spooooky

In 2011, I wrote this post about funniest Finals matchups.

Eleven years later, they started coming true. 

2022: Lightning Avalanche

2023: Heat Nuggets

So good news for Browns-Lions fans, start betting on the 2024 Super Bowl. 

Work Trip: Shreveport Shoot

Went back to Shreveport to shoot a new commercial and we got a ton of great shots. Also, managed to win money at the casino and get some good food and drinks.

2023 Rare Soda Reviews

Took the boys to Mass St. Soda in Lawrence and we picked out some microbrew sodas. Here are my ratings for every one that I tasted.

Sprecher Honey Cream 10+

Sprecher Root Beer 10

Boylan Creme 9.9

IBC Black Cherry 9.7

Hank's Black Cherry 9.5

Abita Vanilla Cream 9.4

Sprecher Cherry Cola 9.2

Boylan Black Cherry 9.1

Hank's Root Beer 9

Boylan Root Beer 8.9

Hank's Grape 8.6

Dublin Vanilla Cream 8.5

Frostie Cherry Limeade 6

Big Red 2.5

Some takeaways. Sprecher is the best company. You can't go wrong with Boylan or Hank's either. Outside of those three brands, it can be hit or miss.

In the future, in addition to revisiting my high scores from this round, I'd like to try the Sprecher Black Cherry, Sprecher Grape, and Dr Sprecher.

Best Moments Leading to Super Bowl LVII: Playoffs

There were two playoff games for the Chiefs that led them to the Super Bowl. Here are the top ten plays from those two games. 

First a couple honorable mentions. 

Jaylen Watson one handed interception to seal the win vs Jaguars. 

Jaylen Watson another INT 2 mins 2q. This dude had three interceptions in his rookie season. Each one was so pivotal. Clutch.

MVS reaching back to make a big catch.

Top Ten Plays 

10. 4th and 1. Chiefs go for it in a 6-3 game. A field goal would have been the easy call. If the Chiefs go for it and don't get it, it's a disaster. 

9. When it's only 20-17, Mahomes attempts a jump pass on a busted ankle vs Jaguars.

8. Henne comes in for the injured Mahomes and takes over own his own two. Completes a 98-yard TD drive, earning that ring. But the best play on the drive was this run by Pacheco. 

7. In a 13-13 game vs Bengals, it's 3rd and 10. Settling for a field goal wouldn't get the job done. Mahome sticks it to MVS. I've never seen a receiver act like he didn't catch it as much as MVS does here. 

6. MVS s t r e t c h e s out to convert a 3rd and 7 he had no business converting.

5. Lost in all the excitement of the plays coming up on this list, this kick was no gimmee. A 45-yarder in 22-degree weather. When you see the side view, you see that it only clears the bar by 3 yards.

4. 7 minutes left in a tie game. Bengals driving with 3rd and 3. And Bryan Cook tips it to Joshua Williams for a spectacular interception.

3. 44 seconds left. Bengals on their own 35. Just a few plays away from field goal range. And Chris Jones comes up with the sack of his life.

2. "Andy Reid showing a lot of faith in the rookie." That's how Nantz starts the call. I'm freaking out at home. All I can picture is Skyy Moore muffing a punt that instantly puts the Bengals in field goal range. And then he not only catches it cleanly, but returns it from the 18 to the 47. 

1. It's 3rd and 4 from the CIN 47. Chiefs have no timeouts and only 17 seconds left. Need to get the first down but ultimately need 20 yards to get into field goal range in this weather. Not a lot of plays that will work here. In the pocket, nothing open, Mahomes has to take off a busted ankle and do it himself.

Best Moments Leading to Super Bowl LVII: Regular Season

Did you think that Hoagie Central was done with Super Bowl LVII coverage? Nope.

I fired up my championship Blu-Ray to make sure I didn't miss any of the best moments of the Chiefs 2022-23 season.

- - -

If Buffalo gets the #1 seed, I don't know that the Chiefs win the Super Bowl. Playing the Dolphins, then the Bengals, then going on the road to Buffalo, that's a lot tougher task. It's possible the Chiefs do it, but it's clearly more difficult. 

So getting that #1 seed was crucial. And every single W was necessary to get us there.

Here's a look back at the top ten plays of the regular season. 

10. Chiefs go Ring Around The Rosie vs the Raiders. It almost doesn't make the cut because there was a penalty on the play. But they scored on the next play anyways and more importantly, it made the Raiders and even the Broncos mad.

9. This one would have ranked a lot higher if it came in a win. But still, Mahomes dunked on these Bengals like Air Jordan.

8. In Week 11, Kelce scores two quarter TDs to beat the Chargers again.

7. Against the Raiders in Week 5, Kelce lit them up for 4 tds on MNF. But my favorite moment of the game was when the two Raiders collided on the final play.

6. Willie Gay Jr. not only intercepts Russell Wilson, but knocks him down and takes it to the house. You love to see it. 

5. Mahomes exacts a bit of revenge for Super Bowl LV, by escaping from a rusher, spinning by another, and then flipping it for a TD pass, en route to Fetty Wapping the Bucs. 

4. So many great plays in the Week 2 win over the Chargers. The scramble + sidearm TD to McKinnon. The deep shot TD to Justin Watson. And then this pick six by Jaylen Watson vs the Chargers flipped the entire game and set the tone for the divisional race once again. While some try to claim Herbert is on Mahomes level, at the end of this play Herbert was on the same level as the turf. 

3. A picture-perfect stretch for the pylon, completely horizontal. That's Mahomes vs the Seahawks. In slow-motion it's a thing of beauty. It would be impressive by any receiver or running back, but it's being done by the best passer in the game. 

2. Against the Broncos, Mahomes flips it to McKinnon. This pass could literally be the best highlight of many good QB's entire careers.

1. Mahomes put the team on his back, down 17-9 in the 4th vs the Titans. Converts a 3rd and 17 with his legs, then converts a 3rd and 9 with his legs for the score. Then on 3rd down in OT, converts with a highlight reel catch by Noah Gray.