Ouse Valley Football

NFL Draft Predictions

Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football Carson Wentz, Draft, Jared Goff, NFL

The 2016 NFL Draft takes place tonight in Chicago, and there is still a lot of debate over who the Los Angeles Rams will take #1 overall.

It is widely expected that QBs Jared Goff and Carson Wentz will be the first two players off the board, but in which order? We asked Eagles coaches and players for their thoughts…

Interim Head Coach Darren Hill

The best QB in this draft is Wentz, but if you are staking your career – and the career of your assistants, your family and their family – do you pick a guy who looked awesome at….North Carolina State?

The bottom line is there is no Andrew Luck or Jameis Winston in this draft. The first pick will be Goff because no-one gets criticised for picking the safest QB in the draft. The NFL is very conservative and I definitely think Wentz is worth the gamble, but #2 in the draft? Wow, big reach.

Offensive Coordinator Neale McMaster

I think the Rams go Wentz. The chat is that his intangibles are exactly what you want to build a franchise around, and in a new market they need someone like that.

I think Goff is the safer pick, but I wouldn’t be thrilled with either to be fair. I can’t name one Air Raid QB in college that has done well in the NFL off the top of my head, and I would expect a top class QB to do better than he did at Cal. I’m with Darren on this, I go Ramsey first pick, but I think it’ll be Wentz, then Goff to the Eagles.

Offensive Lineman Danny Cousins

I know next to nothing about college football, so with that in mind I can give you the following uneducated opinion: Carson Wentz is the better athlete, taller, heavier, faster, jumps higher and further, as demonstrated by the combine. Jared Goff appears to be the better QB, better decision making, footwork etc.

With all of that considered, I go for Carson Wentz with the #1 pick. The best football coaches in the world should be able to teach an incredible athlete the right footwork, how to read defenses and make good decisions etc, however they can’t take a technically good QB and make him a freak athlete.

Wide Receiver Ross Cousins

The Rams will take Goff as it’s a more sure thing in terms of production against FBS competition. What is more interesting is the Eagles trade, as either they are sure their guy is going to be there at #2 or they would have to be happy to take either QB on the night if Wentz did go #1.

You can watch the draft live on Sky Sports 1 from midnight tonight.

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Hill and McMaster on Caesars defeat

27 Apr

Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football BAFANL, Darren Hill, Neale McMaster, Nottingham Caesars

Interim Head Coach Darren Hill and Offensive Coordinator Neale McMaster have been reflecting on Sunday’s defeat against the Nottingham Caesars.

The Eagles went down 26-6 against the Caesars in what was the team’s third game in successive weekends, and Coach Hill was the first to admit to being a little disappointed with how the season has started:

Sunday saw us complete the third straight game in a row and it’s fair to say it has been a rough start to the season so far.

After three successful training camps we were hoping to come out firing on all cylinders but we’ve come up short so far with only one win and two losses.

Our run game has improved each week and we now have two weeks to study the game film and make adjustments as we look forward to the rest of the season, starting away at Peterborough.

McMaster agrees, and wants his offense to relax and express themselves more:

Sunday ends the toughest part of our season, having played three games on the bounce without any opportunity to practice in between.

We didn’t develop the momentum on offense we were hoping to, and we’ve suffered from being a young team as everyone gets very uptight during games – they aren’t playing with the freedom and expression they should be.

That lead to a performance like Sunday’s where we moved the ball well and didn’t have many three and outs, but we made mistakes at key points and poor execution throughout the game kept us out of any contention.

The positives are we’re expecting several players back from injury after the weekend and our injuries from the game don’t seem to be too bad, so we should be at full strength before Peterborough. I’m confident well be able to rectify the problems moving forward.

The game against the Saxons takes place on Sunday 8th May at Thorney Rugby Club, kicking off at 2.30pm.

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Eagles drop home opener

25 Apr

Michael Dilley All News, Reports, Senior Football BAFANL, MFC1, Nottingham Caesars

After picking up their first win at Doncaster last week the Eagles were looking forward to a good performance in their National League Division 1 American Football home opener on Sunday.

Unfortunately the visiting Nottingham Caesars had other ideas and recorded a convincing 26-6 victory at Bedford International Athletics Stadium.

The stand out player was Caesars wide receiver Deivydas Merkelis, who hauled in three touchdown passes from quarterback Daniel Johnson. The first came midway through the first quarter as the Eagles defence uncharacteristically missed tackles to allow a good run after the catch to open the scoring.

Ouse Valley responded well with a good drive and got into field position to equalise, however Eagles quarterback Mikey Davies saw his pass intended for Ross Hubbard picked off by Nottingham linebacker Andrew Wilkins, who returned it the length of the field to increase the visitor’s advantage.

The half was closed with the Eagles picking up a few injuries to key players and facing a twenty point deficit going into the second half.

A high floating pass to the corner of the end zone saw Merkekis extend the lead further towards the end of the third.

The Eagles got on the board as replacement quarterback Zach Wodeage found running back Curtis Williston for a score as the game drew to a close but in truth this was no more than consolation for the hosts, who now have a fortnight to regroup before making the short trip to Peterborough to meet the Saxons on Sunday 8th May.

Report by Mark Chilton, photograph courtesy of Steve Guy.

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PREVIEW | Nottingham Caesars (H)

21 Apr

Michael Dilley All News, Previews, Senior Football BAFANL, MFC1, Nottingham Caesars, Preview

The Eagles’ first home game of the 2016 season takes place this season as we welcome the Nottingham Caesars to BIAS in the Midlands Football Conference.

After two difficult seasons in the Premier Division the Caesars returned to Division One last year, and posted a much-improved record of 4-5-1 in the BAFANL 1 Northern Conference which included a 26-20 defeat to fellow MFC1 opponents the Doncaster Mustangs.

Their 2016 campaign has kicked off positively thanks to a 23-12 victory over the Peterborough Saxons a fortnight ago, and they will be looking to continue their bright start against an Eagles team that has mixed fortunes to date.

Following a disappointing opening day defeat against the Sandwell Steelers the Eagles dug out a 13-12 win over the Mustangs last weekend, and head into the game with renewed confidence.

Team News

Eagles QB Zach Wodaege was expected to return against the Mustangs last week but is a gametime decision this time around due to the knee injury he picked up during pre-season.

Defensive Back Kevin Kong returns to the squad for the first time this season and Offensive Lineman John Phillips is also back in contention after missing the Doncaster game.

Cody Hausenbuiller is available again but fellow Wide Receiver Matthew Hamilton is out with a hamstring injury.

Anthony Ogunleye misses the game after dislocating his shoulder in the season opener at Sandwell, and long-term injury victims Vasco Dias (DB) and James Busby (OL) are also both still out.

In this week’s Programme

This week’s programme cover features Defensive Lineman Andy Larwill.

Inside we hear from Chairman Neale McMaster, Darren Hill ahead of his first home game as Interim Head Coach, Offensive Captain Danny Cousins and Rookie of the Week Miguel Alvarez-Frias.

We also have a feature on our visitors the Nottingham Caesars, a Q&A with Caesars Assistant Head Coach Vanden Warner, a Spectator Guide and more.

The programme is free with admission (£2 each for adults, free for under-18s and free for anyone who has downloaded our mobile app for iOS and Android).

Directions

Our home games are played at Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Barkers Lane, Bedford MK41 9SB:

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Eagles to launch satellite youth club in Buckingham

20 Apr

Michael Dilley All News, Youth Football AFD, American Football Development, Mark Chilton, Sportivate

The Eagles have a key mission to promote the sport of American Football and grow youth participation in our region. There’s lots of evidence to show that encouraging young people into the game early has benefits to the game and to public health objectives in general.

We have been partnering with American Football Development (AFD) to build an entry level program to be hosted at schools and colleges in Bedfordshire and North Buckinghamshire.

We are delighted to announce that The Bucks and Milton Keynes Sports and Activity Partnership (LEAP) has awarded Ouse Valley Eagles a grant of £3000. This is to build a satellite youth club operating out of Buckingham School for the next two seasons and builds on a successful Sportivate seven week taster session which we ran in Buckingham before last Christmas. AFD will provide the initial coaching delivery.

Part of the program is to create a sustainable coaching model in order to train at least ten aspiring coaches through an accreditation pathway during this period. These will be drawn from existing teaching staff, OVE senior players and potential coaches new to the sport.

We would like to thank and acknowledge the support of AFD, LEAP and Aylesbury Vale Disctict Council in establishing this opportunity. We plan to extend this model to further schools and colleges and grow a network of satellite clubs with Ouse Valley Eagles as the hub.

Speaking on behalf of the Club, Vice Chairman Mark Chilton commented:

This represents another step in our Club’s development.

There has been a recent surge of interest in American Football among the 14-17 year age range. The sport has a responsibility to capitalise on that to grow participation at all levels of the game in terms of playing, coaching and support.

This a great opportunity and hopefully the first of many.

Guthrie Miller of AFD agreed:

This is fantastic news. AFD are looking forward to working with OVE to get the program up and running.

If you would like further information about satellite club development or how your school or college may partner with the Eagles in a similar way please get in touch.

McMaster on the Mustangs

19 Apr

Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football BAFANL, Doncaster Mustangs, Neale McMaster

Offensive Coordinator Neale McMaster was pleased with the progression of his offense’s running game in Sunday’s win over the Doncaster Mustangs.

The Eagles beat the Mustangs 13-12 at the Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday, in a game which saw plenty of turnovers – including five interceptions by the Eagles defense.

Speaking after the game McMaster said:

It was a tough defensive battle and ultimately our defense won us the game, something that I think will stand us in good stead moving forward.

We showed some progression on offense from last week, and our running game looks to be consistently good, which is a huge jump from last season.

The Eagles are back in BAFANL action this Sunday with a home games against the Nottingham Caesars. It will be the team’s third game is successive weeks, but Coach McMaster says he can see definite positives in the tough early schedule:

The benefit to playing three games in a row is that we can develop some momentum and team chemistry, and I think these two away trips have definitely helped in those regards.

These are the core elements of a championship side, and I firmly believe if we keep improving, that’s exactly what we will be.

Kick off for the game at Bedford International Athletics Stadium is midday, with admission priced at £2 each for adults (for which you receive a free programme) or free for those under-18.

Admission is also free for anyone who as downloaded our mobile app for iOS and Android.

Coach Hill on Doncaster win

19 Apr

Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football BAFANL, Darren Hill, Doncaster Mustangs

Interim Head Coach Darren Hill paid tribute to his defense after Sunday’s win over the Doncaster Mustangs.

The Eagles beat the Mustangs 13-12 at the Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday, in a game which saw plenty of turnovers – including five interceptions from Hill’s D.

Speaking after the game Coach Hill said that he was very happy to get the first win of the season:

After losing in week one it was important for us to get back to winning ways, and whilst it wasn’t pretty we managed to come away from our furthest away trip of the season with the result we needed.

Whilst our Offense isn’t quite firing on all cylinders yet there was a huge improvement in our run game with the OL creating some nice holes for our RBs.

Our Special Teams also performed well, recovering an on-side kick, returning a punt for a TD which was unfortunately negated by a penalty and the extra point being the difference between winning and tying the game.

This victory however belongs to our D. From start to finish they shut down the Doncaster run game forcing them to try and beat us through the air.

The Mustangs have an excellent QB and some very good receivers but our five interceptions – including one returned to their end zone and one picked off in our end zone in the last minute of the game – sealed our victory.

There is still lots to work on but I am happy with where we are as a team. Several beers on the long trip home were exactly what we needed after a hard fought win, and we look forward to continuing this momentum as we face another challenging opponent this Sunday at BIAS.

The Eagles are back in BAFANL action this Sunday with our first home game of the season, against the Nottingham Caesars.

Kick off is midday at BIAS, with admission priced at £2 each for adults (for which you receive a free programme) or free for those under-18.

Admission is also free for anyone who as downloaded our mobile app for iOS and Android.

Defense digs deep at Doncaster

19 Apr

Michael Dilley All News, Reports, Senior Football BAFANL, Chris Parr, Curtis Williston, Doncaster Mustangs, Nate Ashby

The Eagles picked up their first win of the season with a hard-fought 13-12 victory over Doncaster Mustangs at the Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday.

Following the coin toss the Eagles received the opening kick-off but went three and out on their first possession. Doncaster’s first drive stalled around midfield, and after the Eagles were again forced to punt they regained possession thanks to an interception by Chris Parr.

The momentum would soon swing back in favour of the hosts after the Eagles threw a pick of their own, and the Mustangs took the lead after a pass from seven yards out.

The Eagles offense looked to have clicked as they drove deep into Doncaster territory, but following another interception in the red zone the scoring opportunity was lost.

Both teams exchanged possession for most of the second quarter but when Nate Ashby picked off the Mustangs QB the Eagles O was finally able to punch the ball in after driving thirty yards, Curtis Williston finishing the drive with a one-yard run.

Half-Time: Mustangs 6 Eagles 7

The second half got off to a blistering start after the Eagles successfully recovered an onside kick but quickly settled back into the same pattern as both offenses struggled to move the ball.

Proceedings were given a jump start when Parr returned a Mustangs punt 85 yards to the house only to see it called back for a flag, and three plays later the hosts were in the end zone.

They were unable to convert the two-point conversion though, and those missed points would ultimately turn out to be the difference between the two sides.

As the fourth quarter got underway the Eagles had the ball on their own 20. They were unable to turn the possession into a meaningful drive and Doncaster started again on their own 42 following a punt, but when Parr stepped in front of his receiver for his second interception of the day and returned it to the end zone, the Eagles had the lead.

The two-point conversion was no good, and on the Mustangs’ next possession Parr again caught an interception – his third of the day.

With around five minutes to play the Mustangs had the ball and started driving into Eagles territory.

A holding penalty on first and goal from the six with a little under 90 seconds to play pushed them back to the 16-yard line, and with 54 seconds left Nate Ashby picked off the QB in the end zone for his second – and the defense’s fifth – interception of the day to seal the win.

Final: Mustangs 12 Eagles 13

Photo courtesy of GrahamBeardsleyPhotography

The Eagles are back in BAFANL action this Sunday with our first home game of the season, against Nottingham Caesars.

Kick off is midday at BIAS, with admission priced at £2 each for adults (for which you receive a free programme) or free for those under-18.

Admission is also free for anyone who as downloaded our mobile app for iOS and Android.

Outlaw Flag League Schedule Released

15 Apr

Michael Dilley All News, Flag Football Bedford Blackhawks, Chichester Sharks, Manchester Crows, Northants Titans, Outlaw Flag League, Reading Lions, Staffordshire Surge Academy

The schedule for the Outlaw Flag League 2016 has been released, and sees the Blackhawks kick off against Reading Lions and Manchester Crows on Sunday 28th August.

The young Blackhawks have been placed in the Bandit Flag Conference (BFC) North Division along with the Crows and Chichester Sharks, and will also play members of the Exile Flag Conference (EFC) North Division – Northants Titants Oceanus, Reading Lions and Staffordshire Surge Academy.

The schedule is based on the twelve teams currently entered into the league. If additional teams join the league the schedule will be updated accordingly:

Sunday 28th August

vs Reading Lions
vs Manchester Crows

Sunday 25th September

vs Chichester Sharks
vs Northants Titans Oceanus
vs Staffordshire Surge Academy

Sunday 9th October

vs Reading Lions
vs Manchester Crows

Sunday 6th November

vs Chichester Sharks
vs Northants Titans Oceanus
vs Staffordshire Surge Academy

You can read the full Blackhawks schedule for 2016 here.

PREVIEW | Doncaster Mustangs (A)

14 Apr

Michael Dilley All News, Senior Football BAFANL, Doncaster Mustangs, MFC1, Preview

The 2016 BAFANL Midlands Football Conference continues this weekend as the Eagles travel to Doncaster to take on the Mustangs.

Last season the Mustangs went 4-6 to finish eighth in NFC 1, which included a strong finish to the campaign that saw them win their last three games. They will be looking to continue that good run against the Eagles in what will be their first game of the season season.

The Eagles kicked off their 2016 campaign last week with a disappointing defeat away to Sandwell Steelers.

Team News

Eagles QB Zach Wodaege returns to the squad after missing the Sandwell game with a knee injury.

Anthony Ogunleye is out after dislocating his shoulder last weekend, and LB Byron Chowles is doubtful due to an ankle knock.

Offensive Linemen James Busby and John Phillips will both miss the game, but Defensive Linemen Dick Price and Oliver Lattimer make welcome returns.

Rookie RB Raul Fernandez will again be a game time decision with an oblique strain, and Defensive Back Vasco Dias continues his recuperation from a serious knee injury.

Directions

The Mustangs play their home games at the Keepmoat Stadium complex on the Athletics Arena, Stadium Way, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN4 5JW.

Game Coverage

If you can’t make it to Doncaster for the game, we will be providing regular in-game updates on all the action via our Facebook and Twitter pages from 2.30pm.

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