Tier 2 football regular season ends
The Niagara Region High School Athletic Association Tier 2 senior football regular season came to an end Monday with a game between the Stamford Hornets and Governor Simcoe Redcoats.
Unfortunately the game was cancelled with 1:15 left in the second quarter because of lightning. The score was tied 7-7 with Simcoe’s score coming on a 20-yard pass to Dwight Vassell from Griffin Worth. Stamford’s major was the result of a 35-yard TD pass to Darrius Colley from Jay Downey.
The game featured Grade 9 and 10 and inexperienced players.
“It was fun until the weather came in,” said Stamford head coach Brad Martin, who couldn’t remember the last time he had a game cancelled because of weather.
Governor Simcoe head coach Jamie Brophy also enjoyed the game.
“This was a great opportunity for our Grade 9s and 10s and to get our inexperienced players some quality reps,” he said.
The Redcoats are now off until next week while they await the winners of the Nov. 10 quarter-finals. Eden will host Westlane and Stamford will host West Niagara in quarterfinal action.
“We will wait and see what happens Friday. Lots of different options on the table for teams to play. It will be nice to get some injured players back available,” Brophy said.
HORNETS 6 SAINTS 2
The St. Catharines Collegiate Saints (0-6) saw their Tier 2 season come to an end with a 6-2 loss last week to the Stamford Hornets (2-3).
Stamford’s touchdown was a 95-yard pass from Jay Downey to Matt Pelissero.
Top performers for Collegiate were: Jacob Gough with seven runs for 28 yards; Aerfate Rhememutula with six carries for 24 yards; Kadmiel Patrong with eight carries for 63 yards; Aaron Goertzen with a fumble recovery; and, Raimer Eaton with a monster game on defence.
“This was our best game of the year for CI football. The defence took my challenge to be more physical and the results show on the scoreboard,” Collegiate head coach Nathan Greene said.
He took responsibility for the loss.
“Stamford scored on HB option pass. I failed to coach up the new CB responsible for that effectively and that 95-yard catch and run is due to ineffective coaching.”
Collegiate moved the ball well on offence but ran out of gas several times in the red zone.
“Take that one big play away and the outcome is different. Give credit to Stamford as well. They are well coached and an assignment-sound team,” Greene said.
He is already looking ahead to next season.
“We do lose a few 12Bs this year, but our core is intact. The team culture is as good as it has been during my tenure. Players are already asking about off-season training. All the bruises we took in one-sided games this year will benefit us for years to come. I am excited where CI football is and cannot wait to see what the future brings.”
