CFCFPC Hamilton (RECAP): Brathwaite, Kemp-Welch connect to propel Sophomore Central over Halton-Peel

Photo Credit: Adrien Montoya

The second matchup from day one of the CFCFPC showcase featured a clash between Sophomore Halton-Peel and Sophomore Central, and produced an entertaining game that could have been much closer had a few plays gone Halton-Peel’s way. Israel Brathwaite was ultimately the difference maker with a three touchdown performance that led the way for a 22-1 victory in Central’s favour, enough to earn him Overall MVP honours for his impressive statline.

The opening quarter was a much better representation of the competitive nature of this contest with a fumble recovery by Central’s Joseph Metauro deep in their own territory becoming an instrumental play in the grand scheme of things. After some more back and forth with each team flexing their muscles on defence, a booming 47 yard rouge by Nico Gabriele would be the only points of the first 12 minutes, leaving Halton-Peel ahead by the slimmest of possible margins.

Led by an accurate passing attack which featured Elijah Paulsen, Mitchell Winsor and James Duke under centre, Halton-Peel once again drove down the field in the second quarter and were threatening to put more points on the board, but a 12 yard field goal attempt was blocked by Central’s Philip Fortin, which was another one of those turning points in the game that could have changed the tide in Halton-Peel’s favour.

It wasn’t until midway through the second quarter when Braithwaite began to take over the game, with the first of his three touchdowns coming on a beautiful 51 yard connection with Central quarterback Robbie Kemp-Welch that gave them a 6-1 lead. They weren’t finished just yet, and with only 50 seconds left on the clock, Kemp-Welch launched another pretty ball 31 yards to Braithwaite who made an acrobatic play on his way to the end zone, and just like that Central was ahead 12-1 heading into halftime.

Halton-Peel’s defence stepped up in the third quarter forcing a timely turnover with Central on the goal line, meanwhile Mitchell DellaVedova and David Makwaira took turns on offence in an attempt to mount a comeback, and though they fell short, they did finish with over 100 combined yards from scrimmage.

An interception by Brandon Cox in the red zone breathed life into Halton-Peel’s comeback efforts to open the fourth quarter, and a huge tackle by Aaron Hauck, once again, on the goal line, would keep them in the game – but then it was time for Braithwaite and Kemp-Welch to finish what they had started. After a safety left Central ahead 14-1 with just over three minutes remaining, the duo once again dazzled those in attendance with a 62 yard connection for a touchdown that would be the final nail in the coffin, giving Central an artificially comfortable 22-1 victory.

Although Brathwaite was the one who was named MVP of the game, one of the first sentences out of his mouth was praise for his quarterback who he credited heavily for his great performance,

“I’m pretty happy right now, I’m proud of myself just out here working, but I couldn’t have done it without my quarterback of course giving me good throws, and the o-line blocking for him so it all comes together.”

Not to be forgotten was the Offensive MVP from Central Kyle Milburn, who was able to chew up huge chunks of yardage along the ground which helped open up the airways for Brathwaite to strike. He couldn’t crack the end zone, but still he pieced together 109 yards on just eight carries, playing a huge role in his side’s victory.

Chris Simpson was the one chosen from Halton-Peel for Defensive MVP honours, and was apart of a defensive effort that forced four turnovers and some massive goal line stands that kept them in the contest. After the game Simpson was still upbeat about his team’s determination on the field, and was surprised but honoured to be named Defensive MVP,

“Our team’s performance I think definitely went well in terms of the plays we were running, it just didn’t turn out the way we wanted to. The bounces just didn’t go our way.”