12 man championship

[mbsports]

Well no one is giving Concordia much of a chance here but the Montreal kids are going to give it a try against Jesse Palmer and the Raiders.  Ottawa's rugby style football team is taking to the field in their gold and red after they've Raiderized Frank Clair stadium.  It's a little darker out now then earlier today and Ottawa is favored by 18 points. That's the difference between a pro and college team for you. 

The game is almost set to begin as the lineups have been announced.
There's a beer tent overflowing with Leipzig fans and a lot of them have stayed to watch the second game of this tourney on a beautiful late autumn day in Ottawa.

I'm gonna toot my own horn for a second - working with the MaxFB DBs has made me a better DB manager in real life. How messed up is that.

Fleming kicking off for the Raiders - McCullum picks it up and gets 4 yards to the 39 yard line. Fonua steps back, little screen pass to Marrano out of the fullback spot and he gets 23 yards before Wes Lysack pulls him down. 1st and 10 DeMarcus Head runs to the 50, stopped and fumbled!!! October picks it up and the Raiders get their first possession.

1st and 10 Raiders - Josh Ranek gets the carry, Pontbriand brings him down. Pontbriand had 13 sacks a season ago for Concordia.

Palmer steps back - looks for Loud and gets him for a 46 yard gain - Lara the tackle for the Stingers but a big gain puts the Raiders in good position here. 1st and 10 - Josh Ranek off tackle 14 yards and there's the opening score. 6-0 Raiders after the kick with only 2 minutes off the clock.

Fleming kicks off Wickman takes it and returns it 11 yards to the 36. First down and 10 - Fonua back to pass and boom Kralt got him for a loss of 8 on the sack. Big play there to keep the kids on their toes. 2nd down and incomplete for Bevels. So they have to kickoff and it's taken by Williams and after a return of 9 they start at the Concordia 52. First and 10 Palmer passing and he goes down! Big time happieness from the Stingers as Clair Notaro gets in for the sack.

2nd and 14 for Palmer back to throw incomplete and they have to punt it away. Lame duck punt taken by Marrano for a return of 5. The punting situation for the Raiders compounded by Tynes out and Fleming struggling at times this season.

1st and 10 Fonua back to pass - scrambles and gets ahead for 3 yards.
2nd and 7 - Fonua passing again looks for Goodley and got him! Elliott Goodley 33 yards for the wideout from Pemberton, BC. First down Stingers.
1st and 10 Head gets the carry, stopped for a loss by Shawn Gallant. 2nd and 12 - Marrano whistled for being in motion. 2nd and 17 - DeMarcus Head barrels forward for 8 yards and England makes the stop. Jeff Enck is in for a 32 yard field goal. Wide right but the Stingers won't return it and they cede the single. 6-1 the score with 6:17 to go in the first.

The Raiders start at their 35 - 1st and 10 Williams the carry stuffed for a loss of 3 yards on the play. 2nd and 13 Palmer back to pass and nothin! the Stingers defense looks very good on this drive.

Fleming muffs the kick and only 23 yards on this one - punting will be the way the Stingers stay in this one apparently.
1st and 10 at the Ottawa 42 completed to McCullum for a 6 yard gain, Fonua passing on 2nd - incomplete and here comes Enck for 36 yard attempt. Hold is good snap good and the kick is good so 6-4 is the score and the Stingers really hanging in there against a good Raiders team struggling a bit especially on special teams.

Ranek returning the kick - 20 yard return, nice job on the blocking by Ottawa. 1st and 10 Palmer passing sacked by Notaro!!! his 2nd of the game. 2nd and 16 - Palmer scrambling, looks back fires to Sticky Icky Ricky Williams who catches it and breaks free he's got room but taken down by Kennedy after a gain of 52 yards to the Concordia 23.

1st and 10 Palmer passing - looks for Loud complete for 11 yards Lara the tackle. Time running down in the first. Palmer back to pass - and boom another sack for the kids Parks in there to get him. Rolf Parks a hometown guy got in to make the play. Incomplete on 2nd and 17 and the Stingers put up a very respectable game for Ottawa in the first quarter and we'll be back after a few words with the Raiders on top 6-4.


So we start the 2nd quarter with a 37 man college team holding their own against a pro team. Concordia has struggled in season 2 of MBCIS but they are a solid team with a good QB in Fonua. They'll have to keep their level of play extremely high if they hope to stick around all night though. To start the 2nd Fleming lines up for a field goal from 19 out and knocks it thru to make it 9-4 so there's your 5 point lead.

Fleming's kickoff taken back for 5 yard by Wickman. First down for Concordia - incomplete going for Bevels who was very quiet in the first quarter. 2nd and 10 Fonua back to throw looks for McCullum and finds him for 27 yards Wes Lysack the tackle. Jerry McCullum out of Kingston, ON - not on the CFL radar but a solid pass catching receiver also handling some kick returns today. 1st and 10 at the Ottawa 45 incomplete again. Concordia looking to cut that gap a bit. Handoff to Fonua up the gut and he rumbles forward for 15 yards before Bonner brings him down. First down Stingers.

Fonua back to pass, missed man is Gallant and he nails the QB for 8 yards. 2nd and 18 from the 38 looking for Bevels in the endzone, nothing doing too far and incomplete. Enck in for a 38 yard attempt. Lines it up and boots it thru and it is a 9-7 ballgame with Concordia really looking good so far. Kicked off to Ranek and a 17 yard return.

First and 10 for Ottawa Palmer back to throw looks for the screen to Deslaurier and gets it but Lara stops him for no gain on the play. The play was whistled dead though and it was offsides on Ottawa. 1st and 15 screen pass to Williams - breaks it again! They got big yards on this earlier and they do so again 58 yards before Perry can get in for the tackle. 1st and 10 on the 23. Palmer back to throw looks for Ben Cahoon - finds him over the middle for 15 Perry the tackle. Ottawa on the 8. Ranek carries on first down and is tackled for a loss of 4 by Hoyland. 2nd down Palmer passing looks endzone, complete Cahoon!!! TD Raiders and they go back up 15-7 after the kick. Kicked off to Wickman and returned to the Concordia 40. Just a little less then 8 to go in the half.

Head gets the carry on first, taken down for a big loss of 6. 2nd and 16 nothing on the play and Fonua throws it away. So 3rd down and Enck gets a booming kick Williams returned to the 41 of Ottawa. Palmer throwing on first down and looks for Cahoon up the middle and finds him for 20 yards straight up the gut, Perry the tackle.

1st and 10 on Concordia's 49 - Ranek 7 yard run. 2nd and 3 they lineup in the I with Williams shallow. Williams gets the screen this time 21 yards down to the 21. Palmer's safety valve today has been that screen pass and Williams has torched the Stingers for over 100 yards on it. On first down looking to throw and complete to Cahoon for 7 yards. Roosevelt the tackle to make it 2nd and 3 with 4:20 to go in the half.

Handed to Williams and he is stuffed by Hoyland to force the FG unit on. Fleming hits the 15 yard chipshot to make it 18-7

Wickman returns it to the Concordia 47 after a bad kickoff by Fleming. Fonua on first down, passing goes to McCollum for 5. 2nd down and 5 Fonua back to throw, Gallant in the backfield again and gets him for a 9 yard loss. Enck will have to punt with less then 2 minutes to go in the half. Returned 14 yards by Williams to the 37.

1st and 10 - Palmer throwing incomplete nothing there and just let it go. 2nd and 10 - Palmer looking again runs out the clock and just tosses it away to end the half with the Raiders on top 18-7 in this one. So pretty much as expected the Raiders have a nice lead but Concordia fought hard especially in the first stanza.

Time for some Chinese food and a break we'll be back for the 2nd half in a few moments.

OK into the 2nd half Concordia kicking off Enck boots it away Ranek a 19 yard return. Palmer steps back fires Cahoon deep got him Kennedy the stop but not before a 39 yard gain for Ben Cahoon. 1st and 10 Palmer steps back fires incomplete. 2nd and 10 now Palmer in the gun looking fires it deep, and INTERCEPTED by the senior Stephen Roosevelt! taken back to the Ottawa 53. Marrano handoff up the gut, busts a tackle 20 yard run 1st down at the Ottawa 33 Concordia fired up.

1st and 10 Head gets the carry and rumbles for 10. 1st and 10 handoff to Head, he's gonna throw it for Bevels endzone, off his fingers incomplete.

2nd and 10 Fonua back to pass finds Herbert Jefferson - a player who has graduated now playing in an amateur league in Canada who makes the catch for 23 yards and the score!!! Jefferson never really played much for Concordia but he comes up huge and the whole team is on the field - the refs aren't even going to throw a flag on this as his former teammates and teammates for this tournament celebrate with Herbert Jefferson a 5'8" scatback from Toronto. They clear out and Enck hits the xp. So it's a football game again 18-13 after the extra point.

Enck kicking off Ranek 11 yards. 1st and 10 Ranek up the middle for 9. 2nd and 1 at the 44 Ranek gets it and breaks a tackle for 14 yards and a first down into Concordia territory. Ranek gets the handoff again this time Notaro gets him for a 3 yard loss. 2nd and 13 Palmer throwing - goes for Loud 25 yards and deep into Stinger territory Lara the tackle. From the 30 1st and 10 they go to Ranek he breaks 2 tackles and down to the 9. 1st and 10 Williams the carry stuffed by Holmes for a 2 yard loss. 2nd and goal for Ottawa Palmer passing. Looks for Cahoon in the endzone, diving catch touchdown Raiders!!!! Ben Cahoon another TD grab 11 yards this time and with the extra point it's a 24-13 lead for Ottawa. Good action here in the 3rd quarter as both teams pour on the offense.

6:51 to go the return is to the Concordia 36. Marrano on first down, ahead for 7 yards. 2nd and 3 Fonua with a single back, Head. Back to throw looks for Bevels and finally finds his favorite target 20 yards with Malbrough making the tackle. 1st and 15 at the Ottawa 49 after a false start - Fonua passing incomplete trying to hit a fade to Bevels. 2nd and 15 Fonua tosses to Head - Heads throwing again! This time he launches it up and... Jerry McCullum leaps and grabs it over malbrough - 38 yards down to the 11!!! Concordia celebrating but they have to get a play going - they can't and take a 5 yard penalty. 1st and 15 Fonua for McCullum incomplete.

2nd and 15 at the 16 yard line Fonua back to pass fires endzone for McCullum - got him!!! Touchdown Stingers and they're back in it yet again! 24-19 after the extra point play. They just won't go away and the Ottawa Raiders do not look amused on the sideline. Only 1:49 to go in the quarter.

Ranek returns the kick 7 yards. First play - Palmer going for it all and he's got KAMIL LOUD! for 46 yards!!!! The Raiders not amused at all and now going for it all. 1st and 10 Palmer passing, they miss Hoyland - sacked!!!! 2 yard loss.

2nd and 12 - Ranek gets the carry and rmbles for 8. That's 3 quarters in the books and the score is 24-19 the Raiders holding the lead right now against Concordia.

Start of the 4th and the Raiders tacking on a field goal here - Fleming from 32 and he gets it. The Raiders to kick off with a 27-19 lead now you have to think they have it wrapped up finally with a pro team over a collegiate team. Returned by Wickman 11 yards to the Concordia 39. Head gets the pitch - throwing again! Trick plays from Concordia today it falls incomplete though for Bevels. 2nd and 10 Fonua looking for Goodley and got him for 15 and a first - Donaldson the tackle. 1st and 10 on the 54, Fonua back to pass and Fleiszer goes in unblocked and makes the play 9 yard sack. 2nd and 19 - incomplete going deep for no one in particular. Enck punts and Williams has it for a 19 yard return to the 46. Palmer pitches to Ranek - Ranek is throwing now! Tosses it up and INTERCEPTED by Joey Lara! returned tot he Ottawa 54. First down for Concordia as they refuse to go away. Marrano 12 yard run on first down into Ottawa territory. 1st and 10 Head gets the carry, and he is blown up by Fleiszer for a 6 yard loss. 2nd and 16 - back to throw and it's jefferson! 22 yards he's having his best game ever. 1st and 10 at teh 26, they take a penalty for a false start. Head nothing on 1st. 2nd and 15 Fonua back to throw - sacked by Fleiszer a nice game for him all of the sudden. So 3rd and 15 Enck will try the field goal and gets it for 3.

So after everything in this game it is only a 27-22 lead for Ottawa with 7 minutes to go. Kicked off to Ranek and a 12 yard return from the running back. Ricky Williams the carry on first stuffed for a loss of 5 yards. 2nd and 15 Palmer throwing goes for Loud and gets him for 36 yards into Concordia territory. 1st down and 10 Ranek the carry 8 yards and the clock runs. 2nd and 2 Ranek again 10 yards this time. The Raiders methodically killing clock here. This is where they have the big advantage they are a group of pros and they should be able to close it out after stumbling a number of times today. 1st and 10 on the 22 Ranek the carry and another 10 yards down to the 12. 1st and 10 and they give to Williams, he's stuffed by Notaro for a 4 yard loss. 2nd and 14 and Palmer just launches it away. So a chip shot of 16 for Fleming now. Up and good. 30-22 the score with only 2:58 to go after the 3 min warning. Kickoff taken to the Concordia 40. Head gets the carry and he has a 10 yard game. Concordia a lot to be proud of even if they can't come back here. Marrano no yards on the carry on 1st and 10. 2nd and 10 Fonua complete to McCullum to the Ottawa 48. Only 51 seconds to go Head gets the carry 9 yards. 2nd and 1 clock is running out now they get the play in and Head gets the handoff and is throwing - complete to McCullum at the 14 but time will expire now and we've got a final in the books. 30-22 Ottawa beats Concordia but not without Concordia showing that they can certainly play with the big boys a little bit.

A great day for football here in Ottawa with 2 well played football games. These 4 teams have shown that 12 man football has a place. Jesse Palmer was 15 of 25 for 435 yards and 2 scores today but also a pick. Ranek had an INT as well. Fonua 11 of 25 for 202 yards and a score while his favorite target Lewis Bevels was heavily taken out of the game. Josh Ranek rushed for 88 yards and a score for Ottawa in the game as well. Ricky Williams couldn't run to save his life but a few backfield passes led to 131 yards in the air for him while Kamil Loud had 5 catches for 164 yards. The player of the game award goes to Ben Cahoon though with 6 catches for 104 yards and 2 scores.

We'll catch up with you again soon as the Ottawa teams will face off in the final Champions League regular season matchup of the year at Frank Clair Stadium while Leipzig continues their tour of North America with a game against the Stingers.

Leizig and the Raiders claimed wins today while the Renegades and Stingers went down in defeat. Eric Crouch had a great day for the Troubadours with 377 yards while Gary Novak showed that his rookie year success just might translate after all with 283. Robert Edwards was the leading rusher on the day with 102 yards but it was Ranek's 7.3 per carry that shone the brightest.

Until next time - be good guys and remember to support your Max FB leagues! If you're not in a 12 man league RCSL, VCFL, MBCIS, and MBCFL want you to get involved! You don't need to be a graphic artist, a playbook specialist, or a 3d graphics whiz. Each of the commissioners of these leagues is dedicated to working with you to setup a team and to get you involved in the community!

So please if you've held off before now take a look at what we do every week, we want our leagues to be your leagues and we'll continue to work towards providing the best football management leagues possible!

-Mb

[VCFL Commish]

http://ca.geocities.com/football_canadian/Super12/IFCF.html
 
Scores are pretty close with 9 points being the most with the CIS team only losing by 8 not bad great start .