Georgia Qualifier Competition Update
by Jordan F. Ricks on May 20, 2007
Scenario Paintball Player’s League – 2006 Southeast Qualifier
LowCountry Paintball, Georgia
Early Saturday morning arrived in Ludowici, Georgia, and all around LowCountry Paintball one could see hundreds of tactical woodsball markers, bazookas and ghilly suits being readied for the 2006 SPPL Georgia Qualifier. Team banners proudly rested above the scenario team campsites and staging areas, and each banner contributed to the surging anticipation of the weekend’s competition.
Event photographer and writer, Richard “PBJunkie” Struth had played with and against many of the teams competing at the Georgia tournament and was familiar with the style of play and the tactics used by several of the participating teams. The bonds of paintball camaraderie were strong, but he knew that soon, “wars” would unfold on the field, and he wondered which teams had prepared adequately for their talented opponents.
Knowing the skill level of the talented teams competing at LowCountry Paintball during the SPPL event, Struth felt he could combine these teams and thoroughly dominate virtually any large scenario game for years to come. The players’ skill, experience and pure love for the game brought these scenario teams together for a weekend of competition, and Struth immediately recognized that each game would be a fiercely fought war that would come down to the bitter end.
At Saturday morning’s player meeting, SPPL Event Director, Rory McCarthy from Special Ops Paintball, explained all the rules and ensured that everyone understood how the day was to proceed. “Air-strikes” and player insertion rules were clarified, and McCarthy reiterated that reinsertions would occur every 10 minutes with a 10-second window and a 5-second window before an opponent could attack.
At 9 a.m., the “game on” siren sounded and Team Predator Division launched the weekend event by running through the woods in an effort to reach the Swing Base before their opponents, Team Silent Assassins, and hoist their team flag over the Base and begin collecting valuable points for each minute it remained above the Base. Most Predator Division players had coarse, bristly hair, twisted into dreadlocks that hung from their goggles, which created an intimidating appearance reminiscent of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s nemesis in the popular “Predator” movies. Combined with the look and the sound of flatline barrels echoing through the LowCountry woods, the Predators made a strong opening statement at the tourney with a 209 to 60 victory over the talented Silent Assassins.
The Doom Troopers had their hands full with Team Crosstown. After barely missing the regional SPPL Final in 2005, the determined players from Crosstown powered their way to a surprising 207 to (-1) win over a very strong Doom Troopers team.
At game start, players from both teams sprinted to gain strategic strongholds; however, as the Doom Trooper front players (led by Jason "My-T-Mouse" Hall) sprinted through the lush countryside, the Troopers suddenly began taking fire from behind. The Doom Troopers initially thought that they were being fired upon from their own team, but they quickly discovered that they had inadvertently breached Crosstown’s front line, and were surrounded by a large contingent of Crosstown gunners. The Doom Troopers found themselves in a swarm of crossfire, resulting in heavy losses early in the match.
The early eliminations put the “Troopers” in “survival” mode, where the majority of the team was pinned near their insertion point. Crosstown delivered an unrelenting barrage in an all-out effort to capitalize on the Doom Troopers early tactical mistake. Prior to the game, the Doom Troopers had discussed the possibility of being pinned near the insertion point, and had pre-assigned a code word that team members would use over the radio (fubar) if such a situation did arise. In theory, the remaining players would hear the distress call and high tail it back to the insertion point and open an “escape route” for their teammates. However, only three Doom Troopers survived the initial onslaught, and the remaining players had little chance against the heavy concentration of Crosstown players. Before long, the three joined their teammates in the dead zone, where the team seldom was able to move far from during reinsertions.
Team MMK and Shadow Company were also locked in battle. MMK utilized impressive communication and field scouting skills; whereby players were able to effectively communicate where an opponent was spotted, whether they were eliminated or not and if they needed help. At all times it appeared that MMK players knew exactly how many of their opponents remained in the area, which allowed them free up some of their teammates to search for valuable canisters (props). MMK subsequently defeated Shadow Company 150-60.
Later in the morning, LowCountry Paintball’s home team, LCP Army, squared off against the renowned and talented Xtreme Fanatics. Judging by the Xtreme Fanatics sharp team uniforms, group organization, and amount of rolling luggage, it was obvious that the players were experienced vets who had earned their much publicized reputation for winning, sportsmanship, and smart play.
But the LCP Army knew the terrain much better than the Fanatics and hoped to utilize that knowledge. The local favorites played tough, and the teams traded possession of the Swing Base throughout the match, but ultimately, the LCP Army fell to the seasoned Fanatics 198-79. But the LCP Army was far from being dispelled as a “non-contender”.
Team Misfits made their tournament debut with a dominating performance against the newly formed scenario team, Surefire. The Misfits were anything but “misfits” on the field, steamrolling their way to a resounding 216 to (-31) victory in their first match of the day. The entire field was owned by the players in black T-shirts with “bloody” text that spelled M-i-s-f-i-t.
Surefire players were held in check for most of the game by the Misfits who set up a wall of gunners near Surefire’s Main Base. As Surefire reinserted every 10 minutes, the Misfits would pick them off before they could reach the first bunker. Despite the lopsided score, Surefire was all class throughout the two-day competition. Scores aside, the players were a tribute to the sport, displaying a genuine example of good sportsmanship.
Team Misfits’ second game of the day pitted them against the Predator Division. The Misfits exploded to another strong start and quickly established positions similar to those acquired in their previous game, pinning the Predators near their insertion point. However, the Predators used a bazooka to eliminate several Misfits who had taken cover among the Predator’s Main Base and surrounding bunkers, allowing the Predators to exit their insertion point and filter out into the field. But the Misfits couldn’t be derailed and continued their impressive play to outlast the Predators 127-46.
Sunday’s schedule kicked off with the most intense game of the weekend, as the Xtreme Fanatics faced Team MMK at 8 a.m. Both teams were stubbornly duking it out from the center trenches and trading control of the field’s middle bunkers. Shortly after the Xtreme Fanatics advanced by taking one bunker, MMK would counter by pushing back the Fanatics and retaking the precious real estate. After the exhausting match, the refs tallied the game scores to reveal that the Xtreme Fanatics had edged out Team MMK, 75-68.
At 10:30 a.m., the Doom Troopers battled Surefire. Rebounding from their uncharacteristic first-game performance, the Doom Troopers immediately dismantled their opponents and pinned the Silent Assassins within their base. Holding a commanding lead, the Doom Troopers pulled an even more impressive maneuver that captured the spirit of the weekend tournament. The Troopers pulled back their forces and allowed the Surefire to fully reinsert, where the two teams once again squared off on “equal ground”. The match concluded with a 224-(-34) victory for the Doom Troopers, but the two teams respectfully exchanged thanks and congratulations after the match. The Doom Troopers’ remarkable performance on the field was matched only by their sportsmanship during and after the game.
The tournament’s Quarterfinal featured Team Crosstown and LCP Army, which proved to be a strategic chess match. For almost 30 minutes, the LCP Army seemed to be studying their opponent from a distance staying just out of reach of Crosstown’s fire while Crosstown gathered most of the canisters and maintained control of the Swing Base. The LCP Army was like a heavyweight boxer searching to exploit an opponent’s weakness, but Crosstown’s defense offered no distinct opportunities. The LCP Army made a late game surge; however, Crosstown played brilliantly, both in terms of strategic execution and skilled play to hold off the tournament’s highest point scoring team 178-61. The win earned Crosstown a spot in the Regional Final, where they awaited the winner of the Double Threat vs. Xtreme Fanatics match.
In another intense, grueling match, the Xtreme Fanatics finally ran out of steam and were unable to answer the incessant barrage from the league’s reigning National Champions – Team Double Threat. The 2005 SPPL Champs fought their way back into their second consecutive Southeast Region Final with a 149-90 victory over the Fanatics. The newly respected LCP Army claimed third place honors by handing the Fanatics their second consecutive loss, resulting in fourth-place finish for the Xtreme Fanatics.
With the 2006 SPPL Southeast Regional Title up for grabs, Crosstown and Double Threat bolted from their insertion points as the game siren commenced play for the tournament’s Final. Both teams raced to take control of the Swing Base, yet as the game unfolded, neither team was able to establish control early in the match.
In the second half of the game, Double Threat held control of the Swing Base and the surrounding bunkers, and it appeared that “Dutch” and Mark Crumrine and company were headed for a repeat of their 2005 performance. But Crosstown boldly shifted gears, sending several of their gunners running at full speed down the tape line, where the talented players dropped remarkably accurate shots behind the corners of the bunkers, resulting in a sudden momentum swing as Crosstown seized control of the Swing Base, where they continued to hold it for the remainder of the match. In addition to two costly Double Threat penalties, Crosstown’s unyielding defense sealed a 158-65 victory, and rightfully claimed the 2006 SPPL Southeast Regional Title and a trip to the SPPL National Championship Tournament at The Bunkers in Oklahoma.
Overall sportsmanship at the tournament was inspiring – to say the least. The PMI Sportsmanship award was presented to the Doom Troopers, while Crosstown, Surefire, and the Xtreme Fanatics received honorable mention.
In a final show of ultimate sportsmanship, the Doom Troopers and second place Double Threat each donated their Special Ops gift certificates – valued at a total of $550 – to the classy new scenario team, Surefire, to help the players collect much needed, high quality gear for their woodsball team.
From high-stake prizes to simple bragging rights, the teams of the 2006 SPPL Georgia Qualifier Tournament demonstrated that “honor” and paintball’s true spirit of sportsmanship is alive and flourishing in the Southeast. Congratulations to all the teams that participated, and special thanks to LowCountry Paintball and the generous sponsors.
Final Four 2006 SPPL Southeast Standings (Georgia)
Regional Champs: Crosstown (Orlando, FL)
Second Place: Double Threat (Ocala, FL)
Third Place: LCP Army (Ludowici,GA
Fourth Place: Xtreme Fanatics (FL)