Kimberlite Council < Blunderful 1-2

I couldn’t be happier to be kicking off the post-season with a nail-biter of a match like this one. We’ll have the eighth and ninth seeds battling to determine if the new blood KLITE will rise up or will the old dogs BFL reign supreme. This is probably one of the hardest matches I’ve had to predict all season given how close these two teams are, and I think it’s all going to come down to whose pick classes can do the most work. Rounds on Upward and payload maps in general can be won simply by getting the right pick at the right time. BFL has a nice advantage at spy with Noko, but KLITE returns the favor with an advantage at sniper with Phaze. In the end, as a resident highlander geezer myself, I’m going to put my faith in the experience of BFL. They’ve been in these playoff situations before as a team and they’ve very comfortable playing with each other under pressure. KLITE, on the other hand, does have some personalities who can be unpredictable when anxiety and stress start coming into play. I don’t feel like I get to say this enough but expect some great games out of the pyros Satan and Hard Ass Johnny. Can’t wait to cast this bloodbath tomorrow!

The Syndicate > Playing Naked 2-0

The Syndicate are probably feeling a little sour about losing out on the fourth seed to their rivals, Gangsta Gang, so I expect them to be quite eager to collect the win quickly and move on to next week to face GG on Viaduct. For those who are unaware there’s been some bad blood brewing between those teams after Hildreth made some comments about how Gangsta Gang’s win over Syndicate was a fluke and simply a result of TS being really off that night. GG responded last Friday in a scrim with some abrasive jabs of their own because who wouldn’t want to defend their own pride. So I will be eagerly awaiting the final showdown on Viaduct next week.

Ghetto Afterthought > Death Marked Soldiers 2-1

Ghetto Afterthought, to their credit, has remained solid all season long which is a good sign especially for a new team to platinum. DMS hasn’t had the same luck, and I fear the wear and tear that tends to accumulate during the longer fall and winter seasons is getting to them. We’ll have to see if Sylon and the boys still have some life in them. Heep Hop is an amazing sniper, but it might not be enough if the team around him can’t take advantage of his picks. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one round upset in DMS’ favor, but GA should take this decisively.

Quality Control > Chain Reaction 2-1

Here’s another match that has the opportunity to be a really close match, but QC has really been stepping up their game the past couple of weeks while CR has been losing some of their fire from earlier in the season. The silent carry of QC, Pretzel, will be as formidable as ever (seriously that dude has been mad consistent ALL season), while his counterpart on CR, Skyrolla, has been struggling to find his groove as of late. TMP always has a good game on Upward utilizing all of the nice and tight flank routes that the map has to offer on points 2, 3, and 4. And he’ll have his partner in crime SteveC to back him up on scout. If CR wants to take rounds here they’re going to need a defense that can contain the QC flank and make sure not to give up free picks to the constant aggression they’ll be faced with. We’ll have to see if CR has what it takes to stand against rushing tide or if QC will wash over them with their impending might.

That will be all for this week as the top 4 seeds have BYE's. The lower-bracket matches will start during the second week of playoffs so be on the lookout for that coverage when it happens.