Belgium: Jaycen Taylor’s Limburg Shotguns still undefeated

The Limburg Shotguns (5-0) have extended their winning streak to five games after defeating the Ostend Pirates (2-2) 26-22 in Belgian American Football League action this past weekend at Shotgun Field in Beringen, Belgium.

This is the first time in their history that the Shotguns have gone unbeaten for more than three games in the regular season.

Quarterback Alexander Jodlauk threw one touchdown pass to Jason Jackson and ran one in himself while Jaycen Taylor scored twice. Quinten Agten kicked two extra points.

For the Pirates, quarterback Benedict Vermaut threw two touchdown passes, both to wide receiver David Zabrodin and scored one himself. Bas Laleman converted two extra points and Nick Vanhee returned a missed PAT all the way for the two points.

The first quarter was filled with offensive explosions.

Limburg came out firing on the very first possession as Jodlauk hit Jackson in stride for a beautiful 78 yard touchdown reception. The Pirates came right back with Vermaut connecting with Zabrodin for a 72 yard touchdown bomb.

Jodlauk retook the lead for the Shotguns, finding a gap and plunging into the end zone from three yards out.

Again Ostend responded, this time with another Vermaut-to-Zabrodin bomb, this one for 45 yards, tying the score at 14-14.

Both defenses adjusted in the second quarter but the Pirates broke the deadlock with just over two minutes left in the half as Vermaut barged in from the two yard line to give Ostend a 20-14 lead.

Taylor scored the the first of his two touchdowns on an eight yard run right after that to tie the score. But Ostend then blocked the PAT and Vanhee returned it 95 yards to give the Pirates a 22-20 lead at the break.

The second half was dominated by the defenses. There was no score in the third quarter, but halfway through the last quarter a missed tackle after a ankle-breaking move by Taylor set the former Purdue Boilermaker free and he took off for a 93 yard touchdown run. Ostend blocked the PAT again blocked but could not return it.

With the Shotguns ahead 26-22, Ostend mounted a furious late-game rally but the Limburg secondary played excellent prevent defense forcing four incomplete passes.

Limburg held on for a 26-22 victory and stay unbeaten for the season, sitting first in the standings with the Brussels Black Angels right behind. Ostend now has a 2-2 record, but remains in the hunt for a playoff berth.

Source: Michel Eeman.