NTX Unlimited REC League: The Midway Point
NTX Unlimited REC League: The Midway Point
We're two weeks into our four week season, and one thing is clear.. There have been NO easy saturdays in the NTX Unlimited Rec League, thus far. That is if your name isn't Solefly.
One thing is for certain at this point, new rivalries have formed, new stars have emerged, and several teams have already proven they're capable of making a championship run. While one team has separated itself from the pack, the race behind them remains wide open with half of the regular season still to play.
Let's dive deeper on where every team stands going into the back half of the season!
The Team to Beat: Solefly (4-0)
If there were any doubts entering the season, whether that was for Armstrong and his ability to lead this team to the top of standings, or whatever it may have been, those have disappeared.
Solefly has been the most complete team through two weeks, combining an efficient offense with timely defensive stops to remain the league's only undefeated squad.
Quarterback Jonathon Armstrong has been the definition of consistency.
- 575 Passing YDs (2nd)
- 8 PTDs (T-2nd)
- League leading 74.4% Completion Percentage
He's been there every step of the way for his squad and has played a huge hand in leading them to the top of the standings at the midway point. He's not chasing the highlight plays, he is simply making the right reads and throws over and over again.
Outside of Armstrong, they hold the best defense in the league, only allowing 21 Points through four games. No easy feat!
As the second half begins, everyone will be measuring themselves against Solefly, a blessing and a curse as they now have the largest targets on their back in the league!
TMTR Has the League's Most Explosive Offense
TMTR (3-1)
Here's the deal, we can rant and rave about Solefly all we want, but you can't sit back and look at the stats and standings and NOT give TMTR their flowers. TMTR has been the most explosive team in the league, offensively and that is in large part to Cam Whiteside!
Cam Whiteside leads the league in both Passing YDs (722), by a flippin MILE, and Passing TDs (9)! Every week they roll out onto the field it feels like they're capable of scoring in bunches. When they get rolling, they're difficult to stop, their only achilles heel is they play DOWN to their opponent and have been seen to struggle against the better half of the standings.
Going into the second half of the season, we want to see ALL GAS NO BRAKES from TMTR, and I think they're surely capable of giving just that to us!
Rush Hour & Space Monkey Mafia Are No Longer Surprises
Rush Hour (3-1), Space Monkey Mafia (3-1)
BOTH clubs sit at 3-1 and have earned every bit of respect they've been given.
Expectations were low for Rush Hour, not going to lie, but they've proven after a STRONG WK 2 that they are more than capable of not only keeping up with their opponent but leaving them in the dust! They have the playermakers in Jordan Crew and etc, can they keep putting the puzzle together and making things shake going into the second half of the season?
As for Space Monkey Mafia, one of those teams that only signed up with 7 players, they struggled out of the gate. Its hot, they're short staffed, it makes sense. In WK 2, they didn't let that phase them, setting themselves up nicely in the standings and getting the ball rolling toward a playoff contending run!
Neither team looks like a cinderella story anymore, they look like contenders.
The Middle of the Pack Is One Big Fight
Du Mamas (2-2)
Few teams, genuinely, have a higher offensive ceiling than Du Mamas when things are clicking the right way. That is in large part to the Bui brothers. Alex and Alan Bui have shown their chemistry through their play like no other siblings we've seen in recent memory. Alan leads the league in REC YDs (274) on just (11) receptions this season! Outstanding numbers there, being fed by his brother Alex at the QB position has been a blessing for both of them. They have play makers all over the field. When Alex Bui missed WK 2, Dennis Van and Eric Le stepped up in a big way, Gareth Codling gave no mercy - their biggest question is their defense. If their defense can become more consisten, Du Mamas could make a serious second-half push in both the standings and a deep playoff run!
Phantom Troupe (2-2)
I can't lie, Phantom Troupe is a tough team to figure out.
Expectations were high for them, coming into a new league as a team with heavy chemistry throughout the roster. At times? they've looked unbeatable, for sure. Others? they've looked to struggle to put together complete games. WK1, they could've gone 2-0, but drops plagued their team by Jonathan Moyanah and CO. WK2? Him and everyone else locked tf in. JMO with a HUGE WK2 in multiple ways, MVP Caliber play, and still..1-1? what are we missing here? Finding consistency for them will determine whether they're a playoff dark horse or simply a middle of the pack roster. On paper, they look stacked. Jonathan Moyanah is the prototype red zone, all hands first team receiver you want on your team as a QB, Speed can take the top off and make anyone miss, their defense has also looked very sound - their goal in the second half is consistency. I could very well see a 4-0 second half Phantom Troupe. I hope we get to witness greatness.
Looking for Momentum
Whip Up (1-3)
The record really doesn't reflect the talent on the roster.
James Garcia is a more than capable quarterback, Tariq Bekhit has been a pleasant surprise in the stat book, leading the league in receptions with (19) and top 5 in the leaderboards in REC YDs, and Adam Tariq? He has been EXCELLENT on defense leading the league in DEF TDs with (2) and top 5 with (3) DEF INTs!
Every remaining week for them becomes increasingly important if they want to climb back into good playoff positioning. A few defensive adjustments might just do that for them!
Immortals (1-3)
Replacing a starting quarterback is never easy, with Steve Nguyen going down in WK1, Josh Sweet took the helm which is FINE, he is a more than capable QB but has no chemistry with the roster cards he's been dealt. Drops have PLAGUED this offense but somehow they still were able to manage a HUGE win against Du Mamas in WK2 to keep them alive and their hopes high going into the second half of the season.
Despite the drop adversity, they've remained competitive and one good stretch could completely change their season! We expect Kenn Armstrong to lock in defensively and really carry the load here to help prop his team in good standing!
Bottom Of The Barrel (1-3)
This is essentially a team full of free agents but none-the-less, Lonzale Linzie has SURPRISED us. He has made throws that have completely wowed spectators and opponents alike, and GOOD FOR HIM! We love to see that out of him coming into a season, where he hasn't played much football prior. It also helps that Rae Millsap has come into the league by STORM. He's top 5 in receiving and has been defensively sound. He has been HUGE for his squad and for Lonzale Linzie.
Look, they can be better than their record suggests but we're going to have to get SOMETHING out of this defense. They're going to have to clean up mistakes in late game situations, but I truly think they can be capable of upsetting anyone on the rest of their schedule.
Complexity (0-4)
Listen, the standings haven't been kind to Complexity but there is still ALOT to play for here. A strong second half could completely change the narrative for Complexity but let's praise the growth they've had thus far!
Robert Perez has shown flashes of greatness. He's made the tough throws and his receivers? they're going up and grabbing them! Kalel Serrata has shown incredible hops and hands! Their current receiving leader after a HUGE WK2 is Alejandro Estrada, who is now TOP 5 in REC YDs with (229)!
They've come a long way from their "Practice Squad" days, which were fairly recent. They're a team that before this league, they didn't play much organized football but they're asking the right questions, making the right adjustments and trying to learn every week.
I don't think they expect to be uber-competitive, but I would like to see them adjust their defense around and try to stay in games where they can. We've seen it before from them, they've surprised us, so far, they can continue to do so with the right adjustments going into the second half of the season!
MID SEASON AWARDS
MVP - Cam Whiteside (TMTR)
722 Pass YDs (1st) - 9 Pass TDS (1st)
He's been the most productive individual at the helm, thus far.
Without him, I couldn't see a 3-1 TMTR start.
Offensive Player of the Year
Alan Bui (Du Mamas)
274 REC YDs (1st) - 5 REC TDs (T-1st)
He's shown flashes of being the most dangerous receiver in the league every time he touches the ball. 11 RECEPTIONS AND 274 REC YDS!?! An ASTONISHING 24.9 YPC!
Defensive Player of the Year
Adam Tariq (Whip Up)
6 TKLs - 2 PBUs - 3 INTs - 2 DEF TDs.
He's been THE GUY that creates more offensive drives and additional points for Whip Up. He's going to be a pivotal piece to a second half run for Whip Up!
Most Improved Team
Rush Hour
From the preseason question marks to legitimate contenders half way through, we could see a run by them if they solidify that QB position and start enforcing their identity.
Breakout Team
Space Monkey Mafia
WK1 they struggled, no doubt about that, but they've now established themselves as a defense nobody really wants to play with the addition of Marcus Hunter. If we get consistent play out of Alex Jones, they could be a defensive force over the top.
SECOND HALF STORYLINES TO LOOK OUT FOR
- Can Solefly finish the regular season undefeated?
- Will TMTR's explosive offense catch Solefly for the NO. 1 seed?
- Which 2-2 team (Du Mamas or Phantom Troupe) makes the bigger second half push?
- Can Whip Up, Immortals or Bottom of the Barrel make the correct adjustments and climb back into contention?
- Who will seperate themselves in an increasingly crowded MVP race?
- Who is going to steal a playoff spot? Top 7 make it in, it could get dicey for some teams if they continue their reluctant play.\
FINAL THOUGHTS
The first half of the season gave us an idea of who everyone is, the second half is going to determine who has what it takes to compete for an NTX 5 Man Rec LG Championship.
Every possession, every game, they all matter from this point forward!
Thanks for reading,
All love and respect.
-Commish