Ystad Rockets Game

GAME #4

Hässleholm Hurricanes (1-2)

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Ystad Rockets (2-1)

We loaded up the bus at 10:30 this morning for the drive to the Baltic Seaport city of Ystad for a key game against our fourth quality team to open the season.

When we arrived at the stadium there was a Junior game going on between Ystad and Carlshamn, the skies were overcast and it was starting to rain. In other words, it was a BEAUTIFUL day to be playing American football!

The Junior game referee may be in love

The Canes were 30 strong in warm ups

That's the Baltic Sea between the trees on the left and about 60 yards directly behind the goal post to the right.

Plan B at last!

By the end of the game I would be trying to come up with a Plan B, at least I now new where to look.

FIRST QUARTER:

The Canes put together a very physical 70 yard drive to open the game as Pär Danielsson found paydirt from 6 yards out for the first TD of the game. The PAT was blocked, Canes lead 6-0.

Ystad is forced to punt.

Hässleholm punts the ball back to the Rockets.

Ystad punts the ball that dies at the Hurricanes 2 yard line.

The Hurricanes fumble the ball away on first down, Ystad ball at the 2 yard line!

After one period, the Hurricanes still lead 6-0.

Pär Danielsson's TD run

SECOND QUARTER:

GREAT defensive goal line stand! The Canes actually forced the Rockets back to the 10 yard line thanks to a huge tackle for loss on a Sweep by OLB Martin Andrä. Hurricane's ball on downs but our field position is precarious to say the least.

Hurricanes are forced to punt again.

The Rockets take advantage of their short field and score on a 15 yard pass play. The PAT is good and the Rockets take the lead 7-6.

The Hurricanes are bottled up again and are forced to punt.

The Rockets return the punt for a 50 yard TD play. The PAT is good again and Ystad extends their lead to 14-6.

Another Hurricane punt but this time Lady Luck smiles on the Green and Black as the ball ricochets off a Rocket and the Canes' Rasmus Grip recovers the ball.

The Canes work it down the field and get a First and Goal at the nine yard line but turn the ball over on downs.

The defense rises to the occasion yet again and forces the Rockets to punt for the third time this half.

The Hurricanes run a few plays as the First Half ends with Ystad ahead 14-6.

OLB Martin Andrä's

GREAT play on the Goal Line

Martin has been one of our steadiest players this season. He is playing football for the first time in his life but his great attitude desire to learn and tremendous practice attendance have more than made up for his lack of experience.

THIRD QUARTER:

The Canes defense starts off hot again and forces the fourth punt of the day by the Rockets.

Hässleholm punts it right back to Ystad.

The Rockets score a TD on a 30 yard reverse, the PAT is good again and Ystad is now cruising 21-6.

The Canes are driving as the Third Quarter comes to a close still trailing 21-6.

Philip Jensen's reception

This catch at the end of the Third Quarter kept our drive alive.

FOURTH QUARTER:

The promising Hurricane drive ends with an interception in the end zone after achieving another First and Goal situation.

The Rockets punt for the fifth time.

Hässleholm turns the ball over on downs.

Grizzled veteran Free Safety Clair Brenneman out of Philadelphia, PA intercepts a Rocket pass and returns it 20 yards to give us renewed life.

Canes again turn the ball over on downs.

Ystad punts for the sixth time.

The Rockets intercept a desperation Canes' pass.

The Rockets run out the clock to win by a Final Score of 21-6.

The Rockets improved to 3-1 on the season while the Hurricanes are now 1-3.

Next up for the Hurricanes is a Saturday home game against the 0-4 Oskarshamn Dockers.

Player of the Game

Ystad's Mattias Mårtensson

We felt before the game that he was their best player and he played like it today. He caught their one TD pass to give them a lead that they would never relinquish and kicked all three of their extra points.

Mattias Mårtensson's left left

His left leg is his punting leg and that was really the difference today.

The good news for us was that he was forced to punt six times.

The bad news was that all six of his punts were boomers that died DEEP in our territory causing our offense lots of field position issues.

It was another disappointing loss but there are no magic answers other than to practice hard and improve on our fundamentals.