One year ago, Silverhawks were reeling heavily from a devastating defeat in Budapest. The Wolves have embarrassed the rag-tag assortment of players from several different countries whose only common thing was the Silverhawks jersey on their backs. It was another disappointing end of the season.

2008 has brought many changes. New management, new players, new approach. It was obvious from the beginning that it would be an uphill battle to at least earn some respect from the rest of the opponents in CEFL.

The Budapest Cowboys have gathered three victories in the CEFL so far. Two against Zagreb and one against Bratislava Monarchs. Since Monarchs beat Silverhawks at home and lost against them only 6:0 in September. Budapest came to Slovenia with a mission on their mind and the fourth victory in their sight.

But it turned out to be a whole different ball game. The Silverhawks opened the game with a sweep that turned out to be a trick play. Rok Štamcar aligned in the I formation with Miloš Vrhovec under center. The Cowboys defense bite for the run and led David Turšič free. Štamcar only had to pass before the defenders got to him and it was an easy touchdown for Silverhawks. The PAT drifted right, so it remainder 6:0.

The first possession for Cowboys ended up with an interception but Silverhawks missed the field goal and the first quarter ended 6:0. Silverhawks have lost another running back due to knee injury. Matt Sersen has been running tu his left on a quick pitch while one of defender hit him below the knees. Sersen is probably out for the season and since he also played on defensive side of the ball that injury hurt the Ljubljana team twice.

At the beginning of the second quarter Silverhawks mounted a massive drive with James Turner and Gregor Črepinšek carving up the field. James Turner scored the second touchdown on a goal line dive and Silverhawks managed to covert two points after that.

The only real offensive threat from Budapest came at the end of the first half after a long pass from Gabor Nemeth. But the defensive stand from Silverhawks held and the Cowboys’ drive stalled several yards from goal line.

The second half brought another two Silverhawks’ touchdown. Both time Rok Štamcar connected with Dejan Rep. The first one was a short pass from a rollout and the second was 50 yards rainbow into the endzone. Rep out jumped both defenders and set the score at 27:0.

Gabor Nemeth fought hard but his offensive line didn’t offer him any support so he was sacked five times and knocked down even more. The last score od the game came with a safety. Nemeth tried to escape the rush but was brought down in his own endzone by a Silverhawks linebacker Rok Skornšek.

It was a loopsided victory for Silverhawks. Full stands and a loud support proved that this game is on the rise in Slovenia. Silverhawks bid their farewell from this season from their home crowd in the best possible fashion.

Of course it’s not over yet. The last game against Gladiators is going to be something completely different. Gladiators haven’t lost on the field in this season and they have brought many players from Carinthian Black Lions to help them. It’s going to be a tough and physical game. Last year the two teams also met in the last weekend of September and Gladiators trashed Ljubljana 34-0 and they are definitely thinking about repeating such a performance this Saturday.