The Varsity Metro Toronto Wildcats visited the Cambridge Lions in the final regular season game for both teams in Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) action Friday evening. The Lions were playing their last game of their season, not qualifying for the playoffs, while the Wildcats were using this as a playoff tune up and placement game.

It did not take long for the Wildcats to get on the scoreboard. On the second play from scrimmage, the Lions threw an interception to Wildcat #2 Tristan Doughlin, who returned the interception to the end zone. Unfortunately for Doughlin the play was called back on an illegal block. But on the next play, Wildcat QB Jazz Lindsay (Guelph commit) scrambled to his right and found #18 Abe Shah for a 23 yard touchdown. After a Kyle Stanton convert the score was 7 to 0 Wildcats with 12:57 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Lions attempted to respond on their next possession but were forced to punt after accumulating two first downs. Metro took possession and marched the field, capped off by a Jordan Richards rushing touchdown with 2:55 remaining in the quarter.

The Lions next possession proved fruitful as their first when #4 Andy Barrientos picked off a Lion pass on a deflection. The Wildcat offense was again opportunistic. Another TD, set up by a big pass play from Lindsey to Shah. This time it was Alex Malone who rushed the ball in the end zone, making it 21 to 0 early in the second quarter.

The Lions offense continued to struggle, this time turning the ball over on an unsuccessful punt fake. It was the Lion defense that had to ‘step up’ and they did when #32 Dylan Gordan intercepted a Wildcat pass, in spectacular fashion no less. The Lion offense responded, turning the turnover into points on a 4 yard touchdown run by Alex Doczi, making the score 21 to 7 just before the half.

The second half started the same way the first half did with the Wildcats scoring early. This time it was on a nice corner route by #34 George Daniel from back up QB Nikko Stamatis (both York commits).

The most bizarre play of the game occurred mid-way through the 3rd quarter when Cambridge defender Jordan Kerr picked off a Wildcat pass returning it 70 yards but when he was tackled, fumbled the football and the Wildcats took back possession.

The game slowed in the fourth quarter with a variety of penalties and miscues. Stanton rounded out the scoring with 2 fourth quarter field goals. The Wildcats won 34 to 7.

Players to Watch:

Metro:
OL Zachary Bader-Shamal
OL Peter Godber
LB Nicolas Djuerdevic
LB Tristan Doughlin
DB Eric Richards
DB Andy Barrientos
DL Fabion Foote, Jelani Campbell, Nick Bragagnolo, Jeremy Megan-France
RB Alex Malone, Jordan Richards, Travis Jennings

Cambridge:
REC Brandon Moss
RB Glorian Ganza
QB Jason Chris
DL Ashton Adams
LB Kyle Swanson
DB Steve Vongvilaysone

CIS Scouts:

Guelph – Todd Galloway
McMaster – Frank Gesztesi