[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes: It's over
Still two games to play, but 2088 will not see us extend our division title streak.

We visited the Gothenburg Giants and despite them being heavily favored, we managed to put up a fight. Not just that, we had our chances to pull of the upset. But it wasn't to be, 24-20 was the final score, in Giants' favor.

A 65-yard bomb from Moe Sheldon to Branden Sandlin was the highlight of the first quarter, setting us up for a 7-0 lead (Reggie Thong' ran it in from 8 yards out). We gave up a 43-yard kick off return that set up the tying touchdown (Tre Lynn to Jack Crane for 6 yards). Late in the first quarter a blocked punt seemed to have set up for our go ahead touchdown, but eventually Theo Bondy was held a yard short and we settled for an 18-yard field goal for the 10-7 lead.

In the second quarter the Giants blocked one of our punts to set up for Jack Crane's 4-yard touchdown run for a 14-10 Giants lead. A long drive of our own was anchored by a 34-yard run from Francisco Patter on 3rd and 3, later followed by Moe Sheldon finding a wide open Keegan Gelat on 3rd and goal from the 19-yard line, putting us 17-14 up. With a minute to go, rookie Emmitt Wells converted a 53-yard field goal for the 20-14 lead at half time.

In the second half we had a minor scare when Clarence Blackwell fumbled a punt return, but special teamer Jace Peterson saved his teammate. The third quarter was mostly defense dominated, the Giants ended that quarter with a 17-yard run by Wade Paterno into the red zone.

Jack Crane put the Giants 21-20 up 16 seconds into the fourth quarter (including the converted extra point). Santiago Messenger returned a kickoff return to our 43-yard line. After a three-and-out, Doug Guynes nailed them at their own 1-yard line. The Giants gained enough ground to eventually pin us at our own 7-yard line. We failed to gain much ground and Giants' returner Doug Flannery marched into our territory. The Giants came closer and closer, but our goal line stand was strong enough to force them to kick the 26-yarder. Trailing 24-20, we had four and a half minutes to fix things. Three and outs on both ends gave us the ball back at our 12-yard line with less than 2 minutes to go. We thought we were making strides as Moe Sheldon found Theo Bondy for 36 yards, only to see him fumble and see the Giants move to midfield to knee drop to a crucial victory in their race to the division title.

It feels like we were the better team, or at the very least not the weaker team, but the 24-20 loss is there regardless. It ends our hopes as at 2 wins behind Gothenburg with inferior tie-breakers, we're out of the race.

Standings:
1. Gothenburg 7-7
2. Paris 7-7
3. Bordeaux 6-8
4. Maassluis 5-9

Gothenburg and Paris play head-to-head in week 17 in Paris. It's setting up for a winner takes all. In a tied situation, Gothenburg has the edge and in that scenario Bordeaux could jump ahead of them with an 8-8 record, providing Gothenburg and Paris both lose in week 16.

For us, what remains is playing for pride, first at the Moontown Darksiders where we can spoil their wild card dreams. Then in week 17 trying to play spoiler for Bordeaux, providing they get their dream scenario of catching up to a three-way tie at 7-8.

We knew this would be a tough season, but it remains to be a disappointment to see us with a -73 points differential, which ranks third worst in franchise history if this holds up. Our worst numbers are -80 and -81, so it's no given that we can avoid that.

It is what it is. C'est la vie. There are worse things in the world.