2002 season (click here for 2001 season)
Redditch(friendly) | Merseyside | East Midlands | Glasgow | Yorkshire | Merseyside | Staffordshire | Saxons | Yorkshire | Staffordshire | Glasgow | Southend | Yorkshire
Well, we gave em a good run for their money. It was only a friendly, and we tried a lot of new things. We had some new players in key positions (namely me at QB), but everything went reasonably well. Scott Messom opened the scoring for us on a short run, and finished the day with 88yds rushing. I actually rounded off the scoring myself (Steve Boseley), with a 5 yd run, and finished with 49yds rushing and 63 passing. Not Dan Marino, but still... TOP
REGULAR SEASON
Well, the regular season got underway with an impressive victory for the Caesars, over a tough Nighthawks team. The Nighthawks had rushed for 300 yds the previous week, but the Caesars defence held them in check, and picked up it's first shutout of the season, snatching 3 interceptions in the process - 2 from Albert Thompson, and 1 from Guy Kersey. As for the offence, it was still a bit rusty, and with some players missing, relied heavily on the running of Scott Messom and Mark Collett. Mark weighed in with 90 yds, and Messom added 101, plus two TD's, the first from close range, and the second, from 15yds. A FG from Ian Gill rounded out the scoring for the Caesars. Well done Ian.
Next week the Caesars will be without some key players, so it will be yet another test of the team. As soon as I get the stats, I will post them here, so stay tuned. TOP
A draw. Well played defence. Well done 3 interception Vanden Warner. Good goaline defence. Hooray for Saxons. TOP
Here is a REAL report, by Mark Collett:
The first home game of the season saw a Caesars squad missing a few key players, some awful weather conditions and the same hard hitting defence that had kept Merseyside from the endzone the previous week. The East Midland Saxons showed up determined to get their first win of their short existence as they proceeded to master a seemingly unstoppable opening drive, however due to some silly false start penalties and the defence finding their feet it all ended in nothing and it was the turn of the Caesars offence. After the Caesars had racked up nearly two hundred yards rushing the week before against the Nighthawks, the Saxons defence seemed geared up to stop the run, unable to effectively move the ball along the ground for long periods of time, the Caesars offence struggled for long periods in the first half, and were largely kept in check thanks mostly to the hard efforts the Saxons linebackers. However on the other side of the ball the Caesars were having a better time. Finding that their running game was slowly being strangled, the Saxons tried to take their game to the air, and managed to drive the ball down deep into Caesars territory, however on an attempted pass into the endzone, Vanden Warner making his Caesars return popped up to make the interception and cut out the Saxons threat. With this it seemed like the momentum had turned towards the Caesars, after being showed how to do it by the defence the offence finally clicked and got a drive going taking the ball from their own twenty inside Saxons territory. However as seemed to be the way of the day on a vital fourth and short with little time on the clock, a thunderstorm interrupted play and caused the Referees to call an early halt to the half, with the remainder of the first half to be played after the break and a straight turnaround into the second. This just succeeded in draining the momentum from the Caesars drive, and when they returned to attempt the fourth down conversion they were stopped just short and the Saxons ran out the remainder of the half. In the third quarter the Caesars started to produce the type of football they're capable of, starting with a Marcus Riley(!) kick off return from a short kick. The Caesars now in drive mode managed to get their running game going, thanks largely to the efforts of Steve Boseley combining with Ian Gill and Vanden Warner to get the air game going and take the pressure off the run. Boseley continually managed to link up with his receivers and with Scott Messom keeping the pressure on with hard running up the middle the Caesars took the ball deep into the Saxons redzone. However until now it had been defence that had ruled the day and the balance swung back in favour of the darkside as the Saxons goal line held firm and caused the Caesars to attempt the field goal. The field goal attempt failed (though it looked like it had gone through from where I was stood) and the Saxons took possession of the ball, the defence took to the field buoyed by the improving offence and gave the Caesars another redzone possession when on 3rd and long Marcus Atkin tipped the ball into the waiting hands of Vanden Warner for his second pick of the day. On the next play Scott Messom took the ball down to the Saxons one with a powerful run ably assisted by powerful blocking by the big guys up front. However as before defence ruled the day and the drive ended with another narrowly missed field goal. As the quarter ended the momentum shifted towards the Saxons and as the third quarter seemed to have been dominated by the Caesars likewise the fourth seemed to go the way of the Saxons. Despite another pick by Vanden 'I'll catch anything within 5 feet' Warner, the Caesars offence failed to really get anything going, with the best drive of the quarter being stalled due a personal foul penalty on Adam Burrnett for a dive Jurgen Klinsman would have been proud of. It came down to the Caesars defence to try get something on the board and after a booming punt by Ian Gill was downed inside the Saxons twenty and some false start penalties by a twitchy Saxons line left them needing a bus ride for the first, it looked like they'd get their chance, however some good play by the Saxons Quarterback under pressure saw him connect with one of his receivers, and much to the dismay of the Caesars sideline saw him break two tackles and race off towards the endzone with nothing but air to beat, the air, however seemed too much, and much to the amusement (and relief) of the Caesars sideline saw him trip deep in Caesars territory. The Saxons took the momentum into the Nottingham redzone and it was the turn of the Nottingham defence to keep their team in the game. Thanks to some punishing hits from the defence the Saxons were left with fourth and one. Instead of trusting it to the boot of their kicker the East Midlanders went for the six only to be held up six inches short of the endzone as once again it was proved it was a day for defences. As the clock ticked out the Saxons had one last attempt on the endzone, but again the Caesars held firm and the score ended as it had begun at 0-0. This puts Nottingham at 1-0-1 and with the Glasgow Tigers making the long trip this week to Harvey Hadden the Caesars will be looking to double that win total and get back to winning ways.
Disclaimer: These events may or may not have happened, I wouldn't be surprised if I'd imagined them or I may have been bribed to make them up. A fee of 5 pounds (or two pints) will be charged if you want a mention in next weeks match report, otherwise I'll take all the credit for everything. TOP
Unfortunately, game was abandoned due to a Glasgow injury. We managed only 6 offensive plays, but Vanden Warner returned the opening kickoff for a TD. TOP
This was a big game for both sides. Both teams undefeated, and Yorkshire having scored 178 points in 5 previous matches, many people expected a one sided tournament, but it was far from that. After an opening drive of 3 and out for the Caesars, they took their second drive all the way down the field, culminating in a Scott Messom TD. The Caesars defense was on top form again, and kept the Rams in check during the first half. The Caesars offence did it's part, holding the ball for long periods of time, restricting the Rams to 4 drives in the first half. The Caesars capitalised on good play with a TD run from QB Steve Boseley to leave the score at 12 - 0 at the half.
The weather moved in during half time, and the second half was a defensive struggle, with neither offense able to move the ball. Yorkshire kept the Caesars pinned deep in their own half for much of the remainder of the game, but a series of sacks and batted down passes ended the Rams hopes. Defence wins the day (again). TOP
The Nighthawks came to Nottingham with an injury depleted team, and it was not long before the Caesars opened the scoring on a jinking TD run from Scott Messom. The 2 point conversion was good from Guy Kersey. The Caesars second drive also moved them into scoring range, and this time, QB Steve Boseley found Ian Gill with a pass for the TD. Messom added the 2. The Caesars next drive went 4 and out, as the Nighthawks struggled to move the ball against a tough Caesars defence. As time ticked away in the first half, the Caesars once again put together a long drive, culminating in Mark Colletts short dive, to leave the half time score at 24 - 0.
The Caesars received the ball to start the second half, and opened up with a deep pass from Boseley to WR Alex Wilson, who outran the defence for a 63yd TD. Another 3 and and out for the Nighthawks put the Caesars back on the ball, and Boseley promptly threw a 40yd TD pass, again to Wilson, to round out the scoring. Unfortunately, after only 2 plays for the Caesars in the 3rd Qtr, the Nighthawks chose to call the game at that point, struggling with numbers and a couple of injuries. Another good performance by the defence was matched by a good offensive performance this week, and the Caesars move on to face a tough Staffordshire team next week. TOP
From what I gather (I was on holiday), the Caesars led 14 - 0 at half time. A broken play and a punt return brought the Surge level after the interval, inflicting the only points the Caesars have conceded all year. The Caesars then stepped up, and put 20 unanswered points on the board to put the game away. TD's came from Guy Kersey, Alex Wilson (2), Gary Stainton, and Vanden Warner. I think. TOP
Again, I was not present (so don't blame me for this report). The Caesars put the nil nil draw behind them from earlier in the season, with a resounding victory. The only thing I do know is that Guy Kersey Scored 3 TD's including a punt return in the 1st qtr. I will add to this report if anyone tells me what happened. TOP
Well, it had to happen eventually. The Rams were on top form and we were not. Early scores from the Rams put us in a hole, and we were unable to muster any offence until the end of the 1st half, when gary Stainton came on, and started to throw. A long completion to Alex Wilson set up Stainton for his own TD, leaving the Caesars trailing by 2 scores at the half. After half time, Stainton replaced Boseley at QB and proceded to lead the Caesars on some promising drives, but was unable to score any points. The defence gave us a chance, with linebacker Marcus Atkin picking up a fumble, and rumbling 50 yds for a score, but it was too little too late. The Caesars last chance was extinguished when stainton had a 2nd TD run called back for holding, then proceded to throw the game clinching interception. This defeat almost certainly condemns us to runners up. Provided we win all remaining games. TOP
A very close game was only decided in the final minutes of the game by a Guy Kersey TD dive from close range. Not much to say about this game, except that both defenses played well, the Surge forcing 7 fumbles from the Caesars. Kersey opened the scoring for the Caesars early in the game, but a missed extra point left the way open for Staffs, who scored on a short pass, and converted the 2 point attempt to lead the game 8 - 6. The game was evenly matched until the final few minutes when a 70yd drive by the Caesars was capped by Kerseys 2nd score of the day to leave the Caesars in the driving seat. A last gasp effort by the Surge was fended off by the Caesars defence, leaving the Caesars ranked 3rd with 1 game to play. TOP
A long road trip to Glasgow was the setting for the Caesars final game of the season. The Caesars needed to win to be sure of home field advantage in the playoffs. A win for Glasgow would give them a place in the playoffs, and a loss would require other results to go in their favour.
Albert Thompson started for the Caesars at QB, and was able to move the ball down the field with relative ease. However, the Caesars were unable to capitalise on their pressure until the late in the 1st qtr, when Scott Messom scored his first TD of the day. A long reception from Alex Wilson gave the Caesars their second score, then RB Guy Kersey dived up the middle for the score, quickly followed by Wilsons second receiving TD of the day to put the score at 30 - 0 at half time.
Glasgow were stunned early in the 2nd half with Ewan Lamont recovering an onside kick on the opening kickoff, then a short dive by the Caesars QB put the Caesars 38 - 0 up. Messom sneaked in to the corner of the endzone for the Caesars for his second TD of the day, only to be outdone later in the half by receiver Alex 'now we're rollin' Wilson who caught his 3rd TD of the day. With the game already won, a broken play lead to a QB sneak and a final TD for the Caesars, leaving the score at 56 - 0. The result put the Caesars at rank #3 in the division, and sets up a clash with Southend in the quarter finals. TOP
The quarter final was always going to be a tough match, and the Sabres came to play. Following a blocked punt on the Caesars opening possession, the Sabres ran the first play of their game in for a TD, and a quick 8 - 0 lead. The Caesars offence struggled against a tough defence, and ended the first half without a first down. Luckily, the defence was in top form, as usual, and they helped the Caesars get on the board, with linebacker Adi Giles running back a 65 yard interception for the Caesars first score. Not to be outdone, linebacker Marcus Atkin picked up a blocked punt from Neil Armitage (I think) and rumbled 50 yards to put the Caesars into a 12 - 8 lead at half time.
The second half was a bit more promising from an offensive view point, with the Caesars picking up a couple of early first downs. However, it was still both defences that were in control, and the Caesars defence put the game out of reach in the 4th quarter, with Adi Giles picking up his 2nd int and 2nd TD of the game. The game was finally polished off at the end, with defensive back Vanden Warner coming in for a carry, and breaking a long run to put the final score at 26 - 8. The Caesars now move on to face divisional rivals Yorkshire in the semi finals. TOP
The Caesars travelled to face Yorkshire, winners of the conference, and one of the top scoring teams in the division. Yorkshire shocked the Caesars early returning the first punt of the day for a TD, followed quickly by a long run making the score 13 - 0 early in the game. The Caesars were able to rebound before half time, with Guy Kersey running in a score, but Yorkshire fired right back with a scoring pass of their own, to keep the gap at 2 scores.
Neither team's offence could do much in the 2nd half, but the Caesars got a late chance, when QB Gary Stainton moved the ball down the field through the air, and capped the drive off with a TD scramble of his own. That left the Caesars 5 points behind with less than 2 minutes to play.
The onside kick was recovered by Yorkshire, who still managed to make the game exciting by fumbling on a run, but after recovring it, they were able to run the clock out and take the victory. They move on to play Norwivh in the Finals in 2 weeks.
Good luck Yorkshire. TOP