The Varsity Hamilton Hurricanes were able to narrowly escape a trip to the Bears den as they topped the Guelph Bears 24-21.
It was a battle for the top as the Hamilton Hurricanes took on the previously unbeaten Guelph Bears and came away with a last minute victory. After leading in the first half of the game, the Hurricanes had some untimely receiver drops that ended drives and game the Bears the opportunity to claw their way back into the game and eventually tie things at 21. Despite the large swing in momentum and staring at what would be their first loss in two seasons, the ‘Canes were able to gather themselves and tame the surging Bears.
“I thought it was one of those situations where the kids could have just either just packed it in or they could have played,” said Hurricanes Head Coach Rob Underhill. “They rose to the occasion and were able to drive down and get ourselves in field goal position.”
Also rising to the occasion was Hurricanes kicker Caleb Girard who drilled the 24-yard field goal and keep his team undefeated.
The Hurricanes has routinely been a team that has scored more than 40 points in a game so far this season, but was kept to just 24 points in the week four win. Despite the drop off, Underhill still thought his team played well as they rushed for over 300 yards and it was the multiple untimely receiver drops that hamstrung the team.
Now that the varsity Hurricanes can look back at what could have very easily been a loss, the coaching staff sees the game as a lesson for the team. A lesson they would rather learn now than in the playoffs.
“We talked as coaches after,” said Underhill. “We said this game was great; it exposed us in the areas that we need to work on. It was fantastic that we got this look now.”
Looking at their week five matchup, the Hamilton’s varsity squad will next host the Niagara Storm, a 1-3 team that the Hurricanes will be expected to beat. The Hurricanes already handled the Brantford Bisons earlier in the season, a team that the Storm just lost to by a score of 68-6.
The Storm at Hurricanes week five meeting is scheduled for 7:00pm on Saturday, June 21st at Macrae fields in Rockton. The game is part of Hamilton Football Association day.
Photo Credits: Jennifer Silvestri
JV Hurricanes also stay perfect with physical win over Guelph Bears.
Not to be outdone, the junior varsity Hurricanes also stayed unbeaten on the season as they secured a 36-22 win over the Guelph Bears last weekend. After getting out to a big lead in the first half, the Hurricanes were tested in the second half but were able to hold on for the two-touchdown lead. The team’s head coach Burt McCallum said it was a great test for his squad and the most physical team they had played yet.
“Up until Guelph we hadn’t really been in a physical game,” said McCallum. “Our focus on the field wavered a little bit when we started getting hit. The shock of being hit is hard to describe.”
The Bears squad has been working with Guelph Gryphons university members, which has been a boost to their team and is helping to raise the competitive level of OFC football.
“Guelph is showing the benefits of being coached up by some of the Gryphon guys and the relationship is really working well for them,” McCallum stated. “It’s just good for the league.”
Week five for the junior varsity Hurricanes also has them playing at Macrae field in Rockton as part of the Hamilton Football Association day, playing host to the Niagara storm.
The Niagara storm are yet to earn a win in the 2014 season, but coach McCallum said that his squad will not be taking them lightly. He explained that even though they don’t have a win they are still a very competitive team who has had a tough schedule so far, including games against Guelph and Burlington.
“We are certainly not going to take Niagara lightly,” he said. “Their record might say 0-4 but they have been in all of their games.”
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