Belfast Trojans 44 Carrickfergus Knights 19

The Belfast Trojans showed they were more than capable of overcoming a deficit on Sunday en route to their second win over the Carrickfergus Knights, 44-19. The Trojans, enduring a 12-point deficit to open the game, now sit atop the IAFL’s North division and are in complete control of their playoff hopes. The game started shaky for the Belfast side. Though the defense forced a punt, a penalty kept the ball in the Knights’ possession. After the offensive ineffectiveness of their first game, Carrick was overjoyed when quarterback Adam Devenney found a whole in the coverage, giving them a 6-0 lead. Two plays later, Carrick picked off the Trojans’ first pass attempt for the second touchdown of the game and a 12-0 lead. What had been a domination three weeks previous appeared to be on the verge of role reversal.

Belfast quarterback Chris McKeown, however, brought his team back right away. McKeown and the offensive line of Mark McGrath, Austen Blackburn, Jeroen Egge, Charlie Blackburn, and Christophe Perret moved downfield on a mission. Erin Wagner’s dive at the pylon put his team on the scoreboard, 12-6, and rejuvenated the sideline.

On their next possession, they immediately attacked deep into the Knight secondary. His throw at the front of the end zone was collected by Kai Ruggeri on a sliding grab, and after some controversy to determine the result, the Trojans were on top, 14-12. Carrick would not relent. Some success on the ground allowed the passing game to provide another score. The resulting conversion put them back on top, 19-14. Though effectively moving the ball for most of the game, the Trojan defense bolstered, and the Knights would not score again. With the ball in McKeown’s hands to start the second quarter, the Trojans would take the lead for good. He wasted no time in finding Ruggeri sprinting down the sideline in perfect rhythm with the throw. Ruggeri then outpaced the Carrick defense, putting his team on top 22-19.

What had been disastrous start was clearly history early in the second half. Behind the running of Alex Newton, Craig Voisey, Wagner, and Jay MacKenzie, the Trojan offense was simply too much. Wagner and Voisey would each score, one of which was made possible by a dazzling catch from Rui Da Costa. McKeown found Ruggeri one last time for a score, which was the duo’s 7th and 6th touchdown against Carrick this season, respectively. Safety Scott Fischaber had a strong showing for the Trojans, as well. Along with his two touchdown-saving tackles, he had his second 4th quarter interception against the Knights on the season. Also turning in key defensive performances were Carl Ward and Chris Mikhael, who stuffed what had appeared to be a potent running attack. The Knights now must face the Belfast Bulls in a must-win game for both sides. If they are to have any hope of securing a playoff berth, they must avenge a 30-14 loss from two weeks ago.
On the season, the Trojans have now outscored IAFL North opponents 140-43.

Game MVP
Erin Wagner
Offensive MVP
Chris McKeown
Defensive MVP
Scott Fischaber
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter: Adam Devenney touchdown pass (conversion failed), Knights 6-0
1st Quarter: Knights interception touchdown (conversion failed), Knights 12-0
1st Quarter: Wagner run (Jay MacKenzie 2pt run), Trojans 8-12
1st Quarter: Chris McKeown pass to Kai Ruggeri (conversion failed), Trojans 14-12
2nd Quarter: Adam Devenney touchdown pass (Kick good), Knights 19-14
2nd Quarter: McKeown pass to Ruggeri (Erin Wagner 2pt run), Trojans 22-19
3rd Quarter: Wagner run (Craig Voisey 2pt run), Trojans 30-19
4th Quarter: Voisey run (conversion failed), Trojans 36-19
4th Quarter: McKeown pass to Ruggeri (Wagner 2pt run), Trojans 44-19
Trojan Scoring
Game
Kai Ruggeri 18 (3 TD)
Erin Wagner 16 (2 TD, 2 2pt)
Craig Voisey 8 (1-1)
Jay MacKenzie 2 (0-1)
Season
Kai Ruggeri, 58 (8-5)
Erin Wagner, 46 (6-5)
Craig Voisey, 8 (1-1)
Adrian Cassidy, 6 (1-0)
Scott Fischaber, 6 (1-0)
Chris McKeown, 6 (1-0)
Rob Lyttle, 6 (1-0)
Jay MacKenzie, 4 (0-2)