CLANSMEN LOSE 32 POINT THRILLER
By Jeff Bryan

A late 4th quarter comeback could not prevent the Stirling Clansmen from losing to the Leeds Celtics, their first home loss since week 11 of the 1999 – 2000 season.

The Clansmen defense, who were without Influential Linebacker Iain Smith, got off to a good start when they ended the Celtics first drive with a Carlos Yanes-Roca interception.

Stirling’s offence was unable to get it going early on and a fumbled snap turned possession over the Leeds, who then drove down the field and jumped out to an early lead when Leeds QB Alex Fisher connected with Chris Kutch from 8 yards out to put the Celtics up 6 – 0 in the first quarter.

The Clansmen offence was still stuck in first gear and was forced to go 3 and out and punt the ball away on their next possession. Using the passing game effectively Leeds once again drove down the field to the Stirling 5 yard line and Fisher then found Jack Nill in the back of the endzone early in the second quarter giving the Celtics the 12 – 0 lead.

Stirling struck back before the half when they drove down the field behind some excellent running by Jon Sutherland and a key reception by Yanes-Roca.

Sutherland capped off the drive with an 8 yard touchdown run to pull the Clansmen to within 6 at the half.

Stirling received the opening kick-off in the 2nd half and were unable to get anything going on their opening drive in what turned out to be a hard fought defensive battle in the 2nd half.

Both defenses held strong, but the Celtics managed to find a way through in the late in the 3rd quarter when Fisher once again found Nill in the endzone, this time from 15 yards out giving Leeds the 18 – 6 lead.

MORE