“UI XI Qualifier: Jade Lantern

Another epic match today, clearly nuffle shines upon dwarves. Though I may have used all the good dwarf dice for the weekend.

(more to follow after a break)

The Spiked Ball didn't matter, and could have hurt us since we got an early turnover. Once Jefferson recovered the ball and got it into a solid cage, I thought for certain we would score. Oh ho ho, this was just the beginning. This game had so many turnovers and heroic elf cage breakers it wasn't even funny. Except that it was kinda funny in a frustrating way. Not to bury the lead, the Eagles got it back and scored thanks to Valen Swift. I hate that elf :) A Perfect D on the next kickoff put more pressure on us. Another one of those crazy cage-dodge-blitzes got the ball back for the Eagles and they were threatening to go up 2-0 by half time. Fortunately for us they had used all their rerolls and failed a dodge to score, allowing the Fathers to recover. But they were unable to score, thanks to a poor decision on my part to block without rerolls followed by a failed pass the next turn. I should have picked up the ball and moved closer first. The second half started with a Blitz! and once again the Eagles were threatening to steal the ball and score even though we had them outnumbered 11-8. We quickly got them down to only 6 and got the ball back only to lose it again. In the end, we were saved by a fumbled throw and the reroll had already been used on a dodge. But it was several more turns before we got it secured as the elves could knock it loose but not recover it. The rest of the half was spent chasing 3 elves around and trying to make it 2. Finally got one of the Catchers on T 16 - Ibrahim Golddawn. The Eagles had 1 turn but only had 5 players to field. Still, with the M10 Highhelm Lyrpadre and AG5 Valen Swift anything was still possible. Then there was a Riot and the clock rolled back. Now I'm sweating. Fortunately, Valen Swift fumbled the pickup before anyone can get down field and we're going to OT. The Eagles won the toss in OT and got another KO back so they were up to 6 players. But nuffle stepped in here and decided to stop toying with the elves and dashed their hopes. A Perfect Defense allowed the Fathers to swarm the LOS, followed by Valen Swift failing his last pickup attempt of the game. It wasn't his last fail of the game, though. That came on a Dodge the following turn where he stunned himself. Hancock and Randolph had finally had enough of the Catchers and swiftly KO'd them both. From here it was a simple, slow walk-in. Part of the slowness is just that dwarves aren't fast, but part of it was also me not realizing that Valen Swift had no intention of standing up again and trying to mark the ballcarrier. In retrospect, I could have asked but then if he did it would serve me right for letting him do it.

Thanks for close and fun game, Valen. I don't think I've ever faced anyone back-to-back in different tournaments before. I can see a rivalry brewing between our teams for certain.”