Nova Scotia captures Maritime battle against neighbouring New Brunswick

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Photo credit: James Hajjar

Nova Scotia edged New Brunswick 22-20 in a battle of the Maritimes to open the second day on Thursday July 16 at the 2015 Football Canada Cup from Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu’s Alphonse-Desjardins Stadium.

Following day one losses on Monday both teams were hungry for their first win of the tournament and a spot in the 5^th place game on Sunday July 19 at 1 P.M. ET.

Nova Scotia opened the scoring with a booming punt which sailed into the end zone for a single point. Nova Scotia struck again on a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Monecko Clayton to receiver Marko Xidos. New Brunswick was unable to capitalize on a pair of interceptions from linebacker Bailey Feltmate and defensive back Samuel Alward respectively. Feltmate had an impressive game tallying a game high 9 total tackles, 8 of which were solo.

Nova Scotia looked to have taken a 15-point lead into halftime following a 1-yard Adam Bennett touchdown plunge however New Brunswick had other ideas. On the last play of the opening half, a 99-yard Ian Carty touchdown return narrowed the NB deficit 15-7 heading into the half.

New Brunswick further chipped away at the NS lead as quarterback David Party found Joel Shaw in the end zone 22-yards out, bringing the score 15-13. The touchdown was set-up by a Justin Wyryha interception; NB’s third of the contest which gave them the ball at their opponent’s 21-yard line.

Following the pick quarterback Monecko Clayton responded by finding Marko Xidos again, this time on a 50-yard bomb to set-up first and goal at the 10. On the next play, Bennett’s 2^nd rushing TD of the game gave Scotia some breathing room, 22-14 at the 2 minute mark of the final quarter.

New Brunswick tried to reply, moving the ball to midfield until a big hit by Tyler Ball caused a NB fumble which was recovered by Glodin Mulali to stop NB’s drive dead in its tracks.

Starting at their own 30-yard line, New Brunswick would get one final possession with 1:08 to play in the game. The drive culminated with a 37-yard touchdown pass from quarterback David Party to receiver Joel Shaw, making the score 22-20. The 2-point conversion attempt was batted down to end the comeback.

Quotes:

Thoughts on the game:

“It’s two pretty evenly matched teams. We went up to Saint John, New Brunswick in a rain storm a few weeks ago and it was the same thing. We got out to an early lead and they just clawed back. They’re a chippy team and they’re well coached and their kids believe in themselves. They clawed back and beat us that day. It was the same situation here; they clawed back. The main difference was we were a little more prepared on our end for some of the late game situations. We also had a little bit more in the toolbox this time offensively. We were able to take advantage of an overly aggressive defence at the end of the game. I’m just proud of our kids. Monecko Clayton our quarterback who’s really inexperienced, threw a terrible interception but ended up responding with a big touchdown pass at the end. Defensively we did some really good things. On special teams our punt team has come a long way.”

On the Maritime rivalry:

“There’s a huge rivalry. People not from the Maritimes don’t understand it. I’m from Ontario originally but it doesn’t take you very long once you’re out in the Maritimes to realize the rivalry’s out there. Certainly Nova Scotia and New Brunswick on a provincial level is just a fierce rivalry. We schedule an extra game against them every year and they’re battles. The kids know each other, our coaching staffs know each other. We definitely respect each other but when the lights come on and it’s game time it’s definitely turned up a notch when we play each other.”

-Steve Snyder, Nova Scotia Head Coach

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