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CCC Write Up - Saturday Pool Play, Open Division

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Grant

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Nov 10, 2008, 7:20:22 PM11/10/08
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Just getting back home now after witnessing an awesome weekend of
ultimate. I tried to cover as many different games as possible but
usually when there was significantly close action going on, I stuck
around to cover it.

Saturday morning I arrived at 7:15 and it was fucking cold. I should
have brought more layers but it's been in the 60's and 70's in Georgia
this week despite being November. There was rain Friday night which
must have cooled things off but at least the forecast was going to be
sunny for the rest of the weekend.

I'm walking around and it seems like the teams are dressed for spring
competition, wearing matching school uniforms and looking somewhat
professional, but then I come across UVA Night Train. In true fall
tourney fashion, these guys show with a sweet bandit stencil
spraypainted on mismatched white clothing. Possible jersey winner? I
think so.

Round 1

This is a fall tournament so I imagine seeding can be tough but there
are quite a few intriguing first round matchups that I'd like to check
out but I start with Florida v. UNC-Wilmington. Before the game even
starts, one of the UF players says to his teammate, "you see that new
C1 website? Shit's fucking hot." At least something about C1 is hot
right now.
On the second throw of the game, Brodie Smith gets partially
handblocked by a UNC-W defender and UF turns it over quickly. An
inauspicious start for the defending National runner team but it's a
minor miscue as Florida gets it back. It's clear from the get go that
the Florida offense revolves around Brodie as the play off the dead
disc has the stack hugging the sideline with Brodie isoed in the
center. Florida sends it deep and Brodie's defender would need an
elevator to match his height. Florida starts 1-0.
The Seamen get on the board with a monster hammer from Rusty Smith,
perfectly placed in the endzone to a Wilmington receiver that left me
saying, "Oh wow." He must be practicing. 2-1 Florida
Brodie tries to answer back with a hammer of his own but it lacks the
form and accuracy of Rusty's and lands out of bounds despite the
acrobatics of his teammate to try and keep it in. Florida would
regain possession to make it 3-1. Rusty is balling for the seamen
though, getting a solid D on a huck to Chris Gibson. Both teams are
taking more chances and shots towards the endzone and play is tightly
contested but spirited. The only contested play so far was sent
immediately back to the thrower without any arguments. Who needs
refs?
With Florida up 4-1, I think the game is firmly in control for Florida
and I go off in search of closer games. It's only later that I find
out that Florida won on universe point 9-8.

I head over to the main field to watch the former sectional rivals,
Georgia and Central Florida duking it out but learn that Jojah is
bageling UCF 7-0. UCF manages to get on the board 7-1 but this game
is going to the hometown crowd and only a catastrophic series of
mistakes could cost Jojah the game. On one instance though, Greg
Swanson appears hung over from Nationals and chooses to throw a
backhand which gets D'ed and subsequently scored for UCF just as a
women's team walks by. Poor form Greg.

On field 3, I get a first glimpse of the new look Wisconsin as they
take on NC State, a program once at the pinnacle of college
competition, but have fallen off a little in recent years. I show up
and its 6-3 in favor of the Hodags. Jim Foster looks like a man
amongst boys, going up big against two Wolfpack defenders with ease
and Wisconsin gets the goal a few throws later, 7-3 Hodags. Wisco
throws the first zone I've seen of the tourney and the Pack seem
scattered at first, one throw through the cup leeds to a breakdown of
the defensive set and Hodags can't switch to man in time. Brett
Matzuka rips one deep for the score to bring NC State to within 4, 8-4
Wisconsin. I didn't see the camera around the Hodags during this
game, but if it was around, it would have caught some great Fosterisms
like this gem during a time out, "No one plays harder than the fucking
Hodags. Solid as fuck!" Sounds good, I'm sold.
After the time out, NC State gets the disc and scores to try and bring
themselves back into the game, 9-5 Hodags. KP on NC State is running
his ass off, getting both D's and scores, which is rubbing off on his
teammates as they all start to reduce their mistakes and NC State gets
a break back to make it 9-6. Wisconsin answers with some stellar play
from Tom "Animal" Annen who finds Foster up the line in the corner of
the end zone to make it 10-6.
NC State won't give up the ship yet as their cutters make it easy for
the handlers, generating lots of opportunities. The count never gets
above 6 once the Pack passes the brick mark and only have to reset to
the center once as they punch it in, 10-7.
With Wisco receiving and the games to 11, the Hodags are sitting on
game point. Baby blue tries to put the golden bullet to the Pack with
a one shot, one kill huck to the endzone. Ben Feldman pulls it down
just outside of the goal line and makes a quick throw which would
appear to end it, but their is some arguing over a contested violation
with negates the subsequent score. Players go back to their original
positions and Feldman takes the disc next to the goal line. He seals
the deal for the Hodags right away for a Wisco win, 11-7.

With games starting to finish, I follow the yells to see if I can
catch anymore 1st round action and find Texas and UNC Chapel Hill
locked at 9's, game to 10. Awesome, first round universe point action
with Texas receiving. The sails out and TUFF takes it on the brick
mark and starts to work it up field, avoiding a turnover at all costs,
but after a few contested violations, Darkside gets the disc on a
Texas turnover. Paul Weeks shoots the moon with a high huck for a
streaking Lucas Darden. Darden is semi open, but has two TUFF
defenders at his backside closing fast. A little too much float for
comfort allows the Texas players to catch up setting up a toss up for
the disc. Darden nixes any chance of that happening with a
spectacularly timed jump that made him look like he had built in robo
springs. $6,000,001 man? Maybe. Darkside takes it 10-9.

Round 2

Dartmouth v. Minnesota

No time to rest as one of last year's Nationals contenders takes on a
team looking to secure one of the three Central bids this year. The
team with a clever organization naming system (Pain Train, Discomfort
Trolly, Arthritis Carriage) goes down before I even finish writing as
Grey Duck pulls in a huck to start up 1-0. Pain Train answers right
back a huck of their own as both teams confide in their deep games to
hold serve.
More hucking, more holding serve. This is setting up to be a back and
forth game with a single break deciding things. Then I remember, this
is college ultimate in the fall no less. Fat chance of that
happening.
After getting broken Dartmouth proves they have more throws than just
deep hucks with a hammer score, 3-2 Minnesota.
In between points, Dartmouth stays upbeat and very vocal with what
seems like a different cheer every time. On the next field over I see
a disc floating a good 15 yards in the air going towards an endzone.
The height of the disc is impressive and allows both sides to get
under it with a Auburn player snagging it clean from a pile of what
looked like 28 guys. The War Eagle contingent roars with approval but
the disc is sent back for a violation on the throw. Impressive grab
nonetheless.
Meanwhile Dartmouth does their pull cheer of , "LEEROOOOOOOOOOYYYYY
JEEEEEEEEEENKINS!." To which I reply, "At least I got chicken," and
the couple of Dartmouth players that heard me looked at me
dumbfounded. Damn kids. I should probably start heckling more and
writing less. How soon till the package store opens?
As the sun finally started to warm things up, the wind started to pick
up as well, removing some of the crispness in the throws, but not the
huck that brings Pain Train back within one, 5-4 Grey Duck. I had
never seen Michael Arenson play before, and thus never knew about the
wheels this guy has as he runs down a deep put by his teammate. There
is a call before Arenson can throw a potential score but the disc
stays and Minnesota completes the sequence to take half 6-4.
Both squads look fairly in tune as Pain Train plays some great D only
giving up short throws underneath, but Grey Duck will not give up the
disc and uses what they can get, eventually getting the goal on an
upline throw, 7-5. Dartmouth retaliates with a goal to make it 7-6
and calls timeout as the game time wears thin. Even though they are
staying close they need to use the next few points wisely because
close doesn't win games.
At this point, I'm seriously questioning how many cheers Dartmouth
has?
The wind starts to cause a few turnovers but Grey Duck manages to hold
on for a goal and follows that up with the first break of the half.
Meanwhile, Arenson continues to dominate the skies above the endzone
and another break makes the game 10-6, Minnesota.
On the next point, Pain Train gets two completions just out the back
of the endzone. Maybe the third time will be the charm if they can
only get a hang of the wind situation. The wind is making play tough
all around as the point drags on. Each time a player on either side
makes a great play, it is voided by a turnover. Finally Grey Duck
calls a timeout to try and get a game plan to win.
Unbeknowst to myself, I didn't realize that Duke and UNC Chapel Hill
are playing each other on the next field down the hill. You'd think
blood would be coming out of a UNC player's nose by now, but it looks
like the teams are settling things on the pitch.
Back to the Grey Duck v. Pain Train game, Minnesota launches a huck on
stall 8 to the end zone which proves futile. I don't think they
wanted to do this coming out of the timeout and are forced to turn it
over. Dartmouth finally stops the bleeding and takes the point to
make it 10-7. Minnesota keeps the disc on the Dartmouth side during
the next point with an initial huck and subsequent D to use the short
field to minimize risk. The advantage works and Minnesota wins 11-7.

Round 3

I wanted to take this round to just walk around, talk to folks, and
get some food but then I came across the Florida v. Clemson game just
as Clemson scored. Both teams statr to exit the field when I hear a
Clemson palyer say, "That was a great fucking half Clemson." Wait.
Does that mean the Joint Chiefs are winning? When I inquire about the
socre, it's not close with Clemson up 6-2 at half. Clemson looks
sharper than expected. Then again I really didn't have any
expectations having never seen this team play before. UF still had a
few tricks their sleeve, looking to use the overpowering presence of
Brodie to their advantage. On a deep huck, Brodie and his defender
are already stationed near the endzone, but Brodie stays put
momentarily letting the disc move closer to the endzone and his
opponent who is faceguarding him has no idea. Once the disc got
within reach, Brodie makes his move and his defender never has a
chance to catch up in so little time.
Clemson keeps the pressure on the sunshine staters with a few points
but UF has an impressive sequence of points which starts with a
callahan, another D which was about a yard from being consecutive
callahans, and a third goal line D, all resulting in points to make
the game 9-7 in favor of Clemson.
Clemson gets multiple chances towards the endzone but can't find the
right touch in the wind. After the third overthrown disc, Florida
takes a timeout to settle down with the clock running out. No dice as
both teams turn the disc over again, but Florida finally gets another
point to make it 9-8. The Joint Chiefs need to score before the game
gets completely out of hand but receive going upwind. I figured a
calm short game will be the only chance Clemson has of scoring here
which is why I was bewildered when the Joint Chiefs get an upwind huck
off that results in a completion. Chris Gibson came down hard on the
receiving end as he made a bid for the disc and play stalled for the
injury. Gibson walked away fine but it stopped Clemson from getting
the easy next throw off. Undeterred, Clemson scores 10-8. Florida
answers back with a quick goal of their own, 10-9.
Reminding us that this game is supremely fun, as the Joint Chiefs
stood on the line waiting to receive on game point, they all start to
dance in a comical standing still fashion, mostly wobbling and
gyrating without moving their feet. This gave all the spectators a
good laugh.
Unfortunately, karma doesn't translate into points as Clemson is
threatening near the endzone when a Joint Chief handler spies a
receiver who has his defender beat and puts an easily catchable throw
towards him. The receiver makes a cardinal sin in ultimate by
dropping the pass trying to catch the disc one handed when two will do
easily as well as win the game. Florida uses the turnover to get
their much needed equalizer and set up universe point at 10's.
The next point is tense as neither team wants to give away the game
away now. The fighting C1ers have the momentum but Clemson is
receiving. No matter as Clemson turns it over and Florida tries to
ice the game but a Joint Chief player gets a huge handblock to take
back posession. Unfortunately it's all for not as Clemson can't hang
on and Florida takes over and gets the job done to the dismay of
Jojah, 11-10 UF.

Round 5

Now I break to get some food and drinks and arrive back at the fields
to catch the end of the UGA v. Notre Dame game. The crowd is roaring
and there is good reason to do so as Jojah has scored to take the lead
in the game 10-9. Not to be outdone, Papal Rage exercises their deep
game to even things up and create a universe point situation for what
appears to be the top teams in the pool as neither team had lost going
into the round.
UGA is receiving and makes it all the way to their endzone before
Notre Dame gets a huge D on the goal line. The wind begins to howl as
soon as a Rage player hucks it and the disc sails too far out of
bounds with some Irish players muttering about divine intervention.
Jojah looks to capitalize with the fortuitous chance they have at hand
but a reset to the center doinks off the hands of the handler, giving
ideal field position to the Rage. Slowing down is not an option for
Notre Dame as Thomas Rivas picks up the disc and puts up a high
release backhand huck that meets his receiver's outstretched hands in
the endzone for the upset. 11-10 Notre Dame.

Round 6

The 1 v. 2 round. Lots of potential great games here but I decide to
go with the only undefeated matchup left, Wisconsin vs. Pittsburgh.
Wisconsin wants to prove they deserve the number 1 seed. Pittsburgh,
like the rest of the country, is gunning for the defending champions
as both teams are running furiously at the start with lots of
intensity. Chris Brenenborg, the former member of Team USA at Junior
Worlds, is marking up against Animal and it's an exciting matchup as
the teams trade points early. Wisconsin gets the first break of the
game to make it 3-1. On the next point, Pat Donovan of Wisconsin uses
his height to bring the sky closer to him, as well as the disc. His D
leads to another Wisco score, 4-1 Hodags. What seems like a two point
swing, Jim Foster skies his defender (again) near the goal, which will
almost certainly result in a Hodag score but a reset and the
subsequent look for #18 is overshot so Pitt takes over. En Sabah Nur
hucks towards the direction of a several receivers on offense and
defense but the intended targets all jump too soon with a lone Pitt
player trailing behind and picks up the garbage and pauses to find an
open target in the endzone for the Pitt score instead, 4-3 Hodags.
At this point I note that both coaches, David Lionetti and Brandon
Malacek, are dressed in identical garb for their respective teams
(sunglasses, opposite color shirt as rest of team, clipboard in
hands). I'm sensing a showdown.
Wisconsin rattles off two more points to take half 6-3 and both teams
retreat to their respective endzones for peptalk time.
On the other field, NC State and Ohio State are in a heated battle.
While the Hodags and ESN are just getting their second half underway,
a call has permanently put the game on pause with OSU leading 4-2.
Jake Smart catches my attention as he makes a great layout D and Wisco
punches it in a few throws later. 8-3 Hodags.
Meanwhile, NC State is gaining momentum and KP is earning his
proverbial paycheck getting the Pack back to 5's with Leadbelly.
Before I know it, Pitt is back in the game getting a couple of breaks
in a row to bring the score to 9-6. En Sabah Nur is threatening to
get another break when they call a timeout to make sure they get
things right. When Pitt sets up out of the timeout, they have a lone
dump, 4 receivers pushed to the back of the endzone and another on the
front goal line. The front line player is isolated a quick juke
breakside validates the playcall, 9-7 Hodags.
Both games continue to keep my head on a swival as Wisconsin tightens
the screws in their game. A few too many turnovers by Pitt leads to a
Wisconsin victory 11-7.
As the Hodags take their cooldown jog around the field, OSU is serving
at 9-6 trying to ice the game. NC State says no with a KP huck to
Forrest Whitfield ( I believe I got that right) who grabs the disc
over his defender in the back of the endzone and NC State is right
back in the thick of things, 9-7 Leadbelly.
Just as Pitt tried to get back even with the Hodags before Wisconsin
dug its heels in, OSU does the same and plays the next two points
largely mistake free with the help of some stifling D. OSU wins 11-7.

As soon as I finish writing my notes on the OSU NC State game, I start
hustling over to the main field because for the past few minutes I've
heard lots of cheering going on presumably from the Michigan UGA
game. What I find is a barnburner as Jojah has rattled off three
straight points to take the lead 8-7 in a game with the winner
advancing to the championship bracket. The next point showcases
explosive D from both Magnum and Jojah and we pick up with UGA holding
possession. The Jojah handler is forced to throw an upline pass to
Peter Dempsey on a high stall count which allows Will Neff the window
of opportunity to get the layout D. Without skipping a beat, Neff
gets up leaving the dust covering his jersey and makes an early case
for his Callahan campaign with a perfect shot to the endzone to tie
the game at 8 a piece. By this time the hard cap horn had sounded so
universe point was in affect. A fitting way to the day's games.
With UGA receiving, Magnum turns up the heat on defense and it pays
off. With the adrenaline flowing, the UM cutters run their asses off,
realizing that they might not get another possession if they turn it
over now. Neff is the target and uses his big frame to pull in a disc
over an outstretched Dempsey and finds a teammate over the goal line
for the score, the game, and the A bracket. Jojah loses two games by
a combined two points despite solid play all day.


Up next. Sunday championship play...

joad...@ec.rr.com

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Nov 11, 2008, 9:22:54 AM11/11/08
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On Nov 10, 7:20 pm, Grant <gdfarring...@gmail.com> wrote:

> .  Who needs
> refs?


spectators

AA

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Nov 11, 2008, 2:16:57 PM11/11/08
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> With Florida up 4-1, I think the game is firmly in control for Florida
> and I go off in search of closer games.  It's only later that I find
> out that Florida won on universe point 9-8.


Anyone wanna fill in the in-between? I'm sure there were more plays
made than those by Brodie and Rusty. Losing to the runner-up on
universe, winning 3 straight, then losing to Davidson badly: did you
run outta gas UNCW?

--AA

Pat.R...@gmail.com

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Nov 11, 2008, 4:53:20 PM11/11/08
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>Jake Smart catches my attention as he makes a great layout D and Wisco
>punches it in a few throws later. 8-3 Hodags.
>

Awesome job on the write-up, but I would like to inform you that Jake
Smart has never laid out in the entirety of his Ultimate career, and
probably never will. You must have mistaken him for one of our jersey-
less rookies borrowing one of Mr. Smart's jersey's. I'd be willing to
bet it was Zach Alter, who had 17 point-blocks this weekend.

Jerk it.

Grant

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Nov 12, 2008, 7:34:08 PM11/12/08
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Ah yes, unfortunately when I was reviewing my notes I noticed I did
leave a few holes and in this instance merely wrote down the jersey
number. My apologies. Tell Jake to lay out and start retrofitting my
statements.

Grant

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