Time for some Flag Football and week 3 of the EBC 2019 season.
Week 2 saw collegiate teams kicking off their season with UCD and UCC finishing 0-2 and Trinity 1-1 on the day. Trinity, who reached the Emerald Bowl 5 semi finals last year, started strong with a 66-6 score on their first game only to lose by a mere one point (32-33) against another EB5 playoff team, the Belfast Trojans.
Northern teams have started their season strong with all three taking three of the top five seeds. 1st seed and current national champions, Craigavon Cowboys, seem to be the team to beat with a perfect 4-0 start to their season. They are topping the table with both the best offence, with an average 48 points scored per game, and the second best defence with an average 11.5 points scored against them. Only the Raptors, who sit at third place, who have a better points against average of 8 points per game and therefore the best defence in the league.
EB4 champions, Edenderry Eagles, failed to convince on week 2 with two straight losses against top seed Cowboys (43-26) and number 2 seed Belfast Knights (36-26). They have a tough schedule ahead if they want to make the playoff while currently seating one position short of making the cut.
Quick reminder, only the top six teams at the end of the regular season will make it to the playoff wiht a shot at the National Championship on the 2nd of November.
You can find all fixtures from this page Flag Football | EBC.
Week 3 teams are the Belfast Knights, Belfast Trojans, Craigavon Cowboys, Dublin Bay Raptors, UCC, UCD, Trinity and Westmeath Minotaurs.
This week, we had the pleasure to chat with team managers and head coaches from the Dublin Bay Raptors, the Belfast Knights and the Edenderry Eagles.
Dublin Bay RAPTORS - TODD ZBOYAN, HEAD COACH
IAFA: Second year competing in the EBC. You were also short of making the playoff last year. Tell us a bit about how this all sunk in and about your preparation for the 2019 season?
TZ: It was very disappointing to not make the playoffs last year but we took away a lot of lessons from our first year in the league and have tried to apply them
to the current season.
IAFA: What are your goals for this season?
TZ: Our main goal is to win the EBC. Secondary to that is to keep improving and having fun.
IAFA: The EBC is now the premier league of Flag Football in Ireland. How did you approach this new season knowing you were going to compete against the best in teams in the country?
TZ: We really love the two league structure put in place this year, it gives
real legitimacy to the sport and we hope it will help grow the sport. We competed against most of the same teams last year so we’re really just focused on playing our game.
IAFA: You are currently positioned 3rd in the league with another four games to play. Have you changed your strategy since the start of the season?
TZ: Our strategy hasn’t changed, we’re happy with the position we’re in at the moment and feel we’ve put ourselves on a good place to get a playoff spot this year.
IAFA: Based on last season records, which of the other EBC 2019 teams do you think will give your team the biggest challenge this season?
TZ: All the teams in the EBC have the potential to win games….”any given Sunday”. We had a particularly close game against the Cowboys last year and are looking forward to the rematch this week. We’ve had competitive games against UCD in the past, they’re always a fun team to play. And we’re looking forward to playing Trinity in week 5, as we haven’t played them before.
IAFA: What would make your team have the edge over your other EBC competitors?
TZ: The majority of our players have immense football knowledge and experience. This gives us an advantage coming up with a game plan and also being able to adapt that plan during the game to take advantage of the other teams strengths and weaknesses.
IAFA: Who are your players to watch?
TZ: I can’t really single any one player out, as we’ve really fostered a team first attitude with the Raptors. Everybody knows the job they need to do and isn’t afraid to ask for help if they’re struggling.
IAFA: With the increased emphasis on having more women involved in playing or managing sport, what are you doing to recruit more female members into your club?
TZ: Female participation is important for the growth of the sport. We’ve had at least one female player on the team since it’s inception and will continue to look for more females players.
IAFA: With the newly revamped National programme kicking off for Flag Football this year, will your players’ focus be a little different than just winning the season this time?
TZ: The National Programme starting up again is very exciting for the sport. We have a few players who played on the National Team a few years back and we’re able to draw on their experience to help the team. Our players focus is on making the playoff and winning the EBC. If they get selected for the Wolfhounds, that’s just icing on the cake.
IAFA: What advice will you give your players before their first game?
TZ: Same as always….play hard, play error free, do your job, and have fun.
BELFAST KNIGHTS - KRIS MCCOMBE , TEAM MANAGER
IAFA: Second year competing in the EBC. You made bang reaching the playoff last year just short of making the finals. Tell us a bit about how this all sunk in and about your preparation for the 2019 season?
KMC: We’ve come a long way from the five guys that played in People’s Park last year. Once we won our first game that day, momentum just grew and grew. It
felt great to make the playoff and that’s something we’ll be looking to repeat, and hopefully with a better outcome this year. Being in the EBC means the games are now consistently tough and we have needed to up ours. Our players are hungry to build upon our success from last year.
IAFA: What are your goals for this season?
KMC: Our goals for the season are the same as I suspect all the teams are; to win the Emerald Bowl. We’ve made a solid start to the season and hope to continue that through the last four games.
IAFA: The EBC is now the premier league of Flag Football in Ireland. How did you approach this new season knowing you were going to compete against the best in teams in the country?
KMC: The stratification of the teams
into the EBC and GBC has certainly made a difference in competitiveness. We knew that this year would be harder than last and our players understand that. We’re training harder, running more complex concepts and not taking any game for granted. With eight games this season as opposed to ten last year, there’s far less room for error. We are continuing to improve week on week. The great thing about the team is that we can be confident that if one person goes out, the next person in will be able to do the job as well if not better.
IAFA: You are currently positioned 2nd in the league with another three games to go. Have you changed your strategy since the start of the season in order to assure you are in the top 6 teams by season end?
KMC: We don’t really think about our league position at this stage. Just going to focus on one game at a time and play ours. If we do thatthen the wins will come.
IAFA: Based on last season records, which of the other EBC 2019 teams do you think will give your team the biggest challenge this season?
KMC: The Cowboys are the team to beat again this year. We came away with a draw against them last season and we’re hoping to get three points this time around.
IAFA: What would make your team have the edge over your other EBC competitors?
KMC: We’re a very adaptable team. If things aren’t working we can change very quickly to fix it. We also have incredible coaches at the helm who have been around this game longer than I’ve been born!
IAFA: Who are your players to watch?
KMC: It’s very hard to pick players to watch because they all have so much quality! I would say we have at least five players who are Wolfhounds material. If I had to name a couple though, I’d say watch Josh Davis. He’s been quietly racking up the touchdowns the last few games. Paul Crothers is a menace at DB in the kitted game and that has translated really well to flag. Michael Harland is a brilliant two-way player, having picked up interceptions and touchdowns throughout the season. Jordan Clinton has ridiculous speed and route running which has translated into a lot of points. Chris Muir is one of our new guys who has become an excellent tackle and blitzer. I believe he has three sacks on the season so far. We can’t underestimate the impact our female players have had either. Amber Perry and Lauren Purton both have experience in BAFA (British American Football Association) and are excellent on the defensive side.
IAFA: With the increased emphasis on having more women involved in playing or managing sport, what are you doing to recruit more female members into your club?
KMC: We were able to recruit a couple of female players from our Freshers Fair stall last year who have stayed with us this year. The hope is to continue to recruit female players and eventually get to the point where we can field an all-female squad in the near future.
IAFA: With the newly revamped National programme kicking off for Flag Football this year, will your players’ focus be a little different than just winning the season this time?
KMC: Our guys are very excited about the Nnational Team forming and I believe it is bringing out the best in them. It kind of works hand in hand. They play well on the field, they get noticed and we win games because of it. Like I said before, we have at least five or six guys and girls who I believe could be starters on the Wolfhounds Flag Football squads.
IAFA: What advice will you give your players before their first game?
KMC: Never underestimate the opponent. Flag Football can be a crazy sport and it’s important to treat every team as the toughest team in the league.
EDENDERRY EAGLES - ROBBIE TIGHE, TEAM MANAGER
IAFA: Second appearance in the EBC. You also fell short to making the Emerald Bowl 5 game last year. Tell us a bit about how this all sunk in and about your preparation for the EBC 2019 season?
RT: Naturally we were disappointed in missing out on a final placement but the better team won on the day.
We’ve increased our plays and worked on our communications amongst ourselves as players.
IAFA: What are your goals for this season?
RT: Same as every season. Enjoy every game. Have fun. Score points and win!
IAFA: The EBC is now the premier league of Flag Football in Ireland. How did you approach this new season knowing you were going to compete against the best in teams in the country?
RT: We haven’t actually changed our stance or mindset. A lot of these teams we’ve met at some stage over the last few seasons. So we view every team as dangerous but beatable. It can be anyone’s on the day.
IAFA: You are currently positioned 7th in the league with another four games to play. Have you changed your strategy since the start of the season?
RT: That would be telling!!
IAFA: Based on last season records, which of the other EBC 2019 teams do you think will give your team the biggest challenge this season?
RT: The cowboys are probably the biggest challenge so far. Lads play well and are extremely skill-full. And able to adapt to different roles. They’ll be the team to watch out for.
IAFA: What would make your team have the edge over your other EBC competitors?
RT: We don’t take the game too seriously and go out to enjoy it. Plus most of our players are well experienced in flag football. With several of us having gone to the jags tourney last year and finishing 3rd. We’ve got some good players
RT: Pretty much all of them. Can’t count any of them to not be troublesome for the opposition.
IAFA: With the increased emphasis on having more women involved in playing or managing sport, what are you doing to recruit more female members into your club?
RT: We’ve reached out to local communities and have an open invitation to all players male and female. While there has been some interest it hasn’t really taken traction yet. This is something we hope to address for the next season.
IAFA: With the newly revamped National programme kicking off for Flag Football this year, will your players’ focus be a little different than just winning the season this time?
RT: We’re in a tough spot on the table at the moment but I can depend on the team to give 100%. The focus won’t change which is to compete, play fair and represent the team with pride.
IAFA: What advice will you give your players before their first game?
RT: Relax, smile, get that flag, get the TD. Most of all enjoy it.