BNL: Brussels Black Angels down Limburg Shotguns in triple overtime nail biter

This past weekend, longtime Belgian rivals, the Brussels Black Angels scored a two point conversion in the third overtime period to edge the Limburg Shotguns 25-23 at Mijnstadium in Beringen as the BNL league wound up its fourth weekend of action.

With the win, Brussels improved to 3-1 while the Shotguns fell to 1-3.

The Shotguns opened the scoring in spectacular fashion as former SMU Husky Justin Julien returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown to give Limburg a 7-0 lead.

After both defenses started off strong forcing back-to-back punts, the Brussels offense got their first points on the board on their second drive as quarterback Arno Gillain found receiver Damien Petit for a touchdown after a short pass. Petit, also the kicker, then booted the extra point to even the score at 7-7. The first quarter came to a close with the Black Angels once again on offense.

At the start of the second quarter, Brussels wideout Mattia Gielens made a beautiful over the shoulder catch to convert a third down taking the Black Angels down to the 10 yard line. It took multiple attempts but Gillain finally plunged into the end zone and Brussels took a 14-7 lead.

The Shotguns responded late in the second period as quarterback John Brown marched his team down to the Brussels 30 yard line and then connected with wide receiver Coby Olieslagers for a score. With the PAT, Limburg tied the game at 14-14 going into the break.

The teams traded interceptions to open the second half and then the Shotguns got a break forcing and pouncing on a fumble at the Black Angels 12 yard line. Although they did not find the end zone, they took a 17-14 lead on a field goal late in the third quarter.

The Brussels offense finally got rolling with Gillain marching his team from his own 40 yard line down to the Shotguns 18. Although a touchdown pass was negated by a double pass interference call (both defensive and offensive), the Black Angels kicked a 37 yard field goal to tie the game.

Both defenses rose up with neither team gaining any momentum until Limburg picked off Gillain late in the contest on the 25 yard line. It led to a botched 57 yard field goal attempt and the game went into overtime.

Both teams scored touchdowns in the first overtime period with Brown finding a receiver and then Brussels running back Jimmy Onema answered with a touchdown of his own. Neither team made a PAT leaving the score tied at 23-23 heading into the second overtime.

The second overtime saw both defenses play well leading to a third overtime. The rule in the BNL for a third overtime period is both teams get a two-point conversion attempt from the three yard line.

The Shotguns went first but their attempted reverse play was blown up by safety Hadrien Godichal leaving Brussels with a chance to win the game. Onema made no mistake bulling his way into the end zone for the two points and the win.

The victory leaves the Black Angels in second place in the standings behind the Amsterdam Crusaders. They will face the Rotterdam Trojans (3-1) on April 20. Meanwhile, Limburg now finds themselves in fourth but will be facing the Brussels Tigers in the next round.

Source: Robbe Pieters