CHS Platter - Week Two - The Cheese Thickens

[CHS Platter]

Week One Review:

Team performance at Northern Virginia was not a surprise: breaches led the way, the #1 alliance was the only one to complete a capture, there was barely any defense, and on average less than one high goal was scored per qualification match.

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

Can you comment on stuff like inspection process, how many teams were ready or not ready, any difficulties or ease in getting all 6 teams on the field, etc.? Did y'all have any connection issues? When was the driver meeting; Friday night or Saturday morning?

Week One’s results were not unexpected, and proved that many teams were underprepared for district format. It took until 3pm Saturday for all teams to pass inspection. The quick match turn-around time proved difficult for some teams: a match ran mid-Saturday afternoon with only three robots on the field. The most popular inspection problems were of course bumpers and out-of-date DS software. DS problems and loose radio power/data connections were the root of many robot communication issues. It took until Qualification Match 11 before a full match was run with six operational robots.

CHS Platter - Week Two - The Cheese Thickens

Week Two of the FIRST Chesapeake District brings us to Southwest Virginia and Greater DC. The Chesapeake teams will soon get the hang of districts, but still expect to see plenty of matches without six robots. High goal shooters were scarce in Week One, with only 10% of robots showing the ability to place boulders into the top of the tower. Accurate high goal shooters who can avoid defense while lining up could make the difference in Week Two. Expect the 12 teams that competed in week one to use that time and experience to perform well this week.

Virginia has typically been a defense heavy state and it was quite a surprise to see very little of it at NOVA. Look for the teams this week to learn from the #2 alliance’s defensive strategy and put the pressure on those alliances looking for the tower capture. 

Greater DC

Number of Registered Teams: 40
Event page: http://www.firstchesapeake.org/event...nts/greater-dc
Event stream: http://livestream.com/LeeHartman/GreaterDCEvent
TBA page: http://www.thebluealliance.com/event/2016mdbet

The Favorites:
836: We doubt they’ll need to this year, but the RoboBees have proven they can rebuild a robot at a regional, but can they do it at a district? Since securing their first ever regional win in 2014, the RoboBees have not slowed down. Look for their rise to power to continue in the district format.
1389: The Body Electric is hosting this event so their attention might be split, but their robot should still perform near the top of the pack. A breaching robot with a high goal shooter will be looking for that extra RP while securing the win shooting 5 pointers.
1418: Vae Victus already has a district win under their belt. Yet another strong showing is imminent at DC, but can they get their scaling mechanism under control? The foul points they received nearly cost them the win in the finals at NOVA.
1885: After sitting out (and gaining experience) at an event they hosted during week one, iLITE is ready to lite up the high goal with their turreted shooter, but will their bot perform as well as it looks?

Others to watch for:
2914: Infamous for breaking bumpers, Tiger Pride is a defensive powerhouse in the DC area. While this won’t rank them high, they could be a targeted pick for the playoffs.
449: The Blair Robot Project hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2007, but has never made it to the finals. Could this be the year to get over the hump?
4456: Their rookie season is the only time this team has missed the playoffs. Will they team up with 449 again this year?

Southwest Virginia

Number of Registered Teams: 36
Event page: http://www.firstchesapeake.org/event...s/southwest-va
Event stream: http://livestream.com/LeeHartman/southwestVAEvent
TBA page: http://www.thebluealliance.com/event/2016vabla

Favorites:
384: Sparky won 3 of the last 4 Virginia Regionals and made a trip to the Galileo finals last year. However, they have a tendency to be finishing their robot in the pits on Thursday. Will they be prepared come Saturday morning?
1086: The cheesiest team in the CHS Platter, Blue Cheese looks to breach first and ask questions later. This strategy rewarded teams like 2363 and 1418 in week 1, will it be gouda enough for 1086?
1610: BOT won the last 3 Virginia regionals. While they don’t always rank high they have been a trusted alliance partner when it comes time to make it happen, and have partnered with 384 for two of their recent wins.
1731: Fresta Valley’s NOVA performance landed them a #2 seed and a finals appearance as one of the only high goal shooters at the event. If the teams in Blacksburg play defense, it could spell disaster for 1731.
2534: The Lakers ranked 3rd and had the best scaler at NOVA, but were knocked out in the quarterfinals by losses of 1 and 4 points. They’ll no doubt make it further in their second event but might struggle to seed in the top 4 again.

Others to watch for:
346: After just missing the finals twice in 2015 expect 346 to show up with another playoff caliber robot. Could they bring home their first win since 2009?
1262: After a breakout season in 2012 and another regional win in 2013 The Stags have found themselves in a quarterfinal slump. Having only ever been a one event team, expect the district model to push this team up the ranks.

[bearbot]

Any predictions on darkhorses and underdogs at CHS event

[TDav540]

Originally Posted by bearbot

Any predictions on darkhorses and underdogs at CHS event

Obviously not in region anymore, but I'm still reasonably interested in what goes on back home

Dark horses for Blacksburg: 422, 401
Wildcards for Blacksburg: 540, 3939, 5279

[wilsonmw04]

I just totally got the "CHS" as Cheese. I approve.

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

I just totally got the "CHS" as Cheese. I approve.

I'm disappointed that it took you this long Matt...

[wilsonmw04]

Originally Posted by notmattlythgoe

I'm disappointed that it took you this long Matt...

Sorry, Matt. My third child has melted my brain.

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

Sorry, Matt. My third child has melted my brain.

So Matt, you're saying you have CHS dip for brains now?

[wilsonmw04]

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

I just totally got the "CHS" as Cheese. I approve.

I can't even

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

I can't even

[Electronica1]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

I just totally got the "CHS" as Cheese. I approve.

I am 90% sure I told you this joke in the fall....

[wilsonmw04]

Originally Posted by Electronica1

I am 90% sure I told you this joke in the fall....

The fall is a blur of day, after day, after day, of not getting enough sleep and cleaning up a little thing that can't talk.