Goodness gracious, we finally done did it. After what feels like an endless string of seasons where we either lost early in the playoffs or reached the championship match only to walk away empty-handed, we can at last say that we are the champs. It wasn't an easy road to the title, but that only served to make the final victory that much sweeter. It was hard-fought all the way, but we turned up the heat when we needed to, and continued to play with the vigor and enthusiasm that spurred our season-ending streak of seven straight wins.
It was said streak that allowed us to stroll into the venue with confidence on Monday night, but I think we all knew this wasn't going to be a walk in the park. We were certainly feeling ready, but we had been plenty prepared for the playoffs before, only to be struck down by the frigid chill of defeat. Not this time.
Our first match was against a team who we had bested earlier in the season, but if I recall correctly, it had been far from a blowout. They have a solid squad across the board, and definitely rival us in size-per-dude ratio. Wisely, we came out blazing, taking an early lead and not stopping to catch our breath until it was mathematically impossible for them to take the lead. Even then, we had a hard time letting up in the slightest. When the final whistle blew, we found ourselves on the winning side of an 8-2 score.
As is often the case when it comes to the scheduling of the playoff brackets, we found ourselves with 40 minutes of downtime between games. I took the time to go out to my car and pound the rest of the No Fear energy drink I had started on the way to the gym, and also to watch The Green Team (our steady rivals for the past year or so) win their first game of the night. I had an inkling that we would face them before the night was through, so I studied their lineup and began to pick apart their weaknesses, of which they have few. I finally decided to just go with my usual plan of throwing the ball as hard as I can, as often as I can. But we had one more team to get past before I could put my plan in action.
Our next match was against the team that beat us in our first game of the season, who we hadn't played against since. While they took us out fairly decisively some seven weeks ago, I think we all felt we had not only the momentum, but also the raw animal desire to both walk away with the W and heartlessly crush their dreams in the process. Almost fully rested after our lengthy break, we came out and took the first four games, only to have them fight right back and tie it at four apiece. This clearly would not stand, so we decided to stop dicking around and won the next four before the whistle blew. Suddenly, we found ourselves in familiar territory: The Championship Game against The Green Team.
I think I can say with brash certainty that this was a match we'll all be telling our grandchildren about. Through twelve games, we went back and forth, each team digging deep and never letting the other get too far ahead. With the match tied 6-6, we all knew we were running short on time. While Team Awesome was once a squad not known for handling pressure situations well, I think we made it clear on Monday night that we have matured in every facet of our game, but especially when it comes to the ones that mean the most. We took command, channeling our last bits of energy into the thrust behind each throw.
The score on the official site reads 8-6, but I think it may have been 9-6, because I remember thinking during the last game that there was no way they could tie us. And if it was 7-6 going into that one, that wouldn't have made sense. Either way, here's the final game of our championship season, and the mild celebration that immediately followed.
I think we were all to exhausted to whoop and holler too much, or maybe we were just playing it cool. For me, it didn't really sink in until they presented us with the championship complimentary food card for the sponsor bar. $65 worth of free Mexican grub split eight ways? That's when you know you've hit the big time.
A great end to a great season, and we even made nice with a bunch of opposing players, which felt really good. I hope we can keep that going next season. I can see how we (some of us, at least) can come off as jerks sometimes, so it's nice to shake some hands and throw in an extra "Good game." And it was a damn good game, because we finally won the very last one of the season. These are truly the glory days, and I will savor them. Final standings are here. We are the team at the top. Oh, how it feels glamorous to type those words.
I'm expecting to hear about our championship rings and victory parade any day now.
And check out my teammate Erin's blog for more photos, including the one up top there that I stole from her. I'm going to try and post more videos of our games soon, as I have a bunch that I haven't posted here. Be patient. I'll get it together.

