Cassidy Jets Euro Ambitions Thwarted By Raiders
The Cassidy Jets European season ended on Saturday with a 49-20 defeat at the hands of the Swarco Tirol Raiders. The Austrian outfit outlasted a spirited display from the undermanned Jets and eventually pulled away late on with 20 unanswered points. Florian Grein starred for the hosts with a first half hat-trick of touchdowns whilst Mark Cohen resumed usual service with 8 receptions for 99 yards and Coventry's first 2 scores.
The Innsbruck based Raiders responded with a good drive themselves, establishing their power running game behind a fast skilful offensive line. Quarterback Marko Glavic found Grein for a 29 yard score as the star running back scampered into the endzone to tie the score at 6-6. American Will Galusha ran the extra point in to make it 8-6 to the home side. The Cassidy Jets were forced to punt from the Raiders' 33 yard line after another promising drive stalled.
With the second play of the second quarter Grein ran in from one yard out to score his second td of the game. Robert Balazinec converted the extra point to stretch the home sides lead to 9. Three minutes later the Jets pulled it back to just a point, Cohen again scored from 13 yards on what was Michelena's 8 touchdown pass of the season. The American quarterback was on target again as he hit Jeremy Simms for the 2 point conversion. It was Simms that came up big again on Tirol's next possession, the receiver come defensive back knocked the ball out of Glavic's hand on the Cassidy Jets' one yard line as the Swiss quarterback lunged for the goal line. The resulting fumble went through the endzone giving Coventry the ball and a chance to take a half-time lead.
A quarterback sack, one of 4 on the day, ended any hopes of Coventry snatching a shock lead at the break and handed the ball back to the Raiders with enough time for them to score. Grein obliged with a 6 yard scamper and the trusty Balazinec (5 of 5 on the day) adding the extra point for 22-14 halftime lead. The Raiders began the second half with the ball and continued to dominate with the run Lukas Miribung's 28 yard effort stretched the lead to 29-14.
A short kick left the Cassidy Jets with good field position and a 23 yard run from Michelena followed by a 29 yard reception for Cohen put them quickly in scoring position. A good second effort from Kofi Campbell saw him drag would be tacklers across the goal line to bring the Jets back within 9. Michelena's extra point pass failed and the Jets wouldn't score again. Tirol put the game out of reach with further rushing scores by James Ellingson and Andreas Pröller and Ryan Voss 36 yard reception in which the lofty American receiver got away with a push off on Jets' defensive back Adam Biggs.
Craig Pennington led the Jets defense with 8 solo tackles and Coach Gerry McManus heaped praise on the veteran linebacker. "I was delighted to see Craig's hard work rewarded, He's one of the team's leaders and in the absence of Defensive Co-ordinator Ronnie Zerr helped put the game plan in place with Paul Newey". McManus summed up his feelings on the teams display "we've come out to play one of the very best teams in Europe and for nearly 3 quarters gone toe-to-toe with them. If all goes well in Britball this season we'll be back in Europe next season and I'd expect to go even further".
Warwick University will host the Cassidy Jets first BAFL Premier fixture this coming Sunday as they host local rivals the Birmingham Bulls. The game is always fiercely contested as many of the Jets staff and players have ties to the storied Birmingham franchise. Kick-off is 14:30, entry is £3 for adults and £1 for under 16s, parking is free and available in car park 13 just off Kirby Corner Road.