May 25, 2020
By Daniel Cohen
Some vintage performances from three dynamic offensive players headline the top performances from Week 8 of AUDL Retro.
Colin Camp, Madison Radicals
In Week 8 against Chicago in 2018, Colin Camp shined in the AUDL Game of the Week, showcasing his well-rounded game on the national stage. Totalling two assists, three goals, and two blocks, Camp put together an impressive all-around performance as the Madison Radicals cruised to a 24-16 victory. As his stat line indicates, Camp did a little bit of everything for the Radicals, whether he was embarrassing defenders in the end zone, or launching hucks to his teammates. He operated primarily as a downfield cutter, but Camp has the throws and confidence to drop back into handler sets to facilitate disc movement. Aside from his versatility, what really sets Camp apart is his ability in the air; he rarely loses jump balls. The disc is always his, and he’s out to prove it every time he steps onto the field.
With at least 40 scores in each of his five seasons, Camp’s consistency has fit seamlessly into the Radicals offense. He was deservedly named Radicals captain for the 2020 season and will look to lead the offense back to its championship-caliber efficiency in 2020.
Jonathan "Goose" Helton, Raleigh Flyers
With the fourth most scores in AUDL history, finding the end zone has always come easy for Goose Helton whether he’s on the throwing or receiving end. In Week 8 of 2017 with the Raleigh Flyers it was his throwing performance that stole the show, as he completed 22 passes, six of which went for assists (27.2 percent). Helton showed off his vast throwing arsenal throughout the game, regularly continuing the disc downfield after hard initiation cuts. He has elite range on his hucks, and he’s as natural an athlete as they come when running them down himself. With 2017 MVP Jonathan Nethercutt anchoring the O-line, Helton had the freedom and opportunities to take his shots in a fluid offense that rarely stalled. He would finish the game with six assists and two goals on 27 touches, also adding a block on defense.
The best all-around player in AUDL history came through for his team when they needed him the most, reeling in a huck then lofting up a perfect backhand as time expired to pull off the one-goal win. In Helton’s two seasons with the Flyers, he would end up totalling 102 scores in 17 games.
Beau Kittredge, San Jose Spiders
This was Beau Kittredge’s game from the beginning—he did not look back after catching the first San Jose Spiders goal. Offensively and defensively, Kittredge did it all for the Spiders as he racked up five assists, six goals and four blocks in 35 points played. The Riptide were simply outmatched. Kittredge was everywhere at once, running down hucks, patrolling the deep space on defense, facilitating disc movement, and grinding out yards underneath. He was undeniably the offensive focal point; the Spiders’ gameplan revolved around him making plays, and he repeatedly came through for his team. Beau totalled 50 touches on the day, a career-high, second only to center handler Ashlin Joye. After switching to primarily D-line in the second half, Beau anchored the Spiders defense, providing constant help over the top to eliminate deep looks. He would record four blocks for the fourth time in seven games.
The vintage Beau game ended in a 26-25 Spiders win, as he made several key plays down the stretch, including a clutch block and subsequent ‘bookend’ score at the other end to put San Jose up 24-23. His impressive statistical performance marked his second game reaching four assists, four goals and four blocks in his 2014 MVP season.
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