September 26, 2014 by Charlie Eisenhood in Livewire, News with 14 comments
Here are my picks for this weekend’s slate of Regionals competition.
NORTHEAST
Men’s
1. Boston Ironside
2. Toronto GOAT
3. New York PoNY
Top Select: Boston Big Wrench
I think Ironside has shored up many of their defensive woes, and sending George Stubbs back to his rightful place on D means they will challenge GOAT a lot more than they did in last year’s final. Should still be a great game, but Ironside wants it more and they’re going to reestablish the typical finishing order this year.
I think the fun battle in the Men’s Division will be for that spot in the game-to-go. There are a lot of good teams in the Region this year. I like Big Wrench to get there. They’ve proven to be the best of the rest in the regular season, and they are a good step up from last season. No cake walk though.
Women’s
1. Boston Brute Squad
2. New York Bent
Top Select: Toronto Capitals
I think Bent will flip the script from 2012 and take down Capitals this year. They’ve played much better this season than in years past and have simply had more time to gel than the Caps. Missing Kathryn Pohran also really hurts Toronto. You know these three will be at the top, and Brute’s got the top spot locked down. Good game between Bent and Caps goes New York’s way.
Mixed
1. Boston Slow White
2. Boston Wild Card
Top Select: Boston Ghosts
Really, I’m throwing darts here. I like Wild Card’s draw through the bracket, especially with a shaky Ghosts team facing New York 7 Express in a tough quarters matchup while Wild Card will cruise to semis. Slow White looks like the best team in the region this year; they had some very nice wins out in Seattle at the Pro Flight Finale.
MID-ATLANTIC
Men’s
1. Washington DC Truck Stop
2. Pittsburgh Temper
Top Select: Philadelphia Patrol
Seeding really matters here. Truck’s road to finals is a lot smoother than Temper/Patrol, who will have to battle each other in a brutal semis first. Temper’s just a bit deeper with talent and system than Patrol, who is the most susceptible to an upset, and the Pittsburgh squad will take the bid they earned.
Women’s
1. Washington DC Scandal
2. Pittsburgh Hot Metal
Top Select: Philadelphia Green Means Go
Scandal’s a lock for the title. Hot Metal has the most recent win, all of the important history, and the clear mental edge.
Mixed
1. Philadelphia AMP
Top Select: Washington DC Ambiguous Grey
Have I picked an upset yet? So boring. But, yeah, AMP’s the better team. They should win.
SOUTH CENTRAL
Men’s
1. Denver Johnny Bravo
2. Austin Doublewide
Top Select: Denver Inception
Bravo wins the region for the first time, though the game is close. (It’s always close!). Despite all the hand-wringing about Doublewide, they roll to another bid. Inception fights their way through the balanced field to get a shot in the game-to-go.
Women’s
1. Denver Molly Brown
2. Texas Showdown
Top Select: Houston Inferno
Molly Brown is the real deal this year, and Showdown is just not the same team they were last year. Denver with a big win. Showdown dominates to take second bid. Inferno gets revenge over Maeve for Sectionals win.
Mixed
1. Austin Cosa Nostra
Top Select: Denver Mesteño
I always think Love Tractor is going to come through, and they never do. I like Mesteño for Top Select. I think Cosa Nostra cruises again this year.
SOUTHEAST
Men’s
1. Atlanta Chain Lightning
2. Raleigh Ring of Fire
Top Select: Florida United
More chalk here. I just think Chain owns Ring mentally. Owns them. Ring can’t get out of their own way when they play Chain. Should still be a great fun game to watch.
Florida doesn’t have enough firepower to beat Ring.
Women’s
1. Atlanta Ozone
2. Raleigh Phoenix
Top Select: Florida Tabby Rosa
Chalk it up.
Mixed
1. Atlanta Bucket
Top Select: Asheville Cahoots
Bucket’s got Dylan Tunnell! Curtains!
