OFC: Cougars ‘kept their composure’ to defeat Wolverines

The Chatham-Kent Bantam Travel Cougars went into Hamilton to play the first place Peterborough Wolverines from the North Division for the OFC Bantam Championship as the underdog for third straight playoff week. They left the field as champions after playing an almost flawless game and coming away with a 31-14 victory.

The Cougars pounced on the Wolves early and often as QB Kelton Evans hit Jake Anderson on the second play of the game with a 55 yard strike for a TD. Then on the next series, the two hooked up again for a 61 yard TD. Soon after, before the first quarter was over, Ross Krieger caught a 27 yard TD pass. The Wolves blocked each of the 3 point after attempts, making the score 18-0 that remained until the half.

Offensive Co-ordinator Doug Ball praised his offence for their execution. “My job is easy; seeing what the defence gives us and calling the right play. But it only works if the boys execute, and boy did they execute today” Ball said. “The great thing about this team, we don’t rely on one player, if they take something away from us, we have others we can go to” stated Ball.
The Cougars defence played a strong first half, giving the offence great field position and forcing the Wolves to change their game plan.

In the second half, the Cougars again scored in the air on a 28 yard screen pass to Ethan Smith to go up 24-0.

The Wolves finally scored on a 1 yard QB keeper late in the third on a drive that was twice kept alive on pass interference calls on third and long situations. Defensive Co-ordinator Chris Elgie said, “On both of those plays, I felt our guys were in great position and defended very well. They were tough calls at the time but our boys kept their composure.”

As the game wore on, the Cougars offence tried to run he clock, but the Wolves kept stuffing up things. As a result, the Cougars put the ball in the air three times in a row to move the chains. Robby Wright had a huge catch on third down with 17 yards needed to be gained for a first down. On the next play, the Cougars overloaded one side of the field while running off tackle, catching the Wolves defence by surprise. Ethan Smith scored from 13 yards out for his second TD of the game. Owen Dorssers converted the TD for a 31-8 lead.

With less then three minutes left, the Wolves scored to make it a 31-14 ball game after the conversion was unsuccessful.

The Cougars offence ended the game with 106 yards rushing and 203 yards passing, spreading the ball around beautifully throughout it’s personnel. Kelton Evans had his best game of the season by far under center, while Justin Stevens laid crushing blocks on anything in his way all day. The entire offensive line was incredible, making it easy to move the ball on the ground and in he air. Jermaine Caldwell, played amazing as well, running very hard in key situations with an injured leg.

Defensively, the Cougars had many standouts, including Quentin Forgie who was recognized as the defensive player of the game. “I am so glad to see Forgie being acknowledged, he is a beast in he middle, unselfish and disciplined way past his 13 years, being double teamed most times by grade 8’s” said Head Coach Kevin Pugh. Alex Formossa, Stephon Wilson, Ethan Baylis, Nolan Hakr and Jeremy Wammes had their best games of the year by far, while Mark Kellet, Brady Pataki, Spencer Pugh, Zack Kaniecki, Nic Cusheri Cole Johnson and Tanner Shuain were stellar as always, playing honest and disciplined football as they did all season. On a final note, Kenny Levesque made it back in uniform after having emergency surgery on 3 hernias just over a month ago, motivating all players by his sheer toughness and love for the sport.