# Ghent Gators

The Ghent Gators are an American football team situated in Ghent. The team was established in 1999 by Craig Bailey, an American living in Belgium, through his local pizza delivery business. Along with 8 other Flemish teams, they are part of the Flemish American Football League (FAFL) conference in the Belgian Football League (BFL). They managed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in their existence on May 18, 2014 and won their first Belgian championship on 29 June 2014 by beating the Brussels Tigers in Belgian Bowl XXVII.

## Current Season

In 2018, the Gators took part in the Belgian second division. They were relegated after the 2016 despite finishing third in the first division due to a forfait in the final game of the season. After cruising through the second division with a record of 8-0 against Izegem Tribes, Leuven Lions and Waasland Wolves, they qualified for the FAFL Bowl. The game was played on 10 June 2018 against the 2nd best team in the division, the Izegem Tribes. After regulation, the score was 28-28 so it went into overtime. On the very first play of overtime, the Tribes managed to score a touchdown and the Gators were unable to respond. This means Izegem won the Flemish title and advanced to the promotion game where they lost to the Ostend Pirates.

### Senior Roster
## Performance
### 2000-2004

- clinched seed to the playoffs
BFL 2000 Standings :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| Izegem Redskins | 7 | 1 | 0 | .875 | 202 | 67 | W7 |
| Charleroi Cougars | 6 | 2 | 0 | .750 | 138 | 40 | |
| Liège Red Roosters | 3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | 77 | 108 | |
| Flemalle Flames | 3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | 52 | 186 | |
| Brussels Tigers | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 76 | 154 | |
| Ghent Gators* | 0 | 7 | 0 | .000 | 57 | 256 | |
* (*) Ghent was removed from competition on April 14, 2000. All results were cancelled.
2000 Playoffs
| Quarterfinals May 7, 2000 @ Brussels | Quarterfinals May 7, 2000 @ Brussels | Quarterfinals May 7, 2000 @ Brussels | Semifinals May 14, 2000 @ Izeghem | Semifinals May 14, 2000 @ Izeghem | Semifinals May 14, 2000 @ Izeghem | Belgian Bowl XIII May 28, 2000 @ Izeghem | Belgian Bowl XIII May 28, 2000 @ Izeghem | Belgian Bowl XIII May 28, 2000 @ Izeghem |
| | | | 1 | Izegem Redskins | 34 | | | |
| 1 | Izegem Redskins | 20 | 4 | Flemalle Flames | 20 | | | |
| 5 | Brussels Tigers | 16 | | | | 1 | Izegem Redskins | 28 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Charleroi Cougars | 0 |
| | | | 2 | Charleroi Cougars | 14 | | | |
| 3 | Liège Red Roosters | 50 | 3 | Liège Red Roosters | 12 | | | |
| 6 | Ghent Gators (FF) | 0 | | | | | | |
BFL 2002 Standings :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| BFL West 2002 Standings ||||||||||
| Antwerp Diamonds | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | 286 | 24 | W8 |
| Tournai Phoenix | 6 | 2 | 0 | .750 | 184 | 78 | |
| West Flanders Tribes | 4 | 3 | 1 | .500 | 146 | 90 | W1 |
| Ghent Gators | 0 | 8 | 0 | .000 | 6 | 299 | L8 |
| BFL East 2002 Standings ||||||||||
| Brussels Tigers | 6 | 2 | 0 | .750 | 158 | 66 | |
| Brussels Angels | 4 | 3 | 1 | .500 | 160 | 97 | |
| Flemalle Flames | 4 | 4 | 0 | .500 | 202 | 162 | |
| Charleroi Cougars | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 124 | 194 | |
| Liège Red Roosters | 1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | 40 | 302 | |
BFL 2004 Standings :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| Antwerp Diamonds | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | 306 | 0 | W8 |
| Leuven Lions | 7 | 1 | 0 | .875 | 161 | 43 | |
| Brussels Black Angels | 6 | 2 | 0 | .750 | 143 | 46 | |
| Charleroi Cougars | 6 | 3 | 0 | .667 | 75 | 115 | |
| Liège Red Roosters | 4 | 4 | 1 | .444 | 92 | 161 | |
| Tournai Phoenix | 3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | 101 | 94 | |
| Flemalle Flames | 3 | 5 | 1 | .333 | 78 | 152 | |
| West Flanders Tribes | 2 | 5 | 1 | .250 | 68 | 70 | L1 |
| Brussels Tigers | 1 | 8 | 0 | .111 | 12 | 177 | |
| Ghent Gators | 0 | 7 | 1 | .000 | 32 | 207 | |

### 2006-2009

FFL 2006 Standings :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| West Flanders Tribes | 6 | 1 | 0 | .857 | 175 | 75 | L1 |
| Brussels Black Angels | 6 | 1 | 0 | .857 | 199 | 39 | |
| Antwerp Diamonds | 5 | 2 | 0 | .714 | | | |
| Leuven Lions | 3 | 4 | 0 | .429 | 101 | 115 | |
| Bornem Titans | 1 | 6 | 0 | .143 | 32 | 177 | |
| Ghent Gators | 0 | 7 | 0 | .000 | 56 | 196 | L7 |
FFL 2007 Standings :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| West Flanders Tribes | 6 | 0 | 1 | .857 | 198 | 34 | W6 |
| Brussels Black Angels | 6 | 1 | 0 | .857 | 148 | 51 | |
| Antwerp Diamonds | 4 | 3 | 0 | .571 | 74 | 48 | |
| Leuven Lions | 2 | 3 | 1 | .333 | | | |
| Bornem Titans | 1 | 6 | 0 | .143 | 26 | 176 | |
| Ghent Gators | 0 | 6 | 0 | .000 | | | L6 |
FFL 2008 Standings :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| West Flanders Tribes | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | 277 | 59 | W8 |
| Brussels Black Angels | 6 | 2 | 0 | .750 | 271 | 67 | W1 |
| Antwerp Diamonds | 5 | 3 | 0 | .625 | 101 | 76 | L1 |
| Ghent Gators | 5 | 3 | 0 | .625 | 146 | 122 | W3 |
| Bornem Titans | 3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | 39 | 190 | L1 |
| Leuven Lions | 1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | 66 | 175 | L4 |
| Brussels Bulls | 0 | 8 | 0 | .000 | 36 | 247 | L8 |
FFL 2009 Standings :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| West Flanders Tribes | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | 279 | 37 | W8 |
| Brussels Black Angels | 7 | 1 | 0 | .875 | 207 | 75 | W6 |
| Bornem Titans | 4 | 4 | 0 | .500 | 141 | 166 | W3 |
| Brussels Bulls | 3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | 159 | 194 | L3 |
| Leuven Lions | 2 | 5 | 1 | .313 | 78 | 168 | L4 |
| Antwerp Diamonds | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 82 | 191 | L2 |
| Ghent Gators | 1 | 6 | 1 | .188 | 119 | 230 | L1 |

### 2010 season

Gators Regular season 2010 :
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Result | Result | Location |
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Score | Team record | Location |
| 21/02 | 15:00 | Brussels Bulls | W 19-00 | 1-0-0 | Gent |
| 07/03 | 12:30 | Brussels Black Angels | L 20-12 | 1-1-0 | Oostende |
| 21/03 | 16:00 | Limburg Shotguns | W 20-14 | 2-1-0 | Gent |
| 28/03 | 12:30 | Bornem Titans | L 20-06 | 2-2-0 | Brussel |
| 04/04 | 12:30 | Antwerp Diamonds | W 48-12 | 3-2-0 | Brussel |
| 11/04 | 12:30 | West-Vlaanderen Tribes | L 29-09 | 3-3-0 | Brussel |
| 18/04 | 12:30 | Limburg Shotguns | W 13-06 | 4-3-0 | Brussel |
| 02/05 | 15:00 | Leuven Lions | T 06-06 | 4-3-1 | Leuven |
COLOR KEY:
* Win - Tie - Loss.
FFL 2010 Standings :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| West Flanders Tribes | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | 263 | 77 | W8 |
| Brussels Black Angels | 7 | 1 | 0 | .875 | 179 | 66 | W4 |
| Bornem Titans | 5 | 3 | 0 | .625 | 192 | 94 | L2 |
| Ghent Gators | 4 | 3 | 1 | .500 | 127 | 100 | T1 |
| Antwerp Diamonds | 3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | 79 | 170 | W1 |
| Brussels Bulls | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 95 | 197 | L3 |
| Leuven Lions | 1 | 6 | 1 | .125 | 46 | 144 | T1 |
| Limburg Shotguns | 1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | 76 | 208 | L2 |

### 2011 season

Gators Regular season 2011 :
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Result | Result | Location |
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Score | Team record | Location |
| 20/02 | 15:00 | Leuven Lions | L 23-00 | 0-1-0 | Gent |
| 06/03 | 15:00 | Bornem Titans | L 14-07 | 0-2-0 | Puurs |
| 13/03 | 15:00 | Antwerp Diamonds | W 15-12 | 1-2-0 | Gent |
| 20/03 | 12:00 | Limburg Shotguns | L 26-06 | 1-3-0 | Berendrecht |
| 03/04 | 15:00 | Brussels Black Angels | L 49-00 | 1-4-0 | Brussel |
| 10/04 | 15:00 | Brussels Bulls | L 54-06 | 1-5-0 | Brussel |
| 17/04 | 12:00 | Leuven Lions | W 10-07 | 2-5-0 | Izegem |
| 08/05 | 15:00 | West-Vlaanderen Tribes | L 54-00 | 2-6-0 | Oostende |
FFL 2011 Standings :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| West Flanders Tribes | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | 283 | 62 | W8 |
| Brussels Black Angels | 6 | 1 | 1 | .928 | 220 | 26 | W5 |
| Brussels Bulls | 5 | 2 | 1 | .688 | 253 | 52 | W4 |
| Bornem Titans | 4 | 4 | 0 | .500 | 114 | 142 | L2 |
| Antwerp Diamonds | 3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | 101 | 162 | L2 |
| Limburg Shotguns | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 90 | 286 | L4 |
| Ghent Gators | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 44 | 239 | L1 |
| Leuven Lions | 1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | 57 | 193 | L7 |

### 2012 season

Gators Regular season 2012 :
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Result | Result | Location |
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Score | Team record | Location |
| 11/03 | 12:00 | Puurs Titans | W 41-00 | 1-0-0 | Brussel |
| 18/03 | 15:00 | Antwerp Diamonds | L 10-07 | 1-1-0 | Gent |
| 01/04 | 15:00 | Brussels Black Angels | L 25-00 | 1-2-0 | Brussel |
| 15/04 | 15:00 | Leuven Lions | W 08-07 | 2-2-0 | Gent |
| 22/04 | 15:00 | Brussels Bulls | L 31-07 | 2-3-0 | Brussel |
| 05/05 | 14:00 | West-Vlaanderen Tribes | L 41-13 | 2-4-0 | Oostende |
FFL 2012 Standings :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| Brussels Bulls | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 | 117 | 55 | L1 |
| West Flanders Tribes | 4 | 1 | 1 | .667 | 157 | 80 | W3 |
| Antwerp Diamonds | 4 | 1 | 1 | .667 | 78 | 47 | W1 |
| Brussels Black Angels | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 | 77 | 37 | W3 |
| Ghent Gators | 2 | 4 | 0 | .333 | 76 | 114 | L2 |
| Leuven Lions | 0 | 5 | 1 | .000 | 57 | 95 | L4 |
| Puurs Titans | 0 | 5 | 1 | .000 | 47 | 183 | L3 |
| Limburg Shotguns (*) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
* (*)Limburg Shotguns gave forfait for the entire 2012 season. The games the Shotguns played became null and void, as if they were never played.

### 2013 season

Gators Regular season 2013 :
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Result | Result | Location |
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Score | Team record | Location |
| 09/02 | 12:00 | Brussel Black Angels | L 34-07 | 0-1-0 | Izegem |
| 10/03 | 15:00 | Leuven Lions | T 00-00 | 0-1-1 | Leuven |
| 17/03 | 15:00 | Puurs Titans | L 28-13 | 0-2-1 | Gent |
| 14/04 | 11:00 | Izegem Tribes | W 14-07 | 1-2-1 | Puurs |
| 28/04 | 12:00 | Antwerp Diamonds | L 24-12 | 1-3-1 | Brussel |
| 05/05 | 15:00 | Brussels Bulls | L 33-00 | 1-4-1 | Brussel |
FFL 2013 Standings :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| Brussels Bulls | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | 178 | 14 | W6 |
| Brussels Black Angels | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 | 127 | 29 | W3 |
| Puurs Titans | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 81 | 54 | W1 |
| Leuven Lions | 2 | 3 | 1 | .417 | 56 | 96 | L2 |
| Antwerp Diamonds | 1 | 3 | 1 | .300 | 49 | 105 | T1 |
| Ghent Gators | 1 | 4 | 1 | .250 | 46 | 126 | L2 |
| Izegem Tribes | 0 | 5 | 1 | .083 | 49 | 162 | T1 |

### 2014 season

After their sixth win of the season - versus the Puurs Titans - the Ghent Gators qualified for the playoffs for the first time since being established in 1999. They finished the season as the first seed in the Flemish American Football League and by doing so, won the Flemish championship and earned a first round bye for the playoffs. In the playoffs they beat the Ostend Pirates - they only team that had beaten them so far this season - in a Semi Final thriller and qualified for Belgian Bowl XXVII. In their first ever Belgian Bowl, the Gators defeated the Brussels Tigers (Walloon Champions) 38-0 and became Belgian Champions.
Gators Regular season 2014 :
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Result | Result | Location |
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Score | Team record | Location |
| 09/02 | 12:00 | Brussels Black Angels | W 28-14 | 1-0-0 | Beringen |
| 23/02 | 12:00 | Brussels Bulls | W 14-00 | 2-0-0 | Oostende |
| 09/03 | 15:00 | Izegem Tribes | W 30-08 | 3-0-0 | Gent |
| 23/03 | 12:00 | Limburg Shotguns | W 56-06 | 4-0-0 | Brussel |
| 20/04 | 15:00 | Leuven Lions | W 34-00 | 5-0-0 | Leuven |
| 04/05 | 15:00 | Ostend Pirates | L 22-25 | 5-1-0 | Oostende |
| 18/05 | 12:00 | Puurs Titans | W 56-06 | 6-1-0 | Izegem |
| 01/06 | 15:00 | Antwerp Diamonds | W 48-06 | 7-1-0 | Gent |
| 2014 Playoffs ||||||
| 15/06 | 16:00 | Ostend Pirates | W 16-14 | 8-1-0 | Gent |
| Belgian Bowl XXVII ||||||
| 29/06 | 14:30 | Brussels Tigers | W 38-00 | 9-1-0 | Izegem |
FAFL 2014 Standings :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| Ghent Gators | 7 | 1 | 0 | .875 | 288 | 65 | W2 |
| Brussels Black Angels | 7 | 1 | 0 | .875 | 226 | 66 | W7 |
| Ostend Pirates | 6 | 2 | 0 | .750 | 196 | 84 | W4 |
| Brussels Bulls | 5 | 3 | 0 | .625 | 158 | 73 | W2 |
| Leuven Lions | 4 | 4 | 0 | .500 | 148 | 138 | W1 |
| Puurs Titans | 3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | 84 | 219 | L3 |
| Limburg Shotguns | 2 | 5 | 1 | .313 | 80 | 208 | L2 |
| Izegem Tribes | 1 | 6 | 1 | .188 | 90 | 203 | L3 |
| Antwerp Diamonds | 0 | 8 | 0 | .000 | 51 | 265 | L8 |
| Quarterfinals June 8, 2014 @Grez-Doiceau @Anderlecht | Quarterfinals June 8, 2014 @Grez-Doiceau @Anderlecht | Quarterfinals June 8, 2014 @Grez-Doiceau @Anderlecht | Semifinals June 15, 2014 @Gent @Evere | Semifinals June 15, 2014 @Gent @Evere | Semifinals June 15, 2014 @Gent @Evere | Belgian Bowl XXVII June 29, 2014 @ Izegem | Belgian Bowl XXVII June 29, 2014 @ Izegem | Belgian Bowl XXVII June 29, 2014 @ Izegem |
| | | | 1 | Ghent Gators | 16 | | | |
| 2 | Grez-Doiceau Fighting Turtles | 22 | 3 | Ostend Pirates | 14 | | | |
| 3 | Ostend Pirates | 30 | | | | 1 | Ghent Gators | 38 |
| | | | | | | 1 | Brussels Tigers | 0 |
| | | | 1 | Brussels Tigers | 7 | | | |
| 2 | Brussels Black Angels | 52 | 2 | Brussels Black Angels | 3 | | | |
| 3 | Liège Monarchs | 12 | | | | | | |

### 2015 season

Gators Regular season 2015 :
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Result | Result | Location |
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Score | Team record | Location |
| 15/02 | 12:00 | Leuven Lions | W 42-06 | 1-0-0 | Antwerp |
| 22/02 | 12:00 | Puurs Titans | W 40-00 | 2-0-0 | Izegem |
| 08/03 | 12:00 | Izegem Tribes | W 50-00 | 3-0-0 | Leuven |
| 22/03 | 15:00 | Antwerp Diamonds | W 22-00 | 4-0-0 | Ghent |
| 05/04 | 12:00 | Limburg Shotguns | W 52-00 | 5-0-0 | Leuven |
| 17/05 | 14:00 | Ostend Pirates | W 20-12 | 6-0-0 | Ghent |
| 24/05 | 12:00 | Brussels Black Angels | L 00-39 | 6-1-0 | Puurs |
FAFL 2015 Standings :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | STK |
| Brussels Black Angels | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | 295 | W7 |
| Ghent Gators | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0.857 | 216 | L1 |
| Ostend Pirates | 5 | 2 | 0 | .714 | 187 | |
| Izegem Tribes | 4 | 3 | 0 | .571 | 114 | |
| Antwerp Diamonds | 2 | 5 | 0 | .286 | 68 | |
| Leuven Lions | 2 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 84 | W |
| Limburg Shotguns | 1 | 6 | 0 | .143 | 85 | L |
| Puurs Titans | 1 | 6 | 0 | .143 | 71 | |
| Quarterfinals June 7th, 2015 | Quarterfinals June 7th, 2015 | Quarterfinals June 7th, 2015 | Semifinals June 14th, 2015 | Semifinals June 14th, 2015 | Semifinals June 14th, 2015 | Belgian Bowl XXVIII June 27th, 2015 @ Sint-Niklaas | Belgian Bowl XXVIII June 27th, 2015 @ Sint-Niklaas | Belgian Bowl XXVIII June 27th, 2015 @ Sint-Niklaas |
| | | | 1 | Brussels Black Angels | 14 | | | |
| 2 | Liège Monarchs | 12 | 3 | Ostend Pirates | 6 | | | |
| 3 | Ostend Pirates | 22 | | | | 1 | Brussels Tigers | 8 |
| | | | | | | 1 | Brussels Black Angels | 13 |
| | | | 1 | Brussels Tigers | 56 | | | |
| 2 | Ghent Gators | 22 | 3 | Waterloo Warriors | 14 | | | |
| 3 | Waterloo Warriors | 24 | | | | | | |

### 2017 season

Gators Regular season 2017 :
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Result | Result | Location |
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Score | Team record | Location |
| 05/03 | 14:00 | Waterloo Warriors | W 42-06 | 1-0-0 | Ghent |
| 19/03 | 14:00 | Ostend Pirates | W 38-00 | 2-0-0 | Ghent |
| 02/04 | 14:00 | Brussels Tigers | L 14-77 | 2-1-0 | Evere |
| 16/04 | 14:00 | Antwerp Argonauts | W 48-09 | 3-1-0 | Ghent |
| 30/04 | 14:00 | Grez-Doiceau Fighting Turtles | W 56-14 | 4-1-0 | Ghent |
| 14/05 | 14:00 | Liege Monarchs | W 20-6 | 5-1-0 | Liege |
| 28/05 | 14:00 | Brussels Black Angels | L 00-50 | 6-2-0 | Brussels |
| Pos. | Team | GP | Streak | W | L | T | PF | PA | Diff |
| 1 | Black Angels | 7 | Won 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 272 | 08 | +264 |
| 2 | Tigers | 7 | Won 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 311 | 41 | +277 |
| 3 | Pirates | 7 | Won 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 120 | 134 | -14 |
| 4 | Warriors | 7 | Lost 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 67 | 180 | -113 |
| 5 | Monarchs | 7 | Won 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 43 | 192 | -149 |
| 6 | Turtles | 7 | Lost 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 78 | 331 | -253 |
| 7 | Argonauts | 7 | Lost 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 68 | 195 | -127 |
| DSQ | Gators | 7 | Lost 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 218 | 137 | +81 |
2017 BFL season

### 2018 season

Gators Regular season 2018 :
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Result | Result | Location |
| Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Score | Team record | Location |
| 25/02 | 12:00 | Izegem Tribes | W 26-15 | 1-0-0 | Sint-Pauwels |
| 18/03 | 15:00 | Leuven Lions | W 32-00 | 2-0-0 | Ghent |
| 01/04 | 12:00 | Izegem Tribes | W 34-21 | 3-0-0 | Leuven |
| 15/04 | 12:00 | Waasland Wolves | W 32-06 | 4-0-0 | Izegem |
| 29/04 | 15:00 | Leuven Lions | W 30-07 | 5-0-0 | Ghent |
| 05/05 | 12:00 | Waasland Wolves | W 54-06 | 6-0-0 | Izegem |
| 13/05 | 12:00 | Izegem Tribes | W 18-16 | 7-0-0 | Leuven |
| 27/05 | 12:00 | Leuven Lions | W 50-0 | 8-0-0 | Sint-Pauwels |
| FAFL Bowl ||||||
| 10/06 | 14:00 | Izegem Tribes | L 28-34 | 8-1-0 | Ghent |
2018 BFL season