The battle of the undefeated CEGEP Division 1 (AAA) teams, Vieux Montreal Spartiates and Vanier Cheetahs, is always a much anticipated match up. Last nights game at CEPSUM stadium was no exception. City bragging rights and first place were on the line.

Early in the first quarter both teams were in a ‘feeling out’ process. Vieux’s Felix Faubert-Lussier led the offense early with some nice catches and even better punts and kick offs. The Spartiates began to win the field position battle because of Faubert-Lussier punts and the 2 big first quarter punt returns by Alex Hovington. The Spartiates got on the board at 2:22 of the opening frame on a nice play action pass from QB Nicolas English to Faubert-Lussier.

The second big return by Hovington set up the second Spartiates touchdown, a 25-yard TD pass from English to Sean Thomas Erlington on the first play of the 2nd quarter. Vanier tried to answer, using multiple formations, including a 5-1 receiver empty set. Spartiates DB Fode Yansane made a big hit that stopped the Vanier drive and forced another punt.

The Cheetahs looked like they got a break when they recovered a fumble on the Spartiates 5 yard line. Unfortunately for the Cheetahs, four plays later they turned the ball over on downs.

Both defensive lines played well, but it was the Spartiates defensive line that put continual pressure on Vanier 1st-year QB Hugo Richard. Time and time again Richard found himself throwing off his back foot or on his back. The Spartiates finished the game with 5 sacks and multiple hurries and hits on Richard. Halftime score remained 14 to 0 for the home team.

The turning point in the game may have been early in the 3rd quarter when Spartiates cover man Olivier Jean picked up a muffed punt by the Cheetahs and ran the ball in for a touchdown. The Cheetahs did not recover from this gaff.

Not long after the Cheetahs again made some costly mistakes that turned momentum even more. A Cheetahs interception was nullified by a roughing the passer penalty and the very next play the Spartiates capitalized by a 64 yard touchdown pass from English to Nicholas Dubeau.

On their next drive the Spartiates again capitalized on a broken coverage when Guilluame Charbonneau Lemaire took an English pass 76 yards to pay dirt. A rouge on the next kick off made the score 36 to 0 late in the 3rd quarter. The game was never in doubt after this as the teams exchanged some more points. Final Score Vieux Montreal 50 Vanier 10.