BATTLE OF THE PHOENIX

On Sunday 13th March The Northern Phoenix and Ft. William Phoenix Senior American Football teams met in a friendly match for the first time in four years.

Last time out the Ft. William side ran out convincing victors posting 60 points to zero.

A closer game was anticipated this time, with weather conditions close to freezing, strong winds bringing frequent snow showers the passing games were not expected to be a factor.

Northern kicked off to Ft. William who couldn’t move the ball, going three and out.

Northern followed suit not able to gain positive yardage. Ft. William’s second possession was more successful moving the ball towards the Northern goaline but was unable to punch it in from four downs.

With Northern backed up the offense were still unable to make any ground, giving Ft. William the opportunity for an easy score from Glen Liddell on a sneak. The two-point conversion failed.

For the rest of the half both sides struggled, with various injuries mounting and conditions worsening.

The half ended badly for Northern, giving up a safety after another goaline stand. The half time score was 8-0 to Ft. William.

In the second half fortunes didn’t change for Northern. With Ft. William stacking up against the run and blitzing heavily, the Northern pass protection was ineffective.

Although able to break a couple of runs, there was no consistency to get close for a score. Ft. William grew in confidence as the Northern players tired, able to get passes off to man of the match Liddell playing at tight end.

He added a TD and a two-point conversion. Late in the game Ft. William continued their dominance able to add another long run into the corner of the end zone followed by a final two-point conversion.

The final score was a deserved 24-0 win for Ft.William. A re-match is scheduled for May with Ft.William as hosts.

PIC C/O NORTHERN PHOENIX