Weather: Very Sunny
Gate: 40k
The second game in the history of the Southern Conference gave the viewing public their first opportunity to witness The Panzerbourne and the Flatliners. The previous game in the South had been a free-flowing 1-1 draw and featured 6 Casualties. With 19,000 fans turned away at the doors, and 40,000 packing the stands, it was clear that the supporters of these teams were hoping for more of the same. There were some who were concerned that the blazing sun would impact the passing game but there were many others who didn't really care.
In the only deal of its kind struck so far, the Flatliners signed Linemen Kinochit and Buckminster during the off-season from the Mugaz. This was probably a wise decision by coach alexelf as a brand new expansion team can benefit from players with a season of experience to help the many rookies out. Kinochit brought the Flatliners together in a huddle before the first kick-off to dispense some words of wisdom but there was a distinct air of doom and gloom about them and the words failed to inspire. It didn't stop Kinochit being the player to field the kick-off, facing a deep and spread Panzer defence with a lot of power on the front line but little in midfield. The former Mugaz player showed good determination and drive by heading straight upfield but he could perhaps have tempered his enthusiasm a little. Having made it into Panzer territory, he came face to face with Rt Hon Michael Howard, the player selected first overall in the 2004 Krush. The Vampire struck down his more experienced rival to record the first tackle in the South.
With the initial momentum lost, tradition dictates a scramble ensues. This time it didn't happen. The Panzerbourne did not get close to the ball and a failed blitz from Werewolf Linford opened the door for the player selected second overall in the 2004 Krush, Billy Mahonie. The Wardancer dodged his way in to collect the ball and slipped out of danger. Advancing through the Panzer backfield, there was no-one who could get in contact with him. Drawing more and more defenders in, Mahonie was able to take advantage of extra runners. Amazon Linewoman Jane burst downfield ahead of the Wardancer, the Panzerbourne could not cover both. Billy Mahonie's decisive move was to race past Jane and lateral the ball to her. So close to the end zone, Jane could not fail to score once she had the ball under control and it was a first touchdown for the 1337 Flatliners.
The drive had taken roughly half of the time off the clock during the first period so there was still more than enough left for the home side to respond. The Flatliners posted a split-front with cover over the middle and out wide, the kick-off was received by Linford the Werewolf but the Panzerbourne did not seem ready to launch an attack. Too many players were deep in their own half and could not get involved in the play. Those players who were up the field surged forwards leaving Linford completely isolated. The experience of Kinochit allowed the Flatliners to take advantage. Stuck in midfield and with no-one for company, Linford found himself meeting two on-rushing players. Kinochit and his fellow Lineman Nick Montagu closed in on the Werewolf who seemed completely lost as to what to do. He did not react at all and his team-mates did not come in to help him out. Kinochit punished Linford with a knock-out blow. The ball bounced free and it was Kinochit himself who scooped it up and headed off towards the goal line. A desperate blitz from Dark Elf Lineman Legoland couldn't halt Kinochit who repaid the faith showed in him by the Flatliners coaching staff to register his first ever touchdown.
The drive had been extremely disappointing for the home side. They had not managed to move the ball any meaningful distance and had suffered a turnover touchdown. There was no longer any time for a reaction in the first half which came to an end with the visitors leading 2-0. The second half started with a bang. That bang was Panzerbourne Hobgoblin Willem Dafoe and it was caused by Flatliners Lineman Paul Grey. Grey had blitzed into the blindside of the Hobgoblin with such force that Dafoe had to be carted off the field by the Panzer medical staff. The ferocity of the blow may have upset the rhythm of the players. The ball had landed in the arms of Halfling Bridget Midget but she was unable to slip away from the front line and dropped the ball in the process. This left it bouncing between players on the front line and it was perhaps inevitable that they were unable to collect it. Even Billy Mahonie was unable to lay a firm hand on the ball as play ground to a shuddering holt.
In these situations, violence is often the answer and Bubba Ho-Tep the Panzer Mummy was the one to provide it. He caught Flatliners Orc Blitzer Hacken Slazch with a vicious right cross which dropped the Orc and caused him to require urgent medical attention. The medical staff on both sides were being worked hard at the start of the second half but it was a credit to the staff of both teams that they were able to keep their players healthy. While the medical staff can work wonders with physical damage, mental damage is more difficult. Rt Hon Michael Howard went down from a blow by Flatliners Flesh Golem Lester Hayfriends and when he got back up, he was clearly a little dazed. Instead of exacting revenge on the Golem, he attacked his own team-mates. The carnage and confusion was compounded by yet more fumbles. The second half was proving particularly scrappy. Even when a player did manage to collect the ball, they were under immense pressure as was the case with Jane who could hang onto it only momentarily before being tackled by Orc Thrower Fatima.
It was an impressive feat by Dark Elf Thrower Goale Ong when he finally claimed possession for the Flatliners. There had been so many fumbles and so little effective play that Goale Ong was the first to register rushing yardage in the second half. The crowd of players around him meant that he had no choice but to attempt a pass. Kinochit was the designated receiver and he watched the ball carefully into and out of his arms. The lack of ball control just kept on showing though the bright sunshine was a reasonable excuse even for a seasoned veteran. That was the last play of any note in the game and it ended 2-0, the second half had seen only 3 yards of rushing but it had born witness to 2 Casualties so the watching faithful had something to be pleased with on their journey home.
An interesting opening game for the two sides, but The Panzerbourne will have to develop their ability to move the ball down the field if they are to achieve any success in this league. Their blocking unit seems useful enough but their ball-handling players need to communicate and develop some plays if they want to trouble the scoreboard. The Flatliners should feel pleased with an opening game win even if there was some extremely scrappy play in the second half. The veteran signings from the Mugaz could well be an asset but the team will still have to become tighter as they go further into the competition.
Injuries: None
Key Stats
| Team | CAS
|
Rush
|
Blocks
|
Downs
|
Fumbles
|
Panzer | 1
|
3
|
39
|
17
|
5
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flatliners | 1
|
30
|
29
|
11
|
7
|
MVPs: Bubba Ho-Tep, Jane
Best Players
Kinochit: 1 TD, 2 Rushes for 12 yards, 1 Reception Attempt, 1 Block, 1 Down, 1 Tackle, 1 Stand, 1 Fumble
Bubba Ho-Tep: 1 CAS, 8 Blocks, 7 Downs, 1 Fumble
Jane: 1 TD, 1 Rush for 6 yards, 1 Reception for -1 yards, 1 Block, 1 Down, 1 Dodge, 1 Fall, 2 Stands, 3 Fumbles