Chargers clinch berth in play-offs
Historic achievement for Flag Football side
West Lothian Chargers have qualified for the BAFA Flag Football play-offs for the first time in the club’s history.
The Chargers, in just their second season in the league, defeated both the Carnegie Thunder and Midlothian Sabres at the weekend to book their place in the postseason.
They got off to a rapid start in their opening contest against the Thunder, with Anton Atkins and Neil Warren scoring touchdowns.
Carnegie, from Dunfermline, were able to reduce the gap thanks to a touchdown of their own, making it 12-6 at half-time.
It was the hosts who started the better of the sides after the break, scoring two unanswered touchdowns to make it 20-12.
However, rookie quarterback Jared Armour led two scoring drives to again give the Chargers the advantage, before the defence stopped the final Thunder drive to seal the win.
That meant victory over the Sabres would book their maiden play- off berth with five regular season games still to play.
And that was never in doubt as the Chargers stepped up on both sides of the ball, winning 51-0.
Warren, who is also the club’s General Manager, praised his team, commenting: “Myself and our head coach, Dave Charleston, are very proud of the players and over the moon to have reached the play-offs for the first time in our history. It was certainly a memorable day.
“The effort all the players had put in during pre- season has clearly shown in the results and the performances and that’s all we can ask. We’ve been making great steps forwards since joining the league and we hope that upwards trend continues.”
He added: “We still have a few games left to determine our ranking in the Northern Regional play-offs and we’ll be going out to now finish as high up the table as possible.
“We have achieved the initial aim of our season, which was to qualify for the play-offs but we’re keen to build on that and go as far as possible.”
Flag football is a five- a-side non-contact version of American Football designed to allow those who love the sport the opportunity to play the game without the risk of injury and hard hits.
The Chargers are currently recruiting for players, male or female, over the age of 16.
For more information, contact the club via the Facebook page at www. facebook. com/ WestLothianChargers. (Pic: Leanne McOmish).