2010 Tecmo Super Bowl Tournament

We have certainly come a very long way since that magical evening. As the years went on, so did our enthusiasm and competitiveness for the game. The next phase of game play saw a move to the upstairs bedrooms of Eberhart’s house using two, yes, two different NES consoles. From there word traveled about the tourney and began to take on a life of its own. So, it was expected that every January there would be a “Tecmo tourney” somewhere in the great city of Evansville, IN. Venues changed when we needed more space and privacy to accommodate the ruckus that usually accompanies a Tecmo extravaganza. Dassel, Patton, Johnson all had the honor of hosting one or more tourneys. Popularity of the tournament really hit an all time high when a traveling trophy was introduced at the 2002 tournament. The trophy included all past champions engraved on the back and had a football player at the top of the trophy. The winner would be allowed to keep the trophy for the duration of the year until the following tourney. To quote Dassel, “You can play for pride, you can play for money, but playing for a piece of hardware is what every great “thumber” truly desires”. After 2003 we again upped the ante by using official tournament brackets, changed the rules to level the playing field, and began playing on three different TV’s and NES consoles. Participant numbers grew as word traveled about the fun atmosphere of the tourney and the cast of characters that were always in attendance. Not only does one get great competition, they get good “eats”, fellowship, and some sort of ridiculous drama. So, as it stands today, the Tecmo Tourney is more about an event. It’s a day of flatulence, sports talk, eating, drinking, or just plain ‘ol male bonding; not just a few guys playing a video game from 1991.

Heading into the 2010 tourney the major storylines were if Eberhart would stick to his “retirement” and i

f he could fully recover from his thumb “injury” sustained during his championship run last year. Eberhart answered all questions with his press conference http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpTOMWNdl8I . Eberhart’s announcement sent shockwaves through the Tecmo community, especially to the Philip Rivers of the Tecmo circuit, Matthew Cameron. Eberhart and Cameron have had many, many battles throughout the years. They have squared off in the championship game in 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2008. One could argue that this might be the most intense rivalry in all of sports. Eberhart vs. Cameron, is along the same lines of a Bears vs. Packers, Ohio St. vs. Michigan, or Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant matchup. I believe they respect each other as Tecmo legends….I think…..they just don’t like each other. Cameron was hoping for an Eberhart-free tourney

So, in response to Eberhart’s “return” to the tourney, Cameron decided to stage a protest outside of Eberhart’s house in the hours preceding the tourney. Cameron arrived at 10am and sat in the driveway with signs placed in Eberhart’s front lawn depicting his displeasure with Eberhart’s decision to play. One

sign read “Favre & Eberhart = Retire” and included pictures of both Favre and Eberhart. Although Cameron gathered support from a few passer-bys, it was not enough to stop the tourney or Eberhart’s return.

Before the tourney began this year we had a few unforeseen events happen that caused three of the regular gamers (Kirwer, Leeds, Patton) to miss the tourney. However, we did have two rookies this year, both representing the Bluegrass State. After we had some of Eberhart’s famous chili & caught up on all the Westside drama, it was time to start the blind draw. Flener, a pesky competitor, who doesn’t win many games but the one’s he does win are big must face Eberhart, a dominate force and the reigning two year champ. Next matchup pits the upstart Staley vs. Bruce, who is coming off a debacle in the championship games last year. Hankins, a rookie from Little Dixie, Kentucky will play the winner of the Kennedy vs. Dassel game. Kennedy is a first timer hailing from Louisville. He has a tough draw in Dassel, a fierce competitor that can bring it at any time. Cameron, still wearing his Nintendo shirt that has never been washed and face paint, will play Pounder, who is decked out in all Notre Dame attire.

Kennedy is his first matchup in tournament play decided to play with the Bears, yes, Da Bears. Dassel went with an all around tough team in the Giants. This game had ground –n- pound written all over it. The themes were ball control, good D, and field goals. Entering the final drive of the game Kennedy was holding on to a 12 – 7 lead, but Dassel runs for a 90 yard run on the last play of the game to win 14 – 12. Dassel rushed for 152 and Kennedy for 169 yards and both passed for less than 100.

Eberhart and Oilers handled Flener and the Bills 24 – 0. Ernest Givens was the big winner, rushing for 186 yards. Eberhart only went airborne for 112 yards, but he didn’t need to.

Bruce chooses the Raiders to match Staley and the Bills. The Raiders ran all over the Bills as Bruce soundly defeated Staley by a score of 28 – 3.

Pounder went with the Bills, Cameron the Giants. Cameron displayed a balanced attack, rushing for 106 & passing for 103 as he held off the Bills 28 – 20.

In Hankin’s first ever Tecmo Tourney, he went with the 49ers. Dassel chose the Bengals to combat their aerial assault. Dassel won going away 47 -7, as Brooks rushed for 250 yards.

In the loser’s bracket Flener vs. Kennedy. Kennedy found his mojo by using the Giants to defeat the Eagles 21- 7. Kennedy had a balanced rush/pass ratio of 150/151.

Kennedy advances to play Staley. Staley crushes Kennedy’s dreams at an underdog title by soundly defeating him 31 – 21. Staley left the computer’s plays in and still won the game over the Bills. To quote Kennedy, “This stings a little. I’ve got a bitter taste in my mouth, but it was fun”.

Pounder beats Hankins 14 – 0. He called off the dogs early on as the Chiefs handled the Giants.

Round three matchups in the winner’s bracket are: Eberhart vs. Bruce, and Dassel vs. Cameron. Bruce doesn’t waste ANY time and quickly chooses the 49ers, to the boo’s of the crowd. When you pull the Niners early in a tournament it means only one thing: you don’t have confidence in your game. Well, it worked, because Bruce defeated Eberhart by a score of 21 – 17. Eberhart fumbled early and was never able to get up on Bruce, as he led the whole game.

Dassel and the Eagles surprised Cameron and the Raiders by winning easily 21 – 10. QB Eagles dominated this game with his arm, not his legs. He threw for a whopping 235 yards, and torched Eddie Anderson in the Raiders secondary on multiple occasions.

In an overtime thriller, Eberhart held off Pounder 20 – 14. Eberhart rushed for 142 with Roger Craig and passed for only 160 yards. Both teams had the ball in overtime and an eventual TD pass led to the victory by the 49ers.

Cameron gets revenge on Staley after last year’s upset. He wins 28 – 13 with the Oilers over the 49ers.

So, that sets the stage for another epic tournament matchup between the two powers: Eberhart vs. Cameron. This game would prove to be the most entertaining game of the day so far. Cameron, with no hesitation picks the 49ers. Eberhart goes with the Bills. Cameron’s first throw of the game is an INT. But, after a few plays Eberhart throws one as well. The game was tight throughout as neither team really established itself. The 49ers D was on fire forcing four turnovers! Entering the 4^th quarter Cameron was leading 14 – 0. With the ball and driving on the final series of the game Eberhart runs the ball for a 40 yard TD (with a thumb war) as time expires to send the game into overtime. Cameron receives the ball first and drives the ball to the 10 yard line. He decides to kick a FG, and misses! Yes, he missed a chip shot FG! Eberhart takes over and drives the ball to the 50 yard line, and only needs about 5 yards to be in legitimate FG range. He runs Thurman up top…..fumbles……49ers recover…….TD pass by Montana to end the game. Thurman rushed for over 250 yards, and Montana threw over 325 yards. This was a heartbreaking defeat for the defending champ. There were whispers after the game about whether Eberhart should have stayed “retired” or if his thumb injury was hampering his play. Eberhart took the high road and said, “That’s just Tecmo. They {tecmo Gods} were not on my side today. Cameron played a tough game, he deserves the victory.”

Bruce and Dassel were set to play for a right to play in the championship game. Bruce and the Oilers defeated Dassel and the Raiders 28 – 21. So, for the second straight year Bruce advances to the finals from the winner’s bracket.

Dassel must now face Cameron to see who plays Bruce in the finals. Cameron gets his revenge on Dassel when it matters most by sending the 49ers packing by a score of 28 – 14.

The championship will pit Bruce vs. Cameron. Cameron must defeat Bruce twice to capture the title since Bruce has not lost yet. Bruce is at a tremendous advantage because of the teams he has left to choose from. Cameron goes with his favorite team the Eagles, while Bruce decides on the powerhouse Bills. Bruce starts off strong driving the ball into Eagles territory, but must settle for a FG. Cameron counters with a TD. After that it was all Cameron and the Eagles. Entering the 4^th the score was 20 – 10. Bruce managed a late TD, but it was not enough, as the final score was Eagles 20 – Bills 17. For Bruce, this means he has LOST three straight championship games. He couldn’t lose another…..could he?????

Championship game #2: Bruce uses his best team the Giants, and Cameron goes with the Bengals (a rematch of last year’s teams in the final game). Again, Bruce starts off with a strong drive, but then stalls and must settle for a FG. Meanwhile, Cameron and James Brooks hit the ground running. Brooks controlled the game, rushing for 145 yards. Fulcher did the rest for the Bengals D and held the Giants to 73 rushing yards & 111 yards passing on 25% completion. Bruce only mustered 13 points and looked visibly frustrated by Cameron’s relentless D. A couple questionable decisions by Bruce and one observer starting showing the “choke” sign (both hands around throat) when the game was out of hand. In the end the final score read Bengals 24 – Giants 13.

So….yes…..Bruce DID in fact lose two more championship games. 0 – 4 in championship play. After the game, Bruce’s phone rang; it was Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame Quarterback Jim Kelly. He said, “Bruce, don’t worry about it I lost four straight Super Bowls! I know I’m the punch line for many jokes, but this will make you a stronger person. At least you can say you made it the big one”.

As for Cameron, I guess his decision to protest and picket along the streets of North Ruston with his face paint on paid off. He won his third title, showing tremendous heart and perseverance to win.

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