The Rockets were the best team in the league all season. They just needed to prove it two more times. Mission (barely) accomplished!

The Rockets faced a Bullsharks team that improved as the season went on, beating the 12-pack for their first victory and keeping the Pylons close in a one-score battle last week. So they were feeling pretty good about themselves going into the semi-final match-up against the Rockets. But, a 21 point first half by the Rockets took the air out of the Bullsharks sails.

The Rockets forced a punt on the Bullsharks first possession and then the offense took over. Rick made it look easy, completing passes to all four receivers on the first drive, ending with a perfectly thrown fade to Diesel for a touchdown (XP Diesel). More of the same followed as the Rockets defense was not budging, forcing another Bullshark punt. The subsequent drive ended with another fade route to Diesel – this time the ball somehow went through the defender and Diesel made a diving catch behind him for his second TD. The offensive line of Jason, Vince and Fleet gave Rick plenty of time all game, and on the next possession Rick again went deep to the left side, the ball again finding it’s way through the defender, slightly tipped into Chad’s chest for the Rockets third TD (XP Ricky).

In the second half, the Bullsharks started to come out of their haze. They earned a pick and also scored, and the tide was starting to turn. But the defense, not to be outdone by the first half offense, made plays when it most counted. Chad had a pick in the endzone to end one Bullshark drive, and Deisel had another near the goaline to dash more Bullshark dreams. But the play of the game goes to Jamal, who jumped a route, snatched the rock, and and turned on the jets, sprinting almost 80 yards for a pick-6 (missed XP). On the way, for good measure, Jamal’s juke move broke the ankles and dropped the poop stained jockstrap of the Bullshark QB who had the last chance to down him. With that score, all Rockets could breath easy, and they coasted to a 27-13 final, with the Bullsharks scoring a garbage TD at the end of the game. Game ball: Diesel for the two TD’s to get us rolling, the XP and the big pick.

On to the Championship game, where the speedy Pylons kept the Rockets offense in a funk. But great teams play team ball, and the defense flexed its muscles all game. Dan, Kevin, Jason, Jovan and Vince all applied pressure and containment with Dan and Kevin getting some key sacks. Richie was huge, picking the Pylon QB three times, and upping his total to double digits with 10 picks on the season. The only real Pylon scoring thereat came as they moved moved down the field to the Rockets two yard line. But they were denied on four consecutive plays, as Jovan batted down a fourth down floater that the pylons QB tried to push across the end zone to his receiver. That turned out to be an incredibly important stand.

The Rockets moved the ball at times, with some beautiful catches by Mark (chair route for a big gain), and Diesel with an incredible sideline toe-tap catch. Jason was big (pun intended) over the middle, snatching passes with one hand and pancakeing defenders as they tried to get in (or out of) his way. But the end zone proved elusive as finding a woman who scores in the Unicorn Zone of the Universal Hot Crazy Matrix (Google it). Near the end of the game, the Rockets were driving, and Rick had Mark open in the end zone, but the ball uncharacteristically slipped from Rick’s hand as he threw, and the floater was picked. The Pylon defender had pick-6 on his mind, but Rick made up for his mistake, hustled to the sideline and got just enough of the defender to force him out of bounds. It was great hustle to prevent what could have been an awful way to to start the end of season party. Seven seconds and two failed Hail Mary attempts by the Pylons later though, and and the Rockets found themselves in Championship Overtime.

The Pylons got ball first, moved it about 17 yards on 4 downs, and turned it over to the Rockets. Rick wanted to show Jamal that white guys can dance too, calling his own number the first two plays, gaining 18 yards on the ground and enabling the Rockets to win by yardage in overtime! That’s right, a traditional pocket passer with the best arm in the league …but not the best wheels…wins it on the ground…bad back and all…how ironic, unexpected and awesome all at the same time. That’s the definition of taking what the defense gives you. Game ball to The Interceptor for his three picks!

Congratulations boys on a great season! Rockets on 3!