The wild winds of Texas swept swiftly and certainly on Saturday at the 2021 USAFL Nationals.

A cool and blustery day that turned calm and warm, and then windy again, brought with it the ascension of new challengers and old heroes within striking distance of October glory.

It was a day of big wins, big comebacks, and an upset or two.  And it sets us up for an exciting Championship Sunday at the Onion Creek Soccer Complex in Austin.

The lower divisions of the men’s clubs are no less important than those at the top.

In Division 2, there are teams on the precipice of moving up to that top stage in 2022, and teams trying to steady themselves for future years.  In Div 3 are reserve sides of players trying to do their own, as well as strong clubs topped up by others to make a full squad.

Div 4 has a mixture of reserves teams, smaller clubs, and brand new teams.  Each match is important, and each game vital towards lifting a cup and having a medal around your neck on Sunday night.

The story of the John Harrell Cup has been one of dynasties.

If you exclude Vancouver’s upset in 2008, and the vacated 2012 championship, every Men’s Division 1 title since 2000 has been won by just five clubs.  And, oddly enough, all five of them -- Denver (8), Austin (5), New York (2), San Diego (2), and Golden Gate (1) -- will have a go at ticking those numbers in parentheses up by one this coming weekend in Austin.