“"The Lord was on our side..." - Peter the Great

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A "friendly" training camp scrimmage against a rather large and mean looking orc squad is not exactly a blessing in the eyes of these holy rats, but with faith in God, and a few dirty tricks tucked into our robes, we set up out on the pitch, electing to kick-off the first half. As the ball came down, the ocrs began to advance in an arrow formation from both wide zones with their four blitzers. But when their catcher bobbled the pick-up deep in the backfield, the rats flooded through the opening left along the sidelines, closing in on the exposed ball. The orcs quickly recovered the loose ball and attempted to pass the ball to one of their blitzers, but the pass was fumbled, and the ball scattered to the feet of two awaiting rats. A quick blitz, followed by Leo VIII collecting the ball, and the Popes were celebrating their first touchdown as the orcs stood their dumbfounded.

We kicked-off again, this time a short kick into the widezone, close to the line of scrimmage, and with "Perfect D", we re set up to rush in and collect the ball again. First thing once the ball landed, one of the orc blizers failed the pick-up, so we rats rolled in, got the ball, and were once again in scoring position. So these orcs did what orcs do best: surrounded us and started smashing we rats senseless. The remainder of the first half was the orcs grinding their way downfield with the ball, as the rats continued to dodge in their way. In the end, a ocrish misstep is what robbed them from tying the match in the first half.

Second half, 11 orcs in a row on the line of scrimmage is what greeted we 9 returning rats, as the dropped a kick just over the LOS. Thankfully, some Popes' fans 'hucked a rock at one of the black orcs standing by the sideline nearest the ball, giving us the a much needed opening to skitter through. Skitter through we did, but not far enough, as a smart orc blitz resulted in a chain push off the pitch and a double knock out for those poor rats. The ball was thrown back in to midfield, in the general vicinity of the Enforcers, who annihilated the rats on their way to tie the match, 1-all.

The Lord blessed us with his healing touch, reviving the five rats who had been knocked unconscious during that last drive, so we were 9 on 11, facing another line, with only three turns to score a touchdown to win the game. It was time to make something happen. We blitzed down both black orcs covering one of the widezones as Peter raced down into scoring position, and Leo VIII stepped up to complete a pass. But, to the Popes' horror, the pass was bobbled, and dropped, bouncing back into the hands of Honorius III. With their chance to stop us evident, the orcs wasted no time knocking down some rats, marking both the ball carrier, and Peter deep in their side of the pitch. An unaided blitz pushing back an orc started the miracle play, clearing some room at center field, as Peter dodged away from the defenders and entered into the endzone. Honorius III dodged away from the black orcs, and raced down to midfield, handing the ball off to Julius II, who dodged forward, and completed a short pass to Peter for the go ahead score. All without a reroll. This performance really shut coach shoebdoo up, as he had been spectating this match, and had been booing every play the Popes made.

We kicked the ball all the way into their endzone, and to all of our surprise, the ball stayed on the pitch. With too great a distance to cover in too little time there was nothing the orcs could do to tie the match. So with a few more hit the final whistle blew. The VCP had just won their inaugural match, taking this as a sign from above. Yet, their will always be more evils to overcome, and suffering to heal. Our work is far from done.

Much respect to coach krysskroz and his team of orcs, who gave an excellent performance. We look forward to meeting up again come preseason.”