Groot Darwin Ceroro in Final Minutes as Racers Top Vultures
Riley Kade — JRSports One
Heath Groot threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Darwin Ceroro with 1:19 left, and Indianapolis beat Phoenix 35-30. The Racers rallied from a 30-28 deficit that began when Kazuki Nunno's 43-yard field goal at 4:23 gave the Vultures the lead, and the win moved Indianapolis to 5-3.
Indianapolis converted two fourth downs on the decisive drive, a 7-yard completion to Troy Brulford at 3:54 and an 11-yard completion to Ryan Stoolings at 2:26. Ceroro's touchdown gave the Racers their lead for good at 35-30.
The Racers opened with Groot's 22-yard touchdown pass to Brulford at 12:58 for a 7-0 lead. Phoenix tied it on Quinn Whemmore's 1-yard pass to Niko Schussen at 9:02, and Groot found Esteban Morrano for 2 yards at 5:34 to make it 14-7. Whemmore's 6-yard touchdown pass to Walker Firter at 0:26 tied the game at 14-14 after one quarter.
Reed Coomham's 3-yard run at 10:14 put Indianapolis up 21-14 in the second quarter, and Cody Stoockwood's 7-yard run at 6:33 tied it again. Matt Dudale intercepted Groot at 7:53 and returned it 5 yards, but Groot answered with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Morrano at 0:04, sending the Racers into halftime ahead 28-21.
Nunno kicked field goals of 40 yards at 10:28 and 32 yards at 1:30 in the third quarter, trimming the Indianapolis lead to 28-27. Colin Meard intercepted Groot at 13:34 of the fourth quarter, and Nunno's 43-yard kick at 4:23 gave Phoenix its 30-28 advantage.
Groot finished 28 of 43 for 281 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Morrano carried 15 times for 105 yards and caught six passes for 50 yards, with two touchdowns in all. Brulford caught eight passes for 102 yards and one touchdown.
Whemmore completed 21 of 33 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Firter ran 16 times for 122 yards, and Manny Jianeda caught seven passes for 105 yards. On defense, Kyle Gesworth led all players with 14 tackles, and Wyatt Breller added five tackles and two sacks for Phoenix. For Indianapolis, Wade Wearham recorded seven tackles and one sack.
Indianapolis lost wide receiver Travis Wortmore to an Achilles tear, and he was placed on injured reserve. Linebacker Victor Nusares suffered a hamstring strain and is out. Phoenix lost wide receiver Connor Saimford to an MCL sprain and receiver Jean Zusuez to a shoulder sprain, both listed as out.
The Racers are 5-3 and the Vultures are 3-3-1.
