OFC: Stampeders remain undefeated, send 7 to Football Canada Cup

Varsity and JV Stampeders undefeated streak after six and in first place

The undefeated Burlington Varsity Stampeders travelled to Barrie this past weekend to face the 2-2 Huronia Stallions and walked away with a 59-14 victory despite a shorten bench due to injuries and vacations. The Stampeders remain undefeated at the top of the OFC varsity division.

Will Finch delivered the ball on the money and performed as you would expect the best quarterback of his age in the province to perform. Touchdowns were scored by Wes Livermore (three), Trevor Reid (two), Stephen Gauntlet, Muhamen Tutic, Julien John and Josh Vanderweerd.

The defence continued to show why it is the best in the league by creating a number of turnovers and by continually suffocating the Huronia offence. After the first half the coaches rolled all the players through the line up and the team continued to move the ball on offence and continued to dominate on defence.

The Stampeders host the Hamilton-Wentworth Panthers (2-4) at home on Sunday at Notre Dame High School at 5:00PM but will be without a number of key players as they send seven players to the Canada Cup in Lethbridge, Alberta to compete for Team Ontario West. A win on Sunday will secure first place standing heading into the play offs in two weeks.

Seven Team Ontario West participants:

Player Position Height Weight Residence
Wes Livermore WR 5’10” 175 Burlington
Jack Gatza DB 6’ 180 Burlington
Will Finch QB 6’3” 215 Burlington
Lucas Brenton DB 6’1” 185 Stoney Creek
Brady Switzer LB 6’2” 220 Oakville
Nick Firlit OL 6’4” 300 Burlington
Michael Malanda DL 6’2” 235 Burlington

JV Stamps’ score at will

Burlington’s JV Stamps unleashed a thrashing on The Huronia Stallions maintaining their undefeated season with a 66 to 6 win. The stage was set by Lucas Merlin with a 92 yard return for a touchdown on the opening kickoff return. The towering O-Line consisting of Alex Furlan, Ben Howlett, James Morin, Ryan Price, and Nick Thun once again controlled the line of scrimmage. With the gates opened running back Jonathan Howard was unstoppable. His surgical cuts and read of the Huronia defence resulted in carries for 333 yards and 5 touchdowns. Receivers Liam Stokes and Luke Korol each added touchdowns and quarterback Troy Downton also ran it in for one. Thun recovered the ball after a rare offensive fumble to ensure possession stayed with the Stamps in the fourth quarter. Offensive Coordinator Ben Britton attributed the team’s success with being well prepared.

Defensive coordinator Paul Osborne clearly pleased with his team’s performance declared it the most complete defensive game to date stating, “Nobody can play with us.” Linebackers Bryce James led the formidable defence with 10 tackles. The ever consistent # 52, Addison Olah added 9 tackles. Mason Stoddard and Clayton Weir each had 5. The Huronia offense was inundated with constant defensive pressure. James, Carter Gladman, Anthony McKay, and Jack Thorne penetrated the line resulting with a quarterback sack each. James added to his impressive performance with a fumble recovery in the third quarter putting the ball back into the Stamps hands

Head Coach Andy van Oosterhout thanked the entire coaching staff for all their time and efforts to ensure the team is consistently prepared to meet their challenges. He acknowledged players Clay Weir, Justin Saddlemyre, Mason Stoddard, Luke Merlin, Carson Neddow and Aaron Vanderweerd ” for stepping up in the absence of defensive starters, for playing out of position this week, and being able to execute the game plan flawlessly.”
The bantams are coming off a bye week to host the 3-3 Sarnia Sturgeon with a kick off at 12 noon.

Photo credit:
Eddy Furlan