The Philadelphia Griffins’ hopes of pulling off the league’s first-ever Fantasy Bowl three-peat were slashed this weekend, as the Happy Valley Violence rolled to a big 88-62 upset of the Griffins. The Violence will meet the top-seeded Boston Wildcats, who hung on through a Monday night nail-biter and prevailed 51-49 over MassIll Mud.

It’s not only the first-ever Fantasy Bowl for Happy Valley, but it’s the first-ever Fantasy Bowl appearance for this franchise, which was previously the Mission Viejo Impossibles, and the Pittsburgh Pachyderms before that. One of the Violence co-owners has been to the Fantasy Bowl once before however — Michael “Slick” Cerenzia won Fantasy Bowl I in 1992 with his State College Bandits franchise (now New Chester).

It’s the sixth trip to the Fantasy Bowl for the Boston Wildcats, second most behind the Griffins’ 9 trips. The Wildcats are 1-4 in Fantasy Bowl appearances, winning in 1997 (49-20 vs. SYR), and losing in 1994 (51-62 to WIS), 1999 (71-87 to NYG), 2000 (47-62 to SYR), and 2001 (78-91 to KEY).

The two new overall points awards for non-playoff teams this year ($175/160) are looking competitive going into the final two weeks. Keystone (with 728 points) is setting the pace but it’s currently wide open for the final prize, with DAL 656, MER 652, BOB 651, and OCD 650 all within 6 points of each other (and RIB 639, MIA 614, NCT 608 and FFL 578 still theoretically within striking distance).