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Bristol Aztecs 20 London Blitz 39
The London Blitz team guaranteed their place in the play
offs and took another step towards defending their National BAFL title this
week with an impressive home win over the Bristol Aztecs.
Blitz kicked the game off in front of their home fans in
the late afternoon July sunshine and pinned the Aztecs deep in their own
territory. Bristol ended their first possession with a 43 yard field goal
attempt, which came short of the uprights and was no good. The Blitz offense
also came up short on their first possession and had to settle for a 40 yard
punt.
The Blitz defense kept the Aztecs at bay on their second
possession and forced them to punt. The Blitz offense came good on their second
possession, with quarterback Stuart Franklin rushing for a yard and passing for
another 35 to set up first and goal. Running back Chris Onyilogwu took the ball
to the house for the game’s first touchdown, the point after attempt was
blocked.
Blitz defense took a turn at scoring on the ensuing Aztec
possession, following a huge play which led to a seven yard sack, safety Ed
Morgan grabbed a hot take away of an interception and ran it all of 27 yards
for the score. Again the Blitz went for the point after and again the kick was
blocked. London led at the end of the first quarter 12-0.
The Aztecs came out motivated in the second quarter and
stunned the Blitz defense with a 52 yard rushing touchdown and a successful
point after conversion to make the score 12-7. The Blitz scored on the
following possession with a two yard touch down pass after a botched field goal
attempt as well as a point after kick to make the score 19-7. Again the Aztecs
responded, this time with a 17 yard rushing touchdown and 70 yard touchdown
pass to take the lead and the momentum into half time with the score 19-20.
The second half began with both defenses trading 3 and routs before Blitz running back Gareth Dauley gave the game some much needed spark by scoring a 36 yard rushing touchdown. Enthused by the scintillating touchdown, the Blitz offense went for the two point conversion but came up short. This was a lead that the Blitz would not relinquish with quarterback Franklin throwing his second touchdown pass of the afternoon 20 yards to veteran wide receiver Marcin Lai. The Blitz led at the end of the third quarter 32-20.
Unsatisfied with his previous touchdown, Dauley came out a
man determined in the fourth and final quarter and scored a 50 yard rushing
touchdown. Kicker Nathan Holt added the point after and gave the Blitz a 39-20
lead. Bristol knew the game was over on their following possession when
defensive end Derek McGriffin exploded off the line of scrimmage to record a 12
yard sack and wrapped the game up for the Blitz.
After the game Derek McGriffin said, “I’m not going to
exaggerate but we’ve got to work hard. We have a hard challenge in front of us
with the Farnham Knights again. So we’ve got to work hard in practice, gym
training – everything has to be put in so we can win the next game.”
Head Coach Mark Moss said, “It’s very good to be in the
play offs now. It was an important game for us. We’re now assured of play off
football but we must win the next to get home field advantage.”
The Blitz will now focus on their final regular season
game away to Farnham Fast Lane Knights on August 17th.