“Rematch between two bitter foes!

After a surprise upset in the previous tilt, the Smurfs were not going to be caught off-guard again! They came in with the fans on their side, but lost the coin toss and had to kick off to the Yams. First Chris Long blitzed off the corner and KOed Jokey Smurf, then Steven Jackson Piled On to kill Farmer Smurf with the second block of the game. A devious foul followed on the minotaur Azrael breaking its leg. With 3 players out on turn 1, it gave the Yams a must needed early advantage in numbers. There was no letup by the Yams, who badly hurt a hobgoblin, then fouled a bull centaur for a BH as well (ref got the goblin) - but still 5 Smurfs were out after 2 turns. Even with the large advantage in numbers, the Smurfs slowly started to KO the Yams and forced a score on Turn 5. Down 7 to 11 players on the field, the Smurfs still had time to score before the half. The play of the game was Turn 8 of the first half for the Yams. The Smurfs had set up with the ball at midfield and a bull downfield to try to score with on turn 8...instead of playing defense, the Yams charged - a 1d stripball on the ballcarrier was a pow...a great bounce and an unexpected chance to pickup and toss downfield for the Yams resulted in a surprising 2-0 halftime lead. The KO for the Smurfs woke up, so it was 8 to 11 on the field for the second half and quickly more Yams were leaving the field - and a quick score made it 2-1 after only 2 turns...and this was now the critical part of the game - if the Yams could score, then it would be game...but the Smurfs only needed a draw to secure their playoff bid...enough Yams had been hurt, that it was 9-8 players in the Yams favor for the critical drive. However, a blitz on the kickoff and it was 8-8 as another Yam player was carried off the field. Tense moments as 1d blocks on both sides were made and failed - a hobgoblin failed a dodge and that was it as Chris Long was able to skitter free and into the endzone for the 3-1 lead. At that point the game was over - on the final drive, the Yams unleashed their fireball to good effect and managed to steal the ball for another score.

Overall, the Yams inflicted 5 CAS...4 in the first 2 turns...1 with the fireball late...but those early CAS and depth for the Yams gave them just enough to outlast the Smurfs and win this crucial game in keeping their playoff hopes alive.”