Second-seeded Jacob “Fancy” Worthington and second-seeded Jonathan “JonBeast” Marquez advanced to the $1 million Madden Championship Series semifinals with one-sided wins on Wednesday.
Fancy, of Frisco, Texas, a two-time MCS tournament champion, produced a 34-21 victory over eighth-seeded Wesley “Wesley” Gittens of Austin Texas. Wesley is the second leading cash winner in series history.
JonBeast of Hartford, Conn., one of only three players to win three MCS title belts, powered to a 44-16 victory over 10th seed David “DavidT” Tampellini of Patchogue, NY.
Fancy and JonBeast will play their semi-finals on Jan. 29 against candidates. With one win, they will face each other in the Madden Bowl.
Earlier on Wednesday, the last two matches of the first round were held. No. 12 Tyjhir “TJ” Joyner of Dover, Del., pulled out a 37-36 win over No. 5 Dwayne “Cleff” Wood of Oak Hill, Fla.; and No. 13 Taylor “BigTay” Hodge of Atlanta knocked off No. 4 Christian “No Mercy Lambo” Webb of Hagerstown, Md., 45-38.
TJ and BigTay are each seeking their first MCS title.
The MCS playoffs resume on January 29 with four games:
–Finals: No. 3 Abram “Abram” Joseph of Houston vs. No. 11 Seamus “Kiv” Kivlen from Seattle
–Finals: TJ vs. BigTay
— Semi final: JonBeast vs. Abram/Kiv winner
–Semifinals: Fancy vs. TJ/BigTay the winner
The Madden Bowl is scheduled for Feb. 7 in New Orleans, the same city where the Super Bowl will be held two days later. Singer/songwriter Chris Stapleton, rapper/singer Jelly Roll and country/hip-hop artist Shaboozey will perform at the Madden Bowl.
Madden Championship Series prize pool ($1 million total)
1. $250,000
2. $150,000
3-4. $100,000
5-8. $55,000 — Wesley, DavidT, two players TBD
9-14. $30,000 — Astro, Dez, sYoDrip, MrFootball88, Cleff, Lambo
–Field Level Media