CHS Platter
Week Two Review: With only 25 total scales happening at both Week 2 events (compared to 24 in the single Week 1 event), the number of successful scales has not climbed as we expected. Despite the lack of elevated play, the second week of FIRST Chesapeake District events were not without excitement as one robot decided to watch from the stands instead of finishing its match. Southwest saw a slight increase in boulder scores, which also translated into an additional capture. Southwest currently leads the district in captures with four captures (one of which occurred in a qualification match); NOVA and DC only had three.
CHS Platter - Week Three - Unpasteurized
Week Three of the FIRST Chesapeake District brings us to Hampton Roads Virginia and Northern Maryland, two of the smaller events in the district. The theme for both events is “Raw.” There are 12 rookies competing this week, of those only 5841 The Patriots have made their FRC debut. On top of that, only 38 of the teams competing this weekend have ever been selected to play in the playoffs. This means that at least 10 teams will be making their first trip to the quarter finals. These teams are going to gain experience, and gain it quick.
The game should be starting to evolve this week as more and more alliances are able to breach in the qualification rounds. The decision to go for the breach or the win is going to be changing match to match and defense will start to play more of a role to guarantee the win. However, neither of these events are very deep, and the strategy of going for the breach will still be the go-to plan for teams wishing to rank high.
Hampton Roads
Number of Registered Teams: 35
Event page: https://www.firstchesapeake.org/events/district-events/hampton-roads
Event stream: http://livestream.com/LeeHartman/hamptonroadsevent
TBA page: http://www.thebluealliance.com/event/2016vapor
The Favorites:
1262: The STAGs have a reliable breaching and low goal scoring bot. They’ll only improve on their 10th seed and Finalist performance at Blacksburg. Historically a single event team, a second event is new territory for 1262.
1610: On the right alliance this team that had a solo breach in Blacksburg could make all the difference. The Builders of Tomorrow will repeat history and climb the rankings at their second event of the season. BOT has won events with two of our other favorites (1262 and 2363) in the past three years.
1885: With a semi accurate high goal shooter, very quick and reliable low goal capabilities, and the ability to breach, this robot is definitely one of the favorites at Hampton Roads. After almost upsetting the #1 alliance at DC, ILITE is primed to grab their first ever event win.
2363: Triple Helix already has a #1 seed and Northern Virginia win under their belts. They only completed one scale in their 19 matches during week 1 and should see that number increase exponentially for week 3. With a clear focus on Ranking Points, they are the favorite to win their second event of the season on their home turf.
Others to watch for:
449: R.O.U.S will forever be known as the robot that tried to get away, but with the ability to cross defenses easily, solo breach, and score in the low goal this team will make an impact. They had to sub out immediately in the D.C. playoffs, but should come back strong this week.
1413: Was their 4th seed in Blacksburg a fluke? Skrappy’s Zoo has no problem shredding defenses but needs to improve their boulder handling.
5546 - Making their 2016 debut, A.R.T. impressed us in their rookie season, and they’re back with a narrow bot that can scale the tower.
Northern Maryland
Number of Registered Teams: 33
Event page: https://www.firstchesapeake.org/events/district-events/northern-md
Event stream: http://livestream.com/LeeHartman/northernMDEvent
TBA page: http://www.thebluealliance.com/event/2016mdblr
The Favorites:
1111: One of the few high-goal shooters Week 1 in Haymarket, the Power Hawks lost two tough quarterfinal matches to the #1 seed by only 7 points each. As long as their high goal shooting improves, these Hawks will soar to the top of the rankings.
2377: C-Company is facing an uphill battle with most of the teams at the event having already competed this season. With one of the better average yearly ranks and strong playoff performances expect this team to be right in the thick of it on Sunday afternoon.
2537: The Space RAIDers look to build on their performance from DC after taking their #4 alliance to the Semi-Finals. With the ability to tackle any defense this team will be sitting near the top of the rankings on Sunday morning.
5338: RoboLoco made it all the way to the Finals in Week 1 as a consistent breaching bot. Their defense played a big role in almost upsetting the #1 alliance.
Others to watch for:
2489: If they can dial in their high goal shot expect grater things from this team as they are also breach capable.