Western Conference Championship

Bunch baffles Panhandlers, escapes rally

Iowa dragged Oklahoma into a defensive battle, holding field position advantage most of the time, and intercepting quarterback Lyle DeTyme three times. The Panhandlers kept in it with a good defensive effort of their own, at one point in the third quarter stopping Iowa on downs twice in a row near the Oklahoma end zone.

Iowa scored a field goal and touchdown in each of the second and fourth quarters, but after the latter, the Panhandlers struck quickly, recovered an onsides kick, and scored again. Within a touchdown and extra point of the lead, but 1:16 left, Oklahoma recovered a second onsides kick. The game ended on their second play, a pass to wide receiver Jason Shadows who only got to the Iowa 25.

Iowa scored on a 40-yard TD pass from QB Brit Humer to WR Hollis Assaway in the 2nd, and 19-yard pass to RB Orson DeWater in the 4th. Kicker Donvan Tryett made field goals of 33 and 24 yards. Assaway had 6 catches for 85 yards and the TD, and tight end Dick cass had five catches for 100 yards.

Oklahoma WR Jason Shadows had ten catches for 97 yards, but RB Eubie Dedd had just 39 yards rushing with one TD, and 17 yards recieving. DeTyme scored on a 29-yard run.

The Panhandlers won the Hyperbowl two years ago, so failed at a chance to return after missing a repeat. Iowa makes their third Hyperbowl appearance, losing in 2007 and 2014.

Eastern Conference Championship

Natives oust Yankees with more resourceful offense

The Columbus Natives continued their play from the Manhattan upset and in similar fashion knocked off the defending league champions to claim the Eastern Conference they dominated in regular season till the loss of tight end Phil Awful. It makes for a strange Cinderella, but after the Natives were whipped in their last two season games then barely scraped enough offense to win the wildcard card game, they were underdogs despite more wins.

Columbus slugged it out with the Yankees in the first half, and led 10-7 at halftime. On the first scrimmage play of the second half Connecticut QB Phil Anders connected with RB Jason Tale on a 47-yard pass play, then threw to TE Lou Stemper for the 6-yard score. Columbus then, as in the semi, went on a long drive. This time it took them 12 plays to get just past midfield, where the stalled and had to punt. The Yankees took just as long to drive the length of the field and score, on a five-yard pass to Tale.

It looked like the Yankees were taking control of the game, and partially blocked a punt on Columbus' next possession that set them up at their own 41. This time Columbus turned the tide with two big plays. From the Columbus 42, Anders attempted a pass that was intercepted in the end zone. Two plays later Columbus QB Bug Zappa hit WR Hugh Hoo down the sideline and he ran untouched to score, covering 75 yards. In the early fouth quarter it was 21-17 Connecticut.

The Natives exchanged possessions, then held the Yankees again at their own 23. With less than four minutes left Columbus started at their 46. On a second and nine from the Yankee 43, Zappa threw to Hoo again for 21 yards to the 22. RB Dave Rath ran 16 yards to the 6. Then Zappa found Hoo in the end zone. The finish was remarkably similar to the semi game.

Zappa upstaged Anders, throwing for 267 to Anders' 220. Columbus intercepted Anders three times. While Tale was big for Connecticut, Rath also helped make up for Awful, adding 47 yards receiving to his 59 yards rushing. Connecticut WR Wayne Wayne Goaway had eight catches for 98 yards.

Connecticut missed on a chance at a repeat and home Hyperbowl. Columbus will make their third Hyperbowl appearance, and facing Iowa who also last twice, the good news is someone will get their first Hyperbowl win.