GateKeepers Roller Derby co-captain Magnum P.I.M.P. knows that he and his fellow teammates have had numerous obstacles thrown against them this season.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
As defending world champions of the Men’s Roller Derby Association (MRDA), the St. Louis-based flat-track franchise has spent the summer months fending off challenges by numerous premiere men’s leagues.
This weekend, the GateKeepers aim to achieve a new goal: back-to-back international titles.
St. Louis (9-0) is the top seed of the MRDA 2016 Championships, “LoneStar Showdown,” beginning Saturday in North Richland Hills, Texas.
The two-day, ten-team bracketed tournament finds GKRD competing in a 7 p.m. (Central) quarterfinal contest against the winner of a play-in game between eighth-seeded Magic City Misfits (Orlando, FL) and ninth-seeded San Diego Aftershocks held earlier in the day.
After capturing its inaugural MRDA trophy precisely twelve months ago, the GateKeepers, winners of 18 straight sanctioned games dating back to August 2015, are well aware that they have transitioned from the “hunter” to the “hunted” within the sport.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
“I’ve always felt that we’ve had a target on our backs because we’ve always been a high-profile team,” said Magnum, who serves dual responsibilities as both a high-scoring jammer and lock-down blocker. “Even though we’re the number one seed, we just want to play our best game.”
Throughout the regular season, the locals have been dominant while compiling its unblemished record, outscoring opponents collectively 2952-616 in its nine MRDA-sanctioned games. Yikes! That’s about a 5-to-1 ratio on the points’ ledger.
Even with that impressive output, the GateKeepers have been intensely preparing at skating facilities in South St. Louis and West County.
“We’re looking really strong and I’m happy with where the team is at,” said Magnum of the recent scrimmages. “We’ve got a little fine-tuning left to do but, in general, we are tournament ready.”
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
This is a well-seasoned unit that contains numerous skaters that hoisted hardware one year ago. Alongside Magnum, the lethal jamming rotation consists of Shane Bower, ScreechAround, Corey Porter, David Metcalfe and a newcomer to this season’s 20-man charter, Sir Nixalot.
However, its strongest component continues to be its stubborn blocking contingent, paced by co-captain Percy Controll, Bled Zeppelin, Spin Diesel, The Saint, Double Excel, Hulk, Kyle Stark, Wrecking Bill, Nate Bower, Monster Jam, Michael D’Amaro, Gnat King Kill, Specs and 2016 addition The Doc.
In order for the GateKeepers to claim its second straight title, Magnum feels that his team’s overall skill set will be instrumental during the weekend grind.
“It’s incredible and one of our biggest assets, to be honest,” he said. “We’ve got six jammers that we can play and we’ve got so many blockers to use.”
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
In fact, the 20-man charter is so rich in depth that picking a MRDA-mandated starting line-up of a dozen skaters for a single game is tough to project. According to Magnum, the team will choose wisely in its quarterfinal match-up against a lower-seeded foe and progress accordingly. If the GateKeepers win Saturday night, they would play in the tourney’s semifinals on Sunday morning and, with victory, advance to that evening’s cup finale.
“We want to keep our legs fresh for later in the tournament,” the co-captain said of the team’s quarterfinal complexion. “We like to play guys that don’t get a lot of experience at that level. But if something happens, and they get a hot hand, then we might continue to play them. In general, we want our core guys rested and ready to go for that championship game.”
Click On The Image To Look At The 2016 MRDA Championships Bracket
If the weekend’s bracket holds true to form, and the top two seeds meet in Sunday’s 7 p.m. trophy finale, the GateKeepers would face three-time MRDA kingpins Your Mom Men’s Derby (Des Moines, IA). Last October, St. Louis topped the Iowans, 188-121, to claim the 2015 title and snap YMMD’s 32-game undefeated steak.
However, a possible entrant to the gold medal game is the event’s host, third-seeded Texas Men’s Roller Derby (8-1).
Regardless of the ensuing opponents, the GateKeepers need to net three straight this weekend to claim back-to-back titles and add another chapter to its legacy.
“It would be huge,” said Magnum of a potential repeat. “Two in a row would be a strong statement to prove that we weren’t just one and done.”
Live online coverage can be seen for free by clicking ONTO THIS LINK.
Arch City Sports will have updates throughout the weekend.
Here is a preview video of “LoneStar Showdown.”
