CASSIDY JETS FALL SHORT IN FLAG FINALE
The Cassidy Jets bid to become National Champions in their debut season ended with a 38-30 defeat at the hands of Scottish Champions the Kirkcaldy Bulls.
Whilst the victors went on to easily clinch the title against fellow Scots, the Carluke Cobras, the Jets were left to play for third place against local rivals the Leicester Eagles. Quaterback Neil Balthazaar led his team to a convincing 38-8 win passing for 5 touchdowns.
Whilst the Jets were on the ball from the off against the Eagles the semi-final was a different story. The Bulls bolted out of the gate scoring on every first half possession and shutting down the Jets potent pass attack.
Coventry did score on their first possession with Balthazaar picking out the wide open Shadrach McCook to level the scores at 6-6. The Canadian quarterback wasn't as successful with his next two series as both ended with interceptions.
Balthazaar did find compatriot David Sonne to pull the Jets to within 2 scores at the half trailing 26-12. Luke Gambrill's touchdown reception to open the second half put the Jets right back in the game but it didn't last long as Kirkcaldy hit right back to re-establish their 14 point lead. Mark Cohen entered the fray and had a limited impact at free safety, however, the towering receiver made a trademark touchdown catch out-leaping the covering defensive back to keep the pressure on.
Coventry's resistance was finally broken when bulky receiver ? took a short reception and turned it into the biggest play of the day, running the length of the field to seal the victory. Balthazaar and McCook did hook up one last time to make the final score a more respectable sounding 38-30. Meanwhile the Eagles narrowly lost 19-13 to Carluke setting up an all Scottish final and an East vs West Midlands Third Place clash.
Head Coach Neil Balthazaar got his team together, ready for a showdown with the Eagles and led his side to an impressive 26-8 half-time lead with four touchdown passes. The fireworks began with a lob to the back corner of the endzone where Sonne was able to drag his toes to stay inbounds. The Canadian qb then fired a strike to McCook before Leicester responded with a touchdown pass of their own.
Starting centre Rob Coleman made a spectacular catch and was unlucky not to make it all the way to the endzone as he was chased down inside the 5 yard line. Coventry, however, wouldn't be denied as Balthazaar hit Sonne on the very next play. The two compatriots linked up once more to give the Jets an unassailable lead.
The second half was much the same story as a shell-shocked Leicester struggled to find any rhythm. McCook caught his 4th touchdown on what was an outstanding finals day performance. Marcus Gambrill took over the reigns as the Jets began to rotate their playing staff, the assured back up completed all 3 of his passes culminating in a final touchdown pass to cousin Luke Gambrill as Coventry completed the 38-8 rout.