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Coventry Cassidy Jets 28 Farnham Fast Lane Knights 22
The Coventry Cassidy Jets secured a playoff place with an
impressive road win over the second ranked Farnham Fast Lane Knights. The 28-22
victory gives the Jets some breathing room at the top of the table as they head
into their mid-season break. Mark Cohen was once more the Jets MVP posting 168
yards on 8 receptions including one for a 39 yard touchdown, his eighth of the
season.
Farnham received the ball from the opening kick off and
compiled an impressive 9 play drive culminating in Jon Wyse’s 6 yard touchdown
run. Steve Belcher added the extra point with a thunderous kick to put the home
side into an early 7-0 lead. Not to be outdone the Jets responded with a 13
play drive including 2 fourth down conversions as Tony Perkin’s 4 yard run and
James Hossack’s subsequent 2 point conversion reception fired the visitors
ahead 8-7.
Early in the second quarter Farnham forced their one and
only turnover as quarterback Dax Michelena threw an interception into the
waiting arms of linebacker Owen Thomas. Two plays later Junior Price restored
Farnham’s lead with a 26 yard reception from former Jet Tim Spaull, Belcher
again boomed through the extra point for a 14-8 advantage. Michelena redeemed
his earlier mistake as he drove down the field hitting Jeremy Simms for an 11
yard touchdown and then hooking up with Cohen for the 2 point conversion. The
score gave the Jets a slender 16-14 half time edge.
American quarterback Michelena was once again in fine
form, the Wyoming native led the team with 49 yards rushing and completing 19
of 28 passes for 275 yards. Michelena’s second touchdown pass of the game went
to the imposing Cohen who forced the ball home from 39 yards out. Farnham, now
trailing by 8 mounted a comeback driving down to Coventry’s 1 yard line before
NFL trialist Andy Steadman forced a fumble in the Knights backfield. Defensive
captain Craig Pennington reacted quickest to cover the loose ball adding the
fumble recovery to an earlier forced fumble and an interception.
Cornerback Adam Biggs returned from an extended layoff to
come up with another interception that launched perhaps the Jets finest drive.
The 11 play effort saw Coventry move the ball 75 yards eating up most of the fourth
quarter with Perkins again crashing home from 4 yards to stretch the Jets
advantage to 28-14. With the Knights rotating quarterbacks Willie Sheird seemed
most able to find some rhythm, his 1 yard touchdown run with just 90 seconds
remaining gave his team hope of a memorable comeback. Sheird’s 2 point pass to
Andrew Coplin reduced the deficit to just 6 points.
Belcher’s attempted onside kick didn’t travel the
necessary 10 yards and handed Coventry the ball on the Knights 36 yard line
effectively ending the game. The win gives the Jets a 5-0 record and guarantees play off
football for the fourth straight season. The Jets now have a well earned break
after 6 straight games and should be well rested for the visit of last placed
Gateshead on the 6th of July.
Photos courtesy of Chelle Bridges and EFink.