The Coventry Jets came up short in their bid to regain the British American Football title, falling 34-20 to the London Blitz. Three Lorne Sam touchdown passes and a stellar defensive effort weren't effort to prevent the Blitz repeating as National Champions as turnovers and penalties proved to be Coventry's downfall. Courtney Pope chipped in a solid shift for the Jets, another two touchdown receptions were added to his league high tally of 12, Mark Cohen also scored, the 101st touchdown of his vaunted Jets career.
Coventry won the toss and decided to kick off, Alan Steel sending the ball down to the Blitz 20 where Aaron Percival collected the ball to set London up on their own 40. Clive Palumbo's reception on a receiver screen converted a big third down for the Blitz as Fred Boyle showed some good early poise in the face of Coventry's pass rush. Gary Clark came up with a big sack to force a third and thirteen as the Jets applied early pressure. The Jets stood firm and forced a punt on the opening series, taking over on their own 15. London's defence was equally stingy, forcing a three and out for the Jets. Mark Cohen's kick was well covered by the special teams forcing London back behind their own 40.
A controversial call on third down allowed a big completion from Boyle, who looked suspiciously like he was over the line of scrimmage. That play set up a deep pass to Palumbo to who took the ball down to the Jets' five. Boyle kept the ball and dived in for a 6-0 lead, Ed Morgan adding the point after. Coventry couldn't respond as London brought the house on an all out blitz, sacking Lorne Sam and forcing a fumble on the Jets' two yard line. Vince Brown knifed through to drop Boyle for a six yard loss before Jon Dwyer followed up with a 12 yarder. Adam Biggs broke up a third down pass to force London into a 37 yard field goal attempt. Morgan went for the fake though making it down to the Jets one where Biggs made a touchdown saving tackle. The Jets were in a hole but still just seven points down.
Sam missed an open Jeremy Simms on first down when he was wide open. The two did hook up on second down to give Coventry some breathing room for the punt as Sam struggled to establish his offence. The Jets defence was looking strong but Rowelle Blenman left with a pulled hamstring. Sam got his hands back on the ball but the rain was starting to come down as he completed consecutive passes to Simms and Courtney Pope. Cohen scored his 101st touchdown on Sam's 20 yard pass and Steel's kick tied the score at 7-7 early in the second period.
Percival's long kick off return put the Blitz back in position to score and Gareth Dauley obliged with a 20 yard run to restore the seven point advantage. Simms' 20 yard kick off return set the Jets back up near midfield but the pacey receiver needed to carried from the pitch as Sam headed back out. Coventry escaped more damage as Charles Bradley missed the chance for a pick six. It wouldn't be long though until there was a turnover, Sam's pass popping out of the hands of Kofi Campbell and into those of Fabrizio Garguilo who returned the ball down to the Jets' two. A touchdown pass from Boyle to Rod Bradley was wiped off the board by a holding penalty and Morgan came back out for a 32 yard field goal try but missed wide to the left.
Pope blazed past his defender for a 65 yard touchdown from Sam and Steel's kick tied the score at 14 with 3:20 to play in the first half. Boyle completed some key passes to have the Blitz knocking on the door late in the half as the rain continued to pour down in Worcester. Costly penalties made it all too easy for the Blitz to score, a 12 man on the field flag was inexcusable after a Jets timeout and David Saul's late hit gave London a new set of downs. Boyle found Palumbo and Morgan's extra point put the reigning champs back into a seven point lead.
Taking over with just 18 seconds to go, Sam hit Cohen over the middle to get into Blitz territory and made it to the line to spike the ball and stop the clock. A deep pass to Dervan Alleyne bounced off the receivers hands but did afford Coventry one more play as the clock stopped. Coventry would've preferred there wasn't though as Edson Bras broke down the Jets' pocket and sacked Sam to end the half with London leading 21-14.
Tony Perkins returned out to the Jets' 35 to start the second half and Kofi Campbell broke Coventry's longest run play with seven yards as he dragged tacklers out to the 42. Alleyne broke several tackles to get down to the Blitz four on a huge pass play from Sam. Two plays later Sam found Pope for the second time to pull Coventry within one. Steel's kick was blocked as the rain continued to lash down and the hold was bobbled maintaining a slender 21-20 lead for the Blitz.
Dauley restored the advantage with a 21 yard dash along the left sideline making it look all too easy for the Blitz. Morgan's kick edged them further ahead at 28-20. Coventry's following drive was extended by a holding flag on the Blitz but it ended with a turnover as Sam looked for Pope but found Percival who returned down to the Jets' 15. Gary Clark came up big with a sack on Boyle to push the Blitz back as they then resorted to their wildcat offence with Greg Blake going under centre. Boyle resumed his role at quarterback but Paul Newey's pressure forced him to throw the ball away. London went for it on fourth down but Tom Shenan couldn't corral the wet ball and the Jets took over after yet another impressive defensive stand.
Defences bossed the remainder of the third as both teams were forced to punt the ball away on their next two possessions. London opened the fourth and final quarter by converting a fourth and four as Shenan held onto the ball this time heading down to the four. Dauley found running room off the left side once more as he scampered into the endzone for a 34-20 lead. Morgan attempted to run in the extra point after a bad hold but Danny Wardell scuppered the play.
Joe Coultate made a great diving pass break up to snuff out a potential 70 yard touchdown and force Cohen to punt the ball away once more. Coventry's defence eventually began to tire as they couldn't get off the field for an extended period. London began to grind out yards on the ground as the clock ran down to eight minutes but once more the Jets defence dug deep. Fabrizio Gargulio nailed a perfect punt down inside Coventry's ten to make Coventry have to work.
Lorne Sam eventually found some rhythm, completing passes to Simms, Alleyne, Pope and David Saul. Coventry worked their way downfield but Coultate once again came up big as he swiped a pass away from Cohen to save a score. The two linked up on the following play though to keep the drive alive, converting on third down. Campbell took the handoff on a draw play but couldn't get any room to run and the Jets had to go for it on fourth down. Pope was open in the endzone and whilst the throw was slightly behind him he did get his hands on the ball but couldn't haul it in for what would've been his 15th touchdown of the season.
With less than five minutes to play the Blitz were able to bleed the clock down with some solid work on the ground. A personal foul against the Jets handed London another first down as the two minute warning arrived. Try as they might Coventry's defence couldn't stop the Blitz and they were able to kneel and run out the clock for their second straight title and third in four years. For more details on the Coventry Jets and to find out how you can be part of their 2011 campaign, please visit their website www.covjets.com or follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/CoventryJets.