I would like to start off this week’s article with an apology. An apology to Andrew Erk. After week 6 I wrote him and his drafting strategy off. You can’t win waiting on a QB in the draft and expect to compete week in and week out. You won’t be able to win in December with Mayfield, Stafford and Wilson. That strategy doesn’t work anymore.
Boy was I wrong.
Andrew Erk and the Avalanche put on a clinic destroying the fake #1 seed and clinched their first ever berth in the championship. Scoring over 170, the Avalanche are looking to go down in the history books after starting the season 0-6 and left for dead. The only thing they have done is won eight of their last ten matchups and will look to raise their first championship banner in franchise history.
Andrew Erk, I am sorry.
On the other side, the fantasy guru had all the answers, finding their stride at the right time, silencing all the doubters. Losers of five straight coming into the playoffs, the Sandstorms knocked off the Piranhas and just took down the favorites GWW to advance to their first championship appearance as well. Don’t worry, the Sandstorms won it for America!
2023 BBL Championship
#5 Sandstorms vs. #6 Avalanche
History will be made in 2023, as we will have a first-time winner this season. Each team is entering their first championship appearance in franchise history, looking to etch their name in the record books for years to come.
On to the recaps!
Championship Bracket
Sandstorms 153-142 GWW
Amari Cooper should be getting a Christmas card or simply just a thank you card from Logan or as we know him as, the fantasy guru. Welcome to the fantasy playoffs Amari Cooper, who rattled off 45 points to set the tone early Sunday afternoon. This matchup would come down to Monday Night in a matchup that ended up being decided by nine points. Plug in Zamir White scored 17 in the early window while Lamar Jackson sealed the deal late in the evening. The fantasy guru will need to push all the right buttons one more time to raise a banner next week. The win clinched the Sandstorms first championship appearance.
“Amari Cooper is the Grinch that stole Xmas from the most deserving team.”
Sounds a lot like Florida State, doesn’t it? It’s certainly not how GWW drew it up. The 142 points was solid but really this matchup was decided by the Amari Cooper explosion on the other side of the ball. McCaffrey, St. Brown and Conner all did their jobs, but it was kicker Harrison Butker who scored a season low one point. It’s a disappointing finish for a team destined to raise a banner. Third place should be locked up though with the Icecaps in a spiral.
Avalanche 172-109 Icecaps
“If you would’ve told me at the end of week 5 that Tim would be fighting not to get last place and Erk would be in the championship game, I wouldn’t believe you.” (Ben Hipple)
We’re all right with you Ben. The Avalanche have gone on a tear since mid-October as they had no problem taking down the fake #1 seed in the Icecaps. Five starters scored over 20 points including a 35-point performance from Breece Hall. Lamb and Gibbs added a combined 40 points cementing the Avalanche in their first championship appearance. If this scoring outburst happens one more time, the Avalanche will be raising a banner no doubt.
“Go get this chip Erk.”
The Icecaps season was over when Justin Herbert’s season ended. Seven starters scored less than 13 points and honestly, nothing on the bench would have changed this outcome. They made a great call sitting AOC, however when your pivot option is Ryan Tannehill, I think we all knew what was going to happen. Of course, on cue, it was Derrick Henry who had the passing TD for the Titans. It’s another year with a strong regular season and no championship to show for it.
Piranhas take down Thunder for fifth place, 142-119
The Piranhas had a solid performance with 142 points, with three players over 22. All things considered, an overall fifth place finish is not bad. Also consider this, if the Piranhas won last week against the Sandstorms, they would have lost by less than a point against GWW. Talk about what could have been heartbreak Christmas night. In some ways it’s good a weekend like that was avoided.
“Devastating.”
Things were looking good for the Thunder until they weren’t. Banking on strong QB play on Monday, they got a combined 1 passing touchdown and five interceptions from Mahomes and Purdy. It was a gloomy Christmas night for a franchise who wanted to end the year with a win. They will take sixth place instead of playing for last place like they did the past two seasons.
Consolation Bracket
Misfits top HSG 107-103
The Misfits won’t be playing for last place as their 107 points was enough this time. Shoutout Puka Nacua and his 28 points which helped the Misfits limp to victory. A quick Bailey Zappe swap over Tommy DeVito was also critical in this matchup win. I’m just glad Jelani Woods is still taking up an IR slot.
This season keeps getting worse for HSG. After starting 5-0, this team will be playing to avoid last place as Ben highlighted earlier in his quote. There’s nothing else to say about this team.
HCTM rolls past Squatches 155-132
Jordan Love (27) and Derek Carr (30) led the way on HCTM’s massive weekend scoring over 150. Finding their stride too late in the season, they will play for 7th place.
The Everglade Squatches. A team with high aspirations of repeating a championship. A team that wanted to make the playoffs. A team that probably should have made the playoffs. A team that had the third highest points during the season will now be playing to avoid last place. They should avoid it though with the way HSG is playing. The Squatches would be the first team to win a championship and then finish last the following season. Will more history be made?
Closing
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy the new year!
Cheers!
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