Sheep's tip of the Week

Before tournaments or games, get into a ritual. It could be having a power bar, not tying your shoes until the first drill, keeping a shirt on over your jersey, stretching with your favorite rookie on the team, whatever it is, get in the habit. It will help you prepare for each game and help develop the same mindset before games.

Sheep's Tip of the Day

When throwing, try to put the disc to certain parts of your receivers body. Make it easier for them to beat their defender, make it simple for the break throw to be in the flow of their movement, make every player love to be your receiver. Find their sweet spots and make it happen.

-Sheep

Introducing the 2008-2009 Burning Couch of Michigan State University

Congratulations to everyone who made the team. We look forward to a great year of ultimate.


Alex Edinger
Ryan Heffernan
Aaron Ziegler
Andy Barnhart
Weston Laabs
Michael Hagop Dagher-Margosian
Connor Grant
Hatham Shawqi
Jesse Ellwood
Christo Ferguson
Kevin Stowe
Phil Garcia
Brad Morstadt
Ryan Morstadt
Scott Alton
Dave Hochhalter
Keith Johnson
Jason Mirjah
Zach Albright
Mike Chase
Zach Simmons
Alex Birko
Eric Flatley
Dan Blue

Burning Couch vs. magnUM Showcase Game

Some of you may know that each year Michigan plays a showcase game against BAT to show their prospective players a real game. However, this year, they asked us to come down to Weasel Town hoping to draw a bigger crowd. A total of 13 returns plus the promising young talents of Ryan and Brad Morstadt made the trip down to Ann Arbor. The game started at 6 at Palmer Field right in the middle of campus. The Couch started on offense using Ryan Heffernan, Aaron Ziegler, Jason Mirjah, and Christo Ferguson as cutters and Alex Edinger, Kevin "Marty" Stowe, and Connor Grant (myself) as handlers. Ziegler caught an in cut and immediately looked deep to a streaking Heff who came up with a nice one handed snag on the goal line. However, the disc was turned over as magnUM took a shot at working it up-field. Due to excellent sideline help, wild marks, and hard dump defense, we were able to force a turn and Marty was able to break his mark and hit Heff for the first tally of the game.

Weston Laabs, Hatham Shawqi, Dagger, Andy Barnhart, Ryan Morstadt, Heff, and Jesse Ellwood stepped on for our first D point of the game. After some hard man D, we were able to get a turn but not able to convert. MagnUM then took Ryan Morstadt deep who caught up step for step with his man but a weird hang on the disc prevented him from coming down with the D giving magnUM their first score of the game. The O got broken the next point but the next point was able to score when I ripped a forehand blade to a wide open Ellwood. 3-2. Our D line this game was just giving Michigan nothing. Throughout the whole game, we were able to get them were we wanted for our guys to make some plays on the disc. There were multiple magnUM turfs, stall 9 toss up throws that for the most part we were able to D, and great dump defense allowed for myself, Laabs, Ferguson, and Mirjah to get layout D's on dump passes. Fast forward a few points and we find ourselves down 5-2 on O. The we turn the disc but get the d right back after a nice layout d by Heff. Heff then takes off deep with Dave Fumo guarding him as I proceed to pick up the disc and jack it deep to him. Heff is able to box out one of the best defenders in the region then layout for a huge point that then made the game 5-3. Magnum was able to take half 8-4. We were able to break the first point after half and sent out a sick D line to try and bring the game to 8-6. Jason Mirjah came up with another sick layout D which turned into a perfect Dingo up-line huck to Justin Hentemann who was able to run it down inside the end-zone. Michigan was able to go up 10-8. If there was one thing that killed us this game other than a few poor decisions it was out D line's inability to convert after we got the turn, however, this will come with time as we work on disc skills and chemistry develops. On another note, one thing that really brought this game down in my eyes were the very very poor foul calls by magnUM. At one point, some chump that Weston was guarding called a foul on him because the guy ran into Wes when he was fronting him. Marty also had numerous Busch league calls made on him. We were able to maintain our composure and not stoop down to weasel call status.

The run starts. Our original O line comes out ready to make a statement. As I get the disc in the middle of the field, I see a match-up made for the ages: Aaron Ziegler with Ollie Honderd guarding him. My eyes light up and Ziegler, as well as the rest of the Couch, know what is coming. I let a forehand bomb go as Ziegler somehow moves his 6'3 frame gracefully towards the end-zone with the future leader of the weasels following him deep. Boom!!! Head Shot!! It was a true beaut' to see Ziegler bag the shit out of the Great Lakes Freshman of the year. No fear at all. I would like to take a moment very quickly and say how proud I am of our second year players who came to this event. You guys have progressed so much. Jesse, you are turning into one of the most reliable handlers on the team and have been able to develop into an excellent defender as well. Christo, not only are you always able to get open, but you disc skills are so much better than last year. When you come back to handle, you have every throw we need. Ziegler, when I first laid eyes on that massive frame of yours two summers ago, I knew that you were destined for ultimate greatness. It is this progress from players like you guys that will make or break a nationals run. Even with out sidelines echoing in Ann Arbor and our handlers shredding magnUM's marks, we found ourselves pulling 12-10. Our D was able to get down and stop the second throw, making one of magnUM's handlers very uncomfortable. We were able to get the turn and Alex Birko threw a nice forehand blade to Laabs making the game 12-11. After I pulled it out the back (nOOb), Fumo got the disc on the force sideline. Our downfield D shut down everything, looking dump Fumo threw up a 8 count backhand to space for his handler. It never got there. Jason Mirjah came soaring through the air, snatching up the disc and landing gracefully in the endzone. CALLAHAN! This was by far the biggest play of the game so far. At 12-12, his layout Callahan brought this game to universe.

The Universe line was called. Zigler, Heff, Laabs, Dingo, Marty, Christo, and myself all stood on the line waiting for the Weasles stumble out onto the line still shocked at what had just happened. After a fairly decent pull on my part, we were able to lock down on our men. After a few swing passes, they finally gained the courage to look upfield. As Gordon Siegfriedt passed to a magnUM cutter, I saw a green blur whose body I will always recognize (howdy sailor). Heff came in red hot for a soaring layout D on universe. We started running our endzone and were able to find some success for a while. However the endzone stalled and Dingo ended up throwing a stall 9 desperation hammer to me which was D'ed. Gordon picked up the disc and jacked it to Ollie. Wes was able to catch up but Ollie just simply had better position. Game 13-12 Magnum.

Couch, throw your throws, accept the risk, and know that errors are not evenly spaced. This was one hell of a game. We need to use this as motivation to become even better and not be satisfited with were we are but were we can be. We can go up or down. Get high like planes.

Regionals 2008

    About a week later, sitting at home eating a pint of Rum Raisin Haagen-Dazs ice cream, I finally think I should write about regionals.  The most important tournament of the year was finally upon us.  The track workouts, plyos, drills, and tournaments had prepared us for this day.  Seeded 5th overall, we faced the University of Ohio in the first game of bracket play.  The defense stepped onto the field ready to set the tone for the game.  I had the honor of the first pull and did not disappoint.  As the D line sprinted down the field, you could feel the sense of urgency.  Hard handler D shut down Ohio and caused them to throw up an errant pass which landed out of bounds.  Alex Edinger called for an end zone, I Hotttt.  I got the disc, dumped to Hatham Shawqi, then beat his man upline, seeing this, Edinger cut breakside.  I throws a invert forehand break for the first break of the tournament.  Unable to break Ohio's O again, MSU's O line stepped onto the field ready to prove that they could score easier than Heff on a Thursday night.  However, this game would be highlighted by the O line's inability to work the disc into the end zone.  Broken 5 times in a row, the D was finally given the chance to get back on the field and provide the match the Couch needed to get going again.  I gave the disc a ride again and the head galloped down ready to munch on Ohio.  Matt Dagher-Margosian, who proved to be the best handler defender on the team, was possesed.  This was his point.  Marking up on their stud handler, Dagger gave him the business then called his mom to say thank you.  Hand block city.  Hype as shit, there is no way the D line is going to give this back unless Pat O'Callahan tries to squirt ink at it.  The handlers go UpLine like there is free beer in the back of the end zone and I find myself in an all too familiar spot.  Aaron Zigler is being forced sideline and I see the mismatch, being more accessorized and prettier than his opponent, I soon find myself in the end zone drop kicking the disc like it was a bag of kittens out of an airplane.  3-6.  The O line muffs the disc and somehow we find ourselves down 7-3 against Ohio.  Game time.  Justin Timberlake, I mean Matthew Mcconaughey, wait no, David Vuckovich, had warned me earlier not to look past Ohio.  Good looking and intelligent, watch out, especially if his MLU career falls through.  Needless to say, he was right.  We were in a dogfight and needed to make plays.  Somehow,  Phil Sommer was able to come up big time after time and put us in position to score.  The miracle 9 was complete.  Burning Couch 13-9.  

     Finally, a shot at Leadbelly, who was looking rather professional in their black jerseys, quite unexpected ( I was hoping to see Beemer's "World's Best Cheddar" tee, but it was not in the cards).  Coming out in the Special Sauce, we were looking for a big stop to get this game started with a break.  OSU had too many handlers who were hitting the spots.  Man called.  Goal scored. 1-0 Lead.  O line steps onto the field ready to keep the squad in the game.  Leadbelly must have seen that we had been struggling with zone and immediately threw one on us.  This is the first time I have ever seen a zone from Ohio State who is known for their man defense and not having jerseys.  Were we really playing Ohio State?  After a few turns on both ends, Leadbelly got the break.  3 more breaks followed and suddenly we found ourselves in a hole again.  OSU was keeping a tight rotation in as Timmy, Jimmy, Beemer, and T Lake were running the show.  The Couch was able to battle back to make it 10-7 at one point but Ohio State refused to let us back into the game.  Final score 15-10, Leadbelly.

     Losing at regionals sucks.  Everyone goes into the weekend with dreams of making it to nationals.  Surprising people and going on that Cinderella run is everyones hope.  Time to move on, Oberlin was waiting for us.  

     We had played Oberlin twice this season already and beaten then rather easily 13-4 each time, we expected this to be an easy game.  It was Regionals though and this was a different Oberlin team ready to run.  We found ourselves in a dogfight just letting them hang out, but took half 8-6.  During the second half, we finally came out with some intensity and were able to put them away 14-9.

     Miami Ohio stood in the way of us and Sunday.  The only time we had played them had been in the fall as a split squad at Best of the Midwest.  Taking second place in the East Plains, we knew we could not take this team lightly.  The game started with MSU on O.  The Couch was really fired up for this game as most of us remembered how we already had been eliminated.  This game went back and forth until MSU went up 12-9.  The game seemed to be in hand until Miami somehow gained momentum back and won 14-13 on universe.

      

  

         

Callahan Shortlist

   Unlike last year, we enter Regionals without a defined Callahan front-runner.  Many names have been mentioned throughout the season ranging from Joe Kershner and Jolian Dahl to Kurt Gibson and Ben Feldman, but none have shown the leadership qualities or spirit that recent winners Dan Heijmen or Timmy Gehert displayed.  All play on great teams and play important roles.  Kershner is the heart of Arizona, the Cinderella team of the year.  Jolian leads the perennial powerhouse Mamabird.  Gibson leads the current #1 team in the land and their seemingly endless supply of 5 jerseys and shorts.  And Feldman is the rumored creator of the "Boom!  Head Shot!" cheer.  With that being said, here is my Callahan shortlist.

#6  Dusty Becker- Oregon

Although Oregon has underperformed this season, Dusty has still played well and has been able to steal a few close games for Oregon.  Look for him and the rest of Ego to pick it up come Regionals.

#5 Drew Mahowald- Wisconsin

Possibly the best player on the Hodags before he broke his knee not to mention he is the keeper of the "Golden Hand."

#4 Will Neff- Michigan

As soon as I heard Neff was transferring to Michigan, my heart sank a bit.  Magnum was a good team last year, returned most of their big guys including Ryan Purcell, who could be the most accessorized player in the game.  The addition of Will immediately transformed this team to Nationals caliber.  Enough said, I can only say a few nice things about the Weasels before I begin hitting myself.

#3  Joe Kersher- Arizona

Best short, hairy pirate in the game.  He makes big plays when his team needs them.  He is the main reason Sunburn broke into the tier of elite college teams this season.  If Erick Gafni, Austin Gregersen, and Joe can take this team to nationals, he could find himself holding the trophy.

#2 Jolian Dahl- Colorado   

Golden boy of one of the most storied programs, Jolian can do it all.  Took Mamabird a little while to get on track this year mainly because they were breaking in new players but Dahl has been constant.  He also has very pretty eyes.  Look for Martin Cochran, Mac Taylor, and Dahl to take this team back to the finals game in front of the home town crowd.    

#1 Kurt Gibson- Florida 

Kurt has been the best player in college ultimate over the past two years.  Although he may not be the most spirited player, his skills speak for them self.  The guy is a human highlight reel who has every throw in the book.  His Madden rankings were near perfect, well except for spirit, and his 70 plus yard upwind hammers are one of a kind.  No one can take over a game like Gibson and when paired with Brody Smith, Cole Sullivan, and Clye Van steal my teams funds, this team can go anywhere.  With Kurt at the helm, this team continues to be lead with fiery passion and somehow always manages to find a new set of jerseys.   

Sectionals Recap Sunday

     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.