On Saturday, September 8th, the 2012 Turf Wars Championship will be decided at the Midwest Sports Hockey Complex in Queeny Park as the Dogtown Rockets take on the defending Champion South Grand Slammers.  In the expo bout its a battle of Jammers vs. Blockers as the ladies take to the track in Stars vs. Stripes.

One year ago, the South Grand Slammers shocked St. Louis when they up-ended the previously undefeated Dogtown Rockets in the 2011 Turf Wars Championship.  The Rockets were heavy favorites, but the Slammers were not going to let that get in the way.  Stifling defense along with great jammer play allowed the Slammers to keep the Rockets on their heels all night and the Slammers pulled off an amazing upset by a score of 137 – 106. (you can read last year’s Championship recap here)  Now fast-forward one year and the similarities are eerie.  The Rockets were once again undefeated in the regular season and are on the verge of an undefeated year, but once again the Slammers stand in their way.  The Slammers are arguably a better team this year than they were last year, but on paper the Rockets are the best team in the league and so far have proven it.  I know Magnum, P.I.M.P and the rest of the Rockets have been looking forward to this opportunity since they left the track without the Turf Wars trophy last season.

I spoke briefly with Shanego Fett of the Rockets to ask him how he felt going into Saturday night’s Championship bout:

How do you feel going into Saturday’s bout with the specter of last season’s disappointing finish looming over your head? Does it add any pressure or is just ‘business as usual’?

Shanego Fett: “I feel great going into it. Last year is in my mind, but it’s not my driving force. We lost, and that sucked, but I’ve moved past it so that I can concentrate on this weekend. I don’t think losing last years championship adds any pressure to this bout, because we’re playing a team we’ve played many times before, so it should be business as usual. You can slap a fancy title onto any bout, but that doesn’t change what it is. At least that’s how I think about it anyway.”

I also caught up with Slammers co-captain Percy Control to get his thoughts going into the bout:

Having lost both regular-season matches to the Rockets this season, how do you feel going into the Championship? Does the fact that you were in the same position last season give you more confidence or not factor into the equation at all?

On September 22nd the GateKeepers’ Travel Team will be in action against the #1 ranked MRDA team from Des Moines.  Be sure to come to Queeny Park and cheer the hometown boys on to victory in what just may be a preview of the 2012 MRDA Championship bout!

Don’t forget that the 2012 Men’s Roller Derby Association Championships will take place right here in St. Louis on October 20th and 21st.  Gateway to the Best will feature the top eight teams in the MRDA battling it out at the Midwest Sports Hockey Complex with the last team standing being crowned 2012 MRDA Champions!  Tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate right now at Brown Paper Tickets!  But you better act fast as the price will increase as we get closer to the event!

See you at the bouts!

Star-Spangled Hammer

Star-Spangled Hammer and Magilla Guerilla are the announcers for the St. Louis GateKeepers!