By: Jim Wallin (LFL360.com)

TORONTO – One name: Kyle DeHaven. One word: Unstoppable. 

Baltimore’s high-grade, multidimensional star (3 reception, 57 yards, 1 TD, 7 carries/72 yards, 2 TD) repeatedly attacked the Toronto defense tonight with the lethal force of a runaway locomotive, flattening would-be defenders like pennies left on the railroad tracks, as the Charm prevailed 42-6 on foreign soil, ultimately derailing the Triumph’s grand plans of an upset.

For a team thrown into ominous uncertainty over the past two weeks, a re-tooled Toronto team nearly ‘triumphed’ over their critics early on, as quarterback Donna Paul (5-9, 43 yards, TD, 6 carries/43 yards)  led an impressive opening drive, including  team-wide displays of physicality and toughness rarely seen in the loss versus Tampa. The effort ultimately proved successful as one of Paul’s laser-like spirals found tight-end Davine Burton (1 catch, 6 yards, TD, 1 carry/11 yards) in the back of the end zone to push the home team ahead 6-0 early into the contest.

However, Baltimore answered with lightning-speed. In only two plays, a long run by Ashley Helmstetter (3 carries/65 yards) set up a red zone rush by Morgan Spencer to tie the contest mid-way through the first-half. After a defensive stop, Game MVP DeHaven single-handedly led another short drive, using two rushes to re-arrange the scoreboard, 14-6, heading into the half.

Baltimore, who came into the contest with a minus-23 point differential (key in playoff tie-breaker scenarios), played fast and furious in the second-half, as DeHaven scored on a 25-yard run to extend the lead to 22-6. And after a late Stacy Moon (3-7, 37 yards,  2 carries/6 yards, TD) touchdown run,  it looked like the game would end at 34-6. But after another Triumph turnover, the Charm embarked on a 48-yard drive, ending with a reception by none other than DeHaven, as the second score within final two minutes ultimately aided the Charm in gaining control of third place in the Eastern Conference.

While Toronto admirably showed fight and desire, Baltimore simply possessed superior offensive weaponry coupled with a stinging defensive bite that crippled any chance of a different outcome in tonight’s game.

Photos courtesy of Joe Petro, LFL International Director of Photography and JAG Photography, Official Photographer of the Toronto Triumph.

Print

Tags: ashley helmstetter, Baltimore Charm, davine burton, donna paul, Jim Wallin, kyle dehaven, stracy moon, toronto triumph