NSSAFFL: Phoenix and Flames to meet in Championship final

The Citadel Phoenix and Sir John A MacDonald Flames will vie for the Nova Division Tier 1 Championship Title next weekend in Halifax after winning their semi-final matches over the weekend.

On Saturday night, the Phoenix was victorious over the Dartmouth High Spartans 47-17.  Meanwhile, the Flames defeated the Charles P Allen Cheetahs 28-3 on Sunday afternoon.

Both the Phoenix and the Flames will battle for the provincial Championship Title on Remembrance Day (Sunday November 11th, 2012) at Saint Mary’s Huskies Stadium.  Kickoff is 1:00pm.

Here are the complete results for semi-final action in the Nova Division:

 

CITADEL PHOENIX 47, DARTMOUTH HIGH SPARTANS 17:

At Burnside Turf on Saturday night, the Citadel Phoenix moved one step closer in their road to five as the team defeated the Dartmouth High Spartans 47-17.

The Phoenix remain undefeated in the 2012 campaign and are also riding on an 43 consecutive game winning streak going into the Championship game.  Since 2007, the Phoenix has an overall record of 60-3.

Darius Lameire had a phenomenal outing to lead the offensive unit.  The Phoenix quarterback had 12 completions in 17 attempts, 245 passing yards, three touchdown passes, two interceptions and rushed for two majors in the semi-final win.

Wide receivers Ian Farrell (four catches, 65 yards), Byron Kavanagh (five catches, 55 yards), Drew MacIsaac (4 catches, 115 yards) and running back Liam Johnston (eight carries, 55 yards) all scored touchdowns for the Phoenix.

Running back Scott Baigent caught a 10 yard pass and had 135 rushing yards on 14 carries while Bradley Petrie registered 45 rushing yards on eight carries to contribute to the Phoenix offensive assault.

“Dartmouth is an extremely talented team and it took our best effort to keep Cody Cluett in check,” commented Phoenix co-head coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Lawley after the semi-final victory.  “At the end of the first quarter the score was 2-0 in our favour, the second quarter our offensive line took control of the game as the score at half indicated.”

“The key to our success was a total team effort; our coaches put our players in position to make plays and they responded.”

Spartans head coach Nick Barr said in his postgame comments that the better team won and gave props to the defending provincial champions on their semi-final victory.

“Citadel was too much for us on Saturday and deserved the win and the opportunity to compete for a 5th-straight provincial title,” expressed Barr in his postgame comments.  “They are a much better team than the one we faced earlier in the season, and we wish them the best of luck next Sunday.”

While the Spartans were prepared to face the Phoenix, the team unraveled after the first quarter.  In spite of the loss, the team is looking forward to competing in the 2012 season.

“Going into the game, we were confident in our game plan and we felt that we could beat Citadel if we brought our A-game,” assessed the Spartans head coach.  “We played a solid first quarter, but we were unable to match Citadel’s size and strength over the long-term and they were able to win the war in the trenches.”

“We have a very young squad, and we are looking forward to seeing our young players develop in the off-season so that we can come back and make another playoff run in 2013.”

 

SIR JOHN A MACDONALD FLAMES 28, CHARLES P ALLEN CHEETAHS 3:

In Upper Tantallon on Sunday afternoon, the Sir John A MacDonald Flames earned their berth into the Tier 1 Provincial Championship Game with a 28-3 win over the Charles P Allen Cheetahs.

The Flames will make their second championship appearance. Previously, the team played in the 2010 finals against the Citadel Phoenix.

Hayden Clarke led the way for the Flames as he scored two majors while amassing 146 rushing yards on 26 carries.  Flames pivot Lorenz MacDonald had 10 completions in 16 attempts, 121 passing yards, an eight yard touchdown run and threw one interception.  John Perrott scored on an 85 yard kickoff return and registered two tackles in the semi-final.  Brian Leader caught the ball three times for 59 receiving yards.

Defensively for the Flames, linebacker Keith Langille accumulated nine tackles and a sack to lead the way.  Mitchell Janes had seven tackles while Donovan Blue and Robie Holland chipped in with six tackles a piece.  Blue also registered a sack.  Scott Logan amassed five tackles in the victory.

At the half, the Flames enjoyed a 21-0 lead over the Cheetahs.

Flames head coach Alan Wetmore believed home field advantage was a key factor in the semi-final win.

“It was a great game and both teams gave the game everything they had,” explained Wetmore.   “The fans were thoroughly entertained.”

“We were happy that it was our fans and home field definitely had a positive effect on the outcome. Getting a playoff game in at home was great.”

The Cheetahs got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter when kicker Chase Kodejs was successful on a 15 yard field goal attempt.  Receiver Alex Bayne had three receptions for 70 yards.  Two way player Taylor MacDonald carried the ball 18 times for 120 rushing yards, registered three solo and two assisted tackles in a losing cause.

Matt Bayne led the Cheetahs defensive unit with a fumble recovery, seven solo tackles and five assisted tackles.  Ryan Keays caught an interception.

“CP Allen’s kids have a lot of heart and they are coached excellently,” added Wetmore.  “We were very happy to come out of it with a victory and earn the privilege of going to the Championship.”

“Our kids have worked very hard for this and they deserve it.”

Citadel Phoenix/Dartmouth High Spartans Semi-Final Photos courtesy of Cathy Connell

Sir John A MacDonald Flames/Charles P Allen Cheetahs Semi-Final Photos courtesy of Mark Kays

(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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