Sydney Uni American Football Club

Max Granger scored on this long bomb and a kick-off return for two touchdowns

Sydney Uni found lots of different ways to score in defeating the Predators 58-14 at the UWS Nepean Hockey field on Friday night.  The Cubs ran and passed for touchdowns as expected, but also returned a kick-off, a fumble recovery and two interceptions for touchdowns in a comprehensive display.  Indeed, the Cubs defence outscored its opponents 18-14 to chalk up its own victory on the night.

The Cubs were on the scoreboard first, but the Predators answered back, completing passes out of their three receiver set to get down close and then scrambling into the endzone on 4th down to level the scores.

Max Granger got the Cubs straight back on top, taking the ensuing kick-off through the Predators’ coverage team and all the way for a touchdown.

With half-time approaching, the Cubs had a handy lead but decided to put their foot down.  Defensive Captain, Daniel Pearson, beat his man and sacked the Predators quarterback, forcing the ball out in the process.  Fellow lineman Sergan Isik picked up the fumble and legged it into the endzone for the Cubs’ first score on defence this season.

Sam Darcy kept the offence on track despite a number of forced personnel changes

It would not be the last.  Barely seconds later, the Predators had the ball back after the kick-off and were still passing, looking to make something happen before the end of the half.  Something happened all right, but not what they had in mind.  Good coverage from the secondary forced the Predators’ quarterback to dump a pass off to his running back.  However, Cubs cornerback David Chau was ready and waiting, tackling the back as the ball arrived and forcing the ball out and into the arms of linebacker Hau Neo.  Neo held the chance interception and cashed it in for points, returning the pick into the endzone for the second defensive score.

The offence was not being left out of the scoring by any means.  Hugh Tomkins stepped in at fullback to fill a void left by forced absences and injuries to the first three players on the depth chart and reminded us just what we had been missing this year.  On the game’s biggest play, Tomkins took a hand-off just out of his own endzone and beat the entire Predators’ defence for strength and speed to go the length of the field.

But he was not the only one to impress.  Darcy kept the offence on track, despite the personnel changes, and proved as elusive as ever with the ball.  He teamed up with Max Granger for a long range touchdown passthat showed just what a deadly combination they have become.  And the offensive line continued to impress with its consistent play for the league’s top scoring offence.

Jack Horgan (97), Elvis Trompf and Kendall Generoso on the line clear the way for Darcy (84) and Granger (39) to work their magic

But the final word was back on defence.  With the Predators back on their line and not long to go, the quarterback tried for a slant pass.  Justin Chow had played well all night and pressured the receiver out of the catch.  Cornerback Chevy Abraham-Jacob was in position to snare the ball and return it for hisfirst career touchdown to seal the deal.

Captain Daniel Pearson (55) lead from the front, forcing a fumble returned for a touchdown