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Sunday’s Grand Masters Results
By Andrew Schwerin, Trent Simmons and Dave Samuels
Photo Credits: Owen Caprell and Elizabeth Henry-Hooker
Quarterfinals
Big Sky vs. Southern Comfort
In what was sure to be a tight game against the greater Northwest’s finest, Southern Comfort knew they would have to rekindle the fire that animated their early Saturday performances to have a chance of winning. As such, their early focus, from the opening pull, was to impose their will on the game via aggressive cutting by both their handlers and downfield cutters. This worked at the outset, allowing the Southerners to build an early 5-2 lead after Calvin Lin picked up a turnover and hucked his trademark coiled backhand into the end zone.
Southern Comfort’s Marc Ellison got a block on an in cut, and it looked like the rout might be on. But the veterans of Big Sky are no neophytes to big game situations, and they found the inner reserves to weather the storm, forcing a turnover back on a bad flick to the back cone. After both teams turned over in the building wind, Big Sky found some rhythm from a classic weave-motion possession, with a steady onslaught of dumps and swings. Their downfield cutting continued to look tentative and sluggish, until John Selfridge, one of the focal points of Big Sky’s offense, put a nice backhand break to Sean Graff. A beautiful sequence followed, culminating in Trent Stumph’s big layout and break-mark forehand to Selfridge for the upwind score.
Suddenly, things started to slip a bit for Southern Comfort. Big Sky’s Chris Eaton got blocks on each of the next two points, the second ending when Alex Cross’s big backhand found Kib Dacklin for an upwind score. With the upwind deficit erased, Big Sky finally looked to have found their game.
Both teams threatened at the upwinder for the remainder of the game, especially when a big Southern Comfort inside-out flick seemed destined for the goal, but a come-from-nowhere Big Sky block preserved the on-serve game, and with the score knotted at 10-10, Big Sky worked the disc easily downfield for the score and the 11-10 win.
Surly vs. Grandmaster Flash
The game opened on serve, as the teams traded points to 2’s. Grandmaster Flash drew first blood, ending a multi-turnover point for a 3-2 lead, which would prove to be their final one of the game. Surly easily scored the next possession, then got the quick break to get the game back on serve. Surly found their defensive legs, successfully fronting Grandmaster Flash’s cutters and switching the deep looks. Grandmaster Flash’s cutters could not adjust to this strategy, and often cut off their deep looks prematurely, leading to an unacceptable number of hucks sent to no one whatsoever.
For Surly, offense came from defense, as their wiley defense morphed easily into a grade A possession offense consisting primarily of effective dumps, swings, and sharp in cuts, lightly peppered with the occasional tasty midfield look to the endzone. This combination proved more than Atlanta could match, and Surly won the game going away, to the tune of a 12-6 final score.
Yomo Fog Oho vs. Confluence 5280
This game promised to be a truly great matchup. Not only were the two local teams full of players who had known and played against one another for decades, but there had been friction in the founding of the lower-seeded Yomo, as well as the roster decisions between the two squads. Confluence waltzed through Saturday play, but all bets are off when grudged are on the lines. Not coincidentally, this was the first game all weekend to have observers from the opening pull.
The game opened with Yomo playing surprisingly tight D. Physical, yes, but also incredibly effective. Jim Nolte opened the action with a great layout block in the endzone on a huck from Confluence captain (and tournament director) Randy Ricks at 2-1 Yomo. Although Yomo could not capitalize on that opportunity, they forced another turnover and completed a huck to captain Charles Greaves for the 3-1 lead.
The game was undoubtedly feisty, as neither team was afraid to let their opposing player know when they felt that they had been wronged, and several vociferous discussions took place on the next point, which Confluence eventually scored. Points were traded to 5-3, but Yomo was able to catch another break on a missed huck opportunity and capitalize for the 6-3 lead. A momentum-breaking timeout was called by Confluence, but it had the opposite effect, as Yomo continued to ride their phenomenal defense to the 8-3 halftime lead.
As the saying goes, it’s better to be lucky than good, and Yomo was plenty of both on this day. The first point of the second half ended when Lorenzo Verbeck uncorked a mighty lefty hammer to the back cone, which was completely misread by both receiver and defender, only to be picked up by a teammate, standing still. At 10-4 Yomo, Confluence finally found their defensive rhythm, and picked up the intensity level to match what Yomo brought to the table. But it was simply Yomo’s day – on the final point, Confluence defenders had layout bids on 4 consecutive throws, getting pieces of each one, but it simply wasn’t enough. As captain Charles Greaves said after the game, “we were able to match up with their throwers and receivers, and that seemed to give us that little extra advantage on every point.”
DoG vs. Ozark Hillbillys
The game opened up with both teams playing pretty loose and easy. Not much D to be found early on, as both teams scored easily on their offensive possession. DoG played their classic style, using patience and grit to possess the disc on the open side, then taking advantage of defensive breakdowns to gain large chunks of field in rapid succession. The Hillbillys featured a very huck-centric offense, centered mostly around former track star Joe Garrett. Early on, this strategy worked well enough, as the Hillbillys were able to keep the game on serve to 6-6. DoG hit their first real huck of the first half to make it 7-6, and on the ensuing possession, the Hillbilly huck receive was just short of the endzone. An ill-advised push pass floated harmlessly to the immaculate turf and DoG, having been in this situation a few thousand times before, took immediate advantage and worked the disc down for an 8-6 halftime lead.
As the second half opened, the wind picked up, and this would prove fatal to the Hillbilly’s offensive strategy. Although their receivers seemed to be a bit taller and faster, having to throw into the teeth of the wind proved to be the great equalizer, while DoG’s offense, built around the twin tenets of patience and more patience, was hardly affected by the gusts at all. The Ozark Hillbillys were undoubtedly the story of the weekend, coming from the 18th seed intially the finish in the quarters, but a good story only gets you so far, and in this case, “so far” was a 12-9 loss.
Semifinals
Big Sky vs. DoG
Eastern Colorado’s famed summer afternoon rainstorms made an encore appearance during the bye round between quarters and semis, and the semis were clearly going to be a gusty, mistake-filled affair. As rain clouds swirled, DoG and Big Sky traded downwinders like two heavyweights standing in the middle of the ring, punching for all they’re worth. Both teams scored blocks and forced turns on their opponents’ downwind possessions, but neither could capitalize on the opportunities.
Finally, at 6-5, after forcing yet another turn for an opportunity to get the upwind break, DoG called a time out to try and figure out how to get the point. Coming out, DoG’s venerable Jim Parinella finally got the open deep look he had been seeking, sending it to Arnold Sanchez for the score and a 7-5 lead. This was Parinella’s 4th assist of the game to this point, an impressive performance considering the resources Big Sky was dedicating to stopping him.
Another multi-turnover point followed, until DoG’s steady handlers held possession long enough for William Taylor to find a deep hole, 8-5 DoG at the half. On serve in the second, the soft cap horn blew at 9-7, DoG. Jim Parinella caught his second goal of the game, this one from Alex de Frondeville, for a 10 – 7 lead, game to 12.
Big Sky answered by floating an inside-out backhand break to Sean Graff all alone in the end zone for his first goal of the game.
Suddenly, it looked like 1997 all over again, as DoG’s clockwork offense ground the disc downfield, never taking an unnecessary chance, until suddenly Simon Verghese was holding the disc in the end zone, 11-8 DoG.
Big Sky answered promptly, but they would have to force a turn out of DoG’s suddenly unstoppable offense to have a chance to keep the game alive. The defensive intensity was palpable, and what had looked easily suddenly looked a bit unsteady. Several Big Sky defenders made layout bids, each coming up just inches shy. Finally, DoG of the game Parinella forced a flick into a tiny piece of the front corner for the score to Verghese and the win. Said Parinella after the game, “Offensively, it was our best game of the weekend, but our defensive lin’s offense wasn’t quite on, and will need to step it up.”
Surly vs. Yomo Fog Oho
Both of these squads came into the semis on a roll, having built momentum from surprisingly easy wins in their respective quarterfinals, especially Yomo after dismantling overall #2 seed Confluence 5280.
The question of the game would be Yomo’s defense. Could they continue their incredible intensity when there were not personal feelings on the line?
The answer was an unambiguous ‘yes’, from nearly the first point. Yomo’s defensive line simply owned this game, from the soaring left-handed pulls of Brandon ‘BT’ Twine to the excellent handler-disruptive defense by Greg Berbaum and Michael ‘Fish’ Kuhns. This game was never in doubt – every single Surly score was met with an immediate Yomo response, and the 15-5 final score simply refelected that dominance, a rare thing indeed in tournaments at this very high level.
Finals
DoG vs. Yomo Fog Oho
What ended up being an absolutely classic final game did not start out that way. Although good plays abounded in the first half, the game seemed to march along to a steady rhythm of downwind hucks, sometimes completed, followed if not by a quick upwind turnover and an immediate downwind score. The pace of the game seemed to favor the locals, with Yomo’s Michael Kuhns delivering many of the defensive fireworks, while great deep looks to Greg Berbaum and regular deep threat Guy Martin kept DoG from being able to get any momentum going.
Denver took the half 8 – 7 and received the pull to start the second half. Suddenly, the wind didn’t seem as much of a factor Martin made an uncharacteristic drop in the end zone, which DoG swiftly rewarded with a goal to pull even. Martin partially made up for his previous error by catching the following upwind goal, and Yomo followed up with two more to notch an 11-8 lead.
DoG’s Mike Cooper helped stem the bleeding with a shot to Simon Verghese for an easy score, 11 – 9 Yomo. DoG forced a turn and converted downwind to Damon Spitzs, despite tight D from Yomo’s Thomas Viscoso, bringing the count to 11-10 Yomo.
DoG unveiled a zone against Yomo’s downwind offense, which Yomo’s handlers and poppers dismantled with alacrity to get to a 12-10 lead and two chances to score for the championship.
Yomo came down in man defense, forcing DoG flick, but William Taylor found himself all alone downfield, and after he found Mike Cooper for the goal, the game was within one.
DoG again tried to run a zone against Yomo’s downwind offense, and it was again looking to be an entirely impotent strategy. But Yomo’s Guy Martin, after pulling down a big huck from the sky, tried to float a backhand around Eric Zaslow. Zas reeled it in, and although each team would have a couple more chances at the point, eventually DoG prevailed upwind to get the game back on serve, 12-12.
DoG’s zone was much more effective with the wind as an ally, and after several dozen passes, Yomo’s Sam Levenberg dropped a dump, exactly what DoG was hoping for, and Boston quickly capitalized to get to 13-12, with the game time-capped at 14.
Yomo answered again, as Martin continued his free reign of the end zone, bringing up double championship point. DoG worked the ensuing pull steadily downfield, until a shaky forehand was flaoting towards the front cone of the end zone. The receiver, the defender, the sprinting observer, and a photographer all collided, roughly in that order, but the end result was a DoG goal, and yet another championship for one of the most storied franchises in our sport’s history.
Saturday’s Grand Masters Results
By Trent Simmons, Andrew Schwerin, and Dave Samuels
Photo Credits: Owen Caprell, Elizabeth Henry-Hooker, and Tim Morrill
The day dawned clear-skied and sunny. Although beautiful, it was evident that the teams were in store for a scorcher, and the top teams recognized the importance of not just winning, but winning efficiently, before the combined effect of Colorado’s thinner air and the blazing sun could take their toll.
Since none of the teams playing had participated in a UPA event as currently-constituted, the seeding process was a bit of a mystery. Everyone knew that Boston’s DoG would be good, but nobody knew how good. Similar mysteries abounded throughout the bracket, only time would tell whose dreams of regaining lost glory days would be fulfilled, and whose would be dashed on the green turf of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Round 1
The tourney opened with a bang, with two big upsets to kick things off.
In the D pool, Atlanta’s Grandmaster Flash and the NY/CT Gods of Ultimate squared off. The Gods tried to hang with Atlanta’s swing-and-huck-centric offense, with Kenny Silver and Charley Riggs making notable defensive efforts, but it all went for naught, as Nathan Stewart and Jim Nesbitt completed long throw after long throw, leading Grandmaster Flash to the 13-10 upset win.
Meanwhile, over in the B Pool, Raleigh’s Boneyard’s Boneyard and Vancouver’s Grind played a tight game. Neither team could ever push their lead beyond 3 goals, and, in what became a motif for the day, Vancouver couldn’t quite capitalize on late opportunities. Boneyard pulled at 12-12 and forced a turnover, then, after returning the favor, a second, which they scored to seal the win.
Round 2
In the A pool, Colorado’s Yomo Fog Oho took the first step in their quest to prove how inappropriately low they were seeded by scoring a decisive 12-6 win over Philly’s Old Glory. Oho, made up in large part of players from Denver’s Double Black Master’s squad, looked the part of the spoiler, while Old Glory played like a team that had just taken a cross-country flight the previous day.
Minneapolis’ Surly started their day in Pool C with a strong 13-1 win over Berkeley’s Vintage, while Southern Comfort, a Regional All-Star squad, barely broke a sweat in a 13-3 victory over the Denver Dinos.
The Gods of Ultimate, who came in with expectations of a championship, were clearly shell-shocked by their opening round loss, and struggled mightily against Texas’ Sick Hammers, although they did manage to eke out a 13-12 win, while Grandmaster Flash continued their strong play, making top-seeded Big Sky Grand struggle for nearly every goal in a 12-9 win.
Round 3
In Pool A, Oho came back down to earth with a thud, losing to top-seeded DoG 12-7, while Old Glory pulled together to score a decisive 13-7 win over Austin’s AARP.
Meanwhile, in Pool B, Grind’s troubles continued, as they made too many unforced errors in a 12-10 loss to Baltimore’s Rigor More Disc. Overall second-seeded Confluence, a Colorado All-Star squad captained by tournament director Randy Ricks, started a bit slow against Boneyard, still riding high from their first-round upset, but Confluence settled down in the second half and won going away, 13-7.
In the D Pool, Grandmaster Flash struggled surprisingly against Sick Hammers, but did emerge with the 13-10 win, while Big Sky Grand notched an easy victory over Maryland’s Duck Pond, the only team playing coed in the Grand Masters division.
Round 4
No surprises in Pool A, as both DoG and Oho held seed. Rigor More Disc continued to climb up the B Pool standings with a 13-9 win over Boneyard, while Confluence kept on picking up speed from the second half of their first game, finishing 13-1 over the Ozark Hillbillies.
The Denver Dinos scored their second win of the day, over Vintage 13-7. Meanwhile, Surly continued to roll 13-5 over C Pool’s last-seeded The DT’s, from Cincinnati.
Round 5
As the thunderheads rolled off the Foothills and lightning became visible in the distance, the sense of urgency built as the quality of the various teams began to become apparent. The strong teams were only strengthened by the adverse conditions, while the rest began to struggle with every aspect of their offense, from simple throwing and catching to more complicated zone defensive strategies.
Pool A continued to go according to seed, setting up the final-round matchup between DoG and Old Glory, which would take on extra meaning as Old Glory’s presence in the Championship bracket would unexpectedly depend on the outcome.
The only upset of the round was the fifth seeded, eighteenth overall Ozark Hillbillies notching their second victory, this time over GRIND. GRIND opened the game strong, building a 6-3 lead, but the Hillbillies answered with a 4-0 run to take the half. Their strong play continued in the second half, including an amazing layout catch from John Bailey on an overthrown huck to help seal the 11-8 final tally.
Round 6
With a full-blown windstorm going, gusting up into the 25 mph range, throwing abilities and calm handling against a zone would be premium skills this round.
In the D Pool, The NY/CT Gods of Ultimate appeared to have finally located their A game. Their wily handling abilities were put to the test against the big athletes from Big Sky Grand, but the Gods were smiling at the end of the round, after their 9-8 victory forced a 3-way tie for first place in the pool between those two teams and Grandmaster Flash.
Southern Comfort, led by longtime Texan fixture Byron Hicks, had played strong all day, but appeared either exhausted or overwhelmed by Surly’s superior play. If anything, the 13-5 final score was not sufficiently indicative of the disparity in quality of play between the two squads in the final round of a long day. At the same time, Vintage completed their tumble, losing to The DT’s 10-9 to finish the day at 0-4.
Confluence completed Grind’s rotten day with a 13-2 bashing. Confluence gave up a total of 12 points on the day, quite a feat, especially considering the slow start in their first game. At the same time, the Ozark Hillbillies were completing their surprising surge, starting the day seeding 18th but ending it with a berth in the quarterfinals after holding off Boneyard 10-9 in the wind.
The game that drew the big crowd was, not surprisingly, the matchup of two teams who came in with big expectations, DoG and Old Glory. DoG had lived up to expectations, while Old Glory had stumbled in their first game of the day, and had to win in order to keep their championship hopes alive.
The game started quickly enough, with DoG scoring easily downwind. In what would prove to be a pattern, Old Glory had significant trouble scoring downwind on the subsequent possession, turning the disc twice before a quick layout D on an attempted DoG swing led to an easy goal.
At 3-2, Old Glory refused to huck it going downwind, and the DoG D finally forced a turn after 5 swing-type passes. The DoG O struggled to advance the disc in the teeth of a combination fierce wind and Old Glory’s defensive pressure, but a desperation high-stall swing led to a quick shot from Jim Johnston to Mike Cooper, and DoG had the first break, 4-2. After some trading upwinders, DoG would score a second upwinder to take half 7-4.
In the second half, nobody could score another upwinder. DoG came close, but Old Glory’s Mark ‘Nacho’ Cornacchio made a great endzone defensive play to preserve the deficit. But Old Sag simply couldn’t get the upwinder they needed to threaten, and DoG coasted to a somewhat anticlimactic 12-9 win.
Quarterfinals Preview
Saturday’s play would seem to indicate that DoG and Surly should win out over the Ozark Hillbillies and Grandmaster Flash, respectively, although Grandmaster Flash’s deep game could serve as a great equalizer against a superior opponent. It remains to be seen which Southern Comfort will show up against Big Sky – the one who battled to a strong 3-0 record or the one who meekly rolled over to Surly in the final game of the day. If the latter, it won’t be much of a game, but the former definitely stands a chance. Finally, statistics would indicate that Confluence should not struggle against Yomo Fog Oho, but grudge matches of local squads can be deceiving.
