The Jets Breaks a Two Game Losing Defeat

By Adam Etheridge

Sussex Thunder 0-40 Coventry Cassidy Jets

In snapping a two game losing streak the Coventry Cassidy Jets put together a commanding team effort to shutout the Sussex Thunder 40-0. Luke Smith made his first start at quarterback, almost three years after first signing on with the Jets, and ended with four touchdown passes to four different receivers. Free safety Steve George got Coventry off to a great start as he was able to stroll into the endzone on a six yard interception return and MVP Dominic Olney rounded out the scoring with a 19 yard touchdown run.



The Jets, missing several starters, found themselves 20-0 with less than 10 minutes on the clock. George’s interception return handed Coventry a six nil lead and set the tone for a dominant defensive outing as Sussex were held to negative yardage. It was another George interception that set up the Jets second score as the recent signing from the Peterboro’ Saxons took the ball deep into Thunder territory. Luke Smith hit Brett Rosenbaum from 12 yards out as both men notched up their first ever Jets touchdowns.

Once again without a kicker, Coventry used their extra point conversions to practice goal-line situations with little success. They soon found themselves with another opportunity though as Sussex’s very next play resulted in their third turnover, Frank Herlihy coming up with the fumble recovery that set Olney up for his 19 yard scamper. Smith hit Rosenbaum in almost identical fashion to their earlier connection to put the Thunder in a early 20-0 hole.

Jeremy Simms marked his return to action with a juggled 29 yard touchdown grab with Olney converting at a canter to make the score 28-0. It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Jets, their second blown snap of the half handed Sussex possession on the Coventry 13 with time for two plays before the break, however, Thunder quarterback Eber Kington could only find Jets’ safety Wayne Gumbs in the endzone for a third pick.

After the break both clubs engaged in a stalemate with neither offence able to gain any ground. As the fourth quarter arrived, the scoring commenced once more, Smith hit Courtney Pope for a seven yard touchdown to extend the Jets’ advantage to 34. Another turnover, Sussex’s fifth, landed them in trouble again as this time it was Mark Cohen’s turn to score, consistently beating his coverage, Cohen wriggled free to find the endzone on Smith’s 36 yard strike. Whilst there was no further scoring Coventry’s defence did come up with one more turnover, Andy McKenzie recovered a fumble to set a season high of six for the rapidly improving unit.

Next Sunday sees the Jets host the Farnham Fast Lane Knights as they look to secure home field advantage for their semi-final tussle with the Bristol Aztecs. When the two teams met back in June Coventry edged a thriller 24-21 but will be hoping for a more straightforward result on home turf. The match is scheduled for a 14:30 kick off at Coventry’s Sphinx FC and will be preceded by the Jets Junior team playing a double header versus the Chorley Buccaneers. Entrance is free for under 16s, £3 for adults.

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