Lions maul Wolves in heavy home loss

COVENTRY, WEST MIDLANDS – Sunday the 26th of February saw the Warwick Wolves host 2011 BUAFL Championship finalists the Birmingham Lions.

With the Lions on a post-season berth, and having all but wrapped up the Midlands Athletic Conference’s Championship playoff number 1 seed with a victory over Conference contenders the Loughborough Aces in the Football America UK Bowl, the odds were firmly stacked against the Wolves to provide any sort of challenge against the Lions. From whistle to whistle, Birmingham demonstrated why they have become the most successful team in recent years in the MAC, if not the country, with their physicality, determination and skill. Such lethality in all three phases of the game resulted in a heavy 62-0 defeat for the home side.

However, despite the scoreline, the Wolves were able to draw some positives from the game. Second-year veteran defensive tackle Wayne Drew notably performed consistently throughout game. On special teams, he performed a number of crucial blocks, including his fair share of pancake blocks; on defense, he attacked the offensive line with high intensity, and chased down the ball carrier after every snap – most notably, making an inspirational score-saving tackle on one play that had progressed past the safeties and looked like a certain touchdown.

The receiving corps also did well despite Birmingham’s unstoppable pass rush and solid coverage. Third-year receiver Sam Wragg made good yards on a number of receptions throughout the game. Rookie quarterback Matt Fleming made the biggest play of the Wolves’ game with a thirty-five-yard pass to fourth-year veteran receiver Charlie Douglas. However, the commitment of Birmingham’s D to stop snuff out every drive meant that these plays did not amount to any points for the home side.

Warwick will hope to put this defeat behind them with a big Varsity win over cross-town rivals Coventry in the final game of the regular season.