BUAFL PLAY OFFS ROUND TWO
Stallions Reach Northern Final

The Staffordshire Stallions have booked their place in the Northern Conference Final against Newcastle Raiders after defeating Leeds in a difficult 19-0 victory.

James Walker opened the scoring with three minutes remaining in the third as Quarterback Ben Rowan threaded the needle with a 20-yard touchdown pass. Edem Goka ran in untouched from three yards out after a 43-yard run put the Stallions inside the red zone. Rowan completed the scoring with a QB sneak from a yard out with 1.58 left in the game.

Clashes between Leeds and Staffordshire have often been tough, hard gruelling, battles in the trenches, and the game on Sunday was nothing more than two good offences going up against two superior defences that managed to shut down the opposing offence when it mattered.

Two years ago, Staffordshire beat Leeds in a defensive struggle after Jason Prince scored on the opening drive, which eventually decided the tie as Leeds dominated possession of the ball, but could not knock down the Stallions door. It would take the same determination from the Stallions to beat a Leeds side that had only conceded 19 points all season.

Both teams had the opportunity to open the scoring in the first half. Penalties thwarted the home team's attempts, as Ed Goka gave the Stallions a dream start, returning the opening kick off all the way, but Graham Roberts got called for a block in the back and Jon Wood missed a field goal attempt in the first quarter, while Leeds could of had a touchdown as Ben Barker dropped a quick pass on fourth and goal with no Stallion within catching distance of the receiver and the end zone as nerves seemed to get the better of both sides as a place in the Northern Final was less than sixty minutes away.

The score remained scoreless until Walker caught the ball in the end zone and managing to keep both feet in bounds giving the Stallions a six point lead.

Quarterback Rowan (7/12, 74 yards, 1 TD) should have been picked off by Matt Parrish for the first time since week one. However the second year receiver came back for the ball and plucked it out of the air, whilst making sure of the touchdown.

Ed Goka (32/215 yards) got his rewards for a pounding game running the ball with a three yard touchdown run with 11.45 left in the game giving the Stallions a two touchdown lead and Leeds a lot to do. The second touchdown drive was a perfect example of every member of the offence pulling together at a crucial time in the game.

Tight End Chris Ward, always a target for Rowan, caught a spectacular diving catch to earn a first down. The offensive line and wide receivers than sprung Goka for his longest run of the game of 43 yards after the referees rule that the back step out of bounds at the 13. Ward again then made sure of a 6 yard completion after the ball was tipped by a defender putting the Stallions three yards out.

Leeds had to come out and get a score quick as time was running out, but it was the Stallions that should have put the game away as Gary Richardson dropped an interception from wayward pass.

The Celtic offence, like they had achieved all day, managed to find the gaps in the defence rushing the ball effectively for large gains, but with Leeds looking at getting back in the game it was the Stallions defence that wanted to ensure that Leeds did not put points on the board and make it a nervy last five minutes. Andrew Brannigan, who played his last game at the Stables, stepped up and got to the quarterback on an option, leaving Leeds one yard short of a first down and giving the Stallions the ball as the Celtics turned possession over on downs.

Rowan finalised a victory as he sneaked the ball in from a yard out on fourth and goal with less than two minutes remaining.

With the victory, and Newcastle winning against Staffordshire’s divisional rivals Nottingham, the Stallions now have a long trip up to Newcastle where they face the number one seeds and scoring offence, in a battle for the right to play in the first ever BUAFL Championship Game.

MVP's: Rookie: David Orr Defensive: George Furlonge, Offensive: Ben Rowan, Game: Ed Goka and Graham Roberts.

Sunday, March 9th