Fantasy Bracket Play

All pool play is over and from here on out, every game is going to count and each team is in danger of elimination. One wrong move late in a game could usher in the end of a team's season. This is where the true test of strength and will begins.

Quarters Game One: Flaming Moe 2004 v. Kaze 2003

Flaming Moe ended up winning the highly contested A power pool and this game should be one of the least contested games of the day, but anything can happen from this point on. Kaze 2003 had to play an extra game yesterday and it is unclear what effect that will have on them. At the same time, Moe had some tough games to play yesterday, but has to feel confident as the one seed right now. Moe receives and through a series of six or seven uncontested passes, scores. Kaze gets the disc and puts up a poor huck. Moe moves down the field uncontested again. Moe gets the disc back right away off a short turnover and a strike to Moss makes it 3-0 Moe. Kaze seems unprepared for this game. Moe extends the lead to 5-0 before Kaze scores. The rest of the game is a casual trading of points until Moe wins 15-9. Kaze never even shows signs of wanting to win the game. They make some plays and throw some hucks, but the drive to win never really appears.

Quarters Game Two: The Chad Larson Experience 2005 v. Meth 2005

On the same side of the bracket is a same-year rematch between CLX and Meth. When the two teams were at full strength, they split the season series 2-2, alternating victories over sectionals, regionals, and nationals. Both teams have good offenses and while Meth's is more one or two-dimensional, they are a little more disciplined. If CLX can connect on their hucks, Meth will be in trouble, but if they can't, this should be a great game. Meth receives and CLX 2005 comes out in a zone, but Meth works it upfield well, almost scoring, but turning. CLX gives it right back though, and Meth runs an isolation play to strike first, 1-0. Meth pulls and comes out in a zone of their own. CLX 2005 doesn't waste time swinging the disc too much and focuses on upfield throws and overhead throws. There isn't a lot of wind, so CLX tries a number of hammers. They are working until one throw is a little too lazy. Meth gets the D and a quick transition huck score. They come out in a zone again, but CLX scores. The teams start playing man defense and trade points to 6-4. Meth scores again and zones again. They throw CLX off-guard a little and they turn early, giving Meth a short field. They are very good at isolation plays and score again. Meth takes half 8-4. This is a very hard team to back against, but CLX is a team that could do it, although when they fall behind, they usually have a hard team getting the lead back. CLX receives and scores, but Meth does the same on a great grab by Edwards over Gangel. CLX is subbing a lot of players in and out of the game, and they aren't finding a good rhythm. Chad gets a break when #15 Walding gets a D and #16 Meyer scores off a huck. Meth is relaxed and focused on winning and respond with two more. I assumed this game was nearly over and left to watch others. Meth won 15-11.

Quarters Game Three: Blah 2003 v. Flaming Moe 2006

Flaming Moe 2006 was able to stay in the quarters bracket, but probably won't have the athleticism or superstars to stay with some of Blah's better cutters. They play good team defense, but don't seem to shut down individual offensive players. In the first half, Blah's hucks are on target and they rush to an 8-3 off throws to Shiel and a player they call Jeebus. In the second half, Moe scores on some longer throws and complete a decent amount of hucks, but five points are a lot to come back from and indeed, they are unable. Blah takes the game 15-10. Moe 2006 played one of the toughest schedules of the entire tournament and only went 2-5, but managed to make the top eight and played very competitively.

Quarters Game Four: The Chad Larson Experience 2004 v. The Chad Larson Experience 2006

CLX 2006 receives and scores on a long huck to Brisbois over Gangel. CLX 2004 responds with a huck to #23 Gangel over Brisbois. A battle is brewing here that could be good. CLX 2006 gets the disc again and moves the disc well, scoring on a midfield huck to Anjonrin-Ohu from #24 Lun. CLX 2004 attempts a huck and #2 skies over Kasuga. CLX 2006 has a few great long defenders, but as a team, they are rather short and CLX 2004 should take advantage of this. The game progresses and CLX 2004 goes on a short run with scores by Costello, Voytas and #9 Derscheid off some #69 Cunningham and #2 Karsten hucks. CLX 2004 is feeling good on the sidelines and looking good in their non-mainstream uniforms...really good! CLX 2006 tries to go 3/4, but 2004 stops them and the handling team Sarah Savage and Sara Hill are able to work the disc upfield. 2004 takes halftime 8-5. CLX 2006 is not subbing as often as CLX 2004, and could pay for it later. CLX 2004 receives and hucks to #23 Gangel over Brisbois again. Brisbois isn't liking it and stays in another point. Lun puts up a floating huck to Brisois and a foul is called, arguments ensue. Disc goes back, goes back up, and Brisbois makes the grab. Disc shown, tempers flare, but all is cooled down soon enough. That was the spark that CLX 2004 needed to put the game away and as the two teams are at each other a little, a call game is avoided. CLX 2004 plays well enough to win during the rest of the game and wins 15-11 to advance to semis.

Overall, quarters were not as exciting as they could have been. Usually, games are closer in quarters than this, but none of the games went down to the wire.

Semifinal Game One: Flaming Moe 2004 v. Meth 2005

This game could be as epic as any game. Moe starts with the disc and scores. Meth scores. Teams trade to 4-4 with no breaks and only one turnover per team. Moe receives again, but Norgaard can't complete a huck to Klink, as Kresowick jumps in for a D. Meth scores to take a 5-4 lead. Flaming Moe gets the disc again, but again a long huck is defended. Meth scores with supreme patience. Their spread offense is working well and the handlers are not forcing throws. The Kampfes are playing great. Moe scores, but Meth answers and a Moe drop gives Meth half 8-5. Meth gets the disc and works it upfield, but can't complete and Norgaard picks it up and bombs it downfield to Moravec, who runs it down. The Moe sideline gets louder and they storm down on defense. A Meth miscue gives them the disc back and they score again. Meth's Francis throws a long throw to Eastland, who doesn't make it in the endzone, but a dump and a throw away, Oppold is scoring for them. Moe takes care of offense and scores. They come out in a rarely used zone that catches Meth a little offguard. They get the disc and score...thrice. They lead 11-9. What ensues can not be put into words well. Each team refuses to lose and the defensive efforts are incredible. Bodies fly all over the field and hucks are abundant. Meth ties the game at 13s. Moe makes it 14-13. Meth scores on a Groteluschen grab from Peterson. Moe keeps their cool and makes it 15-14. Meth has college nationals experience and is not worried. They score uncontested for 15s. They come out in a zone, but a deep miscue leads to a massive Moe huck to an unguarded lady. Moe leads 16-15. Moe comes out in a zone, but Meth takes them time and what the defense gives them and scores in twenty to thirty passes. 16-16, game to 17. Moe gets the disc and calmly works it upfield. They swing back and forth a lot and Solarz is throwing I/Os like she was born to do it. They turn far upfield, but Meth has a major miscue on offense, throwing to a receiver who was clearing as the throw goes up. It is intercepted and the Moe marker runs to the endzone and scores. An incredible 17-16 victory and a spot in the finals.

Semifinal Game Two: Blah 2003 v. The Chad Larson Experience 2004

The Chad Larson Experience 2004 is pumped up and looking good after their victory, while Blah 2003 didn't have too much trouble putting Moe 2006 away. This game promises to be a good one as both teams are very athletic, continually huck, and play aggressive defense, both short and long. The game starts off with great D, as both teams fight to get the upper hand. CLX 2004 connects on some hucks off big skies by #99 Van Maanen and #23 Gangel. Gangel is playing great today and is all over the field. Blah is calm enough to score themselves and brings the game to a 4-3 deficit. CLX pulls and traps Blah in their own endzone. Four passes later, a floating disc is thrown and Staron outjumps the Blah handler to get a Callahan goal. He is visible excited, throwing out high fives and is heard on the sideline exclaiming "I've never D'd that ****ing guy!" CLX 2004 is on a tear now and scores two more, leading 7-3. Blah isn't going to go away that easy and brings it to 8-6 before halftime. After halftime, Blah is playing inspired, they get some great layout D's by Jeebus and others and their women are playing very solid on offense. They grab a 10-9 lead. CLX 2004 calls a timeout and regroups. The women come out fired up and #9 Derscheid gets a D, as does #12 Sheldahl. CLX 2004 connects on some hucks to regain the lead 11-10. Blah ties it at 11s and the game is tied at 12s and 13s. CLX 2004 scores easily to make it 14-13 and gets the D to win, but turns. Blah gets another chance and turns, but CLX gives it back and Blah makes sure to score. 14s, game to 16. CLX 2004 turns, but a great long D by Van Maanen gets them the disc back. They score to make it 15-14. Blah turns it over short and CLX 2004 has a short field. #2 Karsten picks up the disc and throws a crossfield hammer to Voytas who reels it in for the win. Bear hugs ensue and the team pulls out their trademark candy ciggarettes.

So, the finals matchup is set: Flaming Moe 2004 v. The Chad Larson Experience 2004

These teams split their season series 4-3 in favor of CLX. Will Moe tie it at 4s? Will The Chad Larson Experience prevail? Stay tuned.