Bombers Down Hurricanes Football Club in AFL action

The UNB Red Bombers downed the HollandCollege Hurricanes 28-26 in Atlantic Football League action at MacAdam Field onSaturday afternoon. It was the final regular season game for both teams. Thewin for the Bombers (3-3) leaves them in second place, while the Hurricanes(5-1) had already secured a first- place finish.

Holland Collegejumped out to a quick lead when an unsuccessful onside kickoff gave the ‘Canesexcellent field position inside UNB territory. Quarterback Nick Hunsley foundJeff Hillier on a sideline route and the sure-handed receiver took it acrossthe field and in for a 30-yard touchdown. Phil Lanthier connected on theconvert for the 7-0 lead.

On their nextpossession, Hurricanes running back Dave Clark sliced through the line for a60-yard run and the major. With a 14-0 lead just four minutes into the game, itlooked like it might be a romp for the ‘Canes, but the Bombers came roaringback to life. An interception at the Holland College 32-yard line set up atouchdown pass from Brendan Cornford to slotback Pat Forbes to make the score14-7. Before the first quarter ended, UNB tied the game on a 5-yard pass fromCornford to Eric Smith.

Both defensessettled down in the second quarter. The only scoring came on a 24-yard fieldgoal by Phil Lanthier, allowing the Hurricanes to carry a 17-14 lead into thehalf.

In the thirdquarter, a missed field goal attempt by Lanthier left the Red Bombers pinneddown inside their own 5-yard line. Unable to advance the ball, they chose toconcede the 2-point safety, which increased the ‘Canes’ lead to 19-14.

In the finalminute of the quarter, UNB capitalized on a high snap on a punt attempt by theHurricanes. Taking over on the Holland College 30-yard line, UNB moved the ballinto the red zone and then Cornford connected with Cody Stewart on a 12-yardpass for the score. A failed two-point conversion left the Red Bombers in thelead, at 20-19.

Wasting no time,the Hurricanes struck back when Hunsley threw a perfect pass to a streakingJeff Hillier on a play that covered 47 yards and put them back on top 26-20 asthe third quarter ended.

That score helduntil the action-packed final two minutes of play. An interception by PatrickLeFrank halted a UNB drive inside the Hurricanes 10-yard line. However, the offensesputtered and were forced to concede the safety on a third-down situation.Trailing 26-22, the Red Bombers took over possession and moved downfield. With56 seconds to play, Cornford, who had a great game, found his receiver for a30-yard touchdown. The attempted point-after rattled off the upright, leavingthe score at 28-26.

With the clockticking down, a scrambling Hunsley went to work, finding Jared Sutton andRobbie Tufts on consecutive passes and moving his team within field goal range.In the dying seconds, the field goal attempt fell short, and the Red Bombersearned the upset victory.

The APMConstruction Services offensive player of the game was Dave Clark, whose 176yards rushing put him over the 1,000-yard mark on the season. On defense, thehonours went to Patrick LeFrank, who had another strong game in the defensivebackfield for the ‘Canes.

The Hurricanes areoff next weekend, before hosting an AFL semi-final game on November 12. Theiropponent will be determined by the outcome of the Dalhousie-UNB Saint John gamenext Saturday.