The Eye of the Storm

Hmm...it'll be tough to write a fair and balanced piece about the Rebels-Kiel game since Kiel got out of Berlin with a 30-10 win that dropped the Rebels to 0-2 for the season, but stick with me, I'll do my best!

Unbiased and well-measured reflections after the jump!

(No really!)

Kiel Baltic Hurricanes-v- Berlin Rebels

Okay, first I'll take a look at the final score and how that came about.  30-10.  A good margin of victory for many peoples German bowl favourites, but not so much as to say 'total anihilation' really.  So, a reasonably good day for the young Rebels right? Well, maybe not.  In truth Kiel could have, and probably should have, scored a few more TDs on the day.  The Rebels continued to show their immaturity compared to the big teams with uncertainty at pivotal moments such as fourth down, penalties, and miscues in every phase of the game.

The game opened with Kiel on O and perhaps it was an omen that they methodically marched down the field to score the opening TD, the drive even included a fourth down conversion as the big boys of GFL Nord stamped their dominance on the game from the get go.  The Rebels on the other hand failed to capitalize on good field position from the ensuing kick off when they declined the FG they had made to go for it on fourth down and failed to convert after lengthy deliberation and uncertainty in deciding what to do.  The rest of the first half was all Kiel.

Oh wait, I tell a lie; the refs also grabbed some spotlight for themselves in this game!  As is the case with the zebras if they do their job correctly and well there'll be no talk about them, if they screw up or play poorly there'll be all sorts of discussion about them!  They're much like a teams Offensive line I guess, and on this day they struggled as much as the Rebels OL did.

Never mind bad calls, which are subjective anyway, it was mularky like trying to decide/figure out if there were 6 seconds left on the clock at the end of the half after Kiel scored that really brought them into question.  Believe it or not a GFL reffing crew actually discussed among themselves and both teams Head Coaches for at least 3 minutes before sending the teams in for the half only to call them back out 20 seconds later for another few plays.  I mean is it really that difficult to read a digital stopwatch?? I haven't even seen anything that unprofessional in the Irish league...a league where I've seen downs magically disappear and teams get the ball back for some inexplicable reason after throwing an interception!  Sheesh!

Anyway, it wasn't until the second half that the Rebels saw some belief in themselves when they opened with a scoring drive that saw danger-man Jason Horton continue to shine as he hauled in a long pass from Darius Outlaw.  Then all of a sudden the Rebels D came up with a stop and forced a field goal.  Bing bang bong, the Rebels were looking to make a game of it!  Hold your horses though, let's not forget about special teams; they're a third of the game and just as important a part as O and D as anyone with knowledge of the game will attest to.  Games can be turned on special teams plays; return touchdowns, blocked kicks, turnovers on returns.  Alas, after the Hurricanes FG the Rebels opted to give them another shot at their already exhausted D; a fumble on the kick off served up another scoring opportunity on a silver platter.  It was at that point that the faint glimmer of hope that might have been present in most of the Rebels died.  In truth the game was over at that point.

Darius Outlaw (#3) drops back to pass

I think it's safe to say that facing Kiel is a daunting task for any team, be they established GFL powerhouses or a newcomer to the league.  Still, it seemed as if it was a foregone conclusion in the minds of the Rebels that they would lose this one.  Even in warm ups Coach Kuci noted a lot of nerves and uncertainty in his team, turns out the experienced former tailback had his finger right on the pulse of his team.

The Rebels knew the first three games would be a monumental test, but if they want to succeed in their lofty goals of reaching the playoffs, or even finishing with a winning record, they must find a way to mature, and quickly!  There's only so much good talk can do; time to put your money where your mouth is.

Until next time.

Slán.