2017 D1 Playoffs Dallas Game 6: Texas vs. Dallas
Texas Rollergirls (#2) vs. Dallas Derby Devils (#10)
Mere hours after their heart-pounding last-minute upset of Santa Cruz Derby Girls of Santa Cruz, California, U.S. (Seed #7, WFTDA #19), the Dallas Derby Devils’ Army of Darkness of Dallas, Texas, U.S. (Seed #10, WFTDA #34) returned to the track to face the Texas Rollergirls’ Texecutioners of Austin, Texas, U.S. (Seed #2, WFTDA #6). This game was worth more than just statewide bragging rights — it would determine which team moved on to the playoff semifinals and secured a spot at the 2017 International WFTDA Championships Philadelphia. Despite a spirited effort from a Dallas team likely still riding high from their earlier victory, the Texecutioners emerged triumphant with a commanding 248-89 win.
This was not the first time the teams had met this season; in April, Texas earned a 277-66 win and Dallas was clearly looking to improve on that performance. The first several jams saw the two teams feeling each other out, with back-and-forth lead jammer status calls and quick jam-ending call-offs that only saw each team netting a few points at a time. With the score standing at 8-3 after four quick jams, Texas jammer Olivia Shootin’ John struck with a monster 25-point jam while the Texecutioners’ stingy defense held scoreless both Bazooka Bubble Bum and (after a star pass) pivot Mona Bruis’r. In the next jam, Hauss The Boss, returning to Texas’ postseason roster after taking the regular season off, proved she hadn’t lost a step, scoring 14 points while Anita Riot was held scoreless.
Texas held Dallas to a single-digit score for the majority of the first half, until Dallas’ Miley Virus broke out with a 13-point jam with just over 10 minutes remaining. With time winding down in the first half and Texas holding a commanding 102-24 advantage, Dallas jammer Jett earned lead jammer status. Texas pivot Stone Her took a star pass and found herself with a power jam when Jett was called on a track cutting penalty. Making the most of the scoring opportunity, Stone Her put up a 20-point jam to Dallas’ eight points. At halftime, the score stood 124-38, in Texas’ favor.
The second half saw Texas continue to build upon their advantage, though Dallas made it clear they weren’t going away quietly. While Dallas saw four jammer penalties in the first half to Texas’ one, that statistic flipped in Dallas’ favor in the second half. Capitalizing on the additional Texas jammer penalties, Dallas improved upon their first half performance, scoring 51 points in the second half. For their part, Texas was remarkably consistent, scoring 124 points in both halves. Texas finished out the game on a high note, holding Dallas scoreless for the final ten jams of the game.
Texas saw solid contributions from all four of their main jammers. While OJ was the high scorer with 81, Hauss, Freight Train, and Gravy, Baby each did their part with 52, 51, and 43 points respectively. For Dallas, Bayleigh Wheat had a particularly strong night as Dallas’ top scorer with 33 points and was the only Dallas jammer with a positive points differential (+10). For Dallas, Captain Gillotine Grace and The Little Murdermaid were defensive leaders, while Stone Her and Aja Gair were blocking standouts for Texas.
Texas moves on to face either Arch Rival Roller Derby of St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. (Seed #3, WFTDA #8) or Queen City Roller Girls of Buffalo, New York, U.S. (Seed #6, WFTDA #18) at 8 p.m. Saturday. Dallas will enter the consolation bracket, playing their next game against Arizona Roller Derby of Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. (Seed #9, WFTDA #27) at 2 p.m. Saturday.
FINAL SCORE
Texas (Seed #2, WFTDA #6) Total Points 248
Dallas (Seed #10, WFTDA #34) Total Points 89
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