“NCBB - Season 4.

Akron faced another stiff test today as Houston took the field against the defending champions. It would also mark the last game of AG 6 Anika terrorizing the opponents as well. While, the Akron team was supposedly deep with players, they were shorthanded again for this game. 14 players on the team...but 2 were missing due to injury...another laid low by his niggling injury. Anika played in a bit of a daze (bone head), and Thomas Irvin and Jay Cutliffe were suffering from being out partying the night before and missed the vast majority of the game (Morley's Revenge...Irvin, an emerging star was only on the field for 2 turns, Jay did only slightly better on the field for a bit less than half the plays).

And so it started, 8 elves and a tree took the field for the opening kickoff against 11 rats...however, Akron came ready to play and blitzed off the kickoff...due to another good kick by kicker (kick skill), although RR was needed, the rats were cleared back and Anika caught the ball...the rats would not give up and it took 2 turns, but Akron was up 1-0. With the claw/rsc linerat already seriously injuring Al Downer and Jason Wasp being fouled out for a KO and not waking up...it was even fewer elves on the second drive. A blitz and foul on the claw/rsc rat amounted to nothing...but a quick score for the rats and it was 1-1. On offense again, Anika moved the ball up the field, as protected as possible with just a few players and looking to be able to pass the ball on the next turn to take the lead into halftime...however, Houston showed some amazing play - with the rat ogre moving without a problem to provide guard, every block going for pows...and the result was Anika stunned and the ball near the gutter runners. Akron responded very well in return though and forced Houston into very hard plays to score - with no team RRs remaining, they have to make a pickup in traffic, handing off in traffic, 3 dodges - some through tackle zones and a gfi...but that proved to be no problem! Kudos to Houston as they pulled off an amazing play and took the 2-1 lead...however, with Akron - 1 RR and 1 turn could be enough. Injury time though made it 2 turns and that was more than enough as Anika tossed a perfect pass and Alex scored his second TD of the half to make it 2-2.

The second half promised to be more fireworks and did not disappoint - Akron attempting to get players back went for the quick score and Alex again took the ball in for the score and it was 3-2. Then came the most important series of the game. On defense and with only a few elves - Akron mostly backed up to try to cover the 4 rat receivers...Houston went after Anika, but the tackle storm vermin failed to get the POW even with the RR used...and instead of tossing the ball, the rat quarterback backed up a few paces. This proved costly, as Akron went to a pressure defense - every raced forward - one player marked the quarterback and the rest of the elves spread out to prevent anyone from helping the quarterback and to force a long pass...forced into a bad position, the rat quarterback attempted to dodge and fell. A loose ball within range of Anika...a quick grab and handoff and it was Alex's 4th TD. However, even at 4-2, the injuries were mounting and morley's revenge continued to prove a hardship...the defense forced a 4+ throw, but this time there was no problem and a quick rat score and it was 4-3. Two turns remained and the rats put on the pressure again. Anika moved up and elves moved to bracket her...but a double 1 on the last gfi needed left a tiny opening for Houston - it allowed an assist and then dauntless gutter runner came in and got the POW - the ball was free...still, no RR left, and needed another pickup in tacklezone, multiple dodges - again several in tackle zones...would it be a repeat of the 1st half gutter runner magic? The dodges - check...the pickup - check...but the last dodge (only needed a gfi and a 2+ handoff after the dodge to score) and the gutter runner fell and Akron could celebrate an amazing escape.

After the game, Anika announced that she was suffering some tightness in her legs - an injury due to her age. However, her experience will continue to lead Akron into the future. However, now the fans look to new emerging stars - Alex has provided 7 TDs in just 2 games and has trained with Anika and picked up some key tips from her.”