First season rookies The Redhawks reign supreme in the league with the best defensive record and are unbeaten.
Last year The Redhawks were originally ‘The Stags’ in collaboration with Southampton University. However a league ruling came into place, which disallowed two Universities combining and the team split. This was the birth of The Redhawks and the team are flying high ever since they took flight.
Tom Dawson, 21, committee secretary, who plays running back said: “Since the split we are positive, it’s a fresh new start for us and it feels good. We didn’t have a choice about the split because we wouldn’t of been able to reach the play off’s if stayed together. “
Dawson revealed that the team are going for success and will do everything the can to make sure they secure victory: “A few players in the team are growing beards and are not allowed to shave until we lose or win the league and obtain those championship rings. This keeps the momentum going even if we do look a bit stupid” he said.
Red Hawk heading for touch down
The Redhawks made their success story definitive when thrashing their Southampton neighbours 33-0 earlier in the season. Southampton Stags were placed at fourth in the league; this may suggest Redhawks coming of better from the split. Dawson said: “We kept a lot of the good players from the split, the whole of our defence stayed. We have the best defence record in the league so I suppose we came off better.”
Scoring 229 touchdowns and only conceding 24 is a very impressive record especially for a rookie team. They could be the first ever team to enter the league and win it in their first season. They are currently in the play off’s stages with eight team left.
Matthew Bishop, Sports development manager for Solent said: “We are very proud of how The Redhawks are doing. Here at Solent we try to employ the right coaches and players to give them a chance to play and win. We have two rookie teams, one in basketball and the other in American Football, who have played 24 games and have only lost two. Sports Solent wants this success to continue to progress and develop.”
Current holders Birmingham Lions are Solent biggest rivals and they may inevitably meet in the final. The Lions have better funding than Solent, so The Redhawks could arguably go into the game as underdogs. “We have quality team and some fantastic talent in defence, we are going all out for the win and to make history!”
The fiery Redhawk’s next game is set to be at Widelane on Sunday the 13th against UEA Pirates. It is promised to be game jam packed with action, Dawson said: “Widelane is one the best places to watch UK college American football and the atmosphere will be electric. We are aim to be dominant and secure a victory, we are very confident.”
Ewen O’Brien for the Solent Speaker
