On April 15, 1985, an historical boxing match took place at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV. It was considered by many to be one of the greatest matches of all time due to the breakneck pace of action, drama and violent back and forth exchanges. The match included the Undisputed World Middleweight Champion"Marvelous" Marvin Hagler and Challenger Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, both riding huge waves of success before this battle. Normally a slow starter, Hagler stormed Hearns from the opening bell landing several devastating rights. Hearns weathered the onslaught and countered with a few big right hands and a smashing uppercut that stunned the Champ. This tremendously violent pace continued throughout the first round causing Al Bernstein to say this was "perhaps the best opening round in history". Both fighters amazingly connected on over 100 power punches with the judges scorecards being split. The pace slowed for round two and eventually a third round barrage of rights were just too much for Hearns and the fight was stopped.
On September 11-12, Texas Cornhole League held their first Signature Event of the year in Bryan/College Station at the Brazos County Expo. For those in attendance, it may have felt as if they had witnessed a huge title fight themselves. In fact, they might as well have watched a complete card of title fights as the back and forth action and big shots thrown by several participants seemed to be non stop.
The fireworks started in the Social Division with Tony Jaure beating Dakota Regan in an outstanding singles final. Tony beat Dakota in the first round of the event and all Regan did was battle his way all the way through the losers bracket to force a rematch with Jaure. Tony breezed through the winners side and was undefeated until Dakota won the first game of the final 21-20. Regan was up big however Jaure found something and began a furious comeback in the deciding match. Tony ultimately won 21-16 sealing the win with a Big Tex.
Preston Peacock beat Trish Trejo to win the Competitive Singles doing so, in dramatic fashion. Trejo earned a spot in the Kings Seat following some impressive wins over Dario Lopez, Anthony Galindo, Austin Thompson, Justin Manley, and Jon White. Peacock lost a winners semi final match then won his way back to the finals where he would face the red hot Trejo. Peacock carried some serious momentum aided by his boisterous fans and won the first game convincingly setting up a very exciting final. With Trish leading 18-17, Peacock took advantage of a couple of rare Trejo misses and slammed the door shut with a Big Tex to nail down the win.
In another exciting match Blake Holly beat Will Davis in the Open Tier 2 Singles final. In the deciding game, Holly was in a bind. With the last bag of the frame and ahead 18-15, Holly nailed a huge airmail dragging in 3 bags to earn a wash with Davis and extend the game. The crowd, still in a frenzy over Holly's heroic shot, watched on as Holly got 3 points the following round to secure the hard earned victory.
Open Singles had Brandon Gregor facing a hot throwing Dean Parker who had lost to Gregor in the winners semi final. Parker then beat Grant Upchurch, Bella Surprenant and Austin McCuistion to set up the rematch. After losing the first game, Gregor came out on fire in the final game and put Parker away to get the win.
Doubles had several exciting matches with a few coming down to the last bag. In Competitive Doubles Austin Thompson and Derek Young held a 19-18 lead, however Ben Glendenning's last bag was the game winner as he and partner Dacota Dennis won the marathon match. Dennis and Glendenning won the best 2 of 3 match then won the deciding game. This was a really fun match to watch as both teams were throwing exceptionally well. Some definite up and comers here folks!
Open Doubles Tier 1 had Steven Youngblood and Stephen Furhmann beating Craig Conser and Donnie Greer in a thrilling final. Both teams threw some great bags beating some very strong teams in route to the finals. With the crowd several people deep all around the championship boards, it seemed as if every made shot was cheered louder and louder. This game had several big shots and ultimately Youngblood and Furhman made enough to get the win.
Tier 1 Social Doubles had Ryan Derkowski and Marshall Brunson outlasting Todd Cope and Paul Moore while Larry Strider and McGwire Macky beat Aaron Smith and Megan Meaux in the Social Tier 2 Doubles finals. Both of these matches were very close and well played.
In the tournaments last match, the vibe in the crowd was electric as Grant Upchurch and Steve Stowe sat in the King's seat. They faced a hot throwing J C Nekuza and Jason Andrews who had just beat Chad Jacobson and Joe Arrington to earn a spot in the finals. Jacobson and Arrington beat Andrews and Nekuza earlier in the winners semi-finals however Jason and J C found their stroke and weren't going to be denied this day. Andrews and Nekuza won the first 2 games of the finals to force a deciding game and were ahead 19-14 and seemingly in control. Upchurch wouldn't go away and scored a big 6 spot on Andrews to give them a 20-19 lead. The standing room only crowd had seen a tremendous amount of great shots throughout this match but what happened next may have been the ultimate shot. Stowe had a bag on the board and another near the hole. J C had one on the board as well and one bag left in his hand. He looked at Andrews who nodded his approval...J C could've boarded his bag for a wash to extend the game but he wasn't having any of that. He turned and glanced at the score tower and with absolute ice in his veins, turned loose a perfect dagger of an air mail that barely made a sound as it swished through the hole giving he and Andrews the thrilling win. A massive tournament ending knockout punch that followed with a huge roar from the crowd. It was one of the most exciting endings of any game many had witnessed.
This event was one of the most competitive Signatures I've seen in a while and I can only imagine what Abilene has in store in December. Stay tuned folks, it's going to be another barnburner!! Keep your eyes open as I will soon be spotlighting some Regional Directors and various players.
Till next time, throw 'em straight y'all!
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