In 2008, the Budapest Cowboys team decided to join the ever growing CEFL league and they’ve won 3 games in their first year. As a part of last year’s scheme they also visited Ljubljana and that game was a blowout for the home team. Cowboys went home without a point and it seemed that a future is not very bright for them in the CEFL. Well … not so fast, some might say. Fast forward to 2009 and they’ve brought two key elements of success in American football – an experienced coach and a very good American quarterback.
The game on Saturday was a must win for the Silverhawks. They lost badly to Novi Sad and they were reeling back after the defeat. But it was not all roses for the royal blue. Rok Štamcar was missing and the first quarterback Miloš Vrhovec broke his thumb at the practice when he banged it against a helmet of his guard. That meant, that Jan Jakus, otherwise a receiver, would have to step in as a third string QB. Since the offense didn’t do much in Novi Sad one couldn’t expect much from a passing game, which featured a replacement QB and a depleted wide receiver corps.
Silverhawks were also without any idea, what they should expect, because it was Cowboys’ first game in the CEFL this year. On the other hand, coach Wally English and his QB Jack Lydic were able to study this year’s Silverhawks defensive and offensive schemes. The benefit of successful scouting proved to be very useful for the Cowboys.
The guests started on offense and were able to drive from their 13 yards up to the opponent’s 11. Lydic was sharp from the beginning and didn’t buckle under pressure. If his receivers wouldn’t drop that many passes, it would be a quick touchdown at the beginning. Instead of that, Silverhawks were able to make a stand in their red zone and after a fumbled field goal attempt, they received a possession on their 11 yards.
Cowboys were pressing hard, with no or only one safety in the deep zone and such a physical and aggressive scheme paid dividends since Silverhawks were not able to reach a new first down. Teams exchanged a couple of punts and then after an interception from Tibor Popovich, Cowboys were able to capitalize from Andre Bynoe’s 7 yard run into the end zone.
Almost exactly the same scenario managed to prepare the second score from Cowboys. Jan Jakus was hit in the hand during his throw and the ball fluttered into Popovich’s hands. After a few devastating screen passes and great runs by Byone, Lydic connected on a deep pass to Gabor Kalovits. With a successful PAT, Cowboys were going to the distance for Silverhawks.
The home team had some chance to at least put some points on the board, but after a poor snap, kicker Milan Narad hooked the ball wide left and the result remained the same.
Cowboys were again on the run with Lydic spreading passes to his left and right, but Rok Sedej ended that drive with Silverhawks’ sole interception in this game which went to halftime soon after that.
What followed next, was a twilight of the home team in the third quarter. Cowboys scored two unanswered touchdowns, while Silverhawks’ offense merely stepped on the field. Lydic was throwing extremely accurate passes underneath. Running game was also working on full cylinders, with great blocking downfield. Silverhawks defensive line was just not able to stop the push, so most of the tackles were done by safeties, which is never a good sign.
Silverhawks finally scored on a draw with a great run from speedy Matej Pavlič. After the score, Silverhawks also converted for two which
gave the 300 head crowd at least something to cheer.
Lydic & co didn’t stop there. Their offense scored on every possession
and the dance stopped at 47 points. Only after they switched a quarterback, Silverhawks were able to catch a break — they at least managed to put some more otherwise meaningless points on the board.
Next touchdown was achieved by the older of the two brothers, Jernej Pavlič with his brother Matej great blocking on the end around. Matej scored another touchdown on a swing pass with Jerner again blocking and opening up a highway to the endzone.
The game was of course decided long before that. The Budapest Cowboys stunned the Silverhawks, who are now deep in the hole with 0-2, while Cowboys became a top contender in only their second year. The game itself also showed what the real quality means at crucial positions and which direction CEFL teams will have to go.