Sectionals '11

Enigma came into Sectionals seeded 7th of 24 Club Open Teams. The 6 teams seeded above Enigma (in order) were Madcow, Evil, Lake Effect, Hustle, Jurassic Shark, and Super Phun Thyme. With the 7th seed going into the tournament, Enigma's pool turned out to be Evil, Enigma, Potbelly (mostly masters team from Columbus), and Breaker's Mark. On Saturday we did what we were supposed to do. We beat both Potbelly and Breaker's Mark and lost to Evil.

Against Evil, Enigma went down 3 breaks early, but with the leadership, experience, and intensity of a hungry D-line led by Weyers, Enigma fought back to earn the breaks back and then trade O points. The two teams enjoyed a huck fest and few mistakes until the score was 10-10 and Evil pulled away with 5 breaks to end the game.

By holding seed, Enigma was set up in a way that if we won 2 games on Sunday, we would advance to Regionals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin the first weekend of October. This has been on everyone's mind throughout the entire summer, and Sunday of Sectionals was time to show it.

Game 1: Madador.
Enigma came out fired up against Madcow's reserve squad! Smooth handling, sharp cuts, and Dilworth's layout D's set Enigma up with a 5 point lead at half time. Madador was not put out tho, as they fought back with multiple breaks at the end of the game to bring the game within 3 points (14 - 11 in favor of Enigma). Phil Brodrick, the "Voice of the Generation" looked around, provided a motivational word or two, and Enigma worked in down to score and take the game 15-11. Half of what we needed for the day was complete, but games were only going to get more difficult.

Game 2: Hustle.
Enigma and Hustle met for the first time approximately a month before Sectionals at Nati '11 with Hustle taking the "W" 15-9. With a slightly bitter taste left in our mouths, Enigma was poised to yield different results this time around. Anderson vs. Giese. Weyers vs. Biz. Fudge vs. Bayer. This game was intense. Enigma pulled to start and ended up taking half up one break with the score 8-7. But right out of the half, an errant pass was D'd by Hustle to tie the game right back up. As the wind picked up and rain seemed imminent, handle movement and inside cuts were crucial for both teams. Enigma's D line was able to force turns and capitalize on the change of possession to put Enigma up 13-11. With Hustle pulling and the game being capped at 14, possession was everything. Mike, Phil, and Fudge worked the disc up thru inside cuts, quick breaks, and perfect hands. A steady goal line toss to T Knight caused an eruption on the Enigma sideline! We we're going to Regionals! But the games weren't over yet. Jurassic Shark, the 5th place overall seed just upset Lake Effect to play in the 3rd/4th place game.

Game 3: Jurassic Shark.
For almost the entire first half, the Shark game was breezing bye! Hucks from Evan on Shark, puts from Mike and Phil on Enigma were making this game fly! At 7-7, lightening was spotted as Shark was about to pull... 50 minutes and a few snacks later, we were back on the field. Enigma puts it in to take half 8-7 and after the delay we have a pretty short half time story. I apologize as the next 7 or 8 points are slightly hazy as Mr. Kaylor provided Cheez-It's and my priorities went there... But needless to say we come to an odd predicament. Enigma is up 15-14 and scores! Up by 2, games capped at 16, it must be over right? Again, apparently not. I really don't know the details of why we played the next point, but we did. After working the disc, Shark throw upline to Weyer's man. Biiiiiig mistake. A gorgeous eye-level layout propels Captain Airforce thru a monster layout D! 2 or 3 swings later, Enigma puts the disc in the end zone for the game! 17-14... and long story short after a few e-mails to observers and ultimate officials, the game should have been done at 16-14.

Game 4: Evil.
We were reaaaaally tired. They reaaaaally wanted to win. They did. 15-3 Evil.

Hammer of Thor: was split in 2 and unanimously awarded to Weyers and Dilworth for the continued layout D's and exceptional offense after getting said D's.

Gumball: Mark Anderson for relentless cutting and on the flip side intense D in the event of a turn.

I hope that made sense, I crossed back and forth between "Enigma" and "we" quite often. So I would appreciate it if this doesn't reach my 9th grade literature teacher... Anyways, if you weren't there to reap the glory with us, we got 3rd overall and I hope this helps your enjoyment levels.