Yesterday, the 27th of October 2013, should go down in the annals of history as quite possibly one of the single most momentous events that has graced this planets occupants with a majesty and complete aura of spectacular exaltation fit for the gods and the chosen few alone. On that day I was fortunate enough, evidently I am being gifted by some higher power (could be God, could be my football coach who got the tickets) to witness the astonishing battle for dominance between the revered splendor of the San Francisco Forty Niners and the primordial ferocity of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Safe to say it was a day to remember, marking not only an extraordinary excursion into the idolized realms of sport super-stardom but also the demonstration of finesse, skill and ultimately the 49er’s dominance and the focused, steeled minds of the Jags who although fighting a losing battle, remained valiant and determined to the last bitter second.
Arrival at the stadium was met with an unbridled excitement and, legs stiff with three hours on a not so generous coach, me and the team staggered off in the direction of the biggest noise and brightest lights. Mere seconds seemed to pass in my ever anticipating mind as we spent a good couple of hours meandering round the lavish estate of merchandise mansions to collect trinkets and spoils of war, something to not only prove our presence but also remind us of the cataclysmic vie for power that drew ever closer.
The time comes and as one the collective armies of loyal fans march en mass towards the pearly gates of Football heaven, security stand defiant in the face of overwhelming opposition but, armed with tickets and great expectations, they pose little threat and our ascension is assured. Once inside brief confusion is overcome with the sighting of our seats… and they are remarkable. Sat just 5 rows back from the very field itself, one could almost smell the sweet aromas drifting upwards from the green battlefield stretching out before us, the men striding atop it so close you could see their faces. It was far more than I for one had ever hoped for and to think, the game hadn’t even begun yet.
The pre-game entertainment was just as ultimately American as I had been dreaming it would be since I got my ticket all those months ago. Ne-Yo performed live on stage and although I wouldn’t consider my self a fan of his work the frequent punctuation of mesmerizingly exciting 50 foot fireworks exploding all around blended with the crowd into an unforgettable atmosphere that could turn any auto-tuned idol into a spectacle worthy of awe unto itself. As the last trails of incendiary joy arced gracefully towards the ground beneath. The game commenced.
Captains strode out, purposefully and with an air of authoritative power that commanded the roaring cheers emanating from the crowd around them. The coin was flipped high into the air, shining platinum faces twinkling in the relentless floodlight until it struck the earth. Heads, came the refs call, Jacksonville have won the toss and elect to receive. As per usual this was met with a defiant pulse of encouragement from the Jags fans. Maybe they thought an early start would lead to a morale boost and perhaps even a win. Or maybe not.. A jaguar fumble and late recovery that would we see more than once throughout the match, much to the horror of anyone in blue and black, put Jacksonville in terrible standing, deep within their own half. From then on out it seemed the Jags were all out of luck. Their first drive faltered and died, giving way to a punt down field giving San Fran possession of the ball.
Determined to create a drive with more impact than the Jags meek failings, the Niners exploded of the line picking up a methodical sequence, earning them first down after first down and all the time punching ever closer to the Jaguars goal line. This pretty much encapsulated the first two quarters where we saw the precision of Colin Kaepernick and the raw power of Frank Gore create an unstoppable wave of progression culminating in multiple touchdown rushes from Gore, passes from Kaepernick and even a glorious QB scramble that saw him on a mighty charge, uncontainable in his cheer dominance of skill and strength all the way to the Jacksonville red zone, the TD line drew ever closer as each stride resonated outwards, kicking up dirt and dust in his wake until it was just Kaepernick and the safety. The line within sight he jumps diving, arms outstretched as the momentum and bulk of an adult man connects with his undefended ribs but to no prevail from the Jags last resort tackler. Kaepernick despite being knocked out of bounds manages, thorough strength of will (and body), to keep the ball just inside the goal marking pylons, knocking them over as he slides through the sideline. A touchdown scored, A stadium on it’s feet.
The second quarter brought the Jaguars some small reward for their continuing determination and although they only put three points up before half time it proved to themselves and every one in that building that the underdogs still had a bite to be wary of and given the chance they would gladly wrench the kings from their podiums and start an uprising from the downtrodden. The game drew to a half way break and the score stood, 28-3 Forty Niners leading.
The interlude waned and the teams returned to their combat stations upon the field. No one but the team will ever know what went on inside the Jaguars team room but the team that bust back out of there were renewed with a vigor and intensity one would expect to see from their opposition in such dire times as these for them. With a defense on top form the Jags halted the 49er’s landslide victory by barricading their endzone as best they could and limiting the Niners to only one other unanswered touchdown. Picking back up pace the Jaguars exhibited an excellent drive that put Chad Henne, Jags QB, in a position affording him the opportunity to strike back at the red and gold menace and defend Jacksonville’s honor with a Touchdown on the board. Sadly for them the wrath of Dan Skuta came crashing down on them with a 47 yard fumble recovery return for Touchdown that although the game was tied up a long time ago, crushed the remnants of Jaguar morale as the onset of defeat became apparent.
Still the Jaguars fought until the very end and for that credit must be given. So kudos to you Jacksonville. You gave your all and you played valiantly against the supremacy of a division powerhouse but as the day close to an end and 80’000 people brought the streets alive with cheering and team chants the Niners had beat you at your own ‘home’ game. It has to be said though. Jaguar fans out there, were was the support? At a Jacksonville home game with your own cheerleaders (no complaints here), mascots and musicians why was it that the stadium seats were alive with red and gold? Can you really blame a team for succumbing to overwhelming pressure when they had no fan support to carry them through it?
TotallyGeneral 