The South Dodgeball Cup is approaching with 4 teams in attendance (Bama, UNG, GSU, NKU). This year, Northern Kentucky seek to defend the title, North Georgia look for a rematch of last year’s title game, and Alabama and Georgia Southern look to shake up expectations.
Northern Kentucky (5-4)
It’s Northern Kentucky’s third season in the association and they have only improved each year, winning the South Dodgeball Cup in 2025. It shouldn’t be as easy for the Norse to take the trophy this time as southern teams Alabama and North Georgia are on the rise, proving the South region is up for the taking. NKU coach Wes Peters has quickly established a system that NKU has efficiently assimilated to.
Captains Braylon Patton and Will Strong lead the team with exceptional arm strength and leadership, so expect them to give it their all to try and go back-to-back as champions of the South.
North Georgia (4-1)
The Nighthawks are having one of the best seasons in program history as they enter the cup with a .800 win rate. However, it’s hard to accurately place the ceiling of North Georgia as they haven’t ventured outside the limited Southern region this season.
After a rebuild following the pandemic, the Nighthawks have a deep roster and a great rookie class. Rookie Peyton Bowen stands out with a talented arm and has easily cemented himself as of the team’s most reliable players. Captain Henry Bowman returns with an extremely well-rounded game, performing well in leadership, throwing, and catching.
North Georgia have the resources and have clearly improved since last season, thus the Nighthawks seem to be the team that will give Northern Kentucky the most trouble at the Cup.
Alabama (2-6)
The Crimson Tide are having a phenomenal debut season with many teams regarding them as having one of the best first-year performances in recent seasons. Alabama has already toppled Georgia Southern last fall, and seem to be growing exponentially with every tournament they play.
Alabama sees many new faces at each tournament, so they will have to place extra focus on teamwork during the Cup if they want to pull off any upsets. Captains Avery Thomas and Nick Rossini have delivered for Alabama all season and have quickly set the stage for new members Nate Hicks and Devin Harris to hit the ground running at the Cup and make an impact with their athleticism and hustle.
If everything goes right for Alabama, could they snatch the regional title in their first year? Well, it surely is not out of the question, as they’ve worked hard to improve since entering the league.
Georgia Southern (0-5)
Georgia Southern continues to have a “what-if” season as their current roster certainly has NCDA-level talent, but a lack of depth has prevented them from coming out with any wins thus far. However, the Eagles have consistently scored points even with a depleted roster, proving their potential.
Veterans Tyrek Grant and Mason Wade continue to lead the team in every aspect, as they don’t have a bench to rely on. If the Eagles bring a few more faces to the Cup, they may give other teams some trouble.