Power Rankings: Doubles
In the world of Cornhole, where the stakes are high and the bags fly with deadly accuracy, the doubles teams of the American Cornhole League have been battling it out with all the finesse of a tipsy uncle at a backyard barbecue. With their eyes on the prize and their hands full of resin-coated bags, these teams have left a trail of victories, defeats, and some moments that would make even the most stoic of cornhole aficionados crack a smile.
Let’s dive into the power rankings and see who’s on fire and who’s... well, not quite there yet.
Tanner Halbert (Left), Jacob Trzcienski (Right) after their recent Bag Brawl victory
Halbert/Trzcienski
Fresh off an impressive Bag Brawl victory Halbert and Trzcienski have taken over the number 1 spot. Recency bias? Of course, but winning a NATIONAL matters….that and the rest of the rest of the field has been about as inconsistent as they have been. From 7th at the kick-off to 5th at Cornhole Mania, these two have just gotten better each time we see them. Beating two of the teams on this list (Rawls/Holland & Smith/Richards) to win the Bag Brawl helps too.Ellis/Hart
Ellis and Hart are the definition of a rollercoaster ride. From Eighth in their bracket at the kickoff battle, to winning Cornhole Mania then placing fourth in the bracket at Bag Brawl, they’re either on top of the world or wondering where it all went wrong. Consistency might not be their strong suit, but they have shown the ability to win an entire event which certainly matters most.Smith/Richards
Remember this offseason when it was announced that these two (reigning MVP’s) were teaming up?? Some thought they might just run away with the entire season…and then they go out and win the Kickoff Battle. Everyone else is just playing for 2nd right? Well, they follow-up their big win with an abysmal 14th place bracket finish at Cornhole Mania, but then totally redeem themselves by taking 2nd overall at the Bag Brawl. Two out of Three events went well for them…but that 14 place finish lingers. Are they who we thought they were?
Ryan Smith (Left), Ryan Wiedenfeld (Right)
4. Smith/Weidenfeld
Smith and Weidenfeld have been proving big event after big event that they belong among the top teams. Statistically speaking, no other pro team in the ACL has been as consistent this season with their worst finish being a 3rd place bracket finish at the recent Bag Brawl. Adding a win to their resume should catapult them to the top. Question remains, will they pull it off this year?
5. Holland/Rawls
Going into this season, when this team was announced, I think most assumed they would be really good. The result? They are really good together. Holland and Rawls have been steadily climbing the ladder. Through three National events they have logged a T-3rd at Bag Brawl and had respectable showings at both the Cornhole Mania and the Kickoff Battle. They are just a tough out at every big event.
6. Chamberlain/Burton Jr.
Chamberlain and Burton Jr. make the list as they have consistently improved their finishes at each National, capping it off with a recent T-3rd at the Bag Brawl. They might not always grab the spotlight, but they’re the kind of dependable like that one friend who always brings extra snacks.
7. Bernacet/Lopez Jr.
This a team that most might be surprised to see make the list. But for losers like myself…it just makes sense. The 2nd most statistically consistent team this year, Bernacet and Lopez Jr. are the perennial runners-up. Second place bracket finishes at the Kickoff Battle, Cornhole Mania and Bag Brawl, —you get the idea. They’ve got the 2nd place in their bracket thing down, but can they turn those near-wins into a victory dance? We are all waiting to see.
8. Malone/Harbaugh
In the offseason, not many new teams made headlines like Harbaugh and Malone. Agreeing to play together, these two were positioned to be the “Gold Star” team for Ultra Cornhole. What’s not to love? If you are a fan of Professional Cornhole then you are aware that Kyle Malone has been one of the best doubles players in the game for several years. You put a Guy as talented as Harbaugh across from him?? Good things happen right? Well overall it has been a solid season, but a bit more up and down than I would have originally expected. A 2nd place finish at Cornhole Mania certainly helped, but a 4th and 7th place bracket finish keeps them outside the top 5…for now.
9. Hamilton/Cano
Heading into the 2024 season Hamilton and Cano were widely considered one of the top teams in the country. A team that’s always in the mix, but has struggled to finish the job, they showed they are more than capable of winning their brackets (Tied for third at Cornhole Mania and the Kickoff), but a disappointing 16th at Bag Brawl means they’ve got some catching up to do. They’ve got potential, but potential doesn’t win you games.
10. Davis/Sorrells
Entering this season I am not sure anyone really knew what to make of this duo. Sorrells has had success in doubles in the past and is without question playing with his most talented pro partner. These two have had a very solid season thus far, but outside of the pro shootout events, they haven’t been able to win their bracket (which is why they sit where they sit). The pro shootout win and a recent runner-up finish in their bag brawl bracket helped them to edge out a few other teams that were in consideration for a top 10 spot.
Honorable Mention:
Graham/Modlin: Teaming back up together, these two have shown the ability to win their bracket and make the main stage. They are left out of the top 10 as the level of consistency hasn’t been there. You just can’t count them out though as Graham has a tendency to show-out at the World Championships…and we aren’t talking about his Zuca Bag.
Hunt/Silker: 5th in bracket at kickoff, 2nd in bracket at Bag brawl, 5th in bracket at Cornhole Mania (16); Theis team was about as close to the top 10 as you could get. Statistically speaking, this team has been more consistent than several teams in our top 10….but that elusive bracket win keeps them just outside. The Final Chase and World Championships are left and Tommy Silker could sneak into ROY consideration with a bracket win…or two.
Soto/Gore: This team is just oozing with talent. These young guns have had a great season as first year partners as they currently sit T-10th in overall Pro double’s standings. They are outside of the top ten this time because I just don’t love seeing their finishes getting worse each National (5th in bracket at bag brawl, 4th in bracket at Cornhole Mania, 2nd in bracket kickoff).
National 4 (The Final Chase) is right around the corner. Each event we have seen shake-ups in the power rankings. One could argue that the “inconsistency” we have seen at the top is testament to the incredibly deep pro field of the ACL. Do we see a dark horse team thrown into the mix for Doubles team of the year, or will one of the top teams solidify their place as THE BEST? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!!
