The Vukovi Belgrade beat the Novi Sad Dukes 10-0 in Belgrade capturing the SELAF South conference title and a home game in the semi-finals. The two wins from the last games they played led many to believe this would be a treat for the fans, but it turned out to be not so much a defensive game, as a struggle on offense for both teams.
Despite the loss, Novi Sad led by backup quarterback Rastko Jokić actually moved the ball better for most of the game; they were converting on 3rd or 4th down, but as they moved closer to the opponent’s end zone Belgrade shut them down. Dušan Lalić, linebacker on the Vukovi, had another big game, leading the team in tackles.
The Vukovi didn’t have many opportunities, but took advantage on most of them. Briton Burge completed his first pass in the second quarter, but it was a good one – a 31 yard touchdown pass to Ivan Ristić. Primarily a safety/defensive player Ristić caught a touchdown in a second straight game as he plays receiver more and more as the season moves closer to an end. Burge didn’t come close to reaching his numbers from the game against the Budapest Wolves – he was hurried most of the time and his rushing yardage was closer to zero than the 100 he put up against the Wolves.
Belgrade scored their final points in the final two minutes of the first half on a Milan Matović field goal. The home team capitalized on a blocked punt, though it was unclear who the ball actually hit. Regardless, the home team got the ball on Dukes’ 36 yard line, and after originally missing, Matović converted from 27 yards after a Dukes penalty.
After not only a scoreless third quarter, but an opportunity-less third quarter, it appeared that the Vukovi sealed the deal when Igor Nedeljković intercepted a pass on his own 10 yard line with just over five minutes to play. Dukes though still got a chance after a lucky bounce on a punt and a penalty gave them good position to score with under two minutes to go, but after reaching the 10-yard line they were once again unsuccessful with Jokić throwing incomplete on 4th down.
Although a better game was expected, the 700 fans still saw a close game that neither side could claim until the final minute. After winning the South, Belgrade will host either the Gladiators or the Silverhawks, while Dukes will play in Budapest, where they lost already during the season.