2000 Black Tide Tournaments

[Recap compliments of Dan Schneider]
[Photos compliments of Bill Burfeind, Shaun Bagai and Dan Schneider]

This weekend we did exactly what we were supposed to do.

Saturday was a roll.
Started with Redlands and laid a bagel on them 13-0.

Next up was Claremont. We won 13-1. Big Tommy, Izzy and Eric Boyd were all thrown in the "doghouse" (a camping tent that Glimme brought) for giving up the one goal. They all had to crowd in without being able to play or even watch the last five points of the game. Tommy blamed the whole catastrophe on Steven who managed to escape doghouse persecution... when in doubt blame a rookie.

Then was Squid B. I'm totally confused by their on-the-field behavior. As it was Easter weekend, some of us had families there, some of which had never seen the sport before. They watched this 'mess of a game'. And when I looked at their faces, it was as if they were all saying "You mean to tell me that THIS is what you've been dedicating all your extra time to in your life??!!" Squid B does not help the sport. We won 13-3.

Rolled through UCLA 13-5.

Hollywood came out to practice on Thursday to talk to us. He told us that one of the biggest challenge is getting up for the lower competitors. This one stuck with me. Kept me fired up on Saturday. Helped all of us get some momentum going for the bigger game on Sunday.

Sunday:
We only had one game on Sunday. SLO Core beat the Squids in pool play so we faced them early in the morning. One game, just a sprint. SLO Core is a good team. One of those gritty teams from the West Coast who would whup ass on a majority of panzy ass Ivy League teams or Metro whatever region teams that somehow make it to Nationals every year. We were not going to take them for granted. We were focused and knew what had to be done.

In a way it was our first real test. We passed well: 15-6... with EVERYONE playing equal time. It's the time of the year when rookies start playing like veterans. Good to see.

In other exciting news, our B-team qualified for Regionals for the first time since 1997. They won a big battle on Sunday against Claremont 17-15. It was cool to see them so fired up.

GAME SCORES

Saturday:
Black Tide 13 vs Redlands 0
Black Tide 13 vs Claremont 1
Black Tide 13 vs Squid B 3
Black Tide 13 vs UCLA 5

Sunday:
Black Tide 15 vs Cal Poly (SLO) 6

Pool A	Pool B	Pool C	Pool D
Colorado	UCSB	UCSD	Cal Poly
CC	UCLA	Mines	U of AZ
NAU	Colorado-B	CSU	AFA
UCSD-B	WYO	UNM	UCSB-B

[Recap and photos compliments of Dan Schneider]

Right now I'm delirious and got a lot to get off my chest so here goes.
7000 feet. A lot comes with that.

Most of us arrived in Colorado Springs late night Thursday. This was good because it allowed us a little practice time on Friday. Man, did we stink at that practice. Throwing everything away, sucking wind. It was awful. However, it was a day that proved to be very beneficial. Not only because we all went and saw the movie "Gladiator" which fired us up, but also because on Saturday we were a little more acclimated.

The day was kindof quick and very anti-climatic. Started out with Colorado B in the morning (we won 13-2), then we had about a three hour bye because Wyoming didn't show, came back in the afternoon and beat UCLA 13-3, then rolled through Colorado College in quarterfinals 13-1. CC had a guy on their team who played barefoot.

Whatever excitement was lacking on Saturday manifested itself tenfold on Sunday. Semifinals vs. UCSD Air Squid. They came out very fired up and looking to win. We jumped up two nothing. We knew we couldn't let up. We told ourselves that we had to turn it up, play even better. Our play did not dictate such. The next point was a hell point. Each team had to have given up three turnovers a piece. The point must have lasted ten minutes. Five of our top guys were in. We lost the point. And everyone was exhausted. The Squids continued to build and rattle off a six to zero run. Our offense wasn't working. None of us were timing off each other and the Squids poacher D seemed to come up with block after block. We put the pieces back together as best we could, and went into half down 5-8. We knew it wasn't over as did everyone else that was near the field. We had been down by more at half before to better teams and won the game. We had to come out strong in the second half.

We didn't.

The Squids scored the first two points of the second half. Just like that we were down 5-10. What the hell was going on? None of us seemed to be able to figure it out. One thing for certain was that there was an extreme amount of frustration due impart to Squids relentless attack, altitude exhaustion, and our own stupid mistakes.

Everything ranging from throw-a-ways, drops and swearing.... yes, I said swearing. We had three observers for this game. The main observer made it clear from the get go that he was going to establish control. He started by calling us for a delay penalty because Ernie had a toe on the side line. "Too many men on the field" he said. We had to take the disk 15 yards in our own endzone. This guy gave us about 8 penalties, all of which cost us. Proudly, never once were we penalized for taunting the other team... sadly, almost every call was because we swore at each other. The Squids must have been succeeding in making us frustrated at each other. Every penalty resulted in HUGE yards for the other team. I cannot remember ever getting a call from this guy. I speak in basketball terms because I have been a high school basketball official for four years now. As a referee something you want to do is establish control, but never take the game out of the player's hands... this is kindof what this guy did. I was even penalized for asking him "Are we going to get ONE call our way today?" OK, so I was sarcastic, but this guy was BAD.

We kept it together and brought it back to 11-13. Pissed the last two away. And just like that, the Squids had beaten us again and we kicked into the backdoor. I think everyone on our team would readily admit that the Squids beat us fair and square. Regardless of how the game was officiated, they came out tough and we played terrible and we didn't deserve to win.

So into backdoor-bracket-land we go. The road ahead of us now looked long. Many of us were exhausted after the first game, did we really have three more games in us? Start with UCLA. With a majority of veterans limiting their points, staying in the shade, younger player stepped up and served them a 15-1 defeat. On to Cal Poly. We beat them pretty easy in Sectionals at UCSB, but Regionals at Colorado Springs was to be a different story. We went down 3-0. We looked terrible. I'd like to fill you in on some details, but I really don't remember much about this game. All I know is that Cal Poly was tough. They were not going to go down easy. Somehow we regained the lead and never trailed after that, but our lead never grew more than three points. Adam and his twin brother, Austin, continued to talk trash to each other, making the game more exciting. I remember being worried at one point because this game was so close. Cal Poly seemed to counter everything we did. Many points had multiple possession changes. And to make matters more intense, the wind kept changing direction dramatically.

I was playing god awful. I felt every terrible feeling that I had against NC State in Boulder last year creeping back. My heart was in it, but my body just couldn't go. There was a point or two where I almost fainted. I told Jamie "I'm playing like an invalid out here"; wisely, he and Buzz told me to rest. A polite way of benching me. I mention this only because last year I think I would have found a way to force myself to play, as awful as I would have been... but this year two things came into play. Learning from last year's altitude games in Boulder I knew how terrible I would play if I actually went out there AND secondly, being a little more mature I could let go of my ego. I knew there were guys on my team that could step up and play. As I stood dilapidated on the side lines, I couldn't help but be proud of how my teammates handled this onslaught of adversity handed to us by the elements and SLO Core. They all seemed to be doing fine. I guess I'm just a weenie (polite term). I sat out, actually passed out, when the score was about 11-8. I woke up to see freshmen Taylor Cascino make one of the greatest layout catches I've ever seen to win the game 15-13. PHHEEW!

Do we really have one more game in us?

San Diego had lost to Colorado by a score of, I think, 15-7.
The stage was set for a rematch and a backdoor championship.

By resting the last points of the SLO Core game, I was able to re-energize myself enough to participate. Over the weekend all of us had been loading up on light food, water, electrolytes and even shots of pure oxygen from tanks to keep our systems going at the best level possible. In the end we would need every ounce of energy we could muster.

I remember sitting under our tent before the final showdown against UCSD. Burfeind, Taylor and I were sitting in a triangle. Tommy turned to Taylor and said "I know you're only a rookie but we're riding on your shoulders to Nationals." We laughed together, but I think he was only half-kidding, especially because I had played like a complete turd in the last game. I guess Taylor took Tommy seriously. The rookie must have pulled down at least four goals in the game, all of which were gratuitous skies or layout grabs. But it wasn't just Taylor, everyone played like their life depended on it. Key phrase in the last sentence is "everyone played". I think almost everybody got into that last game and was able to contribute. Dwight, Eric, and Kevin stepped up huge. I can't remember any of them having a turnover all weekend. We also hucked without fear with or against the wind to our big guns. Big Tommy must have pulled down at least five of our goals. Even under this do-or-die pressure Oren, Buzz and Jamie were able to maintain their chilly throws and have the balls to throw the big ones. Adam and Ernie were doing just about everything. I don't think we played our best game, but in the end our depth, intensity, and desperation were just too overpowering.

We won the game 15-8 and stepped through the backdoor to Boise.


Like every tournament there are some outside details that have a lot to do with what takes place in the game. Last year after Boulder my dad made the recommendation that we bring oxygen with us if we ever went back to Colorado. I told him if he could get it we would find a way to bring it. This year it was there. Helped me get back into it for the final UCSD game. I think it helped a lot of the guys out on Sunday. Although I did have to remind Kevin a couple of times that sucking on it wouldn't get him high. Also, this was the first time in, I think, four years that our B-team made Regionals. Having them there on our sideline was a huge boost, especially while traveling to hostile lands. And lastly, TEX was there. All Tide alumni know who this maniac is. After driving 16 hours from Dallas, he showed up at about midnight on Friday loaded with supplies. All throughout the weekend, if we needed water, Tex had it; if we needed bagels, bananas, muffins, etc., Tex had it; if we needed Gatorade, Tex had it; if we needed shade, Tex brought a huge tent! Everything the guy had, brought or did proved to be a huge support.

GAME SCORES
[Scores available Sunday evening compliments of Jamie Houssian]

Saturday
Black Tide vs Colorado-B 13-2
Black Tide vs UCLA 13-3
Black Tide vs Colorado College 13-1 (quarterfinals)

Sunday
Black Tide vs UCSD 11-15 (semifinals)
Black Tide vs UCLA 15-2 (back door - quarterfinals)
Black Tide vs Cal Poly 15-13 (back door - semifinals)
Black Tide vs UCSD 15-8 (back door - finals)

Comments from an observer:
The young sprout 18 year old frosh from UCSB (editor's note: Taylor is his name) flew through the air time and time again snagging very sick grabs... this one is an up and comer of huge caliber. Nice recruiting Tide. Tommy B. also rose to individual style, skill and focus that took his team from the rocks to the safe slip at the harbor. MAN can that guy sky. Grunting out pull downs from the clouds time and again.

[recap compliments of Bill Burfeind]
[photos compliments of Schneiders]

Friday:
Let's just start with how the Tide played today. They got a break in the schedule, not having to play their first game until 11:00 AM. That gave them plenty of time to get to the field and get mentally and physically ready to play. They started the day with Rice, and very shortly everyone knew the Tide were ready to play and they "Steamed Rice" 15 to 3. Everyone got to play, allowing all to also get some rest for later games and everyone was a contributor in the win.

Next game Princeton, they are the Clockwork Orange, but against the Tide, the Clock ran down and the Tide ran up a 15 to 4 victory in less than one hour. Again a great team effort on both Defense and Offense. Mostly the Tide just worked plays moving consistently at will down the field. That gave the Tide a two hour break before meeting the number one seed in their pool, and you guessed it, Stanford.

Let's set this up for you - Stanford had played Princeton first and won 14-10 in a capped game, then they played Rice and won 15-7, taking about an hour and a half to finish. So the Tide had the point differential and had earned more rest, but needed the W to go directly to the Quarters.

Both teams started on an emotional high. Stanford scored on their first possession and the Tide came right back. But then Stanford turned up the D, got some turnovers and went up 4 to 2. Now the Tide turned it on! Tommy, Buzz, Dan, Adam and Ernie made some great plays on D and the turnovers started to come. Jamie, Dan with that left hand huck, and Ernie were throwing long and Tommy, Buzz, Adam, Nick and Izzy were bringing in the catches. The rookie, Taylor, made a great catch to take the Tide to half at 8 to 5! The second half started with Stanford pulling to the Tide, put on a very tight and quick zone, we made a bad pass and Stanford caught it in the endzone for a quick score. That just got the Tide's attention and they rolled quickly from 8 - 6 to 11 - 7. Then they traded a goal to 12-8 and ran away with the last three points to win 15 - 8. The final point was very fast after a turnover a quick long huck down the right sideline and there was Taylor one more time to bring home the victory.

Tide ends the day 3 and 0. They go directly into the quarterfinals tomorrow at 1:30 PM and can skip the pre-quarters at 8:30 AM. The team is back at the hotel now, enjoying the pool and hot tub and telling stories about the D and O.

In the other Pools:
Pool A was the surprise! Brown seeded #1 overall beat NCSU 15 - 9 and then Notre Dame 15 - 8, but lost to Wisconsin the #5 seed 16 to 15. Wisconsin also beat Notre Dame but had lost to NCSU 15-12. So that pool locked up with three teams having 2 and 1 records. Brown gets to go to the Quarters on point differential, so #1 is hanging in there for now. Wisconsin and NCSU go to the pre-quarters.

Pool B had Colorado, the #2 seed over all at 3 and 0, beating Michigan 15 - 8, UCSC 15 - 11 and Salisbury State 15-13. The other three teams split their game with each other: Salisbury beat Michigan but lost to UCSC and then Michigan beat UCSC. UCSC and Michigan will go into the pre-quarters on point differential.

Pool C had Carleton, the #3 seed and they went 3 and 0, beating UNC 15-6, Tufts 15-7 and Winona St. 15 - 6. This was probably the weakest pool, but you can never count out Carleton. UNC beat Tufts and Winona to end 2 and 1 and Tufts beat Winona to end 1 and 2, but still make the pre-quarters.

Saturday:
Yesterday, the Tide won their pool and had a morning bye to see who came out of the Pre-quarter play for them to meet at 1:30 PM.

In the pre-quarters: NCSU beat UCSC in a capped game 15 - 14; UNC beat Princeton 15 - 9; Stanford beat Tufts 15 - 8; and Salisbury State continued to be the upset team beating Wisconsin 15 - 7. That set up the quarter finals:

Brown played NCSU and beat them 15 - 8
Carleton beat Stanford 15 - 13
Colorado beat Salisbury and I don't have a score

So that matched the Tide with an old rival, UNC. The Tide, sitting around most of the morning waiting started a bit flat and UNC started with a solid defense and did not seem to ever miss a throw. UNC took it to half winning 8 - 5. When the second half started we traded goals and then UNC got another going up 10 - 6. Now the Tide called a time-out, got some firm words from the captains, Jamie and Buzz, and came out on a mission. The Tide proceeded to out score UNC 7 to 1 and took a lead at 13 - 11. This took a toll as many of the main players were on the field for many points in a row. UNC broke back to tie at 13 and the Tide scored to go up 14 - 13. That is when the cap went in. So the Tide could get a D and score to win, but if UNC scored to tie at 14, we had a capped game to 16. Going for that next point each side gave up the disc a few times and UNC did finally score to tie at 14. The Tide scored very quickly to go up by one, but on the next point there were again turnovers on both sides and UNC scored to tie it again. So it was the Tide's game to win... they moved it up the field and then there was Nick all alone in the endzone for an easy score and victory for the Tide to move into the finals.

I did not mention many names above because everyone on the field and those on the sidelines made it an extreme team effort to fight back from being down 10 - 6. It was not only those making the D's and O's but also all the others outside the lines coaching and spotting to help put our players in position.

Unfortunately, the Tide's semifinal game was set for 4:00 PM while the other semifinal was scheduled to start at 4:30 PM. The UNC game ended at 3:35 so the Tide had to move about a quarter mile to another field and only had a 25 minute break before playing the # 1 seed, Brown who had had almost an hour break.

Brown came out strong and we traded goals to 2, but then Brown got some blocks with a strong zone defense and scored each time taking it to 5 - 2. We traded a couple more points but then Brown took a huck into the zone and we went to half at 8 - 4. Coming out of the half a strong wind and rain hit the field and play became very difficult. Twice the Tide made a run at a catch-up getting back to 12 - 8. However, Brown went on to score the next three points under those very bad conditions and ended the Tide's bid to continue winning 15 - 8.

Everyone on the team played their hearts out and they left it all out on the field. The UNC game took a lot out of them and the schedule did not allow them time to recuperate. That was just too big of an edge to give to Brown. And Brown did play a very good game and seemed to have an offense that could work in the wind. I was also very proud of all the parents in attendance. As Brown was taking a lap around the field, though disappointed in the outcome of the afternoon, they all gave Brown a round of applause and wished them good luck in the finals.

In the other semifinal, Carleton beat Colorado 15 - 14 in a capped game. They had to battle through the same storm, but due to the 4:30 PM start time, it had mostly blown over for the last 1/2 hour. The game went back and forth with each team being in the lead at one time or another.

So tomorrow we all watch Brown vs. Carleton in the finals.

Sorry I can't be bringing you better news, but I can assure everyone can be proud of the way the Tide played.