Inverclyde Now Logo AMERICAN Football — Inverclyde Goliaths Welcome Dumfries Hunters For Scrimmage

28 March, 2018 | Local

INVERCLYDE Goliaths welcomed Division Two side Dumfries Hunters for a controlled scrimmage at Battery Park.

Before the teams took to the field Inverclyde American Football’s youngest members, Inverclyde Mighty Ducklings, had a 30-minute training session on field with head coach Andrew Bruce, running through some of the games and drills they do every Sunday, with the help of a few of the players kitted out in their full Goliaths uniforms.

Coach Bruce said: “We had a great, first outdoor session; the enthusiasm the kids bring is brilliant. Seeing the Goliaths helping at our practice and a couple of the Ducklings getting to walk out with the Goliaths captains as mascots is amazing. We are building a real community club here.”

Both teams began the day with solid defensive work but the Hunters were the first to reach the end-zone with an 80-yard drive ending in a 53-yard passing touchdown from quarterback (QB) Dominic Lewis to wide receiver (WR) Jamie McGuire. Goliaths stopped the Hunters QB from rushing in for the extra points. Hunters managed to once again stop Goliaths offence in its tracks but from the next play of the Hunters offence at their 20-yard line, outside backer Bud McFerren intercepted a Dominic Lewis pass for the pick six (an interception returned by the defence for a touchdown.) Hunters also managed to stop the Goliaths from claiming the extra points.

Goliaths stepped things up a gear with a 74-yard run from rookie running back Carlo Capocchi. Carlo had just stepped up from the youth set-up, Inverclyde Phoenix, after turning 18 during the week, and this was his first time in the Goliaths uniform and full kit.

He was named as the Goliaths’s MVP (most valuable player) after the scrimmage and presented with the team’s MVP Chain.

His huge run set up the Goliaths on the six-yard line with QB Chris Lang rushing in to the end-zone. The Goliaths attempted their first field goal but, after a fluffed snap, the ball ended up in the hands of tight end Kevin McAdam who was stopped short for the extra points.

Hunters managed to rally their offence for two back-to-back scores, with Goliaths struggling with the deep passes. QB Dominic Lewis targeted WR Jack Stevenston on a 48-yard pass then WR Jamie McGuire for the second time on a 19-yard pass. Goliaths stopped the extra points on both occasions but the Division Two team were still leading way.

With time running out, the Goliaths pulled together and showed their mettle by putting on a brilliant spectacle for the crowd. Driving the ball up the field with superb clock management by making sure plays ended up out of bounds to stop the clock, the Goliaths broke into the end-zone to tie things up with a trick play. Back-up QB Ruaraidh MacDonald tossed the ball out right to Bud McFerren who showed everyone he also had an arm with a 36-yard ‘Hail Mary’ pass into the end-zone. The Goliaths punched in the days’ first extra points with QB Ruaraidh MacDonald keeping the ball and sweeping out left to break the plane and ensure the Goliaths finished the day on top.

Head coach Martin McClintock said: “It was a great start to our season preparation to get this time against a talented Hunters side. We got significant playing time for many of our new players in their first action as a Goliath. There’s a lot to take away from this scrimmage for our players and coaches over the next few weeks as we apply the lessons learned to our training and game plans. I just want to thank Dunfries Hunters for making the journey up here for this and wish them all the best for their season ahead.”

Goliaths train at Fort Matilda, Greenock, on Wednesdays at 7.30pm and Sundays at 1.30pm.

The Comets (Adult Flag) train on Wednesdays at 6.30pm.

The Phoenix (Youth Flag/Kitted 10 to 18-year-olds) train at 11.30am on Sundays, also at Fort Matilda.

Inverclyde Mighty Ducklings(two to 11-year-olds) are currently at Flex UK Dance Studio on Glenburn Street in Port Glasgow every Sunday, 10.20am.

Inverclyde American Football 

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