2015 PREVIEW: Belgium’s Flemish American Football League (FAFL)
[tps_title]Preview: Belgian American Football[/tps_title]
[tps_header]Antwerp Diamonds[/tps_header]
The Antwerp Diamonds hope to rebound from their worst season ever finishing winless at 0-8. Many of the veteran players retired at the end of the 2012 season after losing the Belgium Bowl that year. After finishing 3-5 the following season more of the veterans hung up their cleats which led to the disastrous 2014 season.
Head coach John Jolie is optimistic. The club has moved from the outskirts of Antwerp after 25 years, to the downtown core, making it more attractive to players. Cody Butler, who assumed the starting quarterback role last year returns and will also take on the offensive coordinator’s duties. Butler played at South Dakota. Running back Nils De Groef gives the Diamonds a power backfield and in fact he was invited to a national team tryout.
Marco Karmidi is the defensive coordinator and will rely on veteran linebacker Sergio Borra. Borra is 43 but will also start at fullback. Other players to watch include defensive lineman Gilles Pierre and defensive back Isaac lufungula.
