Semifinals Recap

The 2014 Larkspur Bowl is set! #3 seed New York will face #1 seed Phoenix. The Finest were in the Larkspur Bowl in 2009, when they lost to the Orgrimmar Horde. Phoenix has won all three Larkspur Bowls they have appeared in: 2010, 2011, and 2013. New York defeated the Uprising in their regular season meeting in week twelve, which was the most recent defeat for either team- New York has reeled off four straight victories to make in to the championship. For the second straight round, the best performances came in losing efforts, reestablishing that Football is the ultimate team game.

The Larkspur Bowl:

#1 Phoenix Uprising (203.40)

defeated

#5 Margaritaville Parrots (190.88)

RECAP

Phoenix (10-3) is returning to the Larkspur Bowl for the fourth time in six seasons, after a late rally fueled by Drew Brees and Mark Ingram toppled a sterling effort from game MVP and Larkspur Bowl Rookie of the Year, Odell Beckham. Beckham revitalized a flagging M-Ville (7-6) team, and did almost everything he could to will them down the stretch and into the championship; What could have been though? A fourth TD from the prodigy was called back on a flag, and fumble lost on his final play of the game was a bad omen for the Parrot's chances to close. The Uprising had hoped to get Adrian Peterson for the championship, but will have to make do without him- despite the drama, they did end up leading the league in scoring in its penultimate week.

Player of the Game: WR Odell Beckham, M-Ville Parrots - 38.38pts

#3 New York's Finest (175.25)

defeated

#2 South Park Cows (126.44)

RECAP

South Park (10-3) saved it's only dud of the season for the semifinals, where it just ran out of steam. WR Antonio Brown did his part, snagging the game ball in a losing effort. Even with New York QB Peyton Manning staggered with flu, it came down to the Cows inability to cement their own signal calling situations: Mark Sanchez came up flaccid in the big spot, and MLB Keenan Robinson was a late inactive. The Cows have their impressive first season come up just short of their goal, while New York (9-4) avenges a loss from all the way back in week four. They've been the most impressive team since that game, and now look to take down the defending champions.

Player of the Game: WR Antonio Brown, South Park Cows - 19.38pts

Championship: #1 Phoenix Uprising vs #3 New York's Finest(The winner will have 14th pick and the loser will have 13th pick in the 2015 draft)
Third Place Game: #2 South Park Cows vs #5 Margaritaville Parrots

(The winner will have 11th pick and the loser will have 12th pick in the 2015 draft)

#4 Toronto Les Tres Petites (191.20)

defeated

#6 Indiana Turbanators (136.28)

RECAP

Toronto (7-6) finishes strong, clinching fifth place in 2014 and the ninth pick in the 2015 draft. While they did fall one spot in the final standings, this season has to be viewed as a remarkable success for the original Canadian squad; Half of their brain trust left to establish the South Park Cows, and they basically maintained last season's prowess without him. They have done well and will be viewed as a contender going into next season. Indiana (7-6) finishes in sixth, and will pick tenth next year. With two straight playoff appearances, they too have earned a spot in the league's upper echelon. 

The Consolation Bracket:

#10 Hill Valley McFlys (127.90)

defeated

#7 Pawnee Pride (109.60)

RECAP

This grudge match between also-rans did clarify one thing: Their hypothetical Cinderella run would have ended short of the championship game anyway, as both teams would have been eliminated with their meager week fifteen output. Hill Valley (6-7) goes on to play for the top pick next week; With a top pick in next year's draft, the McFlys will have an opportunity to define their 2015 ascension. Only a fool would pick against the storied franchise with a lottery pick. The Pride (7-6) are wounded, but can close out their year over .500 if they can be eponymous in the final week.

#9 Manitoba Moosecrew (155.22)

defeated

#8 Oniontown Massacre (148.51)

RECAP

The Moosecrew (6-7) were able to cinch away (6-7) O-Town's return to the consolation bowl, and give themselves a chance to mull over the top pick in 2015. Considering the franchises' moribund start and optimizing audibles, the idea of Moosecrew HQ kicking off the draft and putting together a team of their own recognizance has limitless potential. The Massacre will have to hope RB Jamaal Charles falls to third overall if they want to bring him back for a third year running; If not, perhaps they can bring back QB Andrew Luck who tapped his elite potential in the black and gold this year.

Consolation Bowl: #10 Hill Valley McFlys vs #9 Manitoba Moosecrew

(The winner will have 1st pick and the loser will have 2nd pick in the 2015 draft)
Ninth Place Game: #7 Pawnee Pride vs #8 Oniontown Massacre

(The winner will have 3rd pick and the loser will have 4th pick in the 2015 draft)

#11 California Swag (149.61)

defeated

#12 Oakwood Drivers (134.92)

RECAP

California (5-8) finally staunched the bleeding, winning their finale after losing six straight. They should regain their Swagger in 2015, when they will draft fifth overall; There are rumors they may make JJ Watt, their MVP during 2012's championship run, the first defensive player ever drafted in the first round. Watt is making his third straight appearance in the Larkspur Bowl's final, and if Phoenix wins, he will be three for three in delivering the goods. The Drivers will draft sixth and have to be luckier than they were this year, when they lost Adrian Peterson to suspension following week one, and only three of their top ten picks survived the season with the team.