HISTORY

The Skövde Dukes where formed on October 19th 1991. The Club consisted of 63 active members,
most of who were completely new to the concept of putting on a helmet and shoulder pads, and then
knocking the living daylights out of each other. The team was helped by players from local divisional
rivals, the Lidköping Lakers. Although many valuable lessons were learned at these practice sessions,
nothing could prepare the unknowing players from Skövde, for what was about to happen. The
first scrimmage against another team turned out to be a baptism of fire, when they met the Örebro
Black Knights.

1st of May 1992
The first season proved to be a test and a half., and the opening game against the Lidköping Lakers
was no exception. Although the Lakers were in a class of their own that year, a wide receiver by the
name of Kjell Edevång managed to score the first ever touchdown for the Dukes. The Lakers found
their way to a crushing victory, 42-8. But this game was the start of a rivalry that is still going strong
today.

Next up was the first road trip ever. It was time to face the Carlstad Crusaders. This game started
with the Dukes taking command of the scoreboard early on. And with a half time lead the Dukes looked
as if they could be heading for their first ever victory. But then the Crusaders did something that the
Dukes were not used to. By establishing their fullback, the Crusaders could now run their wishbone
offense. The Dukes were stunned by this and the Crusaders came back to win by 32-12. This game
was significant because a running threat emerged in the form of Dukes quarterback Magnus
Danielsson, who may be the fastest player ever to play for the Dukes. Free safety Karl Filmer-Sankey
intercepted a pass intended for the Crusaders tight end that led to a score by the Dukes offense. This
too was the start of something that opponents had to take in to consideration, experience in an
otherwise inexperienced secondary.

Knowing that they had the power to score, the Dukes were eager to meet the challenge of the Majorna
Mustangs. The Mustangs proved to be a worthy opponent in a game that came down to the wire. But
at the end of the first half Karl Filmer-Sankey struck again, setting up the the offense and fullback
Kjell-Ove Larsson to drive the ball in for a touchdown. Once again the Dukes had the lead at the end
of the half. Only to loose it in the final minutes of the game. With a final score of 33-27 the Dukes lost
their third game in a row. But this game was a look at the shape of things to come. With the injury of
runningback Henrik "Ernst" Johansson, a running back by the name of Joakim Franzén had a his first
shot at carrying the ball. In years to come, Joakim Franzén was to become the tough"grind it out" work
horse of the Dukes offense.

Game day, and the Uddevalla Ravens came to visit. There was something hanging in the air, other than
the sweet aroma of well used shoulder pads. Victory had slipped from the hands of the Dukes twice, and
they were not going to let that happen again. The Ravens came into the game almost sure of victory,
which was to be the source of their undoing. Sack after sack by the duo Micael Bäckström and Kristoffer
Nilson destroyed any chances that the Ravens had. The Dukes pushed on to win a convincing victory
by 31 to 13.