HLC Week 5 Recap: Robots Edge Tourists, Jaybirds Soar Again, Leatherheads Keep Climbing, and Troubadours Dominate

Tuesday, October 8th, 2024

As Week 5 wraps up in the HLC, we saw tight finishes, high-scoring battles, and a few teams starting to pull away from the pack. The Tourists stumbled, the Jaybirds soared back to form, and the Leatherheads continue to assert themselves as a dominant force. With a few teams still struggling to find their footing, it’s becoming clear who’s heating up as we head into the midseason stretch. Let’s break it all down!

Robots Outlast Tourists in Gritty Contest

In a game that could have gone either way, the i2^3∑π pulled off a 110-105 win over the Austin Tourists. The Tourists, led by the underperforming Josh Allen (14 points), just couldn’t get their offense going. Rumors are swirling about a possible benching of Allen in favor of backup QB Jayden Daniels if the struggles continue. Despite a solid ground game from Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs (combining for 175 yards and 2 TDs), Austin fell short.

For the Robots, QB Dak Prescott didn’t dazzle either, but RB Chuba Hubbard (97 yards and a TD) and WR Brandon Aiyuk (8 catches for 147 yards) did enough to get them over the finish line. Add in kicker Younghoe Koo’s 20-point outing, and the Robots claimed their third win of the season.

Next up, the Tourists will try to regroup at home against the surging Troubadours, while the Robots head across town for a big showdown with the Jaybirds.

Jaybirds Back in Flight with Win Over Lobos

After last week’s stumble, the Jaybirds returned to form with a 141-131 victory over the New Mexico Lobos. QB Joe Burrow was on fire, throwing for 392 yards and 5 touchdowns, racking up 33 fantasy points. WR DJ Moore added 105 yards and 2 touchdowns to the mix, giving the Jaybirds the offensive firepower they needed.

The Lobos had their own standout, with WR Ja’Marr Chase putting on a show (10 catches, 193 yards, 2 TDs for 41 points), but even Chase’s heroics couldn’t overcome the Jaybirds’ high-octane attack. Backup QB Geno Smith also contributed with a solid 22 points for New Mexico, but it wasn’t quite enough.

Next week, the Jaybirds will host the Robots, while the Lobos hit the road to face the Tacos.

Leatherheads Continue Dominance, Beat Tacos

The Rockport Leatherheads keep rolling, knocking off the San Antonio Tacos 130-113. The Tacos struggled again behind a lackluster performance from QB Patrick Mahomes, who failed to score more than 15 points. WR Drake London, however, put up a fight, hauling in 12 receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown, earning 33 fantasy points.

But Rockport’s consistency continues to be the story. TE Brock Bowers (8 catches, 97 yards, and a TD for 23 points) led the way, but every player—except WR DK Metcalf—scored double digits, including their kicker and defense, in a true team win. The Leatherheads are now 4-1 and looking strong in the West.

Next week, Rockport heads to Michiana to face the struggling Muskellunge, while the Tacos try to bounce back at home against the Lobos.

Troubadours Trounce Muskellunge in Blowout

The Tortilla Flats Troubadours are surging, and their Week 5 performance was nothing short of dominant, routing the winless Michiana Muskellunge 159-89. The Troubadours’ point total would have been enough to secure a win against any team in the league this week, as they fired on all cylinders. The Muskies had a bright spot in WR Brian Thomas Jr. (5 catches, 122 yards, and a TD), but it was nowhere near enough to keep pace with the high-flying Troubadours.

QB Lamar Jackson had a monster game for Tortilla Flats, throwing for 33 fantasy points, while TE Tucker Kraft added 24 points, and the Troubs even got 18 points from their defense. Throw in a solid 16-point performance from kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, and Tortilla Flats looks like a team to watch heading into Week 6.

Next week, the Troubadours will head north to Austin to face the Tourists, while the Muskellunge will try to find their first win against the Leatherheads.

Player of the Week: Ja’Marr Chase, New Mexico Lobos

Even though the Lobos fell short, WR Ja’Marr Chase was unstoppable in Week 5. Catching 10 passes for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns, Chase posted 41.3 fantasy points, leading the league in scoring for the week and making him the clear choice for Player of the Week honors.

Week 5 Power Rankings

  1. Leatherheads (4-1) – Rockport keeps finding ways to win and jumps to the top spot.
  2. Jaybirds (4-1) – Back to their winning ways, the Jaybirds stay in the hunt.
  3. Tourists (3-2) – Despite back-to-back losses, the Tourists somehow remain in the top 3 in the ESPN fantasy power rankings… I don’t write the news, I just report it!

Standings After Week 5

HLC East

  • Jaybirds: 4-1
  • Tourists: 3-2
  • Tacos: 2-3
  • Muskellunge: 0-5

HLC West

  • Leatherheads: 4-1
  • i2^3∑π: 3-2
  • Lobos: 2-3
  • Troubadours: 2-3