Smoke on the Falls
2019-04-12 – 2019-04-13 · Gadsden, AL · 📍 1500 Noccalula Rd · State championship
Grand Champion: Contagious Q (699.9656) · 30 teams
Reserve Champion: 🥈 CHOOCHOO BBQ
Entries
49
6 judged meats
Top score
699.9656
Winning margin
9.7484
GC over RC
Field average
655.06
median 667.27
Tightest race
Chicken
1.7144 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
675.3024
10th place overall
Field spread
220.7084
winner to last place
Double threats
6
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 48%
beats 52% of 1951 Master Series wins in the data
Traveled in
22%
of the 79 teams with a home region came from outside AL
Form held
Weak
ρ = -0.11 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1504
avg power rating going in · stronger than 7% of contests
Storylines
👑 A dynasty in the making
The Specialists has won this contest 2 times across its 11 tracked editions.
💪 A statement win
The champion won by 9.7484 points — a wider margin than 90% of championships in the data.
📸 Photo finishes
Master Series — Chicken places 1–2: CONTAGIOUS Q and CHOOCHOO BBQ tied on 180.0000 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Chicken places 4–5: THE SPECIALISTS and HOT COLE'S BBQ tied on 174.2628 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Backyard Series — Chicken places 3–4: The 4th Little Pig and Slingin Pig Meat tied on 174.2628 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
🛡️ Back to defend
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: The Specialists (won 2015, 2018).
Score curves (score by finishing position — steep cliffs mean a spread field, flat lines a knife fight)
Category showdown (top / average / median score per meat)
Score distribution
Biggest rating movers (power-rating points won and lost at this contest)
Did form hold? (pre-contest rating vs overall finish — ratings called it if the dots climb to the right)
Where the field came from (home regions on file)
This contest over the years full contest page →
| Date | Where | Venue | Teams | High score | Grand Champion | Reserve Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-04-12 | Gadsden, AL | 34 | 696.5718 | SWIGGIN PIG | BIG BLUE QUE | |
| 2015-04-10 | Gadsden, AL 35904 | 34 | 699.9884 | The Specialists | UNCULTURED SWINE | |
| 2017-04-07 | 1500 Noccalula Rd | 28 | 704.5488 | SMOKIN BUTT CREW | Organizer Portal | |
| 2018-04-13 | 1500 Noccalula Rd | 38 | 697.1084 | THE SPECIALISTS | Organizer Portal | |
| 2019-04-12 ← this one | Gadsden, AL | 1500 Noccalula Rd | 30 | 699.9656 | Contagious Q | CHOOCHOO BBQ |
| 2020-09-18 | Gadsden, AL | 1500 Noccalula Rd | 28 | 699.3944 | Rooters-N-Tooters | UNDER THE RADAR |
| 2021-04-09 | Gadsden, AL | Gadsden, AL 35901 | 38 | 699.3600 | chicken fried bbq | LC BBQ |
| 2022-04-08 | Gadsden, AL | 1600 Noccalula Rd | 34 | 700.5028 | Smoke Me Silly | GETTIN' BASTED |
| 2023-04-07 | Gadsden, AL | 1600 Noccalula Rd | 39 | 690.8000 | We Will Rock 'Que | COOL HAND QUE |
| 2024-04-12 | Gadsden, AL | 1500 Noccalula Rd | 31 | 699.9428 | We Will Rock 'Que | FRED VEGAS SMOKERS |
| 2026-04-03 | Gadsden, AL | 1600 Noccalula Rd | 36 | 714.2628 | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | COOL HAND QUE |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Series — Chicken | 180.0000 | 174.2628 | 170.8112 |
| Master Series — Pork Ribs | 178.8572 | 172.5944 | 169.6916 |
| Master Series — Pork | 176.0000 | 172.0000 | 167.3828 |
| Master Series — Brisket | 175.4172 | 173.1428 | 169.6800 |
| Backyard Series — Chicken | 174.8572 | 173.1428 | 171.9772 |
| Backyard Series — Pork Ribs | 178.8572 | 174.2628 | 170.8344 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
30 entries · top 699.9656 · median 667.2684
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CONTAGIOUS Q | |
| 2 | CHOOCHOO BBQ | |
| 3 | FAT, DRUNK & STUPID | |
| 4 | SMOKE ON THIS | |
| 5 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 6 | BUNCH OF BUTTS | |
| 7 | Organizer Portal | |
| 8 | SMOKIN CHUCKS WAGON | |
| 9 | SHEATS SMOKED MEATS | |
| 10 | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | |
| 11 | THE SPECIALISTS | |
| 12 | Chokin "N" tha Smoke | |
| 13 | BEES KNEES BBQ TEAM | |
| 14 | JIGGY PIGGY | |
| 15 | EXTRA MILE BBQ | |
| 16 | SLAYTON'S BARBEQUE COMPANY | |
| 17 | BUSH LEAGUE BBQ | |
| 18 | Hammondville Hawg Mafia | |
| 19 | SMOKIN THE GOOD STUFF | |
| 20 | BALDY'S BUTTS | |
| 21 | STEWBABYS BBQ | |
| 22 | CRIMSON Q | |
| 23 | The Hicktown BBQ | |
| 24 | FAT BEAR BBQ | |
| 25 | East Coast BBQ | |
| 26 | BUTT NAKED AND SMOKIN | |
| 27 | Crazy Legs BBQ | |
| 28 | Blackstone BBQ | |
| 29 | BBQ A LA BAMA | |
| 30 | Pig out of Trion |
Chicken
30 entries · top 180.0000 · median 167.9600 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CONTAGIOUS Q | |
| 2 | CHOOCHOO BBQ | |
| 3 | Chokin "N" tha Smoke | |
| 4 | THE SPECIALISTS | |
| 5 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 6 | EXTRA MILE BBQ | |
| 7 | BUNCH OF BUTTS | |
| 8 | SLAYTON'S BARBEQUE COMPANY | |
| 9 | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | |
| 10 | SMOKE ON THIS | |
| 11 | STEWBABYS BBQ | |
| 12 | The Hicktown BBQ | |
| 13 | BEES KNEES BBQ TEAM | |
| 14 | CRIMSON Q | |
| 15 | Organizer Portal | |
| 16 | JIGGY PIGGY | |
| 17 | SMOKIN THE GOOD STUFF | |
| 18 | BALDY'S BUTTS | |
| 19 | FAT, DRUNK & STUPID | |
| 20 | SMOKIN CHUCKS WAGON | |
| 21 | Hammondville Hawg Mafia | |
| 22 | BUSH LEAGUE BBQ | |
| 23 | BBQ A LA BAMA | |
| 24 | Crazy Legs BBQ | |
| 25 | SHEATS SMOKED MEATS | |
| 26 | FAT BEAR BBQ | |
| 27 | Blackstone BBQ | |
| 28 | Pig out of Trion | |
| 29 | BUTT NAKED AND SMOKIN | |
| 30 | East Coast BBQ |
Pork Ribs
30 entries · top 178.8572 · median 165.3886
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BEES KNEES BBQ TEAM | |
| 2 | SHEATS SMOKED MEATS | |
| 3 | Organizer Portal | |
| 4 | SMOKE ON THIS | |
| 5 | FAT, DRUNK & STUPID | |
| 6 | THE SPECIALISTS | |
| 7 | CONTAGIOUS Q | |
| 8 | SMOKIN CHUCKS WAGON | |
| 9 | Chokin "N" tha Smoke | |
| 10 | JIGGY PIGGY | |
| 11 | BUNCH OF BUTTS | |
| 12 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 13 | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | |
| 14 | STEWBABYS BBQ | |
| 15 | BUSH LEAGUE BBQ | |
| 16 | EXTRA MILE BBQ | |
| 17 | CHOOCHOO BBQ | |
| 18 | Pig out of Trion | |
| 19 | SMOKIN THE GOOD STUFF | |
| 20 | East Coast BBQ | |
| 21 | CRIMSON Q | |
| 22 | BUTT NAKED AND SMOKIN | |
| 23 | SLAYTON'S BARBEQUE COMPANY | |
| 24 | Blackstone BBQ | |
| 25 | Hammondville Hawg Mafia | |
| 26 | The Hicktown BBQ | |
| 27 | Crazy Legs BBQ | |
| 28 | BBQ A LA BAMA | |
| 29 | BALDY'S BUTTS | |
| 30 | FAT BEAR BBQ |
Pork
29 entries · top 176.0000 · median 165.1200
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHOOCHOO BBQ | |
| 2 | CONTAGIOUS Q | |
| 3 | FAT, DRUNK & STUPID | |
| 4 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 5 | Hammondville Hawg Mafia | |
| 6 | SHEATS SMOKED MEATS | |
| 7 | BALDY'S BUTTS | |
| 8 | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | |
| 9 | JIGGY PIGGY | |
| 10 | BUNCH OF BUTTS | |
| 11 | BUTT NAKED AND SMOKIN | |
| 12 | SMOKIN CHUCKS WAGON | |
| 13 | BUSH LEAGUE BBQ | |
| 14 | SMOKIN THE GOOD STUFF | |
| 15 | FAT BEAR BBQ | |
| 16 | CRIMSON Q | |
| 17 | SMOKE ON THIS | |
| 18 | Crazy Legs BBQ | |
| 19 | STEWBABYS BBQ | |
| 20 | Organizer Portal | |
| 21 | EXTRA MILE BBQ | |
| 22 | SLAYTON'S BARBEQUE COMPANY | |
| 23 | BEES KNEES BBQ TEAM | |
| 24 | Chokin "N" tha Smoke | |
| 25 | The Hicktown BBQ | |
| 26 | THE SPECIALISTS | |
| 27 | East Coast BBQ | |
| 28 | Blackstone BBQ | |
| 29 | BBQ A LA BAMA |
Brisket
30 entries · top 175.4172 · median 166.2456
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FAT, DRUNK & STUPID | |
| 2 | SMOKE ON THIS | |
| 3 | SMOKIN CHUCKS WAGON | |
| 4 | Organizer Portal | |
| 5 | CONTAGIOUS Q | |
| 6 | SLAYTON'S BARBEQUE COMPANY | |
| 7 | BUNCH OF BUTTS | |
| 8 | THE SPECIALISTS | |
| 9 | CHOOCHOO BBQ | |
| 10 | EXTRA MILE BBQ | |
| 11 | BALDY'S BUTTS | |
| 12 | SHEATS SMOKED MEATS | |
| 13 | BUSH LEAGUE BBQ | |
| 14 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 15 | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | |
| 16 | JIGGY PIGGY | |
| 17 | Hammondville Hawg Mafia | |
| 18 | Chokin "N" tha Smoke | |
| 19 | SMOKIN THE GOOD STUFF | |
| 20 | East Coast BBQ | |
| 21 | The Hicktown BBQ | |
| 22 | BEES KNEES BBQ TEAM | |
| 23 | Pig out of Trion | |
| 24 | CRIMSON Q | |
| 25 | STEWBABYS BBQ | |
| 26 | FAT BEAR BBQ | |
| 27 | BUTT NAKED AND SMOKIN | |
| 28 | BBQ A LA BAMA | |
| 29 | Crazy Legs BBQ | |
| 30 | Blackstone BBQ |
Backyard Series
Overall
49 entries · top 346.8456 · median 327.9200
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PERFECTLY BLENDED | |
| 2 | Dixie Pigs & Chick's BBQ Team | |
| 3 | HICKORY HANGOVER | |
| 4 | 2nd Hand Smoke | |
| 5 | The 4th Little Pig | |
| 6 | SOUTH RYLAND | |
| 7 | Thin Blue Swine | |
| 8 | LEE LA Q | |
| 9 | SWEET CHEEKS BBQ | |
| 10 | Slingin Pig Meat | |
| 11 | BAMA BOYS BBQ | |
| 12 | Cala-Bama Q | |
| 13 | Riblife | |
| 14 | Smokin a Fatty | |
| 15 | PUCKDADDY'S KILLER Q | |
| 16 | DANG GOOD BBQ | |
| 17 | BAMA QUE'N & BREW'N | |
| 18 | Bubba-Q | |
| 19 | Silence of the Hams | |
| 20 | SWINE N BRINE BBQ TEAM | |
| 21 | HOLY SMOKIN!!! | |
| 22 | Cuz it Hurtts | |
| 23 | Poppalicious | |
| 24 | JT'S SMOKE SHACK | |
| 25 | SWINEBERG'S BBQ | |
| 26 | NATIVE SMOKERS BBQ | |
| 27 | HOGS & KISSES | |
| 28 | SMOKIN' HOT ASHES | |
| 29 | 4 Seasons BBQ | |
| 30 | All Smoked Up | |
| 31 | Simply Smoked | |
| 32 | BILLY MAC BBQ | |
| 33 | Bust | |
| 34 | Saucy Swine BBQ | |
| 35 | Rolling Tide Smoking Butts | |
| 36 | PARTTY ALL KNIGHT | |
| 37 | TASTY CRITTERS | |
| 38 | HELL ON SQUEALS | |
| 39 | Pork Life | |
| 40 | Rollin Smoke | |
| 41 | Circle W Meats | |
| 42 | A Pirate Looks at Porky | |
| 43 | Green Machine | |
| 44 | Ain't Life Grand | |
| 45 | Cowboys & Saints | |
| 46 | JoJo's Butts | |
| 47 | Smokey & The Bandits BBQ | |
| 48 | REDBONES BBQ | |
| 49 | Ribs For Your Pleasure |
Chicken
49 entries · top 174.8572 · median 163.9544
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riblife | |
| 2 | LEE LA Q | |
| 3 | The 4th Little Pig | |
| 4 | Slingin Pig Meat | |
| 5 | PERFECTLY BLENDED | |
| 6 | BAMA BOYS BBQ | |
| 7 | SWINE N BRINE BBQ TEAM | |
| 8 | Poppalicious | |
| 9 | SOUTH RYLAND | |
| 10 | DANG GOOD BBQ | |
| 11 | Dixie Pigs & Chick's BBQ Team | |
| 12 | HICKORY HANGOVER | |
| 13 | Thin Blue Swine | |
| 14 | SMOKIN' HOT ASHES | |
| 15 | HOGS & KISSES | |
| 16 | Cala-Bama Q | |
| 17 | BAMA QUE'N & BREW'N | |
| 18 | PUCKDADDY'S KILLER Q | |
| 19 | SWEET CHEEKS BBQ | |
| 20 | 2nd Hand Smoke | |
| 21 | Bust | |
| 22 | All Smoked Up | |
| 23 | Cuz it Hurtts | |
| 24 | Bubba-Q | |
| 25 | HELL ON SQUEALS | |
| 26 | Silence of the Hams | |
| 27 | HOLY SMOKIN!!! | |
| 28 | REDBONES BBQ | |
| 29 | Smokin a Fatty | |
| 30 | PARTTY ALL KNIGHT | |
| 31 | NATIVE SMOKERS BBQ | |
| 32 | SWINEBERG'S BBQ | |
| 33 | Pork Life | |
| 34 | Ribs For Your Pleasure | |
| 35 | Simply Smoked | |
| 36 | JT'S SMOKE SHACK | |
| 37 | Cowboys & Saints | |
| 38 | TASTY CRITTERS | |
| 39 | 4 Seasons BBQ | |
| 40 | JoJo's Butts | |
| 41 | Circle W Meats | |
| 42 | BILLY MAC BBQ | |
| 43 | Green Machine | |
| 44 | A Pirate Looks at Porky | |
| 45 | Rolling Tide Smoking Butts | |
| 46 | Saucy Swine BBQ | |
| 47 | Rollin Smoke | |
| 48 | Ain't Life Grand | |
| 49 | Smokey & The Bandits BBQ |
Pork Ribs
47 entries · top 178.8572 · median 166.2516
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2nd Hand Smoke | |
| 2 | Dixie Pigs & Chick's BBQ Team | |
| 3 | SWEET CHEEKS BBQ | |
| 4 | HICKORY HANGOVER | |
| 5 | Smokin a Fatty | |
| 6 | PERFECTLY BLENDED | |
| 7 | Thin Blue Swine | |
| 8 | SOUTH RYLAND | |
| 9 | Silence of the Hams | |
| 10 | Cala-Bama Q | |
| 11 | PUCKDADDY'S KILLER Q | |
| 12 | Bubba-Q | |
| 13 | Saucy Swine BBQ | |
| 14 | The 4th Little Pig | |
| 15 | BILLY MAC BBQ | |
| 16 | 4 Seasons BBQ | |
| 17 | Rolling Tide Smoking Butts | |
| 18 | HOLY SMOKIN!!! | |
| 19 | JT'S SMOKE SHACK | |
| 20 | LEE LA Q | |
| 21 | BAMA QUE'N & BREW'N | |
| 22 | Cuz it Hurtts | |
| 23 | Slingin Pig Meat | |
| 24 | SWINEBERG'S BBQ | |
| 25 | NATIVE SMOKERS BBQ | |
| 26 | BAMA BOYS BBQ | |
| 27 | DANG GOOD BBQ | |
| 28 | Simply Smoked | |
| 29 | Riblife | |
| 30 | TASTY CRITTERS | |
| 31 | Rollin Smoke | |
| 32 | SWINE N BRINE BBQ TEAM | |
| 33 | All Smoked Up | |
| 34 | Bust | |
| 35 | HOGS & KISSES | |
| 36 | SMOKIN' HOT ASHES | |
| 37 | PARTTY ALL KNIGHT | |
| 38 | Poppalicious | |
| 39 | HELL ON SQUEALS | |
| 40 | Circle W Meats | |
| 41 | Ain't Life Grand | |
| 42 | Pork Life | |
| 43 | A Pirate Looks at Porky | |
| 44 | Green Machine | |
| 45 | Cowboys & Saints | |
| 46 | Smokey & The Bandits BBQ | |
| 47 | JoJo's Butts |