Monterey was the first repeat champion, winning the 2nd and 4th Hyperbowls in 1976 and '78. The first winner of back-to-back Hyperbowls, Flagstaff, won a third straight -- 1982-84 -- and that feat was matched in succession by Chattanooga -- 1985-88. It took Monterey 24 years to return to the Hyperbowl, during which those two dynasties raised the bar for titles in the league, but the Jacks reclaimed their own early history and joined Flagstaff and Chattanooga for the most Hyperbowl wins by defeating Nashville in the 28th edition of the LAF championship.

Nashville, the only other winner of successive Hyperbowls, in '96 and '97, narrowly missed on the chance for their 3rd. The Trash made a thrilling comeback, scoring twice in succession at the end of regulation time to tie Monterey, producing the 4th overtime Hyperbowl. But Monterey made it the quickest overtime, intercepting Nashville QB Warren Peace on the first play from scrimmage, and winning 4 plays later on K Orson Beanbag's 40-yard field goal. Beanbag, who prevented overtime in the Western Conference final a week earlier with a 66-yard field goal in the late minute, got his second game-winner in a row and was 4 of 4 in this game.

Field goals were the story for 3 quarters. The showdown between the explosive young Monterey offense and the versatile veteran Nashville offense gave way to a showdown between Monterey's league-leading defense and Nashville's ability to nullify the advantages of opponents, even ones favored over them, in a 9-game winning streak leading up the Hyperbowl. There were some big offensive plays in the first half, but none to cross the end zone, and the end of the half foreshadowed that of regulation time for the game.

Monterey scored first, on the first drive of the game, QB Heller Highwater passing 24 yards to All-West rookie WR Ira Fuse. Warren Peace was intercepted on Nashville's second possession in the first quarter, but in the 2nd quarter, he connected with WR Eubie Gutnau on a 41-yard pass play. Nashville K Victor E. Garden missed on a 50-yard field goal attempt, then on their ensuing drive Monterey's Highwater passed to WR Jacques Tactic for a 56-yard gain. The Jacks stalled out, also, but Beanbag made his field goal attempt and Monterey led 6-0. Nashville then woke up for two successive drives to field goals, Peace scrambling for a 25-yard gain and passing to RB Jesse Little-Longer for 19 yards on the first drive. Monterey drove to another field goal in the 3rd quarter, the big play a 15-yard run by All-West RB Buster Hymen.

If excitement is measured by touchdowns, then the best was saved for last, the 4th quarter. Monterey began a drive at the end of the 3rd quarter on their own 45-yard line. Veteran RB Vito Power, the #2 all-time rusher in league history but who'd never won a Hyperbowl, carried for 5 yards. Fuse picked up 8 on a reception, Hymen rushed for 5, TE Bud Suck caught a pass for 15 yards, then Power carried for 7 more to the Nashville 15. Back-up WR Rufus Leaky came on for Tactic, and in a bit of bluff, got the ball on a reverse. He was the surprise scorer of the first TD, going the distance to give Monterey a 16-6 lead after the Beanbag extra point.

The Trash would still not be topped. After an exchange of punts, Nashville began a drive at their own 46 and moved to the Monterey 9. The big play was a 24-yard pass from Peace to WR Phil DeVoid. But the Jack defense held tight again, and on 4th down Nashville settled for their 3rd field goal. But they weren't finished. With 3 minutes remaining, they tried an onsides kick -- and recovered at the Monterey 47. In 6 plays they moved to the Monterey 11, and this time they decided to pay back in kind: WR Phil DeVoid, lining up in the slot, took a pitch reverse in for the TD. Garden hit the extra point and tied the game at 16.

When Nashville won the coin toss for overtime, it seemed fortune still favored them. But it turned suddenly and their streak stopped there, as Peace threw the interception and Monterey's Beanbag was close enough, 40 yards, to put the field goal and the game away. It was hard to doubt after his 66-yard winner against Las Vegas. Beanbag never imagined he would get to decide a conference championship game, let alone a Hyperbowl and both in a row. His 4 of 4 including the winner boosted Monterey in a sub-par offensive performance.

Nevertheless, Highwater was named the most valuable player. The Monterey QB passed for just 204 yards and rushed for 24, and did not throw a TD pass. But he was instrumental in the drives to the field goals as well as the TD, completing key passes on all of them, including the 56-yarder to Tactic.

Tactic had 5 catches for 94 yards to lead all receivers, including his illustrious teammate, Fuse, who had 6 catches for 57 yards. Hymen rushed for just 56 yards in the game, but had several key runs.

Nashville's Peace was held to just 150 yards passing, plus had the 2 interceptions. RB Jesse Little-Longer, instrumental in the Eastern Conference Championship win over Manhattan, rushed for only 46 yards and had one reception for 19.