Generals come close in championship game
The Niagara Generals peewee (under-12) football team fell just short, dropping a 22-12 decision to the London Junior Mustangs in the Ontario Summer Football League championship game last weekend.
The game was a far cry from when the two teams met June 14 in the regular season and London won 46-14.
“I can definitely say the correct two teams were in the championship game this past weekend. It was a very good back and forth game and our athletes played exceptionally well,” Generals head coach Kent Wakem said. “London is a well-coached team with a very deep roster. Our offence struggled to find its footing on Sunday and a turnover deep in our red zone cost us a major in the second quarter, allowing London to take a 14-6 lead into the half.”
Niagara continued to battle in the second half.
“Late in the game, London’s ability to keep fresh legs on the field was certainly a boon for their team allowing them to punch in a fourth quarter major taking the score to 22-6,” he said. “Our players dug deep and battled back scoring a major of their own taking the score to 22-12 just out of reach with approximately four minutes remaining in the game.”
Luis Corredor-Reyes scored both of Niagara’s touchdowns. Defensively, Isaiah Benjamin recorded an interception and Spencer MacRae and Jake Bover had fumble recoveries.
Wakem was thrilled with his squad’s year.
“All in all it was a fantastic season and our players have developed very well. Both the coaching staff and our athletes are looking forward to the upcoming OFFL (Ontario Fall Football League) season.”
During its 10-game season, Niagara scored 386 points to rank second on offence behind only London. On defence, the 82 points allowed by Niagara was tops in the league. Six shutouts during the year helped the team rank first overall on the defensive side of the ball.
“To quote coach Tim Notke ‘Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.’ When you end up with both, that is where the magic happens,” Wakem said.
