Legion Pull Away From Talons as Ford Hend Scores Twice
Riley Kade — JRSports One
Ford Hend ran for two touchdowns and New York Legion pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Tampa Bay Talons 34-3. The result left New York at 6-2 and Tampa Bay winless at 0-8.
Hend's 2-yard touchdown run at 6:13 of the first quarter gave New York a 7-0 lead, and the Legion never trailed. Tampa Bay had no answer for the New York running game, which finished with 204 rushing yards.
Ethan Cosridge kicked a 53-yard field goal at 14:15 of the second quarter to make it 7-3. Luke Shinnworth then kicked a 41-yard field goal at 11:01 to push New York's lead to 10-3. Miguel Dusuez threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Laickmore at 0:04 that sent the Legion into halftime ahead 17-3.
The third quarter was scoreless. New York opened the fourth with a 43-yard field goal by Shinnworth at 11:03 for a 20-3 lead. Hend ran 1 yard for a touchdown at 4:20 to make it 27-3, and Fernando Tiendena ran 26 yards for a touchdown at 2:32 to finish the scoring at 34-3. New York's largest lead of 31 points came at 2:28. Nolan Braistfield threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, to Lane Jardman at 3:53 and Dawson Shorkham at 0:41, both of which ended Tampa Bay drives.
Hend finished with 21 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns, and he caught three passes for 29 yards. Dusuez completed 19 of 29 passes for 183 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Tiendena had seven catches for 65 yards, and he also scored on his 26-yard run. For Tampa Bay, Braistfield completed 10 of 15 passes for 83 yards with two interceptions. Jason Thallings caught four passes for 52 yards. Lane Crur led the New York defense with six tackles and three sacks, and Lane Donnwell had eight tackles and one sack for Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay lost tight end Evan Lown to a high ankle sprain, and he is out for the game and expected to miss two weeks. Tight end Edgar Vurroro was also ruled out for the game with a high ankle sprain. New York lost left end Tate Sullford to a torn ACL, and he is out for the season.
The win gives New York its fourth straight victory on the way to a 6-2 record, while Tampa Bay has dropped all eight of its games this season.
