 A battle of AFC’s titans once again saw the Warhawks take on the Wolfpack in a final for the ages.
Right from the get go both teams came out firing in an exciting match of aerial assault and ground and pound that came down to the dying seconds. Veteran Warhawks Quarterback Steven Harris was showing his potential early on, reading defenses and placing the ball exactly where it needed to be for his team. Leaning on Running back Daniel Thomson the Hawks offence was on steady early on, darting and diving and relying on their short gain opportunities. Proving to be a hard stop for the Wolfpack defense they managed to get into a groove of their own with a crucial Interception by CB stud Jaka Payot. Rallying behind Veterans Jamaine Limu-Franklin and Tim Hall the ‘Pack defense managed to amp up and close down on any short gains. Rookie Wolfpack QB Josh Thompson settled early in the game and found his feet connecting for 4 TDs including a freak fumble play that left the Warhawks D baffled as the defense rushed towards the ball leaving WRs wide open for a score late in the game that would essentially be the final nail. Stand out performances by rookie Warhawks Nick Smith and Corbin Menchen rallied the team in the late quarter. Great poise by the Warhawks Captains Anthony Vea and Steven Harris managed to pump the ‘Hawks into a game tying position. In the dying moments of the game and down by one score QB Steven Harris unleashed a 30 yard bomb to WR Tom Koppen hoping to reach the end zone with 0 seconds left in the game. However a crucial game saving tackle by Veteran Wolfpack Safety sealed the Deal for the Wolfpack as time expired and sealed the Win. In one of AFC’s most exciting finals both club teams can be proud of their seasons and the way that all players have developed. The AFC season now moves on to exhibition and Flag Football as teams will regather and look forward to the 2019 Season.
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 Wolfpack come up big in the second half.
In a battle for a spot in the final, both teams were looking to put everything on the field. The first half proved to be a tough one as the ball bounced back and forth as both teams struggled to move downfield. Spitfire Captain/Coach Brendan McGurk managed to ignite the team with a miraculous 20 yard Pick 6, lighting a fire underneath the Wolfpack. However, unfortunately that seemed to be the first and last time the Spitfire would see the Endzone this season. A Quick TD from Tim Hall saw the game tied at 7-7 leading into the half. After a few adjustments from both sides the second half was underway and could have gone to either side. However, plagued by a few misjudgements the Spitfire couldn't move the ball down field, leaving it in the hands of a hungry Wolfpack that took advantage of the situation. Connecting for a total of 4 TDs in the second half, the ‘Pack ran away with the game. Rookie WR Norbert Muller and QB Josh Thompson connected for 3 TD’s and 100 Yards for the ‘Pack, along with Veteran LB Jamaine Limu-Franklin coasting on a 25 Yard Pick 6. As the Spitfire regather and look forward towards next season and how they can adjust their game, the Wolfpack move onto their 4th AFC Championship game. A hard battle against the ‘Hawks next week will crown a champion for 2019 as the season winds down.  It was a wet one, but didn’t quite head into the Mud Bowl that some spectators were hoping for! The ‘Hawks once again showcased bits of flare and dominance on the field underneath a heavy workload from RB/Safety Akaporn Bearman.
The new kids on the block came out firing attempting to etch the Spitfire name on both the field and the scoreboard, yet came up short. A damp cold christchurch day didn’t help the cause for either team with an abundant of drops and over throws that could have changed the game for either side on multiple occasions. Rookie Phife Toto showed some poise in the pocket in his first game, connecting with young receivers Asher Richards and Shin Kato on some great plays. However a few misjudgements, over throws and blown coverage seemed to haunt the Spitfire throughout the day. With both teams completing well under half of their long targets, the ground game and flare passes seemed to spin the game from an aerial assault to a much needed ground and pound affair. ‘Hawks QB Steven Harris found his stride in occasion connecting for two massive TDs which was the dagger in the Spitfires defence. With this win and due to a shortened season the ‘Hawks waltz into the AFC Final patiently awaiting to see who their opponent will be. Western Warhawks 14 Southern Spitfire 0  A ground and pound onslaught of rivalry led the new look ‘Hawks to their first victory over the Wolfpack in three Seasons.
Taking down the former champs, the ‘Hawks look like a force to be reckoned with. Third year captain Anthony Vea led his team to a long awaited victory behind the legs of Veteran RB/WR Daniel Thomson. In a formulaic dink ‘n dunk Warhawks Quarterback Steve Harris moved the ball down field using the weapons that surrounded him. Although often pressured by the Wolfpack, the ‘Hawks managed to rally deep in OT to secure the win. The new look Wolfpack struggled to move the chains early rallying on the arm of rookie Quarterback Josh Thompson, but found their stride in short bursts and moments. Corner Jaka Payot impressed with a 33 yard return TD igniting the ‘Pack’s Defense, yet that didn’t seem to be enough as a few missed chances and a lot of pressure from a pumped up Warhawks team proved to be too much. Finishing regulation 7-7 it looked to be anyone's game. A few crucial calls and a few missed opportunities lead to a late 21-7 finish in OT for the ‘Hawks. In a game where Defense was key, it will be interesting to see where these teams end up at the end of the Season. With the ‘Hawks looking their strongest in recent years this could be the year that they fall victorious. Time will tell when the ‘Hawks take on the Spitfire in the coming week. Final Score (OT) WARHAWKS 21 - 7 WOLFPACK Performance of the Game: Daniel Thomson - 1 TD, 184 Receiving Yards, 11 Rushing yards.    2018 AFC SCHEDULEThe teams are set and the games are here. This year it is DO-OR-DIE in a 3 Game series! Here we go. Teams cannot afford to lose! LET'S GO!
GAME ONE: WOLFPACK VS WARHAWKS - SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10th - 10am. TE KAHU PARK. GAME TWO: WARHAWKS VS SPITFIRE - SATURDAY NOVEMBER 24th - 10am. TE KAHU PARK GAME THREE: SPITFIRE VS WOLFPACK - SATURDAY DECEMBER 1st - 10am. TE KAHU PARK FINAL: TBC - SATURDAY DECEMBER 8th - 10am. TE KAHU PARK  2015 | 2016 | 2017MASE SHAW - 56 TDs - QB
JAMES ROUGHAN - 27 TDs - WR/CB ZAC PENTECOST - 25 TDs - QB WILL BARTELS - 16 TDS - WR/CB DAN THOMPSON - 14 TDS - WR/RB/QB/CB JAMAINE LIMU FRANKLIN - 12 TDs - WR/RB/DE TIM HALL - 11 TDs - RB/S MATT EVANS - 11 TDs - QB SAM HOPE - 10 TDs - WR/CB TAVIS SISCO - 10 TDs - RB/S STEVEN HARRIS - 9 - QB NICK MOORE - 6 TDs - CB/WR/QB BRAD FRASER - 6 TDs - WR/CB TOM KOPPEN - 6 TD - WR/CB BRAD COTTAM - 5 TDs - C/LB/RB PAUL LAWRENCE - 4 TDs - WR/CB PAUL INNES - 4 TDs - WR/CB SEAN CADDY - 3 TDs - WR/CB DAVE LARTER - 3 TDs - WR/LB ARONA ARONA - 3 TD - RB/LB ANTHONY VEA - 2 TDs - C/RB/DE ASHER RICHARDS - 2 TDs - WR/CB BRENDAN McGURK - 2TD - WR/CB BEN WATTS - 1 TD - WR/CB ROBBIE VALAVALA - 1 TD - RB/DE SAM MORRISON - 1 TD - WR/DE JAKA PAYOT - 1 TD - WR/CB SHIN KATO - 1 TD - WR/CB  American Football Canterbury would like to announce our updated schedule and dates for the 2018/2019 Season. Currently underway through: August 2018 - April 2019. MENS CONTACT: AUGUST 2018 - DECEMBER 2018: Men's full contact season JANUARY 2019 - MARCH 2019: Men's Representative (CANTERBURY REDBAX) Men's Contact Football season will run through 2018 with Representative Football 'CANTERBURY REDBAX' running during early 2019.  WHERE: TE KAHU PARK, WIGRAM SKIES SENIOR FLAG FOOTBALL: JANUARY 2019 - APRIL 2019: Men's & Mixed flag football Senior Flag Football will be running alongside of Junior Flag Football. Both competitive grades (DIV 1) and Social divisions. WHERE: TBA JUNIOR FLAG FOOTBALL: OCTOBER 2018: Junior Flag Development Camps - October 1st, 2nd JANUARY 2019 - APRIL 2019: U-15 Flag Football Championship The Friday Night Lights competition will be moved from Term 4 (2018) to Term 1 (2019). This is to allow for the correct allocation of resources of Coaches, players and fields. (More info will be released closer to the time) WHERE: MARSHLAND DOMAIN, PRESTONS ROAD WHEN: Friday Nights from 5pm-7pm JUNIOR CONTACT: Currently in discussion & Early stages of development - 2019: TBA (Ages 14-17)
The 2018 Season is getting close to kicking off, keep your eyes peeled for information and news updates soon!   CONTACT AFC TODAY VIA [email protected]
ANNOUNCEMENT:
American Football Canterbury inc annual general meeting will occur on: 29th of July 2018 (the last Sunday) TIME: 3pm Location: Te Kahu field, Wigram, Christchurch Agenda, financials, and additional agenda items are now available on our website in the documents tab and physical copies of all documents will be made available at the AGM. We look forward to sharing with you what has been an eventful 12 months and show a exciting future. |
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