MATCH REPORT: KNIGHTS 21-3 surge
James Horne runs in for the Touchdown!
The Northants Knights launched their home campaign on Sunday the 4th of May, when they hosted the Staffordshire Surge, who had started their season 1-1. Northants entered the game determined to go 2-0, which they were able to do successfully with a convincing 20-3 victory, thanks to yet another fantastic performance from their defence.
The game did not start well for the Knights. They received the opening kick-off, but the offense sputtered as the first drive resulted in a fumble and gave the Surge great field position. However, the defensive unit picked up where they left off in the first game of the season, swiftly putting a stop to Staffordshire's opening possession.
This was the story of the first half, neither offense was able to cap off their drives. Despite some strong runs from the home team's offense, both teams were unable to find their feet in the redzone.
In fact, it wasn't until the last two drives in the second quarter that either team was able to put points on the board. The Surge added a field goal to make it 3-0, before giving the ball back to Northants with just 55 seconds left in the half. Wide Receiver Tyler Gordon #1 injected life into the drive when he broke a long run on a jet sweep, gaining 28 yards before being pushed out of bounds, deep in Staffordshire territory.
This was followed by two more fantastic carries by running back Peter Duah #3 and Quarterback James Horne #18 that took it down to the goal line with just seconds to spare. The Knights executed a QB sneak and Horne broke the plane for the rushing touchdown with the final play of the half.
After a muffed snap on the PAT, the halftime score line was 3-6 in favour of the home side.
Staffordshire started the third quarter with the ball but a forced and then recovered fumble from defensive standout Liam Smith #93 cut the drive short after just four plays.
After the catalyst of their first touchdown, the Knights offense - riding on the back of star running back Sean Hanlon #43 - kicked into a higher gear. After Hanlon's aggressive running carried the ball down to the Surge 35-yard-line, Northants QB Horne found Gavin Stanley #49 for a big gain, making a contested catch inside the five.
On First and Second and Goal, the Surge interior held firm, and stuffed two rush attempts. However, on third down, Duah bounced his run outside of the pile and found the endzone off the back of a stellar outside block from Stanley.
After a successful PAT conversion from kicker Luke Keith #29, the score was 13-3.
With the pressure of the double-digit deficit looming, Staffordshire tried to break through, but a stout Northants defence stood between them and the end zone, limiting their options. The run-heavy scheme was not able to create any big plays, and instead the Knights D was the side making it happen, when Smith forced and recovered his second fumble of the game and Zack Stretton #25 intercepted a rare pass attempt.
In the fourth quarter, the Knights offense put together another nice drive, first establishing the run, before Horne completed back to back passes to cut the Staffordshire defence apart. A quick swing pass to Hanlon earned 8 yards, and the very next play saw an aggressive throw down the side-line to Gordon for 22 yards.
Shortly after, Horne called his own number on a read option in the redzone and scampered home for his second rushing touchdown of the game. After Keith added the PAT, we reached our final score of 3-20 in favour of Northants.
These to sides are set to meet again immediately, with the reverse fixture taking place on Sunday the 11th of May, in a back-to-back double header. The Knights will look to go 3-0, while Staffordshire will want to avenge their first performance.
Offensive MVP - TE, Kevin Cunningham #37
Defensive MVP - DE, Liam Smith #93
Written by Tyler Arthur.