CARTERET (NJ) – The Jersey Justice defeated the Southern Maine Rebels 28-8, Saturday night in Independent Women’s Football League action. After using a staggering air assault in the first victory, the Justice leaned heavily on their ground attack in completing the season sweep.

Quarterback Maegan Larsen led the charge, putting the Justice in the red zone with a 33-yard burst on the second play of the game. Mary Byrne completed the drive with a 7-yard sprint around left end.

The improving Justice defense kept the Rebels’ offense in negative situations by stuffing the running game. On the game, the Rebels averaged 2.3 yards per rushing attempt.

“We did some tackling out here the other night (at practice) and I think we tackled better than we did all year.” Coach Gene Basile said.

The improved tackling held the Rebels scoreless until the minute of the game.

Aside from an interception from the arm of Larsen, the Justice’s offense shook of the rustiness of the bye week and outgained the Rebels 312-145 for the game.

The Justice displayed their offensive dominance during an 83-yard drive in the second quarter. Byrne accounted for 58 yards on the drive before Leslie Busch capped it off with a 5-yard touchdown run before the half.

Busch put the game away early in the third quarter when she snagged a slant pass across the middle and raced the remaining 35 yards untouched for a 50-yard touchdown. During the halftime warm-ups, Larsen spent extra time working on the timing with Busch and the touchdown was the result of the extra reps.

“Maegan (Larsen) knew she left points on the field in the first half, and wanted to connect if we threw the ball in the second half.” Basile said.

Larsen ran the final Justice score after the defense forced a short punt spotting the ball at the Rebels’ 23-yard line. Larsen weaved her way to the end zone on the first play.

The Rebels avoided the shutout when Jessika Lopez plunged in from the 1-yard line with three seconds remaining in the contest.

The Justice continue their push for the playoffs Saturday in the season finale against the Erie Illusion. The two teams met in the opening week of the season, the Justice pulled out the 8-6 road win for their first franchise victory.