Atlanta Rabbits defeat Elysian Fields, 51-6

Kicking off the season, Atlanta made the journey an hour out to Elysian Field on Aug. 25.

After what started out as a close battle of a game, the tide quickly turned into a triumphant and decisive victory for Atlanta with a score of 51-6, putting Atlanta’s record at 1-0.

First Quarter

The game started with Elysian Fields winning the coin toss, and deferring, to receive the kickoff in the second half. Atlanta received the first opening kickoff of the night but was unable to score any points out the gate as a result of the Yellowjacket’s defense holding them back. After getting the ball from Atlanta, Elysian Fields faced a similarly strong defense from Atlanta, with this sort of tug-of-war stalemate being the defining feature of the game’s first quarter.

Second Quarter

After a tight first quarter, Atlanta went into the second quarter in possession of the ball. The second quarter started off looking a bit rocky for Atlanta, with a string of penalties hitting the team in short succession, before the Rabbs found their footing and began quickly dominating the quarter, scoring a total of 22 points before halftime.

The first points of the night came via a Markeylin Batton 14-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Peyton Harris. Jayden Riley added the extra point, giving the Rabbits a 7-0 lead. Later in the quarter, Jamarion Austin scored on a run from the five-yard line. Riley’s extra point try was successful, and the Rabbits enjoyed a 14-0 lead.

The Rabbits’ defense held strong, and they found themselves in possession of the ball with less than one minute left in the half.

Starting at the Yellowjackets’ seven-yard line with less than 30 seconds left on the clock, Harrison gave the ball to Batton who ran for a touchdown. This time the Rabbits elected to go for the two-point conversion.

It took Atlanta three attempts to score the twopoints, with the first two tries ending up in the endzone, but being negated by penalties. Finally, on the third attempt, Batton was able to push the ball into the Yellowjackets’ endzone and bring the score to 220.

Despite the limited time left on the clock, the Yellowjackets managed to pull off an impressive 50-yard touchdown immediately after receiving the ball from Atlanta’s ensuing kickoff. However, the Yellowjackets missed the extra point attempt. This brought the dynamic second quarter to a close with a score of 22-6.

Third Quarter

Elysian Fields received the ball to start the second half. The possession would be short-lived.

Elysian Fields managed one first down, only to fumble on their next set of downs.

Batton recovered the fumble, giving Atlanta possession at the Elysian Fields 36-yard line.

The Rabbits were able to drive the ball toward the goal line, where Jamarion Austin found the endzone on a run from a play starting at the Yellowjackets’ six-yard line. The two-point conversion was good and the Rabbs led the Yellowjackets 30-6.

After an attempt from both sides to make something happen, Sye Stroman was able to intercept the ball from Elysian Fields.

After a struggle to go anywhere with this opportunity, Batton was scored a touchdown for Atlanta with a 48-yard touchdown run. Following the past few scores from Atlanta, this was followed up by yet another successful two-point score, with Batton getting it into the endzone yet again, bringing the score for the third quarter to 38-6.

Fourth Quarter

The fourth quarter started rough for Elysian Fields, as they failed to secure a first down, leading to the ball quickly ending up back in Atlanta’s hands. From this quick change of possession, Atlanta was able to score yet another touchdown from Stroman, but the Rabbits missed the extra point, placing the score at a still impressive 44-6.

The Yellowjackets attempted to make something happen in this last quarter but were unable to add any points to their side of the scoreboard.

After kicking the ball back to Atlanta, Jalarrion Andrews was able to score an exciting 70-yard touchdown that was followed up by a successful extra point kick, bringing the total to 51-6, where it would remain for the rest of the game.

The Rabbits welcome the Redwater Dragons to town this Friday night, Sept. 1, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.