2022 was an exciting year for the Seahawks under-19 team - position changes to fill areas of need, a healthy injection of top quality uniballers, and standout seasons for a number of veterans defined the Hawks’ answer to early personnel challenges. The SHWK u19s achieved a 5-1 regular season record in 2022 - the best record of any Solent u19 team yet - earning them the right to play in the national semifinal, another first for the Solent juniors team.
With two games played of the 2023 season and a break before the next game, it feels like a good time to look back on the highlights of 2022!
10. Alfie Birks starts fiesta with long ball TD to Nico Miller
Having played a highly successful rookie season with the Bournemouth University Bobcats, quarterback Alfie Birks didn’t return to the Seahawks u19s for his senior year alone: he brought with him Fabio Gama and Nico Miller, two of his favourite targets.
In this clip, Birks hits Miller in stride to open the scoring on a then-tied game hosting long-time rival Hertfordshire Cheetahs. This connection started the first half fiesta that saw the Hawks rack up 3 offensive touchdowns, 2 special teams touchdowns and a safety while forcing 4 total turnovers and a defensive shutout. This playmaking bonanza created a 35-0 halftime lead for Solent, a dominant display that led Hertfordshire to forfeit the game at the half.
9. 60 yards in two plays from Tom Ritchie
Tom Ritchie, traditionally a linebacker, played the last game of the regular season at running back alongside 2022 backfield staple Lewis Munt. The two of them together with Birks were dominant on the ground that day, amassing 272 rushing yards between the three of them - 111 yards of which Ritchie was responsible for, gaining an impressive 9.3ypc over 12 carries.
In the penultimate offensive drive of the game, Ritchie gained 60 yards in two consecutive runs, setting up a redzone situation in the blink of an eye. This clip shows that two-play drive, with Ritchie bouncing off tacklers and carrying the pile for another 15 yards after the point of contact. It exemplifies the power run style the Hawks implemented that game to overwhelm a dynamic Wembley Stallions team, with Solent coming out 35-12 victors.
8. Stolen possession on opening kickoff versus the London Blitz
The London Blitz under-19s have used a very particular tactic on kickoffs in recent years whereby they chip kick the ball into no-man's land, the empty space between the front lines and the designated kick returners. It’s something that has helped the Blitz to steal possessions from opposing teams, a tactic that contributed to their Britbowl four-peat.
Well, how do you like the taste of your own medicine? In this national semifinal game, the Seahawks opened with a chip kick and recovered the loose ball, setting up great field position on a stolen possession to start the game. Unfortunately, the Seahawks lost that momentum, and eventually lost the game - but it was a great way to kick off Solent’s first semifinal appearance. A fantastic job by Callum Grant to get on top of Lewis Munt’s kick.
7. Fabio Gama Pick 6
In the Seahawks’ second game at the Stallions that year, it was clear that Wembley had improved since the two teams’ first bout. Wembley jumped out to a 6-0 lead early on, and moved the ball well throughout the game. The Hawks’ defense tightened up when it needed to, though, including this Pick 6 from Fabio Gama that came at a key time in the third quarter.
The Hawks’ 21-6 lead was under threat with momentum on the Stallions’ side following a Solent turnover. Gama’s pick 6 extended Solent’s lead to 29-6 after a successful 2pt conversion. This defensive touchdown was the nail in the coffin, giving the Seahawks a 23-point lead with barely a quarter left to play - basically putting the icing on a 5-1 regular season campaign.
6. Alfie Birks equalises with deep post TD to Nico Miller
Early in that second game at Wembley, the Seahawks trailed 6-0. Wembley had made adjustments from the first time the two teams played each other, and were making plays on both sides of the ball to keep the Seahawks alert. Up against the scoreboard on the road to an explosive, fast, athletic team that will make big plays if you let them, the Hawks needed a spark to ensure the Stallions wouldn’t go two scores up. Following a couple of strong runs from the halfback duo of Lewis Munt and Tom Ritchie, QB Birks managed to move his feet and make this throw under pressure to connect with Nico Miller for the tuddy. This score gave Solent the lead after a successful 2 point conversion.
5. Nico Miller kickoff return Touchdown
Despite the Seahawk D having 3 interceptions, the Hertfordshire matchup was still a 6-point game until halfway through the 2nd quarter when the Seahawks nabbed their second TD. Birks’ second touchdown pass made the score 13-0 - which is the point when the Seahawks really broke loose. The Hawks got their third touchdown just 4 plays later on a blocked punt and fumble recovery in the endzone by Will Lacey, giving them a 20-0 lead.
The Seahawks kicked off again, and it wasn’t long before a bad snap caused Herts to concede a safety that nudged the Seahawks’ lead up to 22-0. Then, on this ensuing kickoff, Nico Miller ran it all the way back for yet another score. The Seahawks had scored 16 points since their offense had last seen the field - and, when their offense did get back on the field, it took just 2 plays for Allan Lee to throw a touchdown to Fabio Gama that sealed the deal on a 2nd quarter which saw Solent score 29 points in 21 plays from scrimmage, and about 6 minutes on the game clock. Watch this clip to see Nico’s electrifying kickoff return touchdown.
4. Nico Miller 80 yard Touchdown run
Nico led the team in rushing in the Seahawks’ first game against Wembley in 2022, with 106 yards on just 5 carries - an average of 21.2 yards per carry. That was bolstered by this 80 yard touchdown run, which was the first play from scrimmage after halftime. With strong running from Munt and Miller, the Seahawks were able to outclass the Stallions by a score of 42-6 while only completing 1 pass all game. Miller’s 80 yard run in this clip helped the Hawks to keep their foot on the gas after halftime and run up the score.
3. Sack Trick Plus One
The South London Renegades were a strong, fast, physical team, and caused the Seahawks problems all day - knocking on the door offensively, putting the Solent defense in a bind. That’s when you need individuals to step up and make plays that will change the game: Toby Dean had a key interception in the second quarter, for example. But the feat that takes the number 3 spot on our list is the ‘sack trick’, or 3 sacks in a game, by Will Lacey.
Yep, that’s right. Portsmouth University Destroyers Quarterback Will Lacey played on the defensive line for the Seahawks’ 2022 season to fill an area of need, and - playing out of position against athletic opposition - he stepped up to the plate, bagging 3 sacks to keep the SLR offense at bay. There are three sacks shown in this clip: the first and third ar Lacey’s, though the second clip is a sack by Dan Opanszki. In the first clip, Will Lacey’s 13 yard sack came just as SLR were driving with momentum after a chunk yardage play - Lacey’s sack put them out of range to do anything before the halftime whistle soon came. In the second and third clips, on consecutive series, Opanszki and Lacey stamped out any hope the Renegades had of recouping a score late in the fourth. All key plays to securing a huge victory on the road.
2. Rob Davey 50 yard INT return
Davey, historically an offensive weapon, had to shift to play linebacker as that was an area of need in 2021. By 2022, Davey had proven he was pretty darn good on the defensive side, too. In the home contest with Hertfordshire, the game was still scoreless when Davey made this interception in the endzone and returned it 50 yards - not only stopping a dangerous Hertfordshire drive in its tracks, but setting up decent field position for Birks & company to open the scoring (our #10 play on our list came just four snaps after this clip). Davey’s pick is what really started the fiesta!
1. Alfie Birks Touchdown pass to Zach Wilson
Alfie Birks’ creative play style from the quarterback position was Solent’s worst kept secret for a couple of years, but by 2022 the cat was completely out of the bag. Birks’ mobility was something opposing teams began to scheme against - however, that never meant that they would necessarily be able to stop it.
On this play, Birks first gets flushed out left - but, with a second defender rumbling into the backfield, Birks is forced to reverse field again and, at the deepest part of the arc on his roll, is 23 yards behind the line of scrimmage. While coaches on the sideline were shouting to throw it away, Birks had his eyes downfield on TE Zach Wilson who was tracking his quarterback’s scramble. Throwing on the run, Birks connects with Wilson to extend the Seahawks’ lead to 16-0 in the 3rd quarter against a competitive South London side. The great improvisation, vision, and textbook technique is what lands this at our #1 spot in the Top 10 Plays of the 2022 Season.
Bonus: Heads up play by Lewis Munt on botched hold
The score was tied at 6-6 in the Seahawk’s second matchup with Wembley. A PAT try was set up to take the lead, but the hold got bobbled. Instincts kick in as RB/K Lewis Munt picks up the loose ball and uses his pace to turn the corner and make it into the endzone, avoiding tacklers on the way, for not just 1 extra point but 2. We thought this solo effort deserved a special shout out because that high-paced, instinctive, lionhearted play - that’s SHWK FTBL.