Cameron Valardo made an indelible first impression for CFC#30 Citadel Phoenix.
On Monday night, the pivot completed nine passes in 14 attempts, 191 yards and three passing touchdowns as the Phoenix downed Sir John A MacDonald Flames 37-2 in Week 2 of Division 1 play in the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL).
The Phoenix did all their scoring in the first half. By the time halftime arrived, the team enjoyed a 37-0 lead.
Greg MacDonald scored two touchdowns and amassed 105 yards on five receptions. Marco Xidos added a 20 yard major. Additionally, Matt Lawen had a two yard dash into the end zone for a score while Tyrique Dixon Bowden had a 25 yard rushing touchdown for the Phoenix.
Matt Lawaen scores a touchdown in CFC#30 Citadel Phoenix victory (Photo credit: Mona Ghiz, Ghiz Photography)
On defence, Keyshawn Upshaw Tynes caught two interceptions while Toby Gerard recorded five sacks.
“Our offensive line did a great job dealing with some pressure early and Cam made some nice plays moving in the pocket and throwing the ball down field,” commented Phoenix Offensive Coordinator Jon Dyer after the game. “On defense, our studs up front caused a lot of havoc and really pressured SJA early.”
Overall, there were several players that had standout performances for the Phoenix.
“Cameron Valardo played a terrific game connecting with Greg MacDonald and Marko Xidos on a few nice throws,” assessed Dyer. “Our entire defense came to play as well with Toby Gerard and the rest of the defensive line getting after their quarterback.”
“All that pressure and some tight coverage forced some timely turnovers. Keyshawn Upshaw Tynes made a few really nice interceptions in our secondary.”
Despite the decisive win, the Phoenix have some areas that they need to work on, as evidenced by their play in the second half.
“We had some issues in the second half with our pass protection and tackling on defense,” evaluated Dyer. “When we get a big lead early in the game we have to learn how to play to our potential and not take a step back.”
“Our hats are off to Sir John A though. They’ve had some injuries but came out and played very hard. They have some really talented football players on that team. We will see them again and possibly in the playoffs as well so we are going to have to get a lot better if we want the same kind of success.”
It doesn’t get any easier for the Phoenix this upcoming week as a rematch of the 2014 NSSAFFL Division 1 Final is on the horizon. On Monday night, the Phoenix will battle Charles P Allen Cheetahs at the Bedford Hammonds Plains Turf. Kickoff is 7:00pm.
As for the Flames, they will enjoy a bye this upcoming week.
Here are the rest of the results from NSSAFFL Week 2 action:
Duncan Patterson completed 21 passes in 31 attempts for 213 passing yards in Charles P Allen Cheetahs victory (Mona Ghiz, Ghiz Photography)
DIVISION 1:
CHARLES P ALLEN CHEETAHS 20, HORTON GRIFFINS 14:
At Wolfville on Sunday, Duncan Patterson completed 21 passes in 31 attempts for 213 passing yards at the visiting Charles P Allen Cheetahs defeated hosts Horton Griffins 20-14.
Patterson connected with Kirk Whitman for a 10 yard touchdown score.
Daniel Spillman racked up 137 rushing yards on 22 carries.
Charles P Allen Cheetahs will play CFC#30 Citadel Phoenix on Monday September 21st at Bedford Hammonds Plains Turf. Game time is 7:00pm. Meanwhile the Horton Griffins will host Cobequid Educational Centre on Friday September 18th at Acadia University’s Raymond Field. Kickoff is 8:00pm.
DIVISION 2:
DARTMOUTH HIGH SPARTANS 12, COLE HARBOUR CAVALIERS 3:
On Thursday night at Burnside Turf, the Dartmouth High Spartans earned a 12-3 victory over Cole Harbour Cavaliers.
Taylor Muise had the only points in the game for the Cavaliers as he added a 30 yard field goal. He also caught an interception and registered six tackles.
Kevin Holland led the defence with a fumble recovery, blocked kick, recorded two sacks and nine tackles. Lynell Downey added 12 tackles and two forced fumbles. Jason Watts chipped in with two forced fumbles and 10 tackles. Logan Trimpier caught an interception and had three tackles. Cody Naugler had two fumble recoveries and seven tackles in the loss.
Offensively, Ethan Leeman rushed for 62 yards on 12 carries and Anthony MacKinnon had 16 yards on five carries.
“We had a very strong outing from our defensive unit with 4 goalline stands and no touchdowns scored against,” commented Cavaliers Head Coach Richard Barry after the game. “We pursued well to the ball and secured most tackles, many for a loss.”
“Kevin Holland had another strong game as he continued to prove that he is a top tier linebacker in this league. Lynell Downey made his presence felt early an often as he made a huge impact in his first game back from injury. Injuries hurt us on offence as both of our quarterbacks missed significant time. Ethan Leeman really stepped up for us by filling in to take snaps at quarterback.”
Dartmouth High Spartans will host Auburn Drive Eagles on Thursday September 17th at Burnside Turf. Game start is 7:00pm. As for the Cavaliers, they will try to get into the win column as they host Sydney Academy Wildcats on Saturday September 19th at Burnside Turf. Kickoff is 4:00pm.
Photo credit: Lola Gentile
AUBURN DRIVE EAGLES 34, HALIFAX WEST WARRIORS 14:
Under Friday Night Lights at Bedford Hammonds Plains Turf, the Auburn Drive Eagles cruised to a 34-14 win over Halifax West Warriors.
Halifax West Warriors Head Coach Dave Kelly gave his postgame assessment of what went wrong for the Warriors.
“It was a short week for us playing a tough game on Monday and then a good team on Friday,” explained Kelly. “We didn’t come ready to play and made mistakes that Auburn was able to turn into points.”
“They have good team speed which gave us trouble. We have to learn from games like this so we as a young team can get better.”
Halifax West Warriors will battle Millwood Knights on Thursday September 17th at Bedford Hammonds Plains Turf. Kickoff is 7:00pm. Meanwhile the Auburn Drive Eagles will face Dartmouth High Spartans on Thursday September 17th at Burnside Turf. Game time is 7:00pm
SACKVILLE HIGH KINGFISHERS 71, MILLWOOD KNIGHTS 7:
At Metropolitan Field on Saturday afternoon, pivot Justin Morgan amassed 176 passing yards and five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) as the Sackville High Kingfishers crushed rivals Millwood Knights 71-7.
Matt Skinner, Chris Roberts, Tyrrell Young, Brad Murphy and Jalen Loppie each tallied a major for the Kingfishers. Trevor Larkin added four field goals in the victory.
Sackville High Kingfishers will host Lockview Dragons on Sunday September 20th at Burnside Turf. Game start is 4:00pm. As for the Millwood Knights, the team will try to get their first win against Halifax West Warriors on Thursday September 17th at Bedford Hammonds Plains Turf. Kickoff is 7:00pm.
Photo credit: Anne Pink
SYDNEY WILDCATS 20, PRINCE ANDREW PANTHERS 20:
On Sunday in Sydney, both the Sydney Wildcats and Prince Andrew Panthers settled for a 20-20 tie.
David Turner scored on an 87 yard kickoff return for the Wildcats. Additionally, Jason Pink had a 15 yard touchdown reception and Liam Stapleton added a 17 yard major.
As for the Panthers, Devin Dewolfe, Will Gregan and Brady Swaffer each scored a touchdown.
Sydney Academy Wildcats will be on the road this week as they visit Cole Harbour Cavaliers on Saturday September 19th at Burnside Turf. Kickoff is 4:00pm. Prince Andrew Panthers will battle JL Ilsley Judges on Sunday September 20th at 1:00pm.
AVONVIEW AVALANCHE VS WEST KINGS WOLVERINES:
Score and stats not available at press time
LOCKVIEW DRAGONS 47, IL ILSLEY JUDGES 0:
At Lockview on Sunday, the host Dragons earned a 47-0 shutout victory over visiting JL Ilsley Judges.
Riley Pilapil scored two touchdowns. Dragons pivot Matthew Babineau racked up 193 passing yards.
Defensively for the Dragons, Alex Pickrem caught an interception and registered 14 tackles while Tyler McKay caught an intercepted a pass and converted it into a 60 yard major.
Lockview Dragons will face Sackville High Kingfishers on Sunday September 20th at Burnside Turf. Game start is 4:00pm. Meanwhile, the JL Ilsley Judges play Prince Andrew Panthers on Sunday September 20th at 1:00pm.
CENTRAL KINGS GATORS 10, NORTHEAST KINGS TITANS 9:
At Central Kings on Sunday evening, Geoff Mullen’s’ 25 yard field goal with 38 seconds remaining in the game sealed a 10-9 victory for the Gators over visiting Northeast Kings Titans.
Connor Ross completed 12 passes in 15 attempts for 244 yards, a touchdown and nine defensive tackles in the win. Mullen scored a 74 yard major and had 96 yards on four receptions. Eric Visser racked up 59 yards on two receptions while Eric Holliefield had 59 yards on five catches. Rookie Nick Clark had a 20 yard reception for the Gators.
“This win was by far a team effort my coaches did a great job at putting together a great game plan in the second half as we were behind 7-0 at the half,” commented Gators Head Coach Larry Priestnall after the victory. “We have a young team and a lot of new players but today they came and played a fantastic game.”
“Our defence came up big on many occasions as Darien McBride played a fantastic game and plugged up the middle for us along with Noah Fry Will King and Nick Cane. First year player Mitch Best played well with a quarterback sack and six solo tackles. Mason Rice had a good game with 10 tackles and helped also on offence. This was a big win for us and I could not be prouder of the effort the team put in yesterday All 32 players played an important part in our win and again I could not be prouder.”
Central Kings Gators will host Avon View Avalanche on Sunday September 20th at 1:00pm. As for Northeast Kings Titans, the team will enjoy a bye this week.
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