LEEDS CELTICS

Going into the winter break, the Celtics faced possibly the most important matchup of the year, determining whether they would start 2014 with a chance of post-season football. Pre-game warmups were both intense and focused, and as the kickoff team lined up, Leeds were ready to show Huddersfield that it was going to be a hard-fought afternoon.

 

On Huddersfield's first drive, the Celtics were able to stop the Hawks' double wing attack for negative yardage, and the offence took to the field. Working entirely on the ground due to very windy conditions, strong running from FB Fred Gough & HB Toby Richardson moved the Celtics down the field, culminating in a score on a QB sneak from Felix Titherley. The 2-point attempt was made, and the Celtics were up by 8.

 

This early score seemed to shock the Hawks into action, and they were able to maintain a drive after the kickoff, slowly moving their way up the field, before eventually turning the ball over on downs at around the halfway line as the first quarter drew to a close. After the break however, Leeds were unable to gain any momentum, and were forced to punt.

 

As Huddersfield retook posession, they were able to once again maintain a drive, before a breakaway run saved from a touchdown at the last minute by FS James Carmiachael gave the Hawks their first scoring opportunity. This seemed to throw Leeds off balance, which the home team capitalised on to score their first points, tying the game at 8-8.

 

Immediately after the kickoff, the Celtics responded, with a series of big running plays, swinging the momentum back to the visitors. The drive was ended when Titherley broke away from a QB Sneak pileup on a 15 yard touchdown run, putting Leeds back ahead by 8 again.

 

Following the kickoff, containment was once again an issue for the Celtic defence, as whilst they were able to stop the majority of Huddersfield's plays, several large runs allowed the Hawks to maintain another drive. However, this was cut short when a Huddersfield running back fumbled the ball, for it to be recovered by Fred Gough, also playing DE. However, time for the second quarter elapsed before the Celtics were able to make use of the opportunity.

 

Following some confusion between Leeds players & coaches at the coin toss before the beginning of the game, Huddersfield also received the second half kickoff, but this advantage was soon cancelled out, as a second fumble from a Hawks player found a green shirt, and the Celtics had possession once again.

 

However, the Leeds offence were not able to gain any yards, and had to punt. Unfortunately, the kick was blocked and recovered by the Hawks, giving them an opportunity to tie the game up once again. This time, the Celtic defence appeared to have learnt its lesson, and forced the home side into a 4 and out inside the 15 yard line.

 

A mixture of a few penalties aginst Huddersfield and more hard running from Gough and Richardson allowed the Celtics to move down the field, before ultimately being stopped and punting the ball back to the Hawks as the 3rd quarter drew to a close.

 

As the final quarter began under floodlights, Huddersfield began another offensive drive deep inside Celtic territory, with an inside run ultimately proving to be Leeds' downfall, the game once again tied at 16-16.

 

The Celtics tried to respond, and whilst more hard running from all three offensive backs moved Leeds closer towards a score, they were ultimately unable to put any points on the scoreboard, eventually going four and out. However, on the very next play, Fred Gough was able to strip the ball loose from a Hawks player, returning it for a touchdown and giving the Celtics a last minute lead.

 

On the subsequent kickoff the ball was blown short by the wind, to be almost caught by a Celtic player, although he was unable to hold onto it and it bounced into the arms of a Hawk instead, with enough time left for one more drive to even up the score and take the game into overtime.

 

Huddersfield seemed to sense the importance of this opportunity, and despite a great stand from the entire Celtic defence, were ultimately able to find the corner of the endzone for a game-saving touchdown in the final 10 seconds of regular time.

 

Huddersfield elected to attack first, a decision that allowed them to maintain their momentum and score on their first posession, leaving the game hanging in the balance as the Celtic offence took to the field. The first three plays got Leeds within striking distance, and on the final down, a lofted pass to TE Alex Hall in the endzone momentarily seemed to have saved the game. However, it unfortunately bounced out of his hands before he could secure the catch, leaving the Huddersfield Hawks as the eventual winners, the score 28-22.