Report and Photos by Gordon Dedman
These two teams always
play hard-nosed football when hitting hard is the order of the day and defense
dominates and this semi-final didn’t disappoint.
When the two teams last
met at Test Park in June, they played a very tight game that the Thrashers won
with a late field goal. Expectations for this playoff game were no different
and the promise was fulfilled.
The Eagles began in
earnest, but penalties held back their first series while an attempted field
goal missed. An Eagles interception on the Thrashers first possession sparked
another good series for Ouse Valley, but once again it came up short with
another missed field goal. In the close-fought game, these missed opportunities
would be costly.
Two forced fumbles in
the second quarter confirmed the control the Eagles were exerting and it
eventually paid off when they took possession on their opponents 16 and
quarterback Justin Laroda ran in the opening touchdown. The point after attempt
was blocked giving the Eagles a 6-0 lead they held going in at the half as both
defenses shut down their opposite numbers.
All the hard work the
Eagles put into the first two quarters game disappeared when Thrashers Josh
Amis returned the second half kickoff to the one. Three downs later, the
Thrashers tied the scores with Jack Verling’s touchdown catch with the failed
extra point attempt tipped.
The Eagles quickly
responded. A kickoff return to midway set them up for a scoring drive, helped
by a Chris Cowley’s catch that took them to the red zone. Once again, Eagles
work horse Laroda finished the drive with his 9-yard touchdown run. The two
points after attempt hit a brick wall, but the Eagles led 12-6.
Playing catch-up, the
Thrashers tried to move up a gear, but the Eagles defended every yard. A
Thrasher field goal attempt was blocked as they applied pressure while the
Eagles dug in.
The resolute Eagles stopped
a Solent scoring chance when they sacked Thrashers quarterback forcing a
turnover, but by a quirk of fate it led to their undoing. The Eagles went three
and out and punted. Solent’s Amis muffed the punt, but avoids the onrushing
special team players and returns the punt to the Eagles 4.
On second down the
drama continued. Solents quarterback Dayle Greenfield heads for the goal line,
but is tackled short and fumbles the ball into the end zone where teammate Joe
Pascoe recovers. The extra point is missed and once again the game was
deadlocked at 12-12.
After three hours of
determined struggle, injuries began to take their toll on the Eagles and it was
difficult for the players to get an offense going and the bright light of their
earlier efforts began to fade.
When the game went
into overtime tired, damaged bodies were no longer at their peak. The Eagles
went on offense first from their opponents 35, but although their minds were
focused, their strength had been sapped.
The Hollywood script
called for a fairy tale ending, but that wasn’t to be. It was a bizarre play
that broke the Eagles hearts and sent the jubilant Thrashers to the final. On
fourth down, Ouse Valley attempted a field goal that was blocked and then
returned 97 yards by Amis for the winning touchdown.
Both teams fought a tenacious
battle in good spirit and the respect for each other can be measured by the
tributes the two coaches paid each other on Facebook.
Solent coach Russ
Hewitt, “We managed to fight
back into a game, that Eagles had an early strangle hold on. I would have to be
honest, and the Eagles just ran out of players.Can't remember the last time we faced 4 different
QBs in one game! Credit to coach William White as he had his team
ready to ball today. These games just get closer and closer... Needed OT today,
but thankfully came out on top."
Eagles coach William White, “Well what a finish to the season it was a great game back and forth so proud of my eagles what we have accomplished and we're still moving forward! Was definitely a chess match with my brother Russ and his Thrashers.
I enjoyed every minute of the battle, well until you guys ran the football away from me lol. But in all seriousness my Eagles gave everything and I couldn't be more proud of them absolutely fantastic. I'll ride or die for any of you guys!!
A huge congrats to the Russ and the Thrashers program. You have a great program. Keep moving forward.”
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