As is custom, each 2018 conference champion is receiving a custom team-based jersey, manufactured by Hopco Sports. To view previous seasons' jerseys, click here.
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Fourteen years have passed since we first sat at Snow Hall and learned that the 1st Battalion of the 158th Field Artillery regiment was being called up for service in Iraq. A lot has changed during that time, so let's take some time to catch up, this time with Norman Nobodies manager Matthew Leal.
Are you still in the 158? If, not when did you get out?
LEAL: I'm not in the military anymore. I got out right after we got home.
What did you do post-deployment?
LEAL: I went back to work, first selling cars and then moving on to office jobs. I've worked for Love's Travel Stops in their corporate headquarters for almost four years now.
Where are your from and how did you make it into the 158?
LEAL: I'm originally from Addington, Oklahoma, although I went to high school in Comanche, like Reed, Peacock and Morgan. I got into the 158 with the help of recruiter Keith Wheeler like so many of us.
Where do you live now?
LEAL: Norman, Oklahoma.
What are your hobbies outside of FF?
LEAL: I like to go camping and to OU football games. I am an avid knife and gun collector, and I'm a family man with a wife and two children.
What is your fantasy background?
LEAL: Long in the tooth, at this point. I started playing before the OIL began in 2006.
How long have you played FF?
LEAL: It's hard to remember exactly when I started, but it's probably about 15 years now.
How many different leagues?
LEAL: It varies, but I average about two a year.
How many championships have you won?
LEAL: Zero. Thanks for the reminder.
How many have you finished second in?
LEAL: I finished second in the OIL in 2007, and that's as close as I've gotten.
What is your general strategy in FF?
LEAL: Not sure I really have one every year. I tried the mock draft thing and failed, so I guess I just wing it and go for what sounds best at the time.
How much preparation do you do before each season?
LEAL: See answer above.
Do you find you draft better at the cabin with the guys or at home online?
LEAL: I think I draft better at the cabin.
Will you be at the draft cabin next year?
LEAL: Yes, for sure.
What is the best move you've made in FF?
LEAL: There’s been so many I can’t think of just one. [Editor's Note: It appears Leal's best move was to draft Tom Brady in the sixth round in 2015. Brady finished second among QBs while leading the Nobodies to a 10-3 record.]
What is your favorite FF memory?
LEAL: Too many to narrow it down to one, but I'd say the best part about the OIL is seeing the guys every year. It was great when it was a few hours a year, but a few days at the cabin blows that out of the water.
What is the pinnacle of your FF career?
LEAL: That hasn’t come yet, but it will. -
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After a grueling state-by-state photography tour, the OIL Commissioner has finally captured each OIL franchise's home stadium. You can view them all here. They are also the background for each manager's franchise page, as here:
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Fourteen years have passed since we first sat at Snow Hall and learned that the 1st Battalion of the 158th Field Artillery regiment was being called up for service in Iraq. A lot has changed during that time, so let's take some time to catch up, this time with Whackers manager Lyndal Morgan.
Are you still in the 158? If, not when did you get out?
MORGAN: No, I got out in 2010.
What did you do post-deployment?
MORGAN: I went to nursing school at OU, followed by nurse practitioner school at Texas Tech.
Where are your from and how did you make it into the 158?
MORGAN: I am from Duncan and joined the 158 because their Bravo Battery was in my hometown.
Where do you live now?
MORGAN: Marlow, just a few miles from Duncan.
What are your hobbies outside of FF?
MORGAN: I enjoy fishing, hunting, and riding ATVs. I also fly drones watch my Red Sox win the World Series.
What is your fantasy background? How long have you played FF? How many different leagues?
MORGAN: I only play in the OIL. I've tried playing in other leagues, but none were are competitive or fun as the OIL.
How many championships have you won?
MORGAN: I've won one championship (2007) and finished second twice.
What is your general strategy in FF?
MORGAN: I'm not giving you my strategy, Brick. Nice try.
How much preparation do you do before each season?
MORGAN: The week before the draft, I look at last year's results, this year's rankings, and develop a plan for when to target my sleepers.
Do you find you draft better at the cabin with the guys or at home online?
MORGAN: I draft way better at the cabin. Duffy needs to come down next year. [Editor's Note: I'm not sure if that's a burn or not.]
Will you be at the draft cabin next year?
MORGAN: Yes.
What is the best move you've made in FF?
MORGAN: I feel I had a solid draft this year. But I’m losing my mind, so I can’t remember anything better than not making a move or trade the year I won the championship.
What is your favorite FF memory? What is the pinnacle of your FF career?
MORGAN: This year was by far my best season, even though we didn't bring home the championship. -
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The 2018 Vultures won the AFC and OIL championships. Accordingly, they are entitled to both a championship helmet and jersey. While the jersey is still in production, the helmet, manufactured by HelmetNation.com, has arrived. It is the first to feature such a large decal, spanning the entire front of the helmet, and Helmet Nation did a great job reproducing it. Congrats to my old Baghdad roommate, Brosh, for winning the most coveted of OIL prizes. -
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Fourteen years have passed since we first sat at Snow Hall and learned that the 1st Battalion of the 158th Field Artillery regiment was being called up for service in Iraq. A lot has changed during that time, so let's take some time to catch up, this time with Dirty Hippies manager Christopher Trovillo.
What is your military background?
TROVILLO: Unlike the rest of the OIL, I was never in the 158. I was an active-duty guy that met Cliburn out in the civilian world just after he got back from that 2006 mission. I ended up hanging out at Cliburn's house quite a bit, and he invited me into the second season of the OIL. I got out of the Army in 2007.
What did you do after that?
TROVILLO: I moved back home.
Where are your from and how did you make it to Cliburn's house?
TROVILLO: I am originally from Tullahoma, Tennessee. I got to Fort Sill via the regular army. I met Cliburn's brother at a bar, and he invited me to Cliburn's house for the after-party.
Where do you live now?
TROVILLO: I now live in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, which is a suburb of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
What are your hobbies outside of FF?
TROVILLO: I like to spend time with my kids, going to the Discovery Science Museum and rock climbing. [Editor's Note: I hope his toddlers are not rock climbing with him.] I also like to play video games.
What is your fantasy background?
TROVILLO: I've been playing fantasy since 2006. I've been a part of four different leagues, but I am currently active in two.
How many championships have you won?
TROVILLO: I've won two OIL championships, but none in my other leagues.
What is your general strategy in FF?
TROVILLO: I like to pick a sure thing in the first couple of rounds, usually going RB-WR or WR-RB in the first two rounds. I generally take best available after that.
How much preparation do you do before each season?
TROVILLO: Most seasons I do quite a bit. This last season I didn't do any, and it showed. I was working so much and spending time with my family and just didn't have the time to prepare like I normally do.
Do you find you draft better at the cabin with the guys or at home online?
TROVILLO: Definitely better at home. When I am at the cabin, I find that I am focused on . . . other things.
Will you be at the draft cabin next year?
TROVILLO: Hopefully.
What is the best move you've made in FF?
TROVILLO: I can't remember anything past this current year. This year wasn't my best year making moves. [Editor's Note: Trovillo added rookie WR Odell Beckham, Jr. as a free agent early in 2014. Beckham became the OIL's highest-scoring WR over the last 12 weeks of the season, and Trovillo won his first championship.]
What is your favorite FF memory?
TROVILLO: My favorite memory is probably draft related. I really enjoyed spending time at the cabin and blowing up Brick's cooler. The pinnacle of my fantasy football career would have to be the first round of the 2016 playoffs. I was down 42 points against Cliburn with Le'Veon Bell as the only guy that I had left to play. He scored over 50 points, and I won my second championship two weeks later.
