Mustang rookies help out in MFL victory

Moncton club improves to 2-0 with 30-12 triumph over Halifax

HALIFAX – Moncton Mustangs are chasing their fourth consecutive Maritime Football League championship with several rookies on the defensive side of the ball.

The newcomers are quickly proving they are capable of playing up to the team’s winning standards.

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The Mustangs improved their record to 2-0 by beating the Halifax Shockers 30-12 Saturday afternoon at Saint Mary’s Stadium in Halifax.

“These kids are really coming of age in men’s football,” said Mustangs head coach Rob Weir.

“(Defensive coach) Sean MacIsaac isn’t used to having so many young guys to work with on this team, but he’s doing a great job with them and the players are responding in a positive way,” Weir said.

“You never know what to expect when young guys make the jump to this level, but so far they’ve been great.

Many of them will be playing junior football this fall and they’ll do well in that league.”

Mustangs safety Bobby McIntyre set the tone when he recorded an interception on the Shockers’ first offensive drive.

His pick set up an eight-play drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Donovan Boucher to Colin Weldon.

Later in the game, jarring hits by rookies Adam Proud and Marc Mcdougall set the stage for more majors by the Mustangs.

“We got some good hits in and the defence came together for a real solid game,” Weir said.

“Offensively, we have a little more experience and they did a great job, too,” the coach said.

“We were able to mix up a good passing game with a solid ground game.”

Boucher also tossed touchdown strikes to James Mitchener, Steve Cormier and Josh Babineau. Moncton’s defence also notched a safety and Matt Archibald kicked four converts.

With the score 30-0 for the Mustangs, Danny Williams scored a pair of touchdowns for the Shockers in the final two minutes of play.

In other weekend games, the Saint John Wanderers blanked the Capital Area Gladiators of Fredericton 32-0 and the Dartmouth Knights topped the Prince Edward Island Privateers 22-17.

Moncton and Saint John each have 2-0 records, followed by Dartmouth and P.E.I. at 1-1 and Halifax and Capital Area at 0-2.

The Mustangs visit the Gladiators on Friday at 8 p.m. at Chapman Field in Fredericton.