AFL: Holland Hurricanes defeat UNB Red Bombers in opening game

The Holland College Hurricanes defeated the UNB Red Bombers 44-28 in Atlantic Football League action Saturday evening in Fredericton.

For the second week in a row, and for the third time in his Hurricanes career, Demetrius Ferguson returned the game’s opening kickoff for a touchdown and an instant 7-0 lead.

In a game that featured numerous shifts in momentum, the Red Bombers converted an interception into a touchdown by running back Eric Smith to even the score at7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second frame, it was the ’Canes’ turn to take advantage of a turnover. Defensive tackle Tom Lund pounced on a fumble on the UNB 38-yard line. Solid running by Dave Clark and Vinnie DeSciscio set up a two-yard strike from Nick Hunsley to Robbie Tufts and gave Holland College a 14-7 lead.

UNB turned to their big running back Eric Smith to carry the load. Smith punched it in from the one-yard line following a sustained ground attack and the Bombers drew even at 14-14.

Once again, the Hurricanes relied on the heroics of the speedy Ferguson. With just a minute left in the first half, he took in a long UNB punt near his own goal line and started up the near side line before reversing direction and outrunning everyone for a 105-yard touchdown. The ’Canes took a 21-14 lead to the dressing room.

The seesaw battle resumed in the third as the Bombers struck back with another score by the unstoppable Smith, tying the game at 21-21.

The ’Canes answered back on the ensuing kickoff, which was returned 60 yards by Clark, setting up a 15-yard touchdown pass from Hunsley to wide out Jeff Hillier. The score and the convert by Enrique Alonzo-Ruiz, who was perfect on the day, made it 28-21 for the visitors.

Before the quarter was over, however, the home team staged yet another comeback. UNB quarterback Jeff Madsen connected with his favorite target, Cody Stewart, and carried it in to knot the score at 28-28 at the end of the third quarter.

Holland College took control in the final quarter. A 58-yard touchdown run by Clark subdued the boisterous student supporters and gave the ’Canes a 35-28 lead. The defense then stepped up with a big tackle in the backfield by Marcus Dunphy, followed by a huge quarterback sack by Nathan Condon and Ryan Adams. It proved to be the turning point of the game.

Taking over on downs, the Hurricanes swept down the field and capped the drive with a17-yard touchdown pass from Hunsley to Justin Murphy, extending the lead to42-28. A James Court interception sealed the win and a UNB safety rounded out the scoring as Holland College headed home with the well-earned 44-28 win.

Dave Clark, who rushed for 182 yards on 16 carries, earned APM Offensive player of the game. Defensive end Nathan Conway was handed the APM Defensive award, with honourable mention going to Wildens Sertyl and Ryan Adams, both of whom recorded seven tackles on the day.

Next action for the Hurricanes is on Saturday when they host the Dalhousie University Tigers at 3 p.m. at MacAdam Field at UPEI.