Aztecs shine.

Posted in: Bristol Aztecs    By Pete Jones Jul 1, 2009 - 9:44:35 AM

Coventry Cassidy Jets 33-40 Bristol Aztecs

Bristol Aztecs hosted the Coventry Jets on Sunday, looking to turn around a six game losing streak against the Jets. To add to the pressure, the Jets won the BritBowl last year after beating the Aztecs in the semi final.

A hat trick for Mike Adams.

It was the Aztecs who drew first blood, with Mike Adams  breaking away from 25 yards out after a sustained Aztec drive. The touchdown was converted for a 7-0 lead. The Jets didn’t wait long to claw back the score, with quarterback Stuart Franklin hitting Jeremy Simms and Mark Cohen before Gary Clarke drove through a pile. The Jets 2 point attempt failed to give the Aztecs a slender 7-6 lead. The next Aztec offensive drive gained good yards again, but they were unable to convert on third down, which led to a 31 yard Jon Wyse field goal to give the home team a 10-6 advantage. The Jets ground game struggled, but Franklin had more success in the air to take the Jets into the Aztec red zone from where Tony Perkins carried the ball in from the 3 yard line. The two point attempt failed again, giving the Jets a 12-10 lead.

After a relatively quiet first half, no one on either team could have expected the fireworks awaiting in the second half. It was the Jets who struck first, taking the opening drive of the half downfield methodically before Stuart Franklin threw a touchdown strike to Jeremy Simms, converted by Mark Cohen to extend the Jets lead to 19-10. Despite the scoreline heading in the wrong direction since the first quarter, the Aztec sideline kept the faith, and were rewarded with three touchdowns on successive drives. Firstly a clock eating drive on the ground was finished with Nick Proctor breaking tackles to score on a 7 yard touchdown run, converted by Jon Wyse to bring the score back to 19-17 Jets. A three and out was forced by the Aztec defense, and a good punt return by Wyse set the offense up with good field position, which Mike Adams capitalised on once again, spinning of a Jets defender to rip off a 35 yard touchdown run. Olly Barrett proved unstoppable on the two point run, giving the Aztecs a deserved 25-19 lead.

Dom Westwood. Images courtesy of Bristol Aztecs.

The next Jets drive was ended when Jon Wyse made an acrobatic interception to give the ball back to the Aztec offense. After more tough running from Adams and Proctor, quarterback Dom Westwood hit receiver Nick Smith deep in Jets territory. Smith was caught by Jets standout defensive back Dom Olney on the 5 yard line, but the brute strength of Smith prevailed as he calmly dragged Olney 5 yards into the endzone. Jon Wyse was again on target with the extra point, extending the Aztec lead to 32-19. Not to be outdone, Franklin took to the air again, hitting Courtney Pope for several key receptions prior to Mark Cohen grabbing the touchdown to bring the score to 32-25 in favour of the Aztecs. The Jets defense led by Paul Newey stiffened and gave the ball quickly back to their offense with just over two minutes on the clock. Franklin again showed his command of the pass game directing the Jets offense downfield before hitting Jeremy Simms from 17 yards out to take the Jets score to 31, 1 short of the Aztecs 32. The Jets bravely attempted the 2 point conversion and were rewarded as Simms again came up with a crucial catch to give the Jets a 33-32 lead with 1 minute left on the clock.

Bristol's offense took the field one last time, and on the first play behind fine blocking of Steve Hopkins, Chaz Wilson and Olly Barrett, Mike Adams raced 68 yards untouched sending the Aztec sideline wild with cheers. Nick Proctor ran in the two point conversion to give the Aztecs a 40-33 lead. Franklin took to the field with the Jets offense once more and moved the ball to midfield, spiking the ball in the hope of one last play as time expired. Leading the Aztecs on the day were Jon Wyse with 6 tackles and 1 interception, and Mike Adams who picked up 165 yards and 3 touchdowns from only 16 carries.

The win puts the Aztecs in a good position to secure a playoff spot for the third successive year. The Aztecs finish their season with away games to the Farnham Knights and the Sussex Thunder in August.

If you are interested in becoming a player, coach, staff member, or fan of the Aztecs, please visit www.aztecs.co.uk

or email bristolaztecs@hotmail.com.

 

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