Highland Stags victory over fellow BAFA division challengers Aberdeen Roughnecks fuels belief in potential for successful year
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The Highland Stags secured what could well turn out to be an important victory against the Aberdeen Roughnecks last time out.
It was a battle of two unbeaten teams at this early stage of the British American Football Association's North Division Two campaign, and the Stags came out on top – winning 31–10.
Wide receiver Mark Pyper was named the side's most valuable player in the win, while Kyle Cocker and Mark Hammond were the offensive and defensive MVPs respectively.
It was a result that could go a long way to deciding where the divisional title ends up at the end of the season, and according to Stags general manager Tom Hutchison it was by no means a foregone conclusion that they would win going in.
"It was 25–8 at half time, and then we just closed it out afterwards, so it was good," he explained.
"The boys played really well, it was obviously a very important game so there was a lot of tension there.
"Everyone was a bit anxious because it does make a big difference when it comes to the end of the year. Obviously we were away too, so the pressure was on us quite a bit.
"We hadn't played them in about four years, because they didn't play last year, and before that they were in a higher league.
"Before Covid Aberdeen were in Division One – they dropped down this year because they didn't play last year, so they still have a lot of players who have played at a high level – but it turned out to be a good game for us, very enjoyable."
Having won the Saltire Division last year to earn their full BAFA membership, confidence is high in the Stags camp right now.
So much so after beating who is likely to be their biggest competition, that Hutchison feels only they can stop themselves from further success.
"It gives us confidence," Hutchison said.
"Any team can win on any day, but it certainly showed the guys that they have the capabilities to do well.
"Realistically, we can only defeat ourselves. We know that we can beat any team on any day as long as we don't make mistakes.
"It showed the guys where we should be – we're in the league and we deserve to be here, and we're showing the rest of the league that that's the case."
