Defence digs deep as stingy Colts open season with win over Wildcats

In a defensive slugfest that went the distance, it was ultimately John Stevens’ horde that landed the telling blow.

Late Sunday afternoon at Edmonton’s Clarke Park, the host Edmonton Wildcats were forced to gamble on third-and-two from the Calgary Colts’ 10-yard line — with the Colts up 9-3, less than a minute left, and the game in the balance. And in a play that seemed to sum up the Prairie Football Conference opener for both clubs, a Colts blitz swallowed quarterback Jordan Olson, snuffing out the Wildcats’ last chance at victory.

Forty seconds later, after surrendering a safety and recovering an onside kick, the Colts’ 9-5, season-opening victory was in the books.

“Other than that final drive at the end of the game, the Wildcats weren’t able to move the ball too much today,” said Stevens, the Colts’ second-year defensive co-ordinator, whose crew allowed the Wildcats just 129 rushing yards and 63 more through the air. “(Defensive end) Prince Baffoh had a monster game. Our pass coverage was good; (halfback) Skylar Pinchak was lined up on (Edmonton) receiver Tylor Henry and did a great job. And our linebackers and D-line, overall, did a great job of shutting down their run game. We really held our own.”

PFC all-star Baffoh (4th year, Hamilton, Ont., BCFC Vancouver) terrorized the Wildcats’ offensive line Sunday, with two QB sacks and a forced fumble. Defensive lineman Peter Dominic (3rd year, Calgary, Notre Dame HS) and linebacker Stephen Dereniwski (2nd year, Medicine Hat, Alta., Medicine Hat HS) had one sack apiece, while safety Pat MacDonald (4th year, Calgary, St. Mary’s HS) came down with an interception. The Colts also forced the Wildcats to turn the ball over twice on third down.

On the other side of the ball, the Colts got a trio of field goals courtesy of 2010 PFC rookie of the year Andrew Fabian (2nd year, Tilley, Alta., Brooks Composite HS), from 44, 31, and 25 yards.

The visitors led 3-0 at halftime, but struggled on offence just as mightily as their Wildcat counterparts — fumbling twice in the red zone, including once at the Edmonton one-yard line, and going two-and-out on their first four possessions.

Starting quarterback Clayton Masikewich (3rd year, Calgary, John G. Diefenbaker HS) and Jeremy Long (3rd year, Calgary, Notre Dame HS) were a combined 4-for-15 on passing, with just 88 yards through the air. But all was not offensive doom and gloom, noted offensive co-ordinator Ray Salverda.

“We couldn’t execute in the red zone, and I’m not overly happy about the performance of the offence as a whole,” said Salverda. “But I saw a lot of positive things on the offensive side of the ball.

“The game was close, but we didn’t fold. When we had to run the ball late in the game, we ran it. That’s encouraging,” added Salverda, whose club got 179 yards on the ground, including 99 on 12 touches by D.J. Whetton (3rd year, Calgary, CIS Calgary). “Our mental toughness was evident in this game.

“And (receiver) Tom Shaw (3rd year, Springbank, Alta., Springbank HS) was a huge leader for us, both offensively and on special teams. He was making blocks on offence, tackles on special teams, and grabbed the one pass thrown his way (for 37 yards). He did a great job.

“The wins in August count just like the wins in October. And winning on the road in this conference? That’s tough to do. So we will take it.”

The Colts will play their 2011 home opener on Saturday, Aug. 20 at McMahon Stadium at 7 p.m. against the Edmonton Huskies (0-1), who dropped their season opener on Sunday, 41-34, to the Rifles at Winnipeg.