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June 2, 2007
Playoffs
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Eastern Conference ChampionshipCliffs' Hard Luck Case More Pressing than Jersies'The scales of fortune tipped Montgomery's way in this meeting of bridesmaids, and the Cliffs transferred their karma to the New Jersies, who, having finally thrown off the mantle of failure to make the playoffs, now take up the mantle of failing to make the Hyperbowl. It was Montgomery's eighth Eastern Conference Championship appearance; seven times before they had been to the doorstep of the Hyperbowl and failed to get in, a mark of distinctive futility. Of course fortune was also in the form of Montgomery QB Boris Toutierse, whose personal campaign for a Hyperbowl is almost as old as the franchise's. The veteran QB, now on the verge of overtaking Chattanooga great Luke Warm as the league's all-time best, had perhaps his best season in leading the Cliffs to 14-1 in the regular season, and finally, in this conference championship game, to the Hyperbowl. Fortune also came as big plays on defense and special teams for Montgomery, especially in the third quarter. After forcing the New Jersies three and out on the half's opening drive, Cliffs all-everything WR Noah Mittens, held to modest numbers in receiving for the game, returned the punt 22 yards to set up a 30-yard TD pass from Toutierse to TE Rob Beef two plays later. Montgomery blocked the punt on the next stalled New Jersies drive, setting up a 55-yard field goal by All-East K Sam Hill, then intercepted New Jersies QB Upton O'Good on the next drive and drove to another TD pass to Beef. New Jersies all-everything TE Bud Ugly was upstaged by Beef, who led all receivers with 79 yards and 3 TDs, and that on just 4 catches. |
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Western Conference ChampionshipBunch Topples JacksHollis Assaway didn't get Iowa to the championship his first season with them, the way he did State Pen in college, but the second season ain't too shabby. Once he got into the playoffs, like a fish to water, it seemed no trouble at all for him to lead the Bunch to the championship game. Assaway in the Western Conference final, as in both previous Iowa playoff games, was easily the most valuable player, and this in the company of none other than the defending league champions, the best team in the Western Conference and many felt in the league in the regular season, and campaigning not just for a repeat Hyperbowl, but their fifth overall. The Monterey Jacks almost filled up the All-West second team, but neither QB Heller Highwater, Hymen, TE Bud Suck nor WR Ira Fuse were a match for Assaway. Not that there wasn't a Bunch around him, for Iowa got this far this season by adding another piece to a team it had been building with high draft picks off disappointing seasons for years. Rookie RB Orson DeWater was credited with sparking the Iowa running game to make it even more difficult to defend against Assaway and WR mate Sawyer Hiney. Now two other former Demetrius Award winners, besides Assaway, QB Tab Lloyd and RB Nick Romancer, whose professional careers seemed to be floundering even last year, have made it to the Hyperbowl. |
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