The Pigskin Hooligans bounced back in 2018, returning to the championship game. The team finished with a 4-2 overall record on the year, falling in an exciting title game to the White Choppas. A total of 15 players competed for the team this season. The league technically featured 5 teams this year, but since one team dropped out due to schedule conflicts only 4 teams actually competed in games. The smaller league size allowed for a single round robin schedule for the regular season. All 4 teams qualified for the playoffs, with the Hooligans claiming the #2 seed after compiling a 3-1 regular season record. Let’s take a game-by-game look at the team’s results this year: The Hooligans received word on October 11 that Wakanda would have to drop out of the league. All teams were officially credited with a forfeit win on that day, giving the Hooligans a 1-0 start. The Hooligans played their first true games with a doubleheader on Sunday, November 4. In the first game, the team faced off against the White Choppas in a marquee matchup. The team trailed 16-0 early in the game, but 3 straight touchdowns paced the team to a 23-22 lead at halftime. The Choppas responded with 20 unanswered points in the second half to reclaim the lead. While a touchdown from Mikayla Hilton gave the Hooligans a 51-50 lead with 15 seconds left, the White Choppas countered with a deep pass for a quick game-winning touchdown. The Hooligans had to bounce back quickly for the second game of their doubleheader. The team got off to a sluggish start, trailing 28-8 early in the first half. Despite a rally late in the half, the Wamp Rats still held a 44-38 halftime lead. The Hooligans began to mount a comeback in the second half, scoring three straight touchdowns to take the lead. Kit Martin broke the franchise single-game touchdown record, scoring 5 in the game, and the Hooligans claimed an 84-64 win to move to 2-1. The Hooligans played their final regular season game on a chilly Sunday afternoon against the Charlestown Chiefs. The Chiefs jumped out to a 14-0 lead, once again causing the Hooligans to mount a comeback effort. The teams played to a 22-22 tie at halftime, and both teams traded touchdowns in the second half. The defining moment in the game came when Cassie Allard turned a short pass into a long gain, running for the game-winning touchdown. The victory gave the Hooligans a 3-1 overall record and the #2 seed heading into the playoffs. The Hooligans were set to face off against the #3 seed Wamp Rats in the playoffs for yet another “rivalry match”. However, the Wamp Rats were forced to forfeit due to their players either facing illnesses or a heavy homework load. The Hooligans claimed the automatic forfeit win, moving to 4-1 on the year and securing a spot in the championship game. In the championship game, the Hooligans faced off against undefeated #1 seed White Choppas in a rematch of both teams’ season opener. The Choppas jumped out to an early 12-0 lead, placing the Hooligans in a familiar position of attempting to come from behind. The team continued to convert every other time they had the ball, but the White Choppas held a 42-26 lead at halftime. After stopping several PATs and scoring a pair of their own, the Hooligans got as close as 4 points when they trailed 54-50 in the 2nd half. However, the White Choppas continued to respond with a touchdown on every possession. Despite Gabe Farr tying the franchise single-game touchdown record with 5 in the game, the Hooligans fell in a close championship game. Now that we’ve relived every individual game, let’s take a closer look at the stats and accomplishments of every player to appear in at least one game this year (stats are only counted here if earned in a Hooligans game): Gabe Farr (co-captain) - Gabe turned in a solid season in his first year with the Hooligans franchise. He assisted with team recruitment as a co-captain, bringing in several key subs for the playoffs. On the field, Gabe used his speed and great hands to record 8 total TDs on the year. He tied the franchise record for single-game touchdowns with 5 TDs in the championship game. 2018 stats: 3 GP, 1 pass TD, 8 TDs, 1 INT Mike Russell (co-captain) - Captain Russell continued to lead the Hooligans franchise in the 2018 season. He assembled a roster which led the team to a 4-2 record and another championship game appearance. On the field, Russell hauled in several receptions while seeing playing time on both sides of the ball. 2018 stats: 4 GP Amber Streeter - Amber made an impact in her first playing time with the Hooligans. She played in the second game of the team’s season-opening doubleheader, appearing in the 84-64 victory over the Wamp Rats. Amber showed ability on both sides of the ball, making a pass reception and pulling a flag on defense. 2018 stats: 1 GP Blake Dean - Blake spent the 2018 campaign on the Hooligans’ injured reserve due to an offseason injury. He was present for several of the team’s games and assisted as a referee with his keen knowledge of the game. Blake is expected to make a big return next season. 2018 stats: N/A Cassie Allard - Cassie was a solid signing for the Hooligans in 2018. She played in the final game of the team’s regular season against the Charlestown Chiefs. With the team ahead 44-42, Cassie took a short pass and ran nearly the length of the field for the game-winning touchdown. She also caught a PAT as well. 2018 stats: 1 GP, 1 TD, 1 PAT Darricle Jones - Darricle subbed in for the Hooligans in the championship game against the White Choppas. On offense he ran solid routes and caught a 2-pt conversion on the team’s last offensive series. Defensively, Darricle played solid pass coverage in the game as well. 2018 stats: 1 GP, 1 PAT Derek Nelson - Derek returned to the Hooligans to conclude his intramural career in 2018. He played in all of the team’s games throughout the year, making key contributions on both sides of the football. Derek registered one touchdown and 2 PATs during the year. 2018 stats: 4 GP, 1 TD, 2 PATs Henry Capers - Henry competed as a sub for the Hooligans in the 2018 playoffs. He appeared in the team’s championship game matchup against the White Choppas. Henry played quarterback in the first half of the match, throwing for 3 touchdowns in the contest. 2018 stats: 1 GP, 3 pass TDs Hunter Lastacy - Hunter signed with the Hooligans towards the end of the 2018 season. He provided a tall receiving target for the team, using his vertical leap to catch 2 TDs and 3 PATs on the year. Hunter also saw time at quarterback, passing for 2 touchdowns in 2 games of action. 2018 stats: 2 GP, 2 pass TDs, 2 TDs, 3 PATs Kit Martin - Kit had a standout rookie year with the franchise in 2018. He used his quickness and agility to make big gains, scoring a team-leading 11 touchdowns and 7 PATs as a Hooligan. Kit scored 5 touchdowns in the team’s 84-64 win over the Wamp Rats, setting a new franchise single-game record. 2018 stats: 4 GP, 11 TDs, 7 PATs, 1 INT Kordell McNeal - Kordell was a key addition to the Hooligans in the 2018 season. He used his speed to move the ball downfield, scoring 3 TDs and 6 PATs on the year. Defensively, Kordell made a strong impact with multiple forced fumbles, many flag grabs, and solid pass coverage. 2018 stats: 3 GP, 3 TDs, 6 PATs Luke Diekevers - Luke turned in a great year in his first season with the Hooligans in 2018. He received the nod as the starting quarterback, passing for 19 TDs and tying the Hooligan single-game record with 9 in a contest against the Wamp Rats. Luke also recorded two defensive interception returns for TDs. 2018 stats: 3 GP, 19 pass TDs, 2 TDs, 2 INTs Mikayla Hilton - Mikayla had a sensational debut with the Hooligans in 2018. She played in the team’s season opener against the White Choppas, scoring 3 touchdowns and a PAT on offense. Mikayla also played sound defense in the game, making several pass breakups. 2018 stats: 1 GP, 3 TDs, 1 PAT RJ Bortle - RJ joined the Hooligans for his first season in 2018. He began the year as a receiver, showing the ability to make catches on deep routes and snagging 2 touchdowns. RJ also saw time at quarterback in the championship game, passing for 5 TDs in the second half. 2018 stats: 2 GP, 5 pass TDs, 2 TDs Taylor Nesbitt - Taylor was a solid signing for the Hooligans in the 2018 season. She played in the team’s final regular season game against the Charlestown Chiefs. Taylor ran solid routes as a receiver and made an impact on defense with several flag grabs in the game. 2018 stats: 1 GP The Pigskin Hooligans organization would like to thank all of these players for their contributions to the team this year. Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2018 Hooligan Team Awards!
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Written by Mike Russell
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May 2021
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