Örebro Black Knights improved to .500 With Win Over Royal Crowns
Over time, in a decisive matchup in Swedish Super Series between the reigning master Örebro Black Knights and newcomers to the league Tyresö Royal Crownsthe Black knights held a weak six-point lead but needed to hold on to the ball against a surge Royal crowns squad.
That’s when Örebros Athletic quarterback Trevor Vasey used his entire 6’7-inch frame to get to a much-needed first try, lowered the game and gave his team a 26-20 victory and a second-place finish in the table.
Both teams entered the competition with 1-2. The Royal crowns won its last match on April 9 against the same Black knights, which is still their only victory this season. The Örebro logged a win over Carlstad on the backs of Vasey and runback Tim Göransson. Wide receiver Johannes Lindeus has also been a formidable presence in Örebros attack.
The match started with intense defensive sequences. Of the first seven runs, only one first attempt was recorded, and none of them even exceeded two minutes of playing time. Tyresö took time to adjust to having a new emergency center in Marlon Alm, when Phil Juhlin handled a family affair.
Finally, late in the first quarter, Vasey found his rhythm and started throwing the ball down the field. With 13 seconds left of the first, he rushed into the final zone for the first point of the match. The Royal crowns also seemed to have found their spark, as they responded with a touchdown already on the next drive.
Both teams scored again in the second quarter, making it a 13-13 draw at halftime. The Vasey-Lindeus clutch appeared with full force in the second half. Vasey found Lindeus for a 46-yard touchdown, putting Örebro up one point. The Black knights put together several consecutive stops before Vasey found Lindeus for a 10-yard touchdown.
Tyresö had a lot of ground to catch up on in the waning moments of the fourth quarter. Alm completed a 57-yard touchdown move to the 14-yard line. He followed it up with a score of 2:07 left. Down six points, the Royal crowns needed to get a quick third and out, get the ball back and run down the field and make another touchdown.
However, Vasey had other plans. He took matters into his own hands and moved the chains and ended the game.
Alm made a strong effort in the unexpected start, throwing for 222 yards and three touchdowns. After a tough early start there Black Knights’ front seven made its impact, Alm figured it out and started generating consistent offensive.
As a passer, scrambler and tipper, Vasey was superb. He had 21-38 for 252 yards and two touchdowns. He added a number of key rushes, even though he only put up 24 yards on eight totes.
With the win, Örebro moves to second place with 2-2 record. The undefeated Stockholm Mean Machines (4-0) is the first with two matches left of the regular season.