“Pre-Game Thoughts:

- A draw here would be a Christmas Miracle. My opps chorfs have lots of extra skills and 5 games under their belt versus this fresh, new team in the box. My expectations are indeed hedged.

First Half Thoughts:

- Each time it felt like we gave the game away to one or the other, we'd give it right back with some terrible dice roll. I dont usualyl make dice a focus of a report, but this one deserves some focus on it especially for the first half. Just watch turns 4-8.

- I received and picked up the ball. And my opp based immediately after a blotz with guard pieces, immediately forcing me into single die blocks to try to get me out of trouble. Since I started with a multi-layer screen instead of a cage, Im not sure what else to do here. I dont feel my decision on this was optimal, but Im kinda out of ideas. AGAIN, could just be a crap show of a matchup.

- I kind of enjoyed OWA for the first time. Im always afraid to use their rerolls, but you just blitz or try to pick up with linos instead.

- I managed to recover the ball after losing it with a series of good blocks and I punted it, placing a receiver in the backfield first on a 3 plus dodge. It was risky - but this is where I recognize that I need the risky play - I cant just rely on my opp to fail something.

- That punt ended up working out and I had 2 opportunites to pick up the ball and basically get the score. I then proceeded to fail every pickup attempt in te open for the next 3 turns. SO I gave myself the opprtunity and decent odds to get the score, just couldnt roll for it.

- Opp picked up on a 4, dodged on a 3, and then punted for a potential score themselves. So good on him for giving humself that opportunity instead of just playing it safe.

- I tried a pick up and another punt T7 and again, failed the pickup with built-in RR.

Second Half Thoughts:

- Tree went down on a single die I think, then rooted and never became a factor. I hate leaving bug guys on an island. But if I relegate him to a wing or the center of the field, hes easily avoided. So I just havent worked out how to handle him on defense with this team.

- I deployed a little aggressively since there was only 1 bull. I dont think this hurt me, as when he made the push on a wing, I was able to get a few shots at the carrier.

- I finally sacked the carrier after the opp removed 4 of my players in a single turn. I feel good about this turn because its recognizing that risky time that's needed. I picked up the ball and was planning to yeet it BUT, 1 on the rush sealed the drive. Im thinking I could have sat on the sideline and hoped I went down near it and the ball bounced out. But I think the yeeting was the better option even if it didnt work out.

- I had a few turns to score but with 7 players to 10 and all the extra skills, I needed a prayer to make this happen. I eventually did a potato run with the catcher and tagged the dwarf. I could have rushed twice to get out of dwarf range. BUT, no RRs, and I could not tag everyone. With all the block on the team, I dont think my rushing would have made much of a difference.

Overall Thoughts:

- Kinda got screwed on the matchup in the box - big box matching failure.

- Maybe next time I'll set my initial screen back a little bit? I dont think I had that option because it was a shallow kick.

- Just one of those pickups in the first half happens, and IM basically gold for a score. So I set myself up for success - this is progress.

Played a great coach - would def play again.

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