FCC: A valiant first half was not enough as New Brunswick falls to Manitoba

Like in the second game of the tournament New Brunwick started off with big play touchdown.  Jason Johnson returned a punt 85 yards to put his team up early.  Manitoba responded with a Blair Mattes touchdown tieing the score up.  On the play New Brunswick defensive lineman Logan Steele was carted off because of a leg injury.  New Brunswick continued their strong special teams play, this time punter Alex White picked up a short punt of his own and ran it in for the teams second touchdown of the game, putting his team up 14 to 7 late in the quarter, a score that held up through the end of the 1st.

The first drive of the second quarter Manitoba Tysten Dyce scored on a short pass reception from Foster Martens.  Manitoba’s defense came up big when they stopped New Brunswick deep in the red zone, forcing a turnover on downs.  The defense of New Brunswick held on the next drive, and Manitoba conceded the safety with around 3 minutes to go.  On the ensuing kick off Jason Johnson returned his second of the game, this time on a kick off, another 85 yard effort to give his team a 23 to 14 lead.  An adventurous last couple minutes ensued.  New Brunswick’s Brandon Gold landed on a Manitoba fumble’  They were not able to capitalize on this turnover giving the ball back to Manitoba.  Manitoba was wide on a field goal attempt (getting a rouge point) and NBs Alex White booted a field goal putting his team up 26 to 15 at half.

The second half saw Manitoba score 24 unanswered points to secure the victory.  Blair Mattes scored his second of the game early in the 3rd quarter.  A potential turning point in the game was when NB punter Alex White attempted to call his own number and rush for a first down.  Unfortunately he was stopped and on the very next play Martens hooked up with Jayden McCoy to put their team up 29 to 26.  It was Manitoba’s turn to attempt an unsuccessful punt fake.

The defenses took over in the fourth quarter, both teams pressuring the QB and Manitoba’s Brock Letkeman intercepting a NB pass.  Manitoba’s Alex Taylor had a huge run on the next play, down to the NB 26 yard line.  The next play Riley Harrison caught a 26 yard TD reception.  Dyce scored his second of the game late, making the final 50 to 26.

Manitoba 7th place
New Brunswick 8th place

FINAL SCORE: Manitoba 50 New Brunswick 26

Manitoba

Blair Mattes 8 rushes 84 yards 2 touchdowns
Alex Taylor 7 rushes 146 yards
Foster Martens 18 attempts 16 completions 221 yards

New Brunswick

Jeremie Lebans 12 attempts 9 completions 146 yards