The LAF Report, May 24, 2003
Playoffs:
Wildcard Games
Stones Roll on Dons' TurfRookie QB Dick Grub was good enough to lead the Orlando Dons when veteran starter Sutton Death was injured in the middle of the season, and the decision to let him lead the Dons in the playoffs was not a bad one judging from his play in this game. But Grub's impressive playoff debut was spoiled by the Flint Stones, and 2-time Hyperbowl winner QB Osborne Lucky topped the performance. While Grub burned the Stones with his duo of wide receivers, Orson Round and Earl Lee Bird, the Dons could not stop Flint WR Roy El Pain, and the rushing of Lucky. The big name running backs were slowed down in this tug of war, Orlando All-East RB Love Macon gaining 61 yards, Flint former All-East and Hyperbowl MVP Eddie Pus 51. |
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Maniacs Bully StranglersThe fact that Manhattan did not have the best record in the Eastern Conference for the first time in 4 years, and that Boston shared it with Orlando, and that Manhattan had to go Boston for the playoffs, meant nothing: Manhattan still has Boston's number. Just as last season, the Maniacs beat the Stranglers in the conference semis, this time leaving them in Boston. Manhattan scored 26 points before Boston got on the board, not even having to cross the goal line as kicker Luigi Board scored from as far as 52 yards away in his 5 field goals of 6 attempts. As if the Maniacs needed any help, Boston QB Anson Pants threw 2 interceptions and fumbled 3 times. The Maniac defense, while it gave up big numbers to All-East WR Luke St. Everything, was ferocious against Boston RB Tyrone Shoelaces, allowing him just 4 yards. Manhattan RB Bud Hole rushed for 78 yards and a TD and had 3 receptions for 49 yards. |
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Jacks Fall in VegasYou might expect luck to favor the Sinners in Las Vegas. Two weeks ago in the regular season finale, Monterey dominated the Sinners for 3 quarters, only to have Vegas QB Andy Christ lead a comeback to tie the game and win in overtime. Fortune saw the defending league champion Jacks barely make the playoffs, and sent them back to Las Vegas. And while Monterey dominated again, in yards gained and time of possession, and held the high-powered Sinners to just 13 points, it was a hard luck affair, as the Jacks fumbled, threw an interception in the end zone, and missed field goals, to let the Sinners squeak by. |
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Ghosts Steal Swamp Rats' ShowThe time it took to find out just who these Baton Rouge Swamp Rats are was about one quarter less than it took to end their surprising 2003 season, and wonder about the Casper Ghosts. The Swamp Rats jumped up out of the Southwestern Division to take it outright, surprising the favored Los Angeles Devils among others, while Casper came out the winner of the mad scramble of the Northwestern Division with an 8-7 record. Baton Rouge showed in this game just why they were here: QB Nolan Void, RB Barry DeHatchet, and WR Stan Byer-Mann for starters. But the Ghosts, behind QB Sal Manella and last year's Western Conference Newcomer of the Year WR I.B. Long, and with a surprising performance from RB Will Travel, turned this game into a barnstormer late in the 3rd quarter. After Long scored on a 1-yard pass in the 3rd, Casper took the lead in the 4th on a 30-yard pass play to Travel. Baton Rouge came right back with an 80-yard drive capped by a 10-yard pass from Void to Byer-Mann. But Casper topped that by going 85 yards in 7 plays, Travel scoring from 5 yards. The Swamp Rats weren't finished, as DeHatchet caught a 38-yard pass and ran 22 yards, but the game was finished before they could do any more. |
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