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London Blitz
40-16 Bristol Aztecs
On a fine day at Filton
WISE the Aztecs opened their 2009 campaign against Britbowl XXII runners-up the
London Blitz. The home side started fairly strong in a swift first quarter,
initially defending well against the run and affording few opportunities for
the Blitz to advance in the air while the Aztecs offense controlled most of the
opening period on the ground, eventually ending it with Mike Adams running
the ball through traffic to take the lead, followed by a good extra point by Jon
Wyse (7-0).
Soon afterwards the Blitz took a firm hold of the game thanks
to quarterback Fred Boyle
passing to celebrity wide receiver Rod
Bradley #11,
also known as ‘Spartan’ on the TV show ‘Gladiators’
, the
extra point missed, 7-6.
Minutes later an
unfortunate Aztecs fumble was recovered and run in by
Mark Penfound,
the
Blitz converted to take the score to 7-13. The wake-up call was welcome,
however, as from a similar field position the Aztecs advanced far enough up the
field to allow Jon Wyse to score a field goal to bring it within 3 points (10-13),
and as the second quarter drew to a close the Aztecs came close but the Blitz
forced another turnover. With seconds of the first half Boyle found Bradley
downfield again – also with another good extra point – and the first half ended
with the Blitz in the lead 20-10.
The Aztecs defense
continued to play hard after the break, holding the Blitz scoreless after a
fine goal line stand followed by a Gabriel Sey blocked field goal return to
give the Aztecs offense the ball at mid field.
The drive lead to returning Aztecs quarterback Dave Keen adding
to his club-record passing touchdown tally by throwing a 15 yards touchdown to
tight end Tom Brook,
who ran over a Blitz defender on the one yard line
for the score.
The extra point was wide,
and the Blitz led 20-16 going into the fourth quarter.
From there, however, the
game swung decisively in favour of the visiting team, in a three-minute span
the Blitz scored their fourth touchdown of the game courtesy of Gareth
Dauley, the conversion was good. The Aztecs were forced back to their own
goal with a decent kickoff and caused a fumble which was easily scooped up by Aaron
Saunders Percival who took the ball into the endzone for six, yet again the
conversion failed, giving the Blitz 33-16
lead.
The Blitz took advantage of a short field
late in the fourth quarter when Nathan Holt ran the ball in from 6 yards
to seal the game for the visitors 40-16.
Aztec coach Mark
Hopkins was philosophical about the loss, “The Blitz are a tough team, and
it’s always going to be a battle with those guys, despite mistakes, we were
still right in it until late in the game.
We need to improve, cut out some of those mistakes, and next time we play
the Blitz, I’ll be looking for a game which is competitive to the wire”.
Next week the Aztecs travel to the BAFL Premier division champions the Coventry Cassidy Jets, eager to avenge two defeats last season and get a firm grip on the BAFL Premier. The next Aztecs home game is on Sunday May 24th, 2.30 at Filton WISE against the Farnham Fastlane Knights. If you are interested in becoming a player, coach, staff member, or fan of the Aztecs, please visit www.aztecs.co.uk or email bristolaztescs@hotmail.com.