Spears teams move on in playoffs
The quotes were flying fast and furious after two of the Niagara Spears travel football teams opened the Ontario Summer Football League playoffs with victories.
“To quote coach Mike Ditka, ‘If you are determined enough and willing to pay the price, you can get it done,’ ” said varsity head coach Brian Duguay, after his team came from behind to defeat the Oakville Titans 38-37. “I’m really happy for the players and proud of them.”
Niagara rallied from a 20-point deficit to record the victory.
“This was a team win. The offence and defence played really well and complimented each other,” he said. “It was really hot and we had a lot of players cramping up, getting stretched out, getting some fluids in them and going back out.”
Playing in 40-plus weather, Niagara opened the game with a 4-0 lead, thanks to a pair of safeties by Justin Savoie. The Titans responded with a pair of majors to lead 14-4 at the half.
“The first half, we played well getting to the one-yard line and slipping which caused us to turn the ball over,” Duguay said, “There were a couple of dropped passes and some poor tackling but we were still in it. We continued to fight but it seemed the weather was going to take some of our players out due to the extreme heat. A couple of the players started to say that this will not be their last game and you could see the spirits pick up.”
The third quarter featured plenty of scoring. After Marshall McCray scored on a four-yard run, Oakville notched a pair of majors to built a 29-11 advantage. Niagara came roaring back with McCray connecting with Josh Morley on an 80-yard scoring strike and a 15-yard TD run that was set up by an onside kick recovery by Danny Lewis, who also booted four converts.
“After the onside kick, you could see the determination in their faces and the extra bounce in their steps,” Duguay said.
Trailing 29-25 to start the fourth quarter, Niagara grabbed a 31-29 lead on a 13-yard TD run by McCray but Oakville rebounded to regain the lead at 37-31. With 9.5 seconds left in the game, McCray connected with Lucas Johnsen for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Oakville had the ball with 4.5 seconds left but Niagara’s DJ Shannon had a sack for a loss to end the game.
Leading the way on offence for Niagara were: Morley with four receptions for 92 yards; Johnsen with three receptions for 45 yards; Elijah Prosper with 75 yards rushing; and, McCray with 12-18 passing for 211 yards and 110 rushing yards.
On defence, Savoie has four solo tackles, five assist tackles and the two tackles for safeties; Moses Lougheed had three solo tackles and three assist tackles; and, Keynan Aird recorded two solo tackles and five assist tackles.
The Spears move on to play at Cornwall.
BANTAM SPEARS
“To quote the great Roman philosopher Seneca, ‘Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.’ Today the bantam Niagara Spears football team had a little luck and a lot of determination to pull off a sensational playoff victory over the Oshawa Hawkeyes in a thrilling 13-7 overtime victory,” Niagara head coach Austin Huh said. “In a season best characterized as a season of learning that presented tremendous challenges throughout the year, the Spears pulled off an upset victory over the Oshawa Hawkeyes as the visiting team. The boys played a brand of football that was championship worthy.”
Oshawa scored its lone TD in the first quarter and wouldn’t score again. Niagara’s defence was led by tenacious tackling and the indomitable fighting spirit of Nathan Vandermeer.
“The Spears’ defence bent but did not break,” Huh said. “Josh Gauslin and Andrew Hurrle both impacted the game offensively and defensively.”
On offence, Liam Finley returned from injury to record timely catches. Team workhorse Zeke Langendoen scored the TD to spark the comeback and Max Braun finished it by catching a TD pass from Jacob Iannizzi.
“Today was truly a microcosm of this team’s season. Plenty of ups and downs throughout the game but the boys found a way to win,” Huh said. “The bantam squad is ready to play their best football at the most important time of the season.”
The bantams are at Brantford this weekend.
