Coventry Jets American Football team hoping to keep their winning ways alive took on a Sheffield Predators team that were playing in the first season at top flight and were proving critics wrong as they push towards play-off berth.
The game saw both sides missing a number of players despite this the game was a hard fought affair. From the first whistle both clubs defences’ started strong thwarting their opposite offences first drives. However, Sheffield opened the scoring first through a botched punt snap that resulted in a two point safety. On the ensuing kick-off but Jets defence as it has all season stood firm to stop Sheffield making any head way. Jets received the ball within their own 20 yard line and drove the length of the field through a mixture of passes and runs. A screen play pass from quarterback Fraser Oliver to running back Tony Perkins resulted in the Jets first touchdown of the game to lead 6-2, the conversion attempt was successful as Sam Ryan bulldozed in for the two points. The Jets defence maintained its tough stance as a number of tackles in the back field stopped the Predators making any noticeable gains. On the turnover of the ball Coventry made its first major mistake of the game as Fraser rolling out of pocket from pressure threw a wayward pass that was picked off by Predators David Saul. So from Jets 8 yard line, Sheffield was able to pound the ball in through a quarterback keep by David Saul, but their conversion was stopped to make the game 8-8. During the second quarter Sheffield took the lead through similar fashion as Saul was able to break through home defence to take the score 8-16, with the conversion being successful. However, on the Jets kick-return rookie returner and wideout Joe Bristow ran ball to the Predators 30 yard line. Fraser then found wide-out Ben Fisher for a Jets touchdown, but the conversion was unsuccessful making the score at half-time 14-14.
The third quarter saw both team exchange punts and possessions through turnovers as the game was very even with the Jets defence making a number of key stops through defensive tackle Bless Ango, linebackers Mufaro Dune, Adam Gibson and Daniel Shadipo. Things looked to be the same leading into the fourth quarter until quarterback Fraser had to leave the game due to injury which resulted in back-up Ben Fisher stepping in for the first time at quarterback. Predators then started to move the ball through big gains as they made three touchdowns with the Jets offence unable to answer back resulting in the final score being 14-38 to Predators.
Head Coach Rickhuss added “It was a very hard fought game for both sides and we showed that we could have pushed for the win at times, but today wasn’t to be as Predators punished us in the fourth quarter. We can take heart that we are still rebuilding this team with rookie players like Joe, in his only second game making so many great plays as returner and receiver”. Coach Rick also added “For us now is to finish this season strong with the next game against Doncaster next Sunday”. Team MVP was awarded to Joe Bristow, with Defensive MVP going to Daniel Shadipo.
The Jets wrap up their home fixtures for 2013 on Sunday August 4th. at Sphinx Sports & Social club, Coventry.
Free admission, Refreshments, BBQ and Bar, kick off is at 2:30pm.