OFC: Predators end inaugural season on high note with 36-8 win

The Twin Cities Predators ended their inaugural season Saturday night on a high note, with a resounding 36-8 win over the Brampton Bears.

The Preds got off to a slow start as their first offensive series failed to produce a first down and was immediately answered by a Bears touchdown by Louis Mensah just 4:56 into the first quarter. That seemed to galvanize the Predators defence, as they blocked the extra point and proceeded to all but shut down the Bears for the rest of the game.

The Preds still struggled to move the ball during the first quarter, as the Bears’ defence keyed on Keaton Jones, boxing in his rushing attempts and intercepting a pass intended for Jones in the end zone.

The Preds found their momentum in the second quarter, thanks to a fumble recovery in the Bears’ end zone by the Predators’ Jono Carreiro. Carreiro’s touchdown and the successful extra point attempt by kicker Charles Smith put the Preds ahead 7-6, and they never looked back. The Preds added a rouge and a field goal to go the dressing room with an 11-6 lead at the half.

A 23-yard field goal by Smith at 2:51 into the third quarter gave the Preds an eight-point lead. The Bears blew their attempt to come within two when Jordan Boswell’s 75-yard touchdown rush was called back on an unnecessary roughness penalty.

Quarterback Cory Prince found Jones with a 28-yard pass for a touchdown with 4:34 to go in the third. Smith’s extra point was followed by another rouge, extending the Preds’ lead to 22-6. Jones found a hole early in the fourth quarter for a 30-yard rush to the end zone, followed by the extra point to bring the score to 29-6.

Predators’ tight end Jeff Robinson celebrated his 20th birthday with the team’s final touchdown of the season, to which Smith added the convert before the Preds conceded a safety to the winless Bears.

Jones marked his final appearance in the CJFL with two touchdowns on the night; while Shaun Fitzpatrick’s final game included a pick off with a 45-yard run. They are among 12 Predators players who will be ineligible next year due to age restrictions.

The Predators finished their first season with a 2-6 record.