BEVERLY HILLS, MICHIGAN – Something about Beverly Hills brings out the best in each of our cornholers. Every time Bushie hosts the competition level seems to be up a few levels. Maybe it’s the great music. Or maybe it’s environment, the Augusta National of cornhole that is Bushie’s backyard. Whatever the case, cornhole in Beverly Hills is a helluva time and last night was no different with 9 of 17 games decided by 6 points or less, including 5 of those games decided by 4 points or less.

For the first time since week 1, the top player of the night did not come from either JG or Nick. Both of those guys had a solid 4 week run as the weekly Big Man on Campus. But that title rests with Barker and Mike for week 6, as each guy went 6-3.

Mike showed his versatility by averaging 18.8 points per game and grabbing 2 foot snags (most of the night). Mike also teamed with Joe in game 6 to take down Nick and Steve 21-20, in what was the best game of the night. Mike also still holds the best individual round of the season, as he is the only player to record a cornhole on all 4 throws (done in week 4). Mike’s 6-3 record improves him to 15-13 overall, good for a 6th place tie with Tony.

Barker averaged a ridiculous 19.0 points per game (best of the night) and an even more impressive +5.1 scoring differential. He made a run at Mike’s best round in Game 9 by holing 3 of his 4 throws, including holing 2 bags on one throw…he knocked one in, he didn’t throw 2 at once. 🙂

Barker was 6-1 before ending the night on a 2 game losing streak. His 6-3 record takes him back to .500 overall on the season, which is good for an 8th place tie.

When a player as good as Barker is hanging on to that last spot in the Cornhole Draft Lottery, it should highlight how competitive this league is. Bring your A-game every week or you’ll find yourself on the wrong end of things really quickly.

Nick found that out the hard way. He finished a respectable 5-4, but wasn’t up to his usual standards last night. Despite a sub par night, Nick still sits in second place overall.

Joey V. had a strong night, going 3-3 overall with had 3 monster wins. Of the 5 games decided by 4 points or less, Joe was on the winning end in 3 of them. We already mentioned the highlight of the night in game 6, but in game 11 Joe teamed with Nick to take down Barker and me, 21-18. It was dark, the flood lights were squarely on Joe as his team was down big and he needed to rise to the occasion. Joe’s family member may be up for Supreme Court of Michigan election, but Joe’s big nut sack decided to run for cornhole president on this turn. He holed 3 of his 4 throws against Barker to win 21-18.

But, there’s an old saying in Tennessee – I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee, too – it says, fool me once, shame on…shame on you. Fool me – you can’t get fooled again. Barker and I didn’t get fooled again, winning the rematch, 21-14.

Bushie shed his “Kim” cloak and went 3-7 on the night. He was involved in several close losses, and was much better last night than in week 4. He also showed off some sexy new Spartan boards.

Steve made his season debut, and although he went 4-9, it’s very clear he’s got game. The lefty had the most total points on the night and had the 4th best scoring differential of all players at only -0.9. The 4-9 record is not indicative of the player Steve is. He’s a sleeping cornhole giant.

Thanks again to Bushie for hosting.

NOVI, MICHIGAN – For the fifth straight week we saw no dong at “LEG”. Even more disappointing is despite 3 blowouts, there wasn’t even a threat of dong exposure. One of these days 21-0 will happen, and we’ll see a bun run. It’s like a 16 seed beating a 1 seed…only remotely possible, but if/when it happens it will be glorious (unless it’s me).

The game of the night featured JG & Joe vs. Mike & Nick. It was a battle of wills, with each team exchanging hay makers round after round. It was a long, hard fought battle with each team scratching and clawing point by point. Is everyone tired of the cliches yet? Really though, it was a great game with each round netting only 1 or 2 points and both teams exchanging leads throughout. Ultimately, JG & Joe shocked the world in a 21-18 win.

Week 5 saw another shift in the power rankings with JG overtaking Nick for first place after going 5-2 compared to Nick’s 2-2 record. Nick held the advantage in points per game and scoring differential over JG, but the 21-18 win by JG & Joe swung the standings in Jeff’s favor.

I had the highest week 5 points per game and scoring differential, which carried me to a respectable 4-2 record. I still sit in 5^th place overall, just behind the third place tie between Josh and Brad.

Tony sat home this week and still climbed the power rankings because of Mike’s 2-4 record in week 5. Way to rise to the occasion, Tony.

Speaking of Mike, he had the back-handed t@int tickler approach working for him all night. He also played cornhole pretty well, despite a 2-4 record. Mike was victim of a few very close losses, 21-17 and 21-18, respectively. Every inch matters, Michael. Hang in there.

Lastly, Joey V. went 1-4 this week and the only thing keeping him out of the power rankings basement is the padding provided by the 0-7 record of Bushie/Kim, also known as “Bushie Kim”.

BEVERLY HILLS, MICHIGAN – Last night was a great night of cornhole, and Bushie was an amazing host. Bushie, thanks for the hospitality, food, and willingness to let a few of us linger until almost midnight.

Week 4 yielded a shift in the power rankings with Nick taking over first place, JG right behind him and Josh dropping to third (formerly on top) after his sluggish 2-3 record. In fairness to Josh, he was struggling with diarrhea all night. Can’t be easy to hold your follow through when you’re uncertain about shitting your pants. That said, Josh still registered 2 foot snags despite a faulty “trap door”.

Nick was the most outstanding player with a 6-3 record, and led the night in scoring average (again) at 18.6 per game and scoring differential with a silly +6.1 (nobody else was higher than +3.7). Nick and JG were on their way to even better records until Barker and I took 2 of 3 games from them late in the night.

Other highlights of the night included:

• Barker showing up halfway through the night despite a terrible day of work. He never disappoints folks.
• A huge win for Joe and me over JG and Mike, 21-19. The win was impressive because we were underdogs, but also because “Kim” (aka Bushie’s neighbor; aka “THO” – stands for titty hard on…Joe noticed her braless nipples poking out all night…good eye, Joey; aka “Does anyone besides Bushie actually know her name?”) called Joe a loser in the pregame and Joe responded like any coldblooded Italian would…by shoving his bag in the cornhole over and over and over again. Thanks for rising to the occasion Joe.
• JG and I overcoming a 20-11 deficit to Mike and Bushie to win 21-20 in dramatic fashion.
• Barker and I taking 2 out of 3 games from the powerful duo of JG and Nick. I know I mentioned this already, but it needed to be said again.
• Mike going 3-1 to close the night.
• “Kim” staying up until almost midnight watching us studs play under the lights.

Mike and Tony made their league debuts, each going 7-6. Both are very talented players and are forces to be reckoned with if they keep playing. The fact that players as good as these two barely got above the .500 mark tells you about the quality of the league.

Joe had his best week of the year going 4-4, including some serious quality wins over the likes of JG and Mike, and Tony and Josh. Joe’s 4 wins last night doubled his previous season total of 2, and his point differential last night was almost breakeven, whereas he’s -6.3 for the year in point differential. Joe is starting to make noise and is eyeing a rise in the standings.

Bushie struggled to an 0-7 record, but 2 of his 7 loses were really “Kim” playing in his place. Sorry Bushie, but you get her losses because she’s your neighbor. Bushie’s true record was 0-5, but he had the heartbreaking 21-20, come-from-behind loss to JG and me, and a tough 21-16 loss to JG and Tony. He wasn’t far from having a record close to .500. Plus, he rivaled JG for the “Looks Best in a T-Shirt” award.