This past Sunday we began our second half of the season with a home game against the Helsinki 69ers. Our first game against the 69ers was my first of the season and we won 13-7. Going into the game we were 3-1 and the 69ers were 2-2. The winner of this game would most likely lock down the #2 slot for the playoffs and host the first playoff game.
We began the game on defense and forced an immediate 3 and out. Our offense took the field and picked up two quick first downs. We got stopped short of the first down on 3rd down and decided to go for it on 4th and 1. The 69ers thought we were going to run a quarterback sneak so they brought everyone up to the line of scrimmage and forgot to cover Jukka Lautamatti. Jukka was able to scamper the rest of the way into the endzone for the games first touchdown.
The 69ers responded with a 14 play touchdown drive of their own, our defense did not have much of a solution for what the 69ers were doing, and they were able to move the ball at will during this drive. We were missing players on both sides of the ball due to injuries and vacations. In addition to this our newest import Nick Jones, RB/S, was not able to play because his paperwork from the United Kingdom had not come through yet.
Following the 69ers tying score our offense was able to get a first down, but was stopped on another 4th and 1. The 69ers were once again able to move the ball effectively down the field, but our defense stopped them finally and forced a 23 yard field goal attempt. The attempted kick was blocked, although it was basically kicked into the linemen in front of the kicker and had no legitimate chance of going in.
The following drive I came in on offense for almost the entire series and we started to move the ball pretty well. A nine play drive seemed like it would be a great one when Nesi Carpelan found Jani Keinisalo for a 35 yard touchdown. Unfortunately, this was brought back due to a holding call, and the drive fizzled out from there. We punted to the 69ers and they only had 30 seconds left on the half so they decided to take a knee, and we went into the half 7-7.
I started on offense for the second half and we again moved the ball effectively with a nine-play drive. Unfortunately, it once again ended in a failed 4th and 1 attempt, so the 69ers got the ball once again. Both teams then exchanged punts as no offense was able to find any room, and the 3rd quarter ended with the score still deadlocked at 7.
Early in the 4th quarter the 69ers had good field position and took advantage by throwing the ball down the field behind one of our corner backs for the go ahead touchdown. On the extra point the snap was too high so the holder had to try to run it in himself. He failed, which proved to be a pivotal play in the game.
We responded with an eight-play drive of our own, that was capped off by a pass from Nesi to Jani to tie the game at 13. As our kicker Ari stepped in to take the kick, he said to our holder Matt Shepard, “This is pretty important huh?” Matt responded, “Yeah, if you make this we will probably win the game.” He did make the go ahead kick, and these points ended up being what won us the game.
The 69ers were not able to do much offensively, and we were helped by a big interception by Jani as well. Offensively we tried to run the ball and grind the clock, but this resulted in only one first down for us in our final two drives. The game ended when the 69ers quarterback heaved the ball deep into our territory, and I was able to come down with the interception. After that it only took one kneel down by Nesi to end the game. The game MVP was given to Jani for his efforts on both sides of the ball.
This Saturday we host the Ghosthunters of Nokia, this is the game that I missed in the first half of the season, so it is a new opponent for me. Personal stat line: 15 rushes net 74 yards, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 interception.
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