CHM Tournament Recap

Another Chuck Hermann Memorial Tournament in the books and it did not disappoint. This year's tournament featured the underdog Floppy Discs make a dramatic run at the title game, three do or die universe point games, and a second straight year of A Capella facing off against Critical Point in the championship.

With a same day dropout, the 3rd Annual CHM had 7 total teams competing. Critical Point, Above All Roofing, and Discepticons made up Pool A. A Capella, Mighty Platypi, Floppy Discs and Victorious Secret made up Pool B.

Critical Point won the first two games of Pool B guaranteeing their spot as 1A in the semifinals. In the third and final game the Rochester youth team Discepticons took on Above All Roofing in the first of three universe point decided games. The Discepticons won a multiple possession point and rushed the field clinching their spot in the semifinals as 2A.

On the other side of things a short handed A Capella squad rolled past the Mighty Platypi as Maple Grove-sporting multiple new players-got by Victorious Secret. This set up the second meeting between MG and ACU. This game was much like their early scrimmage as the addition of Mitchell Rekstad wasn't enough to push them over the top. ACU notched their second win of the day guaranteeing their spot in the semifinals. In their third game ACU and VS were tied 3-3 at half before ACU turned up the intensity to pull away for good.

During the ACU-MG game the Mighty Platypi defeated Victorious secret to match the Floppy Discs with 1 win and 1 loss records. The Floppy Discs won another close one to clinch the fourth and final spot in the semifinals against Critical Point.

In the semifinals A Capella took off to an 8-0 halftime lead and 11-0 lead in the second half all before the Discepticons were able to score their first point. The A Capella-Discepticons game finished up at halftime of the Maple Grove-Critical Point Semifinal. Maple Grove began the half down 3 points but came storming back to tie it up late. This set up the second universe point game of the tournament. Once again there were multiple possessions on both sides, but two hucks from Dylan Garves one just out of the reach of Clark Wieneke in the endzone and another a jump ball that Mitchell failed to bring down were as close as they came. Critical Point punched it in threw the Wall to face ACU again in the finals.

In the rematch Finals A Capella took a 3-2 halftime lead. A massive huck from Cullen to DJ and layouts from Mike and Cullen on defense were a few of the key plays needed to take the lead. Critical Point quickly closed the gap in the second half to put the game back on serve, and a marathon point at 5-4 ACU lasted nearly the entire second half. Critical Point scored to tie it up and force the third and final universe point of the tournament. Unlike the other two, there were no turnovers this time around. One possession was all that was needed before DJ Rekstad threw the game winner to Dirk Meyer for the championship.

A Capella vs Floppy Discs Round One

On July 31st the first ever meeting between the A Capella Ultimate Club and the Floppy Discs of Maple Grove took place at Maple Grove Junior High. This scrimmage was a precursor to their matchup in the upcoming Chuck Hermann Memorial Ultimate Tournament in Rochester on August 2nd. After a half hour of game play the teams began an up to 10 game in which A Capella won 10-2. Maple Grove was clearly superior in speed and overall athleticism, but the experience of the A Capella players (average of 4.65 years of play) won out.

Sam Franta, Jayme Richardson and the Wieneke brothers all made their debuts for Maple Grove with impressive potential and athleticism. Milo Rice coming off of a season in the MNYU Summer League impressed early before being sidelined with injury. The Discs were disappointed with the scoreline, but were missing key players in Mitchell Rekstad, Shawn Hilst, Jake Willson, and Sam Holland.

On the other side of the field Cullen Garves and DJ Rekstad (former MG Captains) looked good in this warm-up for the CHM Tournament August 2nd. With rumors of low numbers the former captains may suit up for Maple Grove come Saturday. A Capella took second place in this tournament last season and have got their sights set on the team's first championship.