One week after helping the Valencia Firebats retain their Spanish title, quarterback Stuart Franklin arrived with the Coventry Cassidy Jets and reignited hope that they might also retain their British crown. Franklin was on the losing end last season when Fraser Houston's epic kick beat his London Blitz squad as they looked to repeat their victory over the Jets from Britbowl XXI in 2007. This time around Franklin was on the right end of a last gasp victory, his 25 yard bomb saw Jeremy Simms lay out in the endzone for a miraculous game winning touchdown as time expired.
The 24-21 victory at Farnham has the Jets firmly in the driving seat for a second place finish and home field advantage in the playoff semi-finals. Simms earned MVP honours for the game, with numbers of 7 receptions for 95 yards with 2 touchdowns, whilst playing through the heartache of a family bereavement. The hosts took the ball from the opening kick off and whilst they struggled to move the ball on the ground former Jet Tim Spaull had no trouble connecting with his receiving core.
A typical deep ball set the Knights up in scoring position before a penalty pushed them back, a problem that would haunt them all afternoon. Spaull's next pass only found Jets' defensive back Ahmed Hashim who returned his pick close to midfield, setting up Ed Tate and the Coventry offense with a short field. Two more Knights' penalties moved the Jets over halfway before Tate hooked up with Mark Cohen for 14 yards to put Coventry in position to open the scoring. Tony Perkins finished the job diving in from 2 yards out for a 6-0 lead. Still without kicking specialists Alan Steele and rookie of the year Houston, the Jets conversion attempts were futile all day.
Both teams traded scores in an exciting second period, when Spaull connected with Alistair Reid from 25 yards before Tate replied with a 25 yarder of his own as Simms dragged his feet inside the corner of the endzone to stay inbounds. The Jets had regained the lead for mere seconds as Spaull hit Junior Price for 52 yards on the very next play. Whilst Coventry showed complete futility with extra points Farnham were a model of efficiency, booting all three conversions with consummate ease.
Trailing 14-12 at the half Jets' Head Coach Gerry McManus didn't panic and remained true to his gameplan, though a helmet to helmet contact deprived him of starter Tate early in the third quarter. Franklin, who'd had only one training session with his new receiving core, entered the game and immediately moved to a short passing game. Whilst Coventry had little success in the third, the Knights mounted a drive that kept the ball on the ground eating up the clock and churning up 57 yards culminating in Kingsley Eijogu's 16 yard scamper and a 21-12 lead.
Coventry's next drive ended on downs but their defense stiffened forcing Farnham to punt after linebacker Gary Clarke had broken through for a third sack. Once again, a costly penalty shortened the field for the Jets and Mike Sinyangwe danced into the endzone from 17 yards out to cut the deficit to three. Daniel Smallman-Gough made a huge play breaking up a third down pass to force a punt and set up Franklin and his offense for the game winning drive.
With 55 yards to go and less than 2 minutes on the clock Franklin went about his business, completing 5 of 6 passes for 45 yards including the game winning heave. The key play on the drive may well have been one final flag against the Knights as an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed them over the 100 yard mark for the afternoon. McManus stated his team's intentions "we decided to draw a line under the Blitz defeat and move on as a team too everything within our power to get our season back on track and ensure that we'l be at Keepmoat to defend our Championship this September. Today's win was the start of this process, we were missing a number of big name players today including Kofi Campbell, Paul Newey, Adam Biggs and Matt Barrett. It was great to see some of the young players such as Marius Lodoen, Mike Sinyangwe and Dale Hawes step forward and show that they belong at this level.
I was once again impressed with Ed Tate, he had a very good game at quarterback and showed why we think that he will develop in to a future Great Britain quarterback. He's going to come on in leaps and bounds especially now under the tutelage of Stuart. I am really looking forward to the rest of the season and I'm excited by the Franklin, Simms and Cohen combination coupled with the explosive running abilities of Perkins and Campbell". The Jets will get there first look at BAFL Premier new boys the Sussex Thunder when the boys from Brighton visit the Sphinx this Sunday for a 14:30 kick off.