YR 3.0: We'll give you a ride.

The team was ready to take the field at Solstice 23 faces strong and rocking new jerseys and shorts from 5Ultimate. The Elite division was playing under experimental rules where observer made active travel calls and enforced harsher penalties for out-of-bounds and offsides pulls. Games were to 19 on Saturday and 21 on Sunday, ensuring that even 5 games in a weekend will be a long haul.

YR's first game against Thompson High saw a group of ex-Rhino players from last year and a few Sockeye pickups quickly slip to an early lead. The offense wasn't playing confidently with uncharacteristic drops and mental mistakes. The defense couldn't adjust to the Thompson's strong deep game and the team was handed their first loss, 9-19. YR's second game of the day was against the men's half (Tonka Trucks) of the defending Candian National Mixed Champions, Team Fisher Price. With the early morning loss fresh on our minds the team attacked the next game with more intensity on the field and a huge sideline voice. After adapting to Tonka Truck's deep game and patiently working through their zone the young bay area squad made huge comeback from 15-17 to take the game, appropriately with a dish cut on universe point. The last game of the day against Furious George was YR's chance to avenge the 13-15 loss that has stuck in their minds from CalStates. The offense quickly gave up a 0-5 lead before the team regrouped and rallied at half. Resolved to come out strong and win the second half, both O and D lines played with fire against the current Canadian National Champs. As a common theme of the day, the opposing teams deep game and height carried the game away to a 12-19 loss.

With a 1-2 Saturday record, YR 3.0 missed the elite bracket and matched up against Blackfish. Veterans on the team remembered the close battle against Blackfish from last year's Solstice and set out to win in a commanding fashion. The defense was on fire, generating turns and calmly punching them in for break after break. The O line worked through Backfish's clam after shredding through their man defense. Aggressive marks could not stop the offense from fighting through and attacking the break lanes. With a strong start and a strong finish, YR took the game 19-15 and looked forward to the consolation finals against Rhino. The Portland team lost many big names from last year's squad that outed Revolver for the last bid to Sarasota. Again fighting through aggressive marks, the offense ran with confidence and giving up very few breaks. The D line was on fire the entire game, forcing turns, frustrating the opponent's O with marathon points, and converting breaks. Up 17-15 and on O when the hard cap blew, Rhino's tenacious D forces a turn and scores the break on a huck to a nice layout grab. The time cap ended the game and left a sour taste, having to win the game on time and with the O getting broken, no less. Both teams played a well-fought game and YR looks forward to matching up against Rhino again this season.

The team huddle reflected the hard work and improvement from the first game loss to Thompson High to the win against Rhino. With 23 guys in a weekend it means the 7 on the line can play their heart out knowing that 2 of their teammates have their backs from the sidelines. YR aims to keep this sideline intensity as a flagship of the 2008 season as we set our sights on defending last year's tournament win at Discos (now dubbed the Northwest Mid-Season Crown) and again bring home the case of summer ale.

Watch out. Shark skin is coming for you.