Cougars versus the Molosses

We played the Molosses yesterday at their place. It's a bit closer into Paris then Pontoise. As we drove towards the field you could see the eiffel tower in the distance. The game would turn out to be a 19-0 victory for the Cougars! The visitors locker room was a bit far from the field, so after we changed and got ready to go, we had to bring all our stuff, for me meaning a Muscle milk energy bar for half time. Gotta replenish when you go both ways.

The game itself was a good one for the cougars. Matt P went 10/17 with about 160 yards or so 2TD's throwing and a TD running. The first drive we got the ball and were stopped close to the redzone. I think we went for it on 4th down but failed. The Molosses got the ball, but we'd quickly gain it back. Loic had the guy for a sack but caused the QB to fumble and luckily yours truly was right there in time to hop on the ball. Looking back I wish I would have picked it up and tried to run with it, but not knowing how far away the defense was from me and being instinctivly trained as an offensive lineman to jump on a rolling ball, that's exactly what I did.

We went on to score. I believe the first touchdown was Matt P running a QB sneak on about the 15 yard line, just trying to get the first down, however after we drove the line a bit Matt managed to roll out from an arm tackle and scramble to the left side of the field all the way for a hard earned touchdown, getting hit as he rolled into the endzone. The extra point was good and we were up 7-0.

The next drive on offense we made it to the 17 or so before we stalled out and tried a field goal, we missed the 33 yard attempt and defense took over. Luckily the defense had a pretty great day, allowing less than 150 yards the entire match. We scored again in the 2nd quarter on a pass by Matt for 2 yards capping off a 45 yard drive.

We went into the game thinking the Molosses would play a 3-4 defense with blitzing linebackers, however when they came out they played in more of a 4-4 setting with the outside saftey being almost in the box at most points. The line played well throughout the game. It's good to see them improving.

I will have to say there were a couple of unusual things that happened in the game, that just can't go unmentioned. Arnaud, our left guard, who couldn't play against the Flash because of his job with the police band/orchestra finally got to play. However sometime in the first half he happened to lose a tooth. So at half time he was trying to find it. I think it was a fake one, but it's still a great story to tell one day. I can only picture it....Arnaud what happened to your tooth, well I hit a guy so hard that I lost in the field... Made me picture Jacob Lonowski.

Another funny ancedote that happened at halftime. Since the locker room was so far away, we stayed on the field during halftime. A first for me, since I never played Pee-Wee football or anything like that it was new. The other team stayed on the field at half time as well. This was quite humorous because since there were no bathrooms in distance, most players used the wall at the end of the endzone. I got to literally lay down on the field at half time, using a football for a headrest. I bet it was quite a humorous site for any fans to see.

Throughout the game there was also a real blood battle... in the sense that Will our right guard and my roomate had a cousin who was playing Middle Linebacker. His name is Frank. During warmups Frank came out of their changing area and yelled for Will. It was the closest thing I have ever seen to an old age battle, where one guy calls out another guy. They yelled at each other for a while and it was funny throughout the game. Frank would prowl and blitz through the A gap on Will's side. (between Will and I) The type of reckless blitzing that would cost their team valuable yards in offside penalties. Just to give you a visual image.

One time Will caught Frank and drove him to the ground. The whole time Will was just punching on his cousin and hitting him in the sides. Frank was telling him to stop and it was just hilarious

seeing those two go at it. On the very last play of the game, Will told the Defensive Tackle in front of him to move so that Frank could line up there. We were taking a knee to end the game so the only 2 players actually playing would be Will and Frank. Well that and the umpire who before the whistle lined up in a 3 point stance in front of me, kidding around! Another first for me, having a ref line up and kid with you during the game. He was a good guy. So Matt says hut and they semi go at each other for 5 steps or so.

Also during the game Micheal, one of our recievers, made an great catch. He dove out for a ball nearly out of his reach and somehow managed to come down with it. Maybe to emphasize how legit the catch was, just remember that this is coming from the same guy who saw Calvin make ridiculous catches for 3 years both in and out of games. So needless to say it was a great catch.

We scored again to cap off a 72 yard drive with a 5 yard pass going up 19-0. Missed the 2 point conversion and that's were the score would stay. Loic le Glas had a good day playing both offense and defense and recording 3 sacks... one of which should have been mine, I broke through the middle and chased the QB right into the waiting arms of Loic. I'm pumped for him though. I've been giving him a hard time at practice and stuff, telling him I'm coming for his sack record. He has the record for sacks in a season with 11 in a 10 game season... Well now that he has 3 in 2 games... I don't think I'll be talking much.

After the game we talked to the hockey guys and the GT girls who came out to support us. THANKS. Also, there is this one crazy fan that we have who makes it to most every game. Through out the match he yells ALLIEZ COUGARS! It is awesome, probably one of the most loyal fans I've met. If he where in Atlanta he'd definitely be mixing it with the Hive's faithful.

We got to talk with the RB import from Temple after the game a little bit, just asking how he was liking it and how the experience was going. He said it wasn't going so well and that it was tough if you can't speak French. It just made me realize how lucky both Matt and I are to be playing for the team we do and with the guys we have. They are all good guys and I'm just glad everything has worked out the way it has. I am truly blessed.

All in all a great time to finally get a win. I mean it had been awhile and against the Bulldogs to. Previously I had never beaten a Bulldog in my carear, but I guess things are different now! We are 1-1 and tied for 3rd in our conference. We play the Templier friday who are tied for 1st. Wish us well!

Again if you wanna check out the team website its http://www.lescougars.fr/ I'm sure they will have an update soon enough. Thanks for reading!