The Spartan’s late season push to return to the playoffs for just the second time in 10 seasons came to a heartbreaking end with a 1 point loss. With the loss the team is officially eliminated from the post-season. Despite a strong performance from rookie fan favorite Dean Obando (17 carries for 85 yards, 4 catches for 53) the team only found the end zone once. A costly interception in Lumber Jack territory and 2 misses by kicker Jeffrey Springer were too much to overcome. Head Coach Earl Chen, now just 49-61-2 as the leader of the Spartans, called the loss to the previously winless Portland Lumber Jacks “an embarrassment.”
Obando vowed to come back even stronger next year. Reports that he left the podium muttering about “stupid kickers” were disputed by team officials, and called “out of context” by a clearly frustrated Chen.
Obando was not alone in blaming Springer for the devastating loss. Disappointed Portsmouth fans were quick to point out that despite improving this season, Springer still misses almost 20% of his field goal attempts. “We’re paying this guy how much to miss kicks? My grandma could’ve made that one,” complained Steve Jones of central Portsmouth. Springer, who signed a 6 year extension with the club during the season, had previously cited the on-going series of injuries to his regular long snapper (Oswaldo “OJ” Jolly, who played in only 6 games this year and is expected to miss the rest of the season) as a factor in his struggles this year. Springer tweeted an offensive meme in response to Mr. Jones’s contention that his grandmother could make a 57 yard FG, and is likely to be fined by the team.
Sadly for Portsmouth fans the disappointment is likely to continue as this is rumored to be their last chance to enjoy a playoff game. Reports emerged mid-season that several other cities have offered the Spartans lucrative relocation deals, and league officials expect them to be playing elsewhere in 1965. Team President MistbornJedi would not confirm reports of an imminent move, but did mention that he enjoyed a recent trip to Seattle where the mild fall weather is great for football.
