The morning started out against an upstart Western Michigan squad who came in with a record of 16-2. Renamed the Zj's, Alex "Skipper" Shipps and the rest of the team was out to prove that this team could compete for a bid to Regionals. Friendly words had been exchanged before the game and both teams were fired up. Michigan State started on D. We came out with hard marks and tight handler D which eventually forced an ill advised deep shot. Aaron Zigler was able to get the D and our handlers took over from there. Connor "sheep" Grant picked up the disc on the goal line and quickly swung it to Hatham who hit Zigler on a wide open in cut. Weston Laabs made a well timed continue which allowed Hatham time to set up a nasty O2 cut. Hatham was able to swing the disc back to the middle where the Sheep fired a shot to the endzone and hit Pat O'Callaghan in stride for the break. The team stormed the field jacked to get more breaks. Excellent pressure on the marks and tight man defense by Michigan State forced Western to put up a lot of desperation looks which State defenders ate up. Once again, the D line offense was flowing as the rotation opened up. Phil was a huge presence deep throughout this game. Eating up just about everything then racing up field to keep the offense from stalling. Couch roared into half up 8-3 after Jason Schmidt had a huge layout D past Shipps on the goal line to set up a score. The Burning Couch came out in the second half fired up to close out this game with authority and prepare for an all too familiar opponent in the finals. We wanted it more. We started the second half on O and patiently worked the disc up the field to the goal line where Kevin "Marty" Stowe hit Christo with a push pass for a tally. The defense came out crazy. Marks were flashing over and making throwers uncomfortable as the downfield defenders covered their men tighter than a lid on tupperware. Overwhelmed, Western soon found itself down 14-5. Hoping to close out the game, the Couch pulled to Western and sprinted down the field. Once again the defense was taking care of business until Shipps put up a long boy to prodigy Mark Worsfold who made a nice grab for a score. The offense took the field one more time and was able to work the disc down the field until Christo Ferguson put up a nice huck to a wide open Mike Martin. 15-6 Michigan State.
Heading into the finals game, Burning Couch knew they were the underdogs. After a spectacular showing at Centex, MagnUM had risen to 7th in the national rankings. Loaded with experience and throwers like Will Neff and Ryan Purcell, we knew we would have to play one hell of a game to win. Schmidt had set up a nice field inside the middle school football stadium and tensions were running high. The showdown was set to start at 2 pm.
Michigan State would start the game on D. Dan Blue, my former roommate and member of the Couch, was announcing the game. The starting D line, T.J. Bart, Jason Schmidt, Mike Dagher-Margosian, Connor Grant, Weston Laabs, Hatham Shawqi, and Ryan Heffernan, stepped onto the field to face the talented Michigan offense. Coming out with the Special Sauce, the magnUM offense was temporarily stalled until an overthrown hammer from Purcell was pulled down on a miraculous grab by Tom Haynes who somehow managed to land in bounds. The zone was broken and Michigan punched it in. 1-0 magnum. As the O line stepped on the field, Michigan started chanting one of their "Great Lakes, Great Times" or "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you" cheers which seemed to make them very happy. After a typical Will Neff pull, the offense was set and flowing until Heff was unable to pull in a disc thrown behind him. The weasels were able to capitalize on the turn and took a 2-0 lead. The O was looking to make some plays against a stingy U of M defense however, the pressure got to the handlers as a swing pass hit the ground instead of hands. Neff picked up the disc and put up a nice huck to Pat Collins for a 3-0 lead. Too much, timeout State. Our O took the field again composed and patient. Ryan Heffernan busted in out of the split and immediately looked deep and put it to Phil who made a spectacular layout grab for State's first score of the game.
The D was able to get on the field but could not capitalize on the turn they got, 4-1 magnum. The offense took the field again and could not work the disc down the field. Magnum looked deep again and found a receiver in the end zone for the score, 5-1. Another break for Magnum followed, 6-2. Again the O took the field with Weston Laabs replacing an injured Christo Ferguson. Good cutter flow allowed MSU to work the disc up to half field before Heff jacked a forehand blade to Laabs. Somehow, Laabs was able to come back to the disc and snag it right before the sticky hands of Dave Fumo could. Some debate ensued but after they typical gestures, the point was awarded to the Couch, 7-2. The D came out fired up hoping to get a break and get back in this game. Throwing the Special Sauce, Couch forced a turn. Handler movement was crisp and the disc was being worked well up line. T.J. Bart got a look and put one up for Zigler who came down with it for the first break of the game, 7-3. Couch O stepped on the field but could not put it in as magnUM took half 8-3.
During halftime, Phil set a fire under everyone which proved to be contagious. The sideline became louder and more involved which invigorated the players on the field. Michigan State held on O after half and was able to bring it to 11-9 at one point. However, even with the momentum of one of the sweetest "greatests" by Mike Martin, finished off by a Schmidt hammer to Heff, the Burning Couch was unable to get back in the game and suffered a 15-10 defeat. Although we lost, the second half proved to be a positive as we played even, 7-7 with one of the best teams in the land. We were awarded the 5 seed in a very competitive Great Lakes region and hope to bring the Couch back to Nationals.
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