Cornwall looking to next year

Cornwall Wildcats linebacker Mike Leroux puts a hit on Ottawa Myers Riders ball carrier Derek Potter in Ontario Varsity Football League regular season action on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats fell 42-14 to the playoff-bound Riders.

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With one last chance to get an on-field win in their inaugural season, the Cornwall Wildcats came up short.

Well short.

The surging Ottawa Myers Riders club (6-2) on Saturday at Joe St. Denis Field stormed out to a 35-0 lead by the midway point of the second quarter, and easily handled the 1-7 Wildcats 42-14 in the Ontario Varsity Football League’s final weekend of regular season play.

And that’s it for Cornwall’s first season, one that produced no wins except one by forfeit, but was considered by many with the organization to be a success.

“We knew it would be tough the first year, but we were competitive in most of our games -we surprised a few teams,” said Pat Carson, an assistant coach with the club.

“But for sure, we’re disappointed that we didn’t win a few games this year.”

With nothing -or at least not much -to play for on Saturday, the Wildcats came out decidedly flat, and they were down 28-0 after just a quarter.

The Wildcats coaching staff asked the Riders and referee to go to straight running time after the visitors made it 35-0.

Ironically, on the very next play, Cornwall had it’s most spectacular moment of the afternoon, a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Alex Ciampaglia.

Quarterback Thor Grant in the second half had the other major score for Cornwall, on a 10-yard carry.

Despite the disappointing end to the year, the Wildcats expect to be much stronger in 2011.

“We’re in it for the long haul,” said assistant coach Al Primeau. “The Wildcats organization has worked extremely hard behind the scenes this year, and we’re proud of our (franchise).”

Primeau talked about the close games that Cornwall played in this spring/summer, but also the tough adjustment it was for high school players going into OVFL action for the first time.

“It was an eye-opener for some,” Primeau said. “For one thing you’re going from 12-minute quarters (high school) to 15 -it’s tough. Basically you can be a very good high school player but you have to one-up it from there, playing (in the OVFL).”

As for potential coaching changes after a winless first season, Primeau acknowledged there are always a few changes on the sidelines from year to year, but he thinks the Wildcats have stability in most areas.

“(Head coach Wayne Blakely) did an unbelievable job with this program,” Primeau said. “He’s worked so hard. . . he’s got the right demeanor for the job and the kids respect him. I know that for me he’s been a good mentor.”

By TODD HAMBLETON [email][email protected]