Coach Wells had a humble start to his LOC career. After rocketing out of the gates in the first half of their inaugural season in 2011, they crumbled and finished 7-7, going on to have a 4-10 season the following year. They would notch their first playoff season in 2013 by going 8-6, but would lose to eventual Champions Burdettinators in the first round of the playoffs. They would regress the following season to 5-9. But this is one half of ADRZ's career that is completely unlike the other - the other part is in fact being nominated for the Hall of Fame.
The 2015 season marked a new chapter - or perhaps even an entirely new book - in Coach Wells' career - but it started in a remarkably similar way to the start of the first book. Coach Well's drafted Jamaal Charles in the 1st round of both the 2011 draft (his first season) and the 2015 draft. Both years Charles would be lost to injured reserve. But helped by coach favourite A.J. Green, with a stellar cast of Frank Gore, Todd Gurley, Russell Wilson, Steve Smith, and Delanie Walker, ADRZ would notch their first division championship, first league championship, and 2nd playoff appearance in their career with a mightily impressive 11-3 record. They would win in the first round of the playoffs, going on to make their first ever appearance in a Corona Bowl - Corona Bowl VII. Here, they added another first in their 2015 season - their first Corona Bowl title. seeing off IKNAN 117-63.
At this time, this was the pinnacle of Coach Wells' LOC career - little did we know, this was actually just the start of a dominant period in the LOC. ADRZ would win their division again in 2016, but not as impressively this time by way of an 8-6 record. It wasn't the crushing force of 2015, but they still made the playoffs, where they once again faced The Dream Team in the first round, and once again came out on top. ADRZ were going to another Corona Bowl, but two years in a row is not as uncommon as you might think - Gridiron Gang, The Tuckfards, and Bear Necessities had all gone to the Corona Bowl 2 years straight. To take away from this even more - ADRZ's Corona Bowl VIII opponent was the same as the previous year also - IKNAN, the first ever, and to date only, Corona Bowl rematch to happen in LOC history - let alone in consecutive years. ADRZ had a shot at differentiating themselves however, as they could become the first team to win 2 in a row. But it was not meant to be, as they lost 118-99.
ADRZ had missed their shot at writing their own unique story into the LOC history books...for the time being. In 2017, Coach Wells' would lead his team to yet another division title with a 9-5 record, becoming the first team ever to win 3 division titles in a row, and tied only with Bear Necessities for division titles. This of course, also represented their 3rd playoff appearance in a row, as well as their first highest scoring team of the season. They didn't face The Dream Team in the first round of the playoffs this season, but they did face playoff newcomer Patistan, who they saw off 90-77. That would mean Coach Wells' was going to the Corona Bowl again, Corona Bowl IX. If you're paying attention, that's their 3rd Corona Bowl appearance, a record at the time (which was tied a year later), but they are the only ever team to appear in 3 Corona Bowl's in a row.
Just fathom that for a second - 3 Corona Bowl appearances in a row. Some coaches have still never made it, most haven't made it more than twice, but ADRZ appeared there 3 years straight. Sadly, they couldn't mark the occasion with another Corona Bowl win as they fell to Forge Flyers 136-77, but it was still an immense achievement.
The following year, Tom's Tyrants and Burdettinators would face off in Corona Bowl 10, marking their 3rd appearance each in a Corona Bowl - but it's not quite the same as doing it consecutively. ADRZ were also in the playoffs yet again as well, extending their division title record to 4 years in a row, and tying the most ever division title wins. They are now also 1 playoff appearance behind from tying The Tuckfards consecutive playoff appearances record.
It would be remiss of me to not mention a criticism of this era in ADRZ history - that they routinely conceded the least amount of points compared to any other team in those 3 years. Now, I am not saying this to besmirch Coach Wells' achievement, because 3 straight winning seasons, division titles, and Corona Bowl appearance does not happen by accident, nor does it happen by just conceding the least amount of points - but it does help.
There is no taking away from the immense amount of skill, smarts, and tactics it takes to accomplish what ADRZ did though. It would not surprise me if we never saw a team appear in 3 straight Corona Bowl's again. The question all of you need to answer is this though - do you think this incredible feat is worthy of the LOC Hall of Fame?
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