USAFL Regionals Recap & All-Regionals Teams

The summer of 2023 is rapidly coming towards its zenith.  And as tangy air and somewhat cooler temperatures descend upon most of the country, so too will the rush towards Nationals.

But before that happens, and as the zing of the Parallel Cup wears off, we want to look back at this year’s edition of the USAFL’s traveling summer road show – the Regionals Championship Series.

For the first time since it was codified by the league in 2015, Regionals went from three carnivals to two.  Though the merging of the East and Central into one big Super Regionals reduced the number of tournament stops, it created the biggest event outside of Nationals in league history.  18 teams in four divisions - three men’s and a women’s – would battle in the hot, hot heat of Olathe, Kansas.

It was an almost perfect day for the Denver Bulldogs.  The Men’s Division 1 team went toe to toe with their arch rival Austin Crows in the de facto Grand Final, with the lead changing hands several times.  Lachlan Fleet, who began the day spraying kicks left and right, found his targets when he needed to.  Fleet took a screamer over a Crow defender in the waning seconds, then slotted home the game winner after the siren.  The Doggies notched their third win over the four-time defending National Champs in as many years, and handed the Crows their first tournament loss in six seasons.

Teaming up with the Wisconsin Wombats in Division 3, the Denver reserves ran the table with wins over Oklahoma, St. Louis, and Kansas City by a 139-13 margin.  The defending D3 National Men’s Champs are hot favorites in this year’s reserves division, while the ‘Bats took home their first ever trophy.

Hoping for a clean sweep, the Bulldogs women faced off against last year’s D1 Nationals runners-up, the Minnesota Freeze.  After an early first half arm-wrestle, the Freeze, boasting of 10 USA Freedom selections, threw things into another gear, and stomped home 35-2 winners to bring back their fourth regional title to the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

The DC Eagles and Nashville Kangaroos, featuring Derrick Shotwell of Cincinnati, were tops of the talented six-team field in Men’s D2.  The EagleRoos saw off North Texas and Minnesota in pool play before thrashing the Houston Lonestars by 51 points in the Grand Final.

Three weeks after leaving steamy Kansas, it was on to the more temperate climes of Lake Stevens, Washington, in beautiful Snohomish County.  The clear blue July sky complimented the lush green of the pitch and enveloping pines that surrounded the ground, and provided the perfect backdrop for the series’ finale of 2023.

Golden Gate has gotten good at winning these regional events, and both the Roos and Iron Maidens successful in delivering taking home the bikkies.  Portland also took two trophies with them down I-5, spoiling the effort of the local Seattle Grizzlies and the other clubs from the left coast.

In Men’s Division 1, the Roos held their opponents to a three-game scoreline of 1.9 (15), while picking opponents apart in the process.  The Gaters would go 3-0 on the weekend to claim their fifth regional title.  Seattle, in their home debut, put on a solid 2-1 record.

The Iron Maidens, meanwhile, were placed in a three-way tangle with the Grizzlies women and Sacramento Suns W, with players from the eight other Western teams in support across the three sides.  Aided by players from the Portland Sockeyes, the Maidens had to earn every ball and every goal to triumph at regionals for the fourth time, while the Sockeyes claimed their third Western Cup.

Division 2, another three way encounter, ended with the Portland Steelheads on top.  PDX’s 100 points in their first match is a regional record, albeit in a 60-minute match.  Still, it was an impressive effort to see them victorious, and it gave the Wasatch WarGulls, of which three members donned the double-blue and salmon, their first trophy in club history.

And so the season went on from there, and eyes turned to the 49th Parallel Cup in August… and now to Nationals in October.  But before we move on, we recognize the men and women who were the best of the best – the All Regionals team.

Each of the 68 athletes on the team were selected based on the votes received from the umpires, and at least one player from each team (not club, necessarily) was selected.  Editorial liberties by the USAFL Media office were taken in case of ties, and as well as in placing players into positions.  So, if you or a teammate / loved one / etc is not in a position they normally play, we beg your indulgence.  Note that some players may have missed out on the list below due to their team not filling out their scoresheet properly.

With all of that said, there were some immensely good footballing performances rewarded on the weekend.  From Fleet’s heroics to the magical Maidens and Minnesotans on the women’s side, and electrifying offense of Shotwell, Nashville’s Cody McClain, and friends.

Congrats to everyone who made it, and thanks to everyone – players, coaches, fans, and umpires – for traveling to Regionals in 2023.

MEN'S DIVISION 1 ALL REGIONAL TEAM
Best & Fairest: Ryan Clark, Golden Gate (West), Nolan Cox, Austin (Super)
MVP: Bradley Jorden, Golden Gate (West), Daniel Duffield (Super)

WOMEN'S DIVISION ALL REGIONAL TEAM:
Best & Fairest: Amelia Kahr, Seattle (West), Catherine Georgiadis, Minnesota (Super)
MVP: Jess Blecher, Golden Gate (West), Cathy Hoha, Minnesota (Super)

MEN'S DIVISION 2 & 3 ALL REGIONAL TEAM
Best & Fairest: Jevon Mason, Portland (West D2), Chance Mire, Houston (Super D2), George Pellersells, Oklahoma (Super D3)
MVP: Nicholas Hall, Arizona (West D2), Derrick Shotwell, Cincinnati (Super D2), Phillip Camping, Denver-R (Super D3)