FANTASY BOWL XXIX

FANTASY BOWL XXIX - R.C. Wrecking Crew 35 Bacardi's Bums 23

The 29th playing of the CFFL Fantasy Bowl pitted the Wrecking Crew against the Bums.  The Bums were coming in on a hot streak scoring over 50 points the past two weeks and 38 last week riding the shoulders of Dalton and Jamaal Charles.  The Crew came in with a struggling Cam Newton who managed to score only 4 points in each game the past 3 weeks but relied on Jimmy Graham, Frank Gore and Brandon Marshall.  The week started out with several parties and reunions of former Fantasy Football team owners during Fantasy Bowl Week.

Lots of former Fantasy franchises were in attendance for Fantasy Bowl Week.
Left to right: Chislers, Maulers, Terrors, Power, Crew, Crickets, Ferrets, Geriatrics

Pete's Power, Fez Ferrets, Martin Maulers and Todd's Terrors
Power and Maulers won 2 Fantasy Bowls Each.

Olsen snagged a 10 point connection

The Bums opened up the game taking a 8-0 lead as Andy "Malachi" "Super Ginger" Dalton threw for 2 TDs while Cam Newton was frustrated and the towel was beginning to be put on his head again.  But Newton wouldn't be denied for long hitting for one TD to cut the lead in half and then he hit Greg Olsen "Twins" for a big 10 point connection that made the score 14-8.

The Crew actually contemplated benching Olsen to try to shake some things up for the Fantasy Bowl, but decided against it and left him in.  (whew).  Dalton wasn't done yet and actually ran one in for a TD to tie the game up at 14 as the Bums only points came from Dalton in the first half.  Fantasy Bowl XXIX was tied 14-14 at the half.

Dalton scores a TD to tie the game at half

Graham hauls in a TD to make it 21-14

In the second half both teams fielded 5 players including their kickers.  The Crew were first to strike this time in the second half as Jimmy Graham "Cracker ass cracker" caught a TD pass and promptly dunked it over the cross bar making the score 21-14.

 Then the kicker battle began.  The Bums started to cut the lead down as Hauschka hit two FGs and an XP to make the score 22-21.  It wasn't looking good as the Crew kicker Nick "The Dick" Novak wasn't getting any chances at points in a game that, before the start, looked like he would get a lot, for the Chiefs benched a lot of their starters against the Chargers.

Hauschka tied the game at 22

It seemed like the Bums had stole the momentum with Hauschka's FGs and really no other player from the Crew getting chances.  49ers kept getting in the red zone and instead of running Gore they play actioned to passes or bootlegs.  Bears would get in the redzone and run Matt Forte 4 straight times to score and not throw the ball at all to give Marshall a chance.  Time was ticking away.  The game was now tied at 22 and just another XP or FG from Hauschka and it might be ball game.

Marshall celebrates game winning TD!

Just as it seemed like it was lights out for the Crew, protected player Brandon Marshall finally got his chance catching a fade in the corner as he twisted around to make an amazing catch to put the Crew back on top 29-22!  The momentum was back with the Crew.  They would then add two more FGs from Novak to seal the deal and won their third Fantasy Bowl title 35-23!

Key to this win was also the fact the Jamaal Charles wasn't playing.  Had he been playing this game could have been even closer and maybe an OT Fantasy Bowl.  However he was benched and was not a factor.  Dalton kept up his play however with 14 points, giving him a playoff run of points of 8, 16, and 14 points. His 38 points in the post season tied him for 3rd most all time with Dan Marino who did it in 1991, which was the Crew's first Fantasy Bowl run.  

Dalton passed for the 3rd most points in CFFL playoffs history

Fans celebrate the Crew's 3rd title!

This would be the Wrecking Crew's first Fantasy Bowl title in 10 years, winning their last one, Fantasy Bowl XIX over the Chislers 36-33.  Only the Chislers have more Fantasy Bowl title than the Crew's 3. (Chislers have 4) and this win now gives the Fantasy Bowl title to a team from the North for 3 straight years.

These two guys have won the last 3 Fantasy Bowls.
Tony approves!

The Cherry Boys celebrate another Cherry Championship!
Animals (center) came one win away from playing in the FB

That wraps it up for our 29th season of Cherry Fantasy Football!  Next year will mark our 30th Anniversary!  Truly something to be proud to be a part of!