The Hurricanes used a dominant run game and stifling defence en route to a 26-0 pasting of the UNB Saint John Seawolves at UPEI Canada Games Place on Saturday. It was their final game before next week’s Atlantic Football League playoff semi-final.
Running back Jordan Blizzard tore up the Seawolves defence for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Blizzard took over from Chucky Ortiz after the standout running back took a hard hit in the first quarter and was removed from the game. Ortiz had run for 81 yards and a touchdown before being taken out after only ten minutes of play. Ortiz scored the game’s first touchdown on a 26-yard draw up the middle to cap off the opening drive.
The Seawolves put together a seven-minute drive of their own in the second quarter and looked to be gaining momentum, but on a key third down Hurricanes defensive end Sebastian Ayangma sacked Saint John quarterback Trevor Harrison and Holland College took over deep in their own territory.
The Hurricanes put together an efficient drive over the final three minutes of the half. Quarterback Nick Hunsley connected with Robbie Tufts on a 40-yard pass to set up an 11-yard touchdown run by Blizzard to make it 16-0 Hurricanes at the end of the second quarter. The Holland College offensive line dominated Saint John’s front seven and made several key blocks on the drive.
Saint John took to the ground in the third quarter. Running back Jason Doucet gained 50 yards on six straight carries at one point and the Hurricanes appeared to be on their heels. But another big play by the Hurricanes’ defence dashed any hopes of a Saint John comeback. Defensive Back Garvin Cius stepped in front of a Trevor Harrison pass and returned it 50 yards, well into Seawolves territory with 3:40 left. The Hurricanes managed a single point to make it 17-0 after three quarters. Harrison finished 0-11 on the day and was intercepted twice by the Hurricanes. Doucet was the leading rusher on the day with 156 yards.
The highlight of the fourth quarter belonged to Jordan Blizzard when he made a nice 26-yard run to score with 12:58 left to put the game on ice.
Andrew Oake made 9 tackles and a fumble recovery while Ian Bagby had 7 tackles and a recovered fumble for the Hurricanes. Thomas McCabe had an interception and Richard Lush had a sack. Quarterback Nick Hunsley went 7-15 for 91 yards while Robbie Tufts had 4 catches for 55 yards, and Luke Williams had 2 catches for 23 yards.
After the game Hurricanes’ head coach Mark MacDougall said overall he was pleased with his team’s performance heading into the playoffs. “It’s nice to have a little momentum going into the semifinals,” he said. “But when it comes down to it, next week is the game that matters.”
APM Offensive Player of the Game was Jordan Blizzard. Andrew Oake took APM Defensive Player of the Game honours.
By virtue of their second-place finish, Holland College will host Dalhousie next Saturday at 1 pm at UPEI. In other AFL action on Saturday, Dalhousie Tiger upset the UNB Red Bombers. The Red Bombers will host the Seawolves next Saturday in the other semi final.
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