Manitoba wins big, loses heartbreaker

 

Riley Harrison caught an early TD against NB. Photo by Ron Penner.

After a decisive loss to Ontario on Monday, Team Toba took the field with something to prove. In their first game, Manitoba dominated Team New Brunswick with a stunning 56-0 victory, but lost their second game in a heartbreaker against Team Nova Scotia 12-10.

 

In the Consolation Mini-Game Format Round Robin, the fifth, sixth and seventh placed teams coming out of the first day of competition – Team Nova Scotia, Team Manitoba and Team New Brunswick respectively – face off against each other for fifth place. Each mini-game consists of two twelve minute halves, and are played back to back.

 

Manitoba with a convincing win against New Brunswick. Photo by Ron Penner.

In the first game of the consolation round robin, Nova Scotia bested New Brunswick 12-0. All of Team Nova Scotia’s points were recorded by #84 Greg Hutchins, the 6’2″ 185 receiver out of Bedford, Nova Scotia.

 

Manitoba faced off against New Brunswick in their first mini-game, and Team Toba came to play. Early in the first half, #5 Drenin Busch threw a 30 yard touchdown pass to #9 Riley Harrison. #3 Alex Taylor quickly followed up with another touchdown, running the ball 18 yards into the end zone. Later in the first half, Busch faked a field goal, instead throwing a 12 yard touchdown pass to receiver #11 Jeremy Edmonds.

 

Manitoba finished their scoring blitz of the first half with #33 Jayde Erasmo and Alex Taylor running in touchdowns, and bringing the score to 36-0 at halftime.

 

They stayed strong in the second half, #22 Victor St. Pierre running in a long touchdown early on, and Alex Taylor following it up with his third touchdown of the game. Finally, Victor St. Pierre scored another touchdown, bringing the score to an impressive 56-0 over New Brunswick.

 

The stronger Nova Scotia team proved more of a challenge for Team Manitoba. Busch proved his value to the team again, when Team Toba allowed two points, but Busch saved five by recovering the ball in the end zone on the safety. He also brought Manitoba to a narrow lead on a field goal shortly after.

 

Drenin Busch jumping to catch the ball. Photo by Ron Penner.

Busch threw a stunning pass to #88 DeVonn Shepherd, and Manitoba managed to keep their 10-2 lead until Nova Scotia managed a field goal, bringing it to 10-5. With 18 seconds left in the game, Nova Scotia threw a long pass to Manitoba’s fifth yard line. Nova Scotia scored their first touchdown of the game with no time left on the clock and brought the final score of the game to 12-10.

 

Despite the disappointing loss, Manitoba will not let this dim their spirits.

 

“The kids played really tough with a lot of heart and with something to prove. In these types of tournaments, anything can happen,” said Offensive Coordinator John Makie. “I know, as coaches, we will have these kids prepared for when we see Nova Scotia again. As an offense, I was very proud of our group and what they accomplished. The team was firing on all cylinders against New Brunswick, and then we face a solid Nova Scotia Defense. We will review the film and come up with a plan for when we face them on Sunday.”

 

Team Manitoba will take the field again on Sunday for the second round of the Consolation Round Robin. They will face off against Team New Brunswick at 10:20 a.m. CST and Team Nova Scotia at 11:40 a.m. CST. Please tune into CanadaFootballChat.com to watch the live stream of the games.