Normal Service Resumed

BAFACL American Football
Clyde Valley Blackhawks 26 – 15 Highland Wildcats

Report and Pics C/O Clyde Valley Blackhawks

Clyde Valley Blackhawks had their first home game of the season against their old adversary Highland Wildcats.

Last season the Wildcats managed their first ever defeat of a Clyde Valley team so the Blackhawks were out to gain the win. But the strength of the Wildcat’s defence refused to allow the Blackhawks to settle into their game and it took to their third possession before Clyde Valley broke the defensive deadlock.

In a frantic 5 minute spell the lead changed three times, firstly, Phil McCabe set up the touchdown with some strong running and QB James Keogh took the ball over the goal line for the opening 6 points, the extra point attempt was no good.

Then Highland struck straight back when James Hudson picked up the ensuing kickoff at the 10 yard line and danced his way through several Blackhawks players 90 yards to the endzone to level the score. He showed his versatility when he kicked the extra point over to edge the Highland outfit out in front.

The see saw of the game continued when Blackhawk Darran Sharp returned the kickoff 55 yards to the 18 yard line and four plays later Phil McCabe popped over the centre from 1 yard out to return the lead to Clyde Valley. This time Tam Chapman booted the extra point between the uprights.

At the start of the 2^nd quarter the Wildcats drew level when John Whyte recovered a Blackhawks fumble and QB Neil Porter connected with Joshua Crofts on a screen pass, who gathered the ball in and sprinted 30 yards to tie the score.

The home crowd were cheering when the extra point was blocked then picked up by Gordon Lockhart who sprinted all the way to the endzone only to see it negated by a penalty. The Wildcats added to the home side’s woes when Scott Milligan and Neil Porter combined to down a punt on the half yard line. They followed this with some power defence and forced the safety to change the lead once more.

At the start of the third both teams exchanged errors with Ross Ivison recovering a Wildcats fumble and David Forrest intercepting a wayward Blackhawks pass before Blackhawks added to their tally behind the workhorse running of Darran Sharp, and Phil McCabe added his second of the day when he took the handoff and scampered 25 yards to the endzone. Tam Chapman slotted over the extra points.

Clyde Valley defence then started to dominate the game and Ali Longford dropped the runner for a 12 yard loss. An interception by Darren Darroch lead to Clyde Valley extending their lead. This time Darran Sharp finished off a combination of runs from 8 yards out. The extra point was no good. Blackhawks defence dominance continued on the next drive when Ryan Redpath sacked the QB which forced the punt.

Clyde Valley drove upfield and Phil McCabe thought he had his hat-trick for the day but it was brought back for a penalty. Time run out before the score could be repeated. The William Grant and Sons Distillers Ltd. sponsored MVP was Davie Orr.

Clyde Valley would like to thank everyone who helped at the game especially the chain crew and the ball boys and girls. Also their sponsors Commercial Hotel , Wishaw