Biggest match in history for Highland Stags as they head to Dumfries Hunters in a winner takes all championship game
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HIGHLAND Stags are one game away from the biggest win in their history when they take on Dumfries Hunters in a winner takes all match for the Saltire Division in the British American Football Association National League.
The Grid Iron club who play their home matches at the Naval Grounds in Invergordon but train at North Kessock, currently lead the division with three wins, one draw and one defeat.
But the Hunters, who have a record of three wins and two defeats, can still hunt them down and take the title if they beat the Stags in Dumfries.
The two teams met in Invergordon two weeks ago when the Stags recorded a 12–0 victory.
Defensive coordinator Billy Mill says it was a solid performance which gives them confidence they can make history by winning the division for the first time on Sunday.
“If we win or tie with Dumfries, we win the division,” explained Mill.
“Highland Stags were established in 2015 and it started from a few guys and it has grown from there.
“This is certainly our biggest ever game, we managed to shut Dumfries out, which no team has managed to do this season.
“They are a team that usually scores a lot of points and our defence did well in the last game.
“The wind was a bit of factor so the offence could not get going too much.
“But we’re going with the team that we are travelling with that we think can come home with the win.”
Highland Stags started off this season’s campaign with an emphatic 38–3 victory over the Dunfermline Kings in Fife.
But they then suffered a shock 15–12 defeat against the Kings in Invergordon.
They bounced back with a dominant 31–8 victory over Clyde Valley Blackhawks at home who then held the Stags to an unusual 0–0 draw at Wishaw.
Stags then took pole position in the division with the 12–0 win against Dumfries at the Naval Grounds before Sunday’s showdown.
Mill says the squad are heading south confident they have what it takes to finish the job and make history in what would be the club’s greatest achievement.
He says the size of the squad shows the popularity of American football in the area, with players from across the north represented.
“We are taking 35 players down with us to Dumfries, but our roster is closer to 45 players.
“We have had an influx of 15 to 20 players this year.
“We have players from Inverness, Moray and Ross-shire as well ex-Highland Wildcats players who came through the ranks.”
