The Wilson Gators quest to be the first team to successfully defend an Ontario Regional Championship fell short as the Nelson Lords, representing the Halton Region, prevailed 25-16.
The Gators led 8-7 at the half thanks in part to a questionable third down gamble by the Lords in the final seconds of the first half, which led to a go ahead 40 yard punt single by Toren Guest. Nelson would move ahead 10-8 midway through the third quarter on the strength of a 20 yard field goal by Victor Fasullo. Fasullo had accounted for all seven first half Nelson scoring points. Andrew Smith, who had scored a touchdown in the first half, replied three minutes later with a 27 yard touchdown run followed by a five yard two point convert run to vault Wilson in front 16-10.
The Lords replied quickly with a drive that was culminated when Alex Furlan carried the ball six yards for a major with only three ticks on the clock. Fasullo’s second convert of the game moved the Lords ahead by one.
The fourth quarter saw a long drive by Wilson stopped when a third down gamble failed. The Lords then responded with a long time consuming drive of their own which resulted in a four yard touchdown run by Addison Olah. These two drives consumed more than nine and a half minutes of the final quarter.
Now trailing by eight and time running out, the Gators were forced to abandon the Smith run game and go to a passing game. The Lord pass defense would record two interceptions, one by Furlan and the second by Fasullo, in the final two and a half minutes. The first interception led to a 40 yard punt single by Eli Pawliw, which extended the Lords lead to nine.
With the victory, Nelson captured their first Ontario Regional Championship since 2003.
Ontario Regional Junior Championship – Final
Nelson 25, Donald A. Wilson 16
Nelson: Victor Fasullo TD (bottom pic), FG, 3C; Alex Furlan TD; Addison Olah TD; Eli Pawliw S
Wilson: Andrew Smith 2TD, 2ptC; Malcolm Branton C; Toren Guest S
By: OnTheSideline
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