Southampton 11 – Solent 0: Redhawks' season STAGnates

This past Sunday many Southampton University sport supporters felt the ground shake as the Stags (American football team) beat the Solent Redhawks in what can only be described as a […]


This past Sunday many Southampton University sport supporters felt the ground shake as the Stags (American football team) beat the Solent Redhawks in what can only be described as a truly EPIC showdown.

Since Solent split from the team to form their own two years ago the Stags has had varied levels of success and unpredictable sad endings. Solent however set out on solid ground ending last season un-defeated having smashed the Stags in 2009.

From the outset of this season nothing looked new, Solent looked as polished as ever and one could only hope for the Stags to have a good season. Both teams beat their first competitors, which laid the road for the once partners to clash at Wide Line in what some saw as an all or nothing game.

To aid the build up Wahoo agreed to sponsor the game and create the “Wahoo Cup” awarded to the winner of the game. In now what looks like an extremely silly move, the Redhawks assumed they would trample on the Stags and planned a huge Wahoo Cup celebratory party for when they came back with the trophy. It was noted that the also bantered about having smoke machines blow and music play for when they took the field on Sunday.

The story was slightly different in the Stags camp, with the evident Solent boasting and obvious challenge ahead they trained hard, practised over and over, and got pumped. The coach was quoted saying “Bring me that cup, and we will drink from it”

John Brooks drinking from the Wahoo Cup

Many turned up with the inclination that it would be a one sided game, which went short lived with the Stag’s 84 yard opening drive that resulted in a touchdown. The game was filled with penalties against the Redhawks as well as two interceptions and fumbled snap out of the back of the endzone leaving the Stags with an outstanding 11-0.

Since their creation the Redhawks have never left an opponent with a clean sheet, but the Stags sent a clear message to the league that day. They’re coming, and they’re not taking prisoners.