More signings into first string positions across the team were just enough for the Sea Devils to repeat their 10-6 record against vastly improved opposition.

Brent Cloud moved top of the franchise's all-time passing yardage chart surpassing records held by players from before the Storm takeover. He led a 7th ranked passing offense & an 11th ranked rushing game with 5091 yards thrown & 496 yards rushed (putting the QB 41st among Sea Devils rushers). New signing TE Luiz Akerele led established WR De Yeap in catching yards but both combined for 1800+ yards.

First round OL Antonio Serrano & attempted training improvements to the offensive line paid little dividend with only marginal gains in blocking success & a repeated 64% pass completion. Giving up 25 sacks & 29 interceptions many in key lost fixtures meant the Storm ranked highly in these unwanted stats & ultimately did not do enough to deserve the Wild Card spot secured last season.

Some solace could be found in Sea Devils #1 FB Howard Schuler smashing home 976 of a team total 2143 yards. He also contributed 33 of the team’s league topping 46 rushing TDs & finished joint 3rd in the league with 8 MVP performances.

A vastly improved defensive line began to show their power with Warren Varner & new signing NT Tudur Matthews notching 51 TfL. 2nd round draftee Kirimi Aarons contributed 5 sacks at DE along with 3 each from OLBs Anton Hawk & Benedict Rowe.

Meanwhile in the backfield the Sea Devils #2 LB Will Sturgill picked 17 of the team’s 22 interceptions ranking the LB joint 2nd in Sea Devils. Newly arrived CBs Zissis Bakas & Odin Robertson joined CB1 Severino DuPond & all contributed key interceptions during highlight wins over the Black Knights & St Pauli Packers.

Tougher opposition means the repeat of a 10-6 record must surely be signs of progress. But with the defence accelerating the same question must be asked of the offense in S61 - can the offensive line give Brent Cloud the protection he needs to take Northern Storm to the next level & keep pace with the Manta Rays?

Offensive MVP: FB Howard Schuler
Defensive MVP: MLB Will Sturgill
Special Teams MVP: K Marko Popovic

Northern Storm completed the move to EAMCI's home the Sea Devils in time for S59.

After last season's re-structure first string signings were made across the roster. Severino Dupond (CB) De Yeap (WR) Arturo Molina (RB) & Will Sturgill (MLB) were signed from the transfer market while James Lebese (TE) Dane Bátor (DL) & Henrik Bajor (WR) were acquired in the draft. All eyes were on the level of contribution these new arrivals would be able to make.

Established QB Brent Cloud finished 3rd in the Sea Devils' regular season passing stats (6,342 yards) with 469 yards thrown in the highlight victory against the Baltic Dogs. The 28 sacks allowed must be attributed to the offensive line all of whom recorded a sub-50% block success rate. Draftees Henrik Bajor & James Lebese accounted for nearly 40% of Brent Cloud's yardage finishing 11th & 8th in Sea Devil's catching yards with James Lebese finishing top among TEs.

With none of the Storm's receivers finishing in the top 50 for catching TDs it fell to last season's Youngblood MVP Howard Schuler (FB) to get the ball over the line with 33 TDs for just 3 fumbles earning an MVP performance in the season highlight victory against Sheffield Wednesday & emerging as the #1 FB in Sea Devils. Howard Schuler's ball security also allowed Northern Storm to keep the ball in field goal range with last season's Special Teams MVP Marko Popovic (K) kicking 39 Field Goals & earning 3 MVP performances including in the away victory against divisional opponents the Manta Rays.

Last season's Defensive MVP Benedict Rowe moved to OLB allowing new signing Will Sturgill to take MLB notching up 10 DefTDs, 8 Sacks & 13 Interceptions & finishing as the #1 LB in Sea Devils. Meanwhile Severino Dupond contributed 9 Interceptions & 3 DefTDs. Also of note was Avery Lessard's 11 Sacks - the most of any Safety in the league & Warren Warner's continued presence in the defensive line saw him finish 5th in the league for TfL.

With a big gap in standard between Northern Storm & their play-off opponents they surely must be considered outsiders. But a winning record & excellent contributions from their new first string signings is a pleasing indication of the franchise's progress in S59.

Offensive MVP: Brent Cloud (QB)
Defensive MVP: Will Sturgill (MLB)
Special Teams MVP: Marko Popović (K)
Youngblood MVP: Howard Schuler (FB)

A dramatic team restructure has seen 16 players fired & active recruitment through both the transfer market & Youth Academy.

On offense Dominic Huber’s inspired switch from D to WR produced 814 catching yards & 10 TDs. Meanwhile new signings made an impact with QB Brent Cloud throwing for 61% pass completion with no interceptions, WR/TEs Evandro de Mata & Andreas Klein totalling 545 catching yards & FB Howard Schuler rushing for 293 yards & 11 TDs. A struggling line has been reinforced with OC Pandu Oyinlola.

Multiple changes of position on defence has seen the emergence of LBs Benedict Rowe & Anton Hawk who totalled 13 sacks & 8 interceptions. The arrival of young SF Sigþór Cornell has added depth & potential while DL Samih Najjar has strengthened a young set of DLs with 11 tackles for loss since joining.

With plenty of field goals missed & punts sent out of bounds the arrival of K Marko Popovic & P Dane Buchanan was crucial to an effective special teams. Marko Popovic showed his value in his first game during the win against Voghera Locomotives with an MVP performance 7 field goals & 3 PATs.

Northern Storm achieved their ambition of a winning record in the Claymore AC South at 5-1. However this was put into perspective by a bruising 73-3 defeat to divisional heavyweights the Forest Falcons & finishing beyond the playoffs.

A switch to the Sea Devils league where EAMCI previously managed the Redcoats to a 14-2 record & Conference Runners Up in S40 is being considered. Wherever Northern Storm play next season their ambition is to spend their first full season in their newly-built 100000+ seat stadium challenging for a winning record.

Offensive MVP: WR Dominic Huber
Defensive MVP: LB Benedict Rowe
Special Teams MVP: K Marko Popovic
Youngblood MVP: FB Howard Schuler

A new franchise has taken over what was the disastrous Bulldogs.

A bigger stadium, Premium Youth Academy & Facilities are being built to focus on developing homegrown talent while the transfer market is being scoured to supplement an overhaul of the Depth Chart.

While still short of top level talent in several areas opponents should expect an unpredictable hybrid passing/running game aiming to turn around this season's losing form.

We wish all our rivals luck in battle. See you on the field.