Sabres Win To Go 4-0

Published: December 16, 2011

The Sabres headed into their Week 6 game at Lancaster knowing a shutout win would secure top spot in the Northern Conference over the Christmas break. After averaging nearly 50 points a game in their first 3 games of the season, and with Lancaster averaging 50 points conceded per game, the away team were hot favourites. The game started in mixed fashion for the Sabres; on their first offensive drive, QB Dan Jones completed a 40 yard pass to James Sharrock for the receiver’s first ever touchdown. However, Jones injured his shoulder during the failed 2 point conversion, and had to sit out the rest of the game.
After the Sabres’ defence stopped the Bombers from getting a first down, the offense continued in fine fashion, with Sam Broughton running in the touchdown, taking his tally to 11 for the season. After another 3-and-out for the Bombers, the Sheffield offense looked to build a drive from deep in their half, but were unable to, with the home team running in a pick six. The 2 point conversion was missed, making the score 14-6.
Running out of an offset I formation, the Bombers couldn’t move the ball with any kind of consistency, but made a rare first down after a fumbled long snap enabled the punter to move the chains with a scramble to the outside. The away side made up for the error on special teams though, with rookie cornerback Adam Dickens making his second interception in as many games. The offense couldn’t capitalise on this though, and it was left to the Sabres’ defence to get the next score; David Bratt got the interception, and was left with a simple run in for a 9 yard touchdown. This would be the last score of the half, with the score heading into the break 20-6.
The Sabres picked up where they left off in the second half; the defence stopped the Bombers, and Matt Walne scored a touchdown off a Jacob Hardy pass, in no small part down to excellent downfield blocking from Sharrock. Sam Kennett ran in the 2 pointer to take the Sabres’ total to 28. The Sabres scored twice more in the 3rd quarter, one for Walne and the other from Milo Craig, but failed to convert either 2 pointer.
Into the 4th quarter, and RB Alex Healey trundled over the goal line for his first Sabres touchdown. After a change of formation, the Bomber offense managed to put together a decent drive and despite a brutal hit from Munya Chawawa the play before, scored their first offensive touchdown of the game with a 20 yard pass. The away team had the last word though, and fittingly, it was CJ Colicchio, in his last game for the Sabres, who scored with the last play of the game. The final score – 52-12.
Despite the high score, the Sabres were below par, and couldn’t snatch the top spot from cross-town rivals the Hallam Warriors. This was in no small part down to a large amount of penalty yards on both offense and defence. It’s errors like these that need to be cut out before they play Hallam after Christmas. Still, with their 3rd 50+ score of the season, the Sheffield Sabres go 4-0.
Rookie MVP: Matt Walne Special Teams MVP: John Whitney Offensive MVP: Sam Broughton Defensive MVP: Kieran Rieley Lineman Pie: Ed Bull Photos by Jingjing Liu Bleed Black and Gold.

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