First year, first championship

NFC:  Transit win thriller, win first championship in inaugural year in league

The Montreal Transit have made quite an impression in their first season of competition in the Northern Football Conference (NFC).

Yesterday night, Transit kicker William Dion was successful on a 35 yard field goal attempt with 18 seconds remaining to give the team their first Plaunte Memorial Trophy in a thrilling 24-23 victory over the Sault Ste Marie Steelers at Rocky DiPietro Field.

This is a remarkable feat for the Transit as the team won in their first year of competition in the NFC. Both teams were 7-1 and won their respective divisions (Montreal – East, Sault Ste Marie – West) coming into this epic battle for league supremacy.

In the first quarter of the game, the Steelers jumped out to a 10-0 lead after kicker Matt Leask was successful on a 25 yard field goal and running back Josh Gauthier rushed for a 75 yard touchdown.

Leask would boot a 17 yard field goal to increase the Steelers lead 13-0.

However, the Transit began rolling.  At halftime, the Transit enjoyed a slight 14-13 edge over the Steelers after quarterback Jourdain Alexis connected with Francois Bruno for a 16 yard touchdown and Nigel Thomas for a 26 yard major in the second quarter.

Once again, the Steelers came right out of the gate and built up a 23-14 lead by the fourth quarter of the game. Leask was successful on a 22 yard field goal while Gauthier scored a one yard touchdown.

However, the Steelers were unable to stop the Transit as Alexis ran into the end zone for an eight yard score.

Down 23-21, Dion sealed the victory for the Transit while dashing the hopes of the Steelers of hoisting the Plaunte Memorial Trophy with the successful 35 yard field goal.

Alexis had 18 completions in 29 attempts and two touchdowns in the championship game. Bruno amassed 105 receiving yards on seven catches and scored a touchdown.  On defense, Andrew Blevings registered 11 tackles and for his efforts was named the Transit’s Player of the Game.

As for the Steelers, Matt Leask had six completions on nine attempts.  Additionally, he was on fire on special teams as he booted three field goals and two PAT’s. Gauthier was named the Steelers Player of the Game as he rushed for 255 yards on 28 carries and scored two touchdowns.  Matt Gauthier led the defensive with five tackles.

The Transit now advances to the Senior Championship on September 28, 2013.  The team will host their opponent, who will be the winner of the Alberta Football League championship – either the Calgary Gators or St. Albert Stars.

 

2013 Northern Football Conference Game 43 Summary

Montreal Transit     24     at     Sault Ste. Marie Steelers     23

 

Transit earn their first NFC Championship in their first year in the League

 

Qtr.        Team     Time                      Play                                                                       Convert                         Running

 

1^st        Soo      8:30     Matt Leask, 25 yard field goal                       n/a                               Soo 3-0

1^st        Soo      14:29   Josh Gauthier, 75 yard run                              Matt Leask                  Soo 10-0

2^nd        Soo      1:48     Matt Leask, 17 yard field goal                       n/a                               Soo 13-0

2^nd        Mtl      5:00     Francois Bruno from Jourdain Alexis, 16 yds.            Matt Trudeau              Soo 13-7

2^nd        Mtl      7:34     Nigel Thomas from Jourdain Alexis, 26 yds.   Matt Trudeau              Mtl 14-13

3^rd        Soo      10:00   Matt Leask, 22 yard field goal                       n/a                               Soo 16-14

4^th        Soo      4:30     Josh Gauthier, 1 yard run                                Matt Leask                  Soo 23-14

4^th        Mtl      9:41     Jourdain Alexis, 8 yard run                             Matt Trudeau              Soo 23-12

4^th        Mtl      14:42   William Dion, 35 yard field goal                    n/a                               Mtl 24-23

 

TEAM STATS

Montreal                                Sault

 

Rushing (att.-yds.)                  27-111                                     39-325

Passing Yards                         184                                          67

– Team Losses                         -7                                             -15

Net Offence                            288                                          377

First Downs                            13                                            13

Return Yards                          36                                            118

Fumbles-Lost                          0-0                                           1-1

Interceptions by                      0                                              2

Penalties-Yards                       15-140                                     2-20

 

INDIVIDUAL STATS

TRANSIT                              STEELERS

 

Rushing (atts.-yds.)                  Jourdain Alexis 12-56, td       Josh Gauthier 28-255, 2 tds

Andrew Hamilton 14-52         Matt Buchan 8-35

Peter Carriere 1-3                    Todd Hicks 2-28

Receiving (cat.-yds.)                Francois Bruno 7-105, td        Josh Gauthier 1-22

Theagene Bilardy 5-76            Jesse Hill 3-20

Patrick Jerome 4-52                Kyle Gauthier 1-17

Passing                                    Jourdain Alexis 18-29-2-2      Matt Leask 6-9-0-0

(comp.-atts.-tds-int)

Tackles                                    Andrew Blevings 11               Matt Gauthier 5

 

PLAYERS OF THE GAME              Offence – Josh Gauthier, Sault

Defence – Andrew Blevings, Montreal

(Game Summary – John Metcalfe)