Sunday, August 31, 2025

LBXVII: The Outset

We have arrived at Larkspur Bowl XVII: Year Seventeen!


First, what stays the same:

  • After so many years as a fourteen team league, we will remain at twelve teams in 2025.
  • The league is split into two six team divisions, where teams play their division rivals twice (ten games) and the other division's teams once (six games)
  • Four teams make the playoffs, with each division winner guaranteed a berth, but seeding is based on overall record.
  • We are maintaining the serpentine draft with no keepers. The draft is set for Tuesday 9/2 at 8:30pm. I will send a text to everyone to ensure they're ready to rock and roll.
Then what changes:
  • We're switching divisions- the six active teams that participated in Larkspur Bowl I will play in the FOUNDERS DIVISION, while the six teams that joined later will play in the PIONEERS DIVISION.
  • The trade deadline has been pushed back to November 29th, following Thanksgiving.
  • Draft order is being hardlined this year, based on last year's results, rather than teams selecting their draft slot in that order. I just ran out of time this year.
The division are:

FOUNDERS DIVISION:
  • PHOENIX - K. GRIMES
  • HILL VALLEY - M. VERRINO
  • NEW YORK - T. GRIMES
  • HCM CITY - P. PERSAMPIERI
  • SAVANNAH - S. GRIMES
  • PHILADELPHIA - K. STABE
PIONEERS DIVISION:
  • NEW JERSEY - N. LANG
  • PAWNEE - P. ALLEGRETTA
  • SOUTH PARK - M. HART
  • MAR-A-LAGO - V. MILILLO
  • DEPUTY - A. PATEL
  • PUTNAM LAKE - G. CAPONE

Sunday, August 17, 2025

LBXVII: Year Seventeen

First things first, the Binghamton Snipers are withdrawing from the league after a respectable eight year run, making the playoffs four times, including a terrific 2023 season, that ended in the semifinals with an eight point loss to the eventual champion New Jersey Crew.

  • 2024: 8-8, 6th place
  • 2023: 10-3, 3rd place (playoffs: 0-1)
  • 2022: 4-9, 13th place
  • 2021: 7-6, 9th place
  • 2020: 7-6, 6th place (playoffs: 0-1)
  • 2019: 6-7, 12th place
  • 2018: 7-6, 6th place (playoffs: 0-1)
  • 2017: 7-6, 5th place (playoffs: 0-1)
The Snipers will be replaced by a new team under the leadership of Greg Capone. Greg "the Leg" has connections with over half the league, and brings another avid Jets fan to the league. Once the team's name is announced, we will have a formal introduction of the squad. They will plug into the second overall draft slot, inherited from Binghamton. 


The full draft selection (adjusted for 12 teams) is as follows:

  1. NEW YORK - Tom Grimes
  2. PUTNAM LAKE - Greg Capone
  3. MAR-A-LAGO - Vince Milillo
  4. HCM CITY - Peter Persampieri
  5. DEPUTY - Ajay Patel
  6. SOUTH PARK - Mike Hart
  7. PAWNEE - Pete Allegretta
  8. PHILADELPHIA - Kevin Stabe
  9. SAVANNAH - Steve Grimes
  10. NEW JERSEY - Nick Lang
  11. PHOENIX - Kevin Grimes
  12. HILL VALLEY - Mike Verrino

I will follow up with each team sequentially to define the draft order, with the draft tentatively set for Tuesday, September 2nd, at (UPDATED!) 8:30pm. (Amenable to a later or earlier time with priority deference to children's bedtimes, followed by Grandpa's bedtime!)

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

XVI: All-Larkspur Teams

Here's our first, second, and third ALL LARKSPUR TEAMS for 2024:

ALL-LARKSPUR FIRST TEAM:
  • QB LAMAR JACKSON - HILL VALLEY
  • RB SAQUON BARKLEY - NEW JERSEY
  • RB DERRICK HENRY - BINGHAMTON
  • WR JAMARR CHASE - MAR A LAGO
  • WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON - PHOENIX
  • WR AMON ST BROWN - PAWNEE
  • TE GEORGE KITTLE - NEW JERSEY
  • TE BROCK BOWERS - HCM CITY
  • DL MYLES GARRETT - BINGHAMTON
  • LB FIRE FRANKLIN - BINGHAMTON
  • LB ZACK BAUN - PHOENIX
  • LB ROBERT SPILLANE - NEW JERSEY
  • CB BYRON MURPHY - NEW YORK
  • CB ALONTAE TAYLOR - PHOENIX
  • SS BRIAN BRANCH - HILL VALLEY
  • SS BUDDA BAKER - HILL VALLEY
  • PK CHRIS BAKER - HILL VALLEY
ALL-LARKSPUR SECOND TEAM:
  • QB JOSH ALLEN - NEW YORK
  • RB JAHMYR GIBBS - DEPUTY
  • RB BIJAN ROBINSON - SAVANNAH
  • WR BRIAN THOMAS JR - PAWNEE
  • WR CEEDEE LAMB - SOUTH PARK
  • WR TERRY MCLAURIN - SAVANNAH
  • TE TREY MCBRIDE - MAR A LAGO
  • TE JONNUE SMITH - HCM CITY
  • DL LEONARD WILLIAMS - PHILADELPHIA
  • LB JAMIEN SHERWOOD - PAWNEE
  • LB JORDYN BROOKS  MAR A LAGO
  • LB ANDREW VAN GINKEL - PHILADELPHIA
  • CB MARLON HUMPHERY - BINGHAMTON
  • CB KEIEAN NIXON - HCM CITY
  • SS NICK CROSS - NEW JERSEY
  • SS BRANDON JONES - DEPUTY
  • PK BRANDON AUBREY - NEW YORK
ALL-LARKSPUR THIRD TEAM:
  • QB JOE BURROW - PHOENIX
  • RB JOSH JACOBS - SAVANNAH
  • RB KYREN WILLIAMS - HCM CITY
  • WR JAXON SMITH NJIGBA - SOUTH PARK
  • WR MALIK NABERS - PAWNEE
  • WR DRAKE LONDON - SOUTH PARK
  • TE TRAVIS KELCE - PAWNEE
  • TE MARK ANDREWS - PAWNEE
  • DL JONATHAN GREENARD - PAWNEE
  • LB KADEN ELLIS - HCM CITY
  • LB NAKOBE DEAN - SAVANNAH
  • LB LAVONTE DAVID - PHOENIX
  • CB CAM TAYLOR BRITT - HILL VALLEY
  • CB JAYLON JONES - PHILADELPHIA
  • SS KERBY JOSEPH - PHOENIX
  • SS JESSIE BATES III - PHILADELPHIA
  • PK KAIIMI FAIRBAIRN - MAR A LAGO

XVI: The Semifinals

Here's some AI produced content:

Phoenix Uprising Stuns NJ Sanitation Crew: A Tale of Two Grades!

In a thrilling Week 17 showdown, Phoenix Uprising emerged victorious with a score of 237.33, taking the lead late on Sunday. They must be feeling like overachievers with that A+ grade, while NJ Sanitation Crew might want to start studying harder with their C--. Maybe they should consider a tutoring session with Phoenix Uprising?

Phoenix Uprising's star was Kerby Joseph, who decided that 11.37 was just a suggestion and scored a whopping 27.95 points instead. On the flip side, Daiyan Henley must have thought they were playing a different game, scoring a grand total of 0.00 points. For NJ Sanitation Crew, Patrick Mahomes showed up to class and scored 29.40 points, while Cooper Kupp seemed to be on an extended lunch break, contributing only 3.70 points. Oops!

With this win, Phoenix Uprising improved their record to 10-6-0 and secured the 4th spot, while NJ Sanitation Crew, despite their loss, holds a solid 12-4-0 record and remains in 1st place. Looks like Phoenix Uprising is playing for pride in the championship finals next week against Hill Valley McFlys, while NJ Sanitation Crew gets to fight for the 3rd place against Savannah Petes. Who knew the standings could be so dramatic? Will NJ Sanitation Crew's C-- grade haunt them in the 3rd place game?

As we look ahead to next week, Phoenix Uprising needs to channel their inner overachiever against Hill Valley McFlys, while NJ Sanitation Crew should probably send a thank you note to Patrick Mahomes for keeping them afloat. Phoenix Uprising, don't forget to bring your A+ game, and NJ Sanitation Crew, maybe consider some extra credit if you want that bronze medal. Good luck, and may the fantasy odds be ever in your favor!

Hill Valley McFlys Shines Bright While Savannah Petes Stumbles in the Shadows!

In a thrilling Week 17 showdown, Hill Valley McFlys clobbered Savannah Petes with a score of 237.22 to 173.84, sealing the deal by Wednesday. Clearly, Hill Valley McFlys took their report card home and got an A+, while Savannah Petes might want to consider a summer school session with that D-- they earned. Better luck next time, right?

For Hill Valley McFlys, Tee Higgins was the shining star, outperforming expectations and racking up a jaw-dropping 37.50 points. Meanwhile, James Conner was about as useful as a chocolate teapot, managing a mere 2.50 points and falling flat on their face. On the flip side, Savannah Petes had Jerry Jeudy who scraped by with 18.40 points, but let's not forget Terry McLaurin, who decided to take a nap and scored just 1.00 point. Ouch!

With this victory, Hill Valley McFlys improved to an impressive 11-5-0 record, solidifying their place at 2nd in the standings. Savannah Petes, with their 10-6-0 record, remains at 3rd, probably wondering how they got tangled in such a mess. It's like watching a dog chase its tail--entertaining, but ultimately pointless. Can Savannah Petes bounce back from this disaster, or will they just keep chasing their own mistakes?

Looking ahead to next week, Hill Valley McFlys faces off against Phoenix Uprising in the Championship finals, and they'll need to keep that A+ energy flowing. Savannah Petes, on the other hand, is set to battle NJ Sanitation Crew for the 3rd place game. A little advice for both teams: Hill Valley McFlys, don't rest on your laurels; and Savannah Petes, maybe try scoring more than one point next time? Just a thought!


Week 17 Matchups