“The Pool” is almost rioting as ecstatic fans sees the Crimson shirts take the divisional lead after crushing the Wolfskins. This game was expected to be a closely fought battle for the divisional lead in SHC North, but it didn’t turn out that way. Leyla LaForreau started the ball by creating a casualty on her first and CCC’s second block of the game against Wolfskins superveteran big guy Tony Mumbay! From there, it went rapidly downhill for the Wolfskins, with players leaving the field in a continuous stream, until they had two left on the field at the end of the second half. A classic 2-1 grind. The only bright point for them was that the two casualties they managed to inflict in return were both career-ending, and earned Bruschi and Lee a DA Bronze Medal each. We turn to our reporters for more of the action on this exciting Autumn night.

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Down on the field, in a small area cordoned off from all the fans, our star reporters are present with acting head coach Cody Latimer, and two of his players, a darkhaired creole woman and team captain and quarterback Bernie Kosar.

Hertha: “Ok, Cody. Congratulations with the victory! Crimson Cascade is now the divisional leader and on a clear path to the play-offs. How does that feel?”

Cody: (grins) “Great, of course. We have fought hard for this, and now it comes through. We have beaten both the Vikings and the Wolfskins this season, and caused 7 casualties against het Vikings and 8 against the Wolfskins, so we feel it is well deserved too. But make no mistake, the season is not over, and both Viking and Wolfskins are excellent teams, and will be there to push us until the end of the season. They never let one down. ”

Günther: “You struggled against the Grizzlies and the Foxes, though. Is 10 points so far convincing enough?”

Cody: “We do not worry much about that, ‘cause we are on track. Inga said 21 points, and we need a draw against the Cardinals to stay on schedule. We think we can do that.”

Hertha: “Yeah. You mentioned Inga. Where is she?”

Cody: “She’s on a maternity leave, and will be away all of this season. We are having our first kid in the Spring!”

Hertha and Günther: “Congratulations!”

Hertha: “And you have brought some players, too?”

Cody: (to Bernie) “Yes. Bernie made three completions today and I also think a KO on a block, even though I told him in no uncertain terms to leave the blocking to the experts.”

Hertha (looks at Bernie): “He did?”

Bernie (laughs): He did indeed. After getting a DA Silver Medal for blocking Patterson in the Grizzlies match, thus freeing up Angelina to score, I had hoped for some glory. But no, after the match, the coach comes at me like a dwarven deathroller, hollering about me leaving the blocking to the experts. So I have kept a low profile after that, just doing my job of picking up and tossing or running the ol’ pigskin around and otherwise just doing supporting and stuff.”

Günther: “But today you had a KO.”

Bernie: “Yeah. It was an extremely tight group of players around the midfield after Wolfskins had made an early score. I think just about everyone except Malinowski was in that group somewhere. Bernt had the ball, and Darron Lee was ready to pounce on him, but I was free and could block him with support so I did, and I think poor Lee didn’t quite see it coming. After all, he was surrounded by me, Oton, Audrienne, Bernt and Friedrich so he probably did not consider me as the biggest threat, so I got the chance to hit him hard in the back, and down and out he went.”

Günther: “Right. And you just got enough to become CCC’s second legend. What have you trained on?”

Bernie: “Miriam taught me Dump-Off, so I should be able to try that against the Cardinals, if need be.”

Hertha: “And then we have this other player, who is new to the team!”

Cody: “Yep. Time to meet our firstrounder in the last draft, Leyla LaForreau.”

Günther (to the darkhaired creole): “Two casualties in two blocks, Leyla! That’s amazing!”

Leyla: “Thanks. Yeah. Well, we talked about it before the match and I was reeeeaaaly fired up tonight, and accelerated out for the first block on Tony, and booom, there he went. And then Malik in the next block. Exciting, and really great to do this in such an important match!”

Günther: “And then you cooled down?”

Leyla: “Not really, but as you know the Wolfskins scored early, and since I usually only play defense, I never got to do anything more that game.” (she grins) “So I could stand on the sideline and cheer Lexer and Goode on in their reduction of the opponent. Jeez… that Lexer… she’s got three cas and one KO in eight fouls, and even managed to KO a second one on a block. She’s just amazing! One have to wonder how anyone can dare to lay down on the field when she is close.” She pulls down the collar of her jersey to show a Lexer tattoo on her left collarbone.

Hertha (laughs): “There is a lot of Lexer-fans out there, for sure. And they got their money’s worth tonight! But what about you, Leyla? How are you fitting into the team?”

Leyla: “It’s a tight group, but after a while, when you have proven yourself, it’s great.”

Günther: “And are the players starting to talk about play-offs?”

Leyla: “Nah. Not yet. The coach is clear on that. We are to play for play-offs, not talk about it. Without the first, we never will get a chance to do the second, and with the first, we will be there and don’t have to talk much about it, just do it!”

Günther (to Cody): “So Cody, we have to talk about the losses. Parker dead and Miriam retired. How will this affect the CCC?”

Cody: “First, I have to say that I regret all the losses we have, and give my condolences to Parker’s family. Miriam will get a job in the organisation if she wants one. We can use her experience and grit. For the team, it’s mainly a problem for our patented OTTD defense. There, we need the sidesteppers, and Miriam and Parker where two of our five sidesteppers. Otherwise, we are going to do fine. And one has to remember that the last time we lost a player to death was in… eh… help me out here, Günther…”

Günther: “Merle Borchers, the kicker, in week 15 of season 8. And that was also against the Wolfskins!”

Cody: “Yeah. Right. So it’s 25 matches ago. Most teams have to deal with this more often than that, so if they can get along, we must surely be able to as well.”

Günther: “And will you be looking for a replacement at midseason?”

Cody: “Yeah. We definitely will look for one, and we will pay for it if we can get a deal. But inducements is also a consideration, so we will see.”

Hertha: “And with those words, CCC is well on their way with the season. Next game is in Azuara against the Cardinals. We will surely be there for the mayhem when the Crimson Cascade meet the Blood Red Murder Squad. If you come along, maybe we will meet again in sunny Estalia!

Brought to you by Hertha Wendlinger and Günther Schiele of the Carroburg Tageszeitung.