NSSAFFL: Nova Division Week 1 Recap

DARTMOUTH HIGH SPARTANS 26, PRINCE ANDREW PANTHERS 15:

At Burnside Turf last Thursday evening, it was a battle royale between two crosstown rivals.  However, the Dartmouth High Spartans prevailed over the Prince Andrew Panthers 26-15.

With this win, the Spartans start the season with a 1-0-0 record while the Panthers are 0-1-0

Spartans Cody Cluett led the way offensively as he connected with Nathan O’Quinn Wetzel for a 15 yard touchdown reception and Jesse Rudel for 35 yard touchdown reception.  Additionally, Cluett had a one yard touchdown score (3 yards on a quarterback boot).  Rudel also caught an interception in the game while O’Quinn-Wetzel added a strong performance on special teams with a 29 yard field goal and 3 PAT’s.  The teams other two points came when the Panthers conceded a safety.

“Our quarterback, Cody Cluett, had a great game with three touchdowns; two in the air, and another on the ground,” comments Spartans offensive coordinator Nick MacLeod.  “Running back Andrew Vieira ran the ball extremely well in the fourth quarter when we needed him the most, and Nathan O’Quinn-Wetzel had a stand-out performance with a touchdown, a field goal, and three converts while his punting also helped us stay in great field position for most of the game.”

“I was very impressed with the way that our team was able to stay confident and energized when we went down 7-0 early in the first quarter, and when Prince Andrew scored a touchdown to get to within four in the fourth quarter.”

Spartans defensive coordinator Randy Rudel was impressed with how the team unit responded during the game.

“I liked the fact that we got better as the game went on and we were able to prevent big gains on first down such that Prince Andrew was in long yardage situations to get first downs for most of the game,” assesses Rudel.  “We contained well considering it was the first game and we were playing a very agile quarterback.”

“We were able to adapt to the outside run and we made them scramble a lot.”

While there were some strength displayed by the team on the field, there is room for improvement on key areas of the Spartans defense.

“We need to do a better job of finishing plays on the defensive side of the ball,” explains Rudel.  “There were a number of times during the game where we had plays dead in the backfield and due to a breakdown in fundamentals; we were unable to make the tackle.”

“Our defensive backs did a wonderful job covering some good receivers. Jesse Rudel made a great play on a ball that stopped a big drive, and Cody Cluett had another pick to stop a threat near the end of the first half when Prince Andrew was driving. I was also impressed with our execution on special teams.”

In particular, Spartans head coach Nick Barr was impressed with how the rookies responded to playing their first game of the year with the team.

“We are a very young and inexperienced team, and I was very impressed with the way that our rookies contributed to our success on Thursday night,” says Barr.  “We have a large number of grade 10 players, and I couldn’t have been more proud with the maturity and composure that they demonstrated in a very high-intensity game.”

“We’ve tried to instill in our players that they can’t get too high when things are going well, or too low when things are not going so well. There will be ups and downs, and we must try to maintain an even composure through it all. I think we were successful in this on Thursday night.”

Additionally, all three Spartans units clicked on all cylinders.

“Defensively, we were able to minimize Riley Potter’s ability to scramble for big yards for most of the game,” reflects the Spartans head coach.  “Offensively, our three-headed running attack of Cody Cluett, Travis Stanfield, and Andrew Vieira, was strong for all 4 quarters and allowed us to control the clock and field position.”

As for the Panthers, quarterback Riley Potter and running back Nick Green both scored a touchdown.  Receiver Spencer Wiechert had a two point conversion while Nate Skeete registered a single point on a conversion on special teams.  On defense, Tyrese Gibson caught an interception and had several tackles for the Panthers.

“The Panthers, although not coming out with a win, had a great first game,” comments Panthers head coach Joe Flemming.  “It was a four point spread inside the three minute mark of the fourth quarter in a close, exciting game but in the end, we were playing a team with an experienced, well coached quarterback who made some great decisions when they needed them most.”

“They successfully closed us out, earning a well-deserved win and it came down to a couple of possessions late in the game being the difference maker.  For a short time, the game could have gone either way and that makes for a fun game to be in.”

Flemming says that while the team displayed many positive aspects, there is room for improvement in certain aspects of their game.

“When we begin every season, we look to start by identifying good things that we can build on, coupled by quickly correcting the little things that hinder us,” assesses the Panthers head coach.  “In my opinion, we saw some great things from our players as I thought our players played really well on special teams, and continued to get better on defense and offense as the game progressed.”

“This week, we’ll be working on tightening up the usual things teams deal with after getting the first game jitters out. Getting the tackling a little lower, lineman driving a little harder, quarterbacks settling down in the pocket and making good reads just to name a few. All things that need to constantly improve no matter how good of a game you play.  We came out fairly healthy with only a couple minor injuries to report.”

All in all, the game of the week provided a thrilling, entertaining showdown.

“Both teams played a fun, entertaining game,” adds Flemming.  “It was really fun to be a part of.”

“The fans packed the place and I hope they had a great time and enjoyed themselves in what looks to be a good start to a healthy rivalry revived.”

Now the Panthers shift their attention towards their opponents for this upcoming week, the Charles P Allen Cheetahs.  The team knows it won’t be an easy task to play the Cheetahs but will be prepared come game time to bring their “A” game onto the field.

“They have some great returning players and play a fast disciplined game,” says the Panthers head coach.  “We’re going to need everyone firing on all cylinders this Thursday night, including coaches and we’ll be making some adjustments to respect the style of CPA’s game all the while preserving our own style of play and forcing them to adjust and respect our strengths as well.”

“CPA has had a lot of success in recent years and have great coaching so we respect what they’ll be bringing to the field.”

The Dartmouth Spartans will look to register their second win of the season when they host the Lockview Dragons at Burnside Turf on Sunday September 16th, 2012.  Game time is 6:00pm.  Meanwhile, the Prince Andrew Panthers will attempt to get their first win of the season when they take on the Charles P Allen Cheetahs at Burnside Turf on Thursday September 13th, 2012.  Kickoff is 6:00pm.

CITADEL PHOENIX 42, SACKVILLE HIGH KINGFISHERS 0 (EXHIBITION):

Under Friday Night Lights at Burnside Turf, the Citadel Phoenix started the 2012 campaign with a convincing 42-0 win over the Sackville High Kingfishers in exhibition play.

Offensively for the Phoenix, quarterback Darius Lamiere had a solid debut.  He had nine completions in 13 attempts, 225 passing yards and three passing touchdowns.  Pivot Byron Kavanagh had four completions in six attempts for 75 passing yards, one passing touchdown and 35 running yards.

Wide receiver Drew MacIsaac scored two majors and had two receptions for 62 yards while wide receiver Tyler Brown found the end zone once and registered one reception for 26 yards.  Wide receiver Sam Holmes also scored a touchdown and a reception for 13 yards while running back Liam Johnston rushed for 109 yards on nine carries.  Wide receiver Ian Farrell amassed 75 yards on three receptions.

On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Spencer Bennett caught an interception while registering seven solo tackles.  Defensive tackle Shaun Robinson blocked a punt and also had a touchdown recovery in the end zone.

“We were very pleased with our young players buying into the system we coach,” comments Phoenix co-head coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Lawley.  “Sackville exhibited some good skill and their program is on the rise with the return of Rob Morgan at the helm.”

“It was evident that this was the first game of the season for both teams and both squads will need to sharpen up in the next week of practice to prepare for the road ahead.”

Kingfishers assistant coach Todd Adams says there were a few key reasons for the exhibition loss to the defending league champions and hope to improve on those aspects of their game.

“We are a young team still trying to come together,” assesses Adams.  “Mental errors and timing are an issue with the offense.”

“The defense was put in a difficult spot because of the offence’s inability to put drives together. We are a work in progress.”

The Citadel Phoenix begin the quest to defend their championship title in a highly anticipated game when they travel to play the Sir John A MacDonald Flames on Sunday September 16th, 2012. Kickoff is 1:00pm.  As for the Sackville High Kingfishers, they will travel to Truro to take on the Cobequid Education Centre Cougars on Sunday September 16, 2012 at 1:00pm.

CHARLES P ALLEN CHEETAHS 52, COBEQUID EDUCATION CENTRE COUGARS 7 (EXHIBITION):

At Burnside Turf in a Friday early evening game, the Charles P Allen Cheetahs put on a strong showing as they steamrolled over the Cobequid Education Centre Cougars 52-7.

Two way player Taylor MacDonald and special teams star Chase Kodejs led the way for the victors.  MacDonald caught an interception for a touchdown score.  Furthermore, he scored three more majors.  All four touchdowns were in the first half alone.  As for Kodejs, he booted a field goal and seven PAT’s.

Quarterback Sean Muir connected with Ryan Keays for a touchdown score while Mert Mensah rushed in for a major.  On defensive, Mike Donovan had a fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown.

As for the Cougars, Kyle Scott returned the ball on a 100 yard kickoff return for a major.  Defensively for the team, Drew Erskine registered seven tackles while Nick Simpson chipped in with six tackles.

“Our team is very young and this exhibition game proved to be a good opportunity to begin to gain the experience needed to improve and work hard at each position,” comments Cougars quarterbacks coach Tom Shreve.

The Charles P Allen Cheetahs will start their regular season campaign on Thursday September 13th, 2012 when they take on the Prince Andrew Panthers at Burnside Turf.  The game starts at 7:00pm.  Meanwhile, the Cobequid Educational Cougars will open their regular season on Sunday September 16th, 2012 when they host the Sackville High Kingfishers.  Kickoff is 1:00pm.

SIR JOHN A MACDONALD FLAMES 73, LOCKVIEW DRAGONS 0 (EXHIBITION):

At Sir John A MacDonald High on Sunday afternoon, the host team shutout the Lockview Dragons 73-0.

While the score would indicate that the offensive, defensive and special teams were successful, the Flames still have a lot of room for improvement.

“It was a great team win as we were well balanced offensively and they hustled through their assignments on defense,” assesses Flames head coach Alan Wetmore.  “I felt that we were physical, played with great energy and everybody did their job.”

“We had a great opportunity to evaluate how our players are responding to the coaching of the systems and their ability and technique within the systems. Everybody did a great job but we learned that we have lots of work to do.”

The Sir John A MacDonald Flames will host one of the most highly anticipated games of the 2012 NSSAFFL regular season on Sunday September 16th, 2012 when they face the defending league champions from the Citadel Phoenix.  Kickoff is 1:00pm.  As for the Lockview Dragons, they will play the Dartmouth High Spartans on Sunday September 16th, 2012 at Burnside Turf.  Game time is 6:00pm.

Citadel Phoenix Photos (1, 3,and 5) courtesy of Cathy Connell
Sir John A MacDonald Flames Photos (2 and 4) courtesy of Mark Kays

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