3rd Escalian Cup: Kierport vs. Norfolk 

Kierport and Norfolk were neck and neck the whole year, with their regular season game being a barnburner with Norfolk coming out on top, hence why the ‘Jacks are the home team in the Cup. Kierport’s Derrick Acker was listed as a game-time decision, and most anticipated him to start. However, when the Knights ran out on the field to a collective booing from the home crowd, he was not seen dressed up in his uniform, opting to let the rookie take the reins in the championship game to not aggravate his injury any further. In an interview following the game, he said that “I wanted to start that game so bad. But I didn’t want to interrupt my teammate from the biggest game of his life. I’ve had my big game, and now it’s time for his big game. Who knows, maybe we’ll both see the ball next year with his production.” 

If you expected this game to be another barnburner, the first quarter alone would prove you right. Norfolk started with the ball first, and immediately made an impact by scoring within the first 2 minutes thanks to an amazing 62 yard passing play from QB Willard Taft to WR Paul Leyton. RB Eddy Belmont sealed off the quick drive two plays later with a run into the endzone. The Knights wouldn’t take too long to score as well, as Dane and Underwood took turns on runs before Dane dove in to tie the game at 7 apiece. The ‘Jacks would punt on their next drive, with the Knights quickly putting another drive together and finding the endzone again, this time Underwood reaching the endzone to make the Knights pull ahead by a score. Norfolk would strike back, thanks to the legs of Belmont, who would cap off their drive to tie the game at 14 before the first quarter expired.
END OF Q1: 14-14 TIE
The second quarter saw some slowing momentum to the high powered offenses. The Knights had a prolonged drive that lasted for most of the first half of the quarter, but luckily ended on a scramble by Dane to take the lead again. Norfolk struck back again, using Belmont’s agility to the team’s advantage by scoring twice after the Knights stalled in the early part of the quarter, striking back on Kierport’s drive by scoring a touchdown off another Belmont run and punching in a field goal to take the lead at halftime.
END OF Q2: 24-14 NOR
Norfolk kept their momentum running, taking advantage of a failed Knights drive to start the half for Taft to find Leyton again in the endzone to extend their lead to 17. Kierport countered with a successful drive of their own, with Dane and Underwood taking turns chipping away yardage until Underwood snuck his way in on a one yard plunge to cut the lead to two possessions. Norfolk’s momentum slowed a bit, as they managed to stop the Knights’ offense momentarily, but couldn’t manage a touchdown for the rest of the quarter, punching in two more field goals in the 3rd. After Norfolk’s second field goal, Kierport was determined to get a score of any kind before the quarter ended. Their determination helped them to an extremely fast drive of only two plays, with the second play resulting in a Paul Dane scramble that went 73 yards to score 6. However, the PAT would sail wide left of the uprights. The Knights were now only 3 points from retaking the lead. 
END OF Q3: 37-34 NOR
With all the high-paced offence in the first 3 quarters, the 4th saw a slowing down of the pace. Norfolk went back at it with their retaliation of Knights’ drives with another seemingly successful one, until they went three and out on their own 5 and had to take a field goal to extend their lead to 6. Kierport went back at it, taking their time to give the ‘Jacks as little time as possible. However, the Knights had some poor clock management, having burned a few time outs on the drive, and scored the touchdown with only 0:54 left on the clock on a Dane dive to retake the lead for the first time since the first quarter, 41-40. The Knights would regret giving the ‘Jacks that much time, as Norfolk quickly steamrolled downfield and were almost in field goal range with 20 seconds left. Key word: almost. Willard Taft aimed for WR Lucas Baumbach at the 34 yard line, which would have set up the game-winning field goal if the pass was completed. Unfortunately, the pass was read by DB Gavin Parent, who swooped in and intercepted the ball, and ran back all the way to seal away the game for the Knights.

(Seen here: Gavin Parent making the game winning interception to seal Kierport’s second straight Cup victory)

Being two possessions back and having only 6 seconds left on the clock, Norfolk tried to quickly get one last touchdown. One last passing play was called, but the heaved pass was overshot. Kierport had won their second cup in the most dramatic of fashions.
FINAL: 48-40 KIE
Kierport’s Paul Dane would walk away with the MVP honors in what would become known as the “Epic in Norfolk”. He almost took over Derrick Acker’s rushing record at 219 yards, which easily beats the record for the most rushing yards in the Escalian Cup by a quarterback. “Oh man, oh Lord. Two in a row! Never thought I had to play in the best game I’ve ever played to get there, but that added to the fun of it. Next year, we’re going for three!” 


Fun Fact: This is the first time the away team has won in a playoff game, which is weird since I haven’t been giving the home team an advantage in these games, so both teams are equally as capable of winning. Interesting tidbit that I saw as I finished simulating this season 

What an awesome game! The legend of Paul Dane continues to grow in the early stages of the league. 

ANDY! wrote:

I just found this league today, and like most newcomers, I'm really liking it. My team is the Mariners and hopefully things will start to look up for them. Also, if you have one ready, I would love a Mariners sig, 

Glad to have another follower on board! Here's your Mariners sig as requested:


And while I'm at it, here's the offseason, which includes some big news:

1962-63 Offseason
Draft:
1st - Ellesby Mariners: OL Samuel Gosse (Howle College)
After losing two of their linemen to retirement this offseason, Ellesby takes the best offensive lineman on the board to revitalize their sinking ship
2nd - Orcaster Racers: OL Michael Brandt (Argil Agricultural College)
The Racers attempt to plug up their gaping holes by preventing any from opening up on the O-Line by taking the next best lineman in Brandt
3rd - Augusta Bulls: WR Lloyd Blackman (Arcanora Tech)
The Bulls try to close up their receiving game and improve on offense by taking Blackman, whose stellar senior season attracted scouts across the league and nearly took home the Ward Trophy
4th - Duvall Dragons: OL Arthur Beverly (Howle College)
Following the trend, Duvall also takes a lineman to get over the 5-5 hump
5th - Adelaide Owls: LB Dennis Frost (University of Huron)
The Owls take the best defensive player available to recuperate their slowly dying defense
6th - Hadley Gatekeepers: DB Audrey Maynard (Ashonta Tech)
Feeling that their offense is well-suited to go to the Cup, the ‘Keepers take a defensive player in Maynard
7th - Norfolk Lumberjacks: DB Ryan Travis (Great Plains Provincial University)
The ‘Jacks take the next best defensive back on the board to make up for the retirement of their former starter
8th - Kierport Knights: QB Keiran Cody (Taerrisian Provincial University)
A shock to all, the Knights take the Ward winning quarterback in Keiran Cody as a backup to Dane. The Knights didn’t need a great quarterback (see Paul Dane as to why), but after last year’s debacle with Acker and Underwood the Knights decided to double down on good backups. After all, Dane and Acker are approaching their mid 30’s, so these new kids on the block may be a good think after all. 

Player/Coach Movement:
The offseason saw a lot of players decide to hang up their cleats. To name a few, ADL DT Frank Kneller hung his up after 17 total seasons in amateurs and in the pros, HAD WR Lambert Hollman walked away after only 6 total seasons of play, and ORC QB Jeremy Hunt retired after being plagued with injuries over the past two years, playing for 7 years in the bigs.  
In the coaching carousel, ELB HC Jack Backus was fired after three disappointing seasons in the EFL, and 12 seasons with the team in total. In his place, they hired University of Huron HC Flint Mullins, one of the most defensively minded coaches on the market. Backus wouldn’t be out of a job for long, as he would be hired by the Bulls as their new DC, as their previous DC Harley Victor retired after the 1962 season. ORC OC Terry Dressler was also let go, citing the downfall of the team’s production over the past two years. Promoted to the spot is their QB coach, Peter Short. 

Logo/Uniform Changes:
No teams made any significant changes, except for Kierport, adding a second star on their patch.


News:
The offseason got even bigger, as during the draft, Commissioner Merrill announced that there would be an expansion for the 1964 and 1965 seasons. Rumors had circulated that expansion was imminent, as the Owner’s Council had been interviewing owners the past season in secret, but the secret didn’t stay a secret for long and was the talk of the league up until the draft. Most had predicted that two teams would join in two seasons, like how the NFL handed their expansion teams of the Vikings and Cowboys. Merrill turned that rumor on its head when he announced that 4 teams would join in the two season time frame, with two new teams per season. When approached on which 4 cities would be joining the league, Merrill responded that the 4 cities had already been chosen, and the league would work out when each of the teams would join. He also said that the first two teams would be unveiled during the halftime of the next Escalian Cup, with the next two being announced in next year’s offseason.  

Preseason Power Rankings:
Norfolk Lumberjacks
Kierport Knights
Augusta Bulls
Hadley Gatekeepers
Duvall Dragons
Adelaide Owls
Orcaster Racers
Ellesby Mariners 
 

Taking a quarterback when you're two-straight champs definitely seems weird, but hopefully if nothing else we can flip him for a nice player. DANETRAINFOREVER

I'm looking forward to expansion soon!

Well, at least my Mariners weren't in last place!