The Capital Times
Volume 2, Issue 9
Playoff edition – A Tale of Two Champions
Pro League 2 – League Championship: Tempe Venom @ Honolulu Hurricane Wife Carriers
Squad Stadium was standing-room-only, as the Tempe Venom filed off the team bus into the visiting team facilities. Outside, fans had been setting up their tail-gate parties since the day before, and poi was being ladled out by the gallon as dots with wives on their backs made their way into the stadium to witness the first-ever Pro League 2 championship game against a visiting squad they knew would be no walk-over. The Venom had, afterall, vanquished the Carriers in their one-and-only previous meeting this season, defeating the Honolulu squad 52-14.
Their hopes soared as the hometown favorites drew first blood, with kicker Stanley Baxter splitting the uprights at the 7-minute mark of the first quarter to put the Hurricanes up 3-0. The lead would be short-lived however, as Tempe immediately answered back on the following possession, when HB-1 bashed his way into the endzone following a 5-and-a-half minute drive. This would set the tone for the remainder of the first half, with the two Pro League powerhouses trading blows like punch-drunk boxers.
Following the opening two frames, Honolulu held onto a slim 3-point lead, ahead of the Venom 13-10. Alas for the Hurricanes, that would be as close as they’d get this day. Tempe came out roaring in the 2nd half, scoring on each of their next 3 possessions. By the 4th quarter, it was effectively over, and Tempe would hold on to win the first-ever Pro League 2 title by a convincing score of 41-16, punching their ticket to Dot Bowl CIX.
Pro League 1 – League Championship: C-Town MF’ers @ WAR MACHINE
As the Venom was dealing with matters over in Squad Stadium, across the land, preparations were underway for the first-ever Pro League 1 Championship Game, which would be hosted at MACHINE STADIUM. The venerable building was decked out in the home team’s colors of black-and-blue – a fitting tribute to the squad that had meted out so much punishment during this past season, en route to a stellar regular season record. Leo Tolstoy once asked, “War, what is it good for?” The answer, it would seem, is a 13-and-3 record, and a berth in the league’s pinnacle match against the visiting team from C-Town.
The Townies arrived to the pulsating sounds of Pink Floyd’s classic ‘Welcome to the Machine’ being blared out through the stadium’s speakers, setting the tone for what would be a grueling contest. WAR had beaten the MF’ers in their one previous match this season when the MACHINE visited C-Town, but it was a close shave and required a go-ahead touchdown in the final minutes of the 4th quarter to finally put WAR on top. The MACHINE knew they’d have their hands full this day.
The MACHINE came out swinging, and the fans roared their approval as WAR kicker Big Foot booted the ball 41 yards to open the scoring in the very first minute of the game. A few minutes later, Strong Arm Witherspoon connected with tight end Wide Open to put the home team up 10-0.
They would never look back.
C-Town would score next when QB Flamethrower hit WR Duke Fleed for a 32-yard catch-and-run, but it would not be enough, as the MACHINE dominated this day, controlling the ball and the pace of the game. They’d retain possession for over 40 minutes and would move the ball for 447 total net yards, keeping C-Town’s dangerous offense off the field, and sapping its defense. In the final frame, the MACHINE scored 21 unanswered points against C-Town’s depleted and gassed defense, ultimately winning the game by a commanding score of 48-10.
Dot Bowl CIX: Tempe Venom @ WAR MACHINE
With the dust settling on the two Pro League championships, dots everywhere are now looking ahead to Goal Line Blitz’s signature matchup, the 109th Dot Bowl, and the first to be contested under the new 2-league format.
With its regular season record of 13-and-3, WAR will host the Tempe Venom (11-and-5) at MACHINE Stadium. (Much to the relief of the stadium crew, who had already spent hours putting up the black-and-blue banners in preparation for the big game.)
These two teams have indeed met before, but it was in a tournament game earlier this season, and on that particular occasion, Tempe handled the MACHINE rather convincingly, moving the ball for over 616 yards en route to a decisive 49-21 victory. QB-1 threw for over 510 yards that day, and unless WAR can find a way to shut down this blistering aerial attack, Dot Bowl CIX could prove to be a long day indeed for what has otherwise been a well-oiled machine. WAR fans will point to the fact that the MACHINE picked off QB-1 three times that day. Can they do it again?
One thing is certain – anticipation for this year’s Dot Bowl has been steadily building, and dots everywhere will be tuning in on Wednesday to see who comes away with the coveted Lomborti trophy…
Volume 2, Issue 9
Playoff edition – A Tale of Two Champions
Pro League 2 – League Championship: Tempe Venom @ Honolulu Hurricane Wife Carriers
Squad Stadium was standing-room-only, as the Tempe Venom filed off the team bus into the visiting team facilities. Outside, fans had been setting up their tail-gate parties since the day before, and poi was being ladled out by the gallon as dots with wives on their backs made their way into the stadium to witness the first-ever Pro League 2 championship game against a visiting squad they knew would be no walk-over. The Venom had, afterall, vanquished the Carriers in their one-and-only previous meeting this season, defeating the Honolulu squad 52-14.
Their hopes soared as the hometown favorites drew first blood, with kicker Stanley Baxter splitting the uprights at the 7-minute mark of the first quarter to put the Hurricanes up 3-0. The lead would be short-lived however, as Tempe immediately answered back on the following possession, when HB-1 bashed his way into the endzone following a 5-and-a-half minute drive. This would set the tone for the remainder of the first half, with the two Pro League powerhouses trading blows like punch-drunk boxers.
Following the opening two frames, Honolulu held onto a slim 3-point lead, ahead of the Venom 13-10. Alas for the Hurricanes, that would be as close as they’d get this day. Tempe came out roaring in the 2nd half, scoring on each of their next 3 possessions. By the 4th quarter, it was effectively over, and Tempe would hold on to win the first-ever Pro League 2 title by a convincing score of 41-16, punching their ticket to Dot Bowl CIX.
Pro League 1 – League Championship: C-Town MF’ers @ WAR MACHINE
As the Venom was dealing with matters over in Squad Stadium, across the land, preparations were underway for the first-ever Pro League 1 Championship Game, which would be hosted at MACHINE STADIUM. The venerable building was decked out in the home team’s colors of black-and-blue – a fitting tribute to the squad that had meted out so much punishment during this past season, en route to a stellar regular season record. Leo Tolstoy once asked, “War, what is it good for?” The answer, it would seem, is a 13-and-3 record, and a berth in the league’s pinnacle match against the visiting team from C-Town.
The Townies arrived to the pulsating sounds of Pink Floyd’s classic ‘Welcome to the Machine’ being blared out through the stadium’s speakers, setting the tone for what would be a grueling contest. WAR had beaten the MF’ers in their one previous match this season when the MACHINE visited C-Town, but it was a close shave and required a go-ahead touchdown in the final minutes of the 4th quarter to finally put WAR on top. The MACHINE knew they’d have their hands full this day.
The MACHINE came out swinging, and the fans roared their approval as WAR kicker Big Foot booted the ball 41 yards to open the scoring in the very first minute of the game. A few minutes later, Strong Arm Witherspoon connected with tight end Wide Open to put the home team up 10-0.
They would never look back.
C-Town would score next when QB Flamethrower hit WR Duke Fleed for a 32-yard catch-and-run, but it would not be enough, as the MACHINE dominated this day, controlling the ball and the pace of the game. They’d retain possession for over 40 minutes and would move the ball for 447 total net yards, keeping C-Town’s dangerous offense off the field, and sapping its defense. In the final frame, the MACHINE scored 21 unanswered points against C-Town’s depleted and gassed defense, ultimately winning the game by a commanding score of 48-10.
Dot Bowl CIX: Tempe Venom @ WAR MACHINE
With the dust settling on the two Pro League championships, dots everywhere are now looking ahead to Goal Line Blitz’s signature matchup, the 109th Dot Bowl, and the first to be contested under the new 2-league format.
With its regular season record of 13-and-3, WAR will host the Tempe Venom (11-and-5) at MACHINE Stadium. (Much to the relief of the stadium crew, who had already spent hours putting up the black-and-blue banners in preparation for the big game.)
These two teams have indeed met before, but it was in a tournament game earlier this season, and on that particular occasion, Tempe handled the MACHINE rather convincingly, moving the ball for over 616 yards en route to a decisive 49-21 victory. QB-1 threw for over 510 yards that day, and unless WAR can find a way to shut down this blistering aerial attack, Dot Bowl CIX could prove to be a long day indeed for what has otherwise been a well-oiled machine. WAR fans will point to the fact that the MACHINE picked off QB-1 three times that day. Can they do it again?
One thing is certain – anticipation for this year’s Dot Bowl has been steadily building, and dots everywhere will be tuning in on Wednesday to see who comes away with the coveted Lomborti trophy…
Edited by Ravenwood on Oct 28, 2024 11:09:08
