NS: Phoenix Tops Flames to Remain Undefeated

The Citadel Phoenix defeated the Sir John A MacDonald Flames in Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation play yesterday in Halifax. In front of an attendance of 1,002 people at Dalhousie Turf, the Phoenix handed the Flames their first loss of the season with a 36-23 win.

This was a rematch for the two teams since they last met at the Provincial Final last season. The Phoenix won that game 45-7.

In the first quarter, it was the Flames who jumped out to a 7-0 lead. Phoenix quarterback Derek Brown threw an interception on the first play of the game. It set up a drive that resulted in a touchdown at 6:35 of the quarter.

However, the big guns for the Phoenix responded in a big way. The Flames could not extingush Brown or wide reciever Adre Fraser. On the last play of the quarter, Fraser would get the Phoenix all tied up with a touchdown.

Brown then ran into the end zone at 11:36 of the second quarter to put the Phoenix up 14-7. The Phoenix jumped out to a 21-7 lead at the half when Fraser rushed down the field on a punt return in the last minute of play. That would be Fraser’s second score of the game.

The Phoenix started another drive at the start of the second half, which resulted in another touchdown by Brown at 10:47 of the third quarter. Jack Lawen rushed into the end zone at 12:45 of the fourth quarter to increase the Phoenix’s lead on the Flames 36-7.

However, the Flames started to mount a comeback but fell short.

Receiver Mark Gaudry replied for the Flames with a touchdown at 8:30 of the fourth quarter. At 2:10, the Phoenix conceeded two points to the Flames because of a run back into their own end zone. On a punt return at 2.04 of the quarter, running back Justin Stevens was injured on the play and did not return for the remainder of the game. The Flames would score another touchdown on a play by linebacker Keith Langille with 41.9 seconds left in the game.

In the game, the Phoenix defense put pressure on Flames quarterback Mark Shannon, and Stevens. The team was led by defensive ends Jordan Redding and Max Fitzgerald. With yesterday’s win, the Phoenix remain undefeated with a 3-0 record. The Flames drop to 2-1 with the loss.