Published by Times & Transcript - May 13, 2018 -
Two weeks into the Maritime Football League season, the Moncton Mustangs are 2-0 and feeling good about their game.
The Mustangs showcased a powerful running attack in a 35-13 win over the visiting Halifax Harbour Hawks on Saturday at Rocky Stone Memorial Field.
All four Moncton touchdowns came on the ground as it moved into sole possession of first place in the four-team league.
Running back Aubrey Ellis rushed for 283 yards and a score in the victory.
"Our offence attacked their defence on the ground and was tenacious. Our offensive line drove their line back and the running backs were able to get a lot of space and a lot of yardage," said Mustangs head coach Jason Terris.
"Our running game was just on fire."
Quarterback Dan Comfort ran for a pair of touchdowns and Mark Crandall also found the end zone for Moncton. Ben George kicked two field goals for the winners.
The Mustangs led 7-0 after the first quarter on a two-yard touchdown run by Ellis, but the Harbour Hawks answered with a major of their own to tie the game 7-7 in the second quarter.
Before halftime, Moncton received a 17-yard field goal from George and two-yard TD run by Comfort to take a 17-7 lead into the break.
Halifax quarterback Micah Brown suffered an Achilles injury late in the second quarter, and its offence stalled the rest of the game.
The Harbour Hawks did return an interception for a score to come within 17-13 in the third quarter - the convert attempt was blocked - but that's as close as the visitors came.
The Mustangs scored the final 18 points of the game to roll to the win.
New addition Andrew Oake led Moncton's defence with 10 tackles.
The Mustangs opened the campaign with a 34-33 victory over the Saint John Wanderers.
"We knew coming into the season that we started with two hard games and there was the possibility of us beginning at 0-2," Terris said.
"We're ecstatic to be able to win our first two games against Saint John and Halifax, but we're pinpointing a lot of details that we need to refine and we're not running on all cylinders yet."
Moncton visits the Island Mariners (0-2) on Saturday in Cornwall, P.E.I. The Island lost 63-12 to Saint John on Saturday.