OVFL Recap: JV Limestone Grenadiers stay Mentally & Physically Strong

On home field every team dreams of winning the season opener. Well that dream has come true for a well deserving rookie team and an exceptional coaching staff.

On Saturday, May 26, 2012, the junior varsity Limestone District Grenadiers, a team made up of mostly rookies, hit the field against the Ottawa Myers Riders on home field at Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute in Kingston.

Although being matched up against one of the best teams in the league (based on previous years statistics), Jeremy Snider the offensive coach felt very optimistic that the Grenadiers offensive line has what it takes to over come the defensive line for the Riders.

“[We] feel pretty good, we’ve worked hard and we’re ready to go,” Snider says. “We have got a strong team, a good mature team.”

Early in the game the Grenadiers were pushed back in to their end zone and were forced to give up two points to the Riders. Not too long after the Grenadiers answered back and scored a two-point safety.

Leading up to the halfway mark of the game, the Grenadiers quarterback Chase Peck hurdled over the Riders defensive line to add six to the score. Michael Bashall assisted to kick for the extra point. At the midpoint of the game the Grenadiers were trailing by a score of 9-12.

As always during half time, the team gathered together while head coach Mark Magee had a few words. “We’re making plays on offence, making plays on defence, you guys are just flying around out there, this is just good stuff,” Magee says. “I’m just having a ball watching it.”

There were a few plays in the first half that were slipped up and fortunately for the Grenadiers didn’t cost them any points. “You [the players] may think I’m a little crazy out there,” Magee jokes. “But I can just see these little opportunities that we’re missing every now and then.”

The Grenadiers defensive line dominated the second half of the game. They didn’t give the Riders a chance to get close enough to put the ball in the end zone. The Riders were only able to add three points to their score with a late field goal.

Limestone District Grenadiers quarterback Chase Peck throws for a pass during their season opener against Ottawa Myers Riders on home field at Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute. Peck threw for 274 yards, including a 90 yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Pendergast late in the fourth quarter. (Photo by: Eric Healey)

Offensively the Grenadiers dominated. Quarterback Chase Peck and Jeremy Pendergast connected for what could quite possibly set the tone for the rest of the season. It’s as if at that moment in time they referred back to Magee at half time. “Sometimes we’re not going to make any gains and that’s fine, that’s the way the game is. But we’re going make plays if we execute the game.”

Deep in their own zone, Peck and Pendergast did just that. They executed the game flawlessly. Pendergast found himself an open hole in the Riders defence allowing Peck to throw for a 90-yard touchdown to pull them in to the lead by one. “When it’s right in the basket, it’s easy to catch,” said Pendergast.

The Riders tried answering back but with no success. After the Grenadiers offence coming off such a huge touchdown play, the defence fed off of that and shut down almost every play the Riders threw (or ran) at them. However, the Riders offences were able to put one over top the Grenadiers defence but Farhan Imtiaz came out of nowhere and blocked the pass. After forcing the Riders offence to punt the ball, the Grenadiers were able to put three more on the board to secure their win with a final score of 19-15.

Mark Magee the head coach for the Limestone District Grenadiers stands in front of the team on the side lines looking downfield during the last few minutes of play against the Ottawa Myers Riders. (Photo by: Eric Healey)

After a hard battle against one of the best teams in the league and through the scorching heat, the Grenadiers were able to stay mentally strong and physically tough to pull through with a win. “I’m just so proud of you guys for the effort you gave and nobody quit,” says Magee on the sidelines after the game. “You play it until the last second.”

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