DFFL News - For the week of January 2nd, 2024

 

Heinekins win the Title

 

F T C wins Vanier Cup

 

Gamblers take Consolation Bracket

 

Governor’s Cup Grand Final at Adega do Xelica, Pico Island, Azores:  Heinekins 34, Mean Machines 30

The Heinekins (10-5-2) are the DFFL Governor’s Cup Champions for 2023 as they held off a late charge from the Mean Machines (10-4-2) on Sunday afternoon to win a hard-fought 34-30 victory before an audience of about 500 in Adega do Xelica.  It’s the Heinekins second World Championship

The post-game trophy presentation in Adega do Xelica was chaotic as Heienkins teammates Jared Goff and James Cook argued over who should take receipt of the Cup as coach Greg Kaiser was nowhere to be found - since he had finally arrived back in Mexico – only to discover that the entire Grand Final operations had transferred back to the Azores for the second half.  In the end Playoff MVP Jared Goff (806 Passing Yards, 7 TD’s = 28 fantasy points) accepted the trophy on behalf of his coach, but not until after a terse discussion with Cook -  who still contends he should be playoff MVP after his big game in week 15.  As Cook said “That Pretty boy (Goff) wouldn’t even be up here if it wasn’t for me”.  Afterwards Goff admitted that they probably won the title largely because Kaiser wasn’t there - “He isn’t a very good coach” was one of the comments Goff let slip after he thought Terry Bradshaw had finished their interview and had turned off his microphone.

For Mean Machines it’s the second time in franchise history they come up short in the title game, as they will spend the entire off season ruing their decision to sit RB James Connor (128 rush yards, 2 TD’s = 16 points)

 

Vanier Cup Final at Adega do Xelica, Pico Island, Azores - F T C 35, Caged Orange 22

In the Third Place game, F T C (9-8) win their first Vanier Cup in team history with a surprising victory over a suddenly flat-lining Caged Orange (10-6) as the Frogs balanced scoring was more than enough for the win as the Orange’s starters fired mostly blanks down the stretch as the team put up point totals of 11, 27 and 22 over their last 3 games.  This is the third fourth place finish for the Orange.

 

Consolation Bracket Final at Adega do Xelica, Pico Island, Azores  Gamblers 50, Cheeseheads from Hell 38

The #11 seeded Gamblers (8-9) continued their dominance of the Cheeseheads from Hell  (6-11) with a comprehensive 50-38 win on Sunday – winning the Consolation Bracket title for the third time in team history, ending the Cheeseheads manic 6 game winning streak that got them to the final.