The Murphballs flag football team expanded its horizon beyond Washburn intramurals by competing at the American Collegiate Intramural Sports flag football regional championships Nov. 17-19 in Lincoln, Neb.

The Murphballs went 2-2 in competition during the weekend, the same as they did a year ago. This despite practicing more than in years past, but even so, they didn’t apply all the finishing touches until their arrival.

“We developed some plays and formations for the second day,” said Josh Seematter, captain and player for the Murphballs. “The defense we finalized when we got up there.”

In round robin play on day one, they split their games, losing the first one 32-18 to The Firm, a team from Northeast Wesleyan. They came back and won the second game 7-6 against Bucky’s Ballaz, a team from University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse.

Going 1-1 was enough to advance the Murphballs to bracket play on day two, where they won their first game 14-6 against Team Aggravated, a North Texas team that placed fifth last year.

Their second game in bracket play did not go as well, as they fell 28-7 to a team out of North Iowa called Team Headband.

“We expected to do better than last year,” said Seematter. “We played better than we ever had, we just ran into a tough team.”

It was the third year the Murphballs have competed in the tournament, but this time they also combined with Speed Kills, another flag football team at Washburn, composed of Law students. They were the top two flag football teams in intramural competition at Washburn.

“It’s always a good time going up there,” said Seematter. “You’re completely removed from Washburn and you go up there and come together as a team. Every year when we come back, we’re a little better.”