The (Wild) Week That Was in Fantasy League Football

Bockville schools were closed Tuesday in observation of Thomas' historic defeat of the Anderson Brewmeisters during Wild Card Week 2000. The game produced the Bock Boys' first postseason victory while handing Anderson its first ever playoff loss, snapping a five-game postseason winnning streak. This was a muddy game that saw both teams' high powered offenses struggle to get points on the board. The hero for the Bock Boys is Tony Gonzales, who put up a dramatic 10-point performance Monday night to oust the two-time defending champs.

Bock Boy signal-caller Daunte Culpepper had his worst outing of the season with 3 points, and placekicker Steve Christie was shut out entirely, but Robert Smith, David Boston, and Gonzales took up the slack. Smith delivered as he has all season, contributing 13 points. Boston exploded for a season-high 15 points, and Gonzales posted his game-breaking ten. Anderson was not without its own highlights, but they were few. Fred Taylor proved that, when healthy, he's one of the best backs in the league behind a game-high 18 points. His backfield partner, Michael Pittman, contributed six while Mike Anderson sat on the bench, obviously displeased with his coach's decision to start Pittman. Yet the three-headed passing attack of Ed McCaffery, Tory Holt, and Eric Moulds combined for an embarassing five points. Peyton Manning finished off his first full season with a pedestrian 7 point effort. Anderson did win the defensive battle 12-7, but the defending champs could only watch as Gonzales stole the victory away from them in the final moments of the game.

Thomas will now hit the road to meet the Irwin Hellions in the Western Championship Game, one win away from the Super Bowl in this, their inaugural season. The Brewmeisters incredible postseason run finally comes to a close as they will have to surrender their crown to a new champ in two weeks. Indeed, the spunky Bock Boys tagged the Brewskies for not one, but two teeth-grinding losses that will not be soon forgotten.

ell upon the Bock Boys...

In a game that lived up to its old-school billing, The Pimps walk out of En Fuego field with the franchise's first ever postseason victory and a ticket back to Championship Week. Although built-up as The Pimps' offense vs. Piana's defense, the game was won by The Pimps' Green Bay defense, which shocked the Raze (and the world) by outscoring Piana's heralded Saints squad by 15. The Saints self-destructed and actually coughed up 4 points towards The Pimps' offensive totals.

The Pimps pounded out yardage mostly on the ground, with Jerome Bettis and Ricky Watters combining for 17 points. Steve Beurlein was shut out completely, and Rod Smith was held to a single point, but Piana had even greater difficulties with the football. Ty Wheatley lost two fumbles, and Charlie Garner was kept to a modest five points. Yet trailing by 11 going into Monday night, Raze quarterback Elvis Grbac made a run at a comeback. Scoring 13 points, he made it interesting, but The Pimp's Derrick Alexander benefited directly, posting the decisive 10 points to keep the Raze at bay.

Piana, losing only their second game in the past 9 weeks, stays at home while The Pimps make tracks to the Vortex to visit the Eastern Division Champion Jody's Colossal Waste of Time - a team they have beaten five straight times - for a ticket to the big game.

Draft Bowl IV

Brandon's Yellow-bellied Overweight Banshees clipped The Players 27-23 in Draft Bowl IV to win the rights to the first overall selection in the 2001 Draft. Mark Brunell, a surprise replacement for Rich Gannon at quarterback, led the team with 10 points, while Lamar Smith, returning from an injury, posted an additional seven points towards the win. The Players, having looked so good in Week 13 against the Abstract Machines, looked disoriented and even disinterested. Four of the team's seven offensive starters scored 1 point or less. Only Jeff Garcia kept the contest close with a game-high 13 points. The defense was practically a low-scoring draw, with Brandon's Buffalo squad besting The Players' Lions 7-6.

The Players finished out their dismal year with their second consecutive Draft Bowl loss. Even moving the game to Florida couldn't save The Players from themselves. Owner Paul Pirkle has vowed to remake his franchise from the ground up, including a major image overhaul. The Banshees, on the other hand, closed the season in strong fashion, winning five of their last seven. Not only will Brandon have the first overall pick in the 2001 Draft, but they will also receive Piana's first rounder - No. 6 overall - as a reult of a midseason trade. Two early picks could elevate this rapidly improving franchise into an immediate title contender. Congratulations B.Y.O.B.!