The Main Event. The Headliners. The Big Cheese! We all know that in many sports including cornhole, the levels of competition can vary. You have the beginners, the players who just recently started playing. Those that played at someone's backyard party and survived longer than the other staggering bag chunkers. Those folks got the bug and found a hobby, a sport that doesn't get them winded...unless they didn't get their notification on their phone letting them know they have a game on court 632 somewhere that seems like a galaxy away and had to make a dash like an old Hertz commercial with O J hurdling through several gates of a airport terminal!
You have the Competitive Division where players have figured out how to make
more than they miss...sometimes...but can't quite compete with the upper
echelon players. They're getting there though, some faster than others.
The Advanced Division is loaded with a large number of players who will beat
your brains in at the drop of a hat, or beer or anything else it takes! This
group may include a bunch of players who simply don't have the drive to compete
with the Open players, or haven't proven to themselves that they feel they
belong with the Elite Level monsters.
Then you have the Open Division players. These folks are different. Open
players make a lot of bags and do so with what appear to be little effort. Kind
of like they could do it in their sleep. I'm not saying these guys are perfect
but they're pretty darn close...some of 'em anyway! A fair description of one
of these cats may include someone who throws often...maybe way often...if that
even makes sense. They play for hours each day then go play somewhere that
evening. Wake up the next day and if they want, do the same thing as the day
before. Some are super competitive and are driven to do whatever it takes to be
the best. Some are simply blessed with a stupid amount of coordination and can
make a bag do amazing things. Top players hone their craft in any sport and the
top players in cornhole have put in countless hours developing their game in
order to put them in an elite category.
In Open Doubles you sometimes have two top players teamed up and they roll
through a tournament like a hot knife through butter. There are teams that have
one player who simply is playing at such a high level it may not matter if his
partner isn't throwing well for them to win. He just jumps on for the ride and
if need be, becomes a coattail rider. Been there! You may have a couple of
players who are exceptional players but just don't have the right chemistry.
Believe me, being able to jell is important. Being able to trust your partner
so much that you never question their decisions and when they miss, you know it
wasn't due to the lack of effort. Having the right combination is critical in
big events and this Signature in Irving will expose the teams that may or may
not have what it takes.
When you go to a concert, typically they have an opening act followed by the
headliner. Signature events are the same way. When the finals are set for
Saturday night, all eyes will be on the championship boards with hundreds of
weary fans, maybe a few that may need some coffee, all of which will be
watching the Opens Doubles!
As I scan the list of teams signed up for Open Doubles, initially I look for
the top names to see who they're partnered with. I take note of others as I
scroll down and man, there are several teams that can win this thing. I see
Justin Burton, Jr teamed up with Rylann Claver. Claver has really come on the
past several months and can flat out fill it up. These two certainly must be
mentioned as a favorite. I noticed Sammy Soto was teamed up with Matt Longoria
and that is another combination that will be tough to beat. We all know Sammy,
the young phenom who has been one of the best players in Texas and we know what
he can do. Matt isn't someone to overlook and has the experience to help carry
this duo to the win. Grant Upchurch can win any event he plays in and can never
be counted out. His shot making ability and strategical style of play along
with his sheer will to win type attitude always makes him a big time threat.
His partner is Jaunito Pantoya who along with Brandon Gregor finished second in
Mesquite and 9th in Lubbock. Can these two make enough shots to contend? We
will see...I like their chances. Jacob Foreman is pairing up with Legend
Brandon Gregor and that is scary! If these guys get rolling do not get in their
way! Logan Chamberlain and Andruw Villa are teamed up again and will be a tough
out. Keep your eyes on some others including Scott Beck and Alex Ibarra, Dillon
Randle and Cayhill Isom and Luke Anderson and Caleb Franklin. All of these guys
are throwing some mean bean bags lately and if the stars line up right, they
could be standing up later in the event with a piece of hardware in their
hands! There are a several teams of players that I know but haven't seen them
play due to where they play but I know they can play and always have potential
to win. Oscar Mairena and Aaron Aspeitia, Charlie Rivera and James Carranco,
Easton Franco and Payton Lopez are a few teams that are extremely dangerous. I
have to mention Joel Infante and Adrian Jackson because they always seem to be
in the mix as well. I see teams like Noah Albarado and Josh Murdock...yep that
Josh Murdock and wonder if they have what it takes to compete. Young Tye
Thompson is teamed up with Zack Faulkner and those two could do some
damage.Another pair that is always competitive is Edgar Cardenas and Johnny
Govea. You don't notice what they are doing and the next thing you know,
they've won several games and are right there contending. Maybe it is their
quiet demeaner but don't let that fool ya, these guys are fierce competitors.
There are so many others that I'd like to mention but I just can't fit ‘em all
in. Hopefully they will play well and make my next blog!
Good luck to all the teams playing and I'll see y'all in Irving!
Throw 'em straight!
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