Sydney Uni American Football Club

Kyle Kazarian throws to Andreas Lundin while quarterbacking the Lions in the second half

Sydney Uni travelled to Wyong to beat the Northwestern Predators 77-6 in heavy rain showers on Saturday.  The rain did little to dampen the attack of the Lions, which was ruthlessly efficient in scoring a touchdown on every possession but one.  Indeed, freshman running back Alex Watson clearly revelled in the wet conditions, setting a new club record for yards per carry in a game with 195 yards on only 6 carries for a massive 32.5 yards per carry.

But it was another of the Lions’ freshmen phenoms, Hugh Tomkins, who got the game off to the perfect start with a 90 yard return for a touchdown off the opening kick-off.  Tomkins followed strong blocking to pick his way through the coverage and speed away for the score.

The defence extended the Predators’ opening drive with two third down penalties but eventually snuffed it out for the Lions to get the ball back on their 20 yard line after a punt.  Watson busted his first carry up the middle and fought off the pursuit until he was  finally claimed 67 yards later only three yards short of the endzone.  Mac Shine was given the honours for the touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

Anthony Sinton leaps to take this interception to close down a Predators drive before the half

The Lions defence then got in on the scoring act after the Predators had driven down to the 30 yard line.  On first down, safety Andy Eisold jumped a pass into the flats and took the catch going the other way.  Eisold stepped the only Predator with a chance at making the tackle and returned the interception 65 yards for a touchdown.

The defence set up the next score too, sending the Predators three and out and then pressuring a punt for a loss with a strong rush.  Watson took only one carry to cover the 21 yards needed for the score and a 28-0 lead.

The Predators picked up a couple of first downs on their next drive but were stopped by a Joe Lim sack on third down at midfield.  The Lions did not muck around on offence.  Quarterback Kiernan Dorney hit  Matt Croasdaile out of the backfield and Croasdaile got an escort from receiver Marc Biedenkapp up the Lions’ sideline for 73 yards to the three yard line.  Croasdaile got the call on the next play for the touchdown and a 35-0 lead.

With time getting away in the half, the Predators forced a ball deep down the middle and were picked off by safety Anthony Sinton.  The Lions cashed in on the turnover, Dorney throwing to Biedenkapp for completions of 30 yards and 15 yards, the second for a touchdown and a scoreline of 42-0.

The Predators finally got on the scoreboard on their next play from scrimmage, connecting on a 52 yard touchdown pass over the Lions’ secondary.  But there was still time for a final Lions’ score in the half, Dorney answering with a 69 yard throw to Tristan Cauhepe for a touchdown and a half-time score of 49-6.  Incredibly, the Lions had run only 15 plays on offence, with 5 going for touchdowns!

Alex Watson on his way to a record-setting day in averaging 32.5 yards per carry

And the scoring deluge did not stop in the second half.  Despite heavy rain, the offence continued to roll.  The defence sent the Predators three and out on their first series and Watson and Croasdaile took over.  Watson carried for 20 yards and then ran the ball into the endzone from 35 yards out, only for the play to be brought back to the 17 after a clipping call.  Croasdaile carried the ball in from there for the opening score of the half.

The Predators tried to go to the ground game in the wet conditions but the Lions were all over a receiver end around on 3rd and 7, taking the play for a 13 yard loss.  The Lions put Kyle Kazarian in at quarterback and he lead the Uni in for a score, throwing a 16 yard touchdown pass to Cauhepe.  Both Lions quarterbacks would put up good numbers : Dorney hitting 5 of 8 for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns; and Kazarian going 4 of 5 for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Andy Eisold leaves Predators behind on his way to 6

Defensive tackle Dominic Dupres pulled in a fumble recovery on the next drive, but this time the Lions failed to score – driving down to the 4 yard line but launching a shotgun snap over the head of the quarterback for the Predators to recover the ball.

The Predators then drove down to the Lions’ 15 yard line but were repelled by a determined defence, with Joe Lim, Alex Denby and Hugh Tomkins claiming the quarterback for a sack on 4th down.

The Lions defence coming in waves

The Lions countered with a long scoring drive, even converting from 3rd and 26, with Liam Erby running the ball in from 28 yards for the score.

But the final word went to Alex Watson.  After Joe Lim had recovered a fumble, Watson got the ball for one last carry.  This time he would not be denied and barrelled his way for a 60 yard touchdown to end the scoring at 77-6.

The Lions will be looking to repeat their strong form on the road next week against the Outlaws in Berkeley.

Matt Croasdaile raced away for 73 yards on a pass from Dorney out of the backfield