Monday came far too early for everyone. Thankfully most of the ICBM team had a Tuesday-Thursday schedule, or classes that happened mid-morning or later the other days of the week. Additionally, Coach Beauregard and Zeke hammered home the importance of getting homework done prior to leaving for the match. As with any university level sport, academics were still king.
Zeke himself was one of a couple exceptions to this beneficial class schedule. His marketing 101 class for his major was an 8 am class. Thankfully for him, the professor was reasonable, accommodating his unique position as team commander. Zeke did wear this leniency thin the week before, as his possible concussion meant that he was unable to give genuine participation or learn much of anything.
After Marketing 101, it was math at 9:30 next, this class was Monday-Wednesday, an optional lab followed this on Fridays. From there Zeke had a lunch break from 10:45 to noon. At noon was a communications class, this was another Monday-Wednesday class. Tuesday-Thursdays involved an English class starting at 9, and a business administration class at 11, focusing on Microsoft programs for business use.
By 2:00 on Monday and Wednesdays, and 12:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays Zeke would be done with his day. Zeke was known to spend a lot of his time in the tankery office, between two and six hours. He was fond of the rich wood smell, and the light that shone in, all the while having a comfortable chair and friends to be with. It also doubled as required study hall time, an athletic requirement to ensure top grades.
That Monday, September 12th, Zeke spent the afternoon in the tankery office. He was watching the extended highlights of the previous match. It was required by the JSF for all tankery matches to have match coverage posted on a free to access platform within 48 hours of completion. Highlights were expected to be posted as soon as possible after a match ended, with full matches being within 48 hours.
All this meant that teams were free to do film study on each other at any time, learning how a team operates, counter measures, and more. Of course, some teams never liked their tactics being exposed to the world, others were always eager to study their opponents. Stronger teams like those on the Japanese circuit, and teams that could compete on their level like GCSE would have special film dedicated to analyzing an opponent, complete with annotations, stats, and more. This was the film Violet gained access to last week for ICBM's match with the Hatfield's. As for the upcoming match against the McCoy's, GCSE had not encountered them in the playoffs in a while. Meaning there was no need for them to have such film available.
Besides studying the previous match, Coach Beauregard had given Zeke a powerpoint and other materials to read about tankery. These outlined the rules and procedures of Tankery, the first item was a powerpoint labeled "The Tankery Regulatory Pyramid".
The agreements that made up this pyramid set the regulations for tankery. It all was planned on how to make everything work. All these agreements were usually settled with representatives from various countries, leagues, and sometimes divisions arguing over the details.
ICBM's immediate rules, matches and more would be bound by the Richmond accords. This was the agreement between all the teams in their conference. It also included rules for expanding the conference, how the conference divisions would be aligned, and more.
The next part of the pyramid was the Indianapolis Agreement. This is where the conference tournaments for teams in the USA would be agreed upon. Other rules and details including minimum GPA requirements, TV contracts, inter-conference match schedules and more. The role of the Indianapolis Agreement in the conference tournaments was to standardize them to some extent, such as mandating flag battle rules, expectations of when tournaments should be done. This stipulation was done so each conference tournament would be done in time for the selection committee to review for selecting teams to the world tournament, as only select teams would be given a tournament berth to compete.
For example, the GNTC and PTC were known for their randomized playoffs, with GNTC randomizing each division's members to play amongst each other to face a winner from the other division to play the championship. The PTC was like the Japanese circuit, a purely randomized tournament amongst it's 16 teams.
The NETC and STC rewarded a good conference season for their tournaments. The NETC was ranked purely on that season's performance in the annihilation match conference season. With the NETC being only 10 teams, the top 2 teams would get a first-round bye, leaving the eight others to slog it out and facing the well-rested teams from their first-round bye.
The STC had a hybrid system. It ranked everyone based off their conference results for the tournament. Except the top four locked themselves in to the top four seedings. The bottom four finishers were to draw from their season results to be seeded in their division of the tournament. There were calls from some during the last Indianapolis and Richmond Accords to make it purely ranked or purely random. But the dissenting teams, including ICBM, were outvoted.
The final step of the pyramid was the Tokyo Agreement. This is where overall match details would be settled for the world tournaments, agreements for regions, transportation, and most importantly details and requirements for teams to make the world tournament.
Coach Beauregard had asked Zeke to study up on this material. It left Zeke with a headache, even when things were broken down into things like YouTube videos or PowerPoints it was still mind numbing. Some people like Kurt, Kat, and Violet and their crews were well versed in the roles of each agreement as all aspired to be champions.
As Zeke continued to have the match on the in the background, reading over the mind-numbing regulations of tankery, the others were given a day off for rest.
Some still had things to do outside of tankery. Logan and his cronies were part of the ROTC program at ICBM. This meant very early mornings marching and doing other military type activities. It was a great bonding experience for all involved and was one of the reasons Logan and his team were so upset about how Zeke and his friends upended the team.
It had been an unwritten rule that ROTC members were given preferential treatment on the ICBM tankathalon team. It often went as far as to be an exclusive barrier to entry to be a part of the ROTC group. In recent years this preferential treatment has waned. With Liam and his subcommanders being the first to be leaders of the team without having been in the ROTC program.
As for Kurt and his crew of the Chafee, their day off was spent in their hometown of Goldsboro, NC. Kurt came from a family of potato farmers in the region. The Henson's owned a five-acre farm outside of the town.
The quintet spent the day helping on the farm as it was harvesting time for the potatoes. The quintet, themselves all being from Goldsboro, declined to stay at home and do classes from there, opting instead to live on campus. The reason being each had won a full-ride scholarship based upon their state title victories for their high school.
For them, Monday came far too soon. With Kurt taking his crew straight from the bus and taking them back to their hometown so they could get started sooner. All this culminated on the quintet working from 7 AM to 4:30 PM. But the positive was the work being done, and sharing in some of the money when the potatoes were sold.
The quintet rode in Kurt's well equipped 2019 Jeep Cherokee. Each were exhausted from the late night and even earlier morning. As Kurt merged onto Interstate 95 for the ride south, he noted the time.
"First, I want to say thanks for the help. Dad mentioned it earlier, but I'll say it again. We couldn't have done it with your help" Kurt said.
"You know I don't mind, heck riding the tractor was one of my favorite things" Chelsea Denton replied, riding in the middle of the second row of seats.
"Of course, Sir!" Harry Haley chimed in, sat next to the right rear passenger window, "as much you have done for the family and for me, I'm always happy to help".
Harry Jameson then laughed from the front passenger seat, "I don't mind helping, but you should have made Harry do the loading of them potatoes. You already made me load at least five chafee shells during the match". This comment resulted in light laughter from the others.
"As for Saturday, y'all did good too. I want y'all to know that. That ace is for everyone, not just me" Kurt said.
Sophie Larsen had been texting and scrolling on social media as she rested from helping the others with the farm work before she spoke up, "hey, they just posted the power rankings for the division".
Kurt got surprisingly excited at this, "well go ahead and read it" he said eagerly.
The members of the Valentine Squad truly savored their day off, despite their lack of action in the match, each member valued the down time they received. Violet had planned a picnic for her friends for that afternoon.
Each of the girls, minus Violet, had a class mid-morning on Monday's. She had planned her schedule based on the strong possibility of being the team commander or sub commander. This relaxed schedule allowed her the rest she wanted and to plan the picnic for that day.
During her time in high school, Violet enjoyed culinary classes. When she wasn't taking culinary classes, she would pester the home chef to teach her how to create meals. Her family was rich from old money. So, it was much of a surprise when Heather took to tankery on her first day of high school. From there the twin siblings took on the tankery challenge with their oldest sister, leaving little room for Violet to pursue her own path. She surprisingly took to tankery like a duck to water like her sisters.
As for the rest of her crew, she procured them over her rookie season. Her gunner and best friend Anna-Marie Zydek she met on her first day in a culinary class. Her driver, Sarah Gillen was another day one friend. Her family was heavily involved in the tankery program at the Cleveland high school the Valentine's attended. She was simply assigned as Violet's driver in a Locust M22 then, but the pair quickly became friends. As for her Loader and Radio Operator, Lucy Dixon, and Savannah Arthur, they were friends with Violet, but only joined her for the groups Junior year of high school when Violet became the team's commander and took control of the school's Sherman M4A3E8.
It was four o'clock when Violet got a text on her phone, "Hey girl, we're ready when you are. Want us to come down?" was the message from Anna-Marie in the group chat with her crew.
Violet texted back, "yes, go and ahead bring everyone. I'll be at the Ford when you get down here".
As she texted that, she finished the last of her preparations and walked out the front door of the dorm, turning to her left and heading to the parking lot. Since her family came from money, she was able to get her family to justify buying a car that could ride the crew to and from matches. This being a brand-new Ford Explorer, it was bright blue and with all the bells and whistles.
She had just finished loading the picnic basket and small cooler with some water bottles in it when the girls walked up.
"Hey girl hey" Anna-Marie said waving.
"It's good to see you all, was the bus ride back too much?" Violet asked.
"No, but it was boring" Anna-Marie said in disappointment.
Sarah Gillen chuckled, "says the one who slept almost the whole way back".
Anna-Marie quipped back, "a girl needs her beauty sleep. Especially with how hard we worked during the match".
Violet laughed and nodded, "thank you, each of you. I cannot do it without each of you". Violet's crew nodded at this, as Violet said, "go ahead and hop in".
Everyone hopped in, all five in the first two rows of the Ford Explorer. The girls chatted amongst themselves, scrolling through their phones as Violet made the ten-minute drive from campus to the Raven Rock State Park. It took the crew another couple of minutes to unload and find the benches they wanted for their picnic that overlooked the Cape Fear River and some of the nature preserve.
The girls chowed down on their sandwiches, when Lucy Dixon spoke up, "thanks Violet for treating us to this, it was a nice reward". She was now relaxing in a pop-up chair, her legs resting on the bench seat.
"I'm glad you liked it; I know you were the nature lover of the group" Violet said, smiling as se savored the view too.
Savannah Arthur was next to speak up, "well, we should take in the sights too. Apparently, ICBM uses this area for one of their matches.
Violet turned to her radio operator and intelligence gatherer Savannah, "what do you mean?".
"So, officially ICBM has three match sites. The practice site we have been using, the Fort Bragg field we fought your sister on, and this special use field" she said, pointing up the river valley.
The other ladies looked on in surprise, "I wonder what special use it serves" Sarah asked.
"Whatever it is, I want to win on this field if it is used in a match" Violet said, looking down at her feet.
"Feeling the pinch already?" Anna-Marie asked.
Violet shot her best friend a look of annoyance, before letting out a loud sigh, "I think I was taken aback by the commander and his plans on using the Chafee to fight the Hatfield's".
"You're used to your sisters putting you through the ringer or needing to go after the enemy yourself" Lucy Dixon spoke up.
"Yeah, I can't help but feel the need to be in the trenches myself fighting the enemy" Violet said, looking down at her feet.
Sarah shook her head at her best friend, "no, this isn't high school anymore. Your Sherman doesn't have the advantage it did with those tankathalon tanks. In fact, with you being in the 2nd largest tank at this school means you need to keep yourself safe".
Savannah then chimed in, "indeed, in fact it is in Commander's interest to keep you, Kat, and the Chafee safe".
Violet chuckled, "I could see another reason for why he wants to keep her out of harm's way, but I shouldn't be too mean to my former rival".
"Jealous much are we?" Anna said teasing her best friend.
Violet blushed bright red and gasped, "Anna! No, there is no such feeling that way".
The quartet of girls laughed, before Anna-Marie said, "it's ok Violet, you'll find a partner eventually at your own pace" she said, patting Violet on the shoulder.
"Oh! Oh! Hey!" Savannah said quickly, "they just posted the power rankings for this week".
"Well, go on, read it, and see if they got one for sister" Violet said.
The Heavensent Hearts crew had a mixed day of scheduling, Kat, Yui, and Allie had classes that stretched into the early afternoon hours on Monday.
It was three o'clock when the trio returned. The quintet all lived in the same dorm suite, three rooms that could house five people. Yui and Terra shared a room, along with Scarlett and Allie, finally Kat got the single room to herself which was half the size of the others but it meant that she could have it to herself.
When Yui came into her room with Terra, she could see the green hair gunner playing a tank game, complaining loudly as she played.
"These stupid slow loading tanks" Terra shouted as she pressed the button to fire the gun on the M4 Sherman in the video game.
"Greetings Terra, having fun?" Yui asked as she sat down at her desk, unpacking her items.
"No! Stupid you in the game isn't loading fast enough!" Terra barked back in the heat of the moment.
Yui could only laugh, "I see you're having fun playing commander".
Terra did laugh at this as she continued to play and stream the game to her audience, making small talk about her in real life win to the audience. All the while Yui began to work on homework for her classes.
In the next room over, Allie opened the door to see Scarlett deep in thought as she was typing away furiously on a computer.
"Still hard at work?" Allie asked as she unpacked her items.
Scarlett only grunted, "stupid coding isn't working, if only the tanks weren't in Kentucky!".
"Well, good luck, maybe you can ask Commander or Kat for help" Allie said, as Scarlett buried herself in coding of an app.
Finally, Kat went into her room, unpacking her items and turning on her Samsung Smart TV. She moved to YouTube, like her crew, she loved the sport of tankery and consumed lots of media about it.
She scrolled through a couple videos, the first one about some tank memes that lasted ten minutes. She went to a second video, a fifteen-minute presentation on the history of the IS-2 tank. Finally, she saw a video from the channel, TheMatch with the title, "Top 10 American High School Prospects 2022".
Kat raised an eyebrow at this as she clicked to start the video, it started with an American male monologuing, "Japan has been the holy land of tankery ever since the end of the second world war. Many countries debate who is next in line, but many believe it is the USA. With many greats coming within only a single tank from advancing to the coveted final four such as Heather Valentine of GCSE and many others. We here at TheMatch analyzed the rising university freshmen and this is our list for who we think will be the ones to watch in the upcoming 2022-23 American Tankery Season".
The list flashed to the first person listed as number 10, a clean-shaven, young-looking male with unkept curly hair, all behind a slightly gray filter with the caption, #10 David Keating, State: Michigan, University: Michigan. "David Keating burst onto the scene last year, taking command of the Grosse Ile High School M24 Chafee and leading the team to the first state championship in 15 years. His radical style of charging in and fighting among the tankathalon tanks was something that had not been seen in a while on the Michigan circuit and took competitors by surprise. This coupled with a power vacuum by the leaving of the class of 21 meant someone was needed to fill the void. After a false dawn by the powerhouse Wayne Memorial High School falling through meant that no one could stop David and company from winning the state title. Keating and his crew graduated together in June, and all committed to the nearby University of Michigan. A great pickup for a Wolverine team looking to make the next step".
The person at number nine popped up on the screen, a black girl, with long flowing hair and dark chocolate skin, with the title card, #9 Naomi Smith State: New York, University: Saunders-American West at UCLA, "Naomi Smith took the high school tankery world by storm as a freshman. Winning the commander role with her team, and then taking her Schenectady High School team to a big win over bitter rival Brown private school in the state championship. She followed that up with another high school championship her senior year. Her style of defensive tactics proved well suited to the snowy matches her team had to face. Naomi was the only one of her team that was a senior, meaning she will be the only one of her crew that is heading to Saunders University West campus at UCLA. We are excited to see how she'll perform there, but we fear that she'll be a fish out of water with the traditional Saunders tactics of swarming still being front and center.
The person at number eight, was a black man, with short black hair and a moustache, with the title card #8 Jaquan Smith State: Alabama, University: Alabama. "Jaquan Smith was a force to be reckoned with in the Alabama state tankery scene. Joining the team during his sophomore year, commanding one of Anniston High School's Locust M22's throughout his tenure. He was a key figure in the team's run of three consecutive championships in his time there. His heroics in the state playoffs in his senior year landed him on this list. Being the only one outside of the famous Black and Valentine Dynasties to get multiple aces in a state playoff match in the past eight years. He is also the only one on this list to be an overall team commander. Thus, meaning we couldn't justify putting him any higher. He committed to the University of Alabama where his older brother Jeremiah commands the team in his upcoming Junior year.
The person at number seven was extremely familiar, as Kat squealed with excitement as the next title card showed a picture of herself, with the title card #7 Katarina Black State: Ohio, University: ICBM. She paused the video and yelled out, "hey! We made finally made it to a list!"
This prompted Yui, Scarlett, and Allie to run in. When they saw the title card showing their commander, they were equally amazed, with Allie saying, "go on and play it!".
"Katarina Black, the daughter of GCSE's head coach Damien. The four times Ohio state championship runners up are the only non-champions on this list. But the lady dubbed the bridesmaid, and the purple rose is the only person to ever be a thorn in the sign of the Valentine legacy. Being the only one to have multiple kills on a Valentine member taking down the famous wonder twins during her sophomore year. The purple rose took her Walnut Hills High School from bottom of the standings every year to within title contention with her M26 Pershing and a great crew. With the five of them winning the Most Valuable Crew award twice, much to the chagrin of the Valentine family. Kat and her crew made the surprise decision to head to the Institute of Carolina's Battlefield Mastery (ICBM) in a record signing that was the envy of all the American universities amidst its transition from tankathalon to tankery".
"Well, that was nice" Allie said pleased with herself and her friends' efforts from those years.
"Good thing they mentioned our awards" Scarlett said smugly.
"Even though we're friends now, it's still fun to mention the rivalry with Violet's team" Yui said in her cheerful tone.
"Go ahead and play the rest, let's see where Kurt and Violet end up" Allie said, as Kat pressed play.
The next title card showed a tanned lady with exquisite features, dark hair, and a serious expression on her face, with the caption, "#6 Jamie Reddick, State: South Dakota University: North Dakota" with the narrator saying, "Jamie Reddick is a divisive figure in the Dakota's tankery circuit. Infamously moving from Minnesota after losing twice in the state championship to two different teams. Once moved to Vermillion South Dakota and taking their program to new heights with her ARL-44, the only one in the high school circuit of any state. With an armada of Locust M22's by her side she took two state championships. Two near misses and two titles, plus a full crew graduating together is how she got on this list. Reddick and her crew are planning to attend the University of North Dakota, which was a major shock as the competitive University of South Dakota is in the town of Vermillion. We do worry that Reddick and her crew will be lower women on the totem pole as North Dakota is one of a handful of teams that look to push for a world tournament berth with a solid performance in their conference tournament.
The next title card displayed, it showed a white male with a young-looking face, chiseled from strength training and straight out of a Hollywood movie. His skin was pale, and his hair blonde. The label on the card #5 Jeff Russell State: Texas, University: Texas. "Jeff Russell has been a legend in Texas tankery. His Austin High School team being modeled after the famous Pravda tankathalon team Katyusha's Volunteer Army of the Japanese circuit. The only school to pull the double of both championships in the same year for the past five years. As for Russell, he took the once floundering team and turned them around, with controversial Soviet tanks, most notably the T34. Russell led the team to three state championships, only being bested once in his freshman year by the outgoing Anthony Abruzzo with his band of Italian tanks. Russell has decided to attend the University of Texas in his hometown of Austin and is looking to take the team to their first world championship tournament berth since 2000 and since their change to Soviet tanks in that same year.
The next title card showed a pale lady with dark brunette hair, with the card reading, "Amy Miller, State: Virginia, University: Saunders-American East Campus at Maryland". The narrator then continued, "Amy Miller is a legend in Virginia's high school circuit. Becoming the first woman to win four state championships. Her style revolutionized the Virginia high school scene with commanding victories over rivals in her first year of being the team commander for her senior year. Miller and her crew have committed to Saunders American at Maryland. Miller stands a far better chance at becoming a commander at Saunders American East with the team going through a change of the guard, and the fewer teams of the NETC will give Miller and company a better chance of succeeding or even winning a chance to transfer to the Saunders mothership.
The third-place title card showed a very familiar figure. The dark haired, almost brooding face of their fellow sub commander, Kurt Henson. The title card then displayed, "Kurt Henson, State: North Carolina, University: ICBM". "The man nicknamed Carolina's Greatest Tanker was given this title for his performance in his state championship appearances. Subbing in for an injured gunner, Henson managed to gun down five tanks to win the day when his tank was the only one left, a five to one miracle. Once in his Sophomore year, he took command of the Goldsboro High School team and moving to his iconic M24 Chafee. Often charging into battle rather than letting the match play out and picking up the pieces. This earned him one of the best kills to death ratios in the country. Only bested by two others on our list. Henson was originally the only ICBM signing before Katarina Black and another person on this list joined the ICBM team, to become a triumvirate of sub commanders for the team. Most importantly Hanson is now commanding a Chafee like the one he was in command of back in his high school days, meaning Henson shall be a force to be reckoned with in his upcoming stint with ICBM.
The second-place card showed another tanned lady, this one with jet black hair, a tan army helmet with the title card, "#2 Valerie Woodlin, State: California, University: Mojave Rose at University of California Barstow". "Valerie Woodlin is one of tankery's hottest prospects, not just among California or even the US. The Mojave Rose High School commander boasts one of the best stat lines in the country. With a 100% tank engagement rating and no defeats in her final two years in high school along with winning the MVP in the California state championship match all four years. Val is going across the street to the Mojave Rose University Tankery team at UC Barstow, with both programs sharing Soviet tanks and mechanics so she will fit in like a glove despite only one crew of outgoing seniors at the school".
The first-place card showed an extremely familiar figure, the platinum assassin herself, Violet Valentine. Officially, the title card read, "#1 Violet Valentine, State: Ohio, University: ICBM" with the audio saying, "Violet Valentine is the youngest daughter of the famous Valentine dynasty. Finally graduating from Solon High School this year, along with bitter rival now turned teammate Katarina Black allowing Ohio to go back to a time with none of the Valentine family dominating the scene. The lady nicknamed the Platinum Assassin for her skill and scary good firing from a distance landed herself commander of the Solon team after the Wonder Twins graduated to join their older sister Heather at GCSE. Violet's time was not without controversy, with Violet stealing her oldest sisters' thunder in Heather's final state championship, as she was the one to take out the flag tank of match of MVP Katarina Black leaving her oldest sister furious. We at TheMatch believe this is the reason why Violet and her graduating crew were traded to ICBM. However, during her time at Solon, she became one of the only few people in the history of Ohio state tankery to win four state titles. She and her crew were also the only one of two people to earn multiple MVP awards during her time in high school, only sharing that with Katarina Black. With ICBM being a team just making the switch from tankathalon to tankery, it's going to be interesting how she, rival Katarina Black, and Carolina's Greatest Tanker Kurt Henson get on with the undersized team."
"What do you think of our list? Did we miss anyone or think some prospects didn't get the recognition they deserved? Sound off in the comments below, subscribe and click the bell on so you never miss a video from TheMatch".
The video finished and Allie broke the silence, "it's amazing to remember all that happened those four years, it feels like a blur".
"Absolutely" Kat said.
"Tragic that vanity led to Heather sending Violet here" Yui said.
The other girls nodded at this as each got notification, Kat read the notification aloud, "hey they just got the power rankings posted".
Zeke finished clicking send on the group text message, sending the power rankings link to everyone. Once done, Zeke opened the link on his phone and began to read the article from Tankery News Today.
One week down, many more to go in the highly competitive American tankery scene. In the equally competitive STC there are winners and losers. These are our power rankings for the STC East, from worst to first.
#8 Elizabeth City State University (ECSU)
"Viking Soviet tanks put up noble fight to keep Saunders American (UCLA) honest."
ECSU put up a strong fight against Saunders American West Campus at UCLA, with Saunders West being down to two Sherman's. We at TNT figured this match would be a bloodbath for ECSU. New tanks, an away match across the country, and an extremely strong opponent should have meant an early exit for the team. But ECSU hung tough, with the new KV-2 getting three kills before finally being defeated. Expect better things during the regular season.
#7 Hampton Pirates
"Pirates look like fish out of water against Volunteer's Soviet tanks."
This match with Hampton we figured would be a more competitive match. Two rising teams were set to make a big jump in their respective conferences. Admittedly, we know Tennessee is on a different level, but this match was going to be a make-or-break match for Hampton, and it showed with Hampton losing by defeat to their flag tank with only two other tanks remaining for the pirates, (6-2). We do have hope Hampton will be able to build confidence for the upcoming regular season where tank changes for other teams will hopefully give the team a boost.
#6 Georgia Bulldogs
"Bulldogs open the season with loss to German tanks of Idaho".
Georgia was poised to be the best of the STC east teams changing tanks, moving from US tanks to British tanks. Getting tanks and support from St Gloriana Women's College of the Japanese Circuit. We figured this match, like the Hampton one would be a tightly contested one with Idaho beginning to grasp their German tanks but with Georgia at minimum keeping pace with the Vandals. Ultimately Georgia fell to Idaho with five tanks remaining for the Vandals. This was a learning experience for the bulldog's team and the things they learned from this match are why we feel the need to put them above the Hampton Pirates.
#5 ICBM Rebels
"ICBM stuns Hatfield's after GCSE humiliation"
We at TNT might have to reconsider our predictions for this ICBM team. After the humiliating match with GCSE and the size and weight disadvantage to their opponents we at TNT wrote the team off. We were pleasantly surprised to see ICBM go hit for hit with Hatfield's with the former taking the match on the backs of their Chafee M24, commanded by "Carolina's Greatest Tanker" Kurt Henson, whose team managed an ace in their first match. Katarina Black and Violet Valentine managed to get some kills along with two of the team's Locust's. We are still skeptical for the upcoming season, with the STC being an annihilation match but for now, ICBM has pleasantly surprised us.
#4 Charleston Southern University Chanticleers.
"Charleston Southern (CSU) cheers rule Britannia with victory over North Dakota State (NDSU)"
CSU took a surprising victory against NDSU's armada of Sherman and Lee tanks. CSU was one of the many teams in the STC to change tanks. Like Georgia they moved to British tanks, but unlike the bulldogs, the chanticleers took their first victory of the season in their new equipment. The match itself was thrilling, and really showed the skill of the two teams compared to the ICBM team, who seemed to luck into their victory with Hatfield's strategic blunders. Despite the closeness of the win, CSU should be able to carry their momentum forward now that they're understanding their new tanks better.
#3 Florida State Seminoles
Florida State (FSU) stuns Sooners (OU) in Norman.
Singer Jerry Reed once had the hit song, "when you're hot, you're hot" and FSU was hot during their match against Oklahoma in Norman, OK. The infamously hot and cold team showed up as needed, with decisive kills being made in the match to leave the Sooners on the back foot early. It wasn't until the end during the sixth hour when Oklahoma finally mounted it's last charge. This left its flag tank exposed and lead to the team's defeat. Despite being in control of the match, FSU was down to its last two tanks, meaning that the team may be hot, but it will need to improve if they want to keep the wins coming.
#2 Alabama Crimson Tide
Tide rolls University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) in dominant display.
Alabama couldn't have asked for a more perfect match, all things considered. The tide was able to use homefield advantage to get themselves an early advantage. This allowed Alabama to run down the UTEP miners who looked to be digging themselves deeper and deeper into a hole with early mistakes compounding on themselves. Alabama for all it's good fortunes had six tanks remaining, with freshman groups and coveted prospect, Jaquan Smith to get valuable experience being taken out. The tide will need to tighten up any issues as the team heads to the hills of Spokane to face Gonzaga.
#1 Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Keydets
VMI brave rough seas of Navy to start strong.
VMI looked to be a fish out of water playing in the relatively wet flatlands of the Maryland countryside at first. With the team being forced into long range firing and guerilla tactics. The team was quick to adapt with commander Jessica Aaron being truly astounding. The Navy did try, showing their skills with their Sherman DD tanks to keep VMI somewhat honest. We at TNT do still expect Navy to do very well in the NETC this year. With opponent strength being what kept VMI at number one for our power rankings this week.
Stay tuned to Tankery News Today for all the latest on tankery from all over the world! -Jonathan Starr.
Zeke huffed as he finished reading the article, "at least they had the decency to mention Kurt's ace".
He looked at his phone, noting the time and the group chats being filled with texts as everyone was talking about their rank in the power rankings. As he put it away and began to get his items put in his bag, he paused, thinking to himself, "good thing they didn't mention our friendly fire incident".