The Emirates American Football League (EAFL) kicks off again for the second half of the season on Friday with Dubai Barracudas coach Kyle Jordan warning his players that from here on it’s must-win.
Jordan’s team go up against reigning champions Abu Dhabi Wildcats on Friday away from home with the two sides currently battling it out for the second seed.
The Dubai Stallions – who take on basement club Al Ain Desert Foxes on Friday – are top of the rankings with three wins from three after they become the first team to ever beat the Wildcats.
The Wildcats have been shown to be beatable and Jordan is looking for lightening to strike twice to give his side the best chance of grabbing the second seed.
“We look at the next three gamescoming up as must-win games so we can get that second seed in the playoffs,” Jordan told Sport360°. “The Abu Dhabi team that lost to the Stallions are still a really good football team and they have really sound fundamentals, so I’m not taking anything away from them because of that loss.
“When I look at our matchup this weekend, I’m looking at what we have done to change. Offensively, I see us as very different to how we started. We have new personnel in there including a new quarterback (Zavier Cobb) and that will allow us to build on what we have done.
“And on defence, we have changed our scheme a bit. We’ll be a bit more aggressive and harder to throw the ball on.”
Cobb, though a new quarterback, is not new to the set up having played as a running back and wide receiver in the past while former QB Ian Caron has been allowed to spend his time at linebacker where he has been one of the league’s most devastating.
Though small for quarterback, Jordan has warned the Wildcats to overlook Cobb at their peril.
“He has been a receiver and running back for us, and had catches against Abu Dhabi first time. He’s a great athlete who has played a lot of football in his life and knows the game. He’s elusive, he’s one of the smaller guys on the field but anyone who takes him lightly will be in trouble.”
Friday’s games are the first in the EAFL since late November and many players have been indulging in the holiday spirit of December, no doubt bringing rust to previously well-oiled joints and minds.
“Last week was a bit slow going, I was hoping to see us further along,” said the American. “There was rust and we had to get the guys in the football mentality.
“What we had going for us is that we had players in the Falcons game, so they have played football since November.
“This week we have had two great practices and the guys have put in a lot of effort and the look in their eyes has been one of belief,” added Jordan
