Wildcats Weather

Perfect Storm

July 21, 2007 – Jacksonville, Fla. – The weather was daunting just before kick-off, as heavy rain, dark clouds and lightening threatened the early minutes and scared away many would-be Axemen fans. But well over 600 loyal supporters braved the elements to witness their Axemen stand up physically to the reigning AMNRL Champion Connecticut Wildcats. The Wildcats took the field fearing the “perfect storm” could end their run, as they were missing 6 key players, including Danny Bull, Will Brazier (suspension) Curtis Cunz and Matt Pritchard.

Yet from the opening stanza, the Wildcats’ young guns unleashed a storm of their own (after being challenged in the locker room by head coach Tim Gee and other veterans), charging out to a 22-0 lead. Two minutes in - Carl Yacoub, getting his first start in place of Gareth Gibbs, beat the Jax right wing to touch down in the corner (Cats 4-0). Next up was Tim Gee, who took a classy offload from Benedict Kelly who had broken through the left side of the line from 30 out. Nick Isbrantsen and Doug Cahill also touched down from short distance, before the Axemen stood up and were heard for two tries from Bob Knoefpel and Will Fletcher - to give the Cats a scare at 22-12. But it was Damien O’Malveney that provided the highlights and finished the half. O’Malveney chipped through a sliver of light on fifth tackle from 25 out from the Jax line and dove at the try line as the ball bounced up into his breadbasket like a yo-yo on the upswing. (Halftime – Cats 26 – Axemen 12).

In the second, Wildcat Matt Pittman, who’s making his own run at League MVP, imposed his will on the Axemen down the left hand side time again. When he wasn’t dishing out assists to Rich Portale, Steve Annunziato and Damien O’Malveney, he was hitting it up like a wrecking ball at the Axemen’s line. Wildcats’ Tim Gee traded scores with Axeman Nick Catania to wrap things up at 48-16 in favor of the Cats. Wildcats’ CEO Rich Portale, “Some of the veterans called out our younger guys in the locker room and challenged them to play like Champions tonight – and they stepped up. It showed where Tim Gee and others before him; Andrew Webster, have taken this program. To travel down here with this unit and put up this number is extremely satisfying.”

The Wildcats remain atop the table with the win and travel to the Warriors next week in a must win for the New Haven mob. Meanwhile, the Axemen, who were mathematically eliminated from the 2007 playoffs with the loss, host the Knights. As a result of the Axemen loss, the Slayers were guaranteed a playoff spot.

The top six spots on the Table is as follows after week 7:

Wildcats 7-0 – 35

Bulls 6-1 – 31

Warriors 4-3 - 24

Sharks 4-3 – 24

Knights 4-3 – 23

Slayers 3-4 – 18

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