“NCBB- Season 36
Week 1 - Out of Conference

Both teams were greeted with favorable weather for their season opener, as the Miami BallHawks and Indiana Horrors prepared to take to the pitch. Indiana won the coin toss and elected to kick, setting up a dangerous defensive line midway between their half of the field, as Miami took an aggressive offensive stance. The ball came in short as Miami advanced forward, and the ball was caught on the bounce at the LOS. The BallHawks followed up with some hits, but brought the ball back out of range of the Horrors. The Horrors applied pressure on the offense, as both teams ate several turns attempting to out bash the other, as well as out flank their opponent. But it was Miami who drew first blood, injuring one of Indiana's werewolves, before knocking one of their own players out on a failed dodge. It was then that Indiana choose to commit to a full press on the ball carrier, forcing Miami out of the pocket, before finally surrounding them. It was only by the misfortune of a failed dodge by one of the Horror's Wights that Miami managed to remain in possession of the ball. With a leaping blitz and some leg work, the BallHawks ran the ball into Indiana's side of the field, putting some bodies in-between the ball and the defenders. Miami continued the momentum, crippling a Ghoul, knocking out a Flesh Golem, and injuring a Wight on a block gone wrong. By the time the violence ended Miami stepped into the endzone to take the lead, 1-nil. Both teams set up for Miami to kick, dropping the ball into Indiana's endzone, and out of reach of any of their players. So Indiana took the opportunity to lay a heavy hit and a foul, removing two Miami players for the rest of the match, as the whistle blew ending the first half.

Playing 9-on-10, Indiana set up to receive the kickoff, with their star ball-handling ghoul deep to recover the ball. Miami kicked the ball and blitzed into Indiana territory before the ball came down, knocking out a Wight in the process. The Horrors attempted to move forward, but their ghoul fumbled the pickup. Miami leapt in, spiking the ghoul, and clearing the way for the ball to be marked. Indiana fought back, recovered the ball, but could not get far enough away to prevent the BallHawks from causing a turnover. Miami was able to recover the loose ball, exchange hands, and get another touchdown on the board.

Trailing 2-nil, fielding only 7 players, Indiana went on the aggressive, but Miami once again got the jump off of the line, managing to get under the incoming ball, but bumbled the catch, while still surrounding the ball. Indiana attempted to regain the ball, but a block gone wrong closed the door on the opportunity. After that, the overwhelming numbers and muscle hammered the nails in the coffin, as two more Indiana players were knocked out and Miami collected the ball. The BallHawks scored a final time to the sounds of the whistle, making it 3-nil, but not before killing (rekilling?) a zombie.

It was a difficult game for Indiana, as Miami continually found themselves in control of the ball.

Good game.”