The Gorillas hosted in their debut playoffs performance this past Thursday but fell short of the mark losing 29-34 to the veteran team Olivos Barachos. Attendance 133500. No players were interested in meeting media following the loss, but GM Daniel held a press conference and answered some questions.

"I wanted to open this by just saying I am so proud of this team and everything we have accomplished so far. Just being in a playoff game and hosting in my second season is a testament to the hard work this team has been putting in. I'll take a few questions now"

Q- "Coach, how did you go about preparing your young team for this game given all of the playoff implications?"

DK-"Well I really wanted this to just be another game for the guys. Everyone in the locker room knew how important this game was so I didn't have to stress that. I prepared the team with our typical walkthroughs and film and by game time I felt confident in our chances to win. Things didn't fall our way there in the fourth quarter but I was pleased that we had come back from that deficit and had ourselves in a real position to win at the very end."

Q- "Coach, you obviously know how important streaks and momentum are in this league. Given that you still have one League match left and have already clinched a playoff spot in the Admirals division, do you feel that this loss put you in a worse position moving forward?"

"I don't really see it as us being in a worse position now, no. We got a chance to dip our toe in the water of the post season and came up short. This was a vital learning experience for the team and now they know what it takes to finish out important games moving forward. Our season isn't over and we plan on making a deep playoff push in league play."

Q-"Coach, your team has been consistently pounding the run game this season and it is mostly thanks to star Running Back Yusuf Ahmed. What do you have to say on the season he is having so far, and can we expect his heavy workload in the post season?"

DK-" Yusuf is one of the hardest working guys on the team. People are surprised when he shows up on global leaderboards but I'm not because I get to see the work he puts in every single day. It isn't just Ahmed though, we have to credit the Offensive line for a lot of his success as well. Without our big bodies like Carlos (Ramos), Carles (Fagbure), and Imre (Drost) none of our run game could function. Without a doubt though Yusuf is going to be a key part in any success we have in the playoffs and we just need him and the rest of the offense to stay healthy"

Q-"Coach DK, this was obviously your first time experiencing the playoff atmosphere. Given the result and how close the game was, does this give you confidence moving into league playoffs"

DK-"Most definitely. Going into this game I didn't know what to expect from my players because they have never played for real stakes like that before. I'm extremely confident now that I've seen them in action and just excited to see what they can do in the League tournament. There are a lot of strong teams in Admirals but I see us as one of the powerhouses a real champion contender."

DK-"Thats all the time I have today, thank you guys"

Gorillas PR department head- DK
Senior Editor for Gorillas- DK

The Gorillas delivered an impressive performance at home, defeating the Birmingham Dragons 37-10 in a thrilling Supercup showdown in front of 126,000 ecstatic fans. The team's defense was exceptional, recording five interceptions throughout the game. Outside Linebacker Dogan Müller shone as the MVP with 4 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 interception. Notable defensive contributions also came from cornerback Sonny Price, who returned an interception for a touchdown, and Oleksandr Tsymbaliuk, who added two interceptions to the Gorillas' impressive defensive tally.

The Gorillas’ offense was equally flawless, avoiding turnovers and showcasing efficiency. Starting quarterback Baka Babangida completed 24 of 30 passes for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns, while wide receiver Reid Warner contributed significantly with 10 catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. In a postgame interview, MVP Dogan Müller reflected on the win: "How does it feel to be named MVP today?" Müller responded, "It’s an honor, but this was a total team effort." When asked about the team’s performance, he added, "We executed our game plan perfectly. This victory shows our potential, and we need to stay focused." Gorillas manager echoed this sentiment, stating, "I had total confidence going into this game that we would pull out the win. What this team is building is special, and they need to keep this hunger." The Gorillas now have two wins in a row and seek to make it 3 heading home for a league matchup against the Dunavecse Galaxy.

Ahead of their highly anticipated Thursday night game against the Dragons, the Gorillas' star players took time to field media questions about their recent performance and what to expect in their next matchup. Here’s a brief of the interviews:

Quarterback Baka Babangida:

Q: How do you assess your performance in the win against the Alprausch Alpakas, and what improvements are you focusing on?
A: "I’m pleased with how the offense executed our game plan, especially with the protection we got from the line. Moving forward, we’re working on improving our timing and making quicker decisions to ensure we’re even more efficient against the Dragons."

Q: What’s your strategy for tackling the Dragons' defensive lineup this Thursday?
A: "The Dragons have a formidable defense, but we’ve been studying their tendencies closely. We plan to use a mix of quick passes and strong running plays to keep them on their toes and find gaps in their coverage."

Running Back Yusuf Ahmad:

Q: You had a solid performance with 90 rushing yards last game. How are you preparing for the Dragons’ defensive front?
A: "I’m focusing on maintaining my conditioning and reading the defense better. The Dragons' defensive front is aggressive, so we’ll need to be sharp with our blocking schemes and make smart decisions to find the openings."

Q: What aspect of your game are you most excited to showcase against the Dragons?
A: "I’m excited to display our running game’s versatility. We’ve been working on mixing up our plays, and I’m looking forward to using that to our advantage and making a significant impact on the field."

Wide Receiver Christie Moolman:

Q: As a rookie, you made a strong impression with 84 receiving yards last game. What are your expectations for the game against the Dragons?
A: "I’m excited for the challenge. The Dragons are a tough team, and I’m ready to step up and make plays. I’ve been focusing on my route running and catching consistency, and I hope to contribute even more this week."

Q: How do you handle the pressure of performing in high-stakes games, especially as a newcomer?
A: "I embrace the pressure. It’s an opportunity to prove myself and show that I belong here. I focus on my preparation and trust my training, knowing that the hard work will pay off when it matters most."

Defensive End Art Villareal:

Q: Your defense had a strong showing against the Alpakas. What’s your approach to neutralizing the Dragons' offense?
A: "We need to stay disciplined and execute our game plan. The Dragons’ offense is dynamic, so maintaining our gap integrity and applying consistent pressure on their quarterback will be key to our success."

Q: How do you stay motivated and focused throughout the season?
A: "I stay motivated by focusing on our team goals and my personal commitment to improving each week. Every game is a new opportunity to show what we’re capable of and to push ourselves to be better."

Middle Linebacker Oleksandr Tsymbaliuk:

Q: What improvements are you targeting in your defensive play as you prepare for the Dragons?
A: "We’re working on improving our communication and reaction times. The Dragons have a fast-paced offense, so being able to quickly adjust and react will be crucial for our success."

Q: What’s your game plan for containing the Dragons' key offensive players?
A: "Our game plan involves a lot of film study and practice. We’ll be focusing on their tendencies and making sure we’re in the right position to limit their big plays and control the pace of the game."

Cornerback Leo Kenny:

Q: As a rookie cornerback, how do you feel about facing the Dragons' wide receivers this week?
A: "I’m pumped for the challenge! Facing top-tier receivers is exactly what I’ve been preparing for. I trust my training and my skills, and I’m ready to make some plays and help the team get that win."

Q: How are you handling the expectations and pressure of being a high-profile rookie?
A: "I handle it by staying confident and focusing on the basics. I’ve worked hard to get here, and I know that if I stick to what I’ve learned and stay grounded, I’ll be able to handle whatever comes my way."

The Gorillas hope to grab another win this Thursday against the Dragons and play upset for a second straight game. We'll all be watching as they come back to the Jungle on 8/15. See gorillafb.com for ticket information.

The Gorillas delivered a powerhouse performance on the road, overcoming the Alprausch Alpakas with an 18-10 victory in front of a roaring crowd of 107,000 fans. The game was a testament to the Gorillas' robust defensive play and effective run game, key elements that secured their triumph. Defensive stars Dogan Müller, Oleksandr Tsymbaliuk, and Art Villareal were instrumental in stifling the Alpakas' offense, while the Gorillas' running attack, led by star Running Back Yusuf Ahmad, proved to be a decisive factor. Ahmad’s impressive 90 rushing yards on 30 attempts showcased his strength and stamina throughout the game.

Rookie wide receiver Christie Moolman also made a notable impact, catching 84 yards on 6 receptions and contributing significantly to the Gorillas' offensive efforts. The team's success was further bolstered by the exceptional performance of kicker Ivan Tadjibaev, who scored all of the Gorillas’ points with a 6/8 mark and a standout 56-yard field goal. His precision under pressure was crucial in maintaining the lead and ensuring the win.

Gorillas’ manager Daniel K praised the team’s efforts following the game, stating, “This is a big-league win and really shows our team’s hard work has been paying off.” The victory underscores the Gorillas' growing dominance and serves as a testament to their dedication and teamwork. The Gorillas hope to continue this momentum as they go home this Thursday and play the Birmingham Dragons