Late stand lifts Thoroughbreds past Martens
The Thoroughbreds came away with a 23-17 win over the Martens away from home. The Thoroughbreds defense set the tone, allowing 230 yards all game. Every Martens mistake seemed to cost them: two turnovers in all.
The first points belonged to the Thoroughbreds: B.Selwyn got behind the coverage for a 12-yard score from D.Talbot. The Martens drew level when Brightwell caught a 9-yard scoring throw from Baptiste. The Thoroughbreds broke the tie when Fernsby booted one through from 28 yards. The Martens went in front when D.Zielinski went in on a 6-yard touchdown run.
The reply from the Thoroughbreds came quickly: Fernsby knocked it through from 21. The game turned for good with 4:41 left in the third quarter: Quintero crossed the goal line on a 2-yard carry. The Martens closed the gap when Lindqvist added a 53-yarder. The Thoroughbreds added to the lead when Fernsby banged home a 25-yard attempt.
The Martens got the ball back one final time from their own 26, but Brightwell was stopped short. The third quarter brought a momentum swing when W.Huxley came up with an interception. Callum Ashcombe had the game's longest gain, 30 yards.
The Thoroughbreds had several standouts. Damon Talbot put up 180 passing yards and one touchdown, completing 18 of 30. Alden Quintero ran for 55 yards on 12 carries, reaching the end zone once. Callum Ashcombe was the top target, 6 catches for 86 yards. Vance Duchamp recorded 11 tackles. In defeat, Stellan Baptiste had 128 yards through the air; one went for a touchdown. Ulric Northcutt gained 112 yards on the ground. Ellis Marlowe was all over the field, with 12 tackles. Vance Duchamp added +8% to the Thoroughbreds' chance of winning, more than any other player.
That makes the Thoroughbreds 1-0 on the season. In the Harbor West, they are third. The Martens fall to 0-1. They hold fourth place in the Harbor West. The Martens get the Minneapolis Monarchs on Sunday, November 8. The Thoroughbreds meet the Detroit Prospectors on Sunday, November 8.