With a few games remaining in the Nova Scotia Varsity Football League (NSVFL) regular season, teams were starting to make the final pushes in competing for playoff spots.
As the Metro Mustangs are running away with top spot in the league, three teams are in a battle royale for the second spot a spot the finals. The Mustangs continued their winning ways by thrashing the Dartmouth Destroyers in a late afternoon game. Meanwhile, the Halifax Seahawks won against the Team Nova Scotia under-16 squad; however, the game ended prematurely due to a sudden and unexpected turn of events early in the fourth quarter. It was a bye week for the Timberlea Renegades.
Here are Week 7 NSVFL results:
Halifax Seahawks 27, Team Nova Scotia under-16 12:
In the Sunday early afternoon game at Saint Mary’s University Huskies Stadium, the Halifax Seahawks were holding onto to their lead in the game early in the fourth quarter. However, Team Nova Scotia, were trying to mount a successful scoring drive when a sudden and unfortunate turn of events took place on the field.
“The score at the time of the incident was 27-12 and we were driving on Halifax’s 25 yard line,” explains Team Nova Scotia head coach Chris Valardo. “The play was an innocent play with a bad ending.”
“Duncan Patterson was the player injured; he was our quarterback and was playing well. We decided to call the game as the players were pretty upset and at that point the outcome was not important.”
Therefore ,the game ended early in the quarter with Seahawks winning it 27-12. While they pulled out the victory, the Seahawks postgame thoughts were with the fallen Team Nova Scotia pivot.
“That was a terrible way to finish the game for both teams,” comments Seahawks co-head coach Jon Dyer. “Our thoughts are with Duncan Patterson, his family, and the rest of the players and coaches on Team Nova Scotia.”
“You hate to see those freak injuries in such a great sport but hopefully Team Nova Scotia can rally behind him and finish their season and summer strong.”
As for Patterson, Valardo had an update yesterday evening on his injury.
“I just spoke to Duncan’s dad and they are trying to set his foot now,” says the Team Nova Scotia head coach. “Duncan is recovering as he actually broke his tibia and fibula.”
“It was a sad end to an otherwise good game.”
As for the game itself, Seahawks running back Adrien Mopoho led the way by scoring two rushing touchdowns. On one of those scores, Mopoho broke away and rushed for 95 yards. Receiver Drew MacIsaac scored a major while running back Ryan Kublek ran into the end zone once.
Quarterback Bryon Kavanagh had 140 passing yards on the day while throwing one touchdown and one interception.
“Our offense started slow but we kept patient and broke open on some big plays that led to scores,” adds the Seahawks co-head coach. “Our offensive line came out and opened up the game for Adrien and Ryan to make some key runs and our receivers made some big plays when called upon.”
Defensively for the Seahawks, Connor Gascoigne and Caleb Jolly each caught an interception.
“Our defense came up big early in the game and got some key stops,” explains Dyer, who is a co-head coach alongside Mike Thomson. “I was very impressed by our defensive line and their tenacity; they kept the pressure up and forced Team Nova Scotia into some bad spots.”
“Shaun Robertson and Eric Bowdridge continue to set the tone for us on defense.”
With this win, the Seahawks are in a second place tie with the Timberlea Renegades with a 3-2 record. As for Team Nova Scotia,they are holding down third place with a 2-4 record.
One of the issues that the Seahawks need to address is their inability to play a complete game.
“We need to learn to play four quarters,” summarizes the Seahawks co-head coach. “We came out flat in the second half again and Team Nova Scotia was ready.”
Overall, Dyer was impressed by Team Nova Scotia’s play during the game.
“Team Nova Scotia caused us a lot of problems and they were well prepared,” says Dyer in his postgame assessment. “They’ve definitely improved.”
Now the focus for the Seahawks shifts to Friday’s highly anticipated rematch against the Timberlea Renegades. This game ultimately could decide second place in the league and a spot in the league championship finals.
It’s not lost on the Seahawks what is at stake in this upcoming game.
“We play Timberlea on Friday and it’s a game we’ve been looking forward to,” comments Dyer. “We’ve got to run the table for the rest of the year and we are going to need to play our best if we are going to match up with Timberlea.”
The Halifax Seahawks will take on the Timberlea Renegades with sole possession of second place in the NSVFL standings at stake. The game will be on Friday June 8th, 2012 at Saint Mary’s University Huskies Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 6:30pm. As for Team Nova Scotia, they will look to rebound against the Metro Mustangs on Friday June 8th, 2012 at Wanderer’s Grounds. Game time is 6:30pm.
Metro Mustangs 54, Dartmouth Destroyers 14:
At Saint Mary’s University Huskies Stadium late Sunday afternoon, the Metro Mustangs secured their unbeaten record with a 54-14 thumping of the Dartmouth Destroyers.
Two way player Dustin Brogaard led the way for the Mustangs in the victory. The running back and linebacker had 285 rushing yards on 16 carries while scoring four touchdowns (one of the scores was on a blocked punt). On the defensive side, he chipped in with two tackles.
“Dustin Brogaard ran the ball very well having big gains almost every time he carried the ball,” comments Mustangs head coach Greg Bayne on the versatile player. “Dustin also contributed on special teams and defense.”
Quarterback Sean Muir had nine completions for 18 attempts for 135 passing yards. Moreover, the pivot amassed 13 yards on two rushes. Running back Drew Alexander contributed on offense, scoring a major while racking up 112 rushing yards on 10 carries.
Ryan Keays (running back/defensive back) contributed in the victory by amassing 73 yards on five receptions, 44 yards on two rushes, a return for eight yards and a tackle. Also, Alex Bayne (running back/defensive back/returner) chipped in with 55 yards on three receptions, caught one interception, had two tackles and returned two punts for 33 yards.
“Our offensive line came out this week with a renewed approach and worked very well together allowing our running backs the ability move the ball and gave time for our quarterback Sean Muir to pass the football,” explains the Mustangs head coach in his postgame assessment. “Sean threw the ball very well and kept things moving on offense.”
“Ryan Keays and Alex Bayne both had strong receiving games and contributed on special team and defense.”
Defensively for the Mustangs, Taylor MacDonald (linebacker/kicker) caught an interception which resulted in a score while booting two field goals and six PAT’s. James Pelley (linebacker) had three tackles while Malcolm Hyde contributed with three tackles, a blocked punt and a fumble recovery.
Linebacker Matt Bayne registered two tackles and a sack while he also had a kickoff recovery in the game. Defensive back Trevor Gallant had two tackles and caught an interception, defensive back Jake Saunders chipped in with two tackles and defensive star Duncan Robertson continually put pressure on Destroyers quarterback Nate Skeete while registering two tackles.
Running back and defensive player Jay Hachey has two tackles, a fumble recovery and two carries for 28 yards while running back Joe Doucet had a seven yard reception. Additionally, running back Chris Young chipped in with a nine yard rush.
With this win, the Mustangs remain in first place with a 6-0 undefeated record. On the other hand, the Destroyers are still in search of their first win of the season and are the basement dwellers in the standings with an 0-6 record.
(NOTE: game/player stats were not available for the Dartmouth Destroyers at press time.)
The Metro Mustangs will look to strengthen their hold on first place atop the league standings in their upcoming game against the Team Nova Scotia under-16 squad. It will be on Friday June 8th, 2012 at Wanderer’s Grounds. Game time is 6:30pm. Meanwhile, the Dartmouth Destroyers will look to regroup as they have a bye this upcoming week.
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