Hurricanes’ Defence Stifles Bears Ground Attack

Defence was the story of the game on Saturday (August 28) when Hamilton took on the visiting Brampton Bears at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
“The coaches provided us with a game plan and made us look good,” said linebacker and defensive player of the game, Aram Eisho.

At the end of the game, former president of the Ontario Football Conference, Paul Bartle, presented Eisho with a ring. The ring was awarded for being the best defensive player, not only in Ontario, but all of Canada last season. “I cannot say enough about Aram. He is without a doubt our defensive leader, always in the play, and making his teammates better. Aram has been with the Hurricanes for three seasons now, and has two years left. We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber on our team,” said team president, Mike Samuel.
The Hurricanes did not allow their opponent’s offence to score for a tenth straight quarter in their 24-3 victory on Saturday. The Bears’ points coming by way of a safety and touchback conceded by the now 2 and 1 Hurricanes.
The coaching staff knew what to expect from the run-first offence the Bears threw at them on nearly every possession.
“They’re leading the conference in rushing by a mitfull. They use a double wing formation with all 12 players in tight. They rushed 49 times against Ottawa,” said head coach Jason Hayes in an earlier statement.
Quarterback Mike Chase attacked the Brampton secondary early in the second quarter, after an interception by defensive back, Jamal George. The turnover gave the Hurricanes possession deep into Bears’ territory. This allowed Chase to find wide receiver, Chris Johnston, open for a 22-yard touchdown pass. Unfortunately, the play was called back on a formation penalty, and the possession resulted in a 24-yard field goal.
After a missed field goal by the Bears, and little ground covered, Hamilton’s coaching staff decided to concede a two-point safety to kick the ball from their 35-yard line, relieving some of the pressure on their end zone.
Hamilton was able to score their first touchdown with a one-yard carry after a run-stuffing defence and good special teams gave the Hurricanes favourable field position.
“We communicated well on defence, and had good gap control,” said Eisho.
Chase and his favourite target of the day, Troy Croonen, hooked-up on several big plays including a 40-yard pass that led to a 3-yard touchdown run by Croonen. The duo would convert another major score later in the game when Chase found Croonen open down the right sideline.
Early in the second half, the Hurricane offence started slowly with a three and out. With EJ Bosse having to be helped off the field after a punt return, the team needed something to boost morale. A devastating block by wide receiver Malcolm Paul that could be heard throughout the stadium gave the team the spark they were after.
With the game virtually out of reach for Brampton, Hamilton decided to run out the clock for the majority of the fourth quarter. Healthy doses of running backs Phil Smith and Samuel Donkor gave Hamilton good ball control and stopped any hopes for a Brampton comeback.

HURRICANES DEFENCE STIFLES BEARS GROUND ATTACK
Dave Watson – 9/1/2010

By: Dave Watson
http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=HAMILTONHURRICANES&t=c&s=football&p=NewsStory&newsID=22249