Yetis Hold Off Empire Behind Bisuez and Carkwood's Field Goals
Riley Kade — JRSports One
Juan Bisuez scored on a six-yard run with 0:33 left in the first quarter, and Denver never trailed in a 20-17 win over New York Empire. The Yetis (6-2) withstood Empire's best stretch of the game, 14 unanswered points in the second half, and held on after a late New York touchdown cut the margin to three.
The turning point came early. Derek Carkwood's 30-yard field goal at 7:02 of the first quarter gave Denver a 3-0 lead, the first lead of the game, and Bisuez's touchdown run made it 10-0 before the quarter ended.
Denver extended its advantage in the second quarter. Henry Cerkley's 40-yard field goal at 12:29 put New York on the board at 10-3, but Lorenzo Zosales found Marcus Chonwell, the Denver receiver, for a two-yard touchdown at 7:37 to make it 17-3. Carkwood's 47-yard field goal at 6:53 of the third quarter pushed the lead to 20-3, the largest of the night.
New York answered in the second half. Eli Noorworth ran two yards for a touchdown at 1:41 of the third quarter to make it 20-10. Javier Suanito intercepted a Zosales pass at 7:29 of the fourth quarter, the only interception of the game, with Denver ahead 20-10. Sam Toorkmore then threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Heath Chonnson at 2:55 to bring New York within 20-17.
Zosales finished 20 of 30 for 242 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Bisuez carried 22 times for 124 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 84 more. Toorkmore completed 23 of 34 for 231 yards and a touchdown without an interception, and Noorworth ran 15 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. Oneil Loz, Brandon Veardale and Jared Lainworth each recorded two sacks for Denver.
Emiliano Quondo, the New York strong safety, suffered an Achilles tear and was placed on injured reserve, with 12 weeks listed out. Mitchell Funell and Cameron Chainworth, both New York, were listed questionable with ankle injuries and did not return. Hayden Lilmore, the Denver right tackle, was questionable with a shoulder injury and did not return.
The win leaves Denver at 6-2 and New York at 4-4.
