AUSTIN, TX -- This Sunday, in the birthplace of modern derby, #9 Detroit faces their toughest competition in a year when they take on #5 Texas.
Detroit was a surprise finalist in last year's Eastern Regionals, edging out Boston in an overtime thriller and then upsetting Minnesota on their way to finishing fourth and claiming a spot in the 2007 Nationals, where they'd take a first-round loss to eventual runners-up Rat City. Since then, the Motor City posse has been on a roll, currently tied for the longest current winning streak in WFTDA play with Gotham. They've put down Sin City (#17 at the time, currently #39), Ohio (#25 at the time, currently #32), Burning River (unranked at the time, currently #43), Grand Raggidy (#23 at the time, currently #19), Dominion (#20 at the time, currently #22), Atlanta (#22 at the time, currently #26), and, most recently, Tampa Bay (#38).
That's a win streak of 7 in a row, but most of those wins have been over relatively lowly-ranked or sinking competition; Grand Raggidy is the only team Detroit has defeated that has risen in the ratings since they played them. Detroit beat Grand Raggidy by only 12 points, although the gals from Motown had little trouble with their other recent opponents, defeating them by an average of 84 points.
That strength of schedule may have been why Detroit slipped out of the critical #8 spot in the most recent rankings, losing the last first-round tournament bye to the new #8, Philly. Detroit has been wanting to play a top ranked team to toughen themselves and see how they stack up versus the competition before they head off to the WFTDA East Regionals in Madison, WI, in October. This game will fulfill both of those objectives.
Texas is ranked #5, and have won five and lost two games in their last seven games. The recent big story with them, though, is their resilience after getting the only drubbing of their long history -- following a surprisingly large 125-65 loss to powerhouse Gotham (ranked #5 at the time, now #2) in June, Texas came roaring back in July to fall just one point short of knocking off the 2007 WFTDA champs, #1 Kansas City.
Detroit is down to 13 skaters for the game as the diminutive speedster Honey Suckit is unable to make the trip, and they're also without one of their all-star mainstays in Bikini Killer, who left Detroit for DC Rollergirls after the ECE. Still, though, Detroit is known for the depth of their roster and multiple-threat players -- Killbox, Racer McChaseHer and Cookie Rumble, in particular, are all every bit as dangerous in the pack as they are on the jam line.
Texas will be benefitting from the all-star debut of Duke City transfer Bullet Tooth Tracy, who was known for her alarmingly effective positional work as a pivot (and equally alarming shoulder checks) back in Albuquerque. Beyond that, the Texas crew retains many central components of their long-time success, including extremely experienced veterans like Bloody Mary, Rice Rocket and Sparkle Plenty.
Detroit will have their work cut out for them, especially as the game is in Austin, Texas, and, unusually for the visitors, on a Sunday night. Most derby teams do have an advantage playing at home, especially a team ranked as high as Texas. But Texas must beware not to take lightly the fast-skating, hard-hitting crew from Detroit -- while they come in as underdogs, Detroit's not intending to make a long trip just to roll over for the home team.
24/7 boo d. livers // 44 Bytch Ryder // 33.3 Cookie Rumble // 76 Del Bomber // I-75 Diesel Doll //46 Fatal Femme // 90028 Kat Von D'stroya // 989 Killbox // 100% Polly Fester // 2.8 Racer McChaseHer// 68 Summers Eve-L // 181 Vega Vendetta // -0 Vicious Vixen
1889 Belle Starr // 40 Bloody Mary // 17 Bullet Tooth Tracy// XX Cat Tastrophe // 77 Dagger Deb // 222 Desi Cration // 15 Friction VixXxen // 56 Lucille Brawl // 2 Morphine // 3 Olivia Shootin' John // 3.00E+08 Rice Rocket // 18 Shank // 0 Sparkle Plenty // 53 Vicious Van Gogo
Not THAT unusual, Rusty....
I believe the 7th IS the first Sunday of the month, which is when TXRG usually holds their bouts. Had they done it on Saturday, it would have clashed with TXRD's playoff bout.
The Original TXRDonald
MFHRs!!!!!
The write up says unusual for the visitors...
Detroit usually plays on Saturdays.
I like the pointy ears on the flier...
I like the pointy ears on the flier. Reminds me of bats, my favorite animal (surprise)!
But still, the flier also sort of reminds of a bad PCP trip (not that I know what that's like - LOL). Creepy.
I bet this bout is going to be a real nail-biter. I can't wait to read the recap.
Bat Wing
Ref - CoMo Derby Dames, Columbia, MO.
Jammer - Midwest Men's Roller Derby (Midwest Monsters), regional club
http://www.myspace.com/refbatwing
Justice should have the byline
I have to admit that Justice Feelgood Marshall "ghost" wrote at least 50% of this DDG-TX bout preview, even though he gave me the byline. I merely provided some data and a few of the lines. He's a way better writer than me!
Rusty Wheeler
Detroit Derby Girls
Let's rrrrrrrrrroooooooooollllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!
Heh. I totally thought all
Heh. I totally thought all that rankings crunching was, how shall we say? Marshallesque.
(not to mention an excellent way to use Rankin' File ;)
===============
Johnny Zebra
Rules Wrangler
WFTDA Ref Representative
Charm City Roller Girls
Rankin'File:Up-to-date WFTDA rankings and bout info:
http://www.charmcityrollergirls.com/rankin-file
This is where I go out on
This is where I go out on the proverbial limb. I said some time ago that I had a "feeling" that Deeetroit was gonna take this bout in a real squeeker. I stand by it. I could look like an idiot too. However, in the last year Detroit has totally caught fire and hasnt looked back. Yeah they got killed by Rat City (most have) nearly a year ago, but since then they havent just beaten teams they've blown them up. The point differential has been ridiculous in nearly every bout with the exception of the Grand Raggidy one. There's a point when a team thats steadily on the rise has to step up and defeat one of the few truly elite teams. AND beat them on the road. Its a mighty looong way from Car City to Austin. If Detroit brings it hard like they have been there is every chance in the world that this is a winnable game for them. Love the physicality and heart of Detroit!
Hooray for Friction
Glad to see she's finally playing for Texas. I'm curious to see the results of this bout because of the rather different lineup that Texas is fielding in addition to hearing how well FV played.
Score
If it's possible, will you post some score updates when you get them?
Thanks.
Ticker me, Please.
Mr.Pistol: loves Score Tickers
Final Texas 83, Detroit 46
So sayeth Chip Queso. No details yet, but hopefully forthcoming...
JFM
Texas vs. Detroit Bout Mini Recap
Yes I did sayeth from a texteth right after the bout. I am certainly no blogger or bout recapper but here are some tid-bits, if you will. First, sorry Biker_Dave that your prognostication was only partly correct and that your girls lost the bout. I will say after talking to several of them(coaches & Staff included) that LOST is not really a correct word because after a great hard faught bout, Detroit certainly won for what kind of a bout they needed going into a very tough East regional. This is a bout that you take back, tweak your training, adjust some strategy and grow for they will need to do damage with hopes of going to Natl's. This was a very well played bout and the score isn't exactly an indicator of how close they played Texas and not to mention, Texas really never pulled away more the 12-ish until later in the 2nd period.
Detroit came out very hard hitting to the Texas finesse style of play but as always Texas quickly adjusted to hit back. This was very fast paced bout as expected with great strategy but way more defensive then expected. Skaters were getting knocked down, juked and trapped yet it was a relatively low penalized bout overall. The first period score was back and forth with very little margin and Texas went into the half leading but not enough to feel safe. The second half was much of the same where Texas never had a comfort level until about half way thru period 2 as they started to pull away. This was mainly by 2 back to back 9 point jams by Lucile Brawl and Rice Rocket. Detroit never gave up and was feisty to the end until they lined up for hugs and high fives together. There were certainly star skaters both offensively and defensively on both sides but I'll leave the REAL recap for the pros. All the girls made impact and skated great!
There were a few key stats that made the real difference, including home track advantage which lead to a win by Texas that was way closer then the score. (Keep in mind these are my own stats and not official or exact in number but close)I would say 1 important factor for Detroit was they were missing 4 skaters who coulnd't make the trip. Not only did that effect endurance in the 2nd period but I am sure it changes line up rotation/match-ups. The main stats I noted that tell the tale were Texas had 3 more lead Jammer wins(17) then Detroit(14) but probably took more advantage during those jams. Meaning gain your points and quick call it off and/or get lead and strong defense to hold the other jammer in the pack. Texas held Jammers back better then Detroit with STRONG Pivot play and constant blocker recycling/re-engaging/assiting. Also, Texas had 4-5 Grand Slams to Detroits 1-2. But maybe the biggest stat and part reason of hurting Detroits endurance was Texas had 9 Jammer Take outs to only 3 for Detroit. Texas spread that wealth evenly between skaters while only Cookie Rumble had all 3 for Detroit. We all know how that can effect a teams mind-set and offensive flow. Huge props the Detroit for never giving up, even thru the last Jam.
I am sure both leagues are taking thier pain meds, soaking thier muscles and getting extra sleep after not only a very defensive bout but a great derby weekend. As I see in most travel bouts and tourneys, the comradery between the leagues was awesome! It was great that all skaters and staff had free derby beds to sleep and hung out mostly as a group thru the weekend. We all met for great food, drinks, open skate, speed skate practice, swimming, a fun Brunch at Sparkle Plenty's house and it all ended with hugs and dancing at the afterparty. Just the way it should happen.
Long winded as usual but hope that paints a good picture.
With a quick turn-around to heal and adjust, Texas does it again with a special bout SKATE INVADERS by hosting the Mad Rollin Dolls Next Monday 9/15. This a special WFTDA sanctioned bout in honor of Frozen Code Base who is showing off for thier developing Flat Track Roller Derby game. Here we go again-Yee Haw!
Chip Queso
The Power of Liquid Cheese & a Mic!
Hey thanx for the quick
Hey thanx for the quick recap. Nicely done mate! At any rate, regarding my prognostication ya know what they say. Last night I was the bug. But usually I'm the windshield,really I am.:) STILL really really like what I see in the Big D tho. They are tuff!
Let's get one thing straight, Queso.....
A roller derby video game WITHOUT Smarty Pants is like a PGA Tour game without Tiger.
The Original GGRDrick Woods.
COURSELOOKSGOODSWINGFEELSGOODILIKEMYCHANCES!
stats
Do you know when the official stats will be out?
DDG
(Detroit)
Pain Pills, bah....lol
Actually the Rock City Rollers are taking no pain pills and still up chatting the night away. It was actually talked about that nobody felt damaged what so ever.
In Fact, the crazy hardest hitting D-Town Darlins were planning thier attack on Cincinnati who comes to the Derby Temple of Motor City this Saturday September 13th before they even hit the plane trip home. Should be a great game as both of these teams have been doing nothing but stepping it up and stomping it out.
Big Poppa Razzi, Detroit Derby Head Announcer
Bout stats
Killbox, as soon as I get the stats from AK-40oz (right after he gets them emailed from Texas) I'll work on getting them together and posted on the DDG forums.
Bummer I couldn't make the trip. :-(
I have to say that Detroit does learn from all of their games, and I'd like to see a rematch between Texas and Detroit in DDG's friendly home at the Masonic Temple! Home field, er, court, er, what exactly should we say in derby... home track advantage? really does make a difference.
Rusty Wheeler
Detroit Derby Girls
Let's rrrrrrrrrroooooooooollllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!