THE BORDER City Centurions head to Manchester’s National Speedway Stadium this weekend for a date with history, as they hope to defeat Manchester, Sheffield and Teesside and bring home the region’s first ever championship title in 35 years.
Riding in on an undefeated 13-0-0 record, so far this season, the Carlisle based Flag American Football team still have a long summer ahead before National Finals Day in September – but due to an explosive first half to the campaign they look set to clinch the Northern conference in record setting time.
Needing just two more wins from the three games on the day, the Cents are confident they will see their name etched on the silverware. However, nothing can be taken for granted and no let up offered. With the notable absence from the travelling squad of club captain Dylan McKenzie, who is beyond any doubt the heartbeat of the defence, the team will be keen to keep their ranks tightly closed and continue the staunch defence they have become known for this season.
On the other side of the ball, however, the offence is led by the UK’s top-scoring quarterback Brandon Walsh and is surrounded by a wealth of exceptional talent, including Annan based rising stars Dominic Lewis and GB Under-19 Christopher Brown forming an attack that is averaging 46 points per game this year.
If it comes to a shoot-out then so be it, as the Border City Boys have more than enough firepower to light-up the Bellevue scoreboards.
But head coach Nick Weston does not want the journey to peak here.
He said: “We are working to three objectives this year, this is just the first part. Win the Northern conference, secure Premiership promotion and ultimately lift the National Division One Cup in September.” Ambitious maybe, but Saturday will be their clearest shot to bank the first of three historic milestones in this year’s remarkable journey.
- FLAG Football is a rapidly growing, high-skill, non-contact format of American Football. Founded in 2022, Border City Centurions are a Carlisle based Flag American Football Team, with club members and players from across Cumbria, South Scotland and the Borders.
- Midweek training is open to all on Wednesday evenings: Junior Cents (11-17) meet at the Carlisle Youth Zone, Victoria Place, from 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm. Adults (16+) meet at the Richard Rose Central Academy, Lismore Place, from 7.30 pm to 9 pm.
