Spears advance to semifinals
The Niagara Spears varsity football team came together at the perfect time.
The Spears put together one of their best overall performances of the year to defeat the Brampton Bulldogs 38-17 Saturday night at Kiwanis Field in Ontario Summer Football League U18 AAA B Cup quarter-final playoff action.
“In all three aspects of the game — offence, defence and special teams — we capitalized. We scored in all three of those areas and when you do that, your odds of winning go up higher,” Spears head coach Brian Duguay said. “It was really nice. The wins in playoffs are really good and we continue to play which is a nice thing.”
Duguay wished he could pin point exactly what turned things around.
“I wish I could have that solution all the time.”
The Spears were coming off a 24-12 loss to the Burlington Stampeders Monday on the road in a game postponed from last Friday due to the weather.
“We played Monday and it’s been a long week,” Duguay said. “We gave them Tuesday off and then practised Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. I think they are staring to gel and starting to get what they need to do. Obviously, we’ll see if it continues over to our next game.”
That next game is Saturday in Ottawa versus the Myers Riders in the semifinals which means a 5:30 a.m. start to their day and a long bus ride.
“We have to get them ready so they can play the best game they can play,” Duguay said.
Spears quarterback Matthew Murray was 8-14 for 185 yards including touchdown passes of 65 yards to Angel Diaz and 63 yards to Keishaun Johnston.
Edmund Palumbo recovered a fumble on a punt for a touchdown while Devon Dulmage and Wyatt Brown each returned an interception for a touchdown.
Ethan Hampshire converted five extra points while two points were scored on a safety and one on a rouge.
Justin Savoie had six solo tackles, two assist tackles and a fumble recovery; Nick Jubenville four solo tackles, four assist tackles and two batted passes; Noah Kugler three solo tackles, four assist tackles, tackle for loss, solo sack, interception and batted pass.
Dear reader. If you liked this story or one of the 6,100 other stories found on our website, please consider hitting the Support Us button on the right-hand side of our home page and making a PayPal contribution to our website. Your support would be much appreciated. If you are a business owner, please consider advertising on our site. Our rates are reasonable and we provide plenty of exposure for your business. Contact bpotrecz@outlook.com for more information.
