Saturday, April 30, 2016
By Meg Kelly – View document

SOMERVILLE, Mass. – The Boston Renegades defeated the Philadelphia Phantomz, 54-12, Saturday night at Dilboy Stadium. With the win, Boston completed a season sweep of the Phantomz, improving to 3-1 on the season.

Boston’s stifling defense amassed two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and two sacks, with cornerback Mocha Torres #13 collecting one of each. Offensively, the Renegades dominated on the ground, rushing for five touchdowns, including a trio from running back Asia Asante #8, while quarterback Allison Cahill #7 tossed three touchdowns through the air.

After a 31-yard reception by wide receiver Adrienne Smith #10 set up the Renegades in enemy territory to open the game, Asante put Boston on the board first with a 14-yard scamper to give the Renegades an early lead at 6-0.

On Philadelphia’s first play from scrimmage, Boston linebackers Nicole Buechler #40 and Alexis Belliard #39 forced a fumble that was recovered by Torres. Despite good field position, the Renegades’ offense was unable to capitalize and the Phantomz took back possession on their 12 yard line. But once again Philadelphia suffered a turnover when a pass attempt by quarterback Tee Creech #3 was intercepted by Renegades cornerback Briannah Gallo #24.

Boston made the most of this opportunity,  as Cahill converted a crucial 4th down with a 21-yard completion to wide receiver Kathryn Tylander #15, and then delivered a touchdown pass from two yards out to Emily Beinecke #87 who ripped the jump ball away from her defender. A successful kick by Brooke Goodman #97 put the Renegades ahead, 13-0, with 3:33 left in the first.

After trading a couple of possessions with Philadelphia, Boston extended its lead to 19-0 when running back Whitney Zelee #33 capped a 50-yard drive with another rushing touchdown at the 7:32 mark in the second quarter.

Boston’s defense had Philadelphia’s number again on the following possession, as Torres picked off a Phantomz pass attempt to set up the Renegades at Philadelphia’s 38-yard line. After a key reception by wide receiver Chante Bonds #21, Asante rumbled for gains of 17 and 9 to cross the goal line for her second time in the half. The subsequent PAT gave Boston a 26-0 advantage with 4:14 left in the half.

Despite being stymied for the near entirety of the first half, Philadelphia put a drive together gaining chunks of yardage. Phantomz wide receiver Satoria Bell #1 turned a short pass into a 27-yard gain, and fullback Taesha Smith #42 tacked on an 8-yard rush. From 19 yards out, Creech nearly reached the endzone on a quarterback keeper but was knocked out of bounds by Boston linebacker Erica Adams #47. Adams made her presence felt on the next play too, forcing the Phantomz’ Smith to fumble on a rushing play up the middle. Smith managed to recover it on her own, thus avoiding yet another Philadelphia turnover.

Determined to stop the Phantomz from scoring, Adams, with help from teammate Delaney Kiernan #1, forced Smith to fumble yet again at the goal line. A scrum ensued, and after the referees sorted it out, Philadelphia was ruled to have recovered the fumble in the end zone, making the score 26-6. The Phantomz’ two-point conversion attempt failed, and the Renegades ran down the clock to end the half.

Sparked by a 44-yard kickoff return by Jade Bundy #5 to start the third frame, Philadelphia quickly dialed up a 14-yard reception by Bundy, a 5-yard catch from Bell, and a 4-yard rush by Smith to cross the stripe. Though their two-point conversion attempt failed, the Phantomz had cut Boston’s lead to 26-12 with 12:41 remaining in the quarter.

The Renegades offense responded to Philly’s quick score with a methodical five-minute, 52-yard drive. Asante and the Renegades’ offensive line pounded the ball down the field, capping the drive with Asante’s third rushing score of the game — a 5-yard romp that gave Boston the upper hand at 33-12 after a successful kick by Goodman.

Philadelphia was unable to score on their next possession, and for the rest of the game. But their miscues continued. After suffering a near sack, a 10-yard penalty, a broken play, and a snap that inadvertently hit a receiver in motion, the Phantomz had to punt. However, an errant snap had to be covered up by the punter for a 10-yard loss, giving Boston the ball in the red zone. On the next play, Cahill threw a touchdown pass to Tylander who got behind the safety and ran unimpeded to the end zone make the catch. Goodman’s kick put Boston in command 40-12 with 4:30 remaining in the quarter.

Pinned back on their own 7 yard line after a muffed kick return and a 10-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, Philadelphia relied on their big-play ability to find their way past midfield. Bundy and Bell made 28- and 21-yard receptions respectively to reach the Boston 43 yard line, but the Phantomz ultimately failed to convert a 4th down with 12 minutes still remaining in the game. The Renegades put the game away in the final stanza as Cahill connected on a 48-yard touchdown strike to Bonds and running back Sue Quimby #22 darted into the end zone from 13 years out as Boston won, 54-12.

The Renegades will return to Dilboy Stadium to host the Cleveland Fusion next Saturday, May 7 at 7 p.m.

Box Score