LOSSA Tier Two (Sr & Jr) Championship preview: Redhawks vs. Rebels, Eagles vs. Pumas

Two of the oldest high schools within LOSSA will meet in the Tier Two semi-finals on November 20th at 1:30 p.m. as the O’Neill Red Hawks will meet the Port Perry Rebels. Both schools fielded excellent football teams through the 1960’s and 1970’s and both schools discontinued their football programs for many years before returning in 2005 and 2008 respectively. The Rebels captured the Tier Two championship in 2005 while the Red Hawks will by trying to capture their first senior title since 1968.

The Rebels are undefeated in eight games including two playoff wins while the Red Hawks have reeled off six consecutive wins, including two single point road victories in the playoffs, after starting the season with back to back losses. The two teams did not meet during the regular season.

The Junior championship game will follow the Senior game on Saturday with start time set for 4:00 p.m.. Pine Ridge, who has yet to taste defeat in eight games, will line up opposite the Eastdale Eagles, who carry a 7-1 record to the championship. The Eagles, winners of their past seven games, suffered their only loss (25-20) playing the Pumas during the opening week. The game will feature two standouts. Meschach Green, who in addition to handling the place kicking, has recorded 19 touchdowns this year while Drew Pottle, who like Green is a league MVP finalist, will be lining up behind the centre and calling the plays for the Eagles.

Tier Two Semi-finals Recap

O’Neill 15, Pine Ridge 14

For the second consecutive game, the Red Hawks came from behind in the fourth quarter to record playoff victories. Trailing 14-1 after three quarters, Taylor Zak and then Jordan Stone with a minute remaining in the game recorded touchdowns to advance to the championship game for the second consecutive year.
O’Neill: Taylor Zak TD; Jordan Stone TD; Taylor Smith 2C; Jeremy Alexander S
Pine Ridge: Cordel Clarke TD; Randall Inniss TD; Duncan Mitchell 2C

Port Perry 38, Uxbridge 1

Led by Mitch Vandenberg with two interceptions, including one for a touchdown, the Rebels defense held their northern neighbours to only one scoring point. Nathan Scott, Mitch Tones, Ryan Bullock and Dylan Barkwell also contributed majors as the Rebels advanced to the Tier Two Senior championship for the first time since 2005.
Port Perry: Connor Haslam FG, 4C; Nathan Scott TD, S; Mitch Tones TD; Mitch Vandenberg TD; Ryan Bullock TD; Dylan Barkwell TD
Uxbridge: Dylan Smith S

Tier Two: Junior

Eastdale 41, Uxbridge 6

Paced by the two touchdown efforts of Konaar Bell, Riley Palmer and Matt Cox, the Eagles advanced to the Tier Two Junior finals with a convincing 41-6 victory over Uxbridge. Eastdale’s last captured the junior title in 2003 (Tier Two).
Eastdale: Konaar Bell 2TD; Riley Palmer 2TD; Matt Cox 2TD; Ben Donnelly 5C
Uxbridge: Mitchell Winkel, TD

Pine Ridge 44, Dunbarton 0

The Junior Pumas booked their ticket to the championship with a three touchdown outburst in the opening quarter including an 86 yard run by Chris Hawke. The Pumas, who captured back to back junior titles in 1992 and 1993, will be trying to capture their third junior championship.
Pine Ridge: Meschach Green 4TD; 5C, FG; Chris Hawke TD; Alex Kaziev TD