Choochoos roll, wreck Rednecks

RB Ben Jeter completes the surprise with Hyperbowl MVP honor

At every step of the post-season, the Chattanooga Choochoos have been the underdog, and at every step they have won, more so taken charge and won impressively. Although the win was narrow over defending champs and dynasty Manhattan, the Choochoos led the entire game, forcing the Projects to answer and rally. The Tucson Rednecks were supposed to be the team worthy of beating Manhattan, like the Choochoos a team that has not lived up the talent on its roster until this year when they became the dominant team in the west with the best record in the league. The Rednecks were favored with their stars, including league leading receiver Avery Cunningham.

Chaos was on Chattanooga's side right off, but it was also clear the Choochoo was ready to roll, not the combination Tucson expected or wanted for their first trip to the Hyperbowl for Cunningham and company. The Rednecks, forced to punt after three plays, botched the snap. When QB Hugh Jasso tried to improvise a pass play, he was sacked for a 12-yard loss, setting Chattanooga up at the Tucson 27-yard line. The Rednecks held on to allow only a field goal, a 25-yarder by Choochoo kicker Jack Upjohn [3-0], but when Tucson came back out, it was with quarterback Chuck Everything, Jasso having been shaken up.

RB Dick Burns led Tucson to two first downs, but after they were forced to punt again, Chattannooga took over. The Choochoos drove 91 yards in 12 plays, also burning up most of the 1st quarter, Jeter scoring on a 9-yard pass from QB Constantine Angst. [10-0] After trading punts, Chattanooga had another drive in the 2nd quarter of 10 plays, Jeter running it in from 8 yards. [17-0] When Tucson botched another punt attempt, the Choochoos got another short field and this time punched it in from 22 yards, 4 plays capped by a 9-yard TD pass to WR Goos Haywire. [24-0] Tucson had a lightning drive of 3 passes that carried to the Chattanooga 13, but was killed by the clock.

The game was over by halftime, though it wasn't so clear at the time. The Rednecks needed to strike fast in the 2nd half, and instead got only a field goal while Chattanooga scored two more TDs, on Jeter runs of 38 and 21 yards. They missed an extra point on the last one. [37-3] Angst set up the latter with a 49-yard run. Tucson got a TD in the 4th quarter on a 10-yard pass from Jasso to Cunningham, and failed on 2-point conversion attempt. [37-9] The Choochoos on the next possession got a 48-yard run from Jeter and eventually got to the Tucson 22-yard line, then missed a 39-yard field goal.

Jeter finished with 153 yards and 3 TDs rushing, 23 yards and a TD receiving. He tied a Hyperbowl record with the 4 TDs. RB Juan Moorehead scored 4 rushing TDs for the New Jerseys in Hyperbowl 39. Angst passed for only 181 yards, but 2 TDs and rushed for 78 yards. The Choochoos held Jasso to 160 yards passing, with a TD and an interception, and All-West Cunningham to 87 yards on 6 receptions, with one TD. Tucson RB Dick Burns rushed for 107 yards. TE Rusty Manhood led Chattanooga receivers with 62 yards on 4 catches.

Chattanooga claimed their 4th Hyperbowl victory and championship, tying them for 2nd most with Monterey, behind Manhattan's 6 titles.