20110702: Tønsberg falls to Show in Stavanger
The Raiders got the ball to start the game, but it was AFC Show that got on the scoreboard first, capitalizing on their initial possession with a touchdown pass from QB Pål Dannevig to RB Simon Bruset. K/RB Simon Olsen was good on the PAT, putting the home team up 7-0. It was to be the first of many scores, as the warm and sunny weather seemed more welcoming to the 29 men from Stavanger than the brave 16 from Tønsberg.
As the 1st quarter came to an end, Show had found the endzone multiple times, with a touchdown pass from Dannevig to TE Jeroen Wiebes, a run by Simon Bruset, and a fumble recovery with subsequent return by DT Bjørn Erik Poppe Thorsen that really got the small but eager crowd going.
The 2nd quarter saw a TD pass from Dannevig to WR Asbjørn Lindland, before the other AFC Show QB, Diego Miranda, found WR Magnus Vadla for his own touchdown pass of the day. Simon Bruset followed that with a punt return for a 55-yard touchdown. Tønsberg then answered with a pass caught by RB Espen Rygh Tetmo, who outraced the entire Show defense for a 63-yard touchdown which got both the Raiders and crowd cheering, proving that Stavanger has spectators that appreciate good football from others than just their home team. AFC Show replied on the next drive, as Jeroen Wiebes, now at runningback, scored on a long run up the middle of the field. Show got one more touchdown before halftime, as U-19 runningback Karsten M. Kopperstad scored on his first ever carry in his first ever game, weaving his way for a 30-yard score.
The 2nd half started with AFC Show receiving the ball, with Simon Bruset returning the ball well inside the redzone before he was stopped by Tønsberg's ever-present and always improving Erik André Skorge. AFC scored on the very next play on a short pass from Pål Dannevig to WR Benedict Gärtner. An interception by DE Jarle Vangsnes shortly after, led to another touchdown - this time on a run by RB Desmond Baden.
Early in the 4th quarter, Karsten M. Kopperstad got the second carry of his young career, this time running 55 yards down the middle of the field before once again stopping in the endzone. Kopperstad's stats after 1 game of football? 2 carries, 85 yards, 2 TDs.
This was followed by a fumble recovery by LB Ole Petter Ølberg, who returned the fumble to the Raiders' endzone for what was to be the last score of the game, leaving the final score at 84-6 in favor of AFC Show.
This was followed by a fumble recovery by LB Ole Petter Ølberg, who returned the fumble to the Raiders' endzone for what was to be the last score of the game, leaving the final score at 84-6 in favor of AFC Show.
After the final whistle, there was a ceremony with Show receiving the trophy for winning the 2nd Division 2011, before the Tønsberg and AFC U-19 teams lined up for a 30-play scrimmage. The scrimmage saw AFC Show score twice and the Raiders once, although in fairness it must be said that the Tønsberg side looked slightly sharper than AFC Show. It will be interesting to see what the two teams can do once the U-19 season starts in late August.
This was the last game of the senior season, and AFC Show's seniors now takes a well-deserved summer break before preparations for the 2012 season start in mid-August.
Although the league champ'ship had already been decided, one game remained. The Tønsberg Raiders travelled to Stavanger to take on the AFC Show on June 26th to end the season.
The local football fans in Stavanger got to witness what the future holds for their hometown team, as AFC gave several up-and-coming juniors playing time. In addition, the senior game was shortened a bit to make space for a scrimmage after the game between the Tønsberg Raiders U-19 team and the AFC Show U-19 team.
The league game was an uneven affair, with an end result of 84-6. This does not entirely reflect the game, as the Raiders did produce some offense from time to time; in particular with the passing game.
Check out videos below for highlights from the game.
