Projects Reach the Top as Upstarts

Anthony Kistmi wins rookie duel despite big performance from Auf der Butt

The Manhattan Projects won their first Hyperbowl in a battle of upstarts led by two rookies, each newcomer of the year in his conference, something the franchise failed to do when it was the Eastern Conference powerhouse behind the great quarterback Lance Boils. Manhattan WR Ezra Doctrine-House was the only starter left from those days about a decade ago, and from the last two Manhattan Hyperbowl appearances. It was the newcomers, QB Oliver Klozoff, WR Jason Skurtz, and once again, as for the season, RB Anthony Kistmi who started turned the page of the Projects.

In this battle of two upstarts, the Idaho Potatoheads were led by number one draft pick TE Hans auf der Butt, who boosted the team from worst record to the Hyperbowl and was instrumental in their dominating Western Conference favorites in their three playoff games. Idaho came in to this game as a 7-point underdog, but started dominating Manhattan perhaps even more than previous playoff foes.

On the first play from scrimamge, Auf der Butt scored an 80-yard pass play. QB Howard Juneau found him open over the middle with both wide receivers running longer patterns, and the Projects were sucker punched right off. After forcing three incompletions on Mahattan's ensuing possession, Idaho drove to another score, a 5-yard pass also to Auf der Butt. With a 14-0 lead and Auf der Butt already running wild, it seemed Manhattan was in for a real humbling. The Potatoheads continued to shut down Manhattan's explosive offense through the second quarter and the lead stood 14-0 at the half.

But the game provided its own solution to the conundrum of this meeting. Idaho had led every opponent, but Manhattan had used opportunistic play to defeat even opponents who out-gained them. The Projects did just that and flopped the game in the second half, scoring all their 27 points. Once again, it was more opportunistic defensive plays that led to the scoring.

Manhattan returned the favor of the first half by opening the second with an 11-play scoring drive. Kistmi had a 12-yard run on the drive and scored from 6 yards. The Potatoheads didn't make it easy, but the Projects broke through.

Then came the defense creating offense. Forcing Idaho to a three and out and a punt from their own 16, Manhattan also forced a botched punt play, when the holder attempted and impromptu to pass to avoid a block. Manhattan took over and downs and when stalled at the 9-yard line, took the points with 26-yard field goal by Luigi Board.

On the next Idaho possession, the Projects intercepted Juneau and set up at the Idaho 38. It took them seven plays, but again the punched it in, on a 14-yard pass from Klozoff to Skurtz, and took the lead 17-14.

Again Manhattan forced a three and out, and then had their best offensive possession of the game: 79 yards in 8 plays. The big play was a 32-yard pass from Klozoff to Skurtz, and Klozoff ran it in himself on the next play from 14 yards out. The Projects had scored on four straight possessions to reverse the game.

The Potatoheads kept it dramatic when, on their next possession, Juneau saw his receiver draw the Projects way back in coverage and took off on a 46-yard run. But Idaho stalled at the Manhattan 21 and settled for 38-yard field goal from K Charlatan Heston. Still they were in striking distance.

Manhattan's Board missed a 45-yard field goal, but got another chance after the Projects sacked Juneau on a 4th down attempt. Klozoff ran 13 yards to the Idaho 12, but Idaho held from there. Board made the 27-yard field goal this time, and the Projects had their 10-point lead again, this time for good. Idaho ran three plays from scrimmage before time expired.

Once again, as with their wins over Maryland and Mobile, Manhattan were more productive scoring while their opponents gained more yards. Juneau passed for 177 yards to only 169 for Klozoff. While Manhattan's backfield of Kistmi and Avery Nastibooy combined for 115 yards, Idaho's Ruud van Nastibooy and Juneau produced 119 yards rushing. Idaho relatively contained Manhattan's explosive wide receivers, Skurtz and Doctrine-House, while Auf der Butt had a huge game. What the playoffs demonstrated is how Manhattan's big ability to make big defensive plays were as important, if not more so, as their big offensive plays.

While these Manhattan Projects are the new kids on the block in the Eastern Conference, they continue a domination by the East of the West, reversing the early trend of the league. The East has won the last four Hyperbowls, five of the last six, and seven of the last nine. Only Dodge and Casper have won for the West since 2007.