review confirmed the call on the field.

"He was stretching for the first down, so I figured I had a shot," said Easley. "I got lucky that he was doing everything he could to stay up, so I had some extra time to move in!"

The Wings marched upfield behind Hatchitt and Tangermann, who shared duty on the drive. Two tight-end sets provided the extra blocking needed to work past the Kosovoe front line, and once again, Haynesworth used his tight ends in play action situations. Ed Mendenhall had an 11-yard grab on a crucial 3rd and 8 on the Kosovoe 43-yard line to keep the drive alive... and the clock ticking. Then it was back to the ground, as Hatchitt went up the middle for runs of six and four yards. On 3rd and inches, Haynesworth dove headfirst to move the chains. It was another back-breaking drive for the Wings, and it was capped with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Haynesworth to Coerver.

Kosovoe got the ball back with two and a half minutes remaining. Down 27-10, they committed one final turnover. A deep pass intended to gash the Wing secondary instead wound up in the hands of safety Daniel Morgenstein, who was just playing center field and leapt up for the easy catch. Dancougar ran the clock out to cement the victory.

"We had some huge drives in the second half which really put them in a hole, and it's good to get back to that. It's how we made our name last time around," said Hatchitt, who said he was finally over the mauling the Brutes gave him in the opener.

"It was rough at the beginning, and I think we might have been a little guilty of looking ahead of this game," said Haynesworth. "And they took advantage of that. We should know better than to not take this one opponent at a time."

Ilita continues his crusade: Eastport City police chief Ilita has lodged official complaints asking the national government to do something about the likely influx of Rennidan fans for their upcoming game at the Jared Koeppel Memorial Stadium. The Wings are away to Newmanistan before welcoming the Rennidan Brutes, who have overrun all opposition thus far in qualifying. Ilita maintains that the Brute Force is a threat to public order and should be denied visas.

"I'm well aware that Eastport is not the only port of entry into the nation, and those goons are no doubt making travel arrangements with that in mind," said Ilita. "We must enact a national policy to prevent them from coming here and making a mess of our public spaces."

Ilita is a vocal opponent of the Brute Force and Black Wing Brigade, who ended up in a major brawl in Rennidan's Industrial Sector during the Brutes' 34-30 win over the Wings. He essentially had the entire Black Wing Brigade exiled upon their return to Eastport, and promises to deport any Brute Force member who enters his city. "I was willing to give both sides a chance to show me they were made of better stuff," he said, referring to his stance before the tournament that the contingents were innocent until proven guilty.

But Ilita's personal battle has opponents within Dancougar. Sports minister Mike Trenton says that, while violence is undesirable, Ilita is overstepping his bounds. "We do need to be tough on hooliganism, but Ilita needs to leave this job to our security staff," he said. "We will have extra men on hand to deal with the Force should they become violent, but with the Brigade out of the picture, we may be able to keep it from turning to that."

"It's good to see them want to support their team with such passion," Trenton added, "but surely we can do without all the chair tossing and broken beer bottles."

Others are even more critical of the whole ordeal. "The chief is abusing his power! Is the government really going to let him dictate policy at the border?!" asked one sports ministry official, speaking under the condition of anonymity. "What's the king's position? Next thing you know, Ilita is going to be blaming youth crime on violent video games instead of his own bloated ego and his force's ineptitude. Yeah, I agree we need national policies. But not his!"

Wings face tough two-game test: The Black Wings have entered what was pegged before the tournament as the toughest part of their schedule: a road date with the Newmanistan Rockets and a home tie against the Rennidan Brutes. Dancougar sits between them in the standings, with Rennidan first and Newmanistan third after today's action.

"Rennidan are the class of the group right now," said head coach Will Moohim. "We'd obviously like to go into the return leg one game behind instead of two, but the Rockets don't want to lose ground anymore than we do. This is certainly going to be a difficult game."

Although tickets for the home game against the Rockets, number ten for the Wings in qualifying, have been steady since the tournament draw was announced, the team announced that their allotment for the home game with Rennidan was sold out. The interest was sparked by the close game they played in the opener and the Brutes' smashmouth brand of football that puts Dancougar's to shame.

The team has also sold out its allotment for the road game with the Rockets, which will see the Three Yards Club travel in full voice to Newmanistan.

Rennidan

04-08-2008, 09:20

Rennidan: Matchday Five Preview.

RENNIDAN versus LOVISA

Weather: Dunno'.

Expected Attendance: Good question.

My first question on this match was 'Who the hell is Lovisa?'. With that question going unanswered, I next asked 'Where the hell is Lovisa?'. Again, I received nothing but blank stares. So here I am, supposed to write a preview report on a match against a team I have never heard of, and, even more worryingly, would be flying off to watch in a place that I can't for the love of me find on a damned map.

So, my prediction is...

Well.

Uh.

It'll be a close one? Maybe?

Who cares? I don't. For once, my eyes are on a match that doesn't involve Rennidan. My eyes are on...

DANCOUGAR versus NEWMANISTAN

Ayep'. This match is the match of Group C this week. Previously, Rennidan and Newmanistan fought it out for first place. Now, Dancougar and Newmanistan will fight it out for a definite third (or first if Rennidan, heaven forbid, lose).

At the moment, there isn't too much to worry about when it comes to second or third place, but for Newmanistan, a win would be favourable, as it keeps them above the murky waters of third place. Dancougar could no doubt fair well in third, as there is little to no chance they would end up in the third place playoff if when we move through to qualifying.
Newmanistan, however, is currently the second worse in third.

So, both teams will surely be giving this match their all, and this aging reporter can only hope that his bosses will change their mind and let him sneak over to Newmanistan watch this almighty bash.

Newmanistan

04-08-2008, 14:18

Back in action! MD5 is cutoff!

Group A:
Sorthern Northland 33, Bluth Corporation 27
Kura-Pelland 27, Arroza 9
Swilatia 26, kenavt 21

Group B:
Bettia 44, Am3ricans 34
Qazox 17, Taeshan 16
Milchama 33, Secristan 13

Group C:
Rennidan 23, Lovisa 0
Dancougar 26, Newmanistan 24
Unified Capitalizt States 17, Kosovoe 13

Tables!!

GROUP A W L GB PF PA PD
Kura-Pelland 4 1 0 128 71 57
Arroza 4 1 0 95 78 17
Bluth Corporation 3 2 1 135 107 28
Swilatia 2 3 2 76 101 -25
Sorthern Northland 2 3 2 106 103 3
kenavt 0 5 3 75 155 -80

GROUP B W L GB PF PA PD
Qazox 4 1 0 115 93 22
Milchama 4 1 0 146 97 49
Bettia 3 2 1 152 139 13
Taeshan 2 3 2 79 63 16
Secristan 2 3 2 86 92 -6
Am3ricans 0 5 4 51 145 -94

GROUP C W L GB PF PA PD
Rennidan 5 0 0 103 42 61
Dancougar 4 1 1 150 95 55
Newmanistan 3 2 2 96 86 10
U. C. S. 2 3 3 94 103 -9
Lovisa 1 4 4 59 137 -78
Kosovoe 0 5 5 59 98 -39

Note: Ties within groups ordered based on their H2H result.

Arroza

04-08-2008, 17:50

The 4ourth Wall Journal: Breaking the limits of perception since Year 0.
Typed with Holy Keyboards, from Cheaha Spire Monastery, Secluded Coast, Arroza.

Sports: Football: World Bowl II
Dude, What Happened?

World Bowl, what World Bowl, seemed to be the responce of the powers that be towards the Tar Hornets entry into our second international football competition. After communication with the most high, Brother Martinez said that "He said he was sorry for forgetting about the games, and for not blessing the team, but there was a girl, and she had some D's...and then people started popping off outside the crib." Our best translators have attempted to decipher the unfamiliar words in the message from on high, but it seems to be ununderstandable. A girl with letters? Popping off? Why would popcorn stop a higher power. Obviously we will need to have more communications with our leader to figure out the meaning of all of this.

Unfortunately, the rest of the world didn't take a break for the weekend, with the National Team off on a flight to Kura-Pelland. The Arrows were hard done two years ago, and seemed to be the lock to get out of group A, along with the Hornets. And this game was ugly.

From the start, Kura-Pelland on the first drive, took it to the air, over the Arrozan secondary. Brenard was 5 of 6 on the first drive in the Spread West Coast offense that K-P seems to run. And the capper came when Bernard from the Arroza 15, throws a jump-ball floater to the rear corner of the end-zone, and Cassano comes up and just out-jumps Cal Brandon...touchdown K-P. Not much good to report for the Arrozan offense either. They managed to eat a lot of the clock, but couldn't punch through the defense for the touchdown, having to settle for two first half field goals.

The Arrows, on the other hand were settling for nothing but sevens every time down the field. Brenard, shook off the horrid performance in Week 4, by throwing for 2 touchdowns and a total of 293 yards. Late in the first, the Arrows got in the four wide. The defense had to put the Outer Linebackers in man coverage with the safety in reserve, and on the crossing pattern, the linebackers get crossed up, and Bernard hits Fernandez. Fernandez gets to the corner before the safety, and he's gone 82 yards to the house. After one the score was:

Kura-Pelland 14, Arroza 3.

The second was more not to write home about, as the Tar Hornets settled for another field goal, and Bernard took the Arrows down the field again, this time ending in Vertrasse, the super-sub, handing it off to Buntley from the 3. Touchdown. Game pretty much over at the half, as the one thing the Tar Hornets can't normally do is come back from behind.

The teams traded non-eventful fieldgoals in the second half, as the stinger defense finally showed up, butit was too late, and the offense, trying to get pass happy couldn't get back into the game. Final 27-9. Embarrasing.

Game 6: Preview/Thoughts from Meditation
Bluth Corporation @ Arroza (The Hive, 20:00)

Upon further meditation with both the history of Arrozan Sport, and many hours in comtemplation with some of our best mentalists, Brother MArtinez had reported receiving a message as such. "I heard what happened at K-P...shame. No worries though, I'm paying attention tomorrow, and no one's going to win a game in Atalanta except us." The predicted score is 24-10. Game weather should be very windy, and warm with kickoff temperatures near 80 Fahrenheit.

Taeshan

04-08-2008, 18:29

Fitin' Falcons lose again

I hope this doesn't become the "in" thing. The Falcons ended the first half of the 2nd World Bowl, and the Falcons are 2-3 two games out of first. Its horrific. I've never seen such big hopes diminish before after half a regular season. Not since Atlantea Mennonite went 0-10 the year the team was disbandede, and added to the Atlantea area roster. It's horrible the Falcons suck right know, and whats worse is the other teams no it.

It was another warm day yesterday as the mercury almost hit the 50 degree mark. It was to warm for the Falcons it seemed as they just couldn't move the ball on the Qazox D. Gabe martin threw 2 touchdown interceptions to the Qazox d in the first quater, and there kicker made a field goal. If it hadn't been for Martin Gramatica the Falcons would have been down and out as it was it was still 9-17 at the half. The Falcosn didn't close the gap much as the only other score was a miracle fumble recovery in the endzone by Shawn Plank, and the Falcons lost again 17-16. Next they face Milchama. They beat us last time. F***.

Dancougar

04-08-2008, 20:51

Dancougar News!!
Oh man, I need to write that first episode of Pretty Sportsman Erika tonight, don't I?

Black Wings win on missed field goal: Dancougar took sole position of second place and set up a battle for the group lead after defeating the Newmanistan Rockets 26-24 in a wild fourth quarter which saw three lead changes and a dramatic game-winning attempt with no time on the clock.

"John [Pivonka] and Dusty [Haynesworth] really took it to another level in the fourth quarter," said coach Will Moohim. "That was the kind of game we expected going in, and now I think we're starting to really hit our stride in this tournament."

Haynesworth threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns, while Kirk Hatchitt ran for 88 yards and a score. But in a game that had a little bit of everything, it was Newmanistan's Pivonka who was almost the hero. He racked up 273 yards and three touchdown passes, including 6-6 for 59 yards on the final drive of the game. "At crunch time, guys like that can really stick it to you," said cornerback Anthony Corona, who was repeatedly victimized by Pivonka's assault.

Neither team scored in the opening quarter, which was a seesaw battle for field position that the home side was winning early. Dancougar's average starting position was inside its twenty, and Marcellus Hanlon kept his eyes on Hatchitt, stopping him repeatedly for gains of two yards or less. Haynesworth was able to complete some passes to Divalerio and Whitham, but the Wings were unable to cross midfield until the second quarter. Newmanistan got as far as the Dancougar 40-yard line on their second drive, but a third down sack by Daryl Yearling resulted in another punt.

The breakthrough came early in the second quarter. Haynesworth was flushed out of his pocket by a blitzing Hanlon and was hammered by Tyrone Booker, causing a fumble. The Rockets recovered and were immediately in scoring position. Pivonka wasted no time, throwing a 24-yard strike to Alex Foster on the first play of the drive to make it 7-0. Foster's route was a simple stop and go which Meriweather bit on hard; he then crossed the middle underneath the safeties for the open catch. The Wings would only be able to put up three in response. Hatchitt finally broke through the Rocket barrier with a 22-yard scamper over midfield, and then Haynesworth connected with Divalerio for 18 more. But once the Wings entered the red zone, the Rockets clamped down, and Booker's second down sack forced them into third and long that Haynesworth could not convert.

The teams exchanged field goals to make it 10-6, and the Wings got the final drive of the first half. The Wings brought out the Power I that had worked in the second half against Kosovoe, but the Rockets were prepared for it. Hatchitt was hit for a loss on first down, and the hole closed quickly on second. Faced with a third and long, Haynesworth again sat in the pocket and weathered the blitz from Booker, getting the pass away just before getting it. Coerver snagged it for a first down. Haynesworth went 5-8 on the drive for 41 yards, including a pass to Hatchitt for the final six. A touchdown out of the backfield made it 13-10 Dancougar at tbe break.

"It's something we don't utilized enough," said coach Moohim. "Our running and our passing are usually completely separate dimensions. This is something we need to change to compete against teams like Newmanistan who like to play faster football than we're used to."

In the second half, Newmanistan went three and out to start thanks to Butch Easley's hurry on third and long, which forced Pivonka to fire early and he overthrew tight end Jim Crosby. But the Wings were unable to take advantage of the defensive stop, as fullback Vincent Bozwell fumbled after Marcus Carroll got a hand on the ball and ripped it free. Hanlon recovered and gave the Rockets good field position. After Parisi gashed the Wing defense for runs of five and seven yards, Pivonka used play action to hit Chris Nicolette down the sideline after getting behind Corona. Safety Daniel Morgenstein forced him out of bounds at the three. On the next play, Pivonka threw a jump ball for Nicolette, who hauled it in nimbly to give the Rockets a 17-13 lead.

The Black Wings' next drive ran out of steam near midfield. Oliver Tangermann took some of the load off Hatchitt, but he struggled on the drive, picking up only five yards in four carries. With Dancougar facing 3rd and 8 on their own 40-yard line, Jaquan Hatcher came in on third down to put additional pressure on Haynesworth and responded to his coach's challenge with a sack. Brandon Shelpman was onto punt, and he boomed one downfield that sent Corey Brooks inside the ten, giving the Rockets poor field position with time running out in the third. Pivonka worked then up to the 35-yard line with two passes to Foster, but the Wings smothered the drive with a pair of sacks. Easley burst through the line on first down, and on third down, Pivonka stepped up in the pocket but found his legs wrapped up by Grant Martella with no receivers open.

Four minutes into the fourth quarter, the Wings got the lead back through the air. The Wings shared carries between Hatchitt and Bozwell to wear down the Rocket defensive line, buying some time for Haynesworth to throw. He found Russel Seelbinder for 15 yards, and then Divalerio found a seam in the middle where he hauled in a 27-yard pass before getting mauled by safety Michael Ahearn. A fake screen to Hatchitt pulled the defense up, and once again, Divalerio found space in the secondary and caught an 18-yard touchdown. It was certain a non-standard Black Wing drive, but it had given them a 20-17 lead with eleven minutes to play.

Pivonka's next drive ended in disaster. On a 3rd and 15, the Rockets went with four receivers, and Mike Rancourt blazed past nickel back Tom Ostlund. Pivonka delivered a bullet over the top, but Rancourt let it slide through his hands. The ball was deflected to the safety, Morgenstein, who had been rushing over to cover for Meriweather. Morgenstein ran the ball back into Newmanistan territory and was bumped out of bounds at the 33-yard line. But the Newmanistan defense came up huge in response. Hatchitt was stuffed on first and second downs, and Haynesworth was incomplete on third. Stottlemyer came on to attempt a 47-yard field goal, but he drove it wide to the left.

"I don't know what happened; it felt good when it left my foot," said Stottlemyer. "I guess I pulled it too hard."

Pivonka was given new life with just under eight minutes to play. Parisi ran for 36 yards on the drive, which saw Newmanistan launch a balanced attack which ate four minutes of game clock. It ended with Pivonka finding Foster for an eight yard strike across the middle, and the home team had a 24-20 lead. Back came the Wings. Hatchitt ran around the end for five yards, setting up Haynesworth to Coerver for seven more. The Wings tried to keep it on the ground, but the Newmanistan defense was having none of it. Tangermann had a little more success slipping behind the line, but was smothered before doing any real damage. Haynesworth, though, was able to complete short passes to keep the offense moving along with the clock. The drive went inside the two minute warning, but Moohim held onto his timeouts. Bozwell worked inside the ten for first and goal, running the clock inside ninety seconds.

After a Haynesworth incomplete, Hatchitt pounded his way down to the two, bringing the clock under a minute. Newmanistan burned its first timeout. On 3rd and Goal, Hatchitt found a hole and stretched for the goal line... touchdown, Black Wings! With 0:58 on the clock, the Wings were up 26-24, and Moohim made the questionable decision to go for two. "I wanted to take away the field goal," he said. But Hatchitt attempted the same run and this time was caught in the backfield by Booker. The fans were on their feet in an instant. "Turns out, that was the wrong call."

With under a minute and two timeouts, Pivonka began a sideline assault. The Wings went with a zone defense, but Pivonka's passes were deadly accurate. It took forty seconds of game clock to get into kicker Ashton Colfer's range, and then Parisi crashed into the defensive line twice just to get the ball in the middle of the field. Three seconds on the clock, and Moohim burned a timeout to freeze Colfer. The game winning field goal, from 38 yards away... NO GOOD! Colfer made the same mistake as Stottlemyer and pulled it just slightly left.

"You have to think, that he takes that kick a hundred times and makes it ninety nine," said a relieved Easley. "But a win against the Rockets on the road... we'll take that any day, any way."

Gameday 5 roundup: Southern Northland picked up their second win by upsetting Bluth Corporation... Arroza suffered its first loss of qualifying and also ceded first place in Group A to Kura-Pelland, as the Arrows won 27-9 behind nearly three hundred yards from Michael Bernard... Kenavt remained winless after losing to Swilatia... Bettia reached the halfway point as the highest scoring team in the tournament after a shootout win against Am3ricans... Former world champions Taeshan continued to falter, slipping out of the qualification zone after Qazox edged them 17-16... Milchama's turnaround continued with a strong win against Secristan... Rennidan had no problem staying undefeated and shut out Lovisa... Kosovoe dropped to 0-5 after a four-point loss to the Unified Capitalizt States.

Qazox

05-08-2008, 00:14

Bruxen Globe

Pheonix Squeak by Taeshan, still atop Group.

After the controversial end to the Secristan game, Qazox travelled to Taeshan to take on one of the better Gridiron powers. But despite the closeness of the score, Qazox dominated the match, jumping out to an early 17-0 lead, before a recovered fumble on the final play after a blocked punt attempt made it 17-16.

Now its back home for Bettia, who're in third place, at 3-2. A win will almost put the Pheonix in a position to clinch a Quarterfinal berth.

SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM 1 2 3 4 Final
Qazox 17 0 0 0 17
Taeshan 3 6 0 7 16

SCORING:
Qazox: Dave Tyrone 56 yd INT return for TD, Pollack PAT Good. (7-0 Qazox).
Qazox: Wesley King 29 yd INT return for TD, Pollack PAT Good. (14-0 Qazox).
Qazox: Pollack 39 yd FG (17-0 Qazox).
Taeshan: Martin Gramatica 51 yd FG (17-3 Qazox).
Taeshan: Martin Gramatica 40 yd FG (17-6 Qazox).
Taeshan: Martin Gramatica 42 yd FG (17-9 Qazox).
Taeshan: Shawn Plank recovered blocked punt in endzone, Gramatica PAT good (17-16 Qazox).

Qazox' TOP THREE Stars:
Dave Tyrone: 8 tackles, 2 INT's, 1 TD
Wesley King: 2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 TD
Kevin Hertz: 21 rushes, 137 yds

Dancougar

05-08-2008, 05:42

[Still shot of a father and son sitting in front of the television. On it, teams that resemble Dancougar and Arroza are playing American football. The television buzzes.]

TV: With time running down, here's a run up the middle... into the open field! The thirty five, the thirty!

[The father and son are cheering. Behind them, at the entrance to the room, a young girl is peering into the room with a confused look on her face.]

ERIKA: At that time, I only knew that it was a big game for the country. But what my father and brother saw in those men pounding each other over an odd-shaped ball... I couldn't understand it. But at the same time, there was something exciting about the speed of the game, the pace, the energy... apparently, it was still with me, years later...

Wake up! Another day, it's a whole new set of downs
The goal's in sight; just gotta find a way
Get set! You've got your plan, and the pieces are in place
But the world won't hand you glory, it'll never stop the chase

On first down, you trip over your feet
On second, you run into a wall
You reach for it all on third down, but you throw the chance away
But don't give up
Just wipe your brow
There's time for one more play!

Every day is fourth and ten!
Get stopped, get up again!
Your will gives you the strength to power through
Every day is fourth and long!
It seems like everything goes wrong!
Nothing starts itself; it's up to you
Just grin and bear it; you know what to do
When the going's tough, you'll go on fourth and ten!

[Shot of light coming in a window. The first episode title appears, "To Throw Like a Girl." The house is quiet. A ponytail whips across the screen. The camera pans down over a girl in her school uniform, skirt flowing all around. We zoom out as the girl grabs her bag and smiles into her mirror.]

ERIKA: Starting today... I'm in high school!

[She skips down the stairs. Her little brother is at the kitchen table eating breakfast. What appears to be Sportscenter is on TV.]

ERIKA: 'Morning, squirt!
JIRO: Well, look at you! You seem to be full of energy today.
ERIKA: Why wouldn't I? It's the golden time of my youth.

[Silence. She hears the TV and looks over. Her face pales. Slowly, she turns her head back.]

ERIKA: (pointing at the TV) Jiro... tell me, that isn't...
JIRO: I thought your golden majesty would know to wake up on time for her first day.
ERIKA: (grabs Jiro) Wait, then why didn't you wake me up?!
JIRO: (calmly) Because onee-san hates it when her beauty sleep is interrupted.

[Shot of the outside of the house. The morning calm is shattered by Erika and her bike bursting dramatically through the door.]

ERIKA: Kusssssssssssssooooooooooooo!!!!

[Her bike whips around the corner and through the street. People on the sidewalk feel a strong burst of wind as she rides past them. She even passes cars, much to the amazement of their drivers.]

ERIKA: I won't... not on my first day... I can't... BE LAAAAAATE!!!

[The school comes into view. With a determined look on her face, Erika applies one more burst of speed and passes through the gates. She powerslides to slow down and comes to a full stop right in front of the main entrance. She looks up at the building, which has "Orange Star High School" written over the entrance.]

ERIKA: (breathing heavily) I'm finally here... Orange Star High School! That's right, the rest of my life... (dramatic pose) ... begins here!!

[The bell rings. Erika falls over with a sigh of defeat. In the next shot, a classroom door slides open. The teacher looks over, as do the students. Erika, dusty and frazzled, appears in the doorway.]

TEACHER: Excuse me... are you... lost?
ERIKA: (managing a bow) Sorry for interrupting... but I'm here... Terajima Erika desu...
TEACHER: Ah, Terajima-kun, off to a promising start, are we? Your seat's against the wall, there. I'll cut you a break just this once, all right?
ERIKA: (instantly perks up) Arigatou gozaimasu!

[She walks over to her seat and puts her back down. When she looks up, the girl she's sitting in front smiles and gives a little wave.]

ERIKA: Sara-chan!

[Shot of the school exterior. Bell rings. Next shot is of the athletic fields in the back. An instructor runs by followed by several students. Off to the side, Erika and Sara are stretching.]

ERIKA: I heard you were moving back, but I didn't know we would be in the same class!
SARA: Isn't it great? I still have all the letters you sent me... it's been how long now? Three years?
ERIKA: I think so. We'll have to work extra hard to make up for it!
SARA: (smiles) Right!
VOICE: Hey, look out over there!
ERIKA: Eh?

[Erika and Sara look up and see a football falling from the sky. Sara crouches and puts her hands over her head, while Erika just watches it hit the turf and bounce over them.]

ERIKA: American... football?

KENT: Ah, could you toss that over here, please?
ERIKA: Hey, you should be a little more careful, this thing could hit someone!
KENT: [I]Gomen, gomen, our punter doesn't seem to be calibrated yet.
SARA: What's he talking about?
ERIKA: Beats me...

[She underhands the ball his way. He's caught off guard by the spiral but catches it. He pauses for a moment and walks away.]

GIRL: Aaaaaah, Kent-san!
ERIKA: Eh? What, him?
GIRL: You don't know? That's Kent Newsome! Second year, quarterback of the football team... they say he can run forty yards in under four and a half seconds!
ERIKA: Is that... good?
GIRL: Gee, you don't know anything about American football, do you?
ERIKA: (smiles nervously) Should I?

[Meanwhile, the American football players are practicing on a far corner of the field. Kent is looking at his hands, recalling the force of Erika's handoff.]

KENT: Did I imagine that? It didn't look like she put any effort into that, but...
JASON: Hey, Kent, you all right?
KENT: Jason, hey.
JASON: You're acting weirder than usual today. Some first years catch your eye?
KENT: Maybe...

[Jason turns around and looks over in Erika's direction.]

JASON: (whistles) You know how to pick 'em, man.
KENT: Come on, it's not like that.
JASON: Sure, man, sure. Hey, we going to run those routes or what?
KENT: That's right... we made a promise, didn't we?
JASON: You bet. This year... is Orange Star's year.

[They shake. Back on the track, Erika and Sara have started jogging. Every now and then, Erika glances over to watch Kent's passing drills.]

SARA: You know, for someone who seems so disinterested...
ERIKA: What, him? I'm just curious about that game, that's all.
SARA: American football... you know, Erika, there's not much to understand about a game that lets guys bash each other as much as they want.
ERIKA: (laughs) Maybe you're right...
KENT: Incoming!!

[Another wayward punt comes their way. It bounces on the ground and hops up into Erika's hands.]

SARA: You... caught it!
ERIKA: That's what you're supposed to do, right?
KENT: (walking over) Hey, I'm really sorry about that, it's...
ERIKA: I don't understand what all this punting business is about, but I thought I said to be... more... careful!!

[Erika, having seen Kent throw a few passes, mimics his motion to return the ball. The scene slows down for effect. She plants her feet, sliding them apart as her arm comes back... and at maximum potential, we return to normal speed. The ball zips forward in a perfect bullet. Kent is really caught off guard by this one, which hits him square in the chest. Off balance, he falls to the ground and the ball hits the ground a few feet away.]

KENT: What... what power!! This is... !!
ERIKA and SARA: Kyaaaaaa~aa!

[Erika and Sara run over to him, covering about twenty yards. Some of the guys on the team have now come over, too.]

JASON: Whoa, chief, what happened here?

[Erika leans over Kent.]

ERIKA: I'm so sorry! I didn't mean...

[She blushes as Kent suddenly reaches up and takes her by the hand.]

JASON: (with a dirty smile) Oh ho, what's this?
ERIKA: (flustered) No, this isn't...
KENT: (serious tone) This arm...
JASON and ERIKA: Huh?
KENT: What's your name?

[EYECATCH! Commercial break!]
Yeah... this is going to need another day...

Rennidan

05-08-2008, 10:59

Well, we all know that within this space a match report is due. However, instead of calling the lovely little match against Lovisa, I think my time would be better spent elsewhere.

So strap in, kiddies. It's time for me to fill in the blanks on the Brutes.

That's right.

It's a bloody history lesson.

_________

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk176/rennidan/BRUTES.png

It all goes back to World Bowl I, and Rennidan's disgraceful attempt to break onto the international gridiron circuit. The team was the Rennidan Eagles and, well, they sucked. They were overfunded, poorly trained and the product of the Sports Administration trying their hardest to make the 'stars' of the team a 'marketable resource'. That meant they had to be pretty boys who were more actors than they were players.

As you can imagine, this didn't go down well with the diehard gridiron fans who wanted to see some breakneck action. These were the lads who, during Rennidan's Isolation, when we were shut out from the world, were pirating television signals from other countries to watch their domestic matches. These were the lads who smuggled American footballs into the country so they and their lads could have a throw about after the pubs had shut. They had been brought up by their granpappy football fans who had told them that the sport was supposed to be brutal, unforgiving and a mash of flesh and bones. So when they saw the extras from the daytime soap 'Never Forget Me' lining up to play their beloved sport, they weren't, shall we say, too keen on the idea. So they shared their opinions with each other during the last call, whilst going at the urinal or when knocking each other senseless in a drunken slobberknocker, and realized they had a common goal; to bring proper gridiron to Rennidan’s masses.

They protested to the Sports Administration. They wrote letters, they made phone calls, and at the head of it all were two blokes who were closer than brothers and tougher than nails. Larry Daniels and Michael McDavies were, to sum it up, two nasty mofos who you wouldn't want to mess with alone, let alone together. But, for all their trials and tribulations, they couldn't convince the Sports Administration to get a proper team together. They couldn't convince the idiots who controlled the sport in their little government that, with their help, they could put together a team that would smash through any brick wall that stood in their way.

And then the Sports Administration shut down all funding to gridiron. Goodbye Rennidan Eagles. Goodbye Eeorga Choondra Football Stadium. Goodbye any hope of Rennidan being taken seriously on the national gridiron circuit.

In other country's eyes, Rennidan were now failures. Too much money to spend, not enough brains to spend it. They had put together a wrong team with the right funds. And the fans? They were heartbroken. To them, their chance for their nation to shine at a sport had gone astray. With the nation being only so-good at football and with the Formula 1 shut down, they needed a sport that they could shine at. And the fans had thought that maybe, just maybe, gridiron was that game. But apparently, in the eyes of the all-mighty government twerps, they were wrong. They were idiots who wanted to spend more money where money didn't belong.

So, Larry Daniels and Michael McDavies, the two unofficial heads of the fans, they thought this wasn't right. They thought that they could, in fact, get the right kind of team together, without the need for lavish amounts of money. They petitioned the government for a little, just a bit, of financial aid to get their cause off the ground. Unfortunately, their pitch didn't go down too well. Larry was a mechanic with a five-child family and a two-digit I.Q. McDavies was an ex-soldier with a drinking problem. Yet they still turned up in their Sunday best, suits they had rented just for the occasion, suits they thought would give them the edge they needed, and they spoke out at a small hearing on where the next annual funding should go. They stumbled, tumbled and grumbled through a half hour plea for the small amount of funding that they thought was all they needed to get their own team off the ground.

They were called idiots.

And it broke their hearts when they realized that not even the people who were up top, in charge of sport itself, cared what these two mere mortals thought. They had been trodden on, spat upon, and kicked to the curb in less than a tenth of the time it took for them to make their case. They had been obliterated in the most brutish way possible.

But they weren't to be defeated, not yet. With heavy hearts, they returned their suits, they donned their torn jeans and grubby t-shirts, and then went their own ways. McDavies all but vanished off the radar that day, but Daniels stuck around a while longer. Even with a head as thick as his, Daniels cogs were slowly turning, creaking on by and twisting the cobwebs around the clockwork.

And then he realized.

He didn't need money to buy players.

He already knew the guys he wanted.

Whilst the Rennidan Eagles had been losing, whilst Daniels and McDavies had been protesting with a legion of fans, they had overlooked the very men who had been behind them all the way, backing them. They were some of the most brutish men in Rennidan, who all shared the vision that gridiron should be as mean as it could possibly be. And they all knew how to play! They all did play, actually, albeit in pub parking lots.

But for Daniels, that was good enough. And so, he set about going through the fans, and by the end of it, he had twenty three willing men who would happily play for peanuts and pints. Twenty three meant enough for an offence, a defence and one guy who could kick like a lead footed bronco.

Now all they had to do was figure out how to get a home stadium, and actually apply to play in the next World Bowl. Luckily for Daniels, there was a kid on the team by the name of Lewis Buxton. He wasn't bright, but he was a brighter bulb than any of the others on the team. Buxton has previously worked for a lovely little frozen meats warehouse that stored and 'chilled' ground patties and sausages. Unfortunately for the owner, the place had to be shut down when it turned out they didn't actually have any fridges, let alone the freezers required. So, Buxton bought the place for a few dollars and bam, Warehouse 17 in the Industrial Sector was about to become home to the Rennidan... Uh.

Rennidan...

Goddamnit, they needed a name. And it wasn't until the entire team went for a stroll through Newtown that they got one. All twenty four members, that's including Daniels, went for a walk through Rennidan's homeliest district after a night of training and painting in the Warehouse. Things were looking set for the lads. They had sorta' repaired the warehouse's roof. They had kinda' painted the field lines and posts on the floor and wall alike. And they were actually pretty damned good as a team. But as they strolled and hooted down a quiet suburb, they noticed a mother suddenly cross the road with her children. Then another, and another. And they then realized that this had actually been happening for quite a while. Stopping, they all looked to another, before Pat McGraw hollered out to the closest momma', inquiring as to what the feck she was doing.

And her reply?

"Keeping my child away from you brutes!"

And voila.

They had a name.

Now, all this while, all this time the Brutes had spent building up and making a bad name in the right circles, McDavies had resurfaced. And by Nature was he a happy lad when he heard what his old partner had done. But he also knew he couldn't just butt in and join the team. He had played enough Madden to know what this would do to the team's chemistry. Instead, he went through the fans that didn't make the cut for the team, and he rallied them. He inspired them to fight for their team, their nation. As an ex-soldier, McDavies took patriotism to a new level of sin, and he felt as much for the Brutes as he did for the good ol' green and gold of the flag of Rennidan. And, overnight, he had fifty men. Fifty of his own Brutes willing to lay their own health on the line to fight for their team’s honour. And so, just like that, Brute Force was built in a day.

I dunno' if McDavies and Daniels have had their reunion yet, but I hope they do one day soon, because the lads have made this reporter believe that maybe, just maybe, we as a nation can finally do well at a sport.

And on that note, I bring you a less-than-happy match prediction!

Rennidan: Matchday Six Preview.

RENNIDAN versus DANCOUGAR

Weather: Uhhh...

Expected Attendance: Uhhm....

I have a bad feeling about this. I kid you not, I think my kidneys are packing in, my livers on leave, my hearts about to kick over and my brains is just sitting there making pretty doodles with a crayon on the inside of my skull.

Call me a pessimist, by I think Dancougar might get this one. No offence to the Brutish boys, but we've been on a good run. Too good a run if anything.

And I reckon, maybe, just maybe, Dancougar could stop our winning streak.

Still, it'll be one hell of a match, so ya'll better get your arses on the next flight to Dancougar.

Rennidan

05-08-2008, 13:54

((Forgot to plod this on the end of the last post. My bad. ))

McDavies Rallying the Troops

With the Dancougar match drawing ever closer, McDavies, head of the hooligan faction 'Brute Force', has summoned a tornado of media attention by declaring that he and his 'troops' will get into Dancougar to watch the Brutes play 'by any means necessary'. With a group of four-hundred able bodied hooligans behind him, it would seem that this is not a threat to be taken lightly on Dancougar's part. Whilst Eastport City Police Chief Ilita has seemingly begun a one-man-war against hooliganism, Brute Force has said that Eastport itself won't be their city of access.

Reports indicate that authorities in Rennidan today attempted to find McDavies, but, after scouring airport security footage, the ringleader appears to have already left the country.

Avast ye Pirates!

Thanks to the recent buzz around the unofficial Rennidan gridiron gang, the new Dancougar television show, Pretty Sportsman Erika, has, overnight, entered the top ten list of 'Most Pirated Television Shows' in Rennidan. It seems that the pilot episode itself, "To Throw Like a Girl", has already garnered several million downloads from shady internet websites. Rumours have it that several of Rennidan's television entertainment networks are putting forward deals to the Dancougar network for rights to broadcast the show to the Rennidanian fans.

Newmanistan

05-08-2008, 14:12

Time for the MD6 Cutoff!

Revenge in some spots..... more of the same in others.

Group A:
Arroza 23, Bluth Corporation 13
Kura-Pelland 16, Swilatia 10
Sorthern Northland 34, kenavt 3

Group B:
Qazox 37, Bettia 20
Taeshan 20, Milchama 19
Secristan 27, Am3ricans 10

Group C:
Dancougar 23, Rennidan 20 (OT)
Newmanistan 34, Unified Capitalizt States 7
Kosovoe 20, Lovisa 3

Tables!!

GROUP A W L GB PF PA PD
Kura-Pelland 5 1 0 144 81 63
Arroza 5 1 0 118 91 27
Sorthern Northland 3 3 2 140 106 34
Bluth Corporation 3 3 2 148 130 18
Swilatia 2 4 3 86 117 -31
kenavt 0 6 5 78 189 -111

GROUP B W L GB PF PA PD
Qazox 5 1 0 152 113 39
Milchama 4 2 1 165 117 48
Bettia 3 3 2 172 176 -4
Taeshan 3 3 2 99 82 17
Secristan 3 3 2 113 102 11
Am3ricans 0 6 5 61 172 -111

GROUP C W L GB PF PA PD
Dancougar 5 1 0 173 115 58
Rennidan 5 1 0 123 65 58
Newmanistan 4 2 1 130 93 37
U. C. S. 2 4 3 101 137 -36
Kosovoe 1 5 4 79 101 -22
Lovisa 1 5 4 62 157 -95

Note: Ties within groups ordered based on the standing tiebreaker criteria. (Sorthern Northland has H2H win over Bluth Corporation..... Bettia has H2H wins over Taeshan and Secristan, Taeshan then has H2H over Secristan. Dancougar presently over Rennidan on PF. PD will be a tiebreaker criteria over this, in the long run, but as this is also tied now, Dancougar placed ahead)

Qazox

05-08-2008, 20:52

Bruxen Globe

Pheonix romp, near Quarterfinal berth.

The first time these two teams met in Bettia, It took an Overtime to separate them. But in the rematch, Qazox jumped out to an early 14-0 lead and lead 24-7 at the half; and never looked back, winning 37-20.

Up next is 2nd place Milchama, who are just one game behind at 4-2. A win over the closest competitior would all but ensure a berth into the next round of play.

SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM 1 2 3 4 Final
Bettia 0 7 6 7 20
Qazox 14 10 3 10 37

SCORING:
Qazox: Kevin Hertz 21 yd TD run, Pollack PAT Good; (7-0 Qazox).
Qazox: Kevin Hertz 27 yd TD run, Pollack PAT Good; (14-0 Qazox).
Bettia: Nick Woods 17 yd TD run, Ishmail Williams PAT Good; (14-7 Qazox).
Qazox: Frank Dobbs 34 yd TD Pass from Harry Pitts, Pollack PAT Good; (21-7 Qazox).
Qazox: Pollack 38 yd FG (24-7 Qazox).
Bettia: Nick Woods 7 yd TD run, Williams PAT Blocked; (24-13 Qazox).
Qazox: Pollack 42 yd FG (27-13 Qazox).
Qazox: Pollack 45 yd FG (30-13 Qazox).
Bettia: Jamal Tucker 95 yd KO return for TD, Williams PAT good; (30-20 Qazox).
Qazox: Kevin Hertz 51 yd TD run, Pollack PAT Good; (37-20 Qazox).

Qazox' TOP THREE Stars:
Kevin Hertz: 19 rushes, 238 yds, 3 TD; 1 rec 17 yds
Frank Dobbs: 10 rec, 117 yds, 1 TD; 1 rush, 6 yds, 27.3 yd KO return avg.
Harvey Pollack: 3/3 FG, 4/4 PAT.

Secristan

05-08-2008, 21:02

MILLIONAIRES BEAT UP AM3RICANS AGAIN

How do you pronounce the “3" in Am3ricans? Is it “A-Mare-icans” or “M-three-ricans”? Do all of their players have a number in their name somewhere? We would like to find out, but sadly after six games, the fine people at Am3ricans have yet to provide the world with a roster. This must be tough on their players, as they cannot get any glory whatsoever, and definitely no international endorsement deals. That’s sad, because they could have been intriguing targets with their role as the World Bowl II lovable losers with funny names.

Well today, the Millionaires disposed of this opponent with ease, 27-10. Wins over Am3ricans is going to be something that the whole group does twice, so it isn’t really something to get excited over. If, by chance, Am3ricans has that one great day that team that blew that game will have nightmares about the loss for all eternity, especially with the way that Group B is playing out. There is presently a three way tie for third between us, Bettia, and Taeshan, with Milchama not in safe territory only a game ahead of the pack. Qazox, who’s beaten everyone except for us, looks to be the only nation that is safe. Due to the weak opponent, the SDOS reported a very disappointing revenue total for the game, so we want to extend our greatest sympathies to the fine folks there, even though they figure to rebound in the wallet with some very meaningful games coming up soon for us. Bettia and Taeshan are next, so we will need to be at our best. There is starting to be a cautious optimism around the country that we could just defy the odds and qualify for the World Bowl, especially with players like Tom Mitchell willing to do whatever it takes for the team to win, as we saw with his heroic and generous actions in the final seconds of the game against Qazox as that win seemed to be running down the field with an interception return for a touchdown. Thanks to Mitchell’s spending power, that run was cancelled out and the game was saved. If in the same position again, we are confident that he, or someone else will be just as willing to discuss business relations with officials.

Taeshan

05-08-2008, 22:13

Fitin' Falcons win again finally

Finally the Fitin' Falcons decided it was time to win again against Milchama last night. The Falcons broke a 2 game losing streaK by beating the
Milchama Attackers a team who had already beaten the Falcons in this World Bowl 20-19 in a close contest. Next they face Am3ricans in a big game that will decide wether they stay in the playoff hunt. And they will be opening the brand new Fadron Pizza field at Wonder Park, the new home for the Wiechester Wonders who will host the final 3 home games of the World Bowl contrary to the former schedule. It wasnt ready for the Qazox game, but it will be next thursday vs Secristan. The park is a football only stadium, and wont be hosting soccer games also for Wiechester FC as thought. After this World Bowl the stadium will play host to every Fitin' Falcon home game.

Saturdays game in Milchama was a muddy event with many players slipping all over the field. The games first score was a Martin Gramatica 36 Yrd. field goal his shortest of the World Bowl so far. Then the Attackers scored on a 29 yrd. pass from Kendrick Holmes to Henry Delaforth. Then to end the first Holmes ran a touchdown in himself to give the Attackers a 13-3 lead after a blocked extra point attampt.

In the second half Holmes again found Delaforth in the endzone for his second touchdown catch of the game. Then yet again the Falcons shocked the home fans with another blocked extra point, but the fans were happy the Attackers were up 19-3. Then the Falcon quaterback Gabe Martin got to work with a 49 yrd. touchdown throw to young wideout Ricky Zellefrow down the left sideline. Then on defense the Falcons caught another break when Avi Belmowitz the Milchama kicker missed wide right on a field goal attampt. In the fourth Gabe Martin again found a wide reciever in the endzone this time the aged veteran Alais Patrick to get the Falcons right on the Attacker back 17-19. With just minutes to go the Falcons got the ball back and whadda ya know Martin Grmatica kicked a 47 yrd. Field goal with just 2 ticks left to win the Falcons the game.

Dancougar

06-08-2008, 00:04

Dancougar News!!
Stupid calf muscle! Be less sore!

Brutes downed in overtime thriller: For the second game in a row, the Black Wings went down to the wire against a top Group C foe. And for the second game in a row, they came out on top.

A 31-yard field goal from Corey Stottlemyer was the difference in Dancougar's 23-20 victory over Rennidan, which was the first loss suffered by the Brutes in qualifying. This game was a lot uglier and saw more action on the grounds than in the air, and on occasion, in the stands instead of the field. Groups formed in the honor of the Black Wing Brigade were boisterous in their support, and skirmishes with scattered pockets of Rennidan fans brought out police. At one point, the game was halted for ten minutes while belligerents were contained and ejected from the stadium.

"I hate to say 'I told you so,' but there you have it," said Eastport City police chief Kento Ilita, who was also considered a security risk due to his stance on hooliganism and the opposing fans. Ilita reported that a handful of Rennidan fans were detained at the city airport, but as he feared, many had gotten around his so-called blockade.

And in between all of that, there was the actual game.

Rennidan grabbed the early lead after Duncan Smie flattened linebacker Butch Easley with a block that sprung runningback Jason Yeilds for an eight yard run. That capped a 12-play, 82-yard drive that kept the Black Wing defense on the field for over six and a half minutes. They got no rest when Dusty Haynesworth threw an interception to start the second quarter, resulting in a Rennidan field goal. The Wings got on the board with their next drive, with Kirk Hatchitt's hard-nosed running setting up Haynesworth to Jermaine Divalerio for a 19-yard touchdown pass to make it 10-7.

"I wasn't looking forward to taking all those big hits again," said Hatchitt, who ran for 78 yards. "But it was a little easier this time around. I had some better reads, plus I'm in better game shape now than when we started."

The Wings added two field goals before halftime to make it 13-10, as the Rennidan defense bared its sharpest fangs whenever the Wings ventured into the red zone. Owen Powis had three sacks in the game to go along with seven tackles, two of them for a loss. Haynesworth had difficulty finding open receivers in the shorter field after the first touchdown, forcing the team to go to the ground, where the Rennidan defense eventually wised up to the Wings' revamped rushing attack. Nick Stow led all defenders with twelve tackles.

Things started to get ugly in the second half, when opposing fans started going toe to toe in the stands and in the concession areas around the stadium. A large brawl erupted in the seats behind the west endzone three minutes in, which interrupted play. When the game resumed, Rennidan looked energized by the whole ordeal - several players had even made their way to the endzone to root for their supporters. The Brutes stormed downfield, covering 62 yards in seven plays, with quarterback Pat McGraw hitting Marcin Lai for a 28-yard touchdown pass to make it 17-13. A field goal two minutes into the fourth quarter made it 20-13.

"They pulled a lot of momentum from the fans, which isn't really supposed to happen in your house," said Easley. "That was embarrassing. And it took us way too long to reassert ourselves."

But the Wings clawed back, with Easley and Troy Claridge combining to stop the rumbling Smie on a third and short to get the ball with eight minutes to play. The Wings burned five minutes off the clock with their ensuing drive, although staying in bounds was torture with the likes of Powis and Stow roaming the defensive line. Tangermann came in for Hatchitt and picked up 25 yards on the drive, but it was Haynesworth who put them in scoring position. He hit Divalerio over the top for a 38-yard pass, putting the Wings on the Rennidan four. Then, he faked a jump ball to the right and rolled left, running it in himself to tie the game.

"I had some great blocking out there," said Haynesworth. "That was the difference between a touchdown and a broken leg, the way those guys were steaming over the middle!"

As in the Newmanistan game, Rennidan was given a chance to put it away with the game's final drive. But the drive stalled near midfield, and Dancougar ran out the clock to force overtime. The fans weren't happy about that, but the Wings won the toss and marched downfield with a nine-play, 52-yard drive that ended with Stottlemyer's field goal.

"We were certainly methodic in our approach today, and probably boring in our execution," said coach Will Moohim. "Rennidan were certainly the better team for most of that game. But we've showed we can still scrap with the best of them."

Fans detained after gameday riots: Close to two hundred fans from both Dancougar and Rennidan are still in country jail tonight after fighting erupted during the World Bowl qualifier between the two countries.

Kento Ilita, the outspoken police chief of Eastport City, says that this all could have been prevented with security measures he proposed in the run-up to the game. "Now our reputation has been severely tarnished, and there may be possible sanctions," he added.

But while Ilita has been most vocal of the Brutes and their ringleader McDavies, the Rennidan fans were, in fact, the better behaved group, and most of the battles were started by the home crowd. In addition to the wounded combatants, at least eighty bystanders from both countries were injured. McDavies was confirmed to not be among those rounded up by police during the game.

In response to the fighting, all ticket sales have been frozen until stronger security measures are put into place. Fans attending games will face longer lines and more thorough checkpoints.

Beer sales up around Sullivan campus: Bars around the Jared Koeppel Memorial Stadium on the University of Sullivan campus have apparently experienced windfall sales in the aftermath of last night's game between Dancougar and Rennidan.

While taps in the stadium are at risk of running dry for the remainder of the Wings' home dates, there was no shortage of drinking and merrymaking around the stadium following the game. There were more brawls, of course, and police reported in the neighborhood of fifty arrests for various charges.

Reports indicate that McDavies was bouncing in and out of bars all night looking for "that bastard Moore," who apparently "better have busted his ass out and got down here."

Dancougar

06-08-2008, 04:10

[EYECATCH! Commercial break!]

[The wind catches Erika's ponytail. Kent stands up as the rest of the team looks on.]

KENT: This arm is incredible... what's your name?
ERIKA: T...Terajima Erika.
KENT: Terajima-san... would you do me a favor?
ERIKA: Eh?
JASON: Kent, you sly son of a...

[Kent elbows him and picks up the football, handing it to Erika.]

ERIKA: Hold on, what's...?
KENT: I just want to see something, if that's all right. (turns around) Hey, Ryu!
RYU: (from fifty yards away) Yeah?!
KENT: Incoming!! (turns to Erika, jerking his thumb backwards) Throw him the ball.
ERIKA: Hold on, that far?
KENT: Just do like you did before. I just want to see how strong your arm is, that's all.
JASON: Come on, Kent, you can't be serious?
SARA: Eri-chan, we should get back to...
ERIKA: It's just one throw, right?
SARA: Eh?
KENT: Mmm.
ERIKA: All right, but just one.

[Erika exhales and sets her feet. The football team watches with amusement as she pulls back her arm... AND LAUNCHES. Amusement turns to amazement as the ball sails in an arc all the way... over Ryu's head and into the fence between the field and the street.]

KENT: No way... that went fifty yards in the air, easy!
JASON: Oi oi, what the hell are you, anyway?
ERIKA: I... I just threw it like you asked me to...
KENT: Terajima-san...

[A pause as the wind blows again.]

KENT: ... can you lend us that arm again? With the team?
EVERYONE: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHH?!
JASON: Whoa whoa, you want a girl to play football with us?
SARA: With them... (looks up at the burly lineman standing nearby) Kyaaaaaa~~~ (flailing) It's too dangerous!
ERIKA: American football... are you serious...
KENT: Terajima?
ERIKA: Gomen... I don't think I'm what you're looking for.

[She turns and walks away with Sara following timidly.]

KENT: But... you saw for yourself! Your power!
ERIKA: You expect me to play at the same level as those guys? I'd be crushed right away!

[The team disperses. Jason puts his hand on Kent's shoulder.]

JASON: She's a freak, man... but she's got a point. She'd get destroyed out there.
KENT: Stranger things have happened. And my arm is...
JASON: Let 'em run. Back to Plan A.

[Erika and Sara return to the track. Every now and then, Erika glances over to the practice field. Kent's working visibly harder than everyone else, but his passes just don't seem to stick... it's a labor to get the ball even thirty yards, and he can never seem to hit the receiver in stride.]

ERIKA: I know it's impossible, but why do I...

[The scene switches to the evening. Sara and Erika finally exit the school and begin the walk home.]

SARA: Can you believe the nerve of that guy? Seriously asking you to play football?
ERIKA: Yeah... that was pretty bizarre, huh?
SARA: Are you all right? You had this really bothered look on your face all day.
ERIKA: Eh, this face?
SARA: You can't hide from me, Eri-chan. Don't tell me you're really thinking about it.
ERIKA: (smiling nervously) No, really, I'm completely fine!
SARA: Eeeeeeehhhhhh...

[Sara enters her apartment building and waves to Erika, who continues to walk by herself. The sky's starting to turn orange now. She she walks, she happens to glance at a vacant lot. There's a target painted against a wooden fence and someone's throwing footballs at it. Not very accurately.]

ERIKA: That's... Newsome-san?

[She walks over with her arms behind her back.]

ERIKA: Practice doesn't end, does it?
KENT: Eh?! (spins around in surprise, but instantly calms down) Oh... it's you, Terajima.

[Kent returns to his target practice. His next pass is pretty painfully off and is a yard to the right of the bull's eye.]

ERIKA: Look, I'm sorry about earlier, but just compare your size to mine... I'd never make it out there.
KENT: I know, I just thought... with an arm like yours, we'd really get somewhere this season.
ERIKA: But you seem to be really popular, Newsome-san. Why would you want to replace yourself?
KENT: Eh, you know my name?
ERIKA: Ah, gomen, I overheard it outside... I hope you don't mind.
KENT: That's fine.

[His next throw falls a few feet short.]

ERIKA: The quarterback, right? That's you?
KENT: Barely.
ERIKA: Eh?
KENT: I mean, you see these throws of mine, right? I barely even have an average arm, but we don't have anybody else... you know, if I were anywhere else, I'd be a runningback.
ERIKA: Running...back?
KENT: You really have no idea what this game's about, do you?
ERIKA: I've seen my father and brother watch games, but I don't really understand much of it.
KENT: I see.
ERIKA: Is it... is it really hard, without someone who can throw?
KENT: Yeah, it's bad.

[He misses again, wide right by a yard.]

KENT: All we can do is run the ball. And once the other team figures us out, we're finished. We need to be able to throw it, too. It comes down to balance. You understand that, right?
ERIKA: I guess so.

[Without really being aware of it, she picks up a football and feels for the laces. Kent watches.]

KENT: You seem to have a natural feel for it somehow.
ERIKA: Eh, this... When did I...?
KENT: Tell you what, you hold onto that for me. I'll leave you with this... football... it isn't just about people crashing into each other. There's a real passion to it.

[Erika walks away from the lot holding the football. In the next scene, she lies in bed staring at the ceiling. She's holding the ball straight up over her head. She thinks back to when Kent had her throw it... the adrenaline! Is that what her father felt when he watched the games? Her brother, too? And seeing everyone react with such surprise when she fired it all the way downfield... she'd never known what kind of strength she had!]

ERIKA: More to it, huh?

[The next morning. Kent is dropping all the footballs off in the equipment room behind the school. The room is lit by the sunlight coming into the door. Suddenly, a shadow creeps over him. Calmly, he turns around. He catches a football tossed casually in his direction... by Erika.]

KENT: It's a long way to game fitness, you know?
ERIKA: I just need to throw it before I get hit, right?
KENT: Heh, you pick up fast, Terajima-san.
ERIKA: It's Erika, Newsome-san.
KENT: In that case, it's Kent.

[Erika stands with the sunlight outlining her in the equipment room entrance... still shot!]

ERIKA: In the end, it was that energy flowing through me... I felt like it was calling me out to the field I'd only seen from the other side of the room. Is this something I could really do?

Would you call me?
If I said I need to hear your voice again.
And would you come to me?
If I wanted you in my arms again.
Would you tell me that you love me?
If I say that you gotta be true to your heart, babe.

I want to know that it's all right
It'll get me through the night
Through the thick and the thin, and the troubled waters
Can you swear to guide me through?

When your heart beats next to me, then I feel...
Complete
Your warmth just filling me, and I feel...
So safe
How you make me feel is more than I can say
All I know is that is has to be this way
Stay my side
In you I can find... myself
In your heartbeat

[Episode preview!!]

ERIKA: Uf, Kent wasn't kidding when he said this was hard! It's going to take everything I have to get in the right shape for this. But some of the guys don't seem to think I'm cut out for the game, and force Kent to set an aggressive deadline! It's time to learn the ropes! Next time on Pretty Sportsman Erika - "Brutal Regimen! Hayate's Challenge!"

Qazox

06-08-2008, 04:15

(IC ooc: The Qazox media has reviewed the first two episodes of the new show from Dancougar, the teen sport-drama 4th and Ten; and have found it to be abosulutely the worst dreck on TV, even worse than a Taeshani Spelling bee. Overall score: D-.)

Rennidan

06-08-2008, 10:26

Brutes First Loss

Well, I'd hate to say I told ya' so, but I believe I did predict that the outcome of the Dancougar versus Rennidan match could very well be a bad turn for the Brutes. I also said it would be one hell of a match, and my Lord, was I right. Down to the wire and clinched by a field goal. Not the most glorious way for the Brutes to lose, but I think it's a good shock to the system for the lads.

I spoke with the team afterwards, and many confessed they had grown comfortable in their ways. A defeat seems to be what they needed to shake off their shackles of content, and get back on with play the match the only way they know how; with brute force.

Still, a few of the players were particularly outspoken about their group rivals Dancougar and their tactics for winning the match. Nick Stow and Pat McGraw in particular wanted to highlight their feelings on Dancougar running down the clock at the end.

"That's just not the way to play, y'know?", said Stow, "When you play football, you gotsta' show some respec' to the guys you're playin'. If that means runnin' when you can still run, or passin' when you can still pass, then you do it. You don't just run down the clock to force an overtime sitch, man, its bad sportsmanship in my eyes."

"Naw, I don't-I don't, y'know, respect Dancougar no less, man. They're good men, good players. I just think, y'know, havin' to run down the clock? It's a sign of weakness. And in this game, that ain't what you wanna' be showin'. Like I said, I respect Dancougar, gotta' respect a guy if you try and break his bones, but runnin' down the clock when you can still play for the win? Naw, not on." The Brute’s quarterback, McGraw, grumbled.

The next match will see the Brute’s play against Kosovoe, where they'll be flying on across to pay the 1-5 team a nice visit. Hopefully, this'll be the relax the team need before even thinking of their rematch against Newmanistan.

McDavies Sets Sail Home

Today, McDavies and a few of his cohorts revealed just how they had slunk into Dancougar to cause trouble during the gridiron match. As it turns out, ten of the Brute Force had managed to win a radio contest from the popular sports show Andy and Mac to win spaces on a luxury cruise to the home team nation. Whilst the contest guaranteed a ten-man trip to Dancougar for the game, McDavies and crew then came up with an ingenious smuggling solution to get an extra thirty of their men onto the ship. Whilst the details of how they pulled this off are sparse, presumably so they can try and pull it again, we have no doubt it was one hell of a mission, considering the sheer bulk of size that thirty extra Brute Force hooligans take up.

When asked about the supposedly notched up security at the Eastport dock and how he made it through Kento Ilita blockade, McDavies smiled a toothy grin. "Ilita, bless him, ain't all he thinks himself to be, y'see? Aye, he had his nice little blockade set up all fair and fine, but the thing is, every man has his price. Apparently it's the same over in Dancougar, and some of the dock officials were all fair and fine in letting us be on our merry little way."

And when we asked McDavies of Ilita, the Eastport Police Chief, himself, McDavies nodded with satisfaction. "He's a good man, a good man with a heart o' gold. Unfortunately, he's a bit too in love with order. Order is never too much fun, and I thought I'd show him this by leaving him a little present outside his doorstop. Turns out it's not too hard to find where a Police Chief lives, and I just hope he weren't wearing his best shoes when he opened that door."

Arroza

06-08-2008, 13:38

Arroza 23, Bluth Corporation 13.

Game six of the ten game qualifying series for World Bowl II, at the Hive in downtown Atalanta. The Hornets are coming off their worst loss ever, to Kura-Pelland and they look like they want to take it out on the Bluth Corp. Bluth on the other hand was at 3-2 and looking to sneak into the playoff picture through the third position in the group. They’ll have t do it against the other teams in the group.

Late kickoff in Arroza, the Corporation chooses to receive. Deputy at the Eight yard line, and runs it out to the 25 before getting stung by Aurelin. Second play of the drive, and the Stinger defense finally gets it’s first turnover! Cain Wells drops back in the pocket, and is crushed from the blind side by Raibonne Charles. The ball pops loose, and bounces to the 24, where Joe Reed falls on the ball. Six running plays and 16 yards later, Drew Albrecht comes onto the field and puts through the chip shot from 18 yards. Arroza 3, Bluth Corp. 0

Bluth back on the ball again, and they get down to mid-field before their drive sputters out. There’s a deep punt by Lamar White, and the ball goes out of bounds at the 7 yard line. Great coffin corner punt. But Arroza comes out and puts up a drive reminiscent of the great time killers of World Bowl I. Chadwick for 7 to the left, Major to the right for 8, Laraque up the middle for 2, Chadwick on the option for ten and another first. Arroza still hasn’t put the ball in the air, and Bluth’s putting eight in the box. No matter though, the Hornets are just shoving it down their throats. Chamesi throws his first pass, incomplete to Harley. Then Major runs for the first on third and nine, on the draw. Six more plays all on the ground, including a thirty yard slash and dash run from Chadwick, and Lake Major goes over the top to get his first international touchdown. 10-0 Arroza.

Bluth gets a field goal to close out the first, but then the Tar Hornets get the ball again and march down the field like you would expect. A 16-play 82-yard drive capped off with Chamesi on the option, and he flicks it off to the trailer Chadwick, and he cruises in from 15 yards, another Tar Hornet touchdown, and probably the nail in the coffin. And at the Half it was 17-3 Arroza.

Second Half, and the Corporation isn’t completely dead. They get a long pass from Cain Wells to Thad Wilkinson, who goes out at the Arrozan 25, and they’re able to convert the 53-yard bomb into 3 points a few plays later. Big stop though for Arroza on third and 4 from the 12, as the blitz by Aurelin blows up the draw play for a loss. Shipley tacks on another FG, and it’s 17-6.

Most of the rest of this game was a defensive struggle with the high spots being a pair of interceptions by the secondary as Bluth tried to go into the air a lot more than usual, and both the corner, Aurienne, and the safety, Saint-Marais came down with errant balls. Albrecht added to the score with a pair of field goals and it was 23-6 deep in the fourth. As the second team offense was on the field for most of the second half no one was really concerned by the lack of touchdowns or running up the score. And at the last minute as all the fans were already drinking their victory beers and waiting for the clock to run out, Cain Wells showed why some Domestic team is probably going to take a run at him as he throws a deep bomb to Shade, who get behind Rolle, and takes it 75 yards for the touchdown. The offside failed though, and the damage was over.

Next game is Swilatia at The Hive, no worries there we’ve still never lost a game on Arrozan soil, and that trend should continue.

Scoring Summary

1Q - 11:18 - Arroza – FG (Albrecht)
1Q – 5:24 – Arroza – TD Run (Major)
2Q – 12:26 – Bluth Corp. – FG (Shipley)
2Q – 4:54 – Arroza – TD Run (Chadwick)
3Q – 10:45 - Arroza – FG (Albrecht)
4Q – 8:16 - Arroza – FG (Albrecht)
4Q – 0:39 – Bluth Corp. – TD Pass (Wells to Shade)

The Road To Tundra Falls: Current Play-Off Seeding

1. Kura-Pelland
2. Dancougar
3. Qazox
4. Rennidan
5. Arroza
6. Milchama
7. Newmanistan
8. Group B 3rd place vs. Group A 3rd place. (Bettia vs. Sorthern Northland)

…That’s not a pretty draw at all. Rennidan, then probably Kura-Pelland, and then most likely Dancougar in the finals again. Actually I woudn’t mind seeing Rennidan in the first round. It’d be like the immovable object of the giant Brute line versus the unstoppable force of the Arrozan ground game. And it wouldn't be played in a warehouse...win.

Newmanistan

06-08-2008, 14:07

Cutoff time for MD7

Group A:
Bluth Corporation 27, kenavt 7
Arroza 20, Swilatia 6
Sorthern Northland 30, Kura-Pelland 24

Group B:
Secristan 33, Bettia 26
Qazox 41, Milchama 31
Taeshan 23, Am3ricans 0

Group C:
Rennidan 24, Kosovoe 3
Dancougar 27, Unified Capitalizt States 10
Newmanistan 19, Lovisa 7

Tables...

GROUP A W L GB PF PA PD
Arroza 6 1 0 138 97 41
Kura-Pelland 5 2 1 168 111 57
Sorthern Northland 4 3 2 170 130 40
Bluth Corporation 4 3 2 175 137 38
Swilatia 2 5 4 92 137 -45
kenavt 0 7 6 85 216 -131

GROUP B W L GB PF PA PD
Qazox 6 1 0 193 144 49
Taeshan 4 3 2 122 82 40
Milchama 4 3 2 196 158 38
Secristan 4 3 2 146 128 18
Bettia 3 4 3 198 209 -11
Am3ricans 0 7 6 61 195 -134

GROUP C W L GB PF PA PD
Rennidan 6 1 0 147 68 79
Dancougar 6 1 0 200 125 75
Newmanistan 5 2 1 149 100 49
U. C. S. 2 5 4 111 164 -53
Kosovoe 1 6 5 82 125 -43
Lovisa 1 6 5 69 176 -107

Tiebreaks: Sorthern Northland over Bluth Corporation due to H2H win. Secristan is behind both Milchama and Taeshan due to 0-2 H2H record vs them. Taeshan then over Milchama on PD. Milchama-Taeshan split H2H. Secristan still has a game remaining against both. Rennidan over Dancougar on PD.

Rennidan

06-08-2008, 15:35

Rennidan : Kosovoe
24:3

Match Report:

Over in Kosovoe - There comes a time in a season when, as a sports writer, you realize that, when you're reporting on a team that's constantly in the top three of it's group, you also realize that every report you do which entails your team versus some other, smaller nation's team begins to get a bit, well, samey. Whether it's a close win, or a cakewalk, you can't help but feel that you're stuck in a repetitive loop of 'Powis dominated the lines', 'Yeilds dominated the running game' or 'Clive dominated the kicking completely'.

And so, with that out the way, here's my run down of the match:

Powis dominated the lines, Yeilds dominated the running game and Clive dominated the kicking completely.

And, in all honesty, that's all there was too it this time around. Rennidan seem to be making a wise move and resting up in the 'easier' bout of their games, saving their energies for their last 'big' confrontation of the qualifiers against Newmanistan, and match they'll need to win if they want to go into the next stage with their heads held high.

__________

I wanna'-I wanna' make a lil', a lil' statement here. Right?

It's uh, it's about my team. By my team, I mean-I mean, the Brutes, right?

And, uh, I don't, I don't-It's not my team, y'know? I don't-I'm not one of those, those guys, those people on the pitch. I ain't, I ain't got the-the stamina for that and stuff.

Don't, right, don't get me wrong. I'm big alright. Yeah, yeah, I know, f-a-t, and I know I have a-a weight problem. I just don't give a feck. I mean, yeah, yeah, I used to care about it. I used to have a problem with, with the people who would point at me, and, and laugh, or shout. Just, just because I'm not like them. Just because I'm not like the guys in, like, the magazines and, and, yeah, stuff, but, the reason, the reason I don't care is, well-

I used to feel like, I didn't, I didn't belong, y'know? I stood out. I was always, always that guy. The one, the one who has something wrong with him, but he's, he's too nice to point it out too if you know him, but if you, if you don't know him, he's open game. You can yell, and, and holler, and shout, and just be a bastard to him and, and he won't care, right? He should be used to it.

Well, I found out, that, no, I shouldn't be, uh, be used to it. Yeah, yeah I'm different. But that, that don't matter.

I've uh, I met McDavies, Michael McDavies, right, a few weeks, weeks, maybe month back. Before Rennidan got, got big and stuff. Before people, people realized what we could do on the, on the turf--turf, grass, concrete. And he, he, uh, he made me feel normal again. He intro-introduced me to, to some guys, to some of his friends, and we all, we all were on good term--We're all friends, y'know? When you just, just click? And these guys, they, they were big fans of, of gridiron, or football, or whatever you wanna' call it. And I started hanging out with them more, and more. And I got to be good, good friends with all of them. And more guys, more guys like me, like them, the big guys, the dumb guys, the ugly guys, the thugs, lowlifes, guys trying to change, guys fresh from behind bars, the old timer fans, we all came together, like a, like a common, uh, common collective, I think.

But, that's not what McDavies called it. He said, he said we were all part of somethin', somethin' bigger, y'know? We weren't just, just a bunch of no-good down-and-outers. We were, a, uh--We were a brotherhood. Brotherhood of brutes. I, uh, I remember we were all in a bar when he, he uh, he said that. He was on the uh, the table, and the owner, the owner didn't care, he was, he was one of us. He loved it. And we all, we all rippled with a slight chuckle at this because, because the uh, the gridiron team, we--they had, they had just announced they'd found a name. Rennidan Brutes. It's, uh, it was brilliant. We loved, love it. Yeah.

But, McDavies, he said we were, yeah, I've said that. He said we were, we were something bigger than just the team's fan club. We were, in, in uh, in his eyes, and their eyes, we were all part of the, uh, part of the team. He said that, uh, whilst their, ros-roster was only twenty two strong, the team it self was, it was over eighty strong. And, in the next few nights, that grew. Man, it grew like you would not believe. That little spat we had across the media with the Black Wing Brigade, it drew them all out, all the fans who were up for a bit of back street brawling, all the fans willing to go the extra mile, they all just came out of the wood work and were all like "where the fuck do we sign up, man?". And we were, we were way happy to bring them on board. More the merrier, right? And, before I knew it, before we knew, hell before even McDavies knew it, we had five, six hundred of the bastards lined up, covered in the dark green tribal patterns of the for-f-forefathers. All in that tribal get up, and we, we got ready for war. We fought the Brigade on our streets, on our terms, and we beat them back, and I was right there, front line, next to McDavies, next to my brothers, and I was cheering, and bashing, and beating.

I mean, Nature's Health! I used to be an accountant with confindence problems. I was on pills to stop depression, and my doctor was telling me I needed to lose weight or I'd die. And that was when I stopped caring. I figured that I was a waste of space, a useless piece of slob. But when I met McDavies, that all changed. He showed me, he showed all of us, that we had something to care for, something to actually get up a fight for like men didn't do anymore. Everyone was content in their ways. Men didn't fight for honour anymore, they just laid back and took the damned beating. And McDavies showed us that that wasn't good enough. You're a disgrace if you just take that beating, he said, you're not a man. And I know some people, they say that if we want to defend honour and stuff, why don't we just join the damned army? Because that's not the same. That's not fighting for honour, that's fighting for flag, country and Emperor, that's killing and war crimes. On the streets, it's nothing but the fight, the battle, the war. It keeps you in touch with that little beast, that little bit of Brute in all of us, and it puts everything in perspective.

I'm Joseph Querks. I'm an accountant.

And right now, I'm sat within a cell at Dancougar.

But, sat around me, are my brothers. I know these men better than I know my actual family now. We're each bleeding and broken, we're all in a lot of shit.

But I've never felt more at peace.

And I’ve definitely never felt so happy.

Taeshan

06-08-2008, 18:39

Fitin' Falcons Shutout Am3ricans

Let's face it this game was never gonna be close, the Am3ricans were 0-6coming into the game and the Falcons were 3-3. They had no chance against the former gridiron world champions, and the fourth place finishers at last years World Bowl. The Falcons took the game easily, it was closer then it sahould have been the Falcons had home field advantage, and it showed.

The Falcons took the leadfrom the very first possesion, and never gave it up. Gabe Martin tossed the ball to Rudi Williams who took the fast way going right threw the Am3ricans bulldozing for an 18 yard Touchdown run. Then on defense Ricky Zellefrow got in on the scoring with a 33 yrd. interception return for a touchdown. On there next drive the Falcons scored again on a 20 yrd. TD scramble by Falcon QB Gabe Martin making it 21-0. Just minutes later Shawn Plank sacked Am3ricans QB in the endzone to make it 23-0. The Falcons had won it bvefore the half, and didn't score again for the whole game, niether did the Am3ricans as the Falcons won 23-0.

In there3next game the Falcons faceof against the Secristan Millionaresin a brawl. The game should be close as both are tied for second in the group with Milchama behind Qazox. Then the Falcons face Bettia, both teams are threatsso watch out.

Arroza

07-08-2008, 13:22

Arroza 20, Swilatia 6.

The report from Newmanistan said it best. How many times can you report the same game, especially when your team’s preferred style is to slow the game down to a glacial pace and run the ball down someone’s throat. I can do it at least one more time, hap-hazardly.

Ok, no I can’t. Hmm…

Ok, Swilatia FG on their first drive, followed by a long drive down the field on the ground, capped with a yard touchdown run, by Abe Chadwick. End 1st: Arroza 7, Swilatia 3.

Second quarter, 2 Field Goals from Albrecht. 13-3.

Third quarter, Field Goal Swilatia 13-6

Fourth Quarter, Touchdown from the rookie Hailey. 20-6, and that’s a final in Arroza.

_____________________________

And now for something completely different: A Short Counterfactual History of Arroza, Part I.

After the successful experimentations in temporal dynamics, stargates, and trans-dimensional movement in the late 20th century, which were all classified for obvious reasons, the options to seed not just different planets, but different version of this planet came into existence. Basically what was discovered was movement across what is now determined as the fifth dimension, probability. Earthlings as they are want to do, decide to use a probability as a garbage dump.

The break-up of America along genetic and regional lines, began in the early 2010’s with the Aztlan Reconquista of the California Purchase, causing a horrible civil war, as well as a war against a coalition of Latin American countries. The result was the loss of all of California south of Fresno, Clark County, Nevada, all of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Once it was assured that the nation could be fractured, the nation essentially dissolved within 20 years, with the Pacific states breaking away, then New England, and finally, the Rust belt, and Gulf Coast states separated from the main. The Gulf Coast states (Eastex, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida Norte) decided to restart research on sending their prisoners through gates into other probabilities, mainly one that has a lot of free land. And so, in 2137, the Arrozan re-settlement program was founded. Prisoners from across prisons in the Gulf States were told they would have their sentences commuted, and their files wiped if they agreed to be exported to a location of the State’s choosing. Almost 400,000 prisoners signed up in the first 6 weeks.

Part II – The Prisoner Years. (After I take 3 finals today/night)

Newmanistan

07-08-2008, 14:23

Is it MD8 cutoff time already?!?! Why yes... yes it is.

Group A:
Bluth Corporation 27, Swilatia 6
Arroza 37, Sorthern Northland 33
Kura-Pelland 28, kenavt 10

Group B:
Bettia 40, Milchama 16
Qazox 27, Am3ricans 17
Taeshan 13, Secristan 9

Group C:
Rennidan 20, Unified Capitalizt States 14
Dancougar 23, Lovisa 6
Newmanistan 34, Kosovoe 24

GROUP A W L GB PF PA PD
Arroza 7 1 0 175 130 45 Q
Kura-Pelland 6 2 1 186 121 65
Bluth Corporation 5 3 2 202 143 59
Sorthern Northland 4 4 3 203 167 36
Swilatia 2 6 5 98 164 -66 E
kenavt 0 8 7 95 234 -139 E

GROUP B W L GB PF PA PD
Qazox 7 1 0 220 161 59 Q
Taeshan 5 3 2 135 91 44
Milchama 4 4 3 212 198 14
Bettia 4 4 3 238 225 13
Secristan 4 4 3 155 141 14
Am3ricans 0 8 7 78 222 -144 E

GROUP C W L GB PF PA PD
Dancougar 7 1 0 223 131 92 Q
Rennidan 7 1 0 167 82 85 Q
Newmanistan 6 2 1 183 124 59 Q
U. C. S. 2 6 5 125 184 -59 E
Kosovoe 1 7 6 106 159 -53 E
Lovisa 1 7 6 75 199 -124 E

Tiebreaks:
A- No Ties
B- 3 Way H2H Between MIL, SEC, & BET: MIL (2-1), BET (2-2), SEC (1-2).
C- Dancougar over Rennidan on PD (H2H split), Kosovoe over Lovisa on PD (H2H split)

If your curious, Group B MIL, SEC, BET, & TAE remaining schedule:

MIL: MD9 (vs Am3ricans), MD10 (vs Secristan)
SEC: MD9 (vs Qazox), MD10 (at Milchama)
BET: MD9 (at Taeshan), MD10 (vs Am3ricans)
Taeshan (not at all safe): MD9 (vs Bettia), MD10 (at Qazox)

Taeshan

07-08-2008, 15:34

Fitin' Falcons suprise everyon by stringing together there third straight win

Miracles do happen the Fitin' Falcons of Taeshan proved it last thursday with another win in a row over Secristan 13-9 in a 450,000 stron packed stadium at Fadron Pizza Field at Wonder Park feeding of the energy of the home crowd, and beating up on the secristan Millionares for the second time.

The game was quick and painless on the rock hard surface on the cold field at Wonder Park. The air was at a startling 39 Fahrenheit, and the ground was measured at an astounding 40 derees. It was a hot day for the Falcon fans as you saw many people with sunglasses, and swimshorts on like a day at the beach. It ws different for the Secristan fans as it seems they were cold wearing parkas, and such. I even saw a fan go inside the stadiums shop area to get warm, it was weird. Those Secristanis are just crazy.

Well anyway the game started with Secristan winning the flip somehow, and deciding to recieve, Martin Gramatica lined up to kick it to returners Paul Zambito, and Kevin Robertson. Robertson obviously the batter returner of the two got it and brought it back to the 30. Then Secristan Quaterback Tom Mitchell found Tight End Brian Hammond down the side Line for an easy pick up of 30 Yrds. On the very next play Mitchell founda streakingCarl South down the sidelines(in for Hammond) for the Secristan score, but for the fourth time in as many games the Falcons got a blocked extra point of the other team making it 6-0. Secristan scoredagain before the end of the half of a 26 yrd. Brian Ford field goal. Obviously the kid can't be good he payed for the spot. Anybody makes that kick.

Going into the second half the Falcons were down 9-0. It didn't look good, but it was only 9 points. Alais Patrick returned the opening kickoff to the 33 were Gabe Martin got his first real cnace to show of in front of his home fans.(he Plays for Wiechester) On the opening play Martin found a flying Ocho Cinco past the Secristan Strong Safety Larry Passaro for an easy forty yard gain. Lined up at the 27 Martin Faked the handoff, and threw to a slanting Jack cito past Curtis Henry the star Secristan DB, and scored the first Falcon touchdown. After the extra point it was 7-9.

Later in the game Gramaticawould kick to field goals from 47, and 45 yrds. to seal a falcon victory 13-9. Next they face the Bettia Dragons and with a win or tie or alose in some cases the Falcons could qualify without the Qazox game really mattering, but still the Qazox game will be big. See you at the Wonder Park tuesday everyone.

Qazox

07-08-2008, 19:33

Bruxen Globe

Pheonix win, Cable feed fixed.

The Milchama game was not available to any one in Qazox, as a power failure at QSPN Headquarters in Fromburg blew a transmitter, thereby preventing the nation from seeing a great game. Qazox won 41-31 in a game that saw each team trade scores until the end, when the Qazox defense fianlly held frim, preserving the victory, and moving the Pheonix 2 games clear of 2nd place.

Up next is a trip to Am3ricans, who are 0-7 and are almost mathmatically eliminated from the competition.

SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM 1 2 3 4 Final
Milchama 10 7 7 7 31
Qazox 14 7 7 13 41

SCORING:
Milchama: Belmowitz 45 yd FG. (3-0 Milchama)
Qazox: Brian Dorett 14 yd TD Run, Pollack PAT Good. (7-3 Qazox)
Milchama: Noach Flum 34 yd TD pass from Kendrick Holmes, Belmowitz PAT good. (10-7 Milchama)
Qazox: Frank Dobbs 5 yd td pass from Harry Pitts, Pollack PAT good. (14-10 Qazox)
Milchama: Noach Flum 21 yd TD pass from Kendrick Holmes, Belmowitz PAT good. (17-14 Milchama)
Qazox: Ellis Abbruzzese 5 yd TD run, Pollack PAT Good. (21-17 Qazox)
Milchama: Hershel Morlock 32 yd Fumble return for TD, Belmowitz PAT good. (24-21 Milchama)
Qazox: Frank Dobbs 42 yd td pass from Harry Pitts, Pollack PAT good. (28-24 Qazox)
Milchama: Noach Flum 47 yd TD pass from Kendrick Holmes, Belmowitz PAT good. (31-28 Milchama)
Qazox: Lyle Beckett 7 yd TD pass from Pitts, Pollack PAT Good (35-31 Qazox)
Qazox: Pitts 3 yd TD run. Pollack PAT blocked (41-31 Qazox)

Qazox' TOP THREE Stars:
Harry Pitts: 25-36, 297 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT; 5 rushes, 25 yds, 1 TD.
Frank Dobbs: 9 catches, 178 yds, 2 TD, 1 rush, 28 yds.
Ellis Abbruzzese: 7 rushes, 32 yds, 1 TD.

Qazox

07-08-2008, 19:41

Bruxen Globe

Pheonix into Quarterfinals with comeback win.

Am3ricans jumped out to an early 17-0 lead, but Qazox stormed back thanks to two long TD runs by Kevin Hertz in the 2nd half, and with the win, the Phoenix clinched a quarterfinal berth. Now a win over either Secristan, a rematch of that controversial 1st game, or Taeshan will clicnhe them the group.

SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM 1 2 3 4 Final
Qazox 0 3 14 10 27
Am3ricans 14 3 0 0 17

SCORING:
Am3ricans: 45 yd TD run, PAT Good (7-0 Am3ricans)
Am3ricans: 5 yd TD run, PAT Good (14-0 Am3ricans)
Am3ricans: 39 yd FG (17-0 Am3ricans)
Qazox: Pollack 50 yd FG (17-3 Am3ricans)
Qazox: Kevin Hertz 17 yd TD run, Pollack PAT Good (17-10 Am3ricans)
Qazox: Kevin Hertz 73 yd TD run, Pollack PAT Good (17-17)
Qazox: Kevin Hertz 50 yd TD run, Pollack PAT Good (24-17 Qazox)
Qazox: Pollack 47 yd FG (27-17 Qazox)

Qazox' TOP THREE Stars:
Kevin Hertz: 21 rushes, 296 yds, 3 TD
Daryl Whitely: 18 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 FF.
Lonnie Sterns: 7 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 fum. rec.

Milchama

07-08-2008, 22:16

New Babylon Times of doom-Dispatch-Sun-Cheese-Pirate-Pilot-Bob

Sports Section

Milchama About to Blow it

The World Bowl group stage is still going on and Milchama are well on their way to blowing their easy shot at the second round or quarterfinals or whatever comes after the group stage. Coach Tomas Ayetocha said, "Sometimes teams hit rough patches but the key is how they respond to adversity. If I know these guys they will get back up and win the next two games." While we love the coaches optimism we really don't see quite as rosy a picture.

To start with let's go back to the beginning of the tournament. The Attackers started off the tournament in pristine form going 4-1 in the first half beating all comers, except those Ox lovers from Qazox (those bastards). The second half has all been about a struggle, 3 straight losses puts the Attackers in a precarious position of 3rd place and tied with two other teams. They need two wins, and bad to advance. While their fate is in their own hands because of head to head records that's the only positive that we have right now. Losing 3 straight to inferior position has put a real dent in the team's confidence and the ability to win games has been stunted by an offense that still has not scored 50 points in a game. The offense needs to improve, the kicking needs to improve the overall play of the team needs to improve or else they will crash and burn just like so many Milchama in the past.

Those bastards better win.

Dancougar

08-08-2008, 02:33

Dancougar News!!
Ali Project singing "My Boyfriend is a Pilot"?! Oh, HELLS yes!

Wings tackle Capitalizts: Amidst higher security, the Dancougar Black Wings defeated the Unified Capitalizt States 27-10 before embarking on a two-game road trip.

The game was not as close as the first leg, with Kirk Hatchitt running for 115 yards and two touchdowns. The Wings dominated the clock and the line of scrimmage and managed to keep pace with Rennidan, which still reclaimed the group lead on point differential with their 24-3 beatdown of Kosovoe. "They caught us by surprise in the first game, but I think we're in a good stride now," said coach Will Moohim. "Kirk did a great job finding the holes and keeping us going forward."

The Wings scored on their second drive after a patient nine-play, 65-yard drive that saw Hatchitt carry seven times. Hayneswith completed both passes, short crosses to Jermaine Divalerio, and Hatchitt finished the drive with a six-yard touchdown run. The Capitalizt defense seemed worn down because on the ensuing drive, Hatchitt gouged them for two runs of over twenty yards, and Haynesworth hooked up with tight end Stephen Trayler, who was quiet in his return to action against Rennidan, for a 12-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0 before the end of the first quarter.

It was 17-0 at halftime after Corey Stottlemyer hit from 35 yards; he also missed from 42. The Capitalizt offense had difficulty running the ball and found themselves in too many long-yardage situations, converting only two of seven third downs. "Our secondary played much better than in recent games, and really made it difficult for them to come up with anything," said Moohim. Dancougar had three sacks in the first half, all of them brought about by the downfield coverage.

The Capitalizts opened the scoring in the second half with a 45-yard field goal, but the Wings responded with another long scoring drive. Haynesworth found Divalerio down the sideline for a 38-yard play in which he skipped over the lunging cornerback and was barely bumped out of bounds after the run. It was back to the ground after that, with Bozwell and Hatchitt combining to eat five and a half minutes of third quarter clock. Hatchitt capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 24-3.

Moohim let some of his second string players play the fourth quarter with the game safely in hand, and after the Wings increased the lead to 27-3, the Capitalizts crossed the goal line with a late drive that saw Jack Enright get beat over the top for a 39-yard touchdown pass.

Wings clinch qualification at Lovisa: The score wasn't as lopsided as it was the last time these two played, but a 23-6 win over Lovisa was enough to clinch advancement to the World Bowl final tournament while mathematically eliminating Lovisa.

The Black Wing second team once again got action in the fourth quarter, leading many to criticize coach Will Moohim, especially since the first team defense hasn't played up to the high standards it established during the last tournament. It's also fairly early in qualifiers, with tournament seeding up for grabs, and many tiebreaker scenarios possibly in play. "We're not the kind of team that can blow out every opponent," said Moohim, "and we're certainly not above killing a game that we're barely winning. But when you've got a lot of guys on the bench who don't get a lot of playing time, you still need to take advantage of the opportunities you get."

There were no worries against Lovisa, a team which has only won once and is statistically the worst in the group. Although the offense was constantly frustrated by its own failings in the red zone, being forced to settle for Stottlemyer field goals of 24, 25, and 31 yards. Hatchitt was stopped twice on third-and-short inside the ten, but fortunately, the Wing defense kept the Lovisa offense on their own half of the field for almost the entire first half. Interceptions by Anthony Corona and Daniel Morgenstein gave the Wings multiple cracks at the Lovisa endzone, but they only crossed the goal line once - Dusty Haynesworth's eight-yard pass to Simon Whitham on their third trip into the red zone.

Lovisa scored a field goal before halftime to go into the locker room down 16-3, still very much in the game if they could string together a drive in the second half. "I thought our offense generated a lot of good chances," said Moohim, "but we just weren't able to execute in the red zone. That's something we'll look very closely at in the tape, because you'd think we'd put more points up with the way we were driving against them."

But the Lovisa offense continued their anemic run, putting up one more field goal in the third quarter before committing two more turnovers. One was a fumble forced by linebacker Butch Easley, and the other was Anthony Corona's second interception of the game. Corona's pick led to another Black Wing touchdown, as Kirk Hatchitt punched it in from two yards out after a seven-play, 52-yard drive in which he had five carries for 31 yards. He finished the game with 97 yards on the ground.

The teams exchanged drives in the fourth quarter but made little progress. Dancougar had its first turnover of the game when backup runningback Oliver Tangermann coughed it up on the Lovisa 40-yard line, but Lovisa gave it right back when Jack Enright intercepted a deep pass that was underthrown.

Group C cut and dried as favorites advance: The experts had an easy time picking the three teams that would make it out of Group C in World Bowl qualifying, but now it's anyone's guess how they'll finish.

Rennidan, Dancougar, and Newmanistan continued their winning ways and have clinched all three of the group's berths for the next round. Of the games remaining, Newmanistan faces both Rennidan and Dancougar, and several tiebreaking scenarios can arise depending on the results. Currently, Dancougar and Rennidan have been exchanging the top spot thanks to a tied head-to-head record.

Group A roundup - Tar Hornets through: Arroza became the first team to clinch advancement out of Group A, with their 37-33 shootout win over Southern Northland also hurting the latter's chances of moving on. Southern Northland sit fourth in the group at 4-4, one game behind Bluth Corporation, which is one game behind Kura-Pelland. Bluth Corporation and Kura-Pelland both helped their chances with big wins over Swilatia and Kenavt, respectively.

Group B roundup - Qazox advance, Taeshan knocking: Leave it to the former world champs to peak at the right time. Taeshan won their third in a row after starting 2-3 to put themselves squarely back in the qualification picture, while Qazox beat hapless Am3ricans to clinch a spot. The middle four are all locked in a tight battle, as it seems like they've spent the tournament beating up on each other, while Qazox beat up on everyone. And poor Am3ricans are the only team in the group under .500 with a negative point differential... too much quality, not enough qualification spots!

Erika premieres to mixed reviews: The first episodes of Pretty Sportsman Erika are now in the books, and the premiere earned ratings as high as 2.5 in some markets, which is considered fairly successful for an animated work.

The general consensus was that the show is average at best, although opinion deviated wildly between those who loved and detested it. The most scathing criticisms came from overseas, though, where reviews in the Bruxen Globe from Qazox referred to the show as "worse than the Taeshani spelling bee." The review went on to hammer all aspects of the production:

While the staff of Pretty Sportsman Erika would like you believe in this inspirational tale of a girl turning her team into championship contenders, it's hard to take it seriously with its stock characters, contrived plot, and formulaic dialogue. I couldn't quite shake the feeling that the writing staff consists entirely of male twentysomethings who spend most of their time in a basement apartment surrounding by Pokemon plushies and the energetic pop music of Nami Tamaki.

The producers remain upbeat and note that the show has certainly not tanked in its Dancougar debut. "We don't expect fans overseas to readily accept this type of production; localization is difficult and takes time," said the show's official blog. "But we have noticed a lot of fans in places like Rennidan, and need to keep in mind that football is a sport loved by fans all over the globe. And should Dancougar play Qazox in the World Bowl proper, we will need to put some effort into a special episode just for them."

Erika torrents destroy the internets! People all over Dancougar and in some parts of the world spent most of yesterday staring at "Database Error" messages when attempting to connect to their favorite websites, because the system was totally down. Analysts think that peer-to-peer traffic carrying episodes of Pretty Sportsman Erika were partially to blame, because the internet is like a series of tubes. And if there are movies streaming across that internet, what happens to your own personal internet is that it gets delayed.

"There were a lot of packets being generated, specifically in Dancougar and Rennidan, which overwhelmed poorly maintained border routers," said Castcom executive Gene Broadhack. "Our throttling algo... errr, our attempts to deal with the traffic resulted in massive delays as several lines were taken out of commission by the overload."

Ilita literally up to his ankles in crap: When Eastport City police chief Kento Ilita fetched the morning paper from his porch, he developed a noticeable twitch when Brute Force leader McDavies appeared in an article describing to the Dancougar media how he easily circumvented Ilita's security measures. In fact, he had been so taken aback by the article that he, at first, neglected to realize that part of his porch was on fire.

Of course, human instinct immediately took over. Although, as his foot came down, Ilita realized that he was going to need an extra long shower this morning, as well as a new pair of slippers. But in the end, the self-proclaimed master of sport security fell victim to the most basic of basic pranks. "Curse you, McDavies!" cried Ilita, waving his newspaper angrily at the morning sky. "I'll get you next time. Next tiiiiiiiiiiime!"

It is currently unknown if Ilita proceeded to go inside and pet his cat.

Rennidan

08-08-2008, 10:42

Group C Done For.

With yet another wave of wins from the likes of Dancougar, Newmanistan and, most importantly to us, Rennidan, Group C is all but over when it comes to qualifying. All that's left to decide is the final standing order of the top three, and the important matches to decide this are Rennidan and Dancougar's games against the current hosts, Newmanistan.

Rennidan will be playing the host team later this week, and tensions are high back at Warehouse 17 as the team begins to realize just how close they are to proving to the world that you don't need money or proper kit and stadia to be among the best of the best. When the Brutes started out, they were here to prove a point more than they were to win games, yet their passion for the game itself and dominating defence has allowed them to battle on through and qualify for the play offs. It hasn't been the most pleasant of journeys, with hooliganism and horrific tackles (mostly to the other teams) plaguing the team wherever they travel, they developed a reputation which befits their nickname, and with a current record of 7-1 and, currently, the lowest 'points against' ranking, I don't think anyone can argue with the fact that the Brutes could very well be a threat in the future.

McGraw Realizes: "Holy Cow My Arm's Broken!"

During Rennidan's recent home game against the Unified Capitalizt States, fans and players alike noticed something amiss. After a rushing attempt on behalf of the Brute's quarterback, Pat McGraw, we couldn't help but realize that, once he got up from the tackle, his arm was, well, a bit wobbly. And I'm talking about the jelly sort. But McGraw himself, whether due to adrenaline or innate stupidity, continued to play with his broken arm. It wasn't until he was celebrating the closer-than-we'd-like 20-14 win that he himself realized something wasn't quite right with his throwing arm. When asked about it via telephone later on, McGraw confessed to having admitted himself to hospital to get the arm in a cast, and that he still intended to play Newmanistan on the away match this week.

When asked if he was effing stupid by a less-experienced and obviously rather insensitive reporter, McGraw simply replied "I can throw with my left, can't I?" At which point I took it upon my self to slap the silly reporter a little bit.

But, the real question here is not if I'll lose my job, it is, instead, how the Brute's will fair against Newmanistan with their only quarterback playing with an arm in plaster. I suppose only time will tell. For now though, I'm sitting first class, sipping a shot of Rennidan's finest as we fly onwards to our penultimate destination of the qualifying round; the ever glorious Newmanistan.

Newmanistan

08-08-2008, 14:17

It's MD9 cutoff time!

Group A:
Bluth Corporation 23, Kura-Pelland 16
Arroza 34, kenavt 14
Sorthern Northland 27, Swilatia 16

Group B:
Bettia 20, Taeshan 6
Milchama 43, Am3ricans 20
Qazox 16, Secristan 13 (OT)

Group C:
Rennidan 24, Newmanistan 6
Dancougar 40, Kosovoe 3
Lovisa 20, Unified Capitalizt States 16

GROUP A W L GB PF PA PD
Arroza 8 1 0 209 144 65 Q
Bluth Corporation 6 3 2 225 159 66
Kura-Pelland 6 3 2 202 144 58
Sorthern Northland 5 4 3 230 183 47
Swilatia 2 7 6 114 191 -77 E
kenavt 0 9 8 109 268 -159 E

GROUP B W L GB PF PA PD
Qazox 8 1 0 236 174 62 Q
Milchama 5 4 3 255 218 37
Bettia 5 4 3 258 231 27
Taeshan 5 4 3 141 111 30
Secristan 4 5 4 168 157 11 E
Am3ricans 0 9 8 98 265 -167 E

GROUP C W L GB PF PA PD
Dancougar 8 1 0 263 134 129 Q
Rennidan 8 1 0 191 88 103 Q
Newmanistan 6 3 2 189 148 41 Q
U. C. S. 2 7 6 141 1204 -63 E
Lovisa 2 7 6 95 215 -120 E
Kosovoe 1 8 7 109 199 -90 E

Tiebreakers/Other scenarios:
Group A:
Arroza- Has clinched everything they possibly can WITHIN GROUP. However, their close PD with Group B leader Qazox will determine a 2 or a 3 seed. (Or perhaps a 1 if they destroy Kura-Pelland, and Newmanistan were to defeat Dancougar, making it more possible for them to catch Rennidan. If Newmanistan beat Dancougar and Lovisa somehow shocked Rennidan, they’d be a #1)

Bluth Corporation: If they defeat Sorthern Northland, they are the #2 seed. Should they lose to SN, and Kura-Pelland defeats Arroza then they are ELIMINATED by virtue of their 0-2 vs SN. Should they lose to SN, and Arroza defeats Kura-Pelland, then there is a 3-way tie. In such an instance, SN is 2nd, Bluth is 3rd, and Kura-Pelland is eliminated. (SN would be 3-1 in the 3-way tiebreak, BC 2-2, and KP 1-3)

Kura-Pelland: If they defeat Arroza, they ADVANCE. Finish second if they win and Bluth loses; finishes 3rd if both win. (BC is 2-0 in H2H tiebreak with KP). If they lose, then Bluth must BEAT Sorthern Northland. They will finish 3rd in that instance. If they lose, and Bluth loses, then they are ELIMINATED.

Sorthern Northland; Must defeat Bluth Corporation otherwise they are ELIMINATED. If they do, and Kura-Pelland defeats Arroza, they finish 3rd. If they win and Arroza defeats Kura-Pelland, they will finish 2nd on the 3-way tiebreak.

(Complicated Group B Scenarios listed at bottom)

Group C: (very cut & dry)
Dancougar- Have clinched advancement. They win group with a win over Newmanistan as long as Rennidan doesn’t make up the 26 point PD differential deficit. Though given the opponents of both teams, this could happen.

Rennidan- Have clinched advancement. They will win group if they beat Lovisa and Newmanistan defeats Dancougar. In which case, they figure to also be the #1 overall seed unless Arroza or Qazox win their game by a large margin. If Rennidan and Dancougar win, it comes down to point differential between the two.

Newmanistan- Have clinched advancement. Playing to avoid the 8-9 game. This will happen should they beat Dancougar and based on the Group A complicated scenario. It appears as though they will be in the 8 spot.

Group B SCENARIOS: between Taeshan, Milchama, Bettia, and Secristan
4-way tie (Possible, though unlikely): Occurs if SEC defeats MIL, QZX defeats TAE, and AM3 shocks BET: TAE, MIL, & BET all 3-3 in H2H tiebreaks. SEC would be 2-4 and be ELIMINATED. Scenario then reverts to a 3-way scenario between TAE, MIL, & BET: BET & MIL are 2-2 in this scenario, and TAE is 1-3. Therefore, TAE would be ELIMINATED. MIL & BET would determine 2nd & 3rd by point differential.

3-way (BET defeats AM3, SEC defeats MIL, and QZX defeats TAE): BET is 2nd, SEC is ELIMINATED (due to H2H). Tiebreak between MIL & TAE for 3rd determined by PD.

3-way (BET defeats AM3, SEC defeats MIL, and TAE defeats QZX): BET is 2nd, TAE is 3rd. (BET 2-0 in H2H with TAE). SEC & MIL ELIMINATED.

3-way (AM3 defeats BET, SEC defeats MIL, and TAE defeats QZX): TAE is 2nd. 3-way between SEC, MIL, and BET sees SEC eliminated. MIL & BET determined by point differential).

3-way (AM3 defeats BET, MIL defeats SEC, and TAE defeats QZX): BET & SEC ELIMINATED. MIL & TAE advance, though 2nd determined on PD.

3-way (AM3 defeats BET, MIL defeats SEC, and QZX defeats TAE): SEC eliminated. MIL finishes 2nd. BET finished 3rd due to 2-0 H2H tiebreak on TAE, TAE is ELIMINATED.

3-way (BET defeats AM3, MIL defeats SEC, and TAE defeats QZX): BET, MIL, and TAE are in a 3-way tie. TAE loses out and is ELIMINATED. due to 1-3 in this scenario while others are 2-2. MIL & BET determine 2nd on PD.

2-way (BET defeats AM3, MIL defeats SEC, and QZX defeats TAE): SEC and TAE are done. MIL & BET determine 2nd on PD.

After determining the above, SECRISTAN IS ELIMINATED. There is no possible situation that would see them through. (Only if they had tied Milchama for 3rd, and won on PD, but this is not a possibility). Additionally, it is also determined that in order for TAESHAN to advance, that Secristan must defeat Milchama, regardless of Taeshan's outcome with Qazox unless they get an Am3ricans upset of Bettia. Who wants to put money on that? Such result does not guarantee Taeshan advancement, but it MUST happen in order for them to have a shot.

Qazox- Is playing for their seed, which could be anywhere between 1 and 3.

Taeshan

08-08-2008, 17:52

Fitin' Falcons lose the big game. What A Suprise.

Wow the Fitin' Falcons lost there first ever loss in Fadron Pizza Field at Wonder Park last night pretty much nixing there chances at making it to the second round in Newmanistan. The Falcons were matched up against the Bettia Dragons who for the second time this World Bowl beat up on the Falcons and defeated them 20-6. Now the Falcons have to hope that Secristan will beat Milchama, and that the Falcons themselves could somehow beat Qazox. Fat chance, the Phoenix are 8-1, assured first in the group and have never lost to the Falcons. Wow its a prettty big order to fufill.

Well since you all don't really care how the Dragons scored lets just put it this way...They did. They led the whole game. The Falcons didn't even score till the fourth on two Martin Gramatica 45 Yrd. Field Goals. It was horrible, awful. Jeese we just got slaughtered.

Well as you know we face Qazox next in a huge regional rivalry competition. Like we're gonna win. We suck more then Paris Hilton. Well anyway i believe the game is at Ox-Cola field in Qazox so ill meet the 10 of you with enough guts to watch are team get slaughtered.

Secristan

08-08-2008, 18:10

REFS “EVEN UP” CALLS

13-13. 2.5 seconds left, ball on the Secristan 48. Mitchell fires it down into the end zone. It’s a hail mary attempt! And it’s an amazing catch by Johnnie Baker! Millionaires win! Millionaires beat Qazox again! Wait, it’s a flag.... what?! Offensive pass interference?! Are you kidding me? There’s only one way to describe this call, and that’s the referees are making up for the “phantom” holding call the last time these two met. It was called on Baker, though we are still trying to find out who the supposed Qazox defender was that he interfered with, because we still don’t see it. The demoralized Millionaires then lose the coin toss in OT, give up a 67 yard kickoff return, to set up a chip shot game winning 28-yard FG for Pollack. It is believed that the referees returned the favor on behalf of the New Bruxen Casino, who wants to avoid paying out all the “over” bets that were made on Secristan’s 4.0 wins wagering line.

So, because of this, we’re done. Finished. We can tie but we can’t win a tiebreaker. All that’s left is too help Taeshan. And what incentive is there for us to do that?

Milchama

09-08-2008, 00:10

OOC: So I have it correct in that if Milchama wins tomorrow they are in?

IC:
New Babylon Times of doom-Dispatch-Sun-Cheese-Pirate-Pilot-Bob

Sports Section

A Win, A Win Our Kingdom For A Win

In predictable fashion the Milchama Attackers beat up the hapless Am3ricans, who have still yet to win a game, 43-20 to move into second position with one game left. Unfortunately this second positions is rather precarious, as the Attackers are 5-4, just like 3 other teams. It's all very complex and confusing and rather sad to be honest but we'll go through it anyways because, *sigh*, it's our jobs. (And you thought newspaper reporting was easy. Yeah right! F-You man! F-you!) And of course we still haven't mentioned that our opponents are 4-5 and were in it until a heart breaking loss today against Qazox in OT prompted their unfortunate exit.

So who are these teams?

Well at 8-1, the undisputed group winners and best team is Qazox. We have lost to them twice, just like every other team in the group, except one and we're waaaaaaaay to lazy at this newspaper to actually figure out who that one may be. The point being there are in first place and we don't argue with those kind of results. We will say that we have been outshown by those goddamn ox lovers lately in the international sports and that better change at WBC 8 and WC 41. Go Warriors!

Then comes the ruckus, the standings say it's Milchama then Bettia then Taeshan. However all the teams involved are 5-4 and quite frankly it's confusing as to who advances. To the best of our knowledge (which obviously isn't much) it comes down to this.
Milchama - Win = In (we control our own destiny, YES!) and a loss gets waaaaaaay to confusing for us to figure it out. So we'll just say that we win.
Bettia - Considering they play Am3ricans in the final game, they'll win. So it comes down to this, after they win how does it shape up? Pretty well actually, considering they hold the same advantage over Taeshan that we have. Meaning a win should guarantee them advancement.
Taeshan- They need us to lose to have any chance of advancement. Therefore they probably won't advance.

It looks pretty clear cut then the Attackers and Auroras (Ed: Dragons, Writer: Whatever) will advance. But we still have two more teams and I haven't reached my word minimum yet so let's continue.

At 4-5 is Secristan who entered into the discussion but were cruelly knocked out of the tournament on a field goal by Qazox in OT in their last game. They are capitalists so good riddance to them but it's rather unfortunate that it ends so close for them. Oh well look out for them at World Bowl III (Also watch for us to not take our own advice, we do that a lot. One of the problems of having no memory).

At 0-9 is Am3ricans. They suck. No more ink shall be wasted on their account.

Now to the prediction of our all important game against Secristan. The offense was clicking against that piece of crap team, scoring 43 and the defense even was ok giving up under 30 points. This form bodes well for Secristan but those damn Millionaires did stretch Qazox to OT and should be full of confidence after a performance of that caliber. So it will come down to who is the better gridiron team. That means our head to head record and overall record should be the best predictor. Well Milchama is winning in terms of overall record and in our last game we won by 20, 33-13. Therefore Milchama is clearly the favorite.

GO ATTACKERS!

Qazox

09-08-2008, 04:23

Bruxen Globe

Pheonix avenge lone loss, controls Taeshan's fate

Now Secristan know how it feels. A supposed "phantom" offensive pass interference call against Johnnie Baker for pushing off of Sean Briggs, which negated a TD by Baker, which would have won the game. But it went into OT and after a Frank Dobbs 67-yd kickoff return, Harvey Pollack kicked the game winner, a 28-yd FG.

So that sets up the Taeshan rematch, which means little for Qazox, other than determine the top seed. If Qazox wins, and Dancougar and Rennidan each lose, and depending on what Arroza does, Qazox could either be the #1, #2, or #3 seed. Not to mention a win would knock Taeshan out of the competition.

SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM 1 2 3 4 OT Final
Qazox 3 7 3 0 3 16
Secristan 3 3 7 0 0 13

SCORING:
Qazox: Pollack 38 yd FG. (3-0 Qazox)
Secristan: Rodney 47 yd FG. (3-3)
Qazox: Kevin Hertz 17 yd TD run, Pollack PAT Good (10-3 Qazox)
Secristan: Rodney 42 yd FG. (10-6 Qazox)
Secristan: Brian Hammond 23 yd TD pass from Tom Mitchell. Rodney PAT Good (13-10 Secristan)
Qazox: Pollack 46 yd FG. (13-13)
Qazox: Pollack 28 yd FG. (16-13 Qazox)

Qazox' TOP THREE Stars:
Harvey Pollack: 3-3 FG, long of 46 yds.
Kevin Hertz: 15 rushes, 110 yds, 1 TD. 2 rec, 11 yds
Frank Dobbs: 5 rec, 85 yds; 4 KO returns, 158 yds, long of 67.

Dancougar

09-08-2008, 04:27

Dancougar News!!
Nyan nyan nyan nyan nihao nyan... gorgeous delicious deculture!

Wings pound Kosovoe as tournament approaches: Dancougar assured itself of no worse than a fourth seed after defeating Kosovoe 40-3 in a game that was over by the end of the first quarter. Kirk Hatchitt ran for 120 yards and three touchdowns in the first half to go along with a Dusty Haynesworth touchdown pass. The Black Wing defense played its best game of the tournament, albeit against a Kosovoe team that has struggled the whole way.

"This is the time when you want to be charging forward at full steam," said Hatchitt. "And it's going to be tough to keep that pace up given that we got the Rockets next week."

The Wings have now won eight in a row since their loss in the opener to Rennidan, and for the third straight game, they got on the board early. Haynesworth matched the team downfield on its opening drive with two long passes to Jermaine Divalerio, good for 28 and 35 yards. Hatchitt took care of the rest, scoring on a five-yard sweep to make it 7-0. The defense broke the game open on the next possession, as a holding penalty pinned Kosovoe deep in its own end. They opted for the safe run up the middle, but lineman Joe Arnone poked the ball free and it bounced into the endzone. The quarterback fell on it, but Butch Easley fell on him to earn the safety.

The Wings got excellent field position from the resulting free kick, as Jack Enright returned it up over midfield. From there, Hatchitt pounded away at the Kosovoe defense, picking up runs of 8 and 13 to set up Dusty Haynesworth's touchdown pass to Simon Whitham, a 22-yard lob down the left sideline that made it 16-0 before the quarter was even half over. Hatchitt would add a second touchdown before it ended to make the score 23-0. The Kosovoe offense, meanwhile, managed only a single first down.

"We took a lot of steam out of their offense, and the stadium," said Easley. "I mean, that's how you have to do it, right, always pressure, always attack the ball."

The Kosovoe defense stiffened in the second quarter and only allowed the Wings to score once. But it came at the end of an eight and a half minute drive that saw the team march 83 yards in 15 plays. Hatchitt carried the ball nine times for 44 yards, while Haynesworth continued to use the short passing game to great effect. Divalerio and tight end Stephen Trayler both have third-down grabs on the drive, which was capped by a four-yard draw straight up the middle by Hatchitt.

"What's that called normally, a hat trick?" Hatchitt said after the game. "Sure, three scores is awesome. But I had a lot of help, like, the line was blowing people up all game and opening some great holes for me. They'd probably be ticked if I didn't do something with all that work."

The Black Wing reserves played the entire second half, which saw Kosovoe finally get on the board with a 39-yard field goal midway through the third quarter. This was in response to one of Stottlemyer's, a 23-yard effort that came after backup quarterback Todd Appelgate drove the team into the red zone but overthrew Ed Caldwell on third down. The second team defense didn't allow Kosovoe past the Dancougar 40-yard line after that, although there were remarkably few turnovers. Tom Ostlund's interception at the start of the fourth was the only one in the second half for the Kosovoe offense, which lost two fumbles in the first.

"We wanted to clamp down on defense and run hard on offense," said coach Will Moohim. "You win when you can do that. You impose your will on the other team and dictate the pace of the entire game."

Appelgate led one final scoring drive late in the fourth quarter. Caldwell beat his defender and caught the ball in stride, a 49-yard catch-and-run.

Tiebreakers abound in Groups A and B: With one game remaining, four spots in the final tournament remain up for grabs. The tight races in groups A and B have given birth to a spattering of scenarios that most casual fans can't seem to come to grips with.

"It's absolutely insane!" said fan Rex Morgan. "Results which matter, results which don't matter, results that only matter depending on the results of other games which only kind of matter except in the case where... AAAAH!"

In Group A, Southern Northland is in the most dangerous position, but they can play their way into the tournament with a win over fellow hopefuls Bluth Corporation. Arroza and Kura-Pelland play in the other decisive game, which means far more to the Arrows than the the Tar Hornets, who have already won the group.

Group B is a nightmare for all but the most hardcore fans. After enumerating all possible outcomes of the final day's actions, it was determined that Secristan was, unfortunately, eliminated... but their game still matters for Taeshan, who don't seem to have any control over their destiny except for the unlikeliest circumstances. While it doesn't look like Secristan has any reason to play hard against Milchama, many point to the fact that many people in Secristan have money riding on the team getting its fifth win, thus going one over the line established by betting houses in Qazox. With money on the line, it's hard to see the Millionaires go quietly.

"The amount of money that poured out of Secristan on 'over' is impressive," said economist Ichiro Yanagata. "A victory for Secristan has an impact on the tournament, but it also has serious economic considerations for the Qazox gambling industry. And that's what gets me up in the morning!"

Dancougar with a shot at first seed: When Dancougar hosts Newmanistan in the final game of World Bowl II qualifying, they do so with a number one seed on the line.

Looking at the standings and the games remaining, it's a pretty good bet that the top seed for the final tournament will come out of Group C. But who will it be? Rennidan will play Lovisa, which it should have no problem beating. Dancougar, meanwhile, hosts the Newmanistan Rockets. The Wings and Brutes are currently 1-2 in the overall standings, with Dancougar on top only on point differential. Anything can happen on the final day, but the Wings feel like they have the inside track.

If Dancougar wins, Rennidan will need to overcome a 26-point differential plus the margin if victory over Newmanistan. Given the narrowness of the win last time - a mere two points - this number is not expected to grow much if it does. But there's hope for the Wings after today's action. Even with their quarterback's arm in a sling, the Brutes swept aside the Rockets 24-6.

"It's important to be confident, although we know that it's very easy to slip up against a good team like the Rockets," said coach Will Moohim. "That would really kill momentum going into the tournament, which is the last thing we want."

Taeshan

09-08-2008, 04:27

Falcons screwed Officially

You heard it from here first the Falcons are screwed. They burried themselves a hole, and nailed there coffins shut. They have no hope infact im going to go as far, and say they won't do good in UCS in the Olympics or at Arroza in the WB3. Were screwed. Yah we suck.

Rennidan

09-08-2008, 12:14

Rennidan : Newmanistan
24:6

Match Report:

Newmanistan - The last time I was in Newmanistan, Robert Golos decided to throw a boot into the face of the team captain of Candelaria And Marquez. The time before that, after a thrilling victory, Micah Twels, unofficial winner of the last major F1 competition, decided to go on a death-defying high speed pursuit across Newmanistan territory, with half the police force breathing down his neck.

Needless to say, police in Newmanistan don't like Rennidan sportsmen very much, and considering the group of players I was travelling to see, I don't think that's going to change very soon. The security was certainly upped for this match at the Rocket's home ground, and who can really blame them? Whilst it certainly wasn't a Rennidan versus Dancougar situation, it was still a match against the most thuggish of teams.

And what a match it was. Earlier, it was reported that Pat McGraw would be playing with a broken arm, as none of the other players are suitable throwers and, well, the Brutes don't have any substitutes. So when he came onto the pitch with his arm in a cast, grinning like only a crazy man can and waving to the crowd, I already knew that we'd be in for one heck of a penultimate qualifier. The first few plays for Rennidan's offence were, I shall admit, a bit iffy, with Pat's throws going a bit haywire for most of the first quarter, which ended scoreless. The second quarter, however, you could both see and feel the improvement. McGraw was hitting those receivers like his father probably used to hit him, and some of the to-the-air plays were leaving Strasser and Giles running a game of, what seemed to be, Ring Around the Roses. It was here, in the second quarter, that a 39 yard pass to the stumbling, bumbling Lewis Seffer rumbled the Rocket's defence and put the first points on the board. The PAT was good, and play resumed with the Rocket's looking a little less happy than they had been.

In the stands, the Rocket fans had been silenced by the scoreboard, but the Brutes fans were going barmy, and for a good reason too. Not only were the Brutes playing with a star player in a cast, but a win here would keep them in the running to be the number one seed for the playoffs. When you think about the fact that the Brutes are, in fact, just a bunch of pub-loving lads who have a real passion for the game, who have $12.40 in the team finances, who play without a proper kit but with real heart and are beating teams who are supposed to be the best of the best, you can't help but think that these aren't just underdogs, they're something different. They're something special.

The second quarter came and went, and we moved into the second half, where the Brutes seemed determined to not give the Rocket's any ground on their home turf, much to the depression of the Newmanistan fans. Then, exactly halfway through quarter three, Rennidan busted through the defence again to make a 72 yard rush on behalf of Jason Yeilds, who ended up celebrating in the end zone. I glanced about to see the reactions, and, much to both my distaste and surprise, I saw some of the Rocket fans getting up and leaving. Silly bastards, was all I could think. Would you not kick yourself if you left a match that had been this one sided near the end of the third quarter, only for your team to come back and win it?

Well, for these fans, they had nothing to worry about. The match ended 24-6, with Newmanistan scoring the last touchdown, but failing to get an extra two points on the board. At least they had the heart to give it a shot though.

Now, no offence to Lovisa, our next opponents, as this will be the second time I've shunned our match against them, but I won't be watching Rennidan on their last qualifying match (not live anyway). Instead, I've booked that week off and will be flying over to Dancougar, to watch the Rockets play there. Rennidan's hopes of being top seed lie solely on one of the two following scenarios: Dancougar loses to the Rockets (which, unfortunately, I doubt will happen) or Rennidan gets 26 points more than the Black Wings on this, the final match day.

Only time will tell!

Until next time, 'MON THE BRUTES!

(OoC: And, uhg, I have the worst fricking cold ever.)

Newmanistan

09-08-2008, 14:01

So... who's gonna win the big games....
You will soon find out.... MD10 cutoff time!

Group A:
Bluth Corporation 27, Sorthern Northland 10
Kura-Pelland 23, Arroza 21
kenavt 19, Swilatia 7

Group B:
Taeshan 20, Qazox 10
Milchama 36, Secristan 34
Bettia 30, Am3ricans 3

Group C:
Dancougar 24, Newmanistan 22
Rennidan 37, Lovisa 10
Unified Capitalizt States 20, Kosovoe 6

For those who did not advance to Newmanistan, thank you for your participation, and we hope to see you back for World Bowl III.

GROUP A W L GB PF PA PD
Arroza 8 2 0 230 167 63 Q
Bluth Corporation 7 3 1 252 169 83 Q
Kura-Pelland 7 3 1 225 165 60 Q
Sorthern Northland 5 5 3 240 210 30 E
Swilatia 2 8 6 121 210 -89 E
kenavt 1 9 7 128 275 -147 E

GROUP B W L GB PF PA PD
Qazox 8 2 0 246 194 52 Q
Bettia 6 4 2 288 234 54 Q
Milchama 6 4 2 291 252 39 Q
Taeshan 6 4 2 161 121 40 E
Secristan 4 6 4 202 193 9 E
Am3ricans 0 10 8 101 295 -194 E

GROUP C W L GB PF PA PD
Dancougar 9 1 0 287 156 131 Q
Rennidan 9 1 0 228 98 130 Q
Newmanistan 6 4 3 211 172 39 Q
U. C. S. 3 7 6 161 210 -49 E
Lovisa 2 8 7 105 252 -147 E
Kosovoe 1 9 8 115 219 -90 E

Tiebreaks:
Group A: Bluth Corporation 2-0 in H2H vs Kura-Pelland.
Group B: 3-way tie break H2H records between BET, MIL, and TAE were: BET 2-2, MIL 2-2, TAE 1-3. Therefore TAE was 4th. BET and MIL then determined via PD.

Group C: Dancougar & Rennidan 1-1 in H2H, so seeding determined on PD.

For all teams advancing, welcome to Newmanistan! (Group winners receive top three seeds; afterwards teams are seeding by records, with PD as the first tiebreaker, then PF.)

Aug 10: “Play in Game” Milchama vs Newmanistan (winner will be the new “#8") @ Tundra Falls Proving Grounds

Aug 11: Quarterfinals
Game A- Dancougar vs #8 @ Pocono City Stadium
Game B- Rennidan vs Bluth Corporation @ Loudon Stadium
Game C- Arroza vs Bettia @ Tundra Falls Proving Grounds
Game D- Qazox vs Kura-Pelland @ Dover Field

Aug 12: Semifinals
Game E: Winner Game A vs Winner Game B @ Tundra Falls Proving Grounds
Game F: Winner Game C vs Winner Game D @ Pocono City Stadium

Aug 13: Third Place Game: Loser Game E vs Loser Game F @ Loudon Stadium

WORLD BOWL II- Aug 14: Winner Game E vs Winner Game F at Tundra Falls Proving Grounds

Kura-Pelland

09-08-2008, 14:46

What was it said about the Arrows and clutch plays? They did it again, with a touchdown with nine seconds on the clock to defeat Arroza 23-21.

Ironically this was utterly irrelevant, as they were bound to finish third no matter what thanks to Bluth Corporation's sizable defeat of the unpredictable Sorthern Northland. But it gives them huge confidence going into Newmanistan.

The Arrows fared better against the run than the pass on defence, with the first two Arroza drives ending with a run stop on third-and-short situations in the open field. Kura-Pelland, stopped on their first drive in similar circumstances, were enforcing the opposite on Arroza's D, using short passes to Lecavalier in particular - Bernard was 12/16 in the first quarter, but for just 55 yards - to open up the run for Illingworth. His run on a draw play on third-and-5 from midfield - with the offence in a two-WR, two-TE set - proved decisive, going 34 yards. The short passes weren't on for Bernard in the red zone though, although he did gain three yards with a run of his own, and the drive ended with three.

Arroza responded with a very quick touchdown, a 63-yard pass on first down that caught Aron Crispin in single coverage, which generally spells trouble. The next Arrows drive was typical of them, with more short passes and surprise runs, and again ended with three. Illingworth touched the ball seven times in the drive, four of them as a receiver, and gained 24 yards receiving and 19 rushing.

Arroza were kept off the board for the rest of the half, but Kura-Pelland couldn't do the job in the red zone, as Arroza got wise to the strategy and closed off the receivers with tight zone coverage. They couldn't do much to stop them getting there though, not least because that same tight zone was breached by Chester Fernandez, allowing him to make a 43-yard pass before being stopped by the safety. 9-7 was the score at the half, as that drive ended again in a field goal, and both defences won through in the two-minute drills. Arroza had the only touchdown, but Kura-Pelland had kept the ball better, as illustrated early in the third when Crispin made an interception and took it 21 yards. This drive did end in a touchdown - fullback Horace Buntley slamming it in from a yard out after a 21-yard Illingworth run was stopped at the last moment - and 16-7 seemed secure.

Not with this offence it ain't, and two fast touchdowns were scored by Arroza to make the score 21-16 by the end of the third, a score that remained - courtesy of great defence from both sides and disinterested offences who apparently knew this game was now meaningless thanks to Bluth Corp's demolition job - until the very end, when Fernandez received a desperate long bomb and took it for six.

Kura-Pelland

09-08-2008, 14:48

What was it said about the Arrows and clutch plays? They did it again, with a touchdown with nine seconds on the clock to defeat Arroza 23-21.

Ironically this was utterly irrelevant, as they were bound to finish third no matter what thanks to Bluth Corporation's sizable defeat of the unpredictable Sorthern Northland, and their points difference assured them of the #7 seeding. But it gives them huge confidence going into Newmanistan, where they will now face Qazox - whose bookmakers are presently flush with cash thanks to Milchama's own last-gasp touchdown against Secristan, causing numerous big-money bets made on the latter by its wealthy citizens to turn from losers to winners instantly.

The Arrows fared better against the run than the pass on defence, with the first two Arroza drives ending with a run stop on third-and-short situations in the open field. Kura-Pelland, stopped on their first drive in similar circumstances, were enforcing the opposite on Arroza's D, using short passes to Lecavalier in particular - Bernard was 12/16 in the first quarter, but for just 55 yards - to open up the run for Illingworth. His run on a draw play on third-and-5 from midfield - with the offence in a two-WR, two-TE set - proved decisive, going 34 yards. The short passes weren't on for Bernard in the red zone though, although he did gain three yards with a run of his own, and the drive ended with three.

Arroza responded with a very quick touchdown, a 63-yard pass on first down that caught Aron Crispin in single coverage, which generally spells trouble. The next Arrows drive was typical of them, with more short passes and surprise runs, and again ended with three. Illingworth touched the ball seven times in the drive, four of them as a receiver, and gained 24 yards receiving and 19 rushing.

Arroza were kept off the board for the rest of the half, but Kura-Pelland couldn't do the job in the red zone, as Arroza got wise to the strategy and closed off the receivers with tight zone coverage. They couldn't do much to stop them getting there though, not least because that same tight zone was breached by Chester Fernandez, allowing him to make a 43-yard pass before being stopped by the safety. 9-7 was the score at the half, as that drive ended again in a field goal, and both defences won through in the two-minute drills. Arroza had the only touchdown, but Kura-Pelland had kept the ball better, as illustrated early in the third when Crispin made an interception and took it 21 yards. This drive did end in a touchdown - fullback Horace Buntley slamming it in from a yard out after a 21-yard Illingworth run was stopped at the last moment - and 16-7 seemed secure.

Not with this offence it ain't, and two fast touchdowns were scored by Arroza to make the score 21-16 by the end of the third, a score that remained - courtesy of great defence from both sides and disinterested offences who apparently knew this game was now meaningless thanks to Bluth Corp's demolition job - until the very end, when Fernandez received a desperate long bomb and took it for six.

Qazox

09-08-2008, 19:37

(ooc: Nice double K-P :p)

Bruxen Globe

Pheonix lose to Taeshan, Earn 3rd Seed.

Thanks to the earlier results of Bettia and Milchama winning their games, Taeshan almost had no chance to qualify for the next round, and despite a 20-10 win over the Phoenix, who were admittedly playing the 2nd string, the Falcons will be staying home, while Qazox travels to Newmanistan once again.

In Newmanistan, the Phoenix will take on Kura-Pelland in the quarterfinals.

SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM 1 2 3 4 Final
Taeshan 7 3 7 3 20
Qazox 0 7 3 0 10

SCORING:
Taeshan: Ricky Zellefrow 45 yd TD pass from Gabe Martin, Gramatica PAT Good (7-0 Taeshan)
Qazox: Jake Rolfs 3 yd TD run, Pollack PAT Good (7-7)
Taeshan: Gramatica 39 yd FG (10-7 Taeshan)
Taeshan: Ricky Zellefrow 19 yd TD pass from Gabe Martin, Gramatica PAT Good (17-7 Taeshan)
Qazox: Pollack 42 yd FG (17-10 Taeshan)
Taeshan: Gramatica 38 yd FG (20-10 Taeshan)

Qazox' TOP THREE Stars:
Ellis Canal: 19 tackles, 5 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 INT.
Jake Rolfs: 10-14, 124 yds, 1 INT, 5 rushes 37 yds, 1 TD.
Ismael Colello: 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 7 passes defended.

Taeshan

09-08-2008, 20:07

actually the football team is the fitin' Falcons Q^^^

Dancougar

10-08-2008, 02:13

Dancougar News!!
Man, the end of Giant Robo makes me feel so... so... grrrrrr!!

Make it two for two by two: The Dancougar Black Wings defeated the Newmanistan Rockets 24-22 on a game-ending field goal by Corey Stottlemyer to finish 9-1 in qualification and add two points to their differential. Rennidan beat Lovisa by 27, meaning the Wings won the group title by the slimmest of margins.

"The Rockets are definitely better than their record indicates," said coach Will Moohim after the game. "A win against a team like that always boosts confidence going forward, although I think we can still be better." Dancougar's two wins against Newmanistan, combined, have only been by four points. That's all there is between a tight race between Group C's top three teams and an even tighter one.

The Jared Koeppel Memorial Stadium was filled to capacity for the game, and the fans were treated to a comical start when the Black Wings handed Newmanistan an early break. Steve Meadows pinned the Wings deep after a high punt was downed at the two, and when the Rocket defense held firm, Brandon Shelpman was forced to punt out of his own endzone. Long-snapper Tim Shackleford sent the ball over Shelpman's head and out of the back of the endzone for a safety.

"It slipped, I guess," said Shackleford. "I must've got spooked when they packed the line. That was really embarrassing."

Newmanistan received the free kick and drove downfield to extend the lead. John Pivonka found Alex Foster for an 18-yard touchdown pass to give the Rockets an early 9-0 lead. The Wings settled down on the next drive and started to get back into the game. Kirk Hatchitt carried six times on the drive for only 28 yards, but by bringing more men into the box, Hatchitt opened up the passing game for Dusty Haynesworth. Haynesworth responded to Pivonka with a touchdown pass of his own, a 14-yard shot up the middle to tight end Stephen Trayler.

The first turnover of the game came early in the second quarter, when Haynesworth was hit by linebacker Julius Conte and fumbled. Newmanistan converted it into a field goal after their drive stalled just inside the red zone. A third down pass by Pivonka was knocked away by Anthony Corona. The Wings took the lead on their next drive. The big play on the drive was a 39-yard pass from Haynesworth to Jermaine Divalerio on 3rd and 15. Three plays later, Kirk Hatchitt, bounced outside and evaded each challenge en route to an 11-yard touchdown run. The Wings held a 14-12 lead at halftime.

"In a game like this, neither team can really afford to fall behind," said Haynesworth. "We knew it was going to be a seesaw battle. So I just had to do my job, you know, go out there and make a play."

But Haynesworth handed Newmanistan another scoring opportunity when he threw an interception to Danny Giles as the Wings were driving midway through the third quarter. Divalerio and third receiver Russel Seelbinder both starting running crossing routes from the right side, and Seelbinder cut towards the outside to receive the pass. But Haynesworth threw it behind him, where Giles was trailing the play. Pivonka marched the Rockets 63 yards on 11 plays, with Tiberius Gillespie providing the finishing move. He dove in from a yard out to make it 19-14.

The Rockets added a field goal early in the fourth quarter to make it 22-14, and with the home fans stewing nervously in their seats, the Wings launched a comeback. Hatchitt led the way with 50 yards in the quarter, with 31 of them coming on a drive that started with eight and a half minutes to play. It came off a rare mistake by the Rockets. Pivonka threw a pass over the middle that linebacker Daryl Yearling jumped up and snagged, giving the Wings possession near midfield. Hatchitt gouged the left side for an 18-yard run on the first play. A few short runs preceded Haynesworth to Trayler for a first down, and Hatchitt ran up the middle for an 8-yard touchdown to make it 22-20.

Then the question... go for one or two? There were still four minutes on the clock. Moohim decided to put his faith in the defense that the Wings would get the ball back and opted for the one point deficit. Pivonka put his trust in runningback Corey Parisi, and the Rockets went to the ground. The seconds ticked away after every run. The two minute warning came and went. Moohim started burning time outs. On 3rd and 7, a crucial stop - cornerback Zane Meriweather broke up a short curl intended for Foster. The Wings got the ball back with a timeout and under a minute left.

"My heart was pounding, man," said Haynesworth. "I mean, damn, I'm no Mike Bernard or anything. That was a real test for us, to see if we could really run a two minute offense... we practice it, sure, but we hardly ever run it. I was just praying I didn't make a bad throw."

The Wings came out with four receivers, with Hatchitt occasionally motioning out of the backfield for a fifth. Haynesworth was not afraid to pass up the middle, hitting tight end Trayler twice and finding Seelbinder on a crossing route for another. With fifteen seconds left, the Wings had worked their way up to the Newmanistan 33-yard line. The next pass was incomplete. On the next play, Newmanistan brought the corner blitz. Haynesworth stepped up in the pocket and released the ball moments before being blindsided... caught by Divalerio. He was brought down at the 17-yard line, and Moohim used his timeout with three seconds on the clock.

Stottlemyer from 34. For the win.

The snap is good.

The hold is good.

And the kick is good!

Tournament field finalized - Wings are #1: When all games went final, the Dancougar Black Wings stood first in Group C and overall - by a single point. As it turned out, that one point was the difference between a number one seed and a number four.

"Once again, we're the team everyone's gunning for," said coach Will Moohim. "Right now, it's important not to look too far ahead and just focus on business. Every team in this field is dangerous. And looking at our side of the draw, it's all to easy too slip up and go home early, ranking and all."

Newmanistan landed in the play-in game, but will have home field advantage against Milchama, the highest-scoring team in the tournament. The Wings face the winner of that game, and the winner moves on to face either Rennidan or the Bluth Corporation.

"We might have to play Newmanistan again, or both Newmanistan AND Rennidan? Daaaaaaamn," said linebacker Butch Easley. "I mean, yeah, I figured we'd see at least one of them again, but this is ridiculous!"

"We'll be preparing our usual gameplan," said Moohim, "although we'll throw in a few surprises just in case."

In other action, Taeshan barely missed qualification when Milchama defeated Secristan by a two-point margin. Bluth Corporation ended Southern Northland's hopes with a head-to-head win, and the Kura-Pelland Arrows finished third despite upsetting group winners Arroza.

Arroza

10-08-2008, 02:41

National Team loses heart-breaker at home.

Coaching staff, shrugs and notes that it didn't matter.

The Tar Hornets lost their first international football game in Arroza to the Kura-Pelland Arrows 23-21 @ The Hive. Coach Waulequah is being criticized for playing mostly the second team, all game but he insists that it was the right thing to do, in a statement given after the game.

"Look, we couldn't have caught Dancougar if we wanted to, so that's out. And honestly, with the host nation probably being the #8 seed, and Rennidan being the 4/5 we want no part of that half of the bracket anyways. We'll take Bettia, and hope that those gambling fiends from Qazok put the boots to Kura-Pelland. I'd much rather have to go through those two, than Newmanistan and Rennidan. And if we do get K-P in the semi's I'm confident that we can beat them, since we were 10 seconds from beating them with out B-team out there all game. Our second stringers did very well, especially the real rookies, Hailey and Saint-Marais. Now we have to go get flight arrangements made, and download some game tape of Bettia. No more questions."

____________
And now for something completely different: A Short Counterfactual History of Arroza, Part II.
The Prison Centuries

Miguel Caine (Historian): I guess when they started sending everyone to Arroza they thought that they were going to be able to open up the gates in forty or fifty years, and all of a sudden all of these gangbangers and murderers would have turned the islands into some sort of paradise, like an inter-dimensional Australia. Wrong. What they failed to realize, is that even from the start in Australia there was some form of colonial government, and there were Brits that went over there without being prisoners. And of course a lot went over there knowing that if things got really bad you could hop a clipper and get back to England. But going to Arroza was basically a death sentence because there was no way that anyone was going to get the technology to ship things back to the mainland. Without that there wasn’t anyone willing to come out here and be leaders…well civic leaders. There were gang leaders, of course.

The gangs spread out into the provinces, each state had their own place where they dumped prisoners, so that’s how you got a lot of the diversity that you see in certain provinces today. Evangeline was all people from Louisiana, so they’re a lot more likely to be part Cajun, or speak some French. Pine Forest, that’s all from Alabama. Secluders are from Florida Norte, and so on, and so forth.

The guys that survived got some semblance of a government going pretty quick though. Within 3 years, there were fiefdoms carved out in several places, ruled by those that could survive in the wild and find sources of food, water, or could barter their way into being useful in some fashion. There are actually signs of towns being established as early as year 4, on sites, including Laguna Atascosa, Atalanta, and Calcasieu. All of these towns were real outlaw provinces, and really never moved forward until normal non-criminals started transferring over, mainly after the Hurricane season of 2037, destroyed most of the coast. Once Mobile and Biloxi were deemed unfit to live in, most of the former residents voluntarily took a re-settlement offer into Huracan province.

Rennidan

10-08-2008, 11:07

One Point Matters

I'm confused. Not the "hey, take a deep breath, let's experiment" kind of confused, but I have just a general feeling of what can only be summed up as 'bwuh?' inside of me. Today, I went to the Rennidan Brutes base of operations, the leaky, now world-famous, Warehouse 17. There's always an atmosphere to the place, usually of general happiness and content. But today, I felt uneasy in there. Yes, there was still an air of happiness as, after all, Rennidan had bloody well qualified! Yet there was also a different feeling running through the damp warehouse, and I think, but don't quote me, it was sadness. Rennidan had come so close to claiming that number one seed and that was all that would have mattered to them. They could have been knocked out of the playoffs after that for all they cared, as they would have made their point. They would have proved that, no, you don't have to have millions of whatever the heck your crazy currency is to be the best of the best, all you needed was a healthy passion for the game to rise up through the ranks. However, when the score of the Rockets v. Blackwings match came through over the radio system they have set up in the Warehouse, when they added up the points (this actually went faster than I thought it'd take them), they all came to a final conclusion.

They had lost out by a single point.

Which is really goddamned annoying, considering you can't actually score one point in gridiron. So, yes, the lads back home are feeling generally sad, as now they have to prove themselves all over again in the playoffs and, this time, if they lose, that's it, game over.

To Newmanistan!

However, the team are now off to Newmanistan for a few weeks, no matter what. Larry, the 'owner' of the Brutes, informed me that, if the lads do get knocked out, they'll be going on what will be perhaps the longest pub crawl across Newmanistan since the dawn of time. The team's first match is at the Loudon Stadium against the Bluth Corporation, a team we actually know bugger all about, so feel free to pretend that we told you all kinds of interesting facts about them in this article.

Done that?

Good.

Now we can continue.

Can't Get Enough of Us.

Looking at how the seeding has gone for the playoffs, we here at the Rennidan Sports Network can't help but think that Newmanistan and Dancougar just can't get enough of the Brutes. It's very much the Battle of Group C all over again, with Rennidan possibly facing either Dancougar or Newmanistan for a third time this World Bowl. Whilst we're looking forward to the possibility of a rematch against the either of the two teams, it has to be said, if we go up against Dancougar, we could certainly be looking at an early trip home. And, of course, we can't forget the threat that Newmanistan musters on the horizon. Neither team would be an ideal team to play, but, honestly, it breaks down to this:

If we want a wholly memorable match with lots of action and hard hits, we need to face Newmanistan. It'll be hard, but we've conquered them twice before.

If we want a wholly memorable match with lots of action and harder hits, we need to face Dancougar. That would probably be the worst-case scenario, but we've beaten them before in the past, and we're sure we can muster it up again.

'Mon the Brutes, we can do this.

Newmanistan

10-08-2008, 12:55

Play-in game RP cutoff.

Milchama 33, Newmanistan 20

Move the Attackers in the game against Dancougar.

Dancougar

11-08-2008, 01:49

Dancougar News!!
RPing the obvious, so you don't have to!

Come on, you Attackers!: The host Newmanistan Rockets were unable to keep up with Milchama's high octane offense, going down 33-20 in the World Bowl play-in game. This gives Milchama the #8 seed and first crack at the Black Wings in the final tournament.

Both teams are among the top three in points scoring during qualifying. Milchama put up 291 points with a style of play that stresses offense first, offense second, and offense third - after all, that's where you'll find all of their best players. The Wings will have to contend with an aerial assault the likes of which they haven't yet seen. Because of this and the ease with which they handled Newmanistan, a team that Dancougar barely beat each time the two played, there are plenty of analysts who like Milchama in an upset special.

The Wings scored 287 points during qualifying, but are not really equipped for a shootout. Kirk Hatchitt and the offensive line are their biggest weapon, and quarterback Dusty Haynesworth has shown improvement. But coach Will Moohim will undoubtedly stick to the usual strategy of slowing the game down by controlling the clock and the number of possessions on both sides of the ball. It won't do Haynesworth any good to try and match Kendrick Holmes pass for pass, and the Wing defense has definitely lost a step since the last tournament and will need to be well-rested.

The game figures to be much better than the previous meetings between the two. In World Bowl I qualifying, Dancougar defeated Milchama in both group matches, 23-3 at home and 44-7 on the road.

DSPN analysts and fans pick first round results: Not too much in the way of news is coming out of DSPN these days, as the network struggles with fallout from the Land de Wood affair. But American football analysts Craig Boomer and Jack Thompson have found time to make their picks for the first round of games, and fans have also been given the opportunity to vote. The results:

CRAIG JACK FANS
#1 Dancougar v #8 Milchama Dancougar Milchama Dancougar (59%)
#4 Rennidan v #5 Bluth Corp Rennidan Rennidan Rennidan (93%)
#2 Arroza v #7 Bettia Arroza Arroza Arroza (74%)
#3 Qazox v #6 Kura-Pelland Kura-Pelland Qazox Kura-Pelland (52%)

Rennidan

11-08-2008, 09:47

Rennidan Sports NetworkWe'll decide who needs to RP the obvious!

Rockets Sent Off

With some sense of sadness, this aging reporter bids farewell to the host team as they are cruelly cut out of the playoffs thanks to Milchama's over-the-top offence in the World Bowl's play-in game. The Rockets ended up losing the game 33-20, the final nail in the coffin after a recent losing streak. It really is a shame, considering how good the team can be, but in this game, them's the breaks.

Milchama now moves on to face the number one seed, the Dancougar Black Wings. We'd like to take this opportunity to wish Milchama luck, but we're sure that most fans will be up supporting the Black Wings. If Rennidan take their match against Bluth Corporation, and Dancougar takes theirs against Milchama, then fans in both countries will get the rematch they're dying for. The Brutes-Black Wings rivalry currently stands at 1-1, and a third match would show which team is ahead of whom this World Bowl.

So you better get ready Dancougar, because not only are we rooting for you...

We're gunning for you as well.

Newmanistan

11-08-2008, 14:06

RP Cutoff time for the quarterfinals!

Here are your quarterfinal results!
Game A: Dancougar 27, Milchama 23
Game B: Rennidan 19, Bluth Corporation 16 (OT)
Game C: Arroza 38, Bettia 26
Game D: Kura-Pelland 23, Qazox 17

Semifinals!
Game E: Dancougar vs Rennidan @ Tundra Falls Proving Grounds
Game F: Arroza vs Kura-Pelland @ Pocono City Stadium

Rennidan

11-08-2008, 15:34

Rennidan : Bluth Corp.
19:16
OVERTIME

Match Report:

Loudon Stadium, Newmanistan - I went into Loudon Stadium today full of expectations, anxiety, and more than a little alcohol. This match against Bluth Corps was the match to decide if Rennidan can stick it to the big boys.

Firstly, Loudon Stadium is a lovely place to be. It's got a good atmosphere. It doesn't feel as serious as it does at the Tundra Falls Proving Ground. Here, you know you're going to watch a match that decides your teams fate, yeah, but you don't get that urge to start jumping up and screaming like the heavens have opened and the end of the world is nigh that I seem to get when I'm at Tundra Falls (or when the mother-in-law visits, haha, there, I got that joke out of the way, let's continue).

When I first sat down, it felt like any other match I've been to see the Brutes play. The air was calm, and I felt more than a bit jovial. But then the teams came out onto the pitch, and that's when it hit me like a Powis sack. This was it. Make or break time. And I think it was the look on the Brutes' faces that brought the fact home. They looked as if they knew they now had to step it up and bring the fight to the line. They had suddenly realized they needed to be running faster, throwing further and hitting harder. And some of them looked doubtful, and that's what tore me up inside. These here were the Brutes that I had followed from the wallowing cesspit that is Warehouse 17, to the stadia of Newmanistan for the World Bowl playoffs. They were supposed to be a symbol of pure skill and passion for the game, they were supposed to show everyone back home that the pretty boys that had been playing in the first World Bowl weren't what the nation needed for sporting glory.

And seeing those looks of self doubt brought my own about. I suddenly realized just what I was looking at down on the pitch. These weren't trained, professional players. These were just a bunch of lads who had huddled together after last call at the pubs and decided to stick one to ignorant twats who ran the nation’s sporting finance. They were mechanics, butchers, carpenters and plumbers. They were regular Joes with clockwork parts going up against well oiled machines that were built for the sport. They weren't even in a kit. They were in jeans, tracksuit bottoms, t-shirts and jackets. The quarterback had a goddamned broken arm. How the hell were these guys going to pull it off?

The look on my face must have attracted some attention, because, before I knew it, I felt a meaty hand on my shoulder. Turning in my seat to tell the rude bastard I wasn’t a leaning post, I saw the bulky mass of none other than McDavies, the Brute Force leader, and with a hearty chuckle and a toothy grin, he looked me in the eyes and rumbled "They’ve made it this far, 'ent they?" And then he was gone, wondering back up the steps to a loud gathering of Brute Force hooligans who were drunk and boisterous and having the time of their lives.

I looked back to the pitch, McDavies words whirling about my head, and I laughed. I actually, generally laughed out loud. Not the kind an evil villain does that warrants the addition of a 'mwa' in front of it, or the kind of laugh a crazy guy's allowed to make with the 'bwa' before it, but the general 'ahehehe' kind of giggly laugh, because I realized, that yeah, they had made it. Look how far this bunch of average Joes had come in the competition! They were at the quarter finals, they had no funding, no kit, no proper players! But they did, however, have a team. A team that had the best defence in the qualifying stage, a team that had had the second best point difference and had only lost out to the number one seed by a single damn point.

These guys aren’t average Joes at all. They’re bloody brilliant is what they are.

The match then started off with Bluth Corps receiving the kickoff, and only managing a five yard return to the 18 yard line. Straight away, it seemed, Rennidan were determined to stamp their dominance on the Bluth offence, and by God did they do it. This was the first time the two teams had faced off, and the Corporation's offensive line wasn't prepared for the sheer force of Owen Powis, who got three sacks straight off the gun, leaving Bluth to punt on the first 4th down situation in the match. Lai returned the punt for twenty three yards, and just like that, out rolled the Rennidan offence.

Unfortunately, Rennidan wasn't ready for the quick thinking of the Bluth defence, meaning the Brutes also had to punt on their first drive.

This wasn’t going to be easy.

With both teams at a stalemate, the second quarter rolled about and the first points were put up on the board by Bluth Corp's Richard Anthis, who broke through the Rennidan defensive line by launching himself over the line, and making a staggering 30 yard run for the endzone. 6 points up, Bluth went for the PAT and--WAAIT, it's a fake! Bluth throw and BAM! 8-0 to the cheeky bastards hailing from Group A.

Needless to say, not many fans were happy with the Corps trying to mark their territory with a two-point conversion when it wasn't really necessary (and I couldn't help but overhear Brute Force members let fly with some rather unpleasant four letter words), and the Brutes themselves seemed a bit disheartened by such underhanded tactics.

After a quick huddle at the sidelines, the Brutes made a sudden surprise substitution.

As it turns out, Lai would not be returning the Corps kick.

Owen Powis, however, would.

Now, don't get me wrong, I know Powis is a scary mothertrucker, but he's not exactly the fastest guy on the team. It's hard to run when you weigh more than the stadium you're in, and really, I think the Brutes were just trying to show off in their own way to strike back at the Corps flamboyancy.

And now is when you should really tell me to shut my stupid mouth.

Because, sweet mother in the sky, I have never, ever seen a greater kick return than this one. Powis caught the kick with what I can only call ease, as though he had been doing this all along, and then the special team formed a protective wall in front of him and, I love this, with what can only be described as nothing else but brute force, they charged at the Corps. It brought to mind a steamroller going at a puppy the way the Brutes slaughtered through the Corps and ended up returning the run 82 yards for a touchdown. I have also never seen anything better than Powis celebrating in the endzone. Let me just say, fat guy touchdown celebrations? They are, by far, the best endzone celebrations out there.

And to top of the staggering return, Rennidan also went for the two point conversion, with Jason Yeilds launching himself through the Bluth defence for an easy run to level the score 8-8.

The third quarter then came about, and the Bluth Corporation team disheartened the Brutes yet again with a twenty four yard pass from Cain Wells to Erwin Winters. They also made yet another 2 point conversion, leaving Rennidan in the dark at 16-8, but don't fret, as Rennidan were right on their heels with a short run from fullback Duncan Smie, and the score came back up to 16-14. Rennidan then went for the two point conversion and--

And.

And...

Oh God.

Jason Yeilds is down.

And when I say down, I mean ‘pretty much six feet under’ kind of down. I mean he went down hard.

He's actually not moving.

Yeilds tried to get through a gap in the lines for the two points, but Charles Woodruff dived on in and hit the halfback hard from the left, whilst Jordan Pinkston hit him mid-air from the right.

And now he's just on the floor. I think he's clean out for the count.

And this is going to be a harder hit for the Brutes, who have no substitutes to put out in his place for the next offensive drive. Their only hope is for Yeilds to come around by the next quarter.

Which he didn't.

With the score now 16-14, and the Brute's top scorer out of action, the chances of Rennidan making it to Tundra Falls for the semi finals looked slimmer and slimmer.

The end of the game loomed ever closer, with Rennidan having to use linebacker Daniel Guest as running back, which, trust me, was not a pretty situation to see the Brutes go through. The clock was ticking, and Rennidan made what would no doubt be their final run for a touchdown. Guest took the ball and, and, HOLY CRAP, HE'S MADE IT THROUGH!

With a juke that would make any coach think HB was Guest's true calling, the linebacker blew on through the Bluth defence at the thirty three yard line, and those legs just kept pumping!

The thirty, the twenty five, the twenty, fifteen, ten, 5, TOU--Oh, bollocks.

Brian Alldredge brings Guest down at the two yard line and the ball has gone loose. Jarrod Bartlett picks the ball up and promptly lies down on the floor to avoid being killed by the oncoming Brute force surge. Bluth now have the ball on their own two yards, with just over a minute left in the fourth quarter and the clock ticking.

Game set and match.

Both teams line up and Wells yells 'hut'. He can't go down on his knee here in the endzone, so it has to be a thro--OH SWEET HALLELUJAH! Powis rumbles the Bluth offence and sacks Wells into oblivion for a safety! That's two more points to the Brutes!

And it looks like overtime is about to decide it all.

With a score of 18-18, both teams retire to their locker rooms for one final heart-stirring speech from their coaches, before returning to the pitch with fresh faces. I can't help but notice that Yeilds is also up and about again. I knew these guys played through pain, but this is ridiculous.

The first few drives of overtime are nothing special, repeating the first quarter's stalemate plays, but then something glorious happened. A wild pass to Norman Shade from Cain Wells was knocked off course when Lewis Buxton reached up and got his fingers to it. The resulting ball spiralled out of control and into the unexpecting hands of Bluth tight end John Burgess, who was suddenly whacked from behind by Daniel Cuddeford. The ball, yet again, went flying and fell into the outstretched hands of Sim Telek, who was, in turn, brought down by the collective strength of the Bluth Corps offence. The fact was though, that Rennidan now had possession on Bluth's thirty yard line.

Y’know, Clive had yet to kick the ball for some points.

He was itching for it.

Line up. Five steps back, two steps left.

And feckin' run at it.

Boot it like it was your brother’s head.

Watch it fly true and sail between the posts. 19-16 to the Brutes.

They're going to Tundra Falls, lads.

Kura-Pelland

11-08-2008, 23:36

The first rule of the World Bowl; never, ever, ever rely on your defense to stop Michael Bernard on a two-minute drill.

Just ask Qazox.

Both they and Kura-Pelland play a somewhat similar game built around short passes and involving the running backs in the passing game. Short zone coverage was the order of the day for the defences, and scores were always likely to come from either surprise offensive plays or the defence biting in expecting surprise offensive plays. It was the latter that caused the first score late in the first, Qazox calling play action on third-and-2 from midfield with the Kura-Pelland defense in the 5-2 on a run blitz and allowing Kevin Dobbs acres of space for a touchdown. The Arrows struck back, as they generally do, with methodical drives, keeping the defence on the field and waiting for them to make a mistake. None was forthcoming, but two field goals were, the second with the final play of the half to make it 7-6. The Arrows took the lead early in the third with yet another field goal - the second time in this tournament they've led by three field goals to one touchdown, and a more fitting description of the team would be hard to find - before Qazox struck back with one of their own from Harvey Pollack with a little help from the post. 10-9 with 1:22 left in the third, and the story of the game seemed set - high-percentage passes in the open field turning into low-percentage passes in the red zone.

But who needs to complete passes in the red zone when you can have a 46-yard touchdown run? The Arrows didn't, and Graham Illingworth, the nexus of this offense, provided one with the first play of the fourth quarter. Until then he had made more yards receiving (82 from 12 receptions) than rushing (64 from 13 carries).

Rather than try to make the lead seven points, they asserted that their lack of success close to the goal line would make taking the one point - ensuring that two field goals would only tie, thus forcing Qazox into going touchdown-hunting and perhaps making a mistake in doing so.

Oops. As if knowing that, Qazox changed tack with punishing running down the middle setting up another play action pass to Dobbs, who had two touchdowns to show for an otherwise pretty dismal display in which he dropped five passes, some of them easy. Needless to say, they took the single point too. 17-16, 8:08 on the clock. An interception from Dave Tyrone on a rare long bomb from Bernard aimed at Chester Fernandez was returned to the 50 and Qazox just ate up the clock from there, grounding it out. But then Pollack missed a 40-yard FG attempt, and Kura-Pelland had 2:03 and three timeouts left.

Remember what the first rule of World Bowl is?

Bernard makes two third-down conversions to get the ball to the 37. 1:01 on the clock. They've used one timeout. Now they're into running mode. Illingworth makes four, and now Qazox use a timeout to try and gain time for a drive of their own if this ends in a score. Next play, defence line up as normal ready for the pass, this time Horace Buntley makes four. Third and 2, 0:52 on the clock and Qazox have used another timeout, ball's on the 29. Defence shows blitz.

Bernard just gets the ball, takes two steps back and fires a rocket into the arms of Lecavalier, who takes a great catch on the run and dives in for the touchdown. Qazox's response ended with a pick from Steve MacNaughton and Kura-Pelland are in the last four.

Arroza

12-08-2008, 00:38

Arroza 38, Bettia 26

Gentlemen…Start Your Engines!

Tundra Falls Proving Ground, Newmanistan: Maybe it was the mountain air. Maybe it was the legends of Newmanistan hovering over the hollowed Tundra Falls Proving Grounds. Maybe it was the chance to finally get a week off for the starters after most of a grueling national season, and 9 weeks of qualifying battles. All that mattered is that the Arrozan offense finally showed up to play, and made up for a complete lack of Secondarial fortitude as the Tar Hornets blew past Bettia 38-26. It was all running down hill today, as the National Team got four touchdowns on the ground, two from Chavez, one from fullback Vaughan Harley, and one from upstart Lake Major. Chamesi even took to the air, throwing a 47-yard bomb to Ikraam Maximiano in the second quarter.

The team’s flaw was evident though, as Safety Dayton Rolle was knocked out of the game in the second quarter. Without him, Caron Saint-Marais had to take all of the snaps at safety, and the Hornet Defense wasn’t able to shift into their alternate 4-3 defense. Pass defense has always been the team’s weak point, and it showed as the rookie Saint-Marais got beat twice on deep crossing routes. He seemed to learn from his mistakes and showed off his hands by intercepting a ball in the late stages of the fourth quarter in order to stop any form of Bettian comeback.

Now it’s on to the semi-finals in a set of games that can accurately be described as “Not these [radio edit] again.” Arroza faces off against Kura-Pelland who somehow pulled off the double against Arroza in the qualifying stage, and Dancougar play Rennidan in a game that is drawing an immense police presence to the Proving Grounds. After last competition’s extra-curricular events involving Arrozan All-Blacks and Dancougarian Black Wing elements, Arrozan fans are being strongly urged…almost forced to leave Tundra Falls and to follow the team to Pocono City. Which doesn’t really help Newmanistani authorities, since Dancougar just played at Pocono City. Out of the frying pan, into the fire, I guess. A large amount of Arrozans have refused to be bullied into leaving Tundra Falls, noting that Arroza will likely be playing in the finale there, and the lack of hotel space and availability should they leave and then have to return later. All people are advised to stay inside, as local authorities will probably be…less than forgiving towards any Arrozan caught making mischief.

Dancougar

12-08-2008, 03:32

Dancougar News!!
Episode 18. Lelouch, you know that was your own damn fault.

Milchama halted as Wings advance to semis: The Wings continue to squeak by the top teams. A four point victory over Milchama, 27-23, sends the Wings into a much-charged semifinal with Rennidan.

But they will be going without a key part of their defense. Cornerback Anthony Corona, the team leader in interceptions, suffered a pulled hamstring late in the second quarter and is out for the remainder of the tournament. Corona was injured while running stride for stride with speedy wide receiver Henry Delalforth, but he pulled up lame and rolled out of bounds. The ball had already gone in another direction, but that wasn't the immediate concern of coach Will Moohim, who turned to 19-year old Tony Rorick to replace him.

"Whenever you see a guy pull up like that, you know something's wrong," said Moohim. "It's hard to say what happened, and he was certainly fit... call it a freak injury."

Milchama's first possession was disappointing my their standards, lasting only five plays before being forced to punt. But the Wings could do no better, as Kirk Hatchitt found it difficult to get going against the Attacker's stacked defensive line. The game's first points were scored by the defense, when Milchama quarterback Kendrick Holmes threw a deep ball into double coverage that was intercepted by safety Michael Somerville. Somerville settled around the Dancougar 40 and ran it back into space. He picked up a linebacker convoy and hugged the sideline for the last 20 yards of the run.

But the Attackers bit back immediately. After an excellent kickoff return game them the ball near midfield, Holmes returned to the air and needed only three plays to cover the remainder of the field. Corona was beaten on a sideline pass for 18 yards, and then Holmes through two balls to Kenton Kelly Thomas to hit paydirt. The two-point conversion was good, jump ball to Delalforth. The score stood 8-7, and it was embarrassment all around when the Wings realized that Milchama was only lining up ten men on offense.

Coach Moohim paused and looked at the photos taken by his coordinators up in the booth. Then he checked it against the official Milchama roster. Ten men. Well, damn. "It's these weird teams that always give us trouble," said Moohim. "They came this far with ten guys... that tells you how skilled their offense is. Even with the extra man, we weren't getting pressure at the beginning of the game. I think we were worried about their speed."

Milchama stretched their lead off another pass from Holmes to Thomas, who zipped past nickelback Tom Ostlund and hauled in a pass which he converted into a 44-yard touchdown. The extra point gave Milchama an eight-point lead that the Wings patiently chipped away. A ten play drive ate six minutes of second quarter clock and resulted in a field goal, as Hatchitt finally found some running room. Vincent Bozwell served as a lead blocker up the middle, and Hatchitt found that a two-man linebacking corps was easier to evade. The Wings then got a stop on defense, but it came at a cost. While Daniel Morgenstein was defending a pass on the right side of the field to force fourth and long, Corona had collapsed on the left.

The Wings ended the half with a field goal to make it 15-13, and Milchama were showing some frustration. The Wing defense, after bending early, started to unravel the Attacker game plan. They brought out a more balanced attack with big runningback Barrett Guertin, but Ostlund showed a willingness to scrap alongside his linebackers by helping to plug up the middle. The Wings also started to get pressure on Holmes, with Joe Arnone and Butch Easley each picking up a sack before the break.

After three aimless drives to start the third quarter, Milchama found the endzone. Holmes used short passes to cut into the heart of the Dancougar defense, and Guertin had his biggest runs of the day, 9 and 11 yards. But with the Wings threatening to hold, Holmes called a screen pass that pulled in a six-man rush. Guertin caught the ball and had plenty of blockers to open a path. He rumbled 18 yards for the score, and then crashed through the defense on the two-point conversion to make it 23-13.

The Wings failed to score on the next possession, as Hatchitt was stuffed for a loss on third and short. With the game threatening to spiral out of control, Rorick stepped up and made a play. On 3rd and 10, Holmes found Delalforth across the middle for what appeared to be a first down. But Rorick was on him immediately, and the hit sent the ball flying out of his hands for an incomplete. The Dancougar crowd was energized by the hit, and the so was the team. On the ensuing drive, Dancougar cut the lead to three after Kirk Hatchitt found a seam and picked up a pair of blocks from his receivers. The 24-yard run made it 23-20 with twelve minutes left in the fourth.

"We needed that play," said Hatchitt, who had 38 rushing yards on the drive and 96 in the game. "We weren't really doing anything special out there, and then the kid just lays a guy out. He comes off the bench and he's the only one playing with the kind of guts you need to show at playoff time."

The momentum was shifting, but Milchama still went for the kill. Guertin continued to be effective in short bursts, and Holmes converted three third downs to move into Black Wing territory. But after a sack and an incomplete it was third and long. Holmes put it up for Delalforth, but it was broken up by Somerville. Avi Belmowitz came on to attempt a field goal. He was already 0-1 on the game, and the 39-yard attempt was wide right.

Dusty Haynesworth, who threw for 166 yards, had a little under five minutes to work. By the two minute warning, the Wings were in the red zone. Haynesworth game up with two big completions on third down, including a 27-yard bullet to Simon Whitham on a 3rd and 15. He hit Hatchitt out of the backfield to work it inside the ten, and a run got them to the two. Stottlemyer was warming up on the sidelines, as a field goal would tie the game. Milchama knew this, and used their timeouts to conserve the clock. If the Wings got any points out of the drive, they'd have time for one last drive. If the Wings failed, it was over.

Third and goal from the two. Haynesworth... play action to Hatchitt. After rolling right and finding nothing, Haynesworth tucked the ball and dove inside. Milchama was unable to fend him off, and the Wings had a 27-23 lead with 1:18 left to play. Holmes had one last chance. One timeout to work with. After two sideline pass completions, Holmes dropped back and looked for a deeper pass. He didn't find it, but Easley found him from behind. The sack... the forced fumble... the victory for Dancougar.

"Our defense made plays when they needed to," said Moohim after the game. "It's no mean feat to outgun Milchama, but we did it our way." The Wings will now travel to Tundra Falls for a semifinal matchup with Rennidan, who needed overtime to slip past the Bluth Corporation 19-16.

Quarterfinal roundup and semifinal picks: Rennidan were without a healthy quarterback or runningback against the Bluth Corporation, and yet, they still came away with a win. Owen Powis' late safety took the two into overtime, where Rennidan won 19-16. Arroza never looked threatened by Bettia, and the Tar Hornets continued their bid for a second straight final with a 38-26 victory. Michael Bernard showed once again why you do not leave the Kura-Pelland Arrows with any time on the clock. The comeback king did it again against Qazox, a 23-17 win seeing the Arrows through to the semifinals.

Moving on the the DSPN.dan Pick 'Em... it was Craig Boomer, the DSPN swami, who swept the board with his quarterfinal picks, and the fans agreed with him. But now we come to the semifinals, where we could seriously see any one of the remaining teams take the title:

CRAIG (4-0) JACK (2-2) FANS (4-0)
#1 Dancougar v #4 Rennidan Rennidan Dancougar Dancougar (54%)
#2 Arroza v #6 Kura-Pelland Kura-Pelland Kura-Pelland Arroza (60%)

While Craig likes both the "underdogs" to come out on top, Jack and the fans have a little more bias in their picks. Jack fondly recalls the three games between the Wings and Arrows in World Bowl I and wants a rematch, while the fans want a rematch of the World Bowl I final.

Police chief Ilita warns of Tundra Falls mayhem: When all was said and done, it was Dancougar and Rennidan on a collision course. But this time, the boisterous fans are going to be surrounded by the sacred sporting grounds of Tundra Falls. Well... SHOOT. According to Eastport police chief Kento Ilita, that won't even factor into what's coming.

"To guys like that, there's no such thing as sacred ground," said Ilita. "I'd urge the Newmanistan police to take the hardline that I wasn't allowed... tear gas, rubber bullets, the whole works. Hell, bring in the army. Give them an inch, and they'll start a war."

Ilita said that while Dancougar has done its best to deny passports to fans with violent history, he admits that plenty have probably slipped through their screening. Add that to the fact that Rennidan doesn't care and the Black Wing Brigade is unaccounted for since their exile, and he says you have a recipe for disaster.

Moore: "We're already here.": They've been seen in and around bars closest to the Tundra Falls Proving Grounds, the site of the upcoming semifinal between Dancougar and Rennidan. Sometimes you'll see them stumbling around late at night, pieces of costume armor dropping onto the street. Now, they proudly display their scars and paint their bodies silver and black in preparation for the upcoming match.

And Joe Moore just smiles when asked about the scar across his face. He could've treated the wound at the time and avoided it, but he simply shakes his head. "We were licked," he said. "We lost a fight. To men. You gotta understand that, right there. They taught us a lot about what it means to fight for your team. McDavies is a tough son of a bitch. I can't rightly pay him back if I don't wear this thing proudly."

The Brigade has not surfaced until now, after disappearing from the Eastport City International Airport through the aid of a mysterious strange in a black mask and cape, who is definitely not part of an ongoing World Cup story arc. "You can take me out of Dancougar, but you can't take Dancougar out of me," said Moore. "Hell, that made it a lot easier to get here. I guess we all win except for Miz Jessica... I can't guarantee what will happen at game time."

Dancougar fans begin flame war: Early in qualifiers, Rennidan fans hit Youtube with videos such as "Angry Rennidan Fan" which quickly racked up tens of thousands of views. With a spot in the World Bowl finals at stake, Dancougar fans have responded on forums and imageboards all over the 'net. Take, for instance, Rennidan Carameldansen, in which crudely drawn renditions of Pat McGraw - complete with cast - and a very round Owen Powis dance happily to a high-energy pop song.

The most popular videos are remixes of Powis' famous intimidation speech, in which he sat in front of a camera and repeated, over and over, how he planned to destroy Wing quarterback Dusty Haynesworth. Several fans have taken the video and added their own audio tracks, running the gambit from Keiko Minami's "Heartbeat," the ending theme to Pretty Sportsman Erika, to elaborate parody dubs in which Powis appears to read, at high speed, the abridged works of Shakespeare.

"The internet is a scary, scary place," said Haynesworth, when asked to comment. "I've watched some of them, and they're cute. But some of that stuff is just... twisted, man."

A little tamer are the images which have been popping up on Rennidan fanboards over the past few days, such as the following "demotivator":

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh106/newtypezaku/4f11_059.jpg

Qazox

12-08-2008, 04:29

Bruxen Globe

Arrows Upset Phoenix, Head Coach Fired!

In a stunner, Qazox lost to Kura-Pelland, after Steve MacNaughton picked off Harry Pitts's pass with under a minute to go, sending the Pheonix home again, without a title. Head Coach John Davison was fired minutes after the match, and a search is under way for a new coach. The traditional wish-bone formation and the 3-3-5 defense could be gone as well, if the new coach is not hired from within. The Qazox GridIron Federation (QGIF) has not announced any canidates as of yet.

SCORING SUMMARY
TEAM 1 2 3 4 Final
Kura-Pelland 0 6 3 14 23
Qazox 7 0 3 7 17

SCORING:
Qazox: Frank Dobbs 45 yd TD pass from Harry Pitts, Pollack PAT Good (7-0 Qazox).
K-P: Pogley 39 yd FG (7-3 Qazox).
K-P: Pogley 41 yd FG (7-6 Qazox).
K-P: Pogley 38 yd FG (9-7 Kura-Pelland).
Qazox: Pollack 42 yd FG (10-9 Qazox).
K-P: Graham Illingworth 46 yd TD run, Pogley PAT Good (16-10 Kura-Pelland).
Qazox: Dobbs 14 yd TD pass from Pitts, Pollack PAT Good (17-16 Qazox)
K-P: Xavier Lecavalier 29 yd TD pass from Michael Bernard, Pogley PAT Good (23-17 Kura-Pelland).

Qazox' TOP THREE Stars:
Harry Pitts: 17-22, 267 yds, 2 TD, 1 Int; 4 rushes, 17 yards.
Frank Dobbs: 11 catches, 185 yds, 2 TD, 5 drops.
Francis Ardt: 4 tackles, 2.5 sacks, fumble recovery

Rennidan

12-08-2008, 12:17

Rennidan Sports Network
Oh, screw you with your demotivational posters. Screw you.

C'MON DANCOUGAR!

After slipping past the Bluth Corporation in overtime, Rennidan are now off to face the Black Wings at Tundra Falls Proving Ground. The Black Wings narrowly passed Milchama 27-23, with their cheif cornerback, Anthony Corona, out for the rest of the tournament. The two teams have been itching to face one another again, and tempers are already flaring, in both the real world and on the internet.

The two teams have a heated history in gridiron, with Rennidan beating the Wings on their first encounter, and the Wings bucking up their game and claiming the second match. This third game should decide which of the two teams is the better, but in all honesty, it won't be so much of a game that we'll be watching as it will be a bloodbath. Injuries are always abundant when the two teams clash and this here will surely be no different.

Rennidan are in for a tough game, but really, it should be a close affair either way.

Corona's a Big Girl's Blouse

Today, Brutes Quarterback Pat McGraw blasted Black Wings corner back, Anthony Corona, for, what he called 'taking a holiday', before the big match between the Brutes and the Blackwings. Corona pulled a hamstring during the match against Milchama, and, much to McGraw's chagrin, with be taking the rest of tournament off due to injury problems. McGraw was quick to point out that he had, in fact, been playing with a broken arm, and Yeilds, the team's speedy halfback, would now be playing with a severe concussion.

"You don't see the aches and pains stop us lads. Aye, it might do us in a bit worse, but we're playin' for the team and as a team, no matter what. Corona's just being a big girl's blouse, really."

Heated words from the Brute's quarterback, and we're sure even hotter words will quickly be sent back from the Black Wings side.

McDavies: Fun Times Ahead

Early this morning, I heard a drunken cry from outside my hotel window. No, it wasn't a Newmanistanian hobo enjoying himself with a piss against a wall, it was, in fact, the leader of Brute Force, Rennidan's premier hooligan club, telling me that he could do the quick interview I had asked for now if I wanted.

I had asked him at lunch when I had bumped into him and some of his lads in a pub.

It was now 2A.M.

Getting the drunken brute up passed hotel security was not great fun, it must be said, but as I laid him in a seat opposite my bed, he began his rambling about what exactly he expected to happen at Tundra Falls.

"Well, Rennidan and that place don't have the best of times together, that can be said, and I doubt things are going to get much better, really, but I owe Moore a rematch, that blighter broke plenty of my ribs during our last clash, but then again I gave him that terrific scar, so we're kinda' at an even. But now we've shown those Brigadiers the way. They realize just what they're fighting for now, and that should make this a hella' lot more fun. I'm 'specially looking forward to the pub run afterwards with the lads on both sides." And with a toothy grin, McDavies stumbled out of the chair and down the hall, promptly clotheslining a member of the hotel's security.

That was all he had to say?

He wakes me up at 2A.M for that?!

I hate hooligans.

Internet War: It's Serious Buisness

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk176/rennidan/blackwings1.png

The Blackwings. They're so damn cool.

Newmanistan

12-08-2008, 14:10

Semis RP Cutoff

Rennidan 20, Dancougar 17
Kura-Pelland 30, Arroza 27

3rd place match (Tomorrow)- Dancougar vs Arroza

WORLD BOWL II (Thurs)- RENNIDAN vs KURA-PELLAND

Kura-Pelland

12-08-2008, 21:14

On paper, the Arrows are not the best team in this competition. Nor are Rennidan's bunch of seemingly amateur hardnuts. Dancougar-Arroza in World Bowl II seemed nailed-on.

But here's the second rule of World Bowl. Never, ever, ever underestimate the importance of sheer guts.

We've seen it in one form, the unadulterated smashmouth aggression and physical courage of Rennidan. But Kura-Pelland Arrows have it in another - the ability to play at their best when the game is on the line and others might choke.

It seemed all over when Arroza steamrollered their way into a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Arroza are an aggressive team themselves, and they definitely have a conventional 'use the run to set up the pass' approach. The Arrows, normally good at dealing with this, couldn't stop the rushing of Abraham Chadwick, a frighteningly talented 23-year-old. When they tried, Ikraam Maximiano got in behind the secondary to score a touchdown with the first drive of the game. On the third Tar Hornets drive, the same thing. The Arrows weren't even in the game, unable to get anything going with their usual West Coast short-pass offence.

In the second quarter, though, they started making greater use of Horace Buntley, their big fullback. He proved reliable in overcoming the slightly undersized offensive line, even if he never got into the secondary. As Arroza started to call the run blitz, the Arrows used the flea-flicker, and the inexperienced linebacker Marcus Aurelin bit, allowing Xavier Lecavalier space to go over the middle for a 33-yard gain, denied a touchdown by the presence of veteran safety Daylon Rolle. The Arrows were in the red zone, and this time they made it pay for once, Buntley finishing off the drive with a six-yard run that involved running right over both Aurelin and Rolle. 14-7.

Short-range field goals were exchanged on the next two drives as the defences got their act together in the red zone but no sooner, before Kura-Pelland added another in the dying moments of the half, Graham Brightman nailing a 51-yard kick. 17-13 at the half.

The start of the second half and Arroza gained a huge boost when Orkeys Aurienne made a brilliant interception of a pass seemingly destined for Xavier Lecavalier and used his blazing speed to take it for six. With the PAT good, the score was 24-13 with 13:37 left in the third. On their next attempt to move the ball, though, Kura-Pelland produced a classic Arrows drive that for once the Tar Hornets didn't cope with; short passes, outside runs, inside runs, a single long bomb (on, of all things, third-and-1 with the Tar Hornets defence showing a run blitz and leaving Lecavalier open outside for a 21-yard gain, most of it after the catch) and finally Graham Illingworth, perhaps the star of this tournament for the Arrows at least, running the ball in off tackle for a score. Bad news was that they tried the two-point conversion and failed good news is that the kickoff from Brightman floated spectacularly to the corner, and Aurienne was stuffed at the 9. Better yet, a rare fumble from Chadwick was recovered by Lake Major only at the 3, and Kevin O'Toole then stuffed Major himself behind the line for a safety. 24-21 it was then.

From then on, stage fright hit both teams a bit, frankly. Or at least both offences; the defences held firm and the score was unchanged until early in the fourth, when Tim Pogley sent a 39-yard FG through the uprights to tie it up at 24-24. Arroza tried to run down the Arrows and the clock, with partial success; they ate up almost eight minutes but had to settle for a field goal after Randolph Crown dropped a catch in the endzone under intense pressure from Billy Spinks and Alex Nicholson.

Kura-Pelland, three points down with six minutes left, were probably unsure whether to stick or twist. In the end, they went for their short-pass no-huddle offence, and then caught the tiring Rolle out with a long bomb to Chester Fernandez, who was stopped at the 23 by a desperate Aurienne. Kura-Pelland were denied by inches on a third down conversion when Joseph Reed stuffed Illingworth on a draw play right on the first down marker, but Kura-Pelland decided not to risk losing a timeout and just got on with converting the game-levelling field goal. 27-27, 2:42 left, a full complement of timeouts for both teams. This was going to get interesting.

Arroza tried to run down the clock to make absolutely sure that the Arrows didn't get another chance, and it almost worked. They made it to the Arrows' 35 with that many seconds left and all the Arrows' timeouts used. Then came the stage fright. Major fumbled, O'Toole recovered and took it to midfield. 30 seconds left. No timeouts. Arroza were now living in survival mode. Kura-Pelland had the ultimate clutch situation.

And the ultimate clutch quarterback. Bernard took the snap, stepped back three steps and then flung a pass to Cassano, who made a great catch in double coverage and was bought down at the 38. 25 seconds left. No-huddle called. Now the aim was to get out of bounds in field goal range - only four yards separated them from where Brightman nailed his kick at half-time, but really fifteen yards were needed to be at all confident.

The defence stacked up in short zone coverage on the outside. Bernard tossed the ball out wide to Illingworth, who broke a tackle from Aurienne and managed to slip out of bounds at the 33. 19 seconds left.

Kura-Pelland lined up with no Illingworth for the next play, but with three tight ends - drafting Horace Buntley in for this purpose - and two WRs, Lecavalier and Cassano. Bernard stepped up in the shotgun, caught the snap, then almost immediately fired at Cassano, who made the catch and just about slipped out of bounds at the 27. 16 seconds left.

This was it.

44-yard FG attempt. It's in Pogley's range, so he's the man. He's more accurate, and super cool. Anything much longer and Brightman would have to be tried.

The kick is sent up. It feels like it's going to be short, but it's not. It creeps over.

30-27. 12 seconds left.

Kura-Pelland send the kick low, so that the kickoff return takes a little bit longer. It's taken back to the 38, but there's now only eight seconds left. Arroza have three timeouts left, but no time to use them all. They basically have one or maybe two plays left to get into field goal range.

Their first Hail Mary is intercepted by Nicholson and the Arrows are victorious, 30-27.

Now Rennidan will play them in the World Bowl itself. On paper based on the experience of the players the Arrows should win. On paper based on recent results, it'll be a classic...

Dancougar

13-08-2008, 02:43

Dancougar News!!
Yes! You're totally using my header! At least I won that!

Brutes to Wings - Siddown, ya pansies!: It will be Dancougar and Arroza in their final World Bowl game, but unlike last time around, it will be for third instead of first. The lower seeds advanced in both games, with Rennidan defeating Dancougar 20-17 despite being banged up on offense.

Jason Yeilds was playing with a concussion. Pat McGraw had his throwing arm in a cast. Meanwhile, there was poor Anthony Corona, the Dancougar cornerback, hobbling on the sideline in his streetclothes, out with a leg injury. Yeilds wasn't himself, but he was still effective. On the first play from scrimmage, McGraw called a sweep left. Yeilds broke with the rest of the huddle, but as McGraw called the snap count, he motioned forward and conversed with his quarterback.

"I forgot the play."

"What?"

"I forgot the play."

"Just run that way."

Oh, and he ran. Yeilds played with blatant disregard for his condition. In fact, he probably wasn't even aware that there was a problem. He just attacked the Wings. McGraw was slinging with his left hand, with his receivers working extra hard to bring in the wobbly ones. But all that didn't make it easy to sustain a drive. The Wings would score first when Kirk Hatchitt took a halfback sweep around Owen Powis and cut back inside for a 4-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. A field goal by Stottlemyer on the next drive made it 10-0.

But the Brutes had come too far to lose now. They'd played without ribbons, they'd played without tags. And they'd won without packages, boxes, or bags. None of them fancy uniforms, or a coaching staff, or a video room... they went out and played. They were the ones playing for the sport of it. Yeilds took the ball on an inside draw... an opening. Now, what was it that coach told him again about Butch Easley? Oh, hell, sidestepping is good enough. Next thing you know, the Brutes are putting together a drive. Then it's McGraw... sweeps right... across his body! Endzone! And that's Marcin Lai to make it 10-7 at the half.

The second half starts with a bang. Literally. Apparently there were riot police outside the stadium trying to deal with a brawl on this sacred Newmanistan turf, and a volley of rubber bullets was in order. The referees delayed the restart, and the Wings seemed rattled. Dusty Haynesworth was flushed by a charging Owen Powis and threw a wobbler in the direction of Jermaine Divalerio... which was intercepted by Dan Cooper. Cooper caught it in stride and shot downfield. He's apparently fast as hell. The Wings blinked.

14-10.

Then the teams battled for field position. The Rennidan defense played magnificent football, holding Kirk Hatchitt to 65 yards on 24 carries. Haynesworth's interception was one of three Black Wing turnovers on the afternoon, although the banged up Brute offense committed three of their own. The third quarter was a seesaw battle for field position, and Rennidan only added a field goal to their tally.

But at the start of the fourth, the Wings mounted a drive. Haynesworth to Divalerio... 15. To Simon Whitham for 12. Divalerio again for 13. Suddenly, the Wings seemed to have found a hole in the Brute defense. Hatchitt plowed into it to set up play action... a 20-yard strike to Divalerio to tie that game 17-17. They got the ball back and tried it again. This time, though, the Brutes brought a heavy blitz. Haynesworth was getting too much time to set his feet and pick his spot... Powis had something to say about that. He flushed Haynesworth out of the pocket where he was met by Dan Guest. Loss of eight, fourth and long, punting time.

More pounding in the trenches as the Brute Force and Black Wing Brigade pounded policemen and each other outside. We heard something about an epic battle between Moore and McDavies, but our focus is here on the game. Who would break the impasse? Who would make the decisive breakthrough? McGraw led his team downfield with some of the ugliest passes you've ever seen, but these are Brutes we're talking about... you think they care? McGraw to Lewis Seffer... money! Down inside the redzone, but on third down, Yeilds was wrapped up behind the line of scrimmage by Grant Martella. No sweat, on comes Clive for the 35-yard attempt. Splits the uprights.

So the Wings have about five minutes to work with, down 20-17, and surely the world champs have one more score in them. Down the field they go. Hatchitt's sharing time with Oliver Tangermann, now, but Haynesworth is going with more short passes than runs... the Rennidan defensive line has won. And that's a bad sign, because a Black Wing team that can't run might as well not call itself the Black Wings. Inside ninety seconds, and the Wings are in field goal range.

What a time for Owen Powis to gobble up the quarterback.

Oh, yeah... FUMMMMMMMMMMMMBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEE!!!!

Wings to Brutes - We take internet seriously: Posting in an epic thread.

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Newmanistan

13-08-2008, 14:04

Cutting off the 3rd place game MD.....

Your final: Dancougar 30, Arroza 20.

Now, let's all gear up for tomorrow's World Bowl II between Rennidan and Kura-Pelland. Will Owen Powis and the Brutes complete their improbable run to glory? Will the ghosts of Tundra Falls make them pay for past indisrections? Does Kura-Pelland have another thrilling comeback in store? They seem to have a much better rapport with the Tundra Falls spirits....... Who will it be?

Find out, in 24 hours.....

Rennidan

13-08-2008, 17:24

The semi-finals are done for, just like Dancougar and Arroza's chances at World Bowl glory.

This Bowl belongs to the underdogs.

Both matches were won by a mere three points, meaning that, until the dying minutes, the finalists weren't clear. But when the smoke cleared and the blood dried and all was said and done, it was clear just who had made it.

Rennidan now prepare themselves for the final leg of their unbelievable run to World Bowl glory, but in their way stand the Kura-Pelland Arrows, a team known for some freak last-minute turnarounds and awe-inspiring comebacks.

Smashmouth tactics versus nerves of steel.

AND ONLY HERE, ON RENNIDAN SPORTS NETWORK!

_________

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It has to be said, really. No one ever expected the Brutes to make it this far. When they won their first match against Dancougar, it was beginner's luck. When they lead a 5-0 winning streak, it was a miracle. Now that they're in the finals of the World Bowl, it could very well be a sign of Armageddon. When you boil the Brutes down to their basics, to their raw bone and sinew, they shouldn't stand a chance in hell of winning, let alone make it this far. Qazox's many casinos and bookies posted Rennidan at 25-1 odds of winning, a favourable amount for any fan willing to put money on their team. It should have been impossible for the Brutes to storm this far into the World Bowl, surely?

And yet, they have. The secret to their success no doubt lies in their formidable defence, who managed to keep the team out of a three digit 'Points Against' column in the qualifying stages, marking them as, perhaps, the best defence currently playing within the World Bowl.

But then we come to the Arrows. A team with no real strength in any discipline, yet no weakness either. They are, perhaps, one of the most solid teams in the competition, yet they came out of qualifying with a 7-3 record compared to the Brute's 9-1.

Rennidan also has a temperamental relationship with sports happenings at the Tundra Falls Proving Ground. It dates back to the unofficial F1 champion Micah Twels less-than-savoury trip across the country with the police force hot on his tail after he 'celebrated' a close win on the track. It then moved to the Cup of Harmony, where Robert Golos threw a boot into the face of an oncoming rival striker as an act of revenge.

With the 'spirits' of Tundra Falls gunning for our Brutes, the Arrows might just have the edge they need.

But one thing is for sure.

The spirits and the Arrows have never, ever faced a team like the Rennidan Brutes.

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