Boys in blue, TAFT U15, back in action: W!

13.05.2015

     On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, the TAFT Under-15 boys played host to the Espoo Wolverines. It was the season opener for both teams and a rematch of the 2014 Finals, with TAFT winning their first ever National Championship.  With many players returning from that team and coming off of a SnowBowl Championship two months ago, the Boys in Blue were feeling confident.  But going against Coach Ope’s boys is never easy as they are always big, talented and well-coached.

     TAFT would get the ball first and move down the field very efficiently behind the running of Quarteback Jesper Korkalainen and Runningback Viljo Lempinen.  Korkalainen would cap the drive with a 5-yard TD run and Lempinen’s kick would give TAFT a quick 8-0 lead.

     After the opening fireworks, the game would turn into a defensive battle along with some early season mistakes from both teams. Nonetheless, the TAFT defense, lead by LBers Valtteri Forsman, Patrik Palvas, Jesse Nousiainen, and Antti Kekkonen and the defensive line of Jasper Lindqvist, Jere Vierikko and Santeri Saastamoinen would keep the Wolverines out of the endzone and go into halftime with the lead still at 8-0.

     The third quarter would be more of the same.  Espoo would stick with a wide open running game and mix in some passes. The TAFT defense had a “bend-but-don’t-break” philosophy and would keep the ball outside of the redzone for most of the game.

     The power running of Lempinen, Derek Broman and Santeri Lindfors would lead to another TD as Lindfors would power in from the 5-yard line off of a short pass and TAFT would go up 14-0. More of the same would result in a 25-yard TD pass to Lindfors as he raced down the sideline for a 20-0 lead midway through the 4th quarter. 

     Espoo would keep coming strong and on their next drive try through the air but Eemeli Tuovinen would meet that challenge with an INT. On their final drive, Espoo would reach the 5-yard line but TAFT dug in their heels and would drive Espoo back and take the ball over on downs.  They would run out the clock, get a well-earned shutout, and emerge victorious to start the 2015 season.

     TAFT would like to thank Coach Opi and Coach Soininen for a great game and wish them the best on the rest of their season. 

     The TAFT coaches are very happy with the performance from the boys.  While there is still a lot of work to do and many quality opponents still to play, the attitude is good and the outlook is very positive that 2015 will be a successful season.

Text: Mark Collier

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