Rustlers grind out 15-14 win over Anchors
The Rustlers got past the Anchors, 15-14, on their own field. The passing game carried the Rustlers: 265 net yards. Ivan Copperfield accounted for a big share of the scoring with his leg.
The Rustlers were first on the scoreboard after Copperfield put a 37-yard kick through. The Anchors took the lead as Lindgren scored on a 2-yard reception. The Rustlers responded as Copperfield banged home a 34-yard attempt. Then Grantham took the handoff 15 yards for the touchdown, and the Anchors were further in front.
The Rustlers responded as Okafor got behind the coverage for a 4-yard score from Y.Lockhart, though the two-point try came up short. With 0:30 showing in the fourth quarter, Copperfield added a 22-yarder, and the lead held. There was one more shot for the Anchors from their own 48, and Belvedere intercepted D.Colefax. One of the game's key plays came in the first quarter, when Saltonstall jumped a route for an interception.
Abel Kavanagh produced the biggest gain, a 69-yard kickoff return.
On the winning side, Yusuf Lockhart threw for 288 yards on 29 of 48, scoring once. Bennett Harrowgate found running room all day, 58 yards in all. Otis Whitlock kept getting open, finishing with 97 yards. Dresden Redding piled up 12 stops. Even in the loss, Desmond Colefax connected on 17 of 28 attempts for 188 yards, crossing the goal line once. Hale Grantham found running room all day, 85 yards in all, including one touchdown. Abel Kavanagh led the defense with 7 tackles. No one moved the needle more than Ellis Mayfield, who added +19% to the Rustlers' chances.
The Rustlers sit at 2-0 after the win. In the division they rank first. The defeat leaves the Anchors at 1-1. That leaves them second in the Summit East. The Rustlers will travel to face the Chicago Watchmen on Sunday, November 15. The Anchors will host the Minneapolis Monarchs on Sunday, November 15.