The first week of football of the New Brunswick High School Football League (NBHSFL) showed great promise. Two games in the 12 man division Eastern Conference resulted in ties games while the Western Conference had a few hard fought battles. As for the 10 man division , the Hampton Huskies and L’odyssee Olympiens showed they will be tough teams to face this upcoming 2013 season.
12 Man:
The Eastern Conference featured some good football this weekend. The opening game of the season featured the Riverview Royals topping the Mathieu-Martin Matadors 30-14. The Royals, led by their high flying offence, showed great speed and experience throughout the game and were simply too much for the Matadors to handle. The Matadors were playing their first game in the 12 man division since 2005. The Matadors previously lost their program but managed to rebuild and after capturing the title last season, the team made the jump back to the 12 man division.
On Friday night, the Moncton High Purple Knights and McNaughton Highlanders battled to a 10-10 deadlock. The Knights lone touchdown was scored by Jacob Murray. Both defenses showed to be ready for the game on Friday night. The game featured great plays especially on the defensive side of the ball made by both teams throughout the entire game. McNaughton’s touchdown was scored by Jack MacBeath on a spectacular catch and run play. Quarterback/Kicker Greg Burdett added a field goal in the tie.
Purple Knights cornerback/quarterback Zach Hudson said the team played well defensively but there was still work to do for the team’s upcoming games.
“Our defense really came up big for us and that really made the difference,” said Hudson. “McNaughton also came out well prepared for the game and I give them credit.”
On Saturday, Harrison Trimble Trojans and Tantramar Titans battled to 15-15 tie. Both teams were highly competitive and gave New Brunswick high school football fans an exciting game to watch. Both teams had success running the ball but once again, both defenses made key stops when it mattered the most.
In Western Conference action, defending champions Fredericton Black Kats opened the season with a 50-13 victory over the Kennebecasis Valley Crusaders. In other action, the Saint John Greyhounds beat the Simonds Seabees 26-6 while the Leo Hayes Lions coasted by the Oromocto Blues 35-14.
10 Man:
On Saturday afternoon, Chad Turcotte was a one man wrecking crew scoring five touchdowns and adding 157 rushing yards lifting Les Olympiens de L’Odyssee to a 44-0 shutout victory over Saint John’s Harbour View Vikings. The Olympiens defense was a force and left the Vikings scrambling to find answers. Jeremy Allain added a punt return touchdown in the victory and turned in an impressive performance on the defensive side of the ball for L’ Odyssee.
After the game, Jeremy Allain said he was happy with how the team played.
“We had a good training camp this year,” said Allain. “We came out today and played hard and that’s all we can ask for but we need to keep getting better every week”.
Allain added that Harbour View has lots of potential because they have some talented athletes on their squad.
“Harbour view played hard today,” said Allain. “They never gave up and hit hard all game long”
In other 10 man action , the Hampton Huskies topped St. Malachy’s 52-0 while St. Stephens edged the Rothesay Redhawks 30-20.
Play in the NBHSFL resumes on Thursday night as the Mathieu Martin Matadors face the Tantramar Titans. Kickoff is set for 7 pm at Rocky Stone Field.
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