“NCBB- Season 35
Bowl Week - WaffleHouse Salty Tears Bowl

On a beautiful day, 32,000 fans gathered, mostly due to the free waffles being given out by the sponsor, to witness the Illinois Valley CC Ranchers face the BallHawks of Miami. Both of these teams had seemed poised for impressive seasons, but that posturing never amount to greatness. Hungry for redemption, these two teams took to the pitch to take it out on their opponents.

Illinois lost the coin toss, and Miami elected to kick, setting up conservatively, while Illinois committed to nearly a full press on the LOS. The kick landed and came to rest in the endzone, as the Ranchers collected the ball, weighing in a few hits as well, before caging the ball in their backfield. The BallHawks went on the offensive, targeting key players, nullifying Illinois' ability to inflict casualties. The Ranchers' advance forward was stalled at midfield before being pushed back and surrounded, leading to a turnover as Miami knocked the ball loose and recovered, heading towards the endzone. Finding themselves surrounded by Miami and unable to get to the ball carrier, Illinois incited a massive brawl at midfield, resulting in several injuries, and the use of both teams' apothecaries. But in the dying moments of the first half, far from the madness at midfield, Miami ran the ball into the endzone to take the lead 1-nil.

Beginning of the second half, Miami receiving, playing 11-on-7, the BallHawks jumped off of the line with a series of blocks, looking to press the numbers advantage. Illinois answered back with blocks of their own before pushing a player into range of the Miami ball carrier. Miami rolled North along the flank, handing the ball off and pressing past midfield, meeting with a lone defender. At this point the diminished presence of Illinois' players was keenly felt by the defense, as Miami continued to roll through, taking their lead up to 2-nil.

Still second half, Ranchers receiving, playing 7-on-11, they pushed hard into Miami territory, managing a successful screen pass, ending with the ball caged along the sideline, within scoring range. In an impressive tic-tac-toe arrangement, Miami, refusing to give up even a token touchdown, surrounded the cage, leaped in, and sacked the ball carrier. The ball scattered out along the sideline before being thrown back onto the pitch in Miami territory, where the loose ball was reclaimed and punted back onto the opposite side of the pitch. Both teams chased after the ball, but it was Miami who managed to reach the ball first, and to step over the goal line for a touchdown, making it 3-nil.

Both teams set up for one last kickoff, but there was little Illinois could do except throw a few blocks before the final whistle blew. Regardless of the ups and downs of the season, the BallHawks came out and played like champions on this day.


Good game.”