Highland Stags will relish underdogs tag ahead of club's British American Football Association play-off final in London against Bristol Apache, according to general manager Tom Hutchison
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Highland Stags general manager Tom Hutchison has no problem with his side being called underdogs ahead of the British American football play-off final.
The Stags, who play their home games at Ross Sutherland’s pitch in Invergordon, are travelling to London to take on Bristol Apache in London this weekend.
At stake is the label of UK champions, with both teams having come through domestic leagues and then two rounds of play-offs.
For Hutchison’s side, expectations have already been far exceeded.
Realistically they hoped to be in contention in their first year as full members of the division, but they went through it unbeaten to reach the play-offs, and now they are in the final.
As a result, many onlookers will expect them to lose to Bristol, but Hutchison does not mind that at all.
“We like to be the underdogs,” he stressed.
“Coming into this year, it is our first year – we only got admitted into the league 10 months ago. It wasn’t expected that we were going to do as well as we have.
“We were probably joint-favourites with Aberdeen to win our division, but nobody thought we would have a long run into the play-offs at all.
“I like being the underdog, it takes the pressure off us and puts it on to the other team, so I prefer it. Even in our last game of the season, people thought we got lucky in the first game. We proved them wrong then, and we can prove them wrong again.”
Although it is the first time the Stags – and Hutchison personally – have reached this stage, some of their players have won UK titles before.
They can boast several former British champions with the Highland Wildcats in their ranks, so Hutchison plans on leaning on their experience in London.
“We’ve been able to use some of that knowledge, those guys have been talking to the team to tell them what to expect,” he said.
“We’re lucky in that regard, but it’s new to a lot of people. I’ve never been involved in a final like this, neither have our head coach or defensive co-ordinator.
“Other teams have been through it before though, and I’ve been speaking to them too, so that helps.”
No pressure to come back with a trophy
Having far surpassed what would have constituted a good season, the Stags can go down to London with the freedom of any win being a bonus.
Hutchison is already proud of what they have achieved, and going all the way to the title would just be the icing on the cake.
“The fact that we’re in the final is privilege enough really,” Hutchison explained.
“Lots of people out there will think our opponents will walk away with the game. I don’t think that myself, I think it will be a much closer affair than some expect.
“For us, the pressure is off. We’re going down to enjoy this game, get the experience of going down to a game like this and show who we are as a team.
“There are only six teams left playing, and we’re one of them, so that’s fantastic in itself.”
