The Staffordshire Stallions crashed out of the playoffs Sunday with a dramatic 26-24 home defeat, at the hands of the Loughborough Aces.
Both Staffordshire and Loughborough had eased through the first round of the playoffs with convincing wins over the Leeds Celtics and Sheffield Sabres respectively the week prior. Staffordshire were considered the favourites after the teams’ last meeting which saw the Stallions leave Holywell Park 31-8 winners.
The Stallions chose to receive the ball from the kickoff and Wide Receiver James Walker broke free to return the ball to within Loughborough’s own half. The Stallions were unable to move the ball consistently however and had to settle for a Field Goal from Kicker Carl Sharp to put the Stallions 3-0 early. The Aces’ reply was immediate as they found joy running the football through backs Adam Hope and Yomi Okuboyejo. However the Stallions Defense responded as Linebacker Lee Lewis intercepted a wayward pass from Aces Quarterback John Pimperton near the Stallions own 30.
The Loughborough Defense continued to shut down the Stallions running attack, forcing another punt from Staffs. This time the Aces capitalised as Okuboyejo scored Loughboroughs first touchdown of the day on his way to 82 yards. However, their lead did not last long as Walker went one better this time and returned the following kickoff 81 yards for the Stallions first touchdown, leaving the score 10-6 to the Stallions.
With the two teams going on to exchange punts, Stallions Punter Jonathan Wood pinned the Aces back on their own 3 yard line. This time the Stallions Defense managed to stuff the run and blitzing linebackers caused Pimperton to fumble a hand off to Okuboyejo, resulting in Defensive captain Lewis recovering within 10 yards of the goal. Fired up, the Stallions offense marched onto the field and pounded the ball home with Quarterback Ben Rowen finally getting the score on a QB sneak. Kicker Sharp converted the PAT to give the Stallions a 17-6 lead midway through the second quarter.
The scoring continued for Rowen, who went 13-26 for 157 yards, as the Quarterback connected deep with Walker on a 61 yard Touchdown pass for both players second all-purpose score of the day. The score now stood at 24-12 after a successful PAT.
The Aces however refused to lie down and behind the arm of Pimperton, 5-10 for 86 yards, and the running of Hope, 186 yards, drove downfield. The two players then combined for a 15 yard screen play resulting in Loughboroughs second score of the half. The score stood at 24-12 after a missed PAT attempt. Staffordshire failed to move the ball again against the Aces’ front eight and were forced to punt with only 30 seconds left in the half.
With only 30 seconds remaining and 50+ yards of field the Aces came out passing, and Pimperton connected twice with WR Ross Hubbard to move into the red zone. Okuboyejo then finished off a remarkable quick fire drive with his second touchdown of the game. A successful two point conversion from Okuboyejo saw the half finish with the score 24-20 to the Stallions, but the momentum with the Aces.
The third quarter was a scoring deadlock as neither team found ways to break down the adapted defenses for points. With the Stallions only able to collect a total of 55 yards rushing for the day this continued into the fourth, was until Loughborough back Hope broke free on a 72 yard scamper to score and finally give the Aces the lead after an unlikely comeback. The PAT crucially hit the post and out leaving the score at 26-24.
The Stallions, now facing their biggest challenge of the season, received the ball knowing a field goal would be enough to win the game. But once again Staffordshire were forced to punt giving the Aces the ball with only two minutes left in the game. Loughborough looked to run out the clock but Aces hero Hope juggled a handoff in the Stallions half and it ended up in the hands of Cornerback Gary Richardson.
In an already nail-biting game, the Stallions had one last chance to win it. The Stallions moved the ball as well as they had all day with Running Back Edem Goka; Tight End Chris Ward and Wide Receiver James Walker moving the Stallions to the edge of Field Goal range. With Kicker Carl Sharp on the sidelines with his arm in a sling, Punter Jonathan Wood stepped up to take the near 45 yard, game winning field goal attempt. With seconds remaining Wood drilled the ball up-right bound, it had the length, but crucially it was agonisingly wide by no more than a couple of feet.
Celebrations for the Aces and despair for the Stallions as the final score read 26-24 to the visiting team. The Aces move on to play the Newcastle Raiders next week for a berth in the National Championship game. The Stallions now look on to 09/10 season with hopes of going on unbeaten for a historic third consecutive season.