Claymores end season on low
Scottish Claymores 20, Cologne Centurions 28 THE CLAYMORES ended a disappointing 2004 season on a low note going down 28-20 to Cologne Centurions at Hampden.
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| Ian Smart finds a gap and runs for a touchdown |
The game also marked the last for veteran wide receiver Scott Couper who retired from professional football after the game.
The teams traded possessions with no one making a breakthrough in the first quarter..
Nate Hybl came on to guide the Claymores offense at the start of the second quarter but it was Cologne who were to take the scoreboard first after the Claymores punted.
Back up quarterback Rob Adamson, who has family in Scotland, connected on a 38-yard pass to wide receiver Todd Devoe, who had tormented the Claymores the first time the teams met. Kicker Derek Schorejs conveted the PAT and Cologne took a 7-0 lead with 11:32 left in the second.
The Claymores hit back right away when Ian Smart broke free to dash 41 yards into the endzone on the Claymores next drive. Rob Hart kicked the extra point and the teams were tied 7-7 with 10:08 to play in the second.
Cologne were let off the hook when it appeared Claymores corner Alphonso Roundtree had picked off Adamson at the Scots two on their next possession, but the officials rules Roundtree had impeded the receiver nullifying the pick.
Cologne got on the scoreboard again two plays later when Scorejs hit a massive 50-yard field goal for four points to give the Centurions an 11-7 lead with 5:04 remaining in the half.
The Claymores couldn't respond on their next drive. The Centurions bought on Japanese quarterback Kentaro Namiki, who completed his first pass but was duely sacked by Ivory McCoy.
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| Maurice Hicks lunges for a touchdown |
Cologne got the ball to start the second half, but were forced to punt on the possession. Disaster struck for the Centurions when returner Albert Johnson muffed his catch allowing Herb Haygood to recover for the Scots at the German 17.
Tom Arth, in at quarterback for the Claymores, wasted no time in getting the Scots back on the scoreboard with a three yard touchdown pass to tight end Marcus Helfman - to take the Claymores over the historic 2,000 points mark. Hart hit the PAT and the scores were tied at 14-14 five minutes into the third quarter.
The Claymores kept up the pressure on Cologne's next possession with Cedric Scott partially blocking a Steve Cheek punt allowing the Claymores to take over at midfield. But the offense couldn't move it although Nick Murphy kept up the pressure punting to the Cologne three yard line.
Three plays later, Cologne were forced to punt but Steve Cheek's misery continued when his attempt was blocked and recovered by Claymores linebacker Howard Clark at the Centurions five yard line. Two plays later running back Maurice Hicks dived over the goal-line for his fourth touchdown of the season. However, Hart's PAT attempt was blocked and the Scots had to settle for a 20-14 lead to end the third quarter.
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| Marcus Helfman [right] is congratulated by Ronald Bellamy |
Cologne went back to their ground game with Cobourne pounding out the yards on a 22 yard scamper to the Scots 20 before carrying again inside the Scots 10. Van Dyke delivered the deadly blow sneaking into the endzone himself from one yard. Kimrin kicked the PAT and Cologne took an eight point lead 28-20 with 1:46 left.
Arth took over, trying to get the Scots back in the game, competing passes to Bellamy. But the Colts allocate was picked off trying to find Scott McCready two plays later, ending the Claymores hopes of a comeback and dumping them to the bottom of the league.
05 Jun, 04 | 10:15 pm