15/09/2024
2024 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
This Saturday, the Tayside Longhorns reached a new milestone of playing at the BAFA National Championships in Manchester. Itās been an eventful nine months in the clubās short history. Weāve been building to get to this point, but that hasnāt come without some snagging. Our fledgling team is led by experience, and our new recruits knew they were extremely fortunate to have earned the opportunity to be travelling down to participate against the Northants Ducks, South Coast Spitfires and Nuneaton Jaguars, in what would be a character forming experience for the group. It capped off a total of 11 competitive games in just 4 weeks for the club. Many of the players on our traveling team joining during the same period, and benefiting greatly from these fixtures. Our team is mostly made of 12s, at the lower end of this U14s age bracket.
Our team had a blast travelling down to a major Flag Football event, and it opened their eyes to just what is possible with some application and teamwork. We were delighted to be able to cheer on our fellow regional competitors, the U14s Glasgow Hornets, who are another exciting side with similarly exciting young prospects. We regretted that our U11s team were not able to earn a place in their bracket due to there not quite being enough appetite at that level for our regional qualifier. This should change in time as the sport gains more and more traction, so we are confident that they will have an opportunity in future.
Nuneaton Ducks
This game was a baptism of fire for three more members of our team making their debuts. The opposite sideline was intense, bringing fierce noise to this bright 9am start to the competition. It was perhaps no coincidence that their colours mirror the Seattle Seahawks as they did their best to emulate the 12th man of CenturyLink field. We have played against sidelines like this before, but none yet that were complete with novelty duck whistles! The tactics appeared to have an effect until Umar took the ball on a neat catch and run from our 10 yard line. He managed to ghost his way through the defense and streak down the Ducks sideline into the end zone. It was a welcome opening score for our team, and quickly brought some quiet to the field. Our defense held the ducks back with Evie taking charge of blitzing duties, until a well drilled play got the better of us. A catch to be proud of for a score in reply. Umar and Archie had further success on offense in the form of runs and receptions but the ducks defense solidified and made some key tackles.
Archie shone in this game with a more assertive performance than previous outings. He made an excellent reception up high but the ducks were so quick to pounce that it was hard to make yards after the catch. Their number 28 notably proving her worth on multiple drives. Josh contributed to the Longhorns defense in what was his first game, with some great blitzes after working hard on these in training. Josh did well to put the QB under pressure, who had some nifty moves of his own. Evie took turns in blitzing and had similar success to Josh with her added height proving difficult for the ducks playmaker. Tyler made his first interception in this, his very first game too. What a great time to manage that! There were a series of great tackles from Lily, Charlie, Harry and Archie before another score from the Ducks. Harry and Umar made a tremendous run each from deep in our half, but the Ducks ultimately managed the crucial tackle. We had some nice passages of play in response, involving Umar, Harry and Archie again, but the tall Ducks defense was able to make the stops required, and ultimately closed out a well deserved win for them. It was a difficult opener, which was exactly what we had been expecting.
South Coast Spitfires
This was the game we had been most excited about. The South Coast Spitfires are another well established team from England, but it wasnāt lost on us that this was two teams travelling a total of 1000km to play each other. Boasting 65 players, the club has made some significant achievements, and the team we were facing would be made up of players with multiple years experience, a national championship winner from last yearās tournament, and at least one rookie. Forgive the extended match report as this was our game of the day.
At the coin toss, we were wanting to choose the direction of play, but ended up defending first. We hoped this wouldnāt become a factor later on. The game started this time with us conceding first and having to chase the game. Nothing new to us, but it was a warning that any weaknesses would be exploited ruthlessly. We will be building some tackle drills around that play, having missed three tackles in quick succession. Perhaps it was the long interlude between games, but either way, it felt like a silly mistake to make so early on. Encouragingly, heads did not go down this time ā a sign that perhaps our youngsters are learning the mental side of the game with all their recent game experience.
Umar and Archie worked well running the ball, and Harry provided receiver support, making a fantastic catch and run in what would be his most outstanding performance. He took the ball all the way to the one yard line but was judged to have gone out of bounds at the five. We were beginning to get going but the Spitfires managed to keep us out of the end zone. The Spitfires offense took charge again, this time their number 32 causing problems as she slalomed through their own half with some impressive tackle evasion. This spell was cut short by a brilliant interception from Lily, once again showing awareness beyond her years and taking it on a sweep down the opposite sideline into a great field position for the Longhorns. This drive was again short lived as Charlie worked hard against the blitz, but tight defensive cover proved too much to overcome and 4th down could only be thrown out of bounds. The Spitfiresā defense was a tough nut to crack. Lily made another good tackle, and Evie was back in at blitzing, making her game changing play of the day and forcing an interception by Harry, which was very well taken. We had come here to play and we were now beginning to show this. Still well in the game, we just needed a score to bring us level. Charlie escaped another blitz and spotted a weakness over the top. He found his man with the precision needed, but unfortunately we couldnāt convert the chance. The blitz came wave after wave, and Charlie was mesmerizing, somehow evading time after time. Finally, on 4th down, Harry provided an outlet and made a tremendous catch, bringing it in and changing direction to be met with yet another tackle to end the half. We had finished the half with promise and were very much still in the game.
The spitfires brought more defensive pressure in the second half and cancelled out our first drive, partially aided by some tired hands on our side. Josh and Evie began rotating again at blitzing, doing their best to cause problems for the opposition. The Spitfires were making more calculated plays down the field, culminating in a nice catch by number 85. Harry stopped the extra point at the last second and we were now 12 behind, but still in the game. Back on our five yard line, next up came a short run by Lily, which was followed by a good roll out by our QB. He took a short lob over the next man to Tyler, who made no mistake with his catch. He had the rest of the field open to him and it became a foot race with 35 yards to go down the Spitfire sideline. Tyler was able to keep ahead the rest of the way, but the last man was no slouch, just inches away from his heels. What a game to score your first touchdown, and what a way to do it! Well done Tyler! The extra point again went to Tyler, but the catch evaded him. Strangely no extra points yet, so the score was 12-6. We managed a stop on the Spitfireās next drive to get the ball back. This time Jamie was in the game as a receiver, another new player on his debut day. He took a short catch but was quickly tackled by his nearest marker. Next, it was a cross body throw to Tyler, similar to the thrilling play from the last drive, only this time Tyler had 40 yards to go... Again, he had two defenders to go past but he was already in full stride and was away for the score. No one likes a show off, Tyler. Only joking of course, this was a player getting better and better right in front of our eyes. The extra point went to Jamie, but again it just wasnāt to be. With the game within touching distance, we moved Archie to blitzer and piled the pressure on. His speed and size making things difficult. The spitfires tried in vain to tempt us offside, throwing everything at us. Twice they were halted to fourth down with a combination of batted down passes and tackles. Time was eating off the clock and that would suit us too. Twice they found the yards to complete a first down and so were able to make a go ahead TD in 8 plays. Charlie made a pick on the extra point to make it no good, but running it the length of the field was a tall order. Longhorns now had around twenty seconds to get down the field and score to tie. An extra point after would provide us with a win.
From our first play, Charlie went long to Archie several yards inside the sideline. Heād found a way up the side and an opening had been spotted. The ball teased in the air but the pair had both timed it perfectly. Archie pulled it into his chest, taking no chances, and turned to sprint down the field. One defender gave up and pointed to the sideline, then resumed chase. Archie was still in a dogfight with the remaining spitfire when the former chasing defender clattered into him from behind with 10 yards to goā¦ Nobody knew what was happening but it was thrilling stuff nonetheless! There were calls of stepping out of bounds and more of illegal contact. The referees had some decisions to make and the call did not go our way. The catch was allowed, but he was deemed to have gone out of bounds afterwards. Second down from our own half with 8 seconds left. Harry received and bought us a first down on the half way line, stopping the clock. Now down to 7 seconds left, and our short catch to gain five yards was not going to cut it. It was down to our last play of the game, with a single second to go and twenty yards to goal. The snap is good, Longhorns surge for the end zone. We have a final four seconds of release time and we are scanning the end zone. A player is viable on the inside of the right pylon, and away goes the ball, arcing over the top of the DB. He is beaten and the ball is heading for our man on the line but for one thing: itās obscured by the sun. It was another thrilling finish to one of our games. Everyone had given it their best, which is all that matters to us, and we couldnāt be happier with the way all of our players played, and learned.
Nuneaton Jaguars
Our last game of the day, this was against perhaps the most accomplished side we could hope to play against on a club level. The game was about to be forfeited due to the Jaguars not turning up. Winning by forfeit is of no value to anyone, least of all our players. We couldnāt find the turquoise jerseys anywhere, and it was another race against time to salvage a final game of the day. Finally a player was spotted wearing unexpected colours, and we got the game going. Jags started with the ball and Lily made the first tackle of the game, and her first tackle of a Great British Lion, Frankie Taylor. Next their QB side armed a pass to their number 12, Izzie McNeal, another Great British Lion. Izzie made Tyler and Harry miss, before cruising in for their first touchdown. Umar was up next, and he had some success making both girls miss. Lily and Harry made exciting catches on consecutive plays, and Umar caused them more problems with his speed. All the Jags could find was a fistful of shirt, and he was a headache for the seasoned Jags players. Some excellent displays of strength, speed and agility from the Jags number 17 increased another score. Charlie found Lily and Harry again but we were just short of the first down we needed. Harry and Charlie teamed up for the next two tackles before Izzie burst down the sideline on 3rd down to go all the way. It was clear at this point that the game would be out of reach and so we threw on our new guys to give them an experience. Evie, Lily, Umar and Jamie all shared the field together on this next drive. Lily had some targets but the Jags were capable of getting in front to break these up. Umar breezed through four jags again and was tackled by the last man. The next play was a completion to Archie for a first down. The Jags rallied to try and stop Umar on the next play, and virtually formed a wall to do so! An inventive way, and quite possibly the only way. Another pass completed to Archie who had made it to their five yard line before a diving tackle stopped him from achieving a much needed TD to end the half.
To start us off on the next half, Evie made an excellent catch that had us holding our breath. She did brilliantly to evade a tackle afterwards to gain us 5 yards. Jamie completed catches out wide twice in succession. One spin later and heād evaded the lionesses who gave chase, each of them grabbing a flag for good measure deep in Jags territory. He was deemed out of bounds at the half and unfortunately, the play was called back. The Jags served up several more blitzes, some of the quickest all day, and it was tough to get meaningful yards. Jags took over and it was Tylerās turn to make a tackle both on the Jags five and then on our five having chased down their number 17. We missed what should have been a certain interception and then both teams closed out the game with a few new plays and formations. The scoreline was one sided, but there were learning points for both sides.
It was hard to convey to such young players how well they had done. They had no idea the calibre of players they were competing against. Notable facts from the game are that the Jaguars gave up nil points to any team on the day. We came close.
Our young side also gave up the fewest points to the Jags on the day, 21 in total. Many of the Jags team will be aging up next year, and so this was a unique opportunity for our players to glimpse whatās possible at the top end of this age category.
The Jags made a total of 8 sacks and 6 Interceptions on the day. Incredibly, the Longhorns gave away a single sack, and nil INTs across these three quality opponents.
Shout Outs:
(In no particular order)
Our driver, David and now a Flag Football convert! Thank you so much for getting us down there and back safely, and without any fuss, you are a gentleman and true professional.
Co-pilot DJ Dale, thank you for keeping us entertained with playlists and for taking copious photos
Faz and Lynne, thank you for helping herd cats, taking our game footage and keeping us sane!
SCOFF community ā Thank you to all the helpers and volunteers who impart their knowledge, and give up their time and expertise to develop Flag in Scotland. We owe you so much, and never would have existed without you.
Kenny, thank you for being receptive to new ideas and helping promote the youth game UK wide
The referees and officials, thanks for your patience and knowledge throughout the day. Magnet, you added so much to our day, thanks again.
All the coaches, parents and players throughout the country that have supported us and helped us, you know who you are.
All three teams we played, thanks again.
GO LONGHORNS!!! š®š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ
If youāve read this, and think you might enjoy this exciting sport, get in touch with your local club and give it a try.
You could do worse than start by watching yesterdayās BAFA National Championship Final between Cardiff and the Glasgow Hornets:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-69C3ydBpI&t=31604s
*SPOILER ALERT: GLASGOW HORNETS ARE NOW NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!! CONGRATULATIONS HORNETS!!
Jaguars American Football Club Coast Spitfires Ducks Glasgow Hornets Scottish Flag Football British American Football Association
