A day after the Dallas Cowboys ran wild in their Thanksgiving win, the Abu Dhabi Wildcats flashed their own version of a power running game to open the Emirates American Football League (EAFL) season in style.
Even with star running back Vivaldi Tulysse sidelined with a shoulder injury, the Wildcats were unstoppable on the ground in a 28-12 thrashing of defending champion Dubai Barracudas in a Desert Bowl rematch last night at Dubai Sports City.
In their EAFL debuts, quarterback Shane Szymczak and running back Robbie Lopez did most of the damage as they brought Abu Dhabi back from an early 12-0
Szymczak, who carved up the Barracudas’ defence with keepers and options while Lopez was the hammer, compared the Wildcats’ running attack to that of the NFL’s Cowboys.
“I think it’s going to be a force to be reckoned with,” Szymczak said. “My reference is the Dallas Cowboys.
“We have an offensive line that I think is going to run the house and we have about four running backs that can come in and out and interchange that all have power and speed.”
Szymczak got Abu Dhabi on the board with a 15-yard score in the second quarter before Lopez punched it in from the 1-yard line to cut Dubai’s lead to 14-12 at halftime.
Lopez found the end zone again in the third quarter with another 1-yard run and Szymczak’s 5-yard connection with Jermaine Lattimore in the fourth quarter was the gravy on top of an impressive performance.
And all that was done without Tulysse, who single-handily carried Tony Robinson’s Wildcats last season.
“Can’t wait to get him back and it’s just going to enhance what we do,” said coach Robinson.
The Barracudas appeared to be on their way to another dominant win following a 20-yard touchdown pass from Zavier Cobb to Michael Andersen and a 2-yard run by reigning MVP Luke Norrey in the first half.
But from there on, the Wildcats controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball to hand the title holders their first loss since the 2015 Desert Bowl.
“Their offensive line took over and was manhandling our guys up front,” said Barracudas coach Kyle Jordan. “They were able to go inside, go outside and we just didn’t have any answers.”
Dubai’s cause wasn’t helped by missing Rodriguez brothers Alex and Jordan, especially the former who has been vital on their defensive line.
Norrey also suffered what Jordan described as a cramp in the third quarter and was limited the rest of the game.
TUREK EARNS FIRST WIN
It wasn’t in the manner Brett Turek wanted, but the new Dubai Stallions coach earned his first EAFL win at the helm.
His Stallions needed a lone score to fend off the new-look Al Ain Desert Foxes 7-0 at Dubai Sports City last night.
The contest was a penalty-fest as both sides made plenty of errors to show their early-season rust.
“I almost want to say a little embarrassed by that because that’s not what he had in practice,” Turek said. “Yeah I’m happy we got the win, but I’m also dissatisfied in what we didn’t do.”
Wide receiver Suliman Gaouda hauled in a 26-yard touchdown from quarterback Kelly Susee in the third quarter for the only points.
Turek is wearing red this season after serving as an assistant coach with the Dubai Barracudas and Gaouda (pictured) has followed his path switching over from the cross-town rivals.
“It’s just a challenge,” Gaouda said. “The Barracudas right now are a dynasty. It’s going to be competitive and that’s what I’m after. I play in the league to have competition.”
Al Ain, meanwhile, proved they’ll be better than the winless squad from last season, but by how much is still anyone’s guess.
