Stars cut up Types with Daggers

The showdown between two teams with consistent line-ups and balanced offense turned into a lopsided affair. Little Rock rookie QB Harlan Daggers was the difference, as anticipated, busting the Boulder defense on big rushing chunks to keep the Stars going, and scoring twice on his own as well as throwing for two touchdowns. Boulder running back Wayne King came back from injury and proved he was the factor to be feared, but unfortunately the rest of the Type offense wasn't all there. To make matters worse, Boulder helped the Stars with two fumbles to set up scores in the first half, as well as a shanked punt and an interception. All-West wide receiver Donald DeDedd committed both of the fumbles, one after a reception and the other on a punt return. Little Rock advances to the Western final, a step away from the Hyperbowl, after their deal to trade for the draft pick to get Daggers.

Potatoheads outroll Armadillos

It wasn't quite a shootout, but there were some big plays and Amarillo definitely made it interesting. The Armadillos played decent defense, especially against Idaho's pass, and used longer possessions that also kept the ball away from Idaho, thought that was as much due to Potatohead defense, too. After an 11-play Amarillo drive to a field goal to take the lead, however, Idaho QB Dan Smother-Falker showed why he was West Newcomer of the Year and MVP, and took it all back on one play. He ran 82 yards for a TD. In the second quarter, Idaho blocked an Armadillo punt and finished off with another 3-yard run by Smother-Falker.

But in the second half, Idaho got cocky. On three straight possessions they refused to punt on fourth down, but failed to convert. Amarillo scored two more field goals off that, but finally a TD on a 4-yard run by RB Rod Wyler. The attempted a 2-point conversion for a three-point lead, failed, and led 15-14 in the fourth quarter. Idaho responded with a 15-play drive finished off by Smother-Falker again on a 7-yard run. The big play of the drive was a 28-yard run by RB Ruud van Nastiboy.

Projects tower over Cliffs

Perhaps the Montgomery, SE Division winners with an 8-7 record, could've hung with the Manhattan, the best team in the league. We certainly wouldn't know the way the Cliffs served up this game to the Projects. After Manhattan scored on the opening drive, the Cliffs through interceptions on their next four possessions, and the Projects scored on three of those. Montgomery QB Elian Spahn would have 5 interceptions on the day. It was 28-0 at the hand and the Cliffs opened the second half with a fumble by RB Clyde A Liver, off which the Projects scored again.

Another playoff game, another hundred-yard rushing performance from a quarterback. Manhattan didn't need much offense in this game. RB Anthony Kistmi had 79 yards rushing and East MVP WR Jason Skurtz had only 4 catches for 58 yards, though he also had a 16-yard run for a TD. The Projects skipped passed the specter of last season when they were upset by Columbus at this point, in one of the biggest upsets in playoff history.

Attractions bedazzle Monroes, just about everyone else

The upset came from the most unlikely, first of all because it was already surprising who was the favorite. After upsetting the second best team in the league, Maryland came into this game against their division winner having to play away, but was favored because of that previous game and because Maine had last WR Cole Esterhal. Everything Maryland did right in the wildcard game, they did wrong here. Mainly because, well, they just did everything wrong.

The Attractions got just the formulat they needed: astute defense and opportunistic offense. They held Maine QB Jethro Upp to just 75 yards passing, picking him off once. With only 144 yards passing of their own, Maine used smartly timed rushing and pass plays to maximize chances. Their first two scores were a 7-yard TD run by rookie WR Luke Daggers, and a 41-yard TD run by RB Juarez Hell. Though Maryland scored on the next drive, after that they shot themselves in the foot on almost every drive. Maine WR Ben Weeks, replacing Esterhal, led the game in receptions and yardage, 5 for 68.