An Early Lead Drives Defiance to a Win
By Hanna Young
Tyshaun Freeman started off the scoring early on Saturday’s away matchup with Anderson University. Midway through the first quarter, Freeman ran the ball into the end zone earning Defiance a 6-0 lead. The second quarter was starting off strong when Thomas Coltrain snagged a fumble and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown. The point after attempt was good which added another seven points to Defiance’s growing lead, making the score 13-0. Only a few minutes after that, Anthony Southerland made his way into the end zone, which was followed by a good point after attempt. This put the Yellow Jackets ahead 20-0. Nearing the end of the 1st half Anderson was able to make it on the board with a touchdown making the score 20-6.
The third quarter found the Yellow Jackets adding to their lead yet again. Zeke Sanchez was put in to hurl a ball 27 yards and through the uprights to add three more points in favor of the Yellow Jackets. Again, Defiance continues to add to their lead by putting the ball into Tyshaun Freeman’s hands yet again. This time he received a pass from Jordan Ambrose before ending up in the endzone. Zeke Sanchez makes the point after attempt as well to make the score 30-6. Rounding out the scoring for the Yellow Jackets was Jalen Warren. Warren caught a pass from Jehlani Warren before he made his way into the endzone. This was the last time DC would score in the game making the final score 36-6 in favor of the Yellow Jackets.
Defiance College had 174 yards passing, 170 yards rushing, and possessed the ball for 26 minutes and 56 seconds in the contest. Jordan Ambrose recorded 136 passing yards while Jehlani Warren added 38. Tyshaun Freeman led in rushing yards with 71, which was followed closely by Jordan Ambrose with 60. Tyshaun Freeman also led in receiving yards with 72, Jalen Warren followed with 42. Zeke Sanchez chipped in one field goal, 3 extra point attempts, as well as 7 kick offs. Mathew Bolanos had one punt in the contest. V’Sean Palmer had one kick off return as well.
On the defensive side of things Defiance recorded 67 tackles, 29 of which were solo tackles with the other 38 being assisted. Dominic Harris led the team in tackles earning 9, which was followed by Thomas Coltrain and Richard Pope IV who both recorded 8, while Brian Murat chipped in 7. Richard Pope IV led the team in solo tackles with 5, Brian Murat, and Coty Johnson II each added 4, and Jaylen Redd and Tyquez Douglas tallied 3 each. Dominic Harris and Thomas Coltrain are both credited with a forced fumble. Dominic Harris, Jalen Redd, Braydon Birkholz, Fernando Sanabria Nieves, and Justis Ashley each are credited with breaking up a pass.
The Yellow Jacket football team will travel to Manchester University on Saturday, October 28th at 1:30 pm.
