The Capital TimesVolume 1, Issue 3Rubber Match in Gofer NationLineups stretched ‘round the block, and the sweet aromas of corndogs and stale beer wafted through the crowd as the PVAC faithful filed into the Gopher Hole, eager to see their beloved Gofers take on the visiting Bawlers from Brasilia. The Gofers survived a near-miss against the Lincoln Cornhuskers in the opening round of these Rose Bowl playoffs, and they knew coming in the Bawlers had punched their own ticket to the Beta Conference Final with a commanding 35-17 victory over the Mayans of Santo Pedro. Tickets to this game sold out quickly, and the Hole was bursting at the seams with a capacity crowd of just over 10 thousand.
The regular season series between these two teams split evenly down the middle. Homefield may have been a factor, with Brasilia taking the first match at the Esplanda dos Ministérios by a score of 35-28, and the Gofers answering back 10-weeks later at the Gofer Hole, winning 15-31. Would rowdy Gofer Nation be enough to tip the balance again?
Following the opening kickoff, the Bawlers wasted little time in scoring their first major, with all-star HB William Gizmo taking a weak-side pitch to the house for the score.
https://glb.warriorgeneral.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=44285&pbp_id=928142 Gizmo would be a key part of the Bawlers gameplan throughout the match, finishing with almost 200 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Scrambling pivot Kobi Chase scored next, carrying the rock across the line minutes later to cap a 12-play drive that would put Brasilia up 14-0.
PVAC would not go quietly into the night however. On the ensuing kickoff, CB Up Around the Bend sliced apart the Bawler’s coverage unit, returning the ball 76 yards to close the score to within 7.
https://glb.warriorgeneral.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=44285&pbp_id=928333The two teams continued to trade punches, each scoring majors on their next possessions. At this point, the Bawlers D decided to take matters into their own hands, with LB Robin Felton sacking Gofer QB Tamborines for a short loss t bring the half to an end.
https://glb.warriorgeneral.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=44285&pbp_id=929011 Brasila picked up where they left off in the 2nd half, with Felton forcing a fumble that would eventually be recovered by the Gofers.
https://glb.warriorgeneral.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=44285&pbp_id=929054 Felton was to be a dominant force all game long, recording 9 tackles and 2 sacks.
The final score was 45-17 in favor of the visiting team, proving that come the playoffs,
anything can happen. The victorious Bawlers now set their sights on the Rose Bowl that awaits.
Not So EasyMeanwhile, on the other side of Dotlandia, the Winterfell Direwolves made their way into the Big Easy to face the New Orleans Golden Kangaroos. The parking lot outside the Kangaroo Dome was filled with tailgaters taking in the late-summer sunshine before the game - a bizarre atmosphere which blended the unmistakeable aroma of crawfish gumbo, served to the droning cacophony of countless didgeridoos. Like their Beta Conference Final hosts the Gofers, the ‘Roos sold out their 16,200 capacity Kangaroo Dome within minutes following their 31-14 victory over the Glendale Ghosts in the previous round. The Direwolves, meanwhile, arrived in New Orleans bursting with confidence, following their first-round domination of the Athens Sea Wasps.
By comparison, the regular season series between the ‘Roos and the ‘Wolves was not so close. New Orleans dominated Winterfell by a combined score of 89-7 over the two games, and pundits have been pondering whether the Direwolves could find a way to narrow the gap.
Alas, the Alpha Conference Final would not be as close a competition as the Beta Conference game. The ‘Roos scored early and often, putting an exclamation mark on their regular season series. New Orleans moved the ball for over 724 net yards while limiting Winterfell to just 57. QB Drew Brees passed for over 700 yards and 9 touchdowns.
The ‘Roos now prepare to host the upstart Bawlers at the Kangaroo Dome for what promises to be an exciting finish to the 108th season! Tickets to the Rose Bowl are likely to sell out fast, so be sure to book early!