BUAFL WEEK 15
Stallions Win Close Game To Advance To PlayOffs

A fourth quarter field goal from Jonathan Wood ensured that the Stallions would be in the inarguable BUAFL Playoffs as Staffordshire beat the Nottingham Outlaws 9-0 in windy conditions.

A first quarter touchdown from Running Back Ed Goka put the Stallions in the lead, after a key third down reception from James Walker on a pass that had looked like it had gone astray. After Goka opened the scoring on the Stallions first drive both defences controlled the game as both offences failed to threaten the red zone.

Playing on both the offensive and defensive line Co Game MVP's Pete Buckley and Graham Fellows gained penetration against the Nottingham O-line limiting their rushing attack to few yards. Rookie Linebackers Anton Stanley and Lee Lewis plugged up the middle often hitting the back before getting back to the line of scrimmage. Peter Crawley, playing his first game of this season made a crucial tackle in the backfield to ensure a Nottingham drive stalled late in the second quarter.

With Nottingham six points down in the fourth quarter and unable to get a rushing attack going against the Stallion front eight, Outlaws quarterback Simon Denning was forced to use the passing game to generate some offence. Fighting against a strong wind passing from both teams appeared to be difficult and the Stallion pass coverage unit ensured that Nottingham was going to go away from Stoke with a 4-2 record with three picks in three consecutive Outlaw drives.

Outside linebacker Allen Frank made a spectacular diving grab inside the 20, Lewis pinched the ball out of safety Jon Wood's hands to get his first pick of his Stallion career, return the ball ten yards, which led to Wood's 40 yard field goal. Wood got his fourth pick of the year to seal the win in late in the fourth enabling quarterback Rowan to take a knee.

Sunday, February 3rd, 2008