Ninjas Defeat Brigade in Northeast Battle

May 3, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rochester Brigade News Release


Rochester, NY (AP)- In a Northeast Divisional battle, the Rochester Brigade (2-3) fell to the New Haven Ninjas (2-3) by a score of 28-46 in front of 5,547 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.

Leading the Brigade offense was Offensive Specialist Martino Theus, who scored two touchdowns on the night from 20 and 6 yards, and finished the game with a career high 195 yards on 14 receptions. QB Matt D'Orazio completed 18 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns on the night.

Defensively, the Brigade was led by OL/DL Ahmad Whitehead and his eight tackles (two solo), one forced fumble and two quarterback hurries.

The two teams played an evenly matched first half with the Ninjas heading into the locker room at halftime with a 21-20 edge.

The second half was all New Haven as they blanked the Brigade in the third quarter and scored two touchdowns of their own. QB Jarrod Rouanzoin rushed one in from two-yards out, and he later connected with WR/DB Anthony Comer for a 17-yard strike to take a 34-20 lead into the final quarter.

The Brigade fought back early in the fourth as Theus caught his second touchdown of the night to move them within six with a score of 28-34, but that was all the offense could muster in the half.

The Ninjas scored the final two touchdowns of the game as Rouanzoin hooked up with WR/DB Anthony Comer on a 45 yard strike and later with WR Eric Wise for a nine yard score to put the game out of reach and seal the game at 46-28.

Leading the offense for the Ninjas was game MVP QB Jarrod Rouanzoin, who completed 17 passes for 243 yards and five scores. Rouanzoin also rushed one in from two yards out. His go to guy on the night was Comer, who caught five balls, three for touchdowns and tallied 91 yards receiving.

The IRONMAN award went to FB/LB Kerry Taylor, who registered four catches for 65 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed the ball six times for a gain of eleven yards and one score. Defensively, he registered the only sack on the night and forced a fumble.

Defensive Specialist Damon Richardson earned the ADT Defensive Player of the game, registering eight tackles (seven solo), one interception, one forced fumble and four passes defended on the night.

Rochester falls to 2-3 on the season, moving into a tie for third place with the Ninjas (2-3). Next Friday, May 10, the Brigade will host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (0-4).



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