A year ago from now anyone talking about Str8 Rippin and Carbon would probably talk about the shadow cast over them by the dominant Final Boss. After the results of 2006 the tables have truly turned. No longer is Final Boss the only team capable of winning multiple events in a season; Carbon single handedly proved that late in last years Pro Circuit. Str8 Rippin on the other hand is a team who is always among the most talented in the league, but unfortunately there always seems to be something that keeps them from obtaining that coveted top spot. In this writer’s opinion, this season’s roster changes could be the final answer for Str8 Rippin. Unfortunately for Str8 Rippin, no team meshes immediately and even with a great deal of practice it still takes time and experience before a team can make a run at the finals.

The lower bracket game between Str8 Rippin and Carbon was an unusual one sided game. Str8 Rippin showed a few moments of quality teamwork and were able to take a single map victory. This story, however, is all about the defending champions. Carbon had a shaky start to their tournament when they lost to FBI The Agency early in the upper bracket by a three maps to none, but it was because of their determination that they became champions and it is because of their determination that they were able to stave off such an emotional blow.

It would have been easy for Carbon to lay down as the tournament progressed but instead Carbon turned it around. Carbon opened the match by gaining an early lead in CTF Midship. Str8 Rippin was not able to make a capture before Carbon had scored four, thus allowing Carbon to cruise to a 5 to 2 final score on the first map.

Next it was on to Slayer Midship where once again, Carbon took an early lead. Seventeen minutes into the game Carbon had an eight frag lead, looking like they may cruise to another victory; Tom “Tsquared” Taylor, however, had other plans and began slaying the way he knows how. Five minutes after Carbon had an eight frag lead, Str8 Rippin had a five frag lead of their own. It was at this point that Carbon came back and tied the game, only to lose the lead once more due to the outstanding play of Tsquared and the rest of the Str8 Rippin squad. The match ended in a 50 to 45 win in the favor of Str8 Rippin. The match was now tied at a game a piece for each team.

The match now turned to Ball Lockout where Str8 Rippin was able to continue their momentum and gain an early lead, but once again it was Carbon showing off their determination by coming back to take the lead at the ten minute mark. It was at this point that Carbon took control and cruised to another victory, this time 5:00 to 3:11.

Facing elimination, it was now do or die time for Str8 Rippin. What better map choice than CTF Warlock, a map that Carbon had dominated on in the past. Luckily for the fans the game turned into a close bout between the two heavyweights and after a very tense fourth match where the lead was taken back and forth; Carbon emerged victorious with a score of 5 to 4.

Carbon will continue their march through the lower bracket, pining for a chance to get into the Finals. Stay with GotFrag as we bring you the latest.