Photo: M Rich Photography
As the British American football season builds to its thrilling crescendo, all eyes are on Butts Park Arena in Coventry this Sunday, 8th September 2024, where the London Warriors will meet the Bristol Aztecs for the BritBowl XXXVI championship. Kick-off is scheduled for approximately 5 pm, and the stage is set for a physical and tactically intense clash between the top two teams from the Premiership South.
The London Warriors, the number one seed, are fresh off a dominant 69-0 semi-final victory over the Newcastle Vikings. Meanwhile, the Bristol Aztecs, the second seed, booked their spot in the final by defeating the Manchester Titans 12-34 on the road.
To preview this heavyweight matchup, I’ve spoken with several coaches and players from around the league. In exchange for their candidness, I’ve granted them anonymity as they broke down the strengths, weaknesses, and potential keys to the game.
London Warriors: Unstoppable Force?
The Warriors have steamrolled their way to the final, posting a jaw-dropping 555 points this season—averaging 50.5 points per game—while conceding just 26 points across the entire campaign. Their 4-3 Cover 4 defence has been particularly fearsome.
Defensive Powerhouse:
“The best box defence I’ve seen in a long time,” said one coach, highlighting the physicality and speed of the Warriors' front seven. “Their defensive line is huge and very physical with fast-flowing linebackers playing over the top.” Several sources echoed this sentiment, praising the team's ability to dominate the trenches. Two names that came up repeatedly were Cedrick Akron and Rodon Zeqiri on the defensive line, with one player adding, “I’ve been hit by Joe Awonusi a few times, and it hurt!”
Their defensive backs have also earned high praise: “Their corners will press sometimes, but they still maintain deep zone coverage,” and “Their DBs are very good! I don’t think it’s right to just focus on their front 7.”
Incredibly, the Warriors’ defence has been so dominant that they’ve arguably scored more points than they’ve conceded. One player remarked, “Pretty sure the Warriors have scored more on defence than they have conceded this season.”
Offensive Juggernaut:
On offence, the Warriors' approach is less complex but brutally effective. “They don’t have a very complex offence, but they execute it very well,” said one coach. “They’ll run hard and physically, drawing in DBs to hit you over the top.”
The key to their success has been the combination of running backs Andy Owusu and Uriah Higgins, described as “a formidable backfield,” able to gain extra yards through contact. Quarterback Dee Williams, has been elusive in the pocket, adding a dynamic dimension to their offence.
Formidable Depth:
Another standout feature of the Warriors this season has been their squad depth. “They have a huge squad... I think I counted 15 offensive linemen!” one coach noted. “There’s very little drop off from their 1st strings to their 3rd strings,” a fact which has allowed the Warriors to rotate players throughout games without losing intensity.
Bristol Aztecs: The Underdog with a Puncher’s Chance
The Bristol Aztecs come into the final as underdogs, having lost twice to the Warriors during the regular season. However, since their last meeting, the Aztecs have undergone some significant changes that could tip the balance.
Offensive Evolution:
“Bristol have utilised more trips, quads, shifts, and motion since the last Warriors game,” explained one coach. A key tactical change has been the appointment of Lydon Ward-Best as the new offensive playcaller. This has added a new layer of complexity to their Gun-T Buck sweep offence.
One standout player to watch is wide receiver AJ Carr, who missed the semi-final due to international duties but is set to return for the final. Running back Terrell Jones has also been highlighted as a key contributor, while tight end Sean Cook is regarded as “the best blocking TE in the country” according to one player. The skillset of KK Brooks as a skill player and at quarterback was on show in the semi-final and there’s a lot of assumption that he could be one of the difference makers.
Defensive Backbone:
On the defensive side, the Aztecs have been reinforced by the return of Eddie Onamade, transforming their secondary into a formidable unit. “Since the return of Eddie, their secondary is the strength of their defence,” said one player. With players like CJ Wall, Joe Cassidy, and Tom Seagar alongside safeties Jason Selormey and Ryan Bohatec, this unit is “scary.”
It’s predicted that Bristol will play more 1-high safety looks in order to bring an extra defender into the box to try and contain the Warriors’ powerful run game.
Keys to the Game
Many believe this game will hinge on execution and mistakes. “This game will come down to the team that makes the least amount of mistakes,” said one senior coach, a sentiment echoed by many others.
Warriors Favoured, But...
The general consensus is that the Warriors are the favourites. “This is London’s game to lose,” said one player. “If Bristol are going to win, they’ll need to match the physicality and out-execute them.”
That said, beating a team three times in one season is notoriously difficult, and several have suggested that Bristol could pull off an upset. “If anyone can beat the Warriors, it’s Bristol,” said one coach. “But they’re going to need a faultless game, and London will need to make mistakes.”
Physicality is Key:
A key theme throughout these conversations has been the physical nature of both teams. One veteran player summed it up: “It’s going to be a hard, physical game, and it may come down to who can outlast the physicality. The game might open up late.”
Final Thoughts
While the London Warriors come into this final as overwhelming favourites, the Bristol Aztecs have made crucial adjustments that could give them a fighting chance. It’s a classic battle between a dominant force and an underdog with a few tactical surprises up their sleeve. Will the Warriors cap off their perfect season, or will the Aztecs find a way to pull off one of the biggest upsets in BritBowl history?
Kick-off is at approximately 5 pm this Sunday. Whatever happens, it's sure to be a BritBowl to remember.
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