Blackbirds get by Stormriders 24-21
Boston topped Miami 24-21 at home. A 164-yard rushing day let the Blackbirds control the clock. The Blackbirds held off a late push.
The Blackbirds opened the scoring as Okoye powered in from 4 yards. The Stormriders closed the gap when Harrowgate ran it in from 4 yards, but the two-point try failed. The Blackbirds stretched the lead after H.Huxley and Cabrera teamed up for an 11-yard touchdown. The Blackbirds stretched the lead after M.Redding made it from 33 yards out.
The Stormriders hit right back when D.Ridgeway reeled in a 6-yard toss from Ellsworth for six. Then H.Huxley and B.Marlowe teamed up for a 2-yard touchdown, and the Blackbirds were further in front. The Stormriders responded as Ellsworth lofted a 3-yard touchdown to D.Ridgeway, plus the two-point conversion. There was one more shot for the Stormriders from their own 24, and Harrowgate was stopped short.
Elias Redding produced the biggest gain, a 37-yard catch and run.
For the winners, Harlan Huxley was 17 of 25 for 183 yards, crossing the goal line twice. Dalton Okoye found running room all day, 112 yards in all; one went for a touchdown. Fenton Winslow piled up 9 stops. Even in the loss, Gideon Ellsworth completed 19 of 32 passes for 195 yards, including two touchdowns. Asher Harrowgate carried 13 times for 51 yards, scoring once. Dashiell Ridgeway pulled down 7 passes worth 60 yards and two scores. Lennox Gallardo made 11 plays on the ball carrier. Measured by win chance, Gideon Tavares led everyone on the field at +6% for the Stormriders.