Lyle, I’ll see if I can recap for everyone…
Last night was kind of a fever dream for me after a very short work week in Phoenix, Monday through Wednesday morning.
Let’s start after half when the Owls were ahead by 2-3 points:( I told someone on the line of the north end zone, “I’m not sure we can dig out of this one…but I’m not giving up.” Then the Owls broke us again!!
I think the moment it started to turn our direction is when the Owls advanced the disc all the way to the goal line on the west side of the field playing ‘Cram Jam’ up the sideline. There were at least 2-3 short gain throws to that corner that did not score and the Butterflies kept fluttering around to ensure no one scored a quick up-line. Brayant ended up with the disc at a high stall count and floated a hammer to Bryan, Brian, or Russell, and I got the D. We proceeded to use our legs and cardio to small ball it down the field for a score.
After that we switched it up defensively. Played zone a couple of points. That translated to a Jacob D that went right into the hands of Zach for a jailbreak assist to Jacob.
Then we switched back to very aggressive person defense with the intent to never let them score anything easy. The Butterflies continued to aggressively defend as a unit forcing many throws that continually increased the odds of a mistake.
When we were on offense for the remainder of the game, I worked as the third handler with Zach as the primary and we worked it through Naomi, Michelle, and Ashley. Always ready for the dump, but hardly ever being used because our FMP’s slayed. We don’t win without our FMP’s! Scored at least 2-3 points this way.
Hard cap goes off and we are 12-11 (Butterflies over the Owls). Last point if we can score. The Butterflies marched it up the field and Zach finally hit Karl across the field in the south end zone for the final score of the game. 13-11 Butterflies take home the trophy!!
Congratulations to this huge team effort and holding on as a unit.
An important memory from me to you from my first Nationals in 2016 with the Woolly Mammoths that relates to this championship game:
Woolly is down by 5 points against, I think it was The Black Cans (They just won the 2025 National Championship with Plant)
Our primary O-line of alpha players that I looked up to could not score. They were demoralized and gave up the field to the third string D-line of very scrappy players that I was on.
We received and scored. The O1 line said to stay. D2 gets the D and converts. O1 line roars from the sideline and says to stay in. We get the D again and convert and O1 says, “LET THEM COOK!” The D2 line is energized by O1’s encouragement as we are there to prove ourselves. Without exhaustion, without pain, without fear, without heavy legs, that line broke them over and over again winning the game. D2 genuinely looked up to everyone on that team and developed an unbreakable bond through hardship that created a family to this day. I encourage each of you to continue to play and stay involved so you can continue to have that life.
Sincerely,
Tommy
Not included in my team email and very very important to all of us:
Owls, I experienced club level defense from your team, forcing me to do things I only pull out at the highest levels and only after the big dogs take a seat. Joe and Ellie, I can tell that you transplanted your vast wealth of ultimate knowledge, empowering your teammates this season. They will never forget the lessons. They and I look up to you. Owls, thank you for the competition last night. We had the crowd one the edge of their seat all night. In this sport, we only get better when we show up for and against each other.
With all of the love of the sport and life,
Tommy