This year, 11 teams from the East have registered for Carolina Carnage Fest this year, all eager for a chance to break out of the Silver Tier and showcase their clubs to the world. We're going to take a look at each team, highlighting their performances from last season, and sharing where to find more of them.
The numbers attached to some of the team names indicates their ranking in the Buhurt International League (BI) reflecting the number of fights a team won throughout last year's season. It's important to note that not all events are considered in the BI rankings; teams must participate in a minimum of three (3) BI-associated events to be eligible for ranking. Details aside, it is still a good way to get a quick snapshot of how "consistent" a team is at winning, particularly at bigger events.
Table of Contents
Team Name: The Berserkers
Fighting out of: Various
Captain: Darius Sileikis
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 8-0
The Berserkers made their debut in 2023 at the AMCF Qualifiers, taking on and defeating some imposing teams to earn a 4th place finish and a spot on Team USA for the IMCF World Championships in Mexico that year. At Carolina Carnage last year they went undefeated in the Silver Tier defeating Knyaz Fire in the championship round to earn their first 1st place medal as a team. Since then, they have mostly stayed in the AMCF League, with their last appearance in December 2024 at the AMCF Qualifiers this time ending in 5th place.
The Berserkers are an example of what is known as a "Superteam" in the sport. Most fighters on this team come from different states, often only seeing each other at competitions. While members may train and compete with local teams, they unite for larger events. The captain of the Berserkers, Darius Sileikis runs the New Jersey Steel Fighting Academy, from which this team draws some of its talent.
The roster of the Berserkers consists of several previous Team USA members and other fighters who have international competition experience. This edge gives them an advantage over some of the other Silver Tier teams, keep an eye on them this year to see if they can return with another 1st place finish
The Berserkers Social Media
Team Name: Bastion
Fighting out of: Augusta, Georgia
Captain: Gregory Clayton Thomas
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 10-4
Last year, Bastion took their pool by storm with hard-fought victories over Gladiators NYC, Portland Reavers, Tidewater Dogs of War, and military veteran team Steel Company. They lost a match against Idaho-based #5 Rat Pack, but with a 4-1 record they advanced into the bracket rounds the following day. After a challenging match against the Blood Eagles they advanced into the next round, but the Iron Lions Vanguard knocked them out of the tournament after three rounds of heavy fighting.
Later that year, Bastion attended Grapes of Wrath and evened the score against Iron Lion Vanguard not once but twice, earning two victories against them They also achieved separate wins over Company of the Pale Horse, The Forsaken, and Iron Lions Legion. However, their final opponent for the day was able to get the better of them, the #4 New England Executioners took the gold that day, and Bastion ended their season with a 10-4 record.
The rest of the year saw Bastion training hard and fighting several other events throughout the year such as Blood and Suds. With their usual lineup sharing membership with the Colorado-based Wardens it will be interesting to see how the two teams compete against each other.
Bastion Social Media
Team Name: Lexington Lycans
Fighting out of: Kentucky
Captain: Brendan Kirwan
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 4-4
Last year was the Lexington Lycan's first year at Carolina Carnage. They were able to defeat both NYC Armored Combat and The Florida Men but were unable to best Blood Eagles and New Order, ending their Carnage debut with a 2-2 record. Later that year they attended Cincinnati Siege, beating out both Imperium and NYC Armored Combat, but suffered losses against the #3 BI Ranked Knyaz USA and the #7 Company of the Pale Horse to end their season with a 4-4 record.
The Lycans have been hard at work this year, focusing hard on training and recruiting via local events. Their first year had them holding their own against some established teams, and with a bolstered roster, look for them to come out swinging and looking to make a statement.
Lexington Lycans Social Media
Team Name: The Florida Men
Fighting out of: Florida
Captain: Stephen Gallagan
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 2-2
The Florida Men are a coalition of Florida teams consisting of the Fort Lauderdale Storm, the Tampa Swamp Knights, the Orlando Rogue Knights, and the Pensacola Bayou Brutes. The Florida teams are relatively new to the sport and thus have fewer fighters on their rosters. So, they have decided to team up to attend the biggest event in the United States. Last year the Florida Men defeated both NYC Armored Combat and New Order, but fell to Blood Eagles and the Lexington Lycans to end their Carnage 2024 run with a 2-2 record.
Leading The Florida Men is captain Stephen Gallagan, a seasoned veteran of the sport who recently took the Silver medal in the Sword and Buckler division at the AMCF Qualifiers in December. Also joining their line is Berserker fighter and Knight Fight alumni Derrick Flitcroft, who is looking forward to fighting with his fellow Floridians after an injury sidelined him last year.
Some might recall that the formation of these teams stemmed from the dissolution of the Fire Drakes, a name that has come to carry a degree of controversy within the sport. Determined to forge a new identity, these Florida teams are committed to turning the page on their past, while holding fast to the lessons learned from that experience. They have been working together to cultivate a community built on trust and respect.
While Carolina Carnage last year was the only team's appearance on the MCUSA playing field, the coalition itself has been plenty busy. With a vigorous recruiting drive, monthly local events, and a regular Florida-wide practice that brings together all of the state's teams, the Florida Men have put in great effort honing themselves for this year's event.
The Orlando Rogue Knights at AMCF Qualifiers 2024, and The Florida Men at Carolina Carnage 2024
The Florida Men Social Media
Team Name: Atlanta Valor
Fighting out of: Georgia
Captain: Trevor Crow
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 4-4
With victories over 'wesome 'possums, Order of the Gauntlet and Rose, and Detroit Fight Club at last year's Carnage, it looked like Atlanta Valor would escape their pool and move onto the brackets. However, with losses against the eventual silver and bronze medal winners Knyaz Fire and Iron Lions Vanguard, they were unable to escape their pool, leaving their Carnage record last year at 3-2.
The Valor then made an appearance later in the year at the Grapes of Wrath tournament held by the Iron Lions. Due to abysmal weather conditions and facing tough opponents like the #4 New England Executioners and the #7 Company of the Pale Horse, they managed to secure only one victory against the South Jersey Pine Barons, ending their season with a 4-4 record.
The Atlanta Valor and Bastion are usually seen together at events due to the two teams having a strong bond and proximity. Throughout the remainder of the year, Valor participated in several local events, with several of their members attending the always entertaining Dragoncon.
For a quick look behind the scenes, and to see what else the Valor has been up to this year, check out their season review video below from the Atlanta Armored Combat Club YouTube.
Atlanta Valor Social Media
Team Name: NYC Armored Combat
Fighting out of: New York
Captain: Marco Damiano
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 3-9
Another coalition of teams comes from the East, this one comprised of the various teams and clubs from New York City. Last year they were unable to escape their pool and advance in the bracket, but in the months since they have been hard at work to improve. Later in the season, they found victories over both Imperium and the Knight's Hall-trained team The Headsmen.
They are led by Marco Damiano, a member of the Team USA 16v16 team for the 2023 IMCF World Championships. Joining him is his brother, Armored Combat Sports featured Joseph Damiano who frequents the AMCF Pro Fight circuit.
New York City anything but idle this last year, attending Carolina Carnage, Siege 2024, Blood and Steel 7, Blood and Suds, and the AMCF 2024 qualifiers. This battle-hardened fight experience combined with a recent swelling of the ranks from more fighters joining the coalition allowing them to field not one but two NYC teams this year. This leaves NYC Armored Combat primed for a good showing at this year's Carolina Carnage Fest.
NYC Armored Combat regularly holds rooftop fights on the skyscrapers of NYC in the warmer months of the year. Keep an eye on their Facebook page as they announce events when the weather starts to warm.
NYC Armored Combat Social Media
Team Name: 'wesome 'possum
Fighting out of: South Carolina
Captain: Reid Weston
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 4-10
'wesome 'possum is a team that comes from the longest-running club in the southeast; The Palmetto Knights. This is the newest team to be built from this club and mostly consists of rookies and newcomers looking for an opportunity to fight. The Palmetto Knights club is known for founding and holding numerous events around the country, including Carolina Carnage Fest and Dragoncon, so this name is bound to come up a lot as you learn more about the sport.
Carolina Carnage last year was a rough time for the 'wesome 'possums, they picked up a victory over California-based Order of the Gauntlet and Rose but suffered losses to the rest of the teams in their pool, including a close fight against the Atlanta Valor a team we've covered above. Later in the year at Cincinnati Siege and Tournament of the Tower, they picked up victory over Hyperion and Imperium but were unable to secure a win over the other teams they faced.
With another year of experience under the belt of this rookie team, they'll be looking to make their home state proud at the upcoming Carolina Carnage Fest.
'wesome 'possums (Palmetto Knights) Social Media
Team Name: Cinanatti Barbarians
Fighting out of: Ohio
Captain: Travis Young
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 4-5
Founded in 2019, the Barbarians are the premiere team in Ohio. Last year they narrowly missed advanced from their pool, with a tournament record of 3-2. They achieved victories against the renowned Cerberus, the Twin City Wyverns, and the Canadian team Wendigo, but unfortunately were not able to defeat both the Berserkers and Company of the Pale Horse.
At their tournament "Cincinnati Siege" later that year, they again were unable to find the wins they needed to break out from their pool. The Barbarians picked up a win over the St. Louis Legion of Honor, but fell to the #3 Knyaz USA, the #6 Warpigs, and the #7 Iron Lions Vanguard.
The Barbarians regularly hold combat events at their training facility the Mt. Orab Sports Complex, as well as the Ohio Renaissance Festival. They have built a deep pool of fighters from the recruitment at these events, and are likely to field a mix of gung-ho rookies alongside their seasoned veterans as they pursue glory in the Silver Tier.
Cincinatti Barbarians Social Media
Rounding out the pack
The South Jersey Pine Barons and North Carolina based Imperium were winless in their season of MCUSA events last year. With fresh starts for the new year, they take the stage at the biggest event in the United States, and jockey for position amongst this year's Eastern Regional representatives. With a rich history within the sport, we look forward to reporting their future glories and conquests as the season unfolds.
Team Name: Pine Barons
Fighting out of: New Jersey
Captain: Christopher Torok
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 0-3
Team Name: Imperium
Fighting out of: North Carolina
Captain: Jason Noakes
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 0-10
On the horizon:
Over the next few weeks we'll be highlighting the teams from the Pacific and Midwest regions, the femme teams this year, and the Gold Tier teams scheduled to fight. We'll be announcing future articles on our socials, so be sure to follow our Facebook page to get informed when new posts are out.
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