BUAFL Football returns with a bang!

Running back Dan Conroy scores for Birmingham in last years event

Tonight is a feast of football at home and abroad with the Birmingham Lions opening the BUAFL season taking on the visiting NTU Renegades at their annual xpLosION event (the letters in caps spell LION for those that hadn't figured it out yet) and #1 LSU taking on #2 Alabama in the NCAA (more on that in later article). Game preview follows after the page break.

Every year the Lions host a team at home in front of one of the largest crowds drawn in UK American Football on the Birmingham Universtiy campus at their Bournbrook field. This Midland Athletic Conference matchup pits this year’s "officially ranked" #7 (what the hell!?) Lions against the #19 Renegades. Hopefully this matchup won’t be as one sided as last year’s result, which was a 30-0 drubbing against Leeds Met.

NTU will be looking to build on the success of last season. After finishing 5-3 in the regular season they earned a playoff spot for the challenge trophy, but unfortunately  their season came to an end when they lost in the semi finals to the trophy runner ups, the UH Sharks.

NTU (in black) line up against varsity rivals the Nottingham Outlaws

Birmingham saw their unbeaten streak come to an end in a bone crunching regular season loss against the Loughborough Aces that also saw them lose star QB Tristan Varney for the season. The Lions would get the last laugh by beating the Aces in the rematch in the playoffs and would go on to play in their 3^rd straight championship game, ultimately losing after failing on a last minute two point conversion to the Portsmouth Destroyers 20-19.

In the reverse fixture last season NTU lost as Birmingham put a thirty burger up on their opponents and didn’t allow a single score against them, but with the news that Tristan Varney is out with a torn ACL, it will be interesting to see if the Lions new starting QB can handle the pressure of the large expectant crowd. This will also be a new experience for the majority of the Renegades players and we are hope that they don’t end up letting nerves get the best of them to keep this game competitive.

Dbl Prediction: Even with the change at QB the Lions should still dominate the game and win by 21.

xpLosION kicks off at 5pm on Saturday 5th November on the Bournbrook pitch, Edgbaston Road B15 2. There will be a half time firework display and performance from the Pussycats, while food and drink will be available throughout the event. Check out the blog tomorrow for our game report!

 

We would also like to wish good luck to everyone playing their first game of the BUAFL season this weekend. Play hard, stay safe and have fun!