It was time for the 1st game of the playoffs for The Aircraft. Both teams, it should be noted, played in separate AFL leagues, so there was necessary chance of them meeting up with each other. At the end of the playoffs, one team would be crowned as the best in the league, but again, they would not necessarily play each other, mainly because the Aircraft predominantly played their games in District D: with the budget they had, they would be lucky to get one game between the two of them, even if both were in the playoffs. The Aircraft were the best of the 2 teams in the regular season, going 16-0. The were 3 away from making history with the best record in the league.
They were playing the Iron Smelters, who had a 12-5 record (counting one playoff win). It would be a battle of strong defense vs. high scoring offense. This would also be the first time that the two teams faced off against each other.
The media had been predicting a blowout for weeks as the game began. The Aircraft kicked off, and away they went! In a drive that took 3:21 off the clock, the Iron Smelters scored first, with a 44-yd field goal by Shaun. The score was now 3-0, Iron Smelters. This was the score at the end of the 1st quarter.
The 2nd Quarter began with the Aircraft having the ball. In a drive that ultimately took 3:01 off the clock, the Aircraft scored with a 7-yard run by Sean, making it 7-3, Aircraft. The Iron Smelters could not score on their next possession, punting the ball back to the Aircraft. The Aircraft could not score either. The punt returner was hit hard after the reception as he was running it, so gameplay was immediately stopped to check him out. The returner was not hurt, and the game resumed. Those that worked at the smelting factory breathed a sigh of relief. To add insult to that embarrassment, the Iron Smeltsrs could not score, instead punting it off to the Aircraft. However, the Iron Smelters would get the ball right back after a fumble on the return--and in Aircraft territory to boot! 6 seconds later, the Iron Smelters scored on a 25 yard pass and one play on a pass from the Quarterback, Ben, to the wide receiver, Heath. After the extra point, it was now 10-7 in favor of the Iron Smelters. The crowd at the Aircrafts’ stadium grew tense. As time expired in the half, Nick kicked a 23-yard field goal to tie the game at 10.
The halftime break was tense. The media was agitated: the Aircraft were their hometown team! Jantis Bond, the coach of the Aircrafts, was furious. Her speech at halftime went as such:
“The hell was that, guys?! What was the one thing...THE ONE THING I said 2 years ago, when I took the helm of this team? I think it was that we could ‘count on fundamentals.’ I thought that was right for these whole two years, and then you go and fumble the ball on A PUNT RETURN! What is this, amateur hour? When this game is over, if we lose, the entire offseason will be spent on fielding punt returns! I mean, come on! We’re not the #1 ranked Offense, Defense, and Special Teams for nothing! And then you go and you fumble the ball. During the break, I want all of you to think about where we can improve and, if you have to, we can run a basic punt-catch drill. The ball comes first when returning, not where the defenders are! I thought I taught you better! Enjoy the break!”
The Iron Smelters’ coach, on the other hand, was jubilant:
“They have a few nuts and bolts loose, and we’re going to take advantage of that! We are the mountain. Aircrafts always lose against mountains! We’re going to go out there after break and give them a what-for! This is our time and place! We are going to take out the #1 team, and nothing will keep us from that destiny! ENJOY YOUR BREAK!”
The media, as mentioned before, was panicked. Where was that team they had known for all these years? Would they ever resurface? Was this all a waste? There were so many questions to be answered!
At the break, fans were treated to the lights being dimmed in the main concourse and also to a news quiz on the field. The Aircraft had it in their budget to do such a thing, and so they would!
The second half began with the Aircraft receiving. In a drive that took 3:48 off the clock, went for 9 plays and 82 yards, the Aircraft scored on a 6-yard pass from Alex to Sean, making it 17-10 Aircraft after the extra point. The next drive belonged to the Iron Smelters. Their drive would continue into the next quarter.
The Iron Smelters would score a touchdown to begin the final quarter of play. In a drive that lasted 1:59, went for 7 plays and 72 yards, a 5-yard pass from the Quarterback, Ben to the Wide Receiver, Mike, and after the extra point, the game was tied at 17. Fans were on the edge of their seats as the Aircraft got the ball back. On one running play, Lawrence of the Iron Smelters got injured. Time was taken to determine the extent of his injury, and it looked like his arm got injured. On another running play, the Aircraft fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Iron Smelters with 3:45 left to go in the game! It was later discovered that Lawrence had a broken collarbone and would be out for the remainder of the season. The team immediately applied for injury insurance for Lawrence. At the end of the game, they would know whether any of the rich people in District C would pick it up. Lawrence would also not be paid by his job until he recovered (it was against the law to fire someone due to injury, but they didn’t have to be paid until they recovered). But now, the Iron Smelters were playing for the opportunity to win one for Lawrence.
With 1:51 taken off the clock, Shaun kicked a 29-yard field goal, giving the Iron Smelters a 20-17 lead! The crowd was tense! This drive would be the Aircraft’s last. With 0:58 left and on 4th down, they had a wide receiver wide open, but they dropped the pass! Now, the Iron Smelters would win, provided they didn’t do anything stupid.
The media was shocked that the Aircraft lost. This would almost certainly mean that the Cowbells would, for the first time ever, be named the best team in the League. Lawrence would get his job insurance, and he could rest easy. The Iron Smelters advanced. Next week, we will be covering the Iron Smelters.
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