Aug. 7 Niagara Spears and minor football report
Niagara Spears quarterback Bryce Livingston evades the defence during the championship game versus Vaughan. Photo by Terence Rooney.
The Niagara Spears Tier 2 Junior Varsity hung tough before falling 42-21 to the Vaughan Rebels in the Ontario Provincial Football League Regional Rep championship game played at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton.
The Spears trailed 21-7 at the half in the organization’s first-ever appearance in the championship game.
“We came out and tried our best,” Spears head coach Gerry DiSanto said. “We got off to a slow start and then we picked it up.”
DiSanto was delighted his team made it to the championship game.
“The kids were excited and overwhelmed,” he said. “It was a hot day too and the heat and our low numbers really affected our performance.”
Scoring for the Spears were: Landon Leger, TD receptions of 20 and five yards from Bryce Livingston; Josh Boyle, two-yard TD pass from Livingston; and, Josh Morley, three converts.
Livingston was named the offensive player of the game
Prior to the game, the Spears announced their award winners. Winners were: Luke Patey, top lineman; Morley, most improved; Connor Miller, top offensive player; Ahmed Gismelseed, top defensive player; and, Sandro Pierino, Zack Duguay Award.
Following are Niagara Regional Minor Football League semifinal results:
JUNIOR VARSITY ELITE
Sun Devils 42 Tiger-Cats 6
Sun Devils: Mason Arbic, three TDs and two-point convert on pass from Donovan Morgan; William Schultz, three TDs; Payton Roxborough, two-point convert; Morgan, four TD passes and rush for two-point convert.
Tiger-Cats: Aidan McKinney, TD catch from Justin Dawe.
“This eight-on-eight game is great for player development,” Sun Devils head coach Luc Gerritsen said. “We had a very strong team (undefeated), which allowed us to give all our players lots of playing time and a chance to get better.
“Donovan Morgan showed great composure, reading the blitz well and responding, Cooper Tice had as stellar performance and Gabe Loiselle did a good job at defensive end after switching from tight end.”
ATOM DIVISION
Seahawks 26 Longhorns 12
St Catharines Seahawks: Ezekiel Langendoen two TDs, two-point convert; Dahari Williams, two TDs; Cameron Kotyk, fumble recovery; outstanding effort by Joshuwa Savoie and Kotyk.
Fort Erie Longhorns: Chase Wentworth, TD; Jordan Payne, TD; Ryan General, kickoff recovery; Eathon Tice, interception; outstanding effort by Payne.
Lions 36 Steelers 0
Niagara Falls Lions: Blake McKinnon two TDs; Marco Angelini, TD; Lucas Panucci, TD; Bradyn Wencel, four converts; outstanding effort by Bradyn Wencel and Aidan Van Mil.
West Niagara Steelers: outstanding effort by Adam Skeldon.
PEEWEE DIVISION
Steelers 38 Seahawks 12
West Niagara Steelers: Jayden Gurzi-MacDonald, four TDs, Lucas Hazelton, TD; Will McDevitt, TD; Elijah, two-point convert.
St. Catharines Seahawks: Luca Biancaniello, TD; Cameron Newbold, TD.
Welland 6 Fort Erie 0 (OT).
Welland: Nick Jokic, TD.
BANTAM DIVISION
Seahawks 12 Falcons 6
St. Catharines Seahawks: Deondre Forde, TD; Quinn Jonston, TD.
West Niagara Falcons: Justin Maniaci, TD; outstanding effort by Evan Reece and Christian Vandenberg.
Tiger-Cats 42 Longhorns 14
Welland Tiger-Cats: Dashawn Johnson, three TD and six converts; Owen Broutski, TD; Nickolas Longo, TD.
Fort Erie Longhorns: No information provided.
ELIMINATION GAMES
PEEWEE DIVISION
Seahawks 27 Argos 0
St. Catharines Seahawks: Braiden Genest, three TDs and two converts; Cameron Newbold, TD and convert.
Niagara Falls Argos: No scoring
BANTAM DIVISION
Seahawks 34 Argos 20
St. Catharines Seahawks 34 Niagara Falls Argos 20
Seahawks scoring: Deondre Forde, three TDs and two two-point converts; Quin Johnston, two TDs.
Niagara Falls Argos: Michael Grimo, three TDs; Christian Pettirossi, two-point convert.
SUPER SUNDAY SCHEDULE
Following is the schedule for minor football’s championship day Sunday at Kiwanis Field:
9:00 a.m.: Atom Finbow Cup, Fort Erie Longhorns versus West Niagara Steelers
11 a.m.: Atom Championship, St. Catharines Seahawks versus Niagara Falls Lions.
1 p.m.: Peewee Finbow Cup, Fort Erie Longhorns versus St. Catharines Seahawks.
3 p.m.: Peewee Championship, Welland Tiger-Cats versus West Niagara Steelers.
5 p.m.: Bantam Finbow Cup, Fort Erie Longhorns versus West Niagara Falcons.
7 p.m.: Bantam Wally Barrow Championship, St. Catharines Seahawks versus Welland Tiger-Cats.
