Bosco is a senior English and secondary education double major and can be contacted at haley.bosco@drake.edu
Intramurals players, spectators and officials have all learned to expect the unexpected this year. With the fall season’s playoffs at the peak of play this week, everyone is quickly learning about the tricks an intramurals sport may have up its sleeve.
With enough energy and maybe an overwhelmingly, obnoxious positive attitude, an unassuming 12th seed can easily wipe out a No. 2 seed in the first round of playoffs. Or a reluctance to sign up online could possibly leave a fan-favorite playing in the dreaded “we already lost due to technicality but will play for fun anyways” game. The unpredictability of the intramurals program is thrilling and keeps all the staff on its toes. We fully understand that sometimes Drake IDs really do get lost on your walk to the Bell Center, extra players really do mix up game times and mid-term exams actually are just too stressful to permit a fully-committed team. Whatever the circumstance, playoffs are the most wonderful time of the year for Drake intramurals.
Despite the typical student-favorite or most popular sport, all leagues are significant and deserve equal recognition. Volleyball has already crowned a few champions, but in roughly two weeks, new T-shirts will be swarming campus as the flag football and outdoor soccer leagues near its close. In helping you make the right predictions, here are the most ample updates to the final outdoor sports until spring.
Flag football
The independent men’s A league has already left you with a 50 percent chance of choosing the correct winner. Back That Pass Up and Prestige Worldwide are the only two teams in the playoffs and are scheduled to play on Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. I suggest tossing a coin for this one.
The men’s A fraternity league has seen very aggressive play this season. You may have even been fortunate enough to see some veteran Drake football players playing in this division. After the third-seeded FIJI team beat the No. 2 PIKE team this past Sunday in the semi-finals, we are left with one more semi-final game between No. 1 SigEp and No. 4 Theta Chi tomorrow at 4 p.m. The championship game is on Oct. 23 at 4 p.m.
The men’s B division holds one of the biggest brackets in intramurals. The elite eight teams decided their fates this Tuesday and Wednesday, and the semifinals are not until Oct. 23. These teams can leave you guessing, as a very fine line separates a player with actual skill and a player with just a great attitude.
The women’s championship game will be played next week. My prediction for this game was originally Delta Gamma versus Mice Catchers. Ask around for the latest updates and come out to see the championship game next Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
Outdoor Soccer
This sport has provided plenty of competition this year, and the men’s A league has its two final contenders already set up for Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. FIJI will play SigEp in an inevitably close game. However, you can maybe ask FIJI if they planned on transferring over any of the goals from its 10-0 victory against the PIKE squad this weekend.
Contention is stirring in the men’s B division as the next round of the playoffs is being played today and tomorrow — the prime departure dates of fall break. To make an accurate decision in this league, come out to see who is most dedicated to show up.
The women’s championship game is set up for Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. The finalists are top-ranked Delta Gamma and No. 2 Alpha Phi. Don’t let the anchors and ivy deceive you in this one. If Delta Gamma puts Adrea Holler in the goal and Alpha Phi brings the girls that indisputably play almost every intramurals sport, this will be one to watch.
Remember, if you do end up victorious, take note from previous winners and wear your new T-shirt with pride every single day.
Until next time, please play by the rules.
