Crawford may get the nod

By Gavin Staindl
REPLACING the quarterback may be one of a few changes resulting from the Berwick Miners 15-0 loss to the Bay City Buccaneers at Deakin University in Geelong.
Miners QB Andrew Nixon managed only 110 yards at a completion rate of under 30 per cent on the weekend and is likely to be replaced by running back and last year’s quarterback, Andrew Crawford.
Crawford last year threw for Sam Walker and according to coach Mel Martin could be the difference between winning and losing.
“He did surprisingly well last year winning one, losing one and tying the other,” Martin said.
“He is not as polished as Nixon but he (Nixon) is a bit gun shy and not timing his passes,” Martin said.
The Miners were held scoreless for the fourth time this season as both the running and passing games were stopped in their tracks.
The petite-sized offensive line failed to restrain the blitzes and pass rushing moves that the Bay City defence brought time and again.
“There weren’t too many sacks, but they hit the quarterback a number of times and their pass rushes made Nixon rush his passes… he just didn’t get settled,” Martin said.
At the other end, the defence was once again outstanding against the best-ranked team offensively in the league.
“They (the Buccaneers) are on top of the ladder, but our make-shift defence held them to only 15 points which is a beatable score,” Martin said.
On numerous occasions, the Miners came up with big stops on short yard stands, which against the best running team in the league is another feather in the cap for the improving defence.
Showing full confidence in his defence to perform each week, Martin has proclaimed boldly that next week’s match against the Crusaders will be the Miners first win.
“I am very, very confident we will win. As long as we get the ball in the hand of receivers we will get a win,” Martin said.