Flag Finals Match Report
The finals this year was a rematch of last season's two finalists, defending champions Honey Badgers and the Ballhawks (Previously known as Fondle my Balls). Honey Badgers won the toss and elected to start on offense, a questionable choice by the Honey Badgers that could prove fatal....
The Honey Badgers looking to set the pace and score first, were denied by the Ballhawks no. 1 ranked defense. The Ballhawks then silenced the defending champs by putting up 6 points of their own, proving why Kevin Recco deserved the MVP trophy for most TD receptions with a sliding grab in the back of the endzone from a bullet by the Ballhawks QB Brandon Little. They failed their 1 pt conversion with some tight defense from Honey Badger Aldo Legarda.
6-0 to the Ballhawks
In a game that quickly became a defensive battle, the Honey Badgers looked to their run game to get something going. Alexis Devaud ran it in for 6 points untouched, with the help of two Ballhawks defenders running into each other. However, the Ballhawks once again put a beat down on the pass attack and prevented the 2 pt conversion.
6-6 all tied
More defensive battles from both sides holding each team out of the endzone, until the Honey Badgers had to dig deep into their playbook and pull out a little trickery on 5th down. A flea flicker combined with an unbelievable catch in double coverage by Alexis Devaud and the hopes of not hearing a popping sound before the endzone, and the Honey Badgers were in the lead 12-6. Going with their favourite in-and-out plays, the Honey Badgers were able to convert the 2 pt conversion with a toss from Alex Berriman to Pierre Veyret... An important conversion...
14-6 Honey Badgers lead at Half Time
A low scoring tough defensive battle continued after the half with the Ballhawks shutting out the Honey Badgers offense who would remain scoreless in the second half.
Some good playcalling by the Ballhawks put them in the endzone with a an easy pitch and catch on a corner route from Brandon Little to John Hogan. 14-12 still in favour of the Honey Badgers, the Ballhawks needed this 2 pt conversion to tie up the game. The Honey Badgers defense said no, and held their lead.... if only the slightest...
14-12 Honey Badgers still leading.... only just...
Honey Badgers still unable to score on the inaccurate arm of their QB who was having a hard time dealing with the Ballhawks blitzes. With only 2:30 left in the game, the Ballhawks had the ball and a chance to take the Championship trophy away from the Honey Badgers. 1st down - an easy 25 yard catch and run by Kevin Recco that put the Ballhawks in easy scoring position.
2nd down - again Ballhawks abusing their workhorse Kevin Recco on a running play, that went for no gain.
3rd down - Ballhawks going for the endzone, only to be tipped at the last second by Alexis Devaud
4th down - Only a minute left in the game, another incomplete pass by the Ballhawks, swated by Alexis Devaud.
5th down - How the tables had turned on this Honey Badgers Offense vs Ballhawks Defense. Now with 1 second left on the clock, final play of the season, the ball in Ballhawks hands and the Championship trophy just 1 catch away. The blitz comes, Brandon Little avoids the rush and scrambles around buying his receivers time. A lane opens up across the middle of the field, with the 7 second rule counting down, Brandon fires it.... It hits a hand.... or more a fist... the fist of Honey Badgers Kevin Chan as he punches the ball way out of the back of the endzone to make sure even Kevin Recco couldn't somehow end up with it in the endzone.
The Honey Badgers go wild as they defend their championship title, making them back to back Champs.
Final score 14-12 Honey Badgers.
There was a video camera on the day so you all would be able to catch the action... However the numpty in charge of the camera forgot to press record... That's how tense warm-ups were for this game.
There are however some photos that will be posted online soon.