New content! BUBBLE BOWL. Jan 19 2025

 On Jan 19, 2025, PSU Spank kicked off the Spring Campaign.  While unsanctioned, these were great reps. And here's the summary documented by our man Charlie Hurwitz, first guest contributor. And here's a 

Spank's own Nick Marinelli skystime club
national title winnerAaron Bartlett
for the break.

link to our Bubble game vs  Michigan for some context.
Bubble Bowl ‘25

On a snowy morning in central PA, 33 (!) brave young men and 1 slightly more brave, slightly less young man trekked the yellow brick road (I-99 and US-22) to the Emerald City (Pittsburgh) for a meeting with Oz in the throne room (Michigan and Pitt in the bubble). 

The first game of the calendar year saw a familiar matchup with Sectional, Regional and National foe En Sabah Nur. Though without some of the recognizable faces of the past, Pitt proved to be a powerful force. The bout started with a dropped pull by our opponents, resulting in some system play executed for a score by Zander Lutz, Ethan Pigeon and Logan Piercy. Yes, that is full-time Kenvue employee Ethan Pigeon I speak of. After a pair of holds, Mr. Reliable Alex Mullen got some bookends leading to many breaks, putting Spank up 8-7 at half. Sophomore phenom and fan-favorite #69 Hayes Williams provided excellent cutting and defense with multiple scores in the second half. With a full rotation of a deep roster (thanks to Coach Shunk), fresh legs fueled Spank to a competitive second half. Returning sophomore talents Kelvin Yei and Evan Lutz found reliable open hands in newcomers Michael Maroon and Dylan Crothers, as well as familiar faces such as the Havertown natives Andrew Kelly and Sean Brown (go birds). In the end, Spank fell 15-12. Coach Morrison (SKA Luke) Smith held heads high by speaking of King’s heads in oceans and other assorted intellectual jargon that has a loose connection to the present moment when you think about it for a week. 

The last time Spank and MagnUM faced off at Nationals, it was not a favorable result. Harnessing collective frustrations of Ohio State’s imminent natty, both Big 10 schools gave the raucous crowd of 4 moms and 3 friends a great game. After a string of holds to start the game, Junior Ethan Pigeon tore the contest open with a flying (get it) bid into the endzone off a longball from Senior Evan Medrow, sending the sideline into a frenzy of flapping wing-arms and open jaws. Yes, that is former member of the Wissahickon High School Chemistry Club Ethan Pigeon I speak of. More bookends for Alex Mullen (Worlds Player), tight defense from Rafi Cannon and copious amounts of skies on both sides filled the first half. Spank started to pull away in the second half, aided by a vengeful bid for bookends by Parker Steele after being scored on the last point. Rumor has it they sock wrestled in the snow after to settle the score. More highlight plays include a handful of deep balls for Michael Maroon and fellow rookie Nick Marinelli posterizing two defenders on a deep cut aided by Senior Jeremy Long. Spank wins 15-11.

Though unsanctioned, the Bubble Bowl proved a valuable learning experience for the new guys and, if nothing else, a great warmup for Hayes Williams to continue his red-hot You-Suck-Disc campaign of ‘24. Queen City Awaits 2/14 + 2/15.