A shorthanded Coventry Jets squad made their longest trip of the season on Saturday evening and came away with 54-7 victory over the Sussex Thunder. Courtney Pope did it all as he caught two touchdown passes, threw one and broke up a pass as he played safety as well. Mark Cohen also had two touchdown receptions, edging him ever closer to 100 for his Jets career as he currently stands at 98. Other scorers were David Saul, Tony Perkins, Dervan Alleyne and Lorne Sam.
Sam was on fire from the off, needing just 170 yards passing to put him over the 2000 yard mark for the season. The former Florida State Seminole completed his first five passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Cohen was on the receiving end of a 69 yard touchdown as he split the safeties to race into the endzone and get the Jets off to a flying start on their first possession.
Coventry's defense was also dominant, rookies Mark Wade and Colm Jones helped control the line of scrimmage for the Jets and Kevin Mills' constant pressure forced Eber Kington into throwing an interception. Saul was the recipient, his league leading sixth pick of the season edging him ahead of Bristol's Jon Wyse. That play set up Pope's first score, a yard reception from Sam. Alan Steel converted six of his eight point after kicks, the two being blocked, as Coventry raced into a 14-0 lead to the end of the first quarter.
Alleyne got the second period off to a flyer with his 19 yard grab from Sam. That pass took the former NFL player over the 2000 yard mark, he would eventually wind up with 2160, eclipsing the clubs former high by 600 yards. Wayne Gumbs came up with the first of two interceptions on the hosts following drive setting up Perkins to dash home from 33 yards on the Jets first rushing play of the game after 12 straight passing plays.
At 28-0 down Sussex showed a little trickery with devastating results. Kington pitched the ball to running back Paul Robinson and as the Jets' defensive backs came up to make the tackle the lofty half back threw a pinpoint arc to Christopher Jones who outraced Saul into the endzone for a 60 yard score. Ben Soro-Perez booted the extra point to pull the score back to 28-7 but Cohen responded immediately with an 18 yard touchdown reception.
Andy McKenzie, who played superbly at defensive end, quickly helped extinguish the Thunder's next possession allowing Sam to go in search of more points. The Jets took advantage of the opportunity to try out their two minute drill, driving down into the Thunder redzone but couldn't finish the series as Alleyne's reception was controversially ruled out of the endzone on the final play of the half. Coventry, without Head Coach Gerry McManus, took a 35-7 lead into the break.
Pope's second touchdown came on the opening possession of the second half. His score, from seven yards out, was set up by more strong running from Perkins. The former Redditch Arrow had his first 100 yard outing of the season, finishing with 167 on 14 carries whilst adding another 67 yards on six receptions. Gumbs' second pick set up Sam for his first rushing touchdown of the season. The Buford, Georgia native crashed in from one yard out to power Coventry into a 48-7 lead
The final quarter allowed both teams to use the few back ups that they had with David Saul's 30 yard touchdown reception from Pope the only score. Rich Carey completed his comeback from a broken foot with a stunning sack late in the game. The hard working defensive end hurdled a lineman to drag Kington down in the backfield. The Jets will now travel to Bristol on the 12th of September to fight for a place in the final six days later. For more details on the Coventry Jets please visit their website www.covjets.com or follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/CoventryJets.