Shreveport, LA, Home of NFL Legends Terry Bradshaw and Joe Ferguson along with NBA great Robert Parrish. Shreveport is also home of the Louisiana Hayride where back in 1954 a young 19 year old Elvis Presley made his Hayride debut singing "That's Alright Mama" to a raucous standing room only crowd. This weekend I'm certain the crowd will be large, loud and enthusiastic as Texas Cornhole League will be hosting their League Championship at the Shreveport Convention Center. This venue has become a favorite for many cornhole enthusiasts as it provides plenty of room for the what seems like a gazillion sets of boards accommodating a hundreds of bag chunking cornhole players. It also is located in close proximity to some casinos for those needing a little gambling fix. The opportunity for some late night club action is available if you choose that option with the infamous Sand Bar. Yea, this place is definitely a hot spot for those who like to stay out late/early and enjoy the night life. Word on the street says the Pizza is pretty tasty however the sources provided may have been under some type of alcohol and/or hallucinogenic influence! I myself haven't made the scene but oh how the stories, pictures and videos have provided evidence of some good times had by plenty! Blackjack, Poker, Slots, dancing, drinking and partying are all expected to be on the list of things to do this weekend but the main attraction will be the action on the cornhole boards! Viewing the list of names entered I can tell you this event will be loaded with star studded talent from top to bottom and there are several players who could walk away late Saturday night with the title of League Champion!
As I write these stories it is always challenging for me to include everyone but I try and go with who I anticipate doing well. There are the usual names that are expected to be fighting it out however there are always others that show up and make deep runs. You really never know for sure who those folks will be until the bags get to flying!
Thursday there will be a few events starting at 4 pm including Youth Singles, Senior Singles and Womens Singles followed at 7 pm with Womens Doubles, a couple of Crew Cup events and a Random Draw tourney.
The Youth Singles event is loaded with players who all are not only capable of winning the Youth event but the Open Singles as well. Sammy Soto is an obvious choice right off the top of my head simply because for the last couple of years he has either won several big events or been close. Tye Thompson, the Cowboy hat wearing, Livestock showing, bag throwing youngster from Farmerville is another player who has had his picture taken a lot at the end of several tournaments. Cayhill Isom from Lampasas has gotten really good really fast within the past year or so and is certainly someone who could be in the mix. Other names most will recognize include Mason Vega, Luke Anderson, and Noah Albarado. All three of these guys can light it up and be a problem to deal with! Someone who hasn't played a lot of TCL events here in Texas is Kobey Alley. Kobey, from Choctaw, OK typically plays in Ok and has been throwing really well here of late. Several others who could be tough outs include Preston Isom, Zane Thompson, Reef Woodson, Adrian Jackson, Klaydon Powell, Ryker Jackson and Ryder Smith. Keep your eyes on all these fellas as this event will be a good one.
Senior Singles...ah, the old guys! When I look at the list of names entered for this event several stand out to me including Scott Beck, Jim Abdella, Donnie Greer and Frank Stockton. Besides Beck, all these guys have been involved with TCL for several years and have always been very good players. Beck who has only been playing for a couple of years has definitely etched his name in the list of contenders as he has made several deep runs in Open Singles and consistently finishes near the top. The ex police officer has been tabbed "Robocop" due to him having moments where he seems robotic when he plays. His laser focus and consistent throw make him one of the favorites in my book! Jim Abdella has made the finals of this event in the past and if he gets hot he could be someone you don't want to matchup against. Same for Frank Stockton and Donnie Greer. Both of these guys have been around a while and are capable of winning this event. There are others who have creeped into the conversation the past year or so including Talley Oneal, Chris Hobbs and Keith Ludwig. All of these guys did well in Irving and can certainly hold their own. A couple of other guys I'd like to mention are Larry Benson and Randy Haltom. Benson from Shreveport hasn't played a lot of TCL events but don't hold that against him. Larry can play and should do well this weekend. Hammer Haltom from the Texarkana area has been playing for a little while and can sling a mean bag. Don't sleep on this fella!
Womens Singles is always super competitive and I don't see this event being any different. Each year Christina Espinosa has been one of the most consistent players and is always someone most people fear when stepping up to play her. She is a multiple time Womens State Champ and Female Player of the Year so I can see why! The current TCL Female Player of the Year Tracie Beeson is also one of the top players in this event. Tracie has flat out wore folks out this year and should do well this Thursday. Haley Davidson is another one of those players who can put you in the truck in a hurry and is super competitive. Denise McEvoy has had a really good year and can also get on a run and win this event. Don't count out Caitlyn Allshouse either as she will be a difficult matchup as well. Shab Lyles, Misty Goode and LeeAnna Saxon are all capable of doing well also.
In the late session for Thursday, Womens Doubles is the highlighted event with a small but very competitive list of teams. Haley Davidson and Christina Espinosa along with Tracie Beeson and Denise McEvoy look like the favorites as I scan down the list of teams entered. There are always upsets and teams coming out of nowhere to make a surprise run and I kinda have a feeling this event could produce similar results...possibly. Taylor Rose and Delaney Pilliod are coming on as contenders and have the ability to win this event. Stacey Paup and LeeAnna Saxon, Misty Goode and Sabra Howell are two teams full of talent as well. There are a couple of other teams that I will bring up just because I know what they can do. Trish Trejo and Betty Seymour both have lots of experience and if they get hot could be hard to beat. Keep your eye on Ashlee Roehl and Andrea Floyd. These ladies play mostly in the East Texas area and have been throwing well here of late. If they can handle the environment and keep their focus they have some serious potential. Don't count out the West Texas duo Mandi Munoz and Joanna Barrientes. I haven't seen them play much but from what I've seen they both are really good shotmakers and can sho' nuff' bring it!
I will write another article on Open Singles and Doubles later on. Hope y'all enjoy these articles as much as I enjoy writing them!
Throw 'em straight!
Legendary Johnny has been staying up late burning the midnight oil. See you soon!
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