By Kevin J. Stone | New England Football Journal

It was business as usual for the Boston Renegades in the season opener against the D.C. Divas on Saturday night.

The three-time defending WFA National champs went on the road and scored 35 points in the second quarter en route to a dominant 69-28 victory. Boston out-gained D.C. 488-269 in total yards and out-rushed the Divas 238-50. The Renegades caused five turnovers (all interceptions) and held D.C. to just 3-for-12 on on third downs.

Allison Cahill threw for 253 yards on 19-for-28 passing and three touchdowns to go with one pick. Ruth Matta (13-92-2), Tytti Kuusinen (13-60-2), Kate Falkowski (9-47-1) and Cahill (4-33-1) did all of the damage on the ground. Stephanie Pascual (8-102-1), Renate Meckl (4-74-1) and Adrienne Smith (4-50-1) were the dudettes of the night at receiver.

Tee Creech had three of the five interceptions on defense while Chante Bonds and Shannon Singletary each had one. Sarah Tully hit eight PAT’s and Mariette Martinez added one as well. Martinez also had a busy night with kickoffs, booting the ball a total of 404 yards on 10 kickoffs.

A 28-yard run from Matta opened the scoring, but the Divas answered soon after and the game was knotted at 7-7 after one. Cahill punched in a two-yard TD run in the second, but a 36-yard TD pass for D.C. made it 14-14. From there it was all Renegades as Kuusinen (three-yard run), Smith (15-yard reception), Pascual (30-yard reception) and Kuusinen (three-yard run) all scored to make it 42-14 at the half.

A 69-yard TD pass and two-point conversion for D.C. opened the scoring in the third, but a 16-yard TD run for Matta pushed it back to 49-28. Following another Divas’ score and failed two-point attempt, Cahill hit Meckl for a 10-yard TD and then Creech had a pick six for a 62-28 lead after three. A one-yard TD run from Falkowski capped the scoring in the fourth.

Here is the Renegades’ Quote of the Week from owner Molly Goodwin:

“Welcome back Dee Scott! It’s incredible and inspiring to see you playing again. Dee Scott is a member of the Divas squad who badly injured leg against the Renegades last year, dislocating her hip (with nerve damage) and spent extensive time in a Boston hospital going through rehab. Scott worked her way back and made the US National team roster.”

Boston looks to go 2-0 this weekend when they visit the Tampa Inferno. The Renegades’ home opener is April 30 against Detroit.