X-Men improve to 2-1 with decisive win over Axemen

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - Demetrius Ferguson put the game out of reach with a 50 yard interception return for a touchdown to give the StFX X-Men a 38-16 lead late in the third quarter.  The X-men, who lost last weekend by a late fourth quarter rally by the Mount Allison Mounties, improve to 2-1 with an eventual 38-29 win over the Acadia Axemen.

Under nine minutes in the first quarter, Acadia's Bobby Troop scampered in for a three yard touchdown to cap a ten play 85 yard drive to give the Axemen an opening quarter lead.

But X-man Jordan Catterall, who posted a game high 114 yards in receiving on only three receptions, tied the game at seven with a 51 yard reception for the first of five StFX majors.

With less than two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Jeremy Ford added a 30 yard field goal to give the X-Men a 10-7 lead heading into the second frame.

An 18 yard toss from starting StFX pivot Tivon Cook to Keon Hughes pushed the lead to 17-7 in the opening minutes of the second quarter. Cook finished the day 15 for 29 for 277 yards in the air including three touchdowns.

A snap over Jeremy Ford's head that rolled into the end zone gave the Axemen a two-point safety two minutes into the second quarter, but StFX would respond again following a 32 yard StFX punt return by Demetrius Ferguson plus an Acadia objectional conduct penalty that would spot the ball on the Axemen's 39 yard line. Runningback Ashton Dickson, who posted a game high 105 yards in rushing for the X-Men, stretched the lead to 24-9 with a 29 yard touchdown.

Acadia's Eli Prochnau jumpstarted the Axemen at 11:25 in the second quarter with a 71 yard punt return for a touchdown, but X-Man Jordan Catterall sparked an 84 yard drive with a 54 yard reception that eventually setup StFX's fourth major of the day when Jeremy Steeves pulled in a two yard reception to give the X-Men a 31-16 lead heading into the intermission.

Ferguson's interception return for a touchdown ended the StFX run late in the third quarter. Acadia scored early in the fourth on a one yard rush by Bobby Troop - second touchdown of the day - that ended a six play, 79 yard drive. Ryan Begin added two field goals late in the final quarter to bring the Axemen to within nine points, but StFX prevailed with a 38-29 win.

Axemen starting pivot John Shaw was replaced Darcy Lavoie in the second half. Lavoie was 14 for 25 attempts for 188 yards and two interceptions, while Shaw was 8-13 and 60 yards passing and one interception.

Statistically the game was close but the scoreboard showed a different story. The Axemen created 330 yards offence while StFX edged Acadia with 352 yards. Penalties played a factor at times with Acadia landing 13 penalties for 108 yards. The Axemen also held onto the ball for 32 minutes compared to StFX's 25, but big plays made the difference - both on defense and offense. 

The X-Men improve to 2-1 while Acadia drops to 1-2. The undefeated Mount Allison Mounties will hold onto first place with a 39-8 win over Saint Mary's, while StFX sits in second place. Acadia will travel to Sherbrooke next Saturday in the RSEQ-AUS interlock to take on the 1-2 Vert et Or and StFX hosts the 2-1 Montreal Carabins.