ISFL Season 28 Game Breakdowns - Austin Copperheads – Defensive Tackle - Owen Isaac
Week 2 we travel to the Arizona Outlaws, we met Arizona in the pre- season and suffered a 20-12 defeat. Massively helped by a 7-71 penalty count. And a struggle in the rush game with only 2.6 yards per attempt. We come into this off of an OT win against the Baltimore Hawks where we gave away great field position 3 times thanks to an interception and 2 (….I REPEAT 2!!!!!) Blocked Punts. But with 1 win from 1 game we look to make in 2 from 2 against one of the expected stronger sides in the division. Arizona come into this game having lost away from home to last years division rivals Honolulu, and will be looking to get back on track at home this week.
Pre match interview with Defensive Tackle Owen Isaac
Interviewer: So we are coming into this after last weeks dramatic OT win, are you hoping for something a little less stressful for the fans this week and do you think you have much chance against the Outlaws?
Owen Isaac: Haha I mean lets be honest those games take it out of us the players too but the key is we get the win, if every game is like that and we come out on the winning side I will take it every time. We are under no illusions that this Arizona clash is going to be a tough one, we know them well having met in pre season and they were one of the few teams we managed to get a win out of last season, so we also know we can beat them. We are all going to need to be on it this week, but hey why not win it and go 2 from 2. From where we were last season I expect opposition and you guys in the media to all be underestimating us. As the Coach told you last week we added a lot of personnel and moved a few guys around this year, every week that passes by we gel more and will get better, so watch out were coming for you.
Interviewer: Thanks for answering the questions today
Week 2 – @ Arizona Outlaws
We kicked off to start the game. The outlaws came out hard to start this one, they were picking up some hard fought yardage in the rushing and passing game for a 7 minute touchdown drive. After that both teams punted twice for straight 3 and outs each time. With just over 2 minutes in the quarter left we managed to find our first 1st down play of the game, before Zoe Watts found a great running line and punched her way through the defensive line for a 39 yard rushing touchdown. Zoe is coming off a great week 1 game where she ran for 135 yards, 2 touchdowns and averaged 4.5 yards per carry, looks like she will pick up where she left off. 7-7 at the Quarter. In the preseason matchup we failed to get in the endzone so we know already we are seeing a greater intensity and level of play.
The second quarter begins with the Outlaws in possession in their own half. Before Tatsu Nakamura manages to respond to Watts’ TD with a 35 yard rush of her own. The next drive we hit a stumbling block with 2 penalties ruling out gains forcing us into a punt. They manage to get into position for a field goal. We probably need to get something soon here, ours backs our to the wall and we are 10 points down. We build a nice 50 yard drive into Arizona territory, before the Outlaws Defensive End Logan Noble Jr managed to get to Daytona and force a fumble. Back to back games now with a QB fumble from Daytona. We manage to force a punt from them but we end up punting it straight back with a minute in the half remaining. They once again find the needed yardage and take a field goal to end the half 20-7 to the Outlaws.
We knew coming in that this was going to be a tough game but now we need to take it up a gear this second half, try to string some drives together and force mistakes from the Outlaws. We receive the kickoff to start the half. First play is up, and again Daytona takes a big hit, from linebacker L’Gazzy Burfict, and fumbles the ball. The offensive line is allowing some big hits on Daytona over the first 2 matches. This gives them the ball on our 13 yard line, a big stop is required. 2 rushes later wthey are at 3rd and inches, and we have to stop this. And they pass it!, Kennedy makes a great play to break it up, are they going to go for the 4th down here, and no they send the Field goal unit on and take the 3, this stop means it is still a 2 score game (16 points) and we are far from out of it. They kickoff and Bowie brings it out of the endzone and makes a really nice 38 yard gain from that, come on!!!! Daytona and Watts find a bit of rhythm once again before once again punching a hole and going to the house from 32 yards, sadly we fail for 2 points, so it remains a 2 score game, but with the look we got in Watts’ eyes right now I wouldn’t write it off. We manage to hold them to a 3 and out, for a punt first up, and thanks to some penalty yardage we get into field goal position to make it a 7 point game. Arizona don’t have any quit in them they come straight back at us and Cortez drives them down the field and a clutch 4th down conversion helps them start the 4th Quarter with a touchdown to go back to a 2 score lead.
So it’s the 4th Quarter we are 30-16 down, we know we have had some good 4th quarters, the home game last season we needed 12 points in the 4th to win and got them, same thing here. Daytona leads us on a great drive helped by Alexander-Arnold with 43 yards off 3 catches. Before Watts does her thing and punches in from short, and we get it back to a 1 score game. Big defensive effort required coming up. INTERCEPTION! Get in Cortez drops back, we get good pressure, and he throws it for MacAndrew to get a interception and a pick-6. Get in, back in it 14 point swing in no time at all and we are all level with just under 8 minutes to go. Next drive we go back out and we force a opunt thanks to a great Sack from Thomaslacher. Next offensive set for us we give away a couple of silly penalties that forced us into punting. We manage to force another punt, bringing out Daytona to lead us on a final drive with 2 minute on the clock. A nice drive leaves us in a situation of 3rd and goal 1 yard from the endzone, and just 39 secs on the clock. Daytona manages to find Vequain for a Touchdown giving us the lead with less than 30 seconds left on the clock. Crooks take an interception to end the game and give us a great victory.
Post match interviews
Interviewer: I’m here with a few of the Austin Copperheads players after that dramatic game. First question is to you Zoe Watts the Austin Copperheads star running back. What an amazing start to the season you have been having, you lead the league in yards and touchdowns and you average 5.1 yards per carry. This is a big increase upon last years season, so what have you worked on in the off season, and why do you think you and the team are able to be so strong in the running game this year?
Zoe Watts: The team has really pulled together and done a lot of work to improve over the off-season as a larger group, so I think we can attribute much of our success to those collective efforts. The coaching staff have put so many hours into finding strategies that work to the strengths of our players and so far it has really set us all up for success out on the field this season. Personally, I've been putting more effort into building on some traits that I think will really help the run game going forward and hopefully keep us going on the up and up. I have no doubt that with some additional training and work with my partner Jim in the backfield, things are looking good for Austin in the run game.
Interviewer: So a quick question for Austin Safety Hamish MacAndrew, you came up with a great interception today to help lead the comeback victory. This is your first season with the Copperheads since moving in the offseason, how are you settling in and what are your goals for the season?
Hamish MacAndrew: Thanks for the question. I'm excited to be back in Texas. I started my pro career at the Dallas Birddogs in their inaugural season. Dallas was actually the city MacAnBrews Craft Brewhouse was originally founded before it moved to Chicago. I had a great time in Chicago, the team over there is great and poised to do amazing things behind a stellar GM team. The Austin team reached out when I hit free agency, after talking with them, I was keen to be a Copperhead. The GMs, players and support staff all welcomed me in and made me feel right at home. I'm stoked to be here and have more opportunities to play pro-football. My season goal was to achieve something that's always eluded me in the ISFL, a pick 6. Imagine my surprise when that ball came my direction and I managed to snag it and then run it back for the 6 points. It couldn't have come at a better time and I'm glad it was a key part in our victory this weekend.
Interviewer: So a quick question from the coach now, A fantastic result today, backing up the OT victory last week with a win against one of the pre season favourites to win the division, do you think this run can continue for a while yet? Next game up is at home to the New Orleans Secondline, how do you think the team will fare in the outing?
Coach: I absolutely think this team has the ability to continue this hot streak. As you know we have back to back games tomorrow against 2 powerhouses of the league. I'm looking forward to our home debut against NOLA, I think going against the reigning conference is a great way to prove we're the real deal and these first two games weren't just a fluke. 2nd game is against the Otters, who missed the playoffs for the first time in league history last season so they're in a similar boat to us where they're trying to prove themselves. It should be a good showdown but I think our Copperheads will prevail.
Interviewer: Well that’s Game week 2 down now, Austin Copperheads make it 2 from 2 after another dramatic game. Next week they get their first home game of the season against the 0-2 New Orleans Secondline. Same time next week.
(1932 words)
Week 2 we travel to the Arizona Outlaws, we met Arizona in the pre- season and suffered a 20-12 defeat. Massively helped by a 7-71 penalty count. And a struggle in the rush game with only 2.6 yards per attempt. We come into this off of an OT win against the Baltimore Hawks where we gave away great field position 3 times thanks to an interception and 2 (….I REPEAT 2!!!!!) Blocked Punts. But with 1 win from 1 game we look to make in 2 from 2 against one of the expected stronger sides in the division. Arizona come into this game having lost away from home to last years division rivals Honolulu, and will be looking to get back on track at home this week.
Pre match interview with Defensive Tackle Owen Isaac
Interviewer: So we are coming into this after last weeks dramatic OT win, are you hoping for something a little less stressful for the fans this week and do you think you have much chance against the Outlaws?
Owen Isaac: Haha I mean lets be honest those games take it out of us the players too but the key is we get the win, if every game is like that and we come out on the winning side I will take it every time. We are under no illusions that this Arizona clash is going to be a tough one, we know them well having met in pre season and they were one of the few teams we managed to get a win out of last season, so we also know we can beat them. We are all going to need to be on it this week, but hey why not win it and go 2 from 2. From where we were last season I expect opposition and you guys in the media to all be underestimating us. As the Coach told you last week we added a lot of personnel and moved a few guys around this year, every week that passes by we gel more and will get better, so watch out were coming for you.
Interviewer: Thanks for answering the questions today
Week 2 – @ Arizona Outlaws
We kicked off to start the game. The outlaws came out hard to start this one, they were picking up some hard fought yardage in the rushing and passing game for a 7 minute touchdown drive. After that both teams punted twice for straight 3 and outs each time. With just over 2 minutes in the quarter left we managed to find our first 1st down play of the game, before Zoe Watts found a great running line and punched her way through the defensive line for a 39 yard rushing touchdown. Zoe is coming off a great week 1 game where she ran for 135 yards, 2 touchdowns and averaged 4.5 yards per carry, looks like she will pick up where she left off. 7-7 at the Quarter. In the preseason matchup we failed to get in the endzone so we know already we are seeing a greater intensity and level of play.
The second quarter begins with the Outlaws in possession in their own half. Before Tatsu Nakamura manages to respond to Watts’ TD with a 35 yard rush of her own. The next drive we hit a stumbling block with 2 penalties ruling out gains forcing us into a punt. They manage to get into position for a field goal. We probably need to get something soon here, ours backs our to the wall and we are 10 points down. We build a nice 50 yard drive into Arizona territory, before the Outlaws Defensive End Logan Noble Jr managed to get to Daytona and force a fumble. Back to back games now with a QB fumble from Daytona. We manage to force a punt from them but we end up punting it straight back with a minute in the half remaining. They once again find the needed yardage and take a field goal to end the half 20-7 to the Outlaws.
We knew coming in that this was going to be a tough game but now we need to take it up a gear this second half, try to string some drives together and force mistakes from the Outlaws. We receive the kickoff to start the half. First play is up, and again Daytona takes a big hit, from linebacker L’Gazzy Burfict, and fumbles the ball. The offensive line is allowing some big hits on Daytona over the first 2 matches. This gives them the ball on our 13 yard line, a big stop is required. 2 rushes later wthey are at 3rd and inches, and we have to stop this. And they pass it!, Kennedy makes a great play to break it up, are they going to go for the 4th down here, and no they send the Field goal unit on and take the 3, this stop means it is still a 2 score game (16 points) and we are far from out of it. They kickoff and Bowie brings it out of the endzone and makes a really nice 38 yard gain from that, come on!!!! Daytona and Watts find a bit of rhythm once again before once again punching a hole and going to the house from 32 yards, sadly we fail for 2 points, so it remains a 2 score game, but with the look we got in Watts’ eyes right now I wouldn’t write it off. We manage to hold them to a 3 and out, for a punt first up, and thanks to some penalty yardage we get into field goal position to make it a 7 point game. Arizona don’t have any quit in them they come straight back at us and Cortez drives them down the field and a clutch 4th down conversion helps them start the 4th Quarter with a touchdown to go back to a 2 score lead.
So it’s the 4th Quarter we are 30-16 down, we know we have had some good 4th quarters, the home game last season we needed 12 points in the 4th to win and got them, same thing here. Daytona leads us on a great drive helped by Alexander-Arnold with 43 yards off 3 catches. Before Watts does her thing and punches in from short, and we get it back to a 1 score game. Big defensive effort required coming up. INTERCEPTION! Get in Cortez drops back, we get good pressure, and he throws it for MacAndrew to get a interception and a pick-6. Get in, back in it 14 point swing in no time at all and we are all level with just under 8 minutes to go. Next drive we go back out and we force a opunt thanks to a great Sack from Thomaslacher. Next offensive set for us we give away a couple of silly penalties that forced us into punting. We manage to force another punt, bringing out Daytona to lead us on a final drive with 2 minute on the clock. A nice drive leaves us in a situation of 3rd and goal 1 yard from the endzone, and just 39 secs on the clock. Daytona manages to find Vequain for a Touchdown giving us the lead with less than 30 seconds left on the clock. Crooks take an interception to end the game and give us a great victory.
Post match interviews
Interviewer: I’m here with a few of the Austin Copperheads players after that dramatic game. First question is to you Zoe Watts the Austin Copperheads star running back. What an amazing start to the season you have been having, you lead the league in yards and touchdowns and you average 5.1 yards per carry. This is a big increase upon last years season, so what have you worked on in the off season, and why do you think you and the team are able to be so strong in the running game this year?
Zoe Watts: The team has really pulled together and done a lot of work to improve over the off-season as a larger group, so I think we can attribute much of our success to those collective efforts. The coaching staff have put so many hours into finding strategies that work to the strengths of our players and so far it has really set us all up for success out on the field this season. Personally, I've been putting more effort into building on some traits that I think will really help the run game going forward and hopefully keep us going on the up and up. I have no doubt that with some additional training and work with my partner Jim in the backfield, things are looking good for Austin in the run game.
Interviewer: So a quick question for Austin Safety Hamish MacAndrew, you came up with a great interception today to help lead the comeback victory. This is your first season with the Copperheads since moving in the offseason, how are you settling in and what are your goals for the season?
Hamish MacAndrew: Thanks for the question. I'm excited to be back in Texas. I started my pro career at the Dallas Birddogs in their inaugural season. Dallas was actually the city MacAnBrews Craft Brewhouse was originally founded before it moved to Chicago. I had a great time in Chicago, the team over there is great and poised to do amazing things behind a stellar GM team. The Austin team reached out when I hit free agency, after talking with them, I was keen to be a Copperhead. The GMs, players and support staff all welcomed me in and made me feel right at home. I'm stoked to be here and have more opportunities to play pro-football. My season goal was to achieve something that's always eluded me in the ISFL, a pick 6. Imagine my surprise when that ball came my direction and I managed to snag it and then run it back for the 6 points. It couldn't have come at a better time and I'm glad it was a key part in our victory this weekend.
Interviewer: So a quick question from the coach now, A fantastic result today, backing up the OT victory last week with a win against one of the pre season favourites to win the division, do you think this run can continue for a while yet? Next game up is at home to the New Orleans Secondline, how do you think the team will fare in the outing?
Coach: I absolutely think this team has the ability to continue this hot streak. As you know we have back to back games tomorrow against 2 powerhouses of the league. I'm looking forward to our home debut against NOLA, I think going against the reigning conference is a great way to prove we're the real deal and these first two games weren't just a fluke. 2nd game is against the Otters, who missed the playoffs for the first time in league history last season so they're in a similar boat to us where they're trying to prove themselves. It should be a good showdown but I think our Copperheads will prevail.
Interviewer: Well that’s Game week 2 down now, Austin Copperheads make it 2 from 2 after another dramatic game. Next week they get their first home game of the season against the 0-2 New Orleans Secondline. Same time next week.
(1932 words)