by Cover photo by Adventure Girl Photography
COLUMBUS, OH – Jalen Morton had the chance to make his first start of the year for the Columbus Aviators and made it payoff with a masterful performance in the teams 36-29 victory. Morton went 14 of 30 for 208 yards and 3 touchdowns, including one with his legs to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. He also had 96 rushing yards and a score on 13 carries. His 310 all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns both established new Aviators single-game records.
Morton and the Aviators had to play from behind all day but never waned or gave up and the young man made the most of his big chance! Running back John Lovett caught two touchdown passes and finished the day with 61 all-purpose yards. Keke Chism led the receiving game with 3 catches for 51 yards while tight end Gunnar Oakes caught his first touchdown of the season and finished with 45 yards receiving.
The Aviator defense was stout when they needed to be and gave the Stallion offense fits in the second half today. O’Donnell Fortune intercepted a pass in the first quarter and finished the day with three pass breakups. Tony Fields II finished the day with 10 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and a sack as the former Cleveland Brown continues to make a major impact.
Down 29-21 with only 3:42 left to play, Morton led a masterful 90 plus yard drive to tie the game. It was unreal as he made countless plays with his legs to find holes in the Birmingham defense. The tying sequence came on a third and goal from the Stallion’s 9 when again Morton made another play with his legs to escape the rush and find the lane to score. It looked as though he would be stopped at the two yard line but Morton bounced off the tackle and extended to break the plane. Moments later he made a perfect pass to Keke Chism who made a brilliant catch falling out of the back of the endzone to tie the game.
The fireworks weren’t done yet as the ensuing Stallions drive to try and win the game was met with disaster. It was only the second play of the drive when DJ Miller picked off DTR and took it back 37 yards to the house to hand Columbus their first lead of the game with only 1:15 left on the clock.
The Aviator defense held DTR in check and never allowed him to get comfortable in the second half, picking him off twice while only allowing him to go 16 of 35 for 157 passing yards and 1 touchdown with two interceptions for the game. They also sacked him 4 times which showed the constant pressure worked.
All of this helped the Aviators overcome a 23-14 halftime deficit as they outscored the Stallions 22-6 in the second half come from behind win.
