Undefeated coming in to this game, the Toronto Titans were easily the favourites. An 8-0 regular season record created a major psychological edge in the Titans favour before the opening coin toss. Toronto got on the board first with a 21 yard completion from Tom Denison to Kevin Walsh.
If any team was to stop the NFC powerhouses however, the Ottawa Invaders surely had the best chance. The Invaders only two losses came at the hands of the Titans in regular season before the team finished 6-2, with home field advantage for the playoffs.
The Invaders held off the relentless Titan offence for the majority of the first quarter, only surrendering the one touchdown.
Tom Denison and Jeff Hildreth had been in a tight race for top ranking among quarterbacks in the NFC all season as well. The two finishing number 1 and 2 respectfully in the conference and breaking multiple records on their way to doing so.
Denison started the second quarter with 44 yard strike to Mark Simone and Kareem Nedd tacked on 2 points for the convert to give Toronto a 15-0 lead. The Titans would add two more TD’s before the half, the first coming courtesy of Kris Newman with a 1 yard run and the second an 89 yard score by Kreston Nelson from Tom Denison.
Looking to answer back, Ottawa came out gunning in the second half. The Invaders offence appeared out of sync and could not connect on many big gain plays. This led to multiple mental lapses and ultimately a 60 yard interception return from the Titans Troy Adams to put his team up by 36 points.
Tom Denison then called his own number late in the third to put Toronto up 43-0. The Titans did not let up in the fourth quarter either as Denison hooked up with Chris Draffin from 15 yards out. Before the onslaught was ceased, Toronto also added a safety.
Kicker Anton Colleymore converted on all 6 of his extra point opportunities in the game to bring the score to 52-0, for the Titans first ever NFC title.
The Toronto Titans will continue on to face the Lloydminster Vandals, who are coming off their second Alberta Conference title in 3 years. The Canadian Major Football League Championship takes place September 22 in Lloydminster.
Ottawa’s season comes to a close as they remain second place in the NFC for a second straight year. A stellar season all around that ended earlier and much different than the team thought, will leave a bitter taste in mouths of many Invaders. With so many players setting new personal, franchise and league records this year however, there is a great deal of hope looking ahead to opening day 2013 in Ottawa.
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