The Madden Challenge is over. Although I did well, I suffered a controversial loss in the semi-finals (rookie division). It went down like this:

Ravens vs. Patriots (Yours truly manning the Pats) With seconds left in the game, the score tied at seven all, I missed a 52yd field goal to send us into overtime. Little did we know, this would be the first of four overtimes played.

Defenses prevailed as each of us punted the ball over and over again. It was a grueling effort as we both stopped each other from gaining enough yards to at least put the ball through the uprights for a field goal. Relentless defense would pay off as late in our fourth OT, I intercepted the ball and ran it back to the Ravens twenty. I could kick the ball from here, but felt that I needed to pound the ball in a bit closer to ensure the win. I ran the ball two more times to put me on the fourteen yard line, setting me up for a twenty nine yard field goal for the win. Third down, between both hash marks, I setup for the kick.

WEEKOO! WEEKOO! WEEKOO!

The fourteen year old turd sandwich begins a tactic called "toggling". Pressing the "L" button on the controller, the camera will zoom out to a full field view. Let go and the camera goes back in. Over and over, as fast as he can, he toggles the screen. I didn't know what to do. This tactic is without a doubt cheating in a sanctioned tournament. It's in the rules. There aren't a lot of rules but that's one of them. I look to the side for the referee. He's not there. I consider telling him to stop, but I don't. I wuss out. I bite the bullet and kick the ball......wide right. WHAT??? NO!!!?!?!?!?!

I see the ref come over.

"Hey...This guy was screwing with the camera on my 29 yard field goal to win the game," I clammered.

The ref looks at the slightly ratty looking boy, "Did you do that?"

Rat boy, "Yes."

The ref replies, "Well you aren't supposed to...No toggling."

Rat boy, "I didn't know."

"Well don't do it again."

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?! That's it???? Don't DO IT AGAIN???? NO!!!!!

That's it. Now I'm upset. I buckle down and force him to punt.

(Okay...another chance. I can do it. Here comes the ball.)

***FUMBLE***

Tim Dwight gets nailed after he catches the ball, and fumbles the ball. Ratboy picks it up and runs it in for a touchdown. Game over.

Let me tell you, I was depressed. This was the semi finals. I could smell the leather of the Madden Finals couch. I could see the clarity of the high resolution picture emitted by the Madden Finals widescreen LCD. I could see it all...standing on the sidelines. So close. So...so...close.