Rollers!!! Playoffs had some close matchups but we have gone all chalk with the top 4 seeds heading to Super Saturday to try and take home Season 30’s Chalice. #1Skeeing is Believing will take on #4 DDP while #2 Golden Sachems will take on #3 AFSkee Richmond is what should be some GREAT matchups and should lead to a very entertaining final.  Games will start at 10:15, Finals should start around 11:45 so if you want to see the finals live, come around noon! All other activities will start around 1 PM! 

In the spirit of one ghost writer taking on the playoff preview, I had another one willing to take on the High Roller Tournament and this one should be a doozy. Reminder, for those the ghost writer wrote about/trash talked/praised/etc, note it’s all in good, clean fun! I’m editing this live and all comments from yours truly (will be written like this). So without further ado, I give you the HRT Predictions! 

The time has come for the 30th edition of the High Rollers and Run for the Chalice Report!  

We say it every Skeeson – “Anything can happen in the HRT.” But is that that really true? 

Here’s what we know for sure: 

  • Beers will be flowing (YEP)
  • Duke will blow off another Super Saturday (a tradition unlike any other!)
  • Everett is still the goat of 40’s (EIGHT 40 streaks) (he’s running laps around us at this point)
  • Ben will be watching the championship match from the sidelines (sigh) 

HIGH ROLLER REPORT 

Rob’s Bracket #1 Seed

Bracket Sleeper – Cory Magno 

After a successful Skeeson 29 campaign on Rob’s back Cory is looking to cement himself as a true team anchor and climb up the solo ladder. This year he is in a unique situation for HRT! He can showcase his skills and potentially meet Rob in an elite 8 matchup to silence critics and solidify his march to the top. (a battle from last season’s champs always fun)

Lost but Not Forgotten – Brian Aldridge 

For those of you keeping score at home…Brian has three of these HRT trophies laying around so don’t forget about him. Currently he sits at the 16 seed but you can never count out a proven champion on his favorite day of the Skeeson. PER SOURCES: His 356 average and empty runs to an HRT since Season 25 is due to enhanced focus on being a great dad… early rumblings, Liz is watching the kids so he can focus on a 4th HRT.

Bracket Upset – #17 Alex Green def. #16 Brian Aldridge 

In one breath, we know Aldridge is elite and a proven winner but the determination from Alex Green these last few seasons have not gone unnoticed. Finishing this season only 6 points behind Brian but 11 higher last season this could be the matchup to watch. They are both hungry but I have Green squeaking out a win in a game 3 hundo roll off. (insert eye emojis here!)

Potential Matches to Watch – #1 Rob vs #9 Dawson

What a match this would be! Hopefully Dawson has the memory of a goldfish and forgets the result of last year’s final four matchup. Rob may be too drunk to outlast the strength of the hulk, look for Dawson to shake off his three runners up finishes and move onto the FINAL FOUR.  (at least the writer is being daring with some predictions, the crowd will go wild if this happens)

Bracket Winner – John Dawson

Ben’s Bracket #2 Seed

Bracket Sleepers – #18 John Greek

FUN FACT: When Greek isn’t playing Skeeball he can be found bringing joy to unsuspecting attendees at the garden through kiss cam or fans of the game dances. John is a one of a kind guy and wily veteran dating back to the early seasons. Don’t sleep on him or you may be the one going NIGHT NIGHT!

Potential Match to Watch – #10 Christina Salvucci vs #23 Mike Moody

Very rarely do you get two past HRT champions playing against each other in the second round. Salvucci, the most decorated female HRT of ALL TIME vs Mike Moody is a clear your schedule and watch type of event. Salvucci has quietly slid under the radar this season with a 378 average and 135 hundos. Moody is always a second away from finding his Season 24 form but with Christina’s consistency over the past several seasons she wins this tough matchup and moves on. 

Bracket Upsets – #15 Chelsea Glasner def. #2 Ben Fountain

History has shown that Ben is all smoke, no fire. Without an HRT trophy on his resume (4 runner up finishes) some question if Fountain is Skee Hall of Fame material. (nobody questions this.) Think Tony Romo, great regular season player but when the lights go on, he goes dark. (fake news)  Chelsea on the other hand is more than a pretty face who sings national anthems. She has been a dominant force this season with 138 hundos (more than Devin), has a 900 to her name and always in the conversation come HRT time. For these reasons, Glasner renames “Ben’s bracket” and sends him into the commentary booth for early retirement. (despite the rampant lying, they’ve at least picked a good match for me to lose)

Bracket Winner – Devin

Devin is one of those guys who quietly goes about his business (unless its fantasy hockey) and is due to break through for his first HRT win. (do we know the same Devin?) A savage up the middle and in the top corners, he has consistently shown that only the best of the best can beat him. With a top heavy bracket including Moody, Salvucci, Chelsea and Ben he has his work cut out for him. On to the Final Four for Devin. 

Andrew’s Bracket #3 Seed

Bracket Sleeper – Eric Mendes 

When you see Ben and Marissa loading up the same squad usually their first roller will fly under the radar, that is not the case this Skeeson. Eric has consistently gotten better week over week and finished with a 362 average. He seems to thrive under regular season pressure and does a bit of his own trash talk BUT being a disciple of Ben, it is only a matter of time before he buckles under pressure. (Eric is the one that brought me in) I think the tough loss he will receive earlier in the day on Super Saturday will fuel his drive in the HRT tournament. Can he make a run and take out Andrew? Only time will tell.

Bracket Upset – #43 Danielle Gautier def. #22 Lindsay Allen  

So many good matchups in this bracket but I am looking forward to watching Danielle and Lindsey battle this out in round one. Lindsay is a notoriously good competitor and has a chalice to her name but having to raise two children (Eric and Anya) must be physically draining. (just has to be.) Gautier has been steady the past few seasons and was quoted saying she can’t wait to play the spoiler role this year in HRT.(Ghost Writer getting on the record quotes! A true journalist!) For these reasons I have Danielle over Lindsay in a game 3 upset. 

Potential Match to Watch – #6 Mike Selbovitz vs #11 Steve Robinson  

When I look at this bracket the potential matchup that caught my eye was Mike vs Steve in the sweet 16. Some of you may remember Mike, he was once a top roller but since marriage, fatherhood and no longer being a third roller he hasn’t been able to find consistency week in, week out. Mike has blamed his poor average as the result of not being the team captain this season but he is hoping to channel his inner Burgess to break out and get back into an HRT Final. Can he get out of Queen Steph’s shadow and make his own name? Only time will tell … Just two short seasons ago Mike was carried by Salvucci and Justin to beat Steve in a chalice final so the wound is still fresh. I saw the determination in Steve during the week 8 roll so I am almost certain this is an easy sweep in the first two games, onto the Elite 8 for Robinson.  (a battle for all the combos!)

Bracket Winner – Steve Robinson 

Some people may call this “Steve’s Bracket” not Andrews…If you go by HRT accolades (4 HRT’s) and overlook the chalices Steve is a shoe in for being included on the mount rushmore of Skeeball. First hand, I’ve seen the fire in his eyes each time he has come up short over the past several seasons…. and this year he is out for blood. On to the Final Four for Steve. 

Pat’s Bracket #4 Seed

Bracket Sleeper – #20 Jerry Glendye

A wise man once told me to “stay the course”. With Jerry flying high on the weed but under the Skee radar it wouldn’t surprise me if Jerry continued to add to his long resume of Skeeball dominance. Look for Jerry to make a long run or have it ended abruptly in the second round against a 40 streak legend in Christina Snively. (sadly Jerry is flying too high and won’t be joining us)

  

Bracket Upset – #29 Katie Gaudette def. #4 Pat Bassett 

I think it comes as no surprise that Patty Cakes hasn’t been himself this season, between having to run the league in Ben’s absence or extended vacations with Anthony Anderson we just don’t know if Patty will show up, and when he does… which Pat are we getting. Katie has been consistent this year carrying her team to the three seed in regular season and posting her all time high in hundos. We received word that Andrew has her on a strict practice regimen this week leading up to playoffs so expect Katie to come out firing. If 500 Patty doesn’t show up the upset alert is going to be ringing. Katie on to the Sweet 16. (BOOM)

Potential Match to Watch – #12 Marissa vs #21 Robo

Can Marissa be the second female to win the HRT? Looking at the road in front of her though…. Robo, Everett, Patty… Gulp. In the second round I look forward to watching her take on a legend of the HRT. Robo has THREE HRT’s and one chalice, a clear shoe in to the Skee Hall of Fame. Will the southpaw find his form by Saturday? (Robo’s been off this season for whatever reason!) Will Marissa be able to overcome a tough opponent and the bracket of Death to punch her ticket into the final four? Marissa on to the Sweet 16. 

Bracket Winner – Everett 

We have heard for a long time now that Everett is the Goat of Skeeball, “I have so many HRT’s its not fair”. News flash, you haven’t won since season 20! (don’t remind me about that one) With that said, I think Everett has a serious chip on his shoulder this season… nobody wanted to be his teammate and he was left solo as a “Skee Agent”. No longer living in Dukes shadow collecting quarters out of the pop a shot has cleared up some time for Ev to focus on himself. I think this is the year Everett makes a deep run and 40 rolls the bracket of death to sleep. Everett onto the final four. (this is basically a chalk pick and is sad to see)

-FINAL FOUR-

#7 DEVIN VS #11 STEVE ROBINSON

With ALL top seeds gone I foresee a rematch of Season 15 between Devin and Steve. If anyone caught last weeks 9 PM roll off between the two you can tell tensions are at an all time high and they were rolling like they hated each other. It was getting a bit chippy at times, think Bruins vs Canadiens rivalry. Look for Devin to break all four of Steve’s HRT trophy’s over his knees as he stamps his ticket to the big dance! (that’s just mean) Devin on to the finals 

#5 EVERETT VS #9 DAWSON

Old school legend VS Angry Bruce Banner, this one has the makings to produce fireworks and lots of energy. Everett starts out with a flurry of 40s, but Dawson, fueled by his green rage that is the hulk is not willing to live down losing on the big stage back-to-back years. He rides the waves of the Narragansett to an extra-frame victory.  Dawson hulk smashes his way into the finals. (Dawson is now intellectual Hulk)

-FINALS-

#9 DAWSON VS #7 DEVIN

THERE WILL BE A NEW FIRST TIME HRT CHAMP! Both have been close, both have almost tasted sweet victory, who is going to get their heart ripped out yet again!? 

Gold on the line. Dawson, has more experience in the big moment, 3 runner ups, 3 final fours ….He’s learned from his mistakes. Gansett flows in the streets of Causeway for celebration.  (WELL THEN)

HRT CHAMPION- JOHN DAWSON

 

And there you have it! Will Dawson turn into Stone Cold Steve Austin  in celebration or sadness? Will someone else join the HRT ranks or will we get a repeat winner? 

Season 30 HRT Preview & Predictions!