Several Billiards Champions Eliminated at Viking Billiard Event

by InsidePOOL Staff

In the 4 p.m. round of the Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour's National Championship event, Earl Strickland, Corey Deuel, and John Schmidt took an early exit, surprising the standing-room-only crowd at The Pool Room in Duluth, GA.

Viking Tour Championship photo gallery

Larry "The Truth" Nevel, a former world all-around champion at the Derby City Classic, was responsible for ousting Strickland, who lost earlier in the day to Justin Hall 11-9 after being up 8-1. Corey Deuel was handed his walking papers courtesy of Donnie Mills of Florida 11-6, and reigning U.S. Open champ John "Mr. 400" Schmidt went out 11-6 to Johnny Archer.

"I can't beat Johnny Archer because he always seems to get to eleven before I do. I can't figure it out," Schmidt joked. "I think I try too hard and I expect that I'm gonna lose, because I've lost to him four or fives times in a row now, and I'm kind of going into it with a bad attitude, like it's not a matter of whether I'm gonna lose or not, it's by how much … I don't think I'd have won the Open if I'd had to play him, because I always lose to him."

In the 6 p.m. round, all remaining 16 players were in action, with Dennis "The Hatchetman" Hatch was first to finish, defeating Justin Hall 11-2. Johnny Archer was next, sending Jim Jennings home early 11-6. David Broxon, who took third place at the U.S. Open this year, besting Jerry Slivka 11-3. Jesse Middlebrook won a double-hill match over Donnie Mills, Steve Moore sent Keith Bennett to the one-loss side 11-6, and Stoney Stone dealt Shannon Daulton his first loss 11-8.

Winner of the mini tournament last Tuesday evening, Sparky Ferrell is still in fine form this evening, coming out the 11-4 winner of his winners'-bracket match over road player Chris Bartram. "I played pretty good, didn't I? I'm getting in gear!" Ferrell said excitedly. "I'm just focusing on what I'm here to do, and that's win. Just focusing. One hundred percent. I just feel like I'm gonna take it all."

Only six players will return on Sunday, with the championship match to take place at 6 p.m. Also, www.propoolvideo.com will be onsite at the event and providing live Internet broadcasting.

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