[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes: Europe reclaimed
Wait, what now? Isn't it only week 15?

Sometimes, things can be less complicated than all the various tie-breakers there can be required to seperate teams. Week 15 of the 2087 IHOF season feature us, the Maassluis Merchantmen, hosting the Paris Musketeers. We were the division leaders, with 1 win lead, practically set by the earlier head-to-head road victory in Paris. In essence, win and the division would be ours. Well, the team delivered, and quite convincingly.

First drive of the game, Maassluis possession. The Blazewicz special, ran by Chris DeWoody, fails, followed by a hurried pass, but on third and 10, Ellis McAlister connects with Theo Bondy for a 49 yard gain. Welcome to Oranje Haven, Paris. DeWoody delivered in the next play with a 19-yard catch and McAlister to Bondy from deep inside the red zone put us up 7-0 after less than 2 minutes.

It wasn't like the Musketeers didn't respond with their offense marching downfield, but our free safety Bart Farrell ended their first possession at our 30-yard line, which was eventually followed up with a 44-yard field goal and on the next Paris possession, again Farrell turned things over with a pick in the endzone. Free agent signing of the year? At least for a day he was.

Defenses started to take over in the second quarter, until we got another productive drive ending in Teggie Thongchanh's run from 6 yards out for the 17-0 lead. Several defensive stands followed and Paris finally got on the score board with a 33-yard kick with less than 3 minutes to go until the big break. We responded with a 41-yard kick of our own and maintained the 20-3 lead through the half time break.

Second half, Paris ball. The Musketeers put their best drive of the game so far on the field. Things get really interesting when they reach field goal range and rather than salvaging it on 3rd and 5, they go all out as Blaine Hawkins connects for a 26-yard throw into the end zone to tight end Rusty Fernandez to trim the deficit to 20-10. We punt, but on the next play force a fumble at our 41-yard line and eventually kick again: 23-10. Things got uglier for Paris three plays into their next possession as Lee Hancock picked off Hawkins at the Paris 30-yard line and 14 seconds into the fourth quarter we've kicked ourselves to a 26-10 lead.

We force three and out, follow up with a drive that results in a 28-yard field goal, but then Paris' Darrin Sheldon catches fire and returns the kickoff for 94 yards and a successful two-point conversion later it's 29-18 for us with just under 10 minutes to go. No worries, McAlister finds Theo for 54 yards on third and long to set up field goal for the 32-18 lead. We stop Paris on fourth down near midfield with just over 3 minutes to go and the crowd starts thinking this division title is pretty much secured. We eat some time, but Thong fumbles the ball in Paris territory and albeit without timeouts, they have 2 minutes remaining and the ball to keep their dreams for a comeback victory going. Blaine Hawkins marches his team downfield, but we stop them short of a touchdown with 54 seconds to go and on the next play, our rookie Archie Exner makes the sack for a 12-yard loss and virtually the game ender. Two failed plays later, it's over. Maassluis wins 32-18 and defends the European division title with success!

1. Maassluis 10-4
2. Paris 8-6
3. Gothenburg 7-7
4. Bordeaux 3-11

It was a good day overall. Granted, we were forced to kick quite a lot (6 times), but 454 yards of total offense isn't something we showcase week in, week out. 379 yards allowed isn't up to par with recent weeks, but against this loaded offense, it's a very good showing. Especially the 4 turnovers really changed the story of the game for us. Thong's late fumble ended up too little too late for Paris.

Theo was seriously back in business with 159 yards receiving after two games under 100 yards. Thongchanh ran for 91 yards, DeWoody gained 91 yards on 3 catches. Yes, the offense played well. McAlister threw for 327 yards and was happy to remain turnover free for a change. He's still leading the league in interceptions, but we don't worry too much as long as we rack up the victories and keep on doing that for 5 more games.

5 more? Aren't we just 10-4? Sure, but with all that's happening around the conference, we've moved into the second seed spot, which means two more wins will give us a bye and means five wins will give us the IHOF Bowl.

Okay, let's not get way too ahead of ourselves though, next up is a home game against the 8-6 Iowa Cobbers (last season they went 14-2) and the regular season ends with the most feared game of the season: at the Gothenburg Giants. We'll certainly go all out and aim for that 12-4 finish. Heck, if the Houston Mustangs lose one of their two remaining road games at wild card hopeful teams, we'll have a shot at the #1 seed. But again, that's getting ahead of ourselves.

For now, we're one of six teams with a ticket to the playoffs secured, it's a contrast with the miracle comeback last season. Sure, we've gone from 1-3 and behind a 5-1 division leader to claiming the division 2 week ahead of schedule, but this is the first step to success this season.

Yes, Iowa up next. C'mon Merchantmen, we can do this.