Amateur Football League: Tournament, Cowbells vs. Pigeons

(Drawing from Madden '12)

It was time for the Amateur Football League Tournament. Unlike the PFL, sometimes games were played outside in the cold, or even in thunder and lightning. There was no heat in the stadiums, and the players were actually playing for the fun of the game: they were usually blue-collar workers during the day, football players by night.

Despite this, the workers always chipped in to make sure that the 8 teams in this tournament could rent a small-time football field and pay enough for broadcasters to cover them. Usually, it was just the sounds of the game, broadcast by ESN, the Exciting Sports Network. Today was no exception.

The Cowbells were going through the tournament, this time playing in the same old stadium as everyone else played in, as the away team. In order to simulate themselves as the away team, there was a quota for the 1,000-fan stadium: 1/3 (or less) must be for the "away" team and 2/3rds (or more) must be for the "home."

Workers played at their own risk, of course: it was not considered part of work. But the wealthy in District C offered "Sports Plans" for those in District D who played sports for insurance: if they got injured for longer than a week, they would be definitely be reimbursed for their time off, but only their time off, and not medical expenses.

The Cowbells were 3-2 in their division so far out of the 7 games they'd play. placing them as one of the contenders. Unlike the PFL, however, all of their teams would make the playoffs, compared to just 8/32 teams with the PFL. The scene was set. With a coin toss, the teams were underway. On January 4th, 2053, the game was underway on a snowy, freezing day in District D.

At Half:
At Half, the Cowbells led the Pigeons, 17-0. There was a scary moment when a hit causing an incomplete pass caused someone to land on their head. Play stopped for 10 minutes to ensure the player was all right, which he was, and the game continued as usual.

In the Locker Room:
The Locker Room was shared by both teams, with a partition dividing it down the middle.

In the Locker Room, the Pigeons' coach seemed upset. "NO RUSHING YARDS?" He lamented. "SERIOUSLY, GUYS? PICK UP THE PACE!"

In the Locker Room, the Cowbells' coach seemed much more relaxed. "Let's finish them off. One more score should do it. Keep the passing game consistent, pick up the rushing game, and keep hitting the quarterback. Good luck guys, let's finish this off!"

At End of Game:
At the end of the game, the Cowbells won, 17-7. The player of the game was OLB Matt Wilson, who picked up his 2nd POG award. The Cowbells would play the next day against another team: this week, they played 2 games, rested for a week, and then played part of their main season. More about that on the 11th.