CJFL: Braves lose to Brampton by one in overtime

Quarterback, Mack Blewett completed to Brody Essery two minutes into the game to score on the Braves’ first possession. Blewett completed another TD pass to Mac Sutton, on the team’s next possession for a touchdown. It seemed that the Braves were going to walk away with the win when they were up 14-0 seven and a half minutes into the first quarter.

Brampton’s defence came alive and its offense went to work with Keion Therrien scoring a major near the end of the first quarter, Luke Pearsall blocked the point after kick. Braves Dustin DeGeorgis kicked a field goal in the second quarter. Brampton’s attempt was wide left. On Brampton’s next possession Pearsall picked off a touch down pass in Brampton end zone. The Braves punt on their next possession found DeGeorgis as the last man able to stop the play. His shoelace tackle did the job. Kirstin Brown caught the touchdown pass for another Brampton score. Burlington’s Devon Miller broke up the two-point conversion attempt. With 43 seconds left to the half, Brampton somehow converted a bad snap, recovered the fumble and scored to lead at the half 18-17.

The third quarter was a defensive battle. The Braves’ one field goal attempt was wide. Blewett fired another touchdown pass, this time to Cameron Freelen with no time left in the third to give the Braves a 24-18 lead. The fourth was another grind, Brampton’s Travis Jennings scored six minutes in and again with two and a half left on the clock.  Blewett scrambled for seven across the goal line with a minute and a half, Mark DeVito made good on the convert to end the game 31 all.

In overtime, the Braves worked for a first down from the 35-yard line and then scored with a short pass to offensive tackle Tom Stirling.  Jennings then scored the Brampton touchdown and two-point conversion.“We did not play with a sense of urgency. “said head coach Mike Samples. “We made too many mistakes to win, especially on our punt coverage team that allowed two touchdowns.”With the loss, the Braves move to fourth place at 2-2 in the Ontario Football Conference. They will welcome the 2-2 St Leonard Cougars Saturday September 8 at 7pm for Burlington Minor Football Association night. The game at Nelson Stadium is sponsored by CHCH television and Cheetah energy drinks.