By Rodrigo Hunrichse, 20120518
Sunday,
May 6 2012, we attended an historic event: the debut of Legion American
Football, the first game on Estadio Universitario, and the first
broadcast, direct and live, of an american football game from
Concepcion-City.
“The
winner seemed obvious before the game” … no “domina[tion] until the
third quarter, and the score was not superior enough but on the last
quarter”
The odds were against it: there was a very intense rain, and an important soccer game in the Municipal Stadium with more than 15000 attendees and, well, the new team Legion Concepcion, on Liga Chilena de Fútbol Americano (Chilean League of American Football, LCFA) was underestimated since its average age is 22 years and it took 13 months to play it first official League game.
But considering the way the game developed, a winner was not clear after the first half finished.
Caption:
Legión (white) and Treiles (gray) introduced to the audience before the
rainy first game, South Conference, of Liga Chilena de Fútbol Americano,
LCFA-vtr 2012 Championship. Credit: Rodrigo Hunrichse
Like
all the games this writer has attended, the game was delayed to start,
this time 1 hour, what conspired to have a complete broadcast via
internet because run out of battery.
Kickoff started at 14:59, Treiles received. With a strong rain, the logical strategy was running with the ball, and first play was so, in their own yard 30. Legion expected that too, and also were strong with a defense that stopped the advance of Treiles, who lost yards. The second defense was better: a fumble (drop) of the ball put Legion with possession in scoring (near) position.
But Legion could neither advance enough with running plays, so the game was a series of runs without achieving first downs (4 new chances after advancing 10 yards), fumbles, incomplete passes, sacks (quarterback tackles), because of the slippery ball. a series could rarely make 2 first-downs, advance more than 40 yards or have plays longer than 25 yards. What we had were a lot of flags (sanctions), mostly delays of game (taking more time than assigned to start a play) or false starts (a defender crossing the line before the offensive starts). Clear tension caused by the debut and bad weather conditions.
Before the start of this game, we spoke with the main referee Alejandro Torres, (who also imports American Football, Baseball and MMA wrestling supplies), his expertise informed us that most of the players were using soccer shoes with 1/2 inches long nails, insufficient for this state of the field, should have been at least 3/4".
See Estadio Universitario Map:
The key play of the first half happened in the second quarter: Legion on the North side and in favor of the wind direction (see map), punted the ball from their own side; was a high kick but the punt returner let it bounce 10 yards behind his back. I am not sure why, it may have been to protect his body, or he was just too near. Since the ball did not bounce to the sidelines as usual, it continued towards the end-zone, followed close by a special teams player (teams not on regular first to third down play situations). The ball was stopped on yard 1. Treiles would be cornered to the scoring zone, almost forced to run, in danger of a safety (being tackled in their own scoring zone giving 2 points to the contrary). Or worst: loosing control of the ball and giving an easy touchdown to the rival.
This dangerous play would put any quarterback nervous, and after the snap, he backed down looking for a pass, or throw loose the ball on the sidelines. but was pressured and left the field on his own end line, producing a safety and the score was opened 2-0 for Legion. There was excitement on the sidelines of the rest of the team, they scored the first points of their short career, and there would be more.
If you notice, we do not name the players in particular, we regret also that the broadcast had its imperfections, product of the minimum comfort of the facilities, the washing rain with the North wind, the lack of roster or line-up information on both teams, the fall of the internet and wi-fi, etc.
On this url are the game transmissions and this game recorded on its mayority,.
Unable to estimate the remaining time of the game, the quarter was fading, but the game quality was not improving, neither the weather conditions . The online narrator who is this same writer was very wet but kept focused on the game.
Treiles had a 60 yards attack series, but lost the ball touching the red zone (the last 20 yards to score). The popular proverb says on the door of the oven the bread is burned.
Halftime recess left the scoreboard 2-0 for Legion.
Both teams run to the dressing rooms after the first half finished, to analyse the partial game. We aproached to get the line-ups (all the players available to play), and from the distance (withouth prying into instructions) Treiles Head Coach gave a hard reprimend; on Legion the situation was taken calmly.
Second half continued the same, but rain started to lower, so the game started to improve. With a drier ball both started to pass (throw), and complete (receive), moving the down marking chains (advancing more than 10 yards), and emotion the scarce public that stayed for the second half
Next score was an interception by Treiles on the red zone of Legion: a pass line to the offensive right, but the play was guessed, the cornerback cathced the ball with both hands and in 3 seconds was on the scoring zone celebrating 6 more points for Treiles.
The next 2-points-extra conversion failed (Treiles always tries for 2).
We have to mention Treiles had also a field goal kick attempt, that was battered on the scrimmage line, there were good chances to score since the goal was constructed with poles on the soccer goal, clearly lower than a regular one. Also the ball was very close to the goal.
We could define the style on both teams: on offensive, Legion has a lot to learn, but that will be achieved under the intensity of the games, also Legion has special teams that know how to do their job, and it was declared to this writer that Legion has fixed positions. Not so Treiles, that historically has deficient special teams.
Speaking of Treiles, they have defensive teams that are very efficient on penetrating defenses, even scoring, which they demostrated; and a variety of excellent quarterbacks, dangerous when passing, rushing, even running the ball themselves. On this opportunity, Guillermo saw action, then being replaced by juvenile Matías.
Mostly passing, Treiles controled the second half, trying all the plays repertory, including an onside kick. Several times touched the red zone of Legion. This one time would be different. Passes to the right resulted in points: around the middle of the fourth quarter and on the offensive side, a high pass was completed to the right receiver next to the cornerback. But not only the ball was slippery, also the player, because the defensive grabbed and let go the wide receiver, and the safety did not arrive but until he scored 6 points.
Later in the fourth quarter, a Treiles pass was received by the right wide receiver, he run directly to the goal line on the sidelines. When cornered by two defenders, he decided to jump into the zone achieving a spectacular 6 points play, that included spiking the ball (into the ground). 18 points that turned to 20 in the extra 2-points try, But appeared not to be important, the game seems to be already won because of probable short remaining time. But the afternoon would feel infite, the game endless; and Legion would have more points to score.
Or though both teams passed the ball, Legion due to the pressure of time, and Treiles maybe testing its routes and diversifying its game. The average of complete plays were mediocre or short in gain of yards. There were too many ball losses, either interceptions or fumbles (drops). The yellow flags (penalties) would also abound.
At some instant, we thought Legion was giving up, but on the sidelines the assistants continued cheering up the players to be warming up and prepare for a replacement.
But Legión had one more chance to score: in a good series, near the offensive yard 25, the quarterback stepped back looking for an obvious pass, he ran to his left and improvised running to the center, crossed to his right for the first touchdown of its history. The 2 points attempt failed, but nevertheless Legion celebrated.
Treiles run the ball and eat (finished) the playing clock, taking this first Conference game. The winner seemed obvious before the game, Treiles did not dominate until the third quarter, and the score was not superior enough but on the last quarter.
Both teams, some directors and the main referee declared us that the game was entertaining. Legion has much potential, that could stand in front an superior team, and if it were not raining, would have been a success in attendance.
What to improve? for the audiences: down markers visible to the public, punctuality, clearer marks on the field, same number on every player as well as announcing their names and position, and maybe a scoreboard with score and quarter.
On Legion: loose the nerves, control frustration, follow instructions and rules, protect the quarterback better. Develop a more efficient pass game since we could not witness it.
On Treiles: improve special teams: they are present in 1 of 10 plays, not insignificant amount, but seems nobody wants to play there, like it were a sanction. Try and accomplish extra field goals, as well as 3 point FG, with the advantage they have 2 goals on its home field the Nest, -see previous article-, and is apparent they do not want to go retrieve the ball after kicking it. Not to underestimate a rival, specially Rhinos, the other team in the Conference who is restructuring after abandoning last season.
Scoring plays:
1°Quarter: 2-0 safety on Treiles
3°Quarter 2-6 Treiles interception for a TD return
4°Quarter 2-12 Treiles pass for TD
4°Quarter 2-18 Treiles pass for TD
4°Quarter 2-20 Treiles 2-points extra conversion
4°Quarter 8-20 Legion rush TD by the QB
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