CJFL: Beefeaters win first OFC title in franchise history

With just enough offense to keep things honest and a defense that bent but didn’t break, the London Beefeaters brought the Teddy Morris Trophy, symbolic of OFC supremacy, to the Forest City for the first time since the team’s inception in 1975. The Beefs edged the Hamilton Hurricanes 19-16 at TD Waterhouse on a windy, wet evening to capture the crown.

The Beefs entered the game minus two of their outstanding running backs. Travis Ryan didn’t dress due to injury and OFC All-Star Kyle Woldenberg-Puyda dressed but didn’t see action due to a lingering problem. Both should be good to go in two weeks. In addition to this problem, the Beefs starting quarterback, Rob Lyons, was playing for the first time since suffering a concussion in August and was, understandably, a little rusty with only three practices under his belt. Nevertheless, he was able to provide just enough offense to get the job done.
The game was a tight defensive battle for most of the evening. The Beefs opened the scoring late in the first quarter on a single by Zack Medeiros on a punt from the Hurricane 34. Early in the second quarter the Canes conceded a safety to up the score to 3-0 and that’s the way it was at half time.
Hamilton came out like gangbusters at the start of the third quarter and quickly put up 14 points as quarterback Kyle Johnston, OFC Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year, hooked up with wide out Daniel Parr for touchdowns of 59 and 49 yards respectively. Two conversions by Chris Bartolomeo made the score 14-3 and that is how it remained as the game moved to the fourth quarter.
Zack Medeiros tried a 41-yard field goal in the gusty weather but it went wide but was deep enough for a single to make it a 14-4 game 2:03 minutes into the final frame.
The biggest play of the game came shortly after this. Following a Hamilton drive that got the ball to the Beefeater 44, a five yard loss followed by a holding penalty on the next play put the Canes at mid-field and in a punting situation. Bartolomeo’s kick into a strong wind only traveled 27 yards into the hands of returner and OFC All-Star receiver Josh Woodman who outran every one for an 82-yard touchdown. Medeiros converted and the Beefs were within a field goal of evening the score.
Following Medeiros’ ensuing kickoff that went 75 yards, the Hurricanes were able to get the ball out to their 14-yard line. Gaining only two yards on the next two plays, Hamilton was forced to punt and again the wind played havoc with Bartolomeo’s effort as the Beefs took over at the visitor’s 36-yard line.
A 16-yard reception by Chuck Wall and a facemask penalty on the play got the ball to the 7-yard line. Joel Clubine powered 6 yards to the 1-yard stripe. An offside against Hamilton gave the Beefeaters a new set of downs from that spot and Clubine banged in on the next play for the major, making the score 18-14 following Medeiros’ second convert with 6:31 left in the contest. Medeiros boomed an 80-yard kickoff and the Canes chose to give up a single in order to gain field position at their 35-yard line.
On the next play, Hamilton’s outstanding All-Star running back Ryan Kotar rumbled 31 yards the Beefs’ 44-yard line. The Canes got as close as the Beefs’ 32-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. The Beefs went 3 and out. Medeiros punted the ball 62 yards on third down but Hamilton’s Justin Vanderlaan brought it back 43 yards and the Beefs were in jeopardy again. An interception by Patrick Fortune ended that threat and the Beefs took over at their 19-yard line. Unable to pick up a first down, the Beefs conceded a safety to make the score 19-16 with .09 left in the game. The Beefs allowed quarterback Johnston to run around for about 20 yards but in the process time ran out and the Beefs claimed their first championship.

To all of the Beefeater players who came before the 2012 team, this championship is for you too. Enjoy!!!!

Top Photo: Geoffrey McMurray