Aztecs defeated

Posted in: BAFL Premier, Bristol Aztecs    By Pete Jones Jun 26, 2009 - 5:46:52 PM

Bristol Aztecs 14-28 London Blitz

 

The Aztecs travelled to Finsbury park, London on Sunday to play the 28-14 who are unbeaten and currently sit atop the British American Football League Premier. Despite several close runs and many tough games, the Aztecs have not defeated the Blitz since 2005, during which time both teams have steadily improved, and become perennial BAFL Premier semi-finalists.

The Aztecs were missing some key personnel in starting running back Mike Adams, safety Gabe Sey, defensive tackle Lee Richards and quarterback Dave Keen, who had started the first four games of the season due to an injury to Dom Westwood, all missing. Despite this, the depth of the Aztecs squad shone through with Nick Proctor featuring at running back, and Tom Slater having a monster game at safety.

The game started with both defenses playing well. The Blitz went for it on fourth down at midfield, failing to convert, followed by a short Aztec drive culminating in a punt to pin the Bltiz offense deep. Early in the second quarter Gareth Dauley was in fine form, picking up good gains behind the Blitz offensive line. Moments later, Blitz running back Hypolite-Bishop took the ball in for the score. Ed Morgan converted the kick to make the score 7-0. It was the Aztecs who next troubled the scoreboard when after a key completion to Alex Gillespie and tough running by Matt Barrett set the Aztecs up near the goal line from where quarterback Dom Westwood pumped his legs, driving the pile over the goal line for a score. The extra point was missed, and the Blitz held a slender 7-6 lead.

An Abdul Bah interception gave the Aztec offense the ball back, but despite converting a 4^th and 1 on a quarterback sneak, the drive Aztec offense then had to punt away. The Blitz one again put a drive together, culminating in a 21 yard touchdown run from Gareth Dauley to give the Blitz a 14-6 lead at the half time break.

The first Aztec drive of the second half failed to trouble the scoreboard, and once again the Bltiz capitalised Dauley again picking up the points, and Ed Morgan kicking the conversion to give the Blitz a 21-6 lead. The next Aztec drive ended when a fumbled exchange in the backfield was recovered by London. Another long drive on the ground ensued, which was capped by Hypolite-Bishop scoring his second converted touchdown of the day giving the Blitz a commanding 22 point lead with the score at 28-6. The resultant kick off return sparked of a long Aztec drive in which Britball legend Jon Wyse made a dramatic catch in double coverage, prior to Westwood also scrambling away from pressure to break the Blitz containment before shovel passing the ball to Nick Proctor who took the ball 10 yards to pick up the first down. Shortly after, Fullback Olly Barrett rumbled in for the Score. Great Britain Lion Tom Brook ran in the two point conversion to leave the final score as 28-14 to the Blitz. Defensively, Tom Slater led the Aztecs with 5 tackles, and a forced fumble and recovery. Mike Hall also chipped in with 5 tackles. Offensivly a bright spot for the Aztecs was quarterback Dom Westwood starting his first game of the year. Westwood was 7 of 13 for 138 yards.

Aztec Team Captain Charlie Wilson commented on the performance, “We put in a gutsy performance pushing arguably the best team in the country all the way. We are still growing as a team, and are building towards out ultimate goal, which is success in the playoffs, and the Britbowl”.

The Aztecs host the national Champion Coventry Cassidy Jets next week (3.30pm Kick Off) after the Aztecs Youth host the Farnham Knights Youth (1pm kick off). If you are interested in being a player, coach, sponsor or helper for the Aztecs please email bristolaztecs@hotmail.com or visit www.aztecs.co.uk.

Images courtesy of Bristol Aztecs

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