OFC WEEK 8:
This past weekend the OFC regular season came to close with the Hurricanes, Beefeaters, Cougars and Predators all recording victories.
The Game of the Week was in Montreal as the St. Leonard Cougars scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to come from behind and beat the visiting Ottawa Sooners 28-27, snapping their four game winning streak.
Cougars’ quarterback Nicolas Lepine finished 10 of 21 for 144 yards and threw three touchdown passes. Jean Fritz Charles hauled in two of those TD passes, while Jean-Jacques Janvier Jr caught the other one.
On the ground Duqueslin Pierre-Louis was terrific carrying the rock 21 times for 130 yards and tallied a major.
The Cougars defense forced four turnovers as Louis Marandola and Malundu Bukasa intercepted passes and Christopher Watson and Gregory Jean recovered fumbles. Jessy-Ross Thompson led the club with five solo tackles and Cedrick Legros collected a sack.
On Saturday the Cougars (6-2) will travel to Windsor to take on the AKO Fratmen (6-2) in an OFC semi-final.
The Ottawa Sooners held a 20-0 lead on the Cougars at halftime, but couldn’t finish them off, allowing all 28 points in the second half.
Quarterback Graham Kelly finished 4 of 14 for 118 yards and threw a touchdown to Nick Shank. Blake Rennick caught one pass for 66 yards.
On the ground the Sooners saw a terrific game for the OFC’s leading rusher Mathew Mondoux. He would carry the ball 18 times for 143 yards and had a touchdown. Carl Bernade also had a score on eight carries.
Kelly who also doubles as the place kicker was 2-2 in field goal attempts.
The Sooners defense was led by Avery Maloriey who collected five tackles, an assist and recovered a fumble. Nicolas Lortie also had five tackles. Steve Dignard collected two sacks while John Skubic had one.
Following the loss the Sooners (4-4) season comes to a close.
In Windsor, the visiting London Beefeaters won their second straight; 28-21 over the AKO Fratmen.
The Beefs scored 21 points in the first quarter and seven the rest of the way to clinch the fourth and final playoff spot.
Quarterback Josh Beach completed 16 of 27 for 197 yards and threw three touchdown passes on route to the win. Both Darren Vyschaft and Lee Purnell caught first quarter TD’s while Avery Lawrence’s nine yard touchdown catch in the third quarter proved to be the game winner.
The Beefs did struggle with their run game, as Joel Clubine led the charge with 10 carries for just 48 yards.
Defensively the Beefs got a big boost in the first quarter when Josh Franks picked up a fumble and returned it 39 yards for touchdown. The “D” unit recorded three more turnovers as Taran Beekhuis picked up a fumble and Derek Coleman intercepted two passes. Joe Greenwood led the club with five solo tackles and Franks, Tyler Annen, Colton Cook and Jimmie Cunningham tallied sack.
The Beefs (5-3) finish the season with five wins in six games and claim the fourth playoff spot. They will travel to Hamilton to take on the first place Hurricanes (7-1) on Saturday.
The Windsor AKO Fratmen scored all their 21 points in the second half, but ultimately fall short, losing their second game of the season.
Quarterback Austin Lumley finished 14 of 27 for 164 yards through the air and used his feet to run 11 times for 32 yards and scored two touchdowns.
The Fratmen scored a third touchdown on the ground as Tarrence Crawford tallied a major on 14 carries and 65 yards.
On the defensive side of things, the Fratmen were led by linebacker Mason Beekhuis and his seven solo tackles and his Conference leading 12.5 sack. Tyler Bremner had five tackles and an interception. Josh Wright also had a pick, while Dillon Grondin recovered a fumble.
The Fratmen (6-2) will host the St. Leonard Cougars (6-2) on Saturday night in the other OFC Semi-Final.
Photo courtesy of Dennis Pajot
The Hamilton Hurricanes clinched home field advantage throughout the post season after crushing the Burlington Braves 34-16.
The Hurricanes defense was simply outstanding holding the Braves offense to just 34 total offensive yards. Nick Testani, Justin Vanderlaan and Connor Hitchcock each picked off a pass, while Vanderlaan also recovered a fumble. Ben Osmow had two sacks and a blocked kick and Farouk Musa had a sack.
Offensively, three different quarterbacks threw passes. Alex Hill had a terrific game finishing 7 of 11 for 94 yards and threw two touchdowns. He also ran five times for 43 yards and scored two majors. Denzel Rocha was 9 of 13 for 88 yards and threw a TD pass.
Matt Coates caught a game high eight passes for 88 yards and three touchdowns. Cory Raposo hauled in four passes for 63 yards.
JJ Reddick rushed 16 times for 81 yards.
The Canes (7-1) will host the London Beefeaters (5-3) on Saturday night in an OFC semi-final. In Week 6 the two clubs met in a Mud Bowl as the Canes won 8-1.
The Burlington Braves won their first game of the season, then lost seven straight to conclude their 2013.
Offensively the club was frustrated, collecting just 34 yards of net offense. Quarterback Tyler Bistrovich was 10 of 28 for 90 yards and threw three picks. He connected with Mark Divito three times for 29 yards and Brody Essery twice for 32 yards.
The Braves special teams did put up some points as Cory Pattison returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
Bistrovich played both ways for the Braves and intercepted a pass, returning it 90 yards for a touchdown. Nigel Spencer led the club with seven solo tackles, four assists and a special teams tackle. Richard Beckstand also had seven solo tackles. Steve Connery pick off a pass and collected four tackles.
It’s back to the drawing board for the Braves (1-7) as their offseason begins.
The GTA Bears and Predators Football closed out their seasons this past weekend as the Preds shutout the Bears 32-0 collecting just 159 of net offense.
Predators quarterback Jonathan Beitz finished 7 of 22 for 102 yards finding Karsten Beney five times for 79 yards. Beitz would also run six times for 25 yards and scored a touchdown.
Kicker Nate Mesher was excellent hitting five of six field goal attempts, including a 43 yarder.
Defensively the Predators forced eight Bear turnovers, including six interceptions. Nate Christopher picked off two passes, while Jono Carreiro, RJ Edwards, Emin Saphic and Connor Riegling each had one. Brandon Seip and Sharieff Peru jumped on fumbles. Carreiro was simply great. His two picks complimented is eight solo tackles, three special teams tackles and one forced fumble. Saphic collected the lone sack and Trevor Frey blocked a kick.
The Predators finish the season 3-5.
The GTA Bears were shut-out three times this season and didn’t record a victory.
They used two quarterbacks on the weekend, both throwing three interceptions. Adam Djukic finished 5 of 23 for 95 yard and Abraham Shah was 3 of 11 for 24 yards.
Through the air Robert Silino caught five passes for 41 yards, while on the ground Jordan Boswell carried 11 times for 15 yards.
The Bears defense was busy. Both Shaquille Johnson and Jendayi McBean each had an interception and Thomas Fortin and Silino recovered a fumble. Nathan Smith recorded the lone sack.
The Bears complete the 2013 season 0-8, scoring just 60 points.
PFC WEEK 8:
Week 8 in the Prairie Football Conference saw the Hilltops, Rifles and Huskies all record victories.
In Saskatoon the Hilltops continued to “run” over the competition beating the Edmonton Wildcats 29-20 for their sixth win of the season and clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Andre Lalonde was a one man wrecking crew collecting 220 yards on 28 carries and scored three touchdowns. He also caught one pass for nine yards.
Quarterback Matt Karpinka spread the ball to seven different receivers completing 17 of 30 for 232 yards and a touchdown. His top receiver was Graham Unruh who made six catches for 108 yards and caught the lone touchdown pass. Even Kopchynski chipped in with three receptions for 46 yards.
The Hilltops defense would tally four turnovers and three sacks. Austin Thorarinson led the way with seven tackles and an interception. Cole Benkic had a pick and a fumble recovery, while Taylor Rehn also had an interception. Justin Filteau matched Thorarinson’s seven tackles and Brett Pisio, Matt Kozun and Blake Adams each had sacks.
On Thanksgiving Sunday the Hilltops (6-1) will host the Calgary Colts (0-7) at the Gordie Howe Bowl.
The Edmonton Wildcats lose their third straight and are in danger of missing the playoffs following the loss in Saskatoon.
Offensively the Cats recorded 379 total yards, led by the PFC’s leading rusher Levon Hawreliak. He would rush 25 times for 119 yards.
Quarterback Jordan Olson finished 14 of 26 for 201 yards and threw a pair of touchdowns. He connected with Levi William seven times for 121 yards and Brad Quartel and Rick Lemoignan each hauled in a touchdown pass.
The Wildcats blocked an impressive four kicks as Nik Whalen, Luke Roberts, Geoff Piper and Quartel each recorded one. Ryan Migadel and Kieran Thomas each had five tackles and Ryan Doram and Quartel picked up fumbles.
In the lone Saturday game this weekend the Wildcats (3-4) will host the Regina Thunder (5-2) at Clarke Park at 2:00pm.
This past weekend, Investors Group Field was home to an offensive shootout as the Winnipeg Rifles kept their playoff hopes alive beating the Regina Thunder 41-23. The offenses combined for 1,133 total yards.
The Rifles “O” collected 596 total yards led by quarterback Ryan Marsch. The veteran tallied is sixth career game throwing for over 400 yards, gaining 421 yards on 13 of 24 passing. He would also throw five touchdown passes, none more thrilling then a 102 yard strike to Kurt Goodrich, who set a new PFC record. Goodrich caught three passes for 206 yards, averaging 68.7 yards a catch, setting a new CJFL record for a single game reception average. Goodrich would finish with two majors.
Matthew Lariviere hauled in five passes for 117 yards and a major. Niclas Bembenek and Julian Banares also caught TD passes.
Despite the aerial attack, running back Blair Mattes still managed to carry 23 times for 136 yards, while Thomas Coates ran five times and scored a touchdown.
Defensively the Rifles didn’t allow the Thunder to score a point in the second half. Spencer Riche had five tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble. Andrew Gregoire intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble. Eric Plett also recovered a fumble and Brooks Falloon picked off a pass.
The Rifles (3-4) will travel to Edmonton to face the Huskies (4-3) on Sunday.
With the loss the Regina Thunder fall to 5-2 and cannot finish better than second in the PFC standings.
The Thunder did tally 537 yards of total offense scoring all their points in the first half.
Quarterback Asher Hastings finished 20 of 34 for 416 yards and threw a pair of touchdowns. Jacob Carr hauled in six passes for 153 yards and a major. Mitch Thompson also caught six passes for 117 yards, and Preston Bews made three receptions for 76 yards and a score.
Justin Banin rushed for a touchdown, while Nick Brown carried 16 times for 89 yards.
On the defensive side of things the Thunder were led by Paul Toth who made a game high eight solo tackles. Chris Tunnicliffe picked off a pass and Jordan Elliott recovered a fumble.
The Thunder (5-2) will host a home playoff game and will look to get things clicking when they travel to Edmonton to face the Wildcats (3-4) on Saturday in the regular season finale.
The Edmonton Huskies came off the bye this past weekend and snapped their three game losing skid by blowing out the Calgary Colts 55-10.
The Huskies, whose last win came in Week 3 against the Colts, were led by quarterback Trevor Erdmann who finished 12 of 22 for 202 yards and three touchdowns. He would connect with Colton Balicki, Yannick L’Abbe and Jimmie Airey for majors. Airey also score a rushing touchdown.
Brandon Stewart carried 16 times for 86 yards.
The Huskies Special Teams got on the scoreboard as well. Anthony Barrett returned six punts including one kick, 67 yards for a touchdown. Kicker Jonathan Heidebrecht was perfect 4-4 on field goal attempts.
Even the Huskies defense added to the scoring as defensive lineman Zacharie Smith picked up a fumble and returned it 55 yards for a score. Stephan Paleniuk had five tackles and Ryan Shorten, Kevin Francis and James Wittow intercepted passes. The Huskies also recovered three other fumbles to add to their seven takeaways. Rees Paterson, Jamie McPherson and Clay Vis jumped on loose balls.
The Huskies (4-3) will host the Winnipeg Rifles (3-4) on Sunday at Clarke Park trying to nail down a post season berth.
The Calgary Colts played in their final home game of the season and didn’t give the fans much to cheer about, scoring all 10 points in the fourth quarter.
They would use three quarterbacks as Cole Meyer completed 10 of 20 for 118 yards, but threw three interceptions, Brett Hunchuk was 7 of 18 for 65 yards and Jeremy Long’s only pass was a three yard TD strike to Richard Sawatsky.
Cam Fox would lead the running game, rushing 17 times for 96 yards.
Zach McEachern led the Colts defensively with seven solo tackles. Conner Robinson intercepted pass for the lone Colts takeaway and Dan Miazga knocked down two passes.
The Colts (0-7) will conclude their disappointing season on Thanksgiving Sunday when they play in Saskatoon in their lone meeting with the Hilltops (6-1).
Photo courtesy of Gord Mellor
BCFC WEEK 11:
The British Columbia Football Conference regular season came to close over the weekend as the Raiders, Rams and Sun all claimed victory.
The VI Raiders would clinch first place and home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a 71-0 shutout of the Westshore Rebels, gaining 464 yards of total offense.
Quarterback Jaeden Marwich finished 10 of 13 for 175 yards and threw three touchdown passes. Backup Jahmari Bennett completed five passes and threw a touchdown. Marwick also rushed three times for 27 yards and a touchdown.
Eight different receivers caught passes including Whitman Tomusiak who hauled in five for 97 yards and two majors. Alex Thompson and Owen Redlick also caught TD passes.
Ashton Galloway carried the rock five times for 80 yards and two touchdowns, while Mike Ritchott had a score on six carries.
The Raiders special teams was special as well. Both Tomusiak and Dustin Rodriguez returned punts for touchdowns and Ryan Jones connected on a 14 yard field goal.
With three touchdowns and 146 all-purpose yards, Tomusiak was named the McKinnon Career Coaching Player of the Game.
Defensively the Raiders suffocated the Rebels with six interceptions. Daniel Dubinski, Fabian Ross, Jaxxon Wylie, Nigel Henry, Andrew Rowe and Arthur Fabbro each had one. Quinton Bowles compiled three tackles, while Tristian Koronkiewicz tallied the lone sack.
The Raiders (8-2) capture the #1 seed in the BCFC and will host the fourth seeded Kamloops Broncos (2-7-1) on Saturday afternoon at 1:00pm at Caledonia Park in a semi-final match-up.
The season comes to a close for the Westshore Rebels. Following a 7-3 record a season ago, the Rebels finished 2-8 in 2013.
The Rebs could muster just 159 yards on Saturday and just 33 on the ground.
Quarterback Hunter Lake completed only five passes for 124 yards. Josh Beauchamp caught four of those passes for 120 yards.
The defense of the Rebels found themselves on the field for the majority of the game. Chris Pastro compiled a game high seven solo tackles and Mike Barry had the lone sack. Braeden Swatez tallied the lone interception, had a knockdown and three solo tackles.
The Rebels (2-8) will go back to the drawing board and prepare for 2014.
The Okanagan Sun wrapped up second place after a commanding 51-0 shutout of the Kamloops Broncos. It’s the third consecutive shutout to conclude the regular season for the Sun.
Quarterback Theo Deezar was 13 of 21 for 165 yards and threw four touchdown passes. His favourite target was the McKinnon Career Coaching Player of the Game Tommy Howes who caught seven passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. He set a new team record for most catches in a single season. Thomas Huber, Zach Regert and Jesse Kendall also caught touchdown passes.
Alex Bradley carried 10 times for 119 yards, while Dillon Fortune ran seven times and scored a touchdown.
The Sun special teams would get on the scoreboard as well. Jack Rush would block the team’s Conference leading 13th kick, and Brandon Donkers recovered the ball in the end zone for a score.
Defensively the Sun collected four turnovers as Robbie Yochim picked off two passes, Cord Delinte and Matt McConnell each had one. McConnell would return his interception 19 yards for a pick six. Rush collected six tackles, and Justin Gabriel and Lucas Machado each had a sack.
The second seeded Sun (8-2) will now host the Langley Rams (7-3) on Thanksgiving Sunday at 2:00pm at the Apple Bowl.
Despite the loss the Kamloops Broncos live to fight another day, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in their seven year history.
Quarterback Connor Whitelaw was 9 of 21 for 140 yards and threw three picks, while back up Steve Schuweiler was 6 of 8 for 76 yards.
Devin Csincsa led the Broncos’ receivers with five catches for 70 yards, while Jacob Palmarin carried a game high 11 times for 48 yards on the ground.
On the Broncos “D,” Mike Ochoa led the club with six solo tackles, while Grady Chalmers collected five. Dan Orydzuk picked off his seventh pass and finishes tied for the Conference lead with Yochim of the Sun.
The Broncos (2-7-1) actually clinched a playoff spot on Saturday when the Rebels and Huskers both lost. They will be the fourth seed and face the Vancouver Island Raiders (8-2) on Saturday afternoon in Nanaimo.
Photo courtesy of Greystoke Photography
The Langley Rams head into the playoffs after a 59-24 dismantling of the Valley Huskers and claim the third seed.
The Rams would use the ground game to wear down the Huskers, collecting 244 yards. Nathan Lund carried six times for 179 yards and scored three touchdowns. Kyle Albertini also rushed six times and collected 35 yards.
Quarterback Jahlani Gilbert-Knorren finished six of 10 for 119 yards and threw two touchdowns, while Cecil Belanger was four of six for 51 yards and a score.
Kyle Pich hauled in four passes for 85 yards and caught two touchdown passes and Malcolm Williams had three catches for 56 yards and a score.
The Rams “D” was led by Evan Foster who had a monster game. Foster collected four sacks to give him 16 on the season and set a new Canadian Junior Football League single season record. He also had a forced fumble, two tackles, and a 70 yard pick six. Not to be outdone, fellow lineman Brandon Klein had a 25 yard interception return for a touchdown and recorded a sack.
The Rams (7-3) will finish third and travel to face the Okanagan Sun (8-2) on Sunday at 2:00pm at the Apple Bowl.
The season comes to an end for the Valley Huskers, who recorded their first points in the standings since 2009 and by all accounts took some excellent strides this campaign.
Quarterback Cody Parray finished 11 of 22 for 228 yards and threw three touchdowns. He would rush once for 17 yards and was named the McKinnon Career Coaching Player of the Game.
Cody Vinnish hauled in a game high seven passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. Blake Draper and Dylan Boykowich also caught touchdown passes.
The ground attack was led by Ty Derayos who carried 12 times for 48 yards.
Defensively the Huskers were led by linebacker Jerry Sidhu and his six tackles. Kris Bush intercepted a pass for the lone turnover.
The Huskers will regroup in the offseason and will enjoy a full 2014 on their newly turfed field at Exhibition Stadium.
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
