the season so far (mixed haters ignore this post)

For some reason, as the UPA season heats up, we once again are seeing that all the talk on RSD is about the Mixed Division. Sure, some random guy wondered about why Kaos was seeded higher than Jam, but he was successfully and rightly put in his place in the proper RSD way. Contrary to this stimulating Open action, there are several riviting threads about the seeding for various Mixed Regional tournaments. We even had Dusty S come in, despite his "lack of interest" in the Mixed Division (what? Is there nowhere else to go? Oh yeah...there isn't), and pontificate on his perspective of the South Mixed Regional Seedings. Christ, if that kind of input does not legitimize the division........what will?

All we are misssing is The Saints' predictions for Mixed Nationals qualifiers. I bet we are waiting until all the Sectional results are in. Well, at least that gives me something to look forward to this week.

I, of course, attribute all of this interest directly to my intense efforts to make sure that every single one of the Sectional tournaments is correctly and accurately reported on the UPA SRT...well in advance of the event. To me, the SRT, is the only real-time documetation of the Series. Kind of like the standings in baseball. So, the better the info...the more the talk.....

So it has been an interesting season so far. I would describe it as "Cracks in the Armor". Here is how our 04 quarterfinalists have fared so far:

1) Shazam--Pretty good at rebounding from the loss of Eric, Finn, and Aaron. Lost two games with a half squad (Don't we all have excuses when we lose? what is a half squad?...and why does it matter?) to Brass Monkey in Aug, but redeemed themselves by winning Labor Day. Was down 12-11 to Bezerkerpiggy (my pick-up team beat them at Potlatch 15-6) before digging down deep and winning the Section 13-12. All I can say is, if we are lucky enough to play them, that I can't lose to someone that was a CAMPER at NUTC while I was Ass. Director.

2) CLX--I hung out with Kevin at CHC, and he talked about this team called Meth from Iowa. Said they were going to be very good. I just looked at yesterday's results from WP Sectionals....Meth beats CLX in pool play 13-9. I don't know...I think CLX will pull a 6TM and win the Section.

3.5) 6TM--I know we are listed as the second 3rd place finisher in the official results, but even though BM had a better record....we did beat the Champs. So I list us first here. Still finding our way and settling into the groove. Got CLX off our backs... a little bit, but lost to Mr Whatever and Moe at CHC. Lost to Chinstrap 13-5 at Sectionals on Sat. Got pissed, played real D on Sunday and managed to win the.....Section.

3.5) BM--Wins the Section as they should, but what about that first day at Labor Day? Now with Finn on their team, they will at least have someone who will talk a lot about himself...uh...I mean, the team.

5.5) Holes and Poles-- Totally psyched they are even playing in the Series this year. I felt like a total jerk when, on the day that Katrina hit, I wrote their contact in the morning and asked him some inane question about CHC logistics. I wrote back and apologized for being clueless.

I think the South is going to be tough with Hang Time and Hot & Sweaty battling down there. Let me just say that Hot & Sweaty is quiety going about there business with not a bump in the road so far. They came up to Boston and were not challenged, and have not lost a tournament...ever. The only crack in the armor I am concerned with is Hot & Sweaty's depth at a tournament like Nationals.......

5.5) Bad Larry--I spoke with Q, and he said that they are "all over the place". Picked up some friends of mine (Flock, Bill Burke). Ok. showing at Lavbor Day. The real question is will the Gendors challenge the lock on the SW of BL and......

7) DTL--Now that they have been coached by Ted Munter, they should be rocking. Played very well at GRUB. Looked just OK at CHC.

8) B+(now Gorilla Foot).....did what they do and won Chesapeake. Did what they don't do...and lost to Ono (a solid team) in semis at Sectionals. Finished 2nd. BWu said that he doesn't think that the MA teams are going to be a strong as they were in years past.....

So, that is a lot of Sectional losses and close games by our top 8 from 04.