Tuesday, September 10th, 2024

Week 1 of the Hoosier Longhorn Confederacy (HLC) is officially in the books, and it didn’t disappoint. From nail-biting finishes to powerhouse performances, the opening week set the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating season. With some major upsets and surprising shifts in the power rankings, let’s dive into the action.

Troubadours Top Leatherheads in Gulf Coast Showdown

Two teams looking to bounce back from tough seasons last year clashed in the first Gulf Coast Showdown of the season, with the Tortilla Flats Troubadours edging out the Rockport Leatherheads 137-128 in a rollercoaster of a game.

Heading into Monday night, the Troubs appeared to have the win secured, with ESPN projections giving them a 99% chance of victory. But a late shakeup occurred when RB Christian McCaffrey was unexpectedly benched, leaving Tortilla Flats without a starting running back. The projections flipped, giving Rockport the edge. However, in a game-saving move, the Troubadours made a last-second pickup of young RB Jordan Mason, who exploded with 147 rushing yards and a touchdown, delivering 22 fantasy points to seal the win.

The Troubs also saw strong performances from QB Lamar Jackson, who tallied 395 total yards and a touchdown for 25 fantasy points, and RB Joe Mixon, who contributed 159 yards and a touchdown.

Despite the loss, Rockport put up an admirable fight, with a 128-point showing that would have secured victory against most other teams this week. QB Tua Tagovailoa, RB Alvin Kamara, and WR Cooper Kupp, who posted 32 points, all shined, showing the Leatherheads are poised to be a formidable team this season.

Next up for the Troubadours is a tough matchup as they aim to build on their momentum, hosting the 2023 champions and 2024 runners-up, the New Mexico Lobos. Meanwhile, the Leatherheads will be looking to make a statement in northern Indiana against the Robots.

Jaybirds Soar Past Tacos in San Antonio

Up the highway in San Antonio, the Jaybirds came out swinging in a highly anticipated matchup, defeating the San Antonio Tacos 119-101. After a rough season last year that finished on a hot streak, the Jaybirds started 2024 strong, led by their QB Anthony Richardson. Richardson passed for 47 yards, rushed for 56, and accounted for three touchdowns, racking up 26 fantasy points. RB Saquon Barkley was equally impressive, contributing 132 combined yards and three touchdowns for a massive 33 points.

The Tacos struggled to get their renowned passing game in gear. The typically reliable duo of QB Patrick Mahomes and TE Travis Kelce combined for only 21 fantasy points. Still, San Antonio’s defense and special teams put up a fight, contributing 13 points from their defense, while kicker Jake Elliott added 10 fantasy points.

In Week 2, the Tacos will look to bounce back when they host the Tourists, while the Jaybirds will take on the defending champions, the Michiana Muskellunge.

Lobos Run Down Robots in New Mexico

And now, it’s time for this math-challenged writer to warm up the copy-and-paste buttons as we turn our attention to New Mexico, where the Lobos hosted i2^3∑π, colloquially known as the Robots.

The Lobos started the season strong, led by RB De’Von Achane, who posted 23 fantasy points with 7 receptions, a touchdown, and 24 rushing yards. However, Achane’s ankle injury during the game leaves his status for next week uncertain. RB Kenneth Walker III also delivered, racking up 109 yards, a touchdown, and 19 points, while franchise QB Jalen Hurts added 17 points to secure the win.

The i2^3∑π were led by WR Mike Evans, whose 61 yards and 2 touchdowns earned 23 fantasy points, but the rest of the team couldn’t match the Lobos’ firepower, and they fell 118-94.

The Robots will look to rebound in Week 2 as they host the Leatherheads, while the Lobos will head southeast for what could be a high-scoring showdown against the Troubadours.

Tourists Edge Out Muskies in High-Scoring Duel

In the final matchup of Week 1, the defending champions, the Michiana Muskellunge, traveled to Austin to kick off their title defense. Both quarterbacks came out strong, with the Muskies’ C.J. Stroud putting up 19 fantasy points. After a rocky start, the Tourists’ veteran QB Josh Allen found his groove, leading Austin with an impressive 31 fantasy points.

Muskies’ WR Tyreek Hill answered with 26 points, but the game quickly turned into a battle of defenses and kicking games. The Muskellunge defense contributed 19 points, while kicker Cairo Santos added 13. However, the Tourist defense tallied 16 points, and kicker Brandon Aubrey stole the show, going 4-for-4 on field goals, including two from over 50 yards, for a game-high 21 fantasy points.

In the end, the Tourists came out on top with a 150-134 victory. Next up for the defending champs is a crosstown rivalry as they host the Jaybirds, while the Tourists will head south down I-35 to face the Tacos in San Antonio.

Power Rankings: Week 1 Shake-Ups

This season’s first power rankings brought some major shake-ups from the preseason projections. ESPN’s weekly fantasy football power rankings consider factors such as team performance, fantasy points, and individual contributions, and they adjust after each week’s results.

After Week 1, the New Mexico Lobos fell from No. 2 to No. 3, while the Tortilla Flats Troubadours moved up to No. 2. The biggest surprise came from the Austin Tourists, who skyrocketed from a preseason No. 6 ranking to claim the top spot at No. 1 after their impressive Week 1 victory.

Week 1 Standings

Player of the Week

Week 1 Player of the Week honors go to Jaybirds’ running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley was a force on the field, carrying the ball 24 times for 109 yards and two touchdowns. He also added two receptions for 23 yards and another touchdown, finishing with a league-leading 33.2 fantasy points. His standout performance played a crucial role in the Jaybirds’ victory and set the tone for a strong season ahead.