FCC: Nova Scotia mounts comeback to win exciting overtime thriller over Manitoba

A great finish was all it took for Nova Scotia to overcome a 14 to 0 fourth quarter deficit to win in the first game of day two Football Canada Cup action.

Around the nine minute mark of the first quarter, Team Manitoba’s Brendan Gladu caught an interception to get ball at own 50 yard line.  On the subsequent Manitoba drive, receiver Jayden McKoy scored a touchdown on a great screen play, a 21-yard pass from Foster Martens to put Team Manitoba up 7-0 at the 8:39 mark.

Still in the first quarter, Manitoba defensive back Brock Letkeman caught an interception and ran it into the end zone; however, the touchdown was called back because of an illegal block and Manitoba scrimmaged from the 50 yard line.  A 34 yard field goal attempt by Team Manitoba was wide and Team Nova Scotia’s Trae Colley returned the ball out, nullifying any points.

Manitoba solidified their lead with 11 second remaining in the first quarter as running back Alex Taylor scored a major on a 44 yard run.  Taylor’s score strengthens Team Manitoba’s lead 14-0 over Nova Scotia.

At halftime, Team Manitoba built up a 14-0 lead over Team Nova Scotia.  However, the momentum shifted late in the second half and Nova Scotia’s offensive unit started to come alive.

In the second half, a fumble by Manitoba’s running back Jayde Erasmo at 10:15 of fourth quarter gave Team Nova Scotia great field position. Team Nova Scotia got on the board at 9:46 of fourth quarter as receiver Alex Bayne scores on a 28 yard pass from Borden, and the conversion attempt by Chase Kodejs was good.  This cut Manitoba’s lead to 14-7.

With the momentum starting to shift in Nova Scotia’s favour, Manitoba decided to make a change at quarterback as Jamie Dzikowicz came in to relieve Foster Martens in the fourth quarter.

Later in the fourth quarter, Nova Scotia’s Nate Rostek returned the ball to the 55 yard line.  Afterwards Nova Scotia converted a third down on quarterback sneak to get the first down at the Manitoba 40 yard line. With 2:19 left, Nova Scotia had the ball at the Manitoba 36 yard line.  A couple of late penalties put Nova Scotia in perfect striking distance around the seven yard line.  Running back David Nisbet rushed in for the touchdown score at the 2:02 mark to tie the game up at 14-14.

In overtime, it was a shootout format so each team got a series each, starting at the 35 yard line.  Nova Scotia scored a major on a 24 yard pass to receiver Ryan Keays and the conversion attempt from Kodejs was good.

When it came to Manitoba’s series, they got a first down pass reception. On the next play they fumbled the ball but recovered. That set them up with first and 10 from Nova Scotia’s 20 yard line.  Manitoba gets first down catch to first and goal on the six yard line. On the next play, Dzikowicz threw an interception to Nate Rostek to end the game and give Team Nova Scotia the win.

Team Nova Scotia now moves on to face the winner of the Ontario East/New Brunswick game on Saturday July 21st at 1:00pm EST to battle for fifth place in tournament.  As for Team Manitoba, they will play the loser of the Ontario East/New Brunswick game on Saturday July 21st, 202 at 10:00am EST for seventh place in the tournament.

GAME MVP’s:

Nova Scotia:

Offense:
David Nesbit

Defense:
Shaun Robinson

Manitoba:

Offense:
Jayden McCoy

Defense:
Leon Cenerini

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