After the dust settled for The Garden Island’s “Gridiron Challenge,” the television crew of Wala‘au’s Dickie Chang, KT Productions’ Katie Beer, and Ho‘ike’s J Robertson were the cream of the crop for 2005 with an overall record of 518-262 (.664).
After the dust settled for The Garden Island’s “Gridiron Challenge,” the television crew of Wala‘au’s Dickie Chang, KT Productions’ Katie Beer, and Ho‘ike’s J Robertson were the cream of the crop for 2005 with an overall record of 518-262 (.664).
The Garden Island team of President and Publisher Shanna Pollard, Associate Editor Paul C. Curtis, and myself, finished in second at 511-269 (.655), after suffering all season long in the basement.
The radio crew of Kong’s Ron Wiley, FM97’s David Bice, and the Surf’s Shel Cobb held down the last-place slot at 506-274 (.649), despite flirting with the top position towards the end of the season with the resurgence of Wiley (and Elvis). Elvis, who is Ron and Laura’s pride and joy, (but don’t tell their other dog Priscilla that) just went through another operation yesterday at Kapa‘a Animal Clinic. According to Ron, Dr. Ahana took out a huge tumor and his spleen in the two hour operation, but Elvis made it through (keep on pawin’ away, big guy)!
Shelly Cobb, who came into the challenge clueless about football, almost picked the Superbowl final score. Her tally of 24-20 in favor of New England was just one point off! If you see Shel at a local bar watching football, don’t be surprised, because she is now a big fan of the game!
Just up on the dial at 96.9, FM97’s David Bice “In Paradise” was the only Eagles picker and for parts of the game, the Bice man looked brilliant. His Oakland Raiders failed him too many times and I think he’s now a 49ers fan after a bad year picking with Oakland!
Another California kid, Shanna Pollard was a basement dweller for a while, but she must’ve started scouting after finishing in last too many times, but the P & P of TGI came through in the end and didn’t finish in last-place. Instead, that distinction goes to Bice at 162-98. Cobb nailed down the second to the last spot at 164-97, then it was Pollard at 164-96.
Final Pick
Superbowl: New England 24, Philadelphia 21.
Final Standings
Team Champions: Television crew (Dickie Chang, Katie Beer, J Robertson)
Individual Champion: Duane Shimogawa Jr., The Garden Island
Dickie “Da Wizard” Chang pulled through when it counted! I figured he would, since he wasn’t near the top at first, but Chang moved around his picks and moved up the rankings. He finished with a record of 168-92. Did Bruce (Smalling) have anything to do with the move up?
J Robertson, one of the best sports minds on the island and the best play-by-play guy on Kaua‘i, wasn’t able to get to the top, but towards the end, he came on strong.
Katie Beer, who was on top early on, made a claim for the title at the end, but came up short by just two games. Beer is a person that you’d take to Las Vegas! She knows her football and I wouldn’t go against her in a game of Texas Hold ‘Em.
Paul C. Curtis was at the bottom of the pack during most of the season, but his home team spirit finally made him a genius in the end. Curtis finished well away from the bottom and I actually think his daughter, Keila, helped him out with his picks!
Congratulations to the TV crew, who won the First Annual Garden Island “Gridiron Challenge.” They will get a prize from each of the two teams and as for myself, coming out on top at the end proved that the sports guy knows what the heck is going on!
But without the rest of the panelists and their competitive nature, I wouldn’t have tried hard to beat them!
