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This week's games, the first under the lights and amidst an evening of fantastic weather, brought one of the largest crowds, a not-so-close game whose tale was told in the first five points, and a true last minute barnburner. First games first.

Desperadoes v Ballers
The Ballers did their best to lose this game in the first five points. Five straight unforced turnovers, either drops or throwaways, followed by sluggish defense, created an instantaneous 5-0 deficit that, for the confidence-shaken Ballers, was never surmountable. Positively, the Ballers connected on a huck or two and showed glimpses of offensive flow, but appeared outmatched as the Desperados took half 8-3.

Halftime offered the Arena Ballers a chance to regain their composure and get organized. A transition to a horizontal stack and a few set plays produced some success for them. Still, uncharacteristic turnovers also plagued the men in black in the second half, stifling any murmurings of a comeback. The Desperados' fast-paced offense, led by Ryan Purcell's deep roster of mutliple MagnUM players and speedy young and old locals alike, and their subsequent lock-down defense, proved to be too much, as the Ballers limped to a 8-15 loss.

The silver lining for the Ballers is that unforced errors are the easiest to correct, and with their roster of players, some mental fortitude, extra pre-game throws and catches, and a few set plays could quickly turn their fortunes around. In addition, they were matched up against what is looking to be the strongest team in the league right now, and a loss to them is of less import at this stage in the season. While they will have to contend with them come the final series, it is the other two teams against which they will truly test their mid-season mettle.

Little needs to be said for the Desperadoes, as they continue to gunsling their way through teams, with or without their fearless napoleonic leader. They are the team to beat right now, and we will see if they can deal with the pressure of the bullseye.

Sacred Cows v INC
The Sacred Cows jumped to an early led, something new for them this season, and held on for most of the game. Good defense, coupled with efficient after-turn offense, allowed them to get up early and to hold on to their lead. However, INC proved more dynamic, and was able to change their strategy and style of play well to prevent the Cows from getting in any sort of run-away rhythm. Taking half 8-6, the Cows looked to continue their modus operandi, while INC was scheming. This proved to be decisive, as the Cows were unprepared for the clammy defense that INC had morphed into. The patient, offense that earned the Cows their early lead, characterized by vertical flow that, once stalled, quickly shifted across the field laterally to find holes until once again going vertically, had given way to a less patient offense that forced vertical throws into poaches and lacked their horizontal, high percentage swing passes. Multiple throws into poaches quickly allowed the green men to capitalize with only short yardage to gain before reaching the endzone, and suddenly the lead was gone. As the clock ticked away and the other field slapped hands, the Rook and Tyler met mid-field to go over cap rules at 14-14-- win by two, with a hard cap at 17. The duel had begun.

INC pulled to the Cows, and they begun to move upfield. Fatigue had begun to show, and soon the disc was lost off an overthrown deep shot from Neff. The Cows defense continued to show the same fatigue, and the pressure mounted as INC marched towards their first lead of the game. However, it was not to be, as Bill Reith's backhand was tipped by Tyler and fell to the ground just short of its receiver, standing five feet into the endzone. The Cows took moved quickly on this turn and punched it in to remain in the lead. Pulling to INC, the Cows found their legs and manned up on defense, earning a turnover on a disc that simply didn't find its mark. However, the siren song light at the end of the tunnel was once again too tempting, and a 45 yard Neff hammer once again failed to connect. INC was able to move down the field successfully this time around, and again we find ourselves tied at 15. The Cows receive, and in their stable horizontal offense are able to move the disc well to open the field. A Kinley cross field IO flick huck to space allows Neff to make the play, circus-catching past a bidding Rook for the lead. 16-15, game point again for the Cows. INC, however, answers back, with a consistent and unphased offense that punches in a wholly uncontested point.

16-16, universe point. The cows receiving. Rook has been pulling huge this game for INC, and this point is no different. Catching 8 yards deep in the endzone amongst the sprinting INC defenders, Childers wisely looks off the centering pass. The INC clam is again set and poaching the lanes. Childers swings open side to Kinley who receives and can only see poaching cloggin the throwing lanes and a Callahan-hungry dump defense. A shifting mark prevents easy throws. As the stall count crescendoes, his dump cut goes upline and poaches eat the space. Soon, Kinley poorly chooses a blade to Bindman, momentarily open mid-field, who is quickly D'd by the poacher waiting for Kinley's misguided attempt. Turnover, 2 yards out of the endzone, double game point. Time out is called by INC. Rook has the disc, and writes a brief novella outlining the play. Proving his longwindedness, the play ends up being break mark backhand to space, and just like that, the Cows' lead and their hope at a win are both suddenly dashed. Game, INC.

A near win for the Cows, who yet again knock on the door of victory but find nobody's home. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Looking ahead, INC proved they have the chops to evolve to other team's strengths and to capitalize on their weaknesses, and look to be the team with the best chance of toppling the Desperadoes, leaving the Cows and the Ballers at the bottom of the pack to cope with their multiple early season losses and try to piece together what is working and jettison the mistakes of their past. If next week is anything like this week, bring your popcorn.

Rain Delay

Last week's games, unfortunately, were cancelled, due to monsoon.

However, this week's weather looks to be much better, and features two strong matchups.

Sacred Cows v Irish National Champions

The Cows have shown difficulty coming out of the gate strong against their opponents, and they will need to find some magic early on to not find themselves in a similar position against INC. What they lack in early ignition they make up for in heart, though, after proving that despite any lead, they always have fight left in them, managing to close a 7 point deficit and make a game out of what was once a trouncing.

INC will need to prove it can close out games, and to play with more consistency. Like a lazy student, INC seems to only muster its strength in the waning hours of the game, procrastinating their effort until it is most needed, and to dominate this season they will need to right this ship and play with more discipline throughout points 10-20, where they seem to falter and lose focus.
This game will be won by the team that is able to correct the mistakes of their past games, and is definitely up for grabs.

Desperadoes v Ballers

The Desperadoes have the potential to roll through teams with a strong roster that includes lots of depth in speed and throwing ability. The Ballers more closely resemble that ragtag team that somehow pulls things together, scrapping their way through games and finding themselves earning everything and being handed nothing. This week will be more of the same, and the Ballers most certainly have their work cut out for them. The Desperadoes lose Ollie Honderd, but gain back Ryan Purcell, who had been out of town. The Ballers will hope to have a fuller roster to give them more legs, a decisive element late in the game. If the Desperadoes are able to keep focused, this game could be ugly, but with the Ballers' heart and scrappy nature, it could be the perfect antidote to the Desperadoes' bite, and we could see an upset.

This week's games begin at 9pm again, the first to be played under the lights. All are encouraged to come to ABC for a pre-game meal, and a post-game beer afterwards.

Wednesday Night Lights

Everything's a spectacle under the lights.

This week is the first of four this season that will showcase ultimate under the bright lights of Mitchell Field. Like a spotlight, the night games always have a different aura about them, an added pressure, and pressure turns coal into diamonds.

So what can we expect from this week's matchups?

Desperadoes v Irish National Champions
Last week, the Desperadoes proved that they have the top-to-bottom talent throughout their roster to roll through good teams, but also that a sizable lead can mean a loss of the focus that got them there, and this will be the test for them this week as they face a consistently dangerous INC team. Last week, INC felt in control, yet couldn't manage to pull far enough away from the Arena Ballers to make it comfortable, and came dangerously close to collapse. The Desperadoes had a similar fate, acquiring a gigantic lead (11-4!) before dropping 5 straight to see the game broght to 11-9. With the pressure of the spotlight on both teams, it will come to internal fortitude to determine who belongs in the spotlight and who must bow out.

Sacred Cows v Ballers
The Sacred Cows found themselves deep in a hole last week, starting a 7 point deficit in the face. Similarly, the Ballers also went down early. Both teams managed to battle back, yet neither could climb high enough to reach that elusive W. This week, someone's got to start out on top, but who will rise to the occasion? A short roster hampered the Ballers in the end last week with signs of fatigue showing late, yet it also kept them in the game as nobody got sidelined to cool off in the downpour, and their chemistry could continue to build throughout the game. The Cows had no such problem with nearly perfect attendance, and while it helped to get them back into striking distance, it did little to earn results. The Cows need to iron out some of their miscommunication turnovers, while the Ballers need to continue to build on what they learned last week and to continue to see strong performances from Terry Shih, Crag Frankland, and the rest of their roster.

The Arena is the feature bar this week, and serves as a great pre-game and post game destination.