Perfect scores on the board
2 perfect 180s in the data — every judge at the table handing back a nine, across 2 different meats.
- Chicken ×1
- Pork Ribs ×1
Backwoods BBQ is a competition barbecue team with 67 Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) contests on record between 2013 and 2026. They have won 2 Grand Championships, most recently at The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival (2020), and finished Reserve Grand Champion 3 times. They are ranked #1054 of 6,476 teams in the KCBS power rankings.
These overall scores sit on different scales (Master out of 720, Backyard out of 360), so they're kept separate — averaging them together would be misleading.
This team cooks the Backyard series — its own boards, records and Team of the Year are here.
| Year | Series | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 ↗ | Master | #835 (130 pts) | #837 (170 pts) | #1020 (120 pts) | #619 (270 pts) | #830 (155 pts) |
| 2024 ↗ | Master | #878 (120 pts) | #977 (120 pts) | #997 (125 pts) | #717 (225 pts) | #922 (120 pts) |
| 2022 ↗ | Master | #1309 (60 pts) | #1260 (80 pts) | #1240 (100 pts) | #1348 (60 pts) | #1333 (60 pts) |
| 2021 ↗ | Master | #664 (227 pts) | #666 (247 pts) | #474 (432 pts) | #728 (207 pts) | #617 (282 pts) |
| 2015 ↗ | Master | #213 (1,447 pts) | #95 (1,782 pts) | #258 (1,257 pts) | #294 (1,132 pts) | #178 (1,607 pts) |
| 2014 ↗ | Master | #506 (754 pts) | #670 (564 pts) | #401 (959 pts) | #285 (1,189 pts) | #612 (599 pts) |
| 2013 ↗ | Master | #1564 (145 pts) | #1885 (105 pts) | #2017 (80 pts) | #2080 (75 pts) | #1625 (140 pts) |
The teams rated closest to Backwoods BBQ, each with one reason worth a look.
One contest in common so far: too few to settle anything, but a team Backwoods BBQ has actually stood beside rather than a stranger on the same rating.
⚔ Head-to-headCareers of much the same size, 65 contests to 67, so neither rating has had more chance to settle than the other.
⚔ Compare careers34 contests and no Grand Championship yet — a rating made of 24% top-10 finishes rather than wins.
⚔ Compare careersTheir last contest in the data was back in 2017, 9 years before Backwoods BBQ's most recent — their rating stopped moving when they stopped cooking.
⚔ Compare careersLevel with Backwoods BBQ on power rating, which is the whole reason they're on the list.
⚔ Compare careersThis is the highest they've ever been rated, 18 rated contests in — a team sitting at its own career peak.
⚔ Compare careers| Opponent | Meetings | Ahead | Behind | Win rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELITE BBQ SMOKERS | 31 | 15 | 16 | 48% | ⚔ compare |
| ULTIMATE TAILGATERS BBQ | 29 | 12 | 17 | 41% | ⚔ compare |
| Bald Hawg BBQ | 27 | 9 | 18 | 33% | ⚔ compare |
| MUTTLEY CREW BBQ | 27 | 7 | 20 | 26% | ⚔ compare |
| YES, DEAR BBQ | 25 | 8 | 16 | 32% | ⚔ compare |
| Smoke Central BBQ | 24 | 8 | 16 | 33% | ⚔ compare |
| QMEISTERS | 22 | 14 | 8 | 64% | ⚔ compare |
| SAUCED! BBQ TEAM | 22 | 5 | 17 | 23% | ⚔ compare |
| SMOKIN SKULLIES | 21 | 6 | 15 | 29% | ⚔ compare |
| PIG ON FIRE | 20 | 14 | 6 | 70% | ⚔ compare |
| HOT WACHULA'S | 20 | 8 | 12 | 40% | ⚔ compare |
| THE SMOKEHOUSE MAFIA | 20 | 3 | 17 | 15% | ⚔ compare |
| MAYA JANE BBQ CO. | 19 | 8 | 10 | 42% | ⚔ compare |
| SMOKING BUTT HEADS | 19 | 8 | 11 | 42% | ⚔ compare |
| MIDNIGHT BURN | 19 | 6 | 13 | 32% | ⚔ compare |
| Category | Entries | Calls | Wins | Podiums | Best | Worst | Average | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 64 | 23 | 3 | 8 | 180 🔥 | 121.0744 | 165.59 | top 43% |
| Pork Ribs | 64 | 24 | 2 | 12 | 180 🔥 | 141.6684 | 166.24 | top 43% |
| Pork | 57 | 16 | 4 | 5 | 176.5600 | 148.5144 | 165.45 | top 50% |
| Brisket | 56 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 177.7144 | 127.9316 | 164.27 | top 50% |
“Calls” = top-10 category finishes (getting called to the stage). Scores here are the final weighted totals KCBS publishes; per-criterion appearance/taste/tenderness marks aren’t in the public results feed.
| Field | Contests | GCs | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (<20 teams) | 2 | 0 | top 47% |
| Medium (20–39) | 36 | 2 | top 41% |
| Large (40+) | 25 | 0 | top 49% |
| Contest | Visits | Best | GCs | Avg finish | Last visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival | 7 | 1 | 1 | top 11% | Oct 3, 2025 |
| SC Festival of Discovery | 7 | 6 | 0 | top 36% | Jul 9, 2021 |
| South Carolina Festival of Discovery | 5 | 41 | 0 | top 64% | Jul 9, 2026 |
| Boss Hog State Championship Cook-Off | 4 | 4 | 0 | top 30% | May 9, 2025 |
| Papa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival | 3 | 31 | 0 | top 59% | May 25, 2018 |
| Sam's Club National BBQ Tour | 3 | 9 | 0 | top 39% | Aug 11, 2017 |
| Fiddle-N-Pig Shindig | 2 | 1 | 1 | top 9% | Sep 11, 2015 |
| Sam's Club National BBQ Tour (Regional) | 2 | 11 | 0 | top 51% | Aug 25, 2017 |
| Sam's Club National BBQ Tour | 2 | 6 | 0 | top 25% | Aug 18, 2017 |
| Piggin In The Park (PALMETTO BBQ SERIES) | 2 | 4 | 0 | top 15% | Jun 2, 2017 |
| Low Country Hog Fest | 2 | 2 | 0 | top 21% | Sep 4, 2015 |
| Swing | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| +15 | The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival | Oct 9, 2020 |
| +14.7 | Fiddle-N-Pig Shindig | Sep 11, 2015 |
| +13.6 | Low Country Hog Fest | Sep 4, 2015 |
| +13 | SC Festival of Discovery | Jul 11, 2013 |
| +12.6 | Boss Hog State Championship Cook-OFF (GBC Qualifier) | May 12, 2017 |
| Swing | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| -18.8 | Torry Island BBQ Showdown | Mar 1, 2024 |
| -18.1 | BBQ Blues & Brews on the Bay (JUDGES FULL) | May 26, 2018 |
| -17.4 | SC Festival of Discovery | Jul 7, 2016 |
| -14.8 | Ottumwa Smoketoberfest | Oct 2, 2020 |
| -13.8 | Grand Lake BBQ Festival | May 15, 2015 |
| Season | Contests | GCs | Top-10s | Category wins | Walk rate | Avg finish | Best overall (% of perfect) | Avg overall (% of perfect) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 100% | top 76% | 93.3% | 93.3% |
| 2025 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 67% | top 47% | 93.6% | 90.5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | top 75% | 94.7% | 86.6% |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 100% | top 48% | 93.6% | 91.2% |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50% | top 26% | 94% | 91.6% |
| 2021 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50% | top 52% | 94.7% | 90.8% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 50% | top 49% | 93.6% | 88.7% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 100% | top 15% | 80.6% | 80.6% |
| 2018 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | top 63% | 94% | 90.3% |
| 2017 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 55% | top 36% | 95.6% | 93.9% |
| 2016 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 67% | top 45% | 95.1% | 90.1% |
| 2015 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 79% | top 41% | 97.7% | 92.1% |
| 2014 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 71% | top 40% | 94.7% | 91.9% |
| 2013 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50% | top 48% | 93.3% | 91% |
| Date | Event | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 9, 2026 | South Carolina Festival of Discovery 🏅 Greenwood, SC | 57 / 75 (671.8284) | 61 (166.2516) | 1 (180) | 46 (168.5256) | 68 (157.0512) |
| Oct 3, 2025 | The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival 🏅 Lyons, GA | 3 / 32 (313.0400) | 4 (150.2172) | 3 (162.8228) | — | — |
| Jul 10, 2025 | South Carolina Festival of Discovery 🏅 Greenwood, SC | 51 / 66 (654.7196) | 48 (163.4172) | 57 (158.2284) | 55 (159.9312) | 18 (173.1428) |
| May 9, 2025 | Boss Hog State Championship Cook-Off 🏅 Waynesboro, GA | 23 / 42 (674.1604) | 15 (171.9888) | 28 (166.2516) | 4 (176.5600) | 32 (159.3600) |
| Jul 11, 2024 | South Carolina Festival of Discovery 🏅 Greenwood, SC | 41 / 76 (681.6000) | 50 (169.6800) | 24 (173.1200) | 46 (169.1200) | 44 (169.6800) |
| Mar 1, 2024 | Torry Island BBQ Showdown 🏅 Belle Glade, FL | 20 / 21 (564.9140) | 21 (135.9200) | 21 (141.6684) | 18 (153.6684) | 20 (133.6572) |
| Nov 17, 2023 | Atlanta BBQ Store Classic 🏅 Cumming, GA | 40 / 60 (673.6120) | 38 (169.1316) | 44 (167.3944) | 7 (175.4288) | 53 (161.6572) |
| Oct 6, 2023 | The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival 🏅 Lyons, GA | 3 / 29 (315.9768) | 3 (153.6912) | 3 (162.2856) | — | — |
| Jul 6, 2023 | South Carolina Festival of Discovery 🏅 Greenwood, SC | 50 / 76 (663.9200) | 5 (177.7144) | 48 (165.1200) | 64 (158.2628) | 54 (162.8228) |
| Oct 7, 2022 | The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival 🏅 Lyons, GA | 2 / 30 (321.1428) | 3 (155.4172) | 4 (165.7256) | — | — |
| Jul 7, 2022 | South Carolina Festival of Discovery 🏅 Greenwood, SC | 42 / 92 (676.5028) | 21 (172.5600) | 17 (175.4172) | 72 (161.6456) | 45 (166.8800) |
| Oct 8, 2021 | The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival 🏅 Lyons, GA | 2 / 26 (300.0116) | 3 (138.8344) | 2 (161.1772) | — | — |
| Jul 9, 2021 | SC Festival of Discovery 🏅 Greenwood, SC | 24 / 81 (682.1944) | 16 (173.1316) | 13 (174.2628) | 42 (166.2744) | 33 (168.5256) |
| May 22, 2021 | GA - BBQ Shoot Out Day 2 🏅 Evans, GA | 19 / 21 (664.9712) | 21 (160.5028) | 16 (169.1200) | 20 (165.0856) | 11 (170.2628) |
| May 21, 2021 | GA - BBQ Shoot Out Day 1 🏅 Evans, GA | 17 / 21 (668.4228) | 19 (163.3944) | 3 (173.1084) | 19 (162.2400) | 13 (169.6800) |
| Oct 9, 2020 | The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival 🏅 Lyons, GA | 1 / 37 (337.1200) | 6 (158.8000) | 1 (178.3200) | — | — |
| Oct 2, 2020 | Ottumwa Smoketoberfest 🏅 Ottumwa, IA | 63 / 66 (602.7772) | 66 (142.2744) | 59 (154.3200) | 64 (148.5144) | 56 (157.6684) |
| Oct 11, 2019 | The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival 🏅 Lyons, GA | 4 / 27 (290.2744) | 9 (121.0744) | 2 (169.2000) | — | — |
| Oct 12, 2018 | The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival Lyons, GA | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jul 12, 2018 | SC Festival Of Discovery Greenwood, SC | 25 / 89 (677.0972) | 47 (163.9772) | 11 (174.8572) | 20 (170.2972) | 30 (167.9656) |
| May 26, 2018 | BBQ Blues & Brews on the Bay (JUDGES FULL) North Bend, OR | 32 / 35 (618.1144) | 35 (150.8000) | 18 (161.6800) | 26 (155.3944) | 31 (150.2400) |
| May 25, 2018 | Papa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival Evans, GA | 51 / 72 (655.2112) | 37 (168.5372) | 45 (166.2400) | 67 (157.6456) | 51 (162.7884) |
| Oct 13, 2017 | The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival (GBC Qualifier) Lyons, GA | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sep 1, 2017 | Beach Boogie and BBQ Festival (PALMETTO BBQ SERIES) Myrtle Beach, SC | 17 / 25 (661.0056) | 17 (167.4172) | 18 (166.2400) | 12 (166.2400) | 15 (161.1084) |
| Aug 25, 2017 | Sam's Club National BBQ Tour (Regional) Richmond, VA | 18 / 29 (669.6228) | 15 (170.8228) | 14 (167.9772) | 15 (166.8456) | 22 (163.9772) |
| Aug 18, 2017 | Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Asheville, NC | 6 / 29 (675.3940) | 4 (172.5828) | 3 (171.9884) | 11 (166.8228) | 20 (164) |
| Aug 11, 2017 | Sam's Club National BBQ Tour N. Charleston, SC | 13 / 27 (669.6800) | 2 (176) | 18 (163.4172) | 15 (165.7372) | 14 (164.5256) |
| Jul 28, 2017 | Smoke on the Shrine Lake & Bluegrass Festival (PALMETTO BBQ SERIES) Summerville, SC | 5 / 25 (682.2056) | 19 (165.6684) | 5 (172.0116) | 13 (169.1200) | 4 (175.4056) |
| Jul 6, 2017 | SC Festival of Discovery (PALMETTO BBQ SERIES) Greenwood, SC | 6 / 89 (687.9888) | 20 (171.4400) | 9 (174.2744) | 7 (173.7488) | 23 (168.5256) |
| Jun 2, 2017 | Piggin In The Park (PALMETTO BBQ SERIES) Woodruff, SC | 4 / 44 (687.3716) | 2 (178.8800) | 19 (167.4060) | 8 (171.9772) | 8 (169.1084) |
| May 26, 2017 | Papa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival (GBC Qualifier) Evans, GA | 39 / 67 (670.6972) | 24 (173.1084) | 53 (163.9544) | 26 (168.5372) | 40 (165.0972) |
| May 12, 2017 | Boss Hog State Championship Cook-OFF (GBC Qualifier) 🏅 Waynesboro, GA | 4 / 42 (686.7424) | 5 (174.8456) | 9 (172.5484) | 20 (167.3828) | 7 (171.9656) |
| Mar 10, 2017 | Flames on the Flint Bainbridge, GA | 36 / 67 (668.4688) | 11 (174.2744) | 37 (165.1200) | 57 (159.9544) | 26 (169.1200) |
| Oct 7, 2016 | The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival (GBC Qualifier) Lyons, GA | 7 / 26 (685.0516) | 4 (174.8572) | 4 (176.5600) | 11 (166.2400) | 18 (167.3944) |
| Aug 12, 2016 | Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Richmond, VA | 11 / 28 (660.4568) | 15 (164.5600) | 6 (169.1200) | 12 (166.2856) | 15 (160.4912) |
| Jul 29, 2016 | Smoke on the Shrine Lake & Bluesgrass Festival Summerville, SC | 14 / 22 (667.8744) | 14 (168.5256) | 12 (168.5600) | 7 (170.8344) | 19 (159.9544) |
| Jul 7, 2016 | SC Festival of Discovery Greenwood, SC | 81 / 82 (505.6688) | 13 (170.8228) | 12 (170.8688) | 36 (163.9772) | — |
| Jun 3, 2016 | Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Asheville, NC | 8 / 27 (675.3256) | 4 (173.7256) | 6 (172.5600) | 23 (159.3600) | 10 (169.6800) |
| May 27, 2016 | Papa Joe's Banjo-B-Que & Music Festival (GBC Qualifier) Evans, GA | 31 / 66 (670.1372) | 21 (171.9656) | 36 (165.0972) | 50 (159.9544) | 12 (173.1200) |
| May 20, 2016 | Piggin In The Park Woodruff, SC | 4 / 20 (669.0740) | 5 (168.5484) | 14 (161.0972) | 1 (173.7028) | 8 (165.7256) |
| May 13, 2016 | Boss Hog State Championship Cook-Off (GBC Qualifier) 🏅 Waynesboro, GA | 15 / 41 (657.0516) | 26 (159.9884) | 2 (173.7144) | 17 (162.2400) | 20 (161.1088) |
| Mar 11, 2016 | Flames on the Flint (GBC Qualifier) Bainbridge, GA | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nov 20, 2015 | The National BBQ Cup Cumming, GA | 43 / 74 (673.6116) | 48 (166.2516) | 23 (171.9656) | 33 (169.1200) | 43 (166.2744) |
| Nov 3, 2015 | World Food Championships Kissimmee, FL | 31 / 58 (670.7428) | 5 (176.5828) | 55 (159.3828) | 41 (165.0972) | 23 (169.6800) |
| Oct 14, 2015 | Holmes Drywall BBQ Cookoff 2015 (BACKYARD-INVITATIONAL) unrated Kansas City, MO | 7 / 12 (643.4744) | 11 (157.7600) | 6 (164.5716) | 5 (164.5828) | 6 (156.5600) |
| Oct 9, 2015 | The Real Squeal (GBC Qualifier) Lyons, GA | 6 / 27 (687.8972) | 15 (171.9772) | 8 (169.6800) | 12 (168.5256) | 1 (177.7144) |
| Oct 2, 2015 | Squealin' on the Square Laurens, SC | 6 / 25 (676.4572) | 1 (176.5600) | 16 (162.2400) | 7 (170.2628) | 10 (167.3944) |
| Sep 11, 2015 | Fiddle-N-Pig Shindig Fort Mill, SC | 1 / 29 (703.3828) | 1 (179.4400) | 2 (177.7144) | 3 (173.1084) | 7 (173.1200) |
| Sep 4, 2015 | Low Country Hog Fest Charleston, SC | 2 / 26 (690.1712) | 1 (180) | 5 (171.9772) | 10 (166.2284) | 6 (171.9656) |
| Aug 14, 2015 | Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Scarborough, ME | 13 / 26 (650.1256) | 6 (170.2628) | 13 (162.2400) | 22 (157.6800) | 13 (159.9428) |
| Jul 9, 2015 | SC Festival of Discovery (TEAMS AND JUDGES FULL) Greenwood, SC | 45 / 90 (654.1028) | 34 (168.5372) | 52 (159.9544) | 76 (155.3484) | 17 (170.2628) |
| Jun 26, 2015 | Battle of the Bones Central Point, OR | 13 / 25 (633.7600) | 15 (162.2628) | 24 (149.1428) | 7 (165.7484) | 14 (156.6060) |
| Jun 12, 2015 | Sam's Club National BBQ Tour N. Charleston, SC | 11 / 29 (660.4568) | 10 (169.1312) | 17 (161.0972) | 23 (155.9312) | 1 (174.2972) |
| May 22, 2015 | Papa Joe's Banjo-B-Que (GBC Qualifier) Evans, GA | 24 / 65 (670.6972) | 5 (176.5600) | 10 (173.1316) | 21 (167.3828) | 58 (153.6228) |
| May 15, 2015 | Grand Lake BBQ Festival Langley, OK | 35 / 35 (591.2804) | 20 (168.5716) | 33 (145.6800) | 35 (149.0972) | 35 (127.9316) |
| May 8, 2015 | Boss Hog State Championship Cook-Off (GBC Qualifier) 🏅 Waynesboro, GA | 7 / 39 (674.1140) | 12 (167.3828) | 14 (163.9428) | 6 (169.6684) | 2 (173.1200) |
| Sep 19, 2014 | Fiddle-N-Pig Shindig Fort Mill, SC | 5 / 35 (681.6112) | 16 (164.5256) | 2 (174.8572) | 1 (176.5600) | 14 (165.6684) |
| Aug 29, 2014 | Low Country Hog Fest Charleston, SC | 6 / 17 (660.9824) | 8 (158.2628) | 4 (169.6684) | 1 (175.4056) | 7 (157.6456) |
| Aug 22, 2014 | Sooie't Relief BBQ Benefit Greer, SC | 14 / 37 (669.1088) | 21 (166.8800) | 2 (176) | 15 (167.4172) | 28 (158.8116) |
| Jul 10, 2014 | SC Festival of Discovery Greenwood, SC | 20 / 86 (666.7084) | 14 (172) | 30 (165.6684) | 17 (168.5256) | 40 (160.5144) |
| Jun 20, 2014 | Rock'n Freedom Seymour, MO | 27 / 33 (633.1084) | 32 (154.8456) | 32 (146.8228) | 8 (168.6056) | 18 (162.8344) |
| Jun 6, 2014 | Sam's Club National BBQ Tour N. Charleston, SC | 9 / 28 (667.2800) | 13 (168.5372) | 11 (168.5372) | 17 (162.2400) | 13 (167.9656) |
| May 30, 2014 | Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Marietta, GA | 16 / 29 (654.1600) | 22 (163.3828) | 23 (159.9772) | 1 (172.5600) | 22 (158.2400) |
| Sep 13, 2013 | Sam's Club National BBQ Tour (Regional) Hendersonville, TN | 13 / 30 (671.9084) | 22 (166.8112) | 25 (159.9772) | 12 (169.1200) | 3 (176) |
| Aug 17, 2013 | I Grill Because I CARE (Competitor's Series) New Hope, AL | — | 8 (166.8456) | 12 (163.9772) | — | — |
| Jul 11, 2013 | SC Festival of Discovery Greenwood, SC | 11 / 78 (667.9316) | 19 (167.4172) | 24 (166.2744) | 31 (163.3944) | 12 (170.8456) |
| May 24, 2013 | Lewisburg Rotary Club BBQ Cook-off Lewisburg, TN | 31 / 36 (625.7136) | 34 (151.4284) | 29 (151.9998) | 27 (161.7140) | 22 (160.5714) |
An unrated contest — an invitational, or a Competitor or Kosher Series board — is in the record but doesn’t move the power rating.