[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes: 2120 Conference Semifinals

Week 19 at Toronto

After an 11-game winning streak from the start of the season, the Lake Monsters stumbled into losses at Tucker (14-2 record) and Frederick (13-2-1 record). No shame in that, but those were out of character losses amidst a whole bunch of games with 40+ points scored and usually giving up under 20 points. We already lost 28-41 in Oranje Haven against them.

Toronto scored first on a curious play where they fumbled the ball at our 1-yard line, yet saw one of their own players land on it in our end zone. We got three and outed right after, but our response came on defense with LB Jorge Mayes' 41-yard interception return touchdown. And just like that, the score was tied 7-7. It didn't last long, we looked hopeless on defense, until a red zone defense forced them to settle for a 10-7 lead. Or more than half decent drive then saw K Jeffery DeGroot shanked another 40-something field goal attempt, but on Toronto's never in doubt drive, instead of tossing it into our end zone, CB Andre McAncich's second interception return touchdown in as many playoffs games was a phenomenal 98-yarder for a 14-10 lead. We stalled them just enough to force another short field goal, but our own promising drive that reached their 27-yard line turned fruitless after a 10-yard penalty and a sack. Fresh into the final minute before half time, we pulled a rare punt forcing series of defensive plays, but we came time short to make much more of it than a failed Hail Mary attempt. Still, leading 14-13 was not within expectations...

Our first drive of the second half saw us flipflop between strong gains and unforgivable many sacks, forcing us to punt from their half of the field. We gave up a 40-yard pass to see them get close, but not close enough as they settled for a field goal and going ahead 16-14. Sadly, that's as far as we could hold them off, both with our offense and defense. Toronto hauled in an impressive drive with 10+ gains after another and the 23-14 deficit was there at 3/4th of the game.

The fourth quarter saw us reach their 32-yard line, but after yet another pair of sacks (what the bleep was our offensive line not doing!?) the second one became a strip sack that set them up for a quick 3-play drive to go 30-14 up. The next drive saw QB Al Schneider's second turnover, this time an interception at midifield. It took Toronto only 2 plays to score another touchdown. On our next possession, Schneider found WR Rufus Montgomery for 36 yards, but after yet another another sack, we had to settle for a long field goal, this time seeing K Jeffery DeGroot not miss it and trim it to 37-17. Toronto drove downfield, draining the clock and pumping it up with another field goal. We tried to Hail Mary our way into slimming it, but Schneider failed to get it into WR Roman Randle's hands.

QB Al Schneider threw for 194 yards without touchdown and 1 interception. WR Roman Randle was invisible, with just 3 catches for 17 yards on 10 targets. In return, we allowed a freaking 3 different wide receivers to have a 100-yard game and managed to get Schneider sacked 6 times. We got on the scoreboard, but mostly by the earlier interception return touchdowns by LB Jorge Mayes and CB Andre McAncich.

Result 17-40 loss

Ouch, what a painful way to lose. Toronto outgained us 565 versus 241 total yards. I've already mentioned the shocking high number of sacks allowed and the silliness with their receivers all have a way with us. Never mind that the turnover battle was level at 2 each and we somehow won the field position battle by a pair of yards. But the only really meaning full part are the numbers on the scoreboard. Our 2120 season has ended in the Conference Semifinals.