The Eagles, on the other hand, seem to have found their rhythm after an early-season scare from Kozły Poznań. They have now won three straight to begin the season, and sit in a tie for first place in PLFA I with the two finalists from last year. They still have both Wrocław teams and the Gdynia Seahawks on their remaining schedule, however, so the toughest part of their season is yet to come.
The Lowlanders were able to get pressure on quarterback Jeremy Dixon in the first half, but he used his legs to get out of trouble time and time again. In fact, he was able to turn those runs into touchdowns three times in the first quarter, one coming from 63 yards out. The three scores gave the Eagles a 20-0 lead after a quarter of play.
The Eagles extended that lead to 40-0 by the middle of the third quarter on the strength of three more rushing touchdowns. Two of them came from Piotr Osuchowski and the other from Tyrone Landrum. Dixon then finished the scoring with two touchdown receptions after sliding over to wide receiver and being replaced by Roman Iwański at quarterback.
The Eagles will face their toughest test of the young season when they return to the field after the Easter break to face the Gdynia Seahawks. That game will be played in the Tri-Cities on May 1. Białystok will try to get their first points of the season on April 30, when they host the Wrocław Crew, the team that currently sports PLFA I’s best defense.
Crew defense pitches second shutout of season, Miners fall 60-0
Two seasons ago the Wrocław Crew and the AZS Silesia Miners met for the Polish national championship, with the Miners coming away with victory in Polish Bowl IV. It was a much different story on Saturday afternoon in Wrocław, where the Crew completely dominated their opponents on the way to a 60-0 rout.
The Crew have given up only 8 points in three games this season, easily the best mark in PLFA I. On the other side of the ball, the offense has averaged 49.7 points a game, second only to the Warsaw Eagles. The Crew’s point differential, however, currently puts them at the top of the league table.
Jakub Płaczek scored three touchdowns for Wrocław, and Łukasz Omelańczuk added a pair, both in the first quarter. Mark Philmore also scored in the first quarter, a 70-yard reception from Justin Walz, who threw for three long touchdowns in the game. Deante Battle ran a punt back 60 yards in the second quarter, and Wrocław never looked back after leading 40-0 at the intermission.
The Miners are still winless after three games, and have given up the most points of any team so far this season. They will get a week off for the Easter break to try and right the ship, taking the field next on May 1 in Bielawa, where they will play the Owls. The Crew will play next a day earlier, in Białystok against the last-place Lowlanders.
Next week’s preview
After an intense three weeks of games, PLFA I takes a break for Easter. The action will resume Labor Day weekend, with a full slate of five games on the schedule. All eyes will be focused on the National Rugby Stadium, where the undefeated Eagles will take on the Seahawks in a game with huge playoff implications.
PLFA I
Saturday, April 30, 12:00 PM: Białystok Lowlanders-Wrocław Crew
Saturday, April 30, 12:00 PM: Wrocław Devils-Zagłębie Steelers
Sunday, May 1, Time TBA: Dom-Bud Krakow Tigers-Kozły Poznań
Sunday, May 1, Time TBA: Gdynia Seahawks-Warsaw Eagles
Sunday, May 1, 2:30 PM: Bielawa Owls-AZS Silesia Miners
PLFA II
Season begins May 14
PLFA 8
Season begins August 27
Alex Zarganis [email protected] PLFA Press Bureau
Photos: Marcin Fijałkowski (www.maffoto.pl) i Rafał Wójcik