The League

[gtm]

Re: The League

The Hitmen with a convincing win.

[Hooe]

Re: The League

Week 5 Preview: Kansas City Crossfire vs. Waco Mavericks

The Waco Mavericks (4-0) are off to a hot start again, just like last season. The offense is becoming a work of art as quarterback Tommy Player continues to progress, and Stacey Hartley has become one of the most feared backs in The League thanks to his ability to hit a home run on any given play. In a particularly interesting matchup, the Mavs face one of their division rivals in the Kansas City Crossfire. The Crossfire (1-3) have struggled due to the absence of quarterback Sam Schmidt, as backup Jay Barker hasn't exactly played mistake-free football in Schmidt's absence, tossing up six interceptions compared to just one touchdown. Schmidt is expected to return this week, however; whether he will be at full strength remains to be seen.

Key Players: Waco

LB Lake Thomas: The rookie out of Miami assumed the starting position at Mike backer from following the conclusion of Mavericks' minicamps, and to this point he has played decently, recording nine tackles, a sack, and an interception. The Mavs' coaching staff would like to see the former Florida Gator be a bit more active in run support, especially in games like today's contest which pits the Mavs against a proven runner in Mark Morris.

HB Stacey Hartley: Hartley is averaging an amazing 7.5 yards every play he touches the ball. He remains the focal point of the Mavericks' offense to this point, and he can be expected to carry the brunt of the load again today. In last year's contests against the Crossfire, Hartley picked up 332 yards and four touchdowns, including a 252-yard, three-touchdown breakout performance. He may not match those astounding numbers, but he will be a huge factor in today's game.

TE Lennox Bridges: Despite emerging as one of Tommy Player's favorite targets thus far this season, Bridges may be limited in the amount of passes coming his way, as he will probably be called upon to help block defensive end Tyrell Price. Despite what may turn out to be a decreased role in the offense for him, Bridges can't afford to let up, or Price and the Crossfire defense will be making mincemeat of one Tommy Player.

Key Players: Kansas City

QB Sam Schmidt: Schmidt is returning from an sprained ankle on his right leg, his plant foot when he sets up to deliver passes. With Jay Barker proving to be a bit inept at moving the offense, Schmidt needs to play as well as he's capable of in spite of the injury, a tall task for any quarterback.

SS Harold Beasley: Beasley is a great safety playing in the box, and can be quite an asset in coverage as well. In this week's contest he's expected to key in solely on Stacey Hartley and attempt to keep the flashy runner at bay, which in turn will help the Crossfire keep up with the to-this-point juggernaut Waco offense.

DE Tyrell Price: In his previous two contests with the Mavericks, Tyrell Price failed to register a sack. Both times last year he was matched up with tackle Neal Hejl, who has since been traded. This year, Price draws rookie Mark Fox on the opposite side of the line from him; Price could potentially have a field day against Price and ergo a field day against quarterback Tommy Player.

[Hooe]

Re: The League

2007 Regular Season, Week Five
Kansas City Crossfire (1-3) vs Waco Mavericks (4-0)

This week's matchup featured two teams coming from opposite ends of the spectrum at this point in the young season. The Waco Mavericks have started their first two seasons with four straight wins, an unprecented feat for an expansion franchise. The Kansas City Crossfire have up to today's matchup floundered much of the earlygoing season, largely due to an injury to quarterback Sam Schmidt coupled with an ugly performance of backup passer Jay Barker.

However, it would be Waco that things would start off ugly for in this contest; on his first pass attempt of the game, Tommy Player failed to look off the coverage when attempting to throw an out route to receiver Jason Tucker; the result was his pass being intercepted by cornerback Howard Jeffries, who ran 65 yards the other way for the game's opening touchdown. The game took another sour turn for the Mavs when safety Dexter Reid and running back Stacey Hartley were both sidelined with injuries later in the first half; neither would return, and Reid may miss future games as well. Though the game was tied at halftime at 21 apiece, momentum was clearly in favor of the Crossfire.

Thus, the ball was in the court of former Horned Frog teammates Tommy Player and Justin Black. Black played decently when he got the ball, picking up 57 yards on 9 carries. Black was limited in his touches, however, after he began fumbling the football; one of two fumbles was lost to the Crossfire. Player thus would be called upon to carry the offense on his shoulders once again, and the second-year man put forth a valiant effort, completing 13 of 23 passes for the game with 220 yards and two TDs following the first-pass INT. Player also added a career-high 58 rushing yards.

The effort was not enough, however, as the Crossfire were simply the hungrier team today. On the final play of the game for the Waco offense, the Mavs found themselves in a familiar situation; down by three points and inside their own 10-yard line. The result of the Mavs' contest with the Orlando would not repeat itself however; Player was sacked in the end zone following a playaction fake by Crossfire defensive back Brian Hamilton, taking the ball away from Waco and allowing Kansas City to drain out the clock.

Waco will attempt to bounce back from this close loss when they travel to Tennessee to face the Memphis Maniax next week before playing Kansas City a second time.

Statistics: Waco (28) QB Player: 13/23, 220 yards, 2 TDs, INT QB Player: 6 carries, 58 yards HB Black: 9 carries, 57 yards, TD WR Sylvester: 5 catches, 120 yards TE Bridges: 3 catches, 44 yards, TD SS Hooe: 9 tackles CB Weathersby: 5 tackles, INT DE James: 3 tackles, sack CB Jackson: 3 tackles, deflection

Statistics: Kansas City (33) QB Barker: 10/17, 199 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs HB Morris: 17 carries, 97 yards FB Sidney: 4 carries, 20 yards WR Ross: 3 catches, 116 yards, TD WR Nolan: catch, 43 yards, TD LB Beasley: 8 tackles, FF, FR SS Beasley: 7 tackles, FF, FR FS Donaldson: 5 tackles DE Pryce: 4 tackles, sack

[Blaxican8504]

Re: The League

Tough break. Hartley has to stay healthy.

[Hooe]

Re: The League

Week Five Roundup

(2-2) Regulars - 31 -- 17 - Rage (1-2)
(2-2) Comets - 12 -- 17 - Vipers (2-1)
(1-3) Crossfire - 33 -- 28 - Mavericks (4-0)
(2-2) Bolts - 19 -- 14 - Enforcers (2-1)
(3-1) Grizzlies - 15 -- 17 - Marauders (2-2)
(2-2) Cal. Hitmem - 30 -- 6 - Devils (2-1)
(3-1) Unforgiven - 34 -- 14 - Copperheads (1-3)
(0-4) Hammerheads - 17 -- 45 - Aztecs (3-1)
(2-2) AZ Outlaws - 15 -- 23 - NY/NJ Hitmen (2-2)
(1-2) Redhawks - 9 -- 0 - Reign (2-2)
(2-1) Aces - 29 -- 10 - Demons (2-2)
(0-4) Armada - 30 -- 7 - Divots (0-3)
(1-2) Crusaders - 10 -- 27 - Cyclones (2-2)
(2-2) Reapers - 20 -- 14 - Xtreme (2-2)

The League Player Of The Week
QB Julius Williams, Dallas Aztecs



Standings

American Conference North: Chicago Marauders, 3-2-0 Dakota Comets, 2-3-0 Cincinnati Crusaders, 1-3-0 Sanctuary Divots, 0-4-0 South: Waco Mavericks, 4-1-0 Kansas City Crossfire, 2-3-0 Arizona Outlaws, 2-3-0 Orlando Rage, 1-3-0 East: Memphis Maniax, 3-1-0 New England Regulars, 3-2-0 NY/NJ Hitmen, 3-2-0 Baltimore Bearcats, 2-2-0 West: Denver Grizzlies, 3-2-0 San Diego Cyclones, 3-2-0 Las Vegas Outlaws, 1-3-0 San Jose Armada, 1-4-0

National Conference North: Calgary Hitmen, 3-2-0 Minnesota Reapers, 3-2-0 Chicago Enforcers, 2-2-0 Detroit Devils, 2-2-0 South: Santa Fe Unforgiven, 4-1-0 Potomic Vipers, 3-1-0 Birmingham Bolts, 3-2-0 Carolina Copperheads, 1-4-0 East: New York Nightmare, 4-0-0 Dallas Aztecs, 4-1-0 Washington Redhawks, 2-2-0 Orlando Hammerheads, 0-5-0 West: Las Vegas Aces, 3-1-0 Los Angeles Xtreme, 2-3-0 San Francisco Demons, 2-3-0 Seattle Reign, 2-3-0

[Hooe]

Re: The League

STATISTICS: Waco Mavericks

Passing
Tommy Player 58/113, 1082 yards, 10 TDs, 4 INTs, 99.4 Rating
Danny Oldham 1/7, 20 yards, 0 TD, 0 INTs, 39.6 Rating

Rushing
Stacey Hartley 71 attempts, 513 yards, 4 TDs, 3 fumbles
Justin Black 49 attempts, 199 yards, 3 TDs, 2 fumbles
Tommy Player 21 attempts, 174 yards, TD, 0 fumbles
Rashard Taylor 3 attempts, 7 yards, 0 TD, 0 fumbles
Bob Lowe 1 attempt, 2 yards, 0 TD, 0 fumbles

Receiving
Mo Sylvester 15 catches, 409 yards, 3 TDs
Lennox Bridges 18 catches, 291 yards, 2 TDs
Jason Tucker 11 catches, 135 yards, TD
Spencer Spalding 3 catches, 102 yards, TD
Rashard Taylor 4 catches, 67 yards
Stacey Hartley 4 catches, 53 yards, TD
Roland Eaton catch, 23 yards
Bill Bridges catch, 12 yards, TD
Justin Jonas catch, 9 yards, TD
Justin Black catch, 1 yard

Defense
Chris Hooe 33 tackles, sack, 2 INTs, deflection
Dennis Weathersby 21 tackles, 4 INTs, 4 deflections, TD
Dexter Reid 14 tackles, 5 deflections
Lake Thomas 12 tackles, sack, FR
Jarvis Greer 12 tackles, sack, 2 INTs
Nick Rosario 11 tackles, 3 sacks, INT
James James 11 tackles, 3 sacks
Anquan Jackson 11 tackles, 2 INTs, 8 deflections
Stacey Peete 9 tackles, 3 sacks
Melvin Redding 7 tackles, FF
Greg Henley 4 tackles, FR, 4 deflections
Todd Myers 4 tackles
Jessie Dills 4 tackles

[Hooe]

Re: The League

Statistical Leaders: League-Wide

Passing: Yards: Taylor Glover (Minnesota Reapers): 1,422 Julius Williams (Dallas Aztecs): 1,419 Mike Pawlawski (San Francisco Demons): 1,189 Casey Weldon (Birmingham Bolts): 1,119 Tommy Player (Waco Mavericks): 1,082 Touchdowns: Julius Williams (Dallas Aztecs): 12 Tommy Player (Waco Mavericks): 10 Gabe Wheaton (Baltimore Bearcats): 8 Jeff Brohm (Orlando Rage): 8 Shane Spain (Chicago Marauders): 8 Rushing: Yards: Stacey Hartley (Waco Mavericks): 519 Tony Forbes (Minnesota Reapers): 430 Clay Williams (Calgary Hitmen): 430 Brian Shay (Orlando Rage): 421 Todd Mason (Potomic Vipers): 402 Touchdowns: Stacey Hartley (Waco Mavericks): 4 Brian Shay (Orlando Rage): 4 Clay Williams (Calgary Hitmen): 4 Julius Williams (Dallas Aztecs): 4 Saladin McCullough (Los Angeles Xtreme): 4 Receiving: Yards: Stepfret Williams (Birmingham Bolts): 593 Justin Randolph (Santa Fe Unforgiven): 585 Treyton Walker (NY/NJ Hitmen): 574 Zack Valentine (Seattle Reign): 543 Jermaine Copeland (Los Angeles Xtreme): 523 Touchdowns: Ed Duncan (Baltimore Bearcats): 6 Douglas Blake (Minnesota Reapers): 5 Stepfret Williams (Birmingham Bolts): 5 Justin Randolph (Santa Fe Unforgiven): 4 Jorge Fischer (Washington Redhawks): 4 Defense: Sacks: Zach Perez (Calgary Hitmen): 6 Thurman Parker (Santa Fe Unforgiven): 5 Kevin Donaldson (Denver Grizzlies): 5 Aaron Humphrey (Chicago Enforcer): 5 Gary Patton (Arizona Outlaws): 5 Interceptions: Dennis Weathersby (Waco Mavericks): 4 Tom Jackson (Santa Fe Unforgiven): 3 Dwayne Harper (San Francisco Demons): 3 Bill Hubbard (Chicago Marauders): 3 Jarvis Greer (Waco Mavericks): 2

[Hooe]

Re: The League

*BUMP*

(...Krioniq plays catch-up...)

2007 Regular Season, Week Six
Memphis Maniax (3-1) vs Waco Mavericks (4-1)

The Mavericks came out firing on all cylinders on offense against the hometown Memphis Maniax, scoring 28 points in the first half and with ball control and impressive defense the Mavs notched an impressive win by the count of 38-13. Quarterback Tommy Player looked every bit the part of a League quarterback, completing 15 of 25 passes for 232 yards and 2 TDs. He was backed up by an impressive running game, as Mavs' running backs Stacey Hartley and Justin Black each tallied 86 and 99 yards, respectively, and each scored once. The Waco defense had no standout performances, but as a unit played a great ball game as a whole, allowing but 13 points and only 166 yards total offense.

2007 Regular Season, Week Seven
Kansas City Crossfire (3-3) vs Waco Mavericks (5-1)

The Waco Mavericks played their division rivals from Kansas City for the second time in three weeks during a torrential downpour, and as such the game was sloppy on both sides. While Tommy Player was very ineffective, passing for only 70 yards and an interception, running back Stacey Hartley was anything but; the explosive runner gashed the Crossfire defense for 241 yards and two scores. Crossfire quarterback Jay Barker was effective in his own right, completing passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns, but was inconsistent, as he tossed up two ill-timed interceptions, one of which was returned by Mavericks' cornerback Dennis Weathersby for the game-winning touchdown as Waco squeezed by their division rivals, 30-27.

2007 Regular Season, Week Eight
Waco Mavericks Bye Week

2007 Regular Season, Week Nine
New York Nightmare (6-1) vs Waco Mavericks (6-1)

In their first-ever meeting with the fearsome New York Nightmare, the Waco Mavericks got stomped, falling by the count of 34-10. The loss was worse than the seems to indicate, however. The Mavs highly-touted offense failed to accumulate 200 yards on this day, thanks to a fierce, brutal defensive scheme by the Nightmare which accumulated five sacks and an interception on Waco quarterbacks. The Nightmare also knocked three Mavs out of the game due to injuries: quarterback Tommy Player and safety Chris Hooe were lost for the contest early in the opening quarter, while running back Stacey Hartley was carted off the field after suffering from what is being diagnosed as a severe back strain; he is expected to miss up to eight weeks of games.

(Note: real life decided that it wanted my time back; as such, while I intend to keep posting the happening of The League, I may not be able to go in as much detail as I have previously. Apologies in advance.)

[Cyros]

Re: The League

At least it isn't dead.

[Hooe]

Re: The League

2007 Regular Season, Week Ten
Orlando Hammerheads (0-8) vs Waco Mavericks (6-2)

Unlike their crosstown counterparts, the Orlando Rage, the Orlando Hammerheads are a struggling franchise who have failed to put forth a competitive team for years. While they do have talent on their squad, most of it is in the form of overrated veteran players and guys who are household names but aren't the best players. Critics argue that the coaching of the squad has been awful and is the main reason the team has struggled as much as it has, though the Hammerheads' front office has overlooked this fact.

The Waco Mavericks visited the downtrodden Hammerheads to experience firsthand how sad shape the hometown squad was in. They found out this and much more, as the Mavs blew out the Hammerheads in a no-contest of a game by the score of 58 to nothing.

The Mavs were without Stacey Hartley for the contest, and as such the reigns of the offense were handed to quarterback Tommy Player, who the Hammerheads had no answer for. The second-year passer put forth a career-high total in total yards as he threw for 285 yards and ran for 104 more. Player finished with five total touchdowns, three passing and two rushing.

The Mavs' defense was equally dominant, not allowing the Hammerheads to ever cross midfield for the duration of the game while pitching a shutout. Quarterbacks Mike Mexico and Dana Rolle were sacked a total of seven times, and before he left the game with an injury, Mexico was forced into throwing two interceptions.

The victory did come at a small cost, however. Safety Chris Hooe suffered broken ribs and is expected to miss up to four weeks of games.

The Waco Mavericks will return home next week to host the Denver Grizzlies.

Statistics: Waco (58) QB Player: 23/41, 285 yards, 3 TDs, INT QB Player: 9 carries, 104 yards, 2 TDs HB Black: 12 carries, 48 yards, 3 TDs WR Tucker: 8 catches, 84 yards, TD TE Bridges: 4 catches, 87 yards, TD LB Thomas: 4 tackles, FR, INT LB Greer: 4 tackles, 2 sacks DE James: 3 tackles, 2 sacks, FR DE Peete: 3 tackles, 2 sacks, FF

Statistics: Orlando (0) QB Mexico: 4/10, 31 yards, 2 INTs QB Rolle: 1/6, 3 yards HB Farr: 13 carries, 41 yards WR Emanuel: 2 catches, 17 yards WR Nakfoor: catch, 9 yards SS Jackson: 8 tackles CB Spoto: 7 tackles CB Mason: 7 tackles MLB Philips: 6 tackles

[Innocent]

Re: The League

Still around? Haven't seen an update in a week now.

[Hooe]

Re: The League

*seemingly unjustifiable bump*

Alright, with the release of Madden NFL 07 for the PC, I'm working on starting The League back up for a new season for the new game. To anyone who followed The League while I was posting it, any suggestions as to what I might do differently this time around (besides make it go longer, heh)? I've already got a couple ideas of my own, but I like constructive criticism. Thanks.

[Cyros]

Re: The League

Can I get a team in The New League?

[Hooe]

Re: The League

Can I get a team in The New League?

I haven't transferred all the teams from this season into 07 yet, so I'll let you bring in a team, if you want.

If you've got Madden 06 or Madden 07 on the PC, send me the art and team export files via email (I've discovered that you can import created and exported teams from 06 into 07) and I'll get em in. If you just have an idea for a team and some art, you can send me that too.

I guess that goes to anybody, if you want a team in The League, just PM me or email me or something, rather than keep bumping this thread (unless you have a suggestion, then by all means post).

My email is [email protected]