Manhattan 22
Boston 14
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Maniacs Turn Nightmare Around on StranglersBoston put the clamps on Manhattan's offense, allowing just 2 field goals through 3 quarters, and when RB Tyrone Shoelaces scored Boston's 2nd TD on the first play of the 4th quarter, to make it 14-6, the Maniacs were staring at their playoff curse. The best team in the league over the past 4 years has not won a Hyperbowl, getting there only last year, where they lost, just as they had in the playoffs before that the previous years. The Maniacs even fumbled the ball back to Boston on the next drive, and were lucky when the Stranglers missed a field goal. But on Manhattan's next possession, RB Duane DeTubb broke open for a 47-yard TD run. The Maniacs failed on a 2-point conversion attempt. Then, incredibly, after holding Boston on 3 downs at its own 15-yard line, the Maniacs blocked the punt, and recovered on the Boston 17. After a 1-yard run on a scramble, Manhattan QB Lance Boils ran 16 yards on a bootleg for the go-ahead TD. Manhattan even added a 43-yard field goal from K Lance Boils, who was 3 for 3 in the game. DeTubb rushed for 89 yards and Boils, who threw for only 130, rushed for 68. The 4th quarter shots by Manhattan spoiled a great defensive effort by Boston, who beat Amityville with astonishing offense. It also spoiled good offensive performances from QB Anson Pants, who passed for 245 yards and a TD, and WR Luke St. Everything, who caught 7 passes for 107 yards and a TD. Boston has lost to Manhattan in the playoffs last year, 16-10.
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Nashville 27
Connecticut 14
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Trash Trips Up YankeesTwo-time Hyperbowl winner Nashville continued the scrappy winning streak that began 7 weeks from the end of the regular season. The Trash are the only team in the playoffs to give up more points than they scored. And in this game they overcame 4 interceptions by veteran QB Warren Peace. Peace got past the turnovers with 238 yards passing and a TD, plus a TD rushing. The game turned around twice. The Trash shut down All-East QB Cary A. Bigstick, allowing him only 115 yards passing for the game, and led 6-0 at the half. But in the 3rd quarter, after all their frustration, the Yankees struck on a 34-yard pass from Bigstick to WR Justin Hale, following one of those interceptions of Peace. On Nashville's next play from scrimmage, Peace was picked off again, and Connecticut's King Farraday returned 25 yards for a TD. Just like that, Connecticut led 14-6. Peace and RB Jesse Little-Longer led a drive to respond, Peace himself getting the TD on a 1-yard plunge. And Nashville had 2 more scoring drives in the 4th quarter, to take back the lead and put away the Yankees. Little-Longer had 87 yards and TD rushing, and WR Eubie Gutnau had 91 yards receiving. Nashville will travel to Manhattan for the Eastern final.
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Las Vegas 30
Olympia 17
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Sinners Defeat GodsLas Vegas got more of Olympia TE Luke Filthy than they wanted, and he helped the Gods to a 14-6 lead at the half, but the best offense in the league, and especially RB Drew Blood, was too much for Olympia. Blood rushed for 172 yards and a TD, and had 44 yards receiving, to lead the Sinners' 24-point charge in the 2nd half. Vegas QB Andy Christ passed for 216 yards and a TD, WR Jason Rainbows caught 7 passes for 77 yards and a TD, and RB Buster Gutt ran for a TD, with 56 yards rushing. Vegas K Cleet Face was good on both his field goal attempts, and back-up K Les Trouble made it 3 for 3 for Vegas, kicking in the first quarter for Face, who was uncertain to start because of illness. Olympia had little to offer offensively besides Filthy, who caught 10 passes for 129 yards and a TD, but their defense controlled the game in the first half. The Sinners turned it around in the 2nd, allowing only a field goal from Olympia All-West K Henri Cuss. Las Vegas will host the Western Conference Championship game next week.
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Los Angeles 13
Monterey 28
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Jacks Beat DevilsWith the firepower Monterey has drafted the past few years, the surprising thing about this turnaround season has been the defense: the best in the league. In the California showdown in Los Angeles, Monterey grounded the league's best passing offense, allowing the dynamite Devil duo of WRs Kenny Lingis and Ty Dass only 4 catches between them, and All-West QB Hugh Wish just 8 completions of 34 attempts for 130 yards. LA TE Colin Alcarse did some damage with 96 yards on 5 catches, but it was too little against the Jacks. Monterey, who lost 17-10 to LA in the season, got plenty of offense this time, particularly from RB Buster Hymen, who rushed for 137 yards and 2 TDs. Rookie WR Ira Fuse beat out Lingis and Dass for All-West honors and certainly got the best of them in this game, along with fellow WR Jacques Tactic. Fuse caught 8 passes for 76 yards and a TD, Tactic 7 for 64 and a TD. Monterey QB Heller Highwater passed for only 188 yards, but 2 TDs, and ran for 76 yards. Monterey will travel to Las Vegas for an all-Central Division conference final. Vegas beat the Jacks 22-12 in the season game and won the division.
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