2025 Winter tournament update part two

Follow up to the previous winter tournament post

2025 CFL Winter Tournament Recap – Part Two

Sometimes the toughest calls lead to the best outcomes.

We were finally able to put a bow on the 2025 CFL Winter Tournament last Saturday, December 13, 2025. Getting to this point wasn’t simple, but in true CFL fashion, we adapted, adjusted, and delivered a memorable day of football.

The Tough Call That Paid Off

If you read last week’s recap, you know the men’s division didn’t play as scheduled. Colorado winters are unpredictable, and while snow on the field is nothing new for us, this was different. The snow was heavy, compacted, and not melting. Player safety has to come first, so postponing the tournament was the only responsible decision—even though it came with risk.

When you postpone a tournament, there’s always uncertainty. Will teams be able to return the following weekend? Will rosters fall apart? Will the energy be the same?

As it turned out, the postponement became a blessing in disguise. Every team recommitted—and then some. We ended up adding two additional teams, bringing the final count to eleven.

The Rockers joined after Pat Yanda became available once his softball tournament wrapped up. Another familiar group, the Elemonators, jumped in after having such a positive experience in the Coed tournament. This time, they entered under the name Those Guys. What started as a setback turned into one of the strongest men’s fields we’ve had all winter.

Adjusting on the Fly

The next hurdle was field availability. Our original location was no longer an option, so we returned to Valverde Park. While the turf surface is always a plus, the smaller field size meant we could only run two fields instead of three.

Rather than stretch the day deep into darkness, we made a key adjustment: 15-minute halves. That one decision kept the tournament moving, ensured every required game was played, and—maybe most importantly—kept everyone on schedule.

By the end of the day, we were only about 20 minutes behind, a massive improvement over the usual hour-plus delays that tournaments can run into. We finished before the sun fully set, and our referees deserve a lot of credit for keeping games moving efficiently and professionally throughout the day.

When the Games Matter Most

From the opening whistle, the level of competition was high. Teams played two pool-play games to determine seeding, then we moved straight into bracket play.

And this is where things got interesting.

Two teams made runs that very few people saw coming. The Rockers fought their way all the way to the finals from the 7th seed. Toy Story went even further, clawing their way in from the 9th seed. Both teams played with urgency, discipline, and heart, proving once again that seeding doesn’t mean nearly as much as execution.

The championship game was everything you want in a final. Physical, competitive, and intense from start to finish. Neither team was willing to give an inch, and the game ultimately went to overtime.

Each team was given one play from the 10-yard line to score. One play. No room for error.

It took five overtime rounds, but Toy Story finally broke through and secured the win.

Final Thoughts

What started as a weather-related setback ended up being one of the most exciting finishes of the winter season. Credit goes to the teams for their flexibility, competitiveness, and sportsmanship—and to everyone who stuck with us through the reschedule.

Congratulations to Toy Story on the championship, and to the Rockers for an incredible underdog run. Thank you to the refs, the teams, and everyone who helped make this tournament one to remember.

This is exactly why we do what we do.

MVP

Quick shout out to Wayne Williams for winning MVP of the championship game.