BUAFL WEEK 16
Stallions Destroy Aces To Become Divisional Champions

A dominating performance by the undefeated Stallions over the Loughborough Aces confirmed Staffordshire as the inarguable Northern Midland Division champion.

Three touchdowns by running back Ed Goka, a first touchdown of the season for Omar Augustine and a pass from Ben Rowan to Richard Walker ended in the end zone after the third year man broke a tackle to give the Stallions a 36-0 win over the long term rival.

Loughborough are now 4-3 with Lincoln their final game opponents as Jason Scott and his team hope to secure an eighth seed spot in the post season.

With the Aces needing a win to help their chances of getting into the playoffs, the game started with both offences going three and out in the first series as both offences looked tense and uneasy about the upcoming 60 minutes. Nevertheless, Staffordshire soon put the first points on the board as Ed Goka put the Stallions in the lead.

Goka had been a thorn in the side of the Loughborough team in the first game between the two teams back on November 11th having rushed for 260 yards and four scores on the ground as the Stallions defeated the Aces 39-6.

The game became a defensive battle until late in the second quarter as Rowan connected with Walker, who lined up as Tight End, on a 30 yard touchdown.

Defensively Staffordshire where able to shut down Loughborough offence as linemen Buckley, Orr and Pickerill managed to get their hands on Pimperton on several occasions, while the front eight limited RB Wirral to small gains on the ground.

The Stallions, who haven't conceded more than one touchdown in a game all season, knew that they had to head into the second half with the same spirit that had limited Loughborough to few yards.

With the Aces inside the red zone for the first and only time on their opening possession in the third quarter outside linebacker Andrew Brannigan stepped up and cut out a sweep leaving the Aces well short of a first down on fourth and one.

With the huge stop by the Stallions defence in the third, Ed Goka took any wind left in the Aces sails out as good blocking by the Offensive line of Pickerill, Buckley, Fellows, Simcock and Orr, as well as wide receiver Rob Crossan, sprung the first year back for a 80 yard touchdown putting Staffordshire 21 points up with just over a quarter remaining.

Goka’s second score of the game tied the Stallions record touchdowns in the season set by Jason Prince in 2003-2004, a record which the running back broke with left then four minutes remaining in the game.

Back Omar Augustine got his first Stallion touchdown at the start of the fourth after Rowan found Rich Walker was forced out of bounds one yard shy of the goal line. An illegal motion penalty against the back forced the Stallions five yards back, but the determination from Augustine got the back into end zone.

The 36-0 result confirms the Stallions as divisional champions and with one game remaining against Derby Braves the Staffordshire team are looking at going undefeated for the first time in Staffordshire Stallions history.

Sunday, February 10th, 2008