The 2018 League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Preseason Kick-Off Tournament is less than 48 hours away, so it’s only appropriate that we take a deeper look into some intriguing storylines of the tournament.
NEW FACES
The 2018 Kick-Off will feature eight players who are making their LEG debut, and another three players who are playing in their first LEG tournament. In other words, over half the field will be making their tournament debut, which should make for significant drama and unpredictability.
The following players are making their debut:
- Hugh Baldus (tournament debut)
- Steve Berry (tournament debut)
- Tory Brown (league debut)
- Andrew Galczyk (league debut)
- Paul Gergandellis (league debut)
- Matt Kaas (league debut)
- Justin Klausmeier (league debut)
- Mike McDonald (league debut)
- Rob Stahl (league debut)
- Erik Wolfe (league debut)
- Jason Stuhldreher (tournament debut)
We have no idea if the eight new guys can play, but in less than 48 hours at least one of them have a great chance to engrave their name in LEG history by taking home The Cup.
THE FAVORITES
JG (two-time LEG champion) took his talents to Austin, Texas in the off season and won’t be around to defend his 2017 Preseason Kick-Off title. Nick (one-time LEG champion) also won’t be playing in this tournament because he’s busy being a good father (unlike Dan, who always leaves his kids with his wife so he can hang with the boys…atta boy Danny!). Scott Garavalia and Bert (both one-time LEG champions) are also sitting out of this tournament. Therefore, the only prior LEG champion who will be in the 2018 Preseason Kick-Off field is Ryan Harvey. He has championship pedigree and knows what it takes to sip sweet victory out of The Cup.
The lack of prior champions not only makes the field wide open, it also makes Ryan Harvey one of the favorites to hoist the trophy again. When Ryan is rolling, he’s knocking in cornholes at a high clip. If Ryan finds that zone, he can carry any partner to a title.
Brent Barker also has to be mentioned among the favorites. Barker has helped lead each of his teams to the #1 overall seed and finished runner-up in all three prior LEG tournaments. He’s a dominant force, but hasn’t had enough at the end to take home a title. He is undoubtedly one of the guys with best odds to win the 2018 Preseason Kick-Off.
Lastly, KP is considered one of the favorites as the 2018 season approaches. He finished runner-up in the 2018 Postseason Championship (partnered with Barker) and has regularly been one of the top players in the league since inception. If he can stay sober-ish (tall task) by keeping his IPA intake under 15, he might be able to avoid choking in the final key matches of the tournament. The league founder and commissioner faces immense pressure to win one of these titles in order to establish his credibility. Will he collapse under that pressure, or can he rise to the occasion to finally win a title?
DARK HORSES
Every tournament we’ve had some guys elevate their performance to levels not previously seen, and it results in a deep tournament run. This year a few guys come to mind who have the talent to carry their partner all the way to The Cup.
Hugh Baldus is a young pup, having played in only four total LEG matches. However, Hugh has an intense competitive streak, and has flashed some serious cornhole skills that he honed tailgating at Indiana football games…yes folks, this guy ACTUALLY tailgated for Indiana football games. He’s that committed to boozing and cornhole. And if you need another reason why he’s a dark horse, the guy wears live cats as scarves (check out his profile pic). He’s a certified badass, and could be part of the last team standing.
JV (Jeff Valantas) was playing at an MVP-type level to close the 2017 season, and lost in the semifinals of the 2017 Postseason Tournament. If he picks up in 2018 where he left off in 2017, he’s a major threat to win this tournament. He has bowled double-digit 300 games, so pressure doesn’t bother him. Plus, he’s here for the goddamn party. He’ll make a legitimate run at Wade Boggs’ record for downing beers, except he doesn’t do it with shitty Miller Lite. JV pounds Labatt Blue Lights and tracks his count on a cut-off white t-shirt for everyone to see. There is no urban legend with JV, this guy is for real. Keep your eye on him Saturday.
Coach Mike hasn’t had much tournament success in his career, but if he’s in his zone with the back-handed taint tickler, Coach can beat ANYONE. The key to Coach’s success is focusing on his own game and not coaching his partner. Competition fuels him, and when he’s “on” there isn’t much anyone in the league can do about it. Will the 2018 Preseason Kick-Off be the tournament that cements Coach’s legacy as one of the LEG greats?
PREDICTION
This might be the most wide-open tournament we’ve had in history. With all the new unknown players, and prior champions not playing, this tournament is primed to be WILD with upsets…I’m talking bigger upsets than UMBC over Virginia.
That said, we can’t preview the tournament like this and not make a prediction. So, here it goes…a lot depends on partners and match-ups, but in the end Barker’s three prior runs to the championship match will pay major dividends in handling the pressure of playing deep into this tournament. Barker finally gets over the hump and hoists The Cup by winning the 2018 Preseason Kick-Off.
BONUS PREDICTION
Barker not only drinks a beer from The Cup, he becomes the first player in history to rip a Fireball shot from The Cup.
Saturday can’t come soon enough.