On Saturday October 3rd at Farum Park the Copenhagen Towers U19 team won the Junior Bowl and the Danish National Championship 2009 by beating the Triangle Razorbacks 14-0.
On a very rainy day both teams decided to stay on the ground and run the ball. In the first half the two teams combined for only three passing attempts.
The slippery ball also resulted in several fumbles especially in the first half, where both snaps and handoffs were fumbled. This resulted in the Razorbacks' only possession in Towers' redzone. But a great goalline stand by the suffocating Towers defense kept the Razorbacks out of the endzone and they settled for a field goal attempt which they missed.
The first half was probably the fastest half ever in a Junior Bowl as it lasted only 38 minutes - ending with a Towers in possession at the Razorbacks 11-yardline when time ran out on a scramble by QB Patrick Hargett.
In the second half the Towers came out strong and confident. The defense lead by DT Kristoffer Green who had several tackles for losses, stopped the Razorbacks on their first possession and then the Towers' tough ground game took over. A heavy dose of runs by RB Frederik Lind mixed with keeps and bootlegs by QB Hargett resulted in a TD by Hargett. Mikkel Stilling kicked the ensuring extra point.
The rest of the second half the Towers defense kept the Razorbacks offense in check and did not allow a first down until late in the 4th quarter. Besides DL Green especially safety Peter "Elvis" Nordentoft had several key plays during the day including an interception.
In the 4th quarter the Towers had completely taken control of the game and finished the job by another long and time-consuming drive based on running by QB Hargett, RB Martin Aanæs and most of all the Junior Bowl MVP RB Frederik Lind who finished the drive with a great touchdown run behind a key block by OL Jens Møller.
The victory was celebrated by the rain-soaked team and staff to the sound of the stadium loudspeakers blasting Prince's "Purple Rain". The championship was the fitting way to end a perfect season with the team winning all its games. It was a great way to come back after last season's tough 14-16 loss in the Junior Bowl to the Herlev Rebels.
It was a masterful coaching job by head coach Carsten "Ice" Jensen, who has now led the Towers U19 team since 2001, that kept the team focused and well prepared for the entire season. Defensive coordinator Peter Herbild also did a great job with his defense leading the league in points allowed and recording a shutout on the Razorbacks in the championship game.
Four of the Towers-players will be able to repeat and win another goldmedal next week, as they are eligible to play for the Towers U16 team that will host the Frederikssund Oaks in the 2009 Future Bowl on Saturday October 10th.
Congratulations to players, coaches and staff for finally winning the Junior Bowl championship!
