The difference between peaking at the right moment and peaking too soon in the Emirates American Football League can be the difference between being on the field at the Desert Bowl and being in the stands.
The semi-final clash featuring the Abu Dhabi Wildcats and Al Ain Desert Foxes proved just that as the former stamped a third-straight trip to the title game, while the latter saw their reign as champions come to a bitter end in a 13-6 result at Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence on Friday.
It hadn’t been a pretty season for the Wildcats, who dropped their first four games before getting off the mark in the week before the playoffs. But when it mattered, the underdogs rose to the occasion and delivered.
“I knew these guys were capable of coming together and making the dance,” said Abu Dhabi coach Tony Robinson.
After Al Ain’s stingy defence had allowed 25 points all season, the Wildcats took control early with a 1-yard quarterback keeper by Ralphie Lega and a 45-yard scamper by running back Vivaldi Tulysse to go up 13-0 in the first quarter.
The Desert Foxes got back in the game on John Jones’ 4-yard touchdown run in the second period, but from there Abu Dhabi’s defence tightened up to keep their grasp on the lead.
Asked if Abu Dhabi were at all intimidated by the defending champions, Lega replied: “Not at all. We knew what we were capable of and the type of men we have on our team.
“Yeah they’re a good team and have some real good athletes, but at the same time we respect who we are and we have a lot of confidence in ourselves.”
On the other sideline, Al Ain coach Johnny Sharp was clearly upset with his players’ lack of execution.
The outspoken Sharp, who has been his team’s biggest critic, was clear in his assessment that the gameplan wasn’t the problem, saying he “coached a beautiful game”.
Sharp, who has been at the centre of the Desert Foxes emergence at both the youth and men’s level, was also noncommittal when asked if he’s returning next season.
“We’ll see. This is going to take a lot out of me,” he said. “I’ve lost a lot of championship games and it just wans’t like this, so we’ll see.”
The Dubai Barracudas, meanwhile, stamped their berth to the Desert Bowl by edging the Dubai Stallions 7-6.
It was by no means an impressive victory for the top seed, but Zavier Cobb’s men did just enough to come out on top in a competitive game.
One week after kicking the game-winning field goal to make up for a dropped touchdown, Daniel Viranyi again redeemed himself by following up a fumble with a 4-yard grab for a score in second quarter. He also converted the extra point, which ended up being the difference in the contest.
“I have 1,000 per cent confidence in this guy and his abilities,” Cobb said of Viranyi. “He keeps his cool and I can always count on him under pressure. Yeah he might screw up throughout the game, but during times of pressure, he’s one of the guys I can call on.”
The Stallions’ season didn’t end without some fireworks as Matt Duncan connected with Christian Ridley on a 45-yard touchdown to close the gap, but the extra point conversion was no good.
Like Sharp, Stallions head coach Patrick Campos was unsure if he’ll be on the sidelines again next season.
Campos said: “It’s been an absolute honour working with those guys. It would be an honour to continue to work with them. And if the schedule permits and my lovely wife agrees, maybe I will.”
The Wildcats and Barracudas will meet in a rematch of the 2016 Desert Bowl at Dubai Sports City on Friday, March 16.
