(SACKVILLE, N.B.) On the night the Mounties honored their 16 graduating seniors, they gave the hometown crowd something to savor heading into Thanksgiving weekend with a 19-11 win over the Acadia Axemen.
Both teams exchanged quick turnovers at the very start and looked to their defense to set the tone. The first score of the game would come off an explosive 48-yard pass from Subway Player of the Game Justin Vogels (Sackville, NB) to Robbie Walker (Burlington, ON). Vogels would finish the game going 17-for-27 with 336 yards through the air, two touchdowns, one interception and add 39 yards on the ground.
Acadia would answer with a six-play, 35-yard drive that ended with three points as Ben George (Moncton, NB) nailed the field goal from 45 yards out. Offensive standouts for the Axemen were quarterback Dante Tabacu (Lloydminster, AB) with a very efficient 22-for-28 for 185 yards, receiver Julien Poirier-McKiggan (Halifax, NS) who went five catches for 48 yards and running back Ethan Phinney (Porter's Lake, NS) with 90 all-purpose yards.
Mounties would answer with three points of their own after Graeme Maither (Hinchinbrooke, QC) put his team up 10-3 going into halftime. Maither would end the night with two field goals and an impressive punting display as he averaged 38.9 yards on eight punts.
The tandem of Vogels and Walker would connect again on an electric 75-yard pass to end the third quarter and make it 19-4 Mounties. Walker finished the day with three catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns on what could have been the last home game of his Mounties career.
The Axemen made a late push when a well-orchestrated nine-play, 61-yard drive ended with a trip to the endzone. The comeback fell short as the Mounties stout defense held their own and sealed the victory.
Mount Allison (4-2) travels to Saint Mary's on October 14 for a 7 p.m. tilt.
Acadia (0-6) for their part play host to St. FX on October 15 at 2 p.m.
Recap courtesy of Mounties Athletics