[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen fumble division title away
The Paris Musketeers crowned themselves European division champions after a 36-31 victory at the Maassluis Merchantmen. In a winner take all game, the Merchantmen wasted their own chances, almost pulled a sensational comeback lead by backup quarterback Moe Sheldon, but they fell short. The Oranje Haven attendees went home with a mix of emotions, but this time the "what could have been" trumped.

The Merchantmen went with rookie Brandon Bell at quarterback, returning as the starter after three games and a bit sidelined due to a concussion. First possession was for the Merchantmen and Bell immediately showed he was back in action, completing third down passes to Theodore Bondy for 9 and 24 yards respectively. On third and seventeen in field goal range, Bell went for a scramble, but lost the ball and none of his teammates was capable of avoiding Deron Bualat's 82-yard return for the touchdown and 7-0 Paris lead. The reply was non-existing, the Paris defense kept it short and after a 20-yard punt return got to start their drive on their 49-yard line. On third and long, Gabriel Woodson found his running back Moe Shannon on a short pass for 25 yards, setting up a successful 24-yard field goal for the 10-0 lead. A holding penalty pushed the Merchantmen offense back, basically forcing them to punt, but their defense was strong enough to force Paris to punt as well.

The second quarter started with Brandon Bell finding Francisco Patter for 15 yards, Patter running for 7 yards, Bell finding Ronnie Hammond for 23 yards and then tight end Jeffrey Blake for 13 yards on a crucial third and long situation. Reggie Thongchanh ran for 9 yards, followed by Bell finding Theodore Bondy on third down to move into Paris 6-yard line, and then Branden Sandlin on third down to leap into the endzone for the 10-7 score. Paris' Gabriel Woodson responded with a screen pass to tight end Allen Weikel, who turned it into a 48-yard reception, shortly after followed by Woodson finding Darrin Sheldon on a 5-yard touchdown pass for a 17-7 Paris lead. The Merchantmen were three-and-outed on their next possession and then allowed a 27-yard punt return well inside their territory. Woodson finished a short drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Darrin Sheldon for a 23-7 lead, as the extra point was missed. Oranje Haven was getting unamused. Brandon Bell then ran for 10 yards, but got sacked two plays later and after another punt, Marshall Aleman pulled another long punt return to get into Merchantmen territory. Ripe for the knockout punch, safety Alexander Marty seemingly saved the day with an interception. But two plays later, Brandon Bell fumbled for the second time and the Musketeers' Gabriel Woodson followed up with a 26-yard toss to Willie Woodward and a 12-yard throw to Aleman for the 30-7 lead. Bell tried to reply with a quick drive into field goal range, but time ran out near midfield.

The Paris Musketeers steamrolled on their first drive of the second half. Moe Shannon ran for 12 yards, Gabriel Woodson found tight end Leon Heffner for 19 yards and Darrin Sheldon for the same gain. Even a holding penalty couldn't stop the Musketeers, as Woodson found Sheldon for a 13-yard gain and then Moe Shannon didn't just converted on third and three, but took it five more yards for a touchdown. Following the missed extra point, Paris was 36-7 up. Oranje Haven got silent. What had become a face saving season, things were going horribly wrong and a clobbering at home was what they had to witness. But on the sidelines rumors were spreading that Brandon Bell was going to be replaced.

Helped by a 25-yard kickoff return from Santiago Messenger, the Merchantmen tried to respond. Reggie Thongchanh ran for 9 yards, Brandon Bell was still on the field and connected with Branden Sandlin for 19 yards to reach field goal range. After Francisco Patter moved the chains, the replacement was there after all in the middle of the drive: Bell out, Moe Sheldon in. Sheldon's first pass was dropped by Ronnie Hammond, but on third down he found a wide open tight end Renaldo Crawford for 19 yards and on the next play Sandlin in the end zone for a 36-14 score. A glimmer of hope returned as the Merchantmen defense kept the Musketeers short, but the real hope restoring play came right after as Crawford turned a short pass into a 58-yard gain. Two plays later it was Sandlin with his third touchdown catch of the day to sparkle some hope, the deficit was trimmed to 36-21. Another three and out was there to end the third quarter.

The Merchantmen got pinned deep, but on third and short, Moe Sheldon found Theodore Bondy for 42 yards to quickly march into Paris territory. On third and long, Sheldon connected with Bondy again for a first down, but on the third third down, he was forced to scramble and gain just enough yards to set up the 47-yard field goal for the 36-24 score. The Musketeers finally got a first down again, but in the end just took 2 minutes off the clock. Pinned deep again, it was Sheldon to tight end Jeffrey Blake for 31 yards on third and very long to keep the chains moving and the fans believing in a miracle. They were forced to punt with less than 4 minutes to go (the Merchantmen shockingly didn't go for it on fourth and 6 from the Paris 45-yard line). The conservative play turned into a turn over, as Paris' Moe Shannon fumbled the ball on the first next play and rookie Darien Fletcher recovered the ball and moved it to the Paris 12-yard line. Three plays later, Sandlin made his fourth touchdown catch of the day. The deficit trimmed to 36-31, the Merchantmen were still in it, with just over two minutes to go. But that's where it also ended. Paris made the frowned upon play to put their wide receiver at running back and Marshall Aleman ran for the first down and time out waster. Moe Shannon followed up with a 15-yard gain and that was basically it. Paris 36, Maassluis 31.

Oranje Haven at first showed disappointment, but a couple of enthusiastic fans started a loud applause as the players made their round across the stadium to thank the loyal fans. A turn around season ended in disappointment of missing the division title and with that the playoffs, but with a 9-7 record, the Merchantmen at least returned to winning football and showed at times they can play with the best. A couple of stupid losses turned out to be too much to overcome, including Brandon Bell's fumbles today.

Brandon Bell completed 14 of 24 passes for 134 yards and 1 touchdown, but also lost 2 fumbles. Moe Sheldon completed 10 of 14 passes for 177 yards and 3 touchdowns. It marked the first 300-yard passing game for the Merchantmen of the season. Theodore Bondy had 8 catches for 94 yards. Branden Sandlin 7 catches for 41 yards, but with 4 short touchdowns. Reggie Thongchanh ran for 60 yards, Francisco Patter for 49 yards.

The Merchantmen defense may have played a role in the comeback today, but looking over the numbers, they can't be all that happy about their showing. The supposedly top-notch pass rush unit broke up 2 of 36 passing plays, with the credits going to cornerback Kirk Hitchcock and running downs linebacker Moe Iveans. The pass defense deflected 4 passes and had 1 interception. The Merchantmen offense may have gained more total yards, the Merchantmen defense allowed the Musketeers to gain more yards per play.

Final standings:
1. Paris 10-6
2. Maassluis 9-7
3. Gothenburg 9-7
4. Bordeaux 6-10

The Paris Musketeers move on to the wild card round as the #3 seeds (the North Plainfield Plague lost 29-12 at home in their final regular season game) and will host the Tucker Tigers (11-5 after losing 13-6 at the Orlando Talons). The Houston Mustangs are the #5 seeds despite a 13-3 record, as the San Antonio Tidal Force have the same record.

In the NAC, the Hanalei Dragons won their last regular season game, but as the Oakland Black Panthers also won, their season ended anyway, as their tie-breaker situation compared to other wild card teams was a lost situation. It means the Merchantmen end up with the #17 overall draft pick in the 2090 draft from the 2-89 draft day trade, in combination with the 'self-earned' #19 overall pick.