The Chinese National Football League South conference was busy on the last week of September as all six teams were in action.
When the dust was settled, one team had separated from the pack, and it was a four team race for two playoff spots.
Gun Cavalry 35 – Wuhan Spicy 18
Going into their upcoming road game against the Gun Cavalry, the Wuhan Spicy felt optimistic. They had a solid team going to Nanchang. Most importantly, they had an ace up their sleeve: superstar wideout Wang Shida, most recently of the ELF’s Cologne Centurions, was back in China.
However, the Gun Cavalry came away with a 35-18 victory.
The game started with the Gun Cavalry and the Spicy trading touchdowns, with WR #80 Li Jianfeng (李建锋) getting in from 25 yards out for the Gun Cavalry and WR #7 Ming Shuhui ducking and dodging Gun defenders en route to a 65-yard touchdown for the Spicy. However, while the Gun Cavalry elected to kick an extra point, Wuhan went for the 2-point try and failed. Hence, it was 7-6 before the Cavalry scored a second touchdown and 14-6 at the half.
In the second half, the Cavalry’s running game took control, and Wuhan’s defense began to wilt as the Gun Cavalry built a 28-6 lead. Wang Shida made a big play on a long touchdown to narrow the lead to make it 28-12. Still, the Cavalry would seal the game with another touchdown before Wuhan finally scored their last touchdown with another long pass.
Despite the explosiveness of Wuhan’s passing attack, which racked up over 300 yards and had three touchdowns of over 60 yards, Gun’s running game was the dominant factor as Wuhan’s defense wilted in the 2nd half.
This put the Gun Cavalry squarely in first place with a 3-0 record, and Wuhan fell to 1-2.
Guangzhou Goats 11 – Shenzhen Buffaloes 8
The Guangzhou Goats improved their record to 2-1 with a close victory over the Shenzhen Buffaloes, who fell to 0-3. It’s been a heartbreaker of a season for the Buffaloes. They have lost the two games they’ve actually played by a combined 7 points. The Goats continue to find ways to win, with their victory margins totaling four points.
Foshan South China Tigers 14 – Guangzhou Apaches 8
The Foshan South China Tigers and the Guangzhou Apaches rivalry game was the most exciting game of the weekend as the Apaches just barely came up short on the game’s final play.
Both teams traded touchdowns in the early going, but the difference was the Apaches converting the 2-point try to make it 8-6. The score remained the same going into the final quarter, where both teams played a fast and furious last few minutes. Foshan’s defense came up with a huge interception, and the South China Tigers’ offense advanced to the Apaches‘ 5-yard line looking to take the lead. But then the Apaches‘ defense stood tall on a goal-line stand, forcing a turnover on downs. The Apaches seemingly were in a position to run out the clock. However, disaster struck again for the Apaches, as this time, a fumble gave the South China Tigers one final opportunity. Foshan did not waste it, scoring from 3 yards out to provide the SCT with a 14-8 lead.
With time running out, the Apaches were able to get the ball to midfield, and it all came down to the most exciting play in football, the Hail Mary. And it was a heartstopper of a final play, as the Apache receiver caught the ball… but was tackled at the 2-yard line. Game set, and match, Tigers.
Gun Cavalry takes control of the South with a decisive victory
After an exciting 3rd round, the Gun Cavalry have put themselves in the best position to win the division as the only undefeated team in the South division. It’s a close race for the other two spots, as there is currently a four team logjam. Multiple teams may finish with the same record because the division is so evenly matched from top to bottom. Even the 0-3 Shenzhen Buffaloes are more than capable of playing spoiler.
This wrapped up the action in the CNFL before the break! The CNFL resumes play on October 15th with yet another action-packed weekend!