Belfast Trojans 56 Rhinos 0

The Belfast Trojans claimed their fifth consecutive win on the season Sunday, defeating the Dublin City Rhinos 56-0. The Trojans (5-2) led from the opening drive of the game, when Alex Newton rushed to his first career touchdown. A big return on the ensuing kickoff by the Rhinos (1-6) was the nearest they would get to a score. Though the Dublin side fought hard all day, they were simply outnumbered by the Northern champs. Quarterback Chris McKeown led the offense to scores on every possession he started, connecting for scores with Adrian Cassidy, James Kay, and Kai Ruggeri, plus big receptions by Scott Fischaber. Cassidy had his best game thus far, hauling in a half dozen passes including two acrobat moves to collect errant balls. Kay, returning for his first game since a shoulder injury six weeks previous, nearly added a second score with a gargantuan leap at the back of the end zone; a penalty meant the score was disallowed. He also picked up big yards on a carry early in the game.
Newton was equally brilliant in his first time starting. En route to a hat trick, the young running back had multiple carries of over 20 yards and was a constant headache for the Rhinos. He also added his first career reception, catching a Ruggeri pass on the Trojans’ final series. Jay Mackenzie tacked on a handful of conversions plus his first touchdown. A controversial call wiped another score, when a leaping grab was deemed short of the goal line.

Defensively, the Trojans never eased. Rob Lyttle nearly scored on his second interception of the season while Erin Wagner and Chris Weir were relentless at stuffing every Rhino drive. Eoín MacDonald made his presence known at cornerback, making several big stops in his replacement role. The Rhinos found some success on the ground late in the game. Perseverance was apparent, as the short-staffed side showed resilience in moving the chains just before time expired. With time, the club will undoubtedly become a power in the IAFL Central. Since starting the season with two scoreless losses, the Trojans have now averaged nearly 40 points in their past five games. In next week’s final game, Tallaght travels to Belfast looking for their first win. That result, added to the outcome of the Vikings-Rebels game, will determine who and where the Trojans will be playing in the IAFL Semi-Final.

Game MVP: Adrian Cassidy
Offensive MVP: Alex Newton
Defensive MVP: Eoín MacDonald
Top Play: Jay Mackenzie’s 60-yard kickoff return.

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter: Alex Newton run (Jay Mackenzie 2pt)
1st Quarter: James Kay pass from Chris McKeown (Conversion Failed)
1st Quarter: Newton run (Mackenzie 2pt)
2nd Quarter: Kai Ruggeri pass from McKeown (Mackenzie 2pt)
2nd Quarter: Newton run (Failed)
2nd Quarter: Adrian Cassidy pass from McKeown (Failed)
3rd Quarter: McKeown run (Failed)
3rd Quarter: Mackenzie run (Cassidy 2pt conversion pass from McKeown)

Trojan Season Scoring (TDs-2pt, Total Points)
Kai Ruggeri (9-5, 64)
Erin Wagner (6-5, 46)
Alex Newton (3-0, 18)
Jay Mackenzie (1-5, 16)
Adrian Cassidy (2-1, 14)
Chris McKeown (2-0, 12)
Craig Voisey (1-1, 8)
Rob Lyttle (1-0, 6)
Scott Fischaber (1-0, 6)
James Kay (1-0, 6)