The JV Toronto Jr. Argonauts went 2-0 in a close game against the Sudbury Gladiators last Sunday. The game was played in heavy rain, which caused ball control issues on both sides. The first half was dominated by Toronto, but the final score was a tight 38-33.
[The Jr. Argonauts and Gladiators play in heavy rain on Sunday (photo by Hannah McGregor)]
“In our league, momentum is everything” said head coach Onorati. The first half was filled with great deep passes and excellent rushing. Momentum was clearly on the side of the Jr. Argos as their offensive game dominated the Gladiators. QB Christian Battista started the game well as he led the team to a 26-1 lead at half time.
[Jr. Argos QB Christian Battista completes pass early in first quarter (photo by Hannah McGregor)].
The game was going well for the Jr. Argos until the rain caused serious problems on the line of scrimmage. The team encountered problems with visibility at the initial snap of the ball, leading to a couple of fumbles, one of which cost them a turnover. The Gladiators were also victims of the heavy rain as their offensive game struggled.
After the half, Battista was replaced by no. 12 Vincent Luccisano, who did an excellent job controlling the ball in very wet conditions.
The Jr. Argos offense was highlighted by wide receivers no. 81 Patrick Saunders and no. 88 Matthew Crocker. The duo accounted for a lot of the yardage accumulated during the game and a couple touchdowns. “We definitely have the deepest wide receiver core in the league” says coach Onorati.
[no. 81 Saunders catches deep ball for TD (photo by Hannah McGregor)]
[no. 88 Crocker receives pass for medium gain (photo by Hannah McGregor)]
[no. 88 Crocker lines up on line of scrimmage (photo by Hannah McGregor)]
The rushing game also went well for the Jr. Argos as no. 28 Isaiah Ashem-Hibbert subjugated the Gladiators with his great running game. “He really stepped up this week” notes Onorati. “During the first half, he was unstoppable”.
[no. 28 Isiah Ashem-Hibbert uses his speed and strength to get through Sudbury
defense (photo by Hannah McGregor)]
The second half of the game was a different story as the Jr. Argos almost let the win get away from them.
The Gladiators came out in the second half adjusted to playing in the rain. They began taking advantage of Jr. Argo penalties to move up the field, and The Gladiators running back no. 22 Matthew Glass ran through the Jr. Argos defense with ease. The penalties “were frustrating, but you have to take it and deal with it as it comes” says Onorati.
At one point those penalties allowed the Jr. Argos to score three TDs on a single drive because the play was called back three times! Finally, Ashem-Hibbert scored a rushing TD to bring the theoretical highest scoring drive of all time to an end. Coach Onorati joked that “sometimes you just need to get three TDs on one drive! It’s important to keep the guys focused and get the job done”.
The fourth quarter had the Jr. Argos on edge as The Gladiators were able to come within 10 points with a score of 38-28. They retrieved two onside kicks to get possession of the ball and gained that ever-important momentum with 2:23 left in the game. With just over a minute remaining, The Gladiators scored another TD to bring them within six points.
With only 38 seconds left, the Gladiators got back into the Jr. Argos red zone, but luckily for Toronto no. 89 Joshua Brown got his hands up to block the pass and forced a turnover on downs.
[no. 89 Joshua Brown blocks Sudbury’s final pass late in 4th quarter (photo by Hannah McGregor)]
It was a good game overall by the Jr. Argos offense and defense as they were able to hold off the Gladiators. “If it was not for the defense and wide receivers make big plays” in the first half, “it might have been a lot closer game” says Onorati.
[Taking down Sudbury offense (Photo by Hannah McGregor)]
Fortunately, the Jr. Argos can put The Gladiators behind them and begin preparing for Burlington (’96) which will take place on June 17[SUP]th[/SUP] at St. Michael’s Field at 2PM. “We are going to take advantage of the two weeks of practice” says Onorati. “Burlington plays an aggressive style like we do and we are going to compete”.
[Jr. Argo defense get to Sudbury QB (Photo by Hannah McGregor)]
After Burlington the Jr. Argos launch an extended road trip as the rest of their games this season will be on the road. “We will become road warriors” says Onorati, as St. Michaels (Eugene Melnyk) field undergoes construction for the majority of the summer.
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