Better late than never. Let’s begin with congratulating our recent champions.
FAMILY DIVISION CHAMPION
13-4 Olney Ospreys (Kirsi)
Congrats to the Ospreys for earning a Championship in their inaugural season. They led the league from start to finish, and closed it out with a big Championship game win against the Poultry Platoon (Erika). The Ospreys scored a Championship record 125.3 points in the title game led by Jamar Chase with 266 yards and 3 TDs. It was a well-earned title, and great season for the Ospreys. The Ospreys only know Championships.
Something tells me next year may be the Platoon’s year as they have put forward two strong seasons in a row, but come up just short. Time will tell.
The Ospreys join 2019 Champion Coastal Waves (Abbey) and 2020 Champion Farmville Furies (Maddie) on the Family Division Champions list.
SUPER BOWL XXXII CHAMPIONS
12-5 Montana Mountaineers (Chuck)
The Mountaineers, and their impressive roster, pulled off the Super Bowl Victory over the West Virginia Blacklungs (Rob S). This was Montana’s third Super Bowl Championship, and places them alone in 4th place on the all-time list. They are now just one title behind the 3rd place team Dakota Dragons (Butch). Their roster is strong, and young. So, an attempt to become the first back-to-back champions since the same Dragons did it in 2014-2015 will be the next goal for the Mountaineers.
Here are Montana’s previous Super Bowl victories.
1994 Super Bowl V Montana Mountaineers – 32 Myrtle Beach Wave – 24
2011 Super Bowl XXII Montana Mountaineers – 32 Dakota Dragons – 31
Let me share a little league history by mentioning the Mountaineers 1994 Championship. It is one of the memorable ones. We old school guys all know that as the Steve Young/Fuad Reveiz Championship. What makes that one special is that in three playoff games, the Mountaineers did not get a point from any RB, WR, or TE. But they still managed to win thanks to monster games from Young and Reveiz. Steve Young was the OG of dual-threat QBs and absolutely carried that Montana roster.
This championship may be remembered as the zero QB title since the Mountaineers won without a QB. Lamar Jackson was out and Cam Newton delivered a total of five rushing yards.
In another historical note, the Montana victory this year is the 8th different owner to win a Championship in the last eight years. That list includes the Dakota Dragons (Butch), Myrtle Beach Wave (Rob D), Virginia Pioneers (Dave), New Orleans Hurricanes (Jamie), Minnetonka Chippewas (Greg), Phoenix Heat (Steven), and Minnesota Blizzard (Geri). That level of parity is amazing and easily the most in league history.
The Blacklungs have a very young and deep roster so maybe next year they will return and make it nine teams in nine years.
RELEGATION
The first relegation team was the San Antonio Reapers (John). They will be joined by the Oregon Lumberjacks (Jeremy), who lost the Toilet Bowl to the Virginia Pioneers (Dave). It was a close game that was won thanks to a last second lineup change when the Pioneers inserted Dontrel Hilliard at RB. Those nine points made the difference, and saved the Pioneers from relegation.
Oregon is known for their shrewd roster moves, so even they must appreciate the Pioneers starting a player picked up at the end of the season. I am putting the over/under on Oregon returning at 1.5 years. Personally, I would take the under.
Now, there is one more Championship to be determined.
FIRST DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Speaking of returning, it only took the Dragons one year to move back up. After starting the year at 0-4, they have won 11 of 13 games to earn promotion, and a spot in the Championship.
Now, I want to tell a quick story. Last summer I was talking to Salisbury management (Dakota). He said he was looking forward to this year because he was going to pay attention, and actually try to win since the Dragons (Butch) were in the first division. The result: the top record, the most points scored, and now a chance to take down pops in the title game.
Championships are always fun but somehow this one is even more fun than usual. Father and son matchup for family bragging rights. Is anyone rooting for the Dragons? Which of course allows the Dragons to give us all crap if he wins. Just as he would want it.
Looking forward to following this one.
Good luck fellas!