Great Britain: Bristol Aztecs shock London Warriors with huge upset win to snap Warriors’ 6-year unbeaten streak

| American Football | 07/03/2023
Karekin Brooks

The Bristol Aztecs stunned the visiting and previously undefeated London Warriors on Sunday, beating them 38-14, handing them their first regular season loss since 2017.

From the opening drive, both teams looked slow offensively, with the Warriors unable to drive anywhere near Aztecs territory for their first three drives. Bristol opened up scoring with a catch-and-run from RB Karekin Brooks (USA, University of Pennsylvania, UWE) for a touchdown, followed by a successful Lewis Munt point-after attempt.

Following yet another Warriors three-and-out, Bristol QB Louis Benzey (SGS PRiDE) found Brooks for a big gain, setting up a touchdown run for Hosam Alzahrani (Bristol ‘Cuda) to put the Aztecs up 14-0. 

After a change at QB for the Warriors from Dee Williams to George Reynolds (University of Ottawa, NFL Academy), the Warriors picked up momentum with Reynolds putting up a perfectly placed fade in the endzone to get the reigning Premiership South champions on the board. 

Both teams traded scores, with Brooks finding the endzone for Bristol again and another passing touchdown from Reynolds. Yet another Karekin Brooks receiving touchdown put the Aztecs up 28-14 at the half.

The second half was a much more defensive half. In the opening minutes of the third quarter, Reynolds was picked off by Dan Bate (Cardiff Cobras) just shy of the redzone. The Warriors managed to stop Benzey’s offensive unit progressing any further, but Lewis Munt split the uprights to put the score at 31-14.

Brooks managed to break for another big touchdown to increase the Aztecs’ lead.

After exchanging punts for the majority of the second half, and another interception thrown by Reynolds, Williams returned at QB for the Warriors inside the two minute warning but was unable to spark any sort of comeback. In the closing moments, edge rusher Billy Elliott (UWE) stripped Williams of the ball and recovered it, putting the ball back in the possession of the Aztecs. 

A big first down run from Lewis Munt enabled Bristol to see out the game in victory formation as the Warriors left Filton having taken their first regular season loss in over half a decade, with a final score of 38-14.

A current student at Bournemouth University as well as a quarterback with eight years of playing experience. Brad's goal is to be a part of the growth of the game around the world through journalism and media.