2017 South Island Flag Football Championship

By Jonathan Entwistle

After The NAFC Inaugral Honey Bowl Competition, The annual Nelson Honey Badgers vs AFC Redbax South Island Football Championship was just around the corner. In fact, it was from this point forward that we really saw what our players were made of. Training stepped up a notch, focus was tuned in, and the hard work mentality took over. While the NFL playoffs came into full swing the Honey Badgers rep selection came into focus.

It was clear to Shane and myself early on that simply selecting one representative Honey Badgers team would be both a mistake and a waste. We clearly had two teams worth of strength and skill and wanted to display all of that to our Christchurch brothers. Therefore, it was decided that there would be two representative teams, the Honey Badgers A squad and the Honey Badgers B squad (To view the teams Click here).

As fun as the Honey Bowl tournament was, being back under the Honey Badgers banner with everyone working towards the same goal made for a particularly satisfying 2 months of training and preparation. Bar the painful departure of the Green Bay Packers from the NFL playoff race and the unfortunate (...Hunter knew all along) yet unbelievable and extraordinary Super Bowl victory by the New England Patriots, the stage was set for the main event. Nelson vs Christchurch...

Departing in various groups on the 10th of Feb, the team made our way down to Christchurch with the majority of the boys staying just outside of Hornby, close to the playing fields. A quiet night had the team up early to go over the day’s game plan, and name the starting units before heading to Te Kahu Park. 

Kickoff was 11am for the Honey Badgers A Squad.

It wasn’t long before the Badgers, who started with the ball, found their way into the end zone. It was in fact the second play from scrimmage that saw Mitch Bateman take a short pass the length of the field and into pay dirt. The Redbax however fought back, and too drove down the field to score. A similar second drive by the Badgers saw another quick score, with some more big yards after catch. Redbax savvy veteran QB Mase Shaw kept things rolling on their side of the field with another score. After a broken play saw Ben MacManus get open deep for a wide-open touchdown reception, the Badgers stellar defensive lineup showed their metal. Shane and Liam rallied the defensive unit, forcing the first turnover on downs of the game. This paved the way for a spectacular catch and spin into the end zone for Centre Malcolm Mitchell as the final scoring drive of the half, as another defensive stop again kept the Redbax out of the end zone. A mighty first half by the Badgers had us up by two touchdowns, and 20 minutes away from victory. 

The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with a quick score by each team. WR and pass-rush specialist Paul Savage recorded the Badger A’s only sack of the game, along with a half-field run catch and run. Malcolm and Mitch recorded their second touchdowns each and things were rolling offensively and defensively. It was here that things took a dive. A series of incredible connections between Mase Shaw and his athletic receivers including NZ Mako’s and U19 Steel Blacks Player Will Bartels, and big time veteran receiver James Rougham, saw the Redbax get back within 2 scores of the Badgers. As Badgers QB (I should have thrown the ball away far sooner...) was sacked in the end zone, the Redbax were awarded 2 points and the ball back, with a chance to tie the game and potentially take the lead with a successful extra point. They did so in a clinical scoring drive which included a 4th down conversion and a successful extra point, taking a late game lead of 36-37 with around 1 minute remaining. With everything to play for and the clock winding down the Badgers drove the length of the field to get down to the Redbax 10-yard line. Narrowly escaping a potential game ending interception at the hands of veteran Redbax player James Lissaman, the Badgers faced a 4th down, with 1 second on the clock. 1 chance... 1 play...

Malcolm set the huddle, and the play was called. Bunch Right Posts, on ONE on ONE, READY.... 

Down, Set, GO! ...

QB drops back, Paul heads down field as blue receiver with Mitch mirroring on the red side. Shane shoots right from yellow and Malcolm starts into his route. The flow of the play draws the defense to the right side of the field, recognized

early by Malcolm. The shifty Centre sees the green grass on the left side of the field and squeezes out of the rush of bodies. The ball is in the air, on its way to the end zone... Badgers score!!!!! 

For the third time in the game, securing him match MVP, Malcolm Mitchell scored the (walk-off, game-over) touchdown, with time expired, to give the Honey Badgers a 42-37 victory. What a game, what a finish! Story book. A team effort on all phases, paired with some unbelievable individual performances. Soak it in fellas! 

The day didn't end there however, as the Badgers B side took the field in an attempt to make the day a sweep for Nelson. An early touchdown drive was capped off with an unbelievable individual effort from WR Hunter Lines to haul in a tipped ball on an extra point. The catch was reminiscent of the Julian Edelman catch during Super 51, and gave the Badgers an early lead. The defensive unit lead by Gregory Anderson had an outstanding day giving nothing away to the Redbax in the first half. QB Carwyn Jones and all round playmaker Matt Spear lead a furious aerial assault. Jordy Smith was his usual stout LB presence, shutting down the middle of the field, and making one helluva diving flag pull on a critical down. Gary Jeffcott was a standout on defense, constantly providing pressure with the rush and forcing many number of turnovers including some big-time interceptions for his teammates. Recent addition to squad, Harry Scott, provided some dynamic speed on offense, while playmaker Dexter Rego may have scored the touchdown of the tournament with some athletic moves after a great pass and catch.

With a 20-0 lead going into the half the Badgers B side looked anything but a ‘B side’, putting together one of the most complete halves of football I’ve ever seen. And it didn’t stop there...

Going into the second half the Badgers didn't take their foot off the throttle, and continued to put points on the scoreboard. Daniel Daly had a statistically sensational performance with some unbelievable grabs, yards, scores, and snaps. One such catch by Daly came

in a whole bunch of traffic and somehow ended up in the veteran Centre’s hands, leading to a huge 1st down to keep a drive alive. Jake Watson played both sides of the ball, showing his savvy as a pass-rusher, as well as taking some unflagged contact for the team. 

A well-rounded team effort, and some extremely well thought-out game planning and play calling from the sideline coaching staff *cough*, saw the Badgers show their class and skill finishing off the Redbax 37-20. This made even more impressive with the

Redbax B side having several notable players such as Quarterback Zac (Tebow) Pentecost who lead the Canterbury side to victory against Nelson the previous year, as well as U19 Steel Blacks representative Nick Moore.

Two for two, what a result for the club!

It was a classy performance from the Badgers, and two well-deserved victories. Again, we thank Christchurch for hosting us on their home soil and for organizing the event. It’s great of them to put together two teams to match up against us in our facet of the sport. 

Without a doubt the 2016/17 season was a success. The veterans who returned to help guide and teach the newfaces, we thank you for your continued input. For the new fellas who have helped shape a new direction for the club, thank you as well, and keep it up. It's up to everyone to continue building and learning, as well as passing on what you've learned to the next group of rookies. I hope everyone; team, family, friends and supporters enjoyed the season and have a wonderful offseason.

Thank you, thank you. It's been a wonderful year. Football is alive and well in Nelson (and, if all goes to plan, perhaps Blenheim soon too...). Next year will be bigger and better again!