The launch of the second half of the respective regular seasons for Arch Rival Roller Derby (ARCH) and GateKeepers Roller Derby (GKRD) takes place Saturday at Midwest Sport Hockey at Queeny Park (570 Weidman Rd. – Ballwin, MO.)
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
In the women’s flat-track opener at 6:30 p.m., two-time defending ARCH champion the Stunt Devils (1-1) tussles with the M-80s (0-2). Then in the men’s nightcap, the Central West Friends (1-1) and the Creve Coroners (1-1) battle for the first place slot in the GKRD Turf Wars standings.
Both leagues’ three local squads compete in a six-event regular season and aim to reach each respective league’s championship finale in late-April.
Both the Stunt Devils and the M-80s desire to reach the trophy game and a Saturday victory helps the cause. The Stunts suffered their first setback of the season in its 249-222 loss to the Smashinistas in late-January.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Triple-deuces on the scoreboard normally secures a derby squad a duke but the shootout with the ARCH standings-leader Smashies (2-0) still resulted in a tough-luck “L” in the ledger for the defending champs.
Aggie Wartooth, who collected 61 points last month, Psychokid D’ Freakout and Violet Opposition are slated to jam for the Stunts this Saturday. They’ll collectively get additional rotations with the subtraction of triple-digit scorer Bricktator, who is out of Saturday’s line-up due to a pre-scheduled absence.
Blocking will be propelled by Shear-Ra Powers, Cruella Belle-ville, Beaver Knievel, Fletch-A-Sketch, Nox, Hardcore Parkour, Wonder Thighs, Pegasass, Bruise Almighty and Goldie Blocks.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Two new additions were added to the Stunts’ roster via a mid-season supplemental draft held two weeks ago: former Smashinistas’ blocker Hakuna Renata and newcomer Joan of Spark.
Meanwhile, the M-80s face a “must-win” scenario Saturday for a loss knocks the loggers out of trophy contention.
Shoulder, CO and BEECH, PLEASE! are both primed for jamming duties and the rotation will be complimented by Snoop Dogwood and Branch Devereaux. Blocking is anchored by Fir Serious?!?!, Lumberjam, Jenny Loggins, Sequoia Destro-Ya, Twig E. Smalls, Ginger, Pine As Buck, Chop It Like It’s Hot, Fiona Crabapple and Megabirch.
Like the aforementioned Stunt Devils, the M-80s also added to its roster via the recent supplemental draft and claimed past team lynchpin and multi-season ARCH All-Star Rhino to its complexion.
The Stunts topped the M-80s at ARCH’s December season opener (200-188) in a last-jam, come-from-behind sprint. One can assume that the M-80s are primed for revenge and snag the second slot in the league’s hierarchy.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Adding to Saturday’s flat-track intrigue is the current three-way tie in the GateKeepers’ Turf Wars standings. Currently, all three men’s squads sport identical 1-1 records and the winner of the Friends/Coroners duel gains a decisive edge.
The Central West Friends fell to defending GKRD Turf Wars kingpins Raiders of Forest Park, 162-150, in late-January and dropped to the .500 mark. Jammer Shane Bower notched 89 points in the game while HEYNONGMAN collected 37.
Last Rites will also aid in the jamming rotation while Percy Controll, Great Stromboli, Sogo, Thrillhouse, Monster Jam, Fruit Wall-Up and Capt. Kramerica will set the tempo in blocking.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The wily Creve Coroners have every intention to behave unfriendly and claim the top spot of the GKRD mountain. Jammers Magnum P.I.M.P. and Cat Daddy are projected for multiple rotations. The Doc, Boney Fangers and Otter Nonsense, all blockers by trade, are also capable of scoring points when given opportunity.
Additional blocking is anchored by Double Excel, Hulk, Irving, Sir Nix-A-Lot, Specs Offender and O’ Connell.
Tickets for Saturday’s twin-bill are $10 while children 10 and under get in free.
For more information on Arch Rival Roller Derby, go to THEIR OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
For more information on GateKeepers Roller Derby, go their OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE.
Arch City Sports will be in attendance at Saturday’s games and will have a full recap posted Sunday.
By trade, he is a six-time, regional Emmy Award-winning news videographer/editor for KTVI/KPLR-TV. By hobby, he is a writer for Arch City Media, dating back to February 2014. Emphasis is on featuring and promoting local women's sports, but will cover anything that is not reported by traditional media outlets. Also a contributor to local concert reviews.
