The Brussels Black Angels fell behind early but staged a second half comeback to defeat the Limburg Shotguns 28-21 in BNL action this past weekend.
Four different Black Angels scored in the victory while special teams blocked two punts. The win left Brussels unbeaten with a 3-0 record. Limburg fell to 1-2.
The loss was especially painful for the Shotguns as starting quarterback Jabari Harris suffered a knee injury late in the game that proved to be season ending.
Limburg opened the scoring though with wide receiver Matthew Craens finding the end zone on a pass from Harris giving the Shotguns a 7-0 first quarter lead. But Brussels evened the score at 7-7 two series later with receiver Terrence Stillwell hauling in a touchdown pass.
Brussels QB #4 evading defenders Photo Out Box Photographie
The Shotguns broke the tie on a pick six by defensive back Xavier Siwabessy giving the home team a 14-7 lead at the break.
Brussels opened the second half best as running back Jimmy Onema found the end zone to even the score at 14-14. However, Jabari Harris responded, taking off himself to give the Shotguns the lead back, 21-14.
With both defenses then playing lock down football, it was the Brussels special teams unit that made the difference as they blocked a Shotguns punt deep in Limburg territory and Black Angels receiver Jonathan Leroy scored on the next play. A two-point conversion attempt failed though leaving Brussels still trailing, this time 21-20.
Limburg QB Jabari Harris #1 throwing Photo: Out Box Photographie
Special teams then rose up again as Brussels blocked another Shotguns punt. On the next play, Brussels receiver Killian Philips scored and Laurent Bogaerts added the two point conversion to give the Black Angels the lead for the first time, 28-21.
Both defenses stiffened with neither offense able to find the end zone again and the game ended 28-21 in favor of the visitors.
Shotguns head coach Emmanuel Lewis:
“Unfortunately, we came up short today due to costly penalties and turnovers. We have to find a way to correct these things and get better as a team.”
The Limburg Shotguns will play their next game in the Mijnstadion in Beringen on April 22 at 6 pm when they will face the Ghent Gators.
Scores from other BNL-games:
WEEK 1:
Amsterdam Crusaders 30 – Kasteel Nitros 12
Brussels Black Angels 48 – Ghent Gators 0
WEEK 2:
Amsterdam Crusaders 44 – Ghent Gators 0
Limburg Shotguns 61 – Kasteel Nitros 0
WEEK 3:
Brussels Black Angels 38 – Kasteel Nitros 0
Amsterdam Crusaders 47 – Limburg Shotguns 10
WEEK 4:
Kastell Nitros 22 – Ghent Gators 0
Brussels Black Angels 28 – Limburg Shotguns 21
Original article submitted by Tijs Lemmens
Photos: Out Box Photographie