When you have one team that put up 40 points in their previous week (Terrapins) coming up against a team that dominated on defence, scoring 12 points off turnovers alone (Reapers), there is bound to be a change in fortune for one team’s strengths.
For the Terrapins, they would not end up reaching the dizzy heights of 40 points this week but at the same time, their defence also greatly improved, not surrendering anything as close to the 48 points of last week. For the Reapers, while still providing points, their defence would not prove to be quite as strong as the week before.
The Terrapins defence which could not stop their opponents scoring last week would not allow history to repeat itself, forcing a very early interception. unfortunately, they were unable to build on this and their own opening drive would result in a turnover on downs. The previous week, both teams scored on their opening drives, this time around, both were kept scoreless.
That momentum began to build in the favour of the Terrapins, when a long run, which sped away from attempted tackles, was converted into a touchdown, however the Terrapins were unable to follow-up on the extra point conversion, leaving the score at 0-6.
Try as they might, the Reapers found themselves unable to respond to the score, eventually turning the ball over on downs as once again, the Terrapins played ‘bend don’t break’ defence.
A long drive, capped off by a throw to the back right corner of the endzone, which saw the trailing defender’s momentum carry them over the bank to the side of the field, made the score 0-12. Once again, the extra point attempt was denied by the Reapers defence.
The next Reapers drive would see a switch at quarterback, as they sought to find a way to open up their offense. A deep shot down field, followed by a series of shorter plays showed promise but unfortunately right as they threatened the endzone, the Terrapins defence jumped in again, picking the ball off once again. That would take the game to the half, 0-12 in the favour of the Terrapins.
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| Game Stats – Reapers | |||||||
| Passing | |||||||
| Player Name | Touchdowns | 1 PAT | 2 PAT | Interceptions | |||
| Johan Pols | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| Matt Jackson | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |||
| Rushing | |||||||
| Player Name | Touchdowns | 1 PAT | 2 PAT | ||||
| Receiving | |||||||
| Player Name | Touchdowns | 1 PAT | 2 PAT | ||||
| Nick Scholfield | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Defensive Stats | |||||||
| Player Name | Sacks | Interceptions | Touchdowns | ||||
| Johan Pols | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||
Sometimes the halftime break can be a blessing, as it gives a team a chance to take stock of the situation and adjust and sometimes in can be a curse, as it halts the momentum that a team may have. Sometimes neither of those things happen and the second half can be a repeat of the first.
With the Terrapins scoring on a deep pass early in the second half, it would certainly seem like the momentum and that 0-18, the Terrapins had full control of the game. With a drive that stalled for the Reapers resulting in another turnover on downs
At this point, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Reapers would give up on the rest of the game, but that was not the case. A pick six and a converted 1 point conversion showed that the fight, at 7-18 was very much alive.
For the rest of the game, both teams’ defences clamped down and prevented any more points being scored and try as they might to get back into the game, the Reapers could not beat the clock with the second half ending without any more points being scored.
This game shows just how crucial it can be to capitalise on the opportunities your opponents give you. When your opponents are playing strong defence, those opportunities matter even more so. The result of this game came down to the fact that one team was able to seize more of those opportunities.
Both teams proved that they are able to compete, even if not quite everything fell into place for one team this week and as each team currently sits with a win apiece after week 2, both are still easily in the race for the championship.
| Game Stats – Terrapins | |||||||
| Passing | |||||||
| Player Name | Touchdowns | 1 PAT | 2 PAT | Interceptions | |||
| Nick Gaudion | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| Rushing | |||||||
| Player Name | Touchdowns | 1 PAT | 2 PAT | ||||
| Kieran Ashworth | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Receiving | |||||||
| Player Name | Touchdowns | 1 PAT | 2 PAT | ||||
| Luca Finetti | 2 |
0 |
0 |
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| Defensive Stats | |||||||
| Player Name | Sacks | Interceptions | Touchdowns | ||||
| Luca Finetti | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Callum Hockey | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
