The 2017 season is over and for the fourth time in nine years, the
Phoenix Uprising are the victors. The team is no four for six in Larkspur Bowl finals, having lost in each of its past two appearances (VIII and VI) after winning in its first three showings (II, III, V) and is the only team to hoist the silver chalice more than once. After an 0-3 start, Phoenix won twelve of their final thirteen games. Their 9-4 record (fourth in total points) scored them the #2 seed and a bye through the quarterfinals. After that they inched out #3 seed
Savannah in the semifinal, then outlasted #5 seed
HCM City in LBIX to defeat two resurgent elder franchises.
#2 PHOENIX defeats #5 HCM CITY
There wasn't a ton of offense in the league's most important game this year, as both defenses did the heavy lifting: For
HCM City cornerback
Kyle Fuller was the man, defending six passes and picking off another;
Malcolm Jenkins did his part too, with seven tackles (one for loss) and a strip and recovery. For the
Uprising Safeties
Reshad Jones and
Keanu Neal, and linebackers
Preston Brown and
Deone Bucannon combined for 32 solo tackles (seven for loss) and basically choked the field down. Lead Farmer luminaries
Le'Veon Bell, Tyreek Hill, and
Rob Gronkowski were factors- but none could muster a game breaker. The
Uprising offense was paced by clutch kicker
Chris Boswell, with unheralded
Dede Westbrook and
Kerwynn Williams doing their parts to get down the field. TE
Jimmy Graham scored a touchdown to salvage a quiet playoff while HCM QB
Dak Prescott crumbled in the big spot, getting sacked four times and throwing two interceptions.
OPotG: RB Le'Veon Bell: 19 touches, 97 yards, TD (20.4 pts)
DPotG: S Reshad Jones: 15 tackles, 2 TFL, PD (26.5 pts)
#3 SAVANNAH defeats #1 DEPUTY
Savannah takes the bronze from a Deputy squad that won ten of its first eleven games and then lost its final four matchups. Its the Franchise's best ever finish, and sees them leap to the eleventh pick in next year's draft, looking to build on this year's prowess. The top seeded Van Halens will draft twelfth next year with the intention to build a team that doesn't peak too early again.
OPotG: WR Larry Fitzgerald: 9 receptions, 140 total yards, TD (26.44 pts)
DPotG: S Harrison Smith: 8 tackles 2 PD, 2 INT, TFL (31.85 pts)
#7 SOUTH PARK defeats #8 PAWNEE
In LBVII's rematch the Cows were once again victorious, and now have the top pick in next year's draft. There's a whole lot of offseason speculation to come, but ultimately South Park will have the entire field of players to choose from. Pawnee will make due with what's left, picking second overall next year.
OPotG: RB Melvin Gordon: 22 touches, 128 yards, TD (23.00 pts)
DPotG: CB Marshon Lattimore: 5 tackles, 4 PD, INT (26.00 pts)
#9 HILL VALLEY defeats #11 MAR-A-LAGO
The McFlys punch in the third overall pick in next year's draft and will look to bounce back from a disappointing season that sees them surrender the Larkspur Bowl's silver chalice. The team did rally late in the year to end up with a respectable standing, and is likely to be a favorite once again in 2018. The Grabbers will draft fourth overall, though if recent history tells us anything, the nomadic franchise will be going under a new moniker by the time that comes to pass.
OPotG: RB Bilal Powell: 19 rushes, 145 yards, TD (28.30 pts)
DPotG: LB Deion Jones: 10 tackles, 2 TL, pd, INT (30.05 pts)
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