NS: Week 8 NSSAFFL in Review

Weather played havoc with many games this past weekend in the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Football Federation Football League (NSSAFFL).

Games were postponed or forfeited because of high winds and rain in the Nova Scotia region. In the “must see” game, the Prince Andrew Panthers won the battle between the two Cinderella teams in the NSSAFFL. They had little trouble with the Avon View Avalanche.

Meanwhile, the Sir John A MacDonald Flames keeps on winning in their quest to make the playoffs. This time, the team thumped the JL Ilsley Judges.

Cobequid Education Cougars kept the John Hugh Gillis Royals scoreless. Also, the Sackville High Kingfishers defeated the Cole Harbour Cavaliers.

As we approach the last week of the regular season in the NSSAFFL, teams are making the final push to make the playoffs. Also, playoff seedings are at stake. This upcoming last week promises to be full of great and exciting games.

Teams know the importance of this last week,so expect them to remain focused. This will also be a stepping stone for the top ranked teams prepare themselves for the playoffs which start November 11th.

Here are the results from Week 8 action in the NSSAFFL:

Prince Andrew Panthers 39, Avon View Avalanche 10:

At Burnside Turf on Thursday night, the Panthers handily defeated the Avalanche in the “must see” game for the region.

Quarterback Nate Skeete led the way for the victors. The pivot completed three touchdown passes and had 12 completions for 14 attempts on 211 passing yards. Also, Skeete had three conversions, well enough for three points.

Offensively for the Panthers, running back Andrew Klain and full back Ian Melanson worked hard and accounted for two of the touchdown scores for the Panthers. Klain also had 140 rushing yards for the team. Additionally, receiver Andre Peach and Jake Moore ran into the end zone for the winners.

Defensively, the Panthers put out a strong effort during the game. Mark Makramalla had a forced fumble recovery in the end zone and scored a touchdown. This was the Panthers first score of the game. Gordie Bedwell had an interception (which came at a crucial point in the game) and was involved in several tackles.

Tyler MacDonald had a sack and also had several tackles which resulted in a loss of yardage. Finally, Dylan Cossar, Cain Blake and Dylan Langille had several tackles and were a menace all over the field for the Panthers.

With this victory, the Panthers are 4-3-0 with 8 points. They are in a tie with the Dragons for fourth place in the Nova Division. For their final game of the regular season, the Panthers will face the Northeast Kings Titans on Sunday at 5:00 pm at Burnside Turf. Meanwhile, the Avalanche is 4-3-0 with eight points in the Independent Division. Next up for the team is the Auburn Drive Eagles on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 pm in Avon View.

Sir John A MacDonald Flames 50, JL Ilsley Judges 1:

Even in the worst of weather conditions at Sir John A on Sunday afternoon, the home team showed that they are fighting until the end to get into the playoffs. It was four degrees, rainy and extremely high windy conditions. The Flames built a 43-0 lead at the half and never looked back.

Running back Hayden Clarke led the way for the Flames by scoring three touchdowns and had 12 carries on 156 rushing yards. Flames receiver Michael Soley also ran into the end zone twice and had two carries for 66 rushing yards. Running back Justin Stevens had eight carries for 137 rushing yards and one touchdown. Receiver Mark Gaudry had the other touchdown and 2 catches on 39 yards.

Defensively, the Flames were solid against the Judges. Defensive back Zack Leger had an interception. Additionally, the team had two fumble recoveries. Linebacker Keith Langille led the way with eight tackles on the day. Also, linebackers Donovan Blue and Mich Isshac had three tackles apiece while defensive back Devan Johnson chipped in with two tackles.

As a result of the win, the Flames now have a record of 3-4-0 with 6 points. The team is tied for fourth place in the Scotia Division with the Royals. For the regular season finale, the Flames will face the Cougars on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm at Sir John A. This game could determine who ends up in third or fourth place in the division. Meanwhile, the loss drops the Judges to fifth place in the Scotia Division with a 1-6-0. Their next opponent will be the Royals on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm at Rockingstone.

Sackville High Kingfishers 43, Cole Harbour Cavaliers 14:

On Friday night at Burnside Turf, the Kingfishers defeated the Cavaliers. Offensively for the Kingfishers, the team got touchdown scores from running back Dustin Brogaard, Drew Alexander and Connor Leblanc.

The Kingfishers still have sole possession of second place in the Scotia Division. Their record improves to 5-2-0 with 10 points. Next up for the Kingfishers will be the Griffins in a battle of first and second place teams in the Scotia Division. The game will be on Friday night at 7:00 pm at Raymond Field at Acadia. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have a bye for the final week of the season; therefore, they are winless this season with a final record of 0-8-0 and zero points.

Cobequid Education Centre Cougars 34, John Hugh Gillis Royals 0:

On Saturday night at John Hugh Gillis Field, the Cougars shut out the Royals. Quarterback Gab Bagnell threw three touchdowns to lead the Cougars to victory. The pivot had 13 completions in 23 attempts and had 199 passing yards. Cougars’ running back Brent Johnson had 24 carries and 168 rushing yards. He also ran into the end zone for a touchdown score.

Receiver Trevor Blaauwendraat, Mat Waterman and Brandon Shute also had touchdowns for the victors. Kicker Charlie Hunter made good on four conversions and also added a 20 yard field goal attempt to the Cougars point totals.

Defensively, the team was led by linebacker Derek Naugler who had two fumble recoveries, two sacks and seven tackles. Additionally, Cougars linebacker Calder Saunders chipped in with one sack and four tackles.

As a result of this win, the Cougars move into sole possession of third place in the Scotia Division with a 4-3-0 record, good enough for eight points. Their final game of the regular season is a big one, as they take on the Sir John A MacDonald Flames on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm at Sir John A.

Meanwhile, the Royals are in a fourth place tie in the Scotia Division with the Flames and Eagles with a 3-4-0 record and six points. Next up for the Royals is the Judges on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm at Rockingstone.

Citadel High Phoenix defeats Central Kings Gators (FORFEIT):

A few days before this game was to be played, the Gators had to forfeit this match.

Under the NSAFFL rules, each team must field 24 players for a game. Before the season started, the Gators had a low turnout for tryouts. Over the course of the season, the Gators have successfully fielded players in their games; however, the injury bug caught up with them in their game against Lockview Dragons the previous week.

In that game against the Dragons, the team sustained some injuries and as a result could not field the appropriate number of players needed under the league rules. Janice Foote, the principal of Central Kings informed the NSSAFFL at that point that the Gators had to forfeit the game against the Phoenix.

The league is currently reviewing the situation to see if the Gators can play their regular season finale against the Warriors on Sunday evening at 5:00 pm at Raymond Field in Acadia. Still winless, the Gators hope to play in this match to get a win to end off their season. They remain the basement dwellers of the Nova Division with a 0-7-0 record and zero points.

Still unbeaten, the Phoenix claim top spot in the Nova Division with a 7-0-0 record and 14 points. Their opponent to round out the regular season will be the Dragons, who are coming off a bye week in league play.

The Dragons will be looking to improve on their record of 4-3-0 (eight points). Currently the Dragons are tied for fourth place with the Panthers in the Nova Division. The Dragons will be ready to play the top team in the Nova Division as playoff positions are at stake for the team. The game is on Thursday evening at 7:00 pm at Burnside Turf.

Charles P Allen Cheetahs defeats Northeast Kings Education Centre Titans(FORFEIT):

On Sunday afternoon, the Cheetahs made it out to Canning to take on the Titans. The weather conditions were awful and played havoc with the game. The Cheetahs were leading in this game 21-0 in the first quarter when the Titans decided to forfeit this game.

With this forfeit, the Cheetahs improve to a 5-1-1 record and have a lock on second place in the Nova Division. For their regular season finale, the team is set to take on the third place Spartans on Friday night at Burnside Turf. Game time is 7:00 pm.
As for the Titans, their record now falls to 2-5-0 and the team is currently in fifth place in the Nova Division. Their final opponent of the regular season will be another third place team in the Panthers. The game will be on Sunday evening at 5:00 pm at Burnside Turf.

Horton High Griffins defeats Auburn Drive Eagles (FORFEIT):

Again, another game results in forfeit. Just before kickoff on Sunday afternoon, the Eagles forfeited this game due to bad weather conditions.

With this forfeit, the Griffins sealed second spot in the Scotia Division with a 6-0-1 record and 13 points. Their next opponent will be the Kingfishers on Friday night. Game time is 7:00 pm at Raymond Field at Acadia. Meanwhile,the Eagles are in a log jam for fourth place in the Scotia Division along with the Flames, and Royals with a 3-4-0 record (six points). Their regular season finale will pit the Eagles against the Avalanche at Avon View for a 2:00pm game time start.

Dartmouth High Spartans 33, Halifax West Warriors 28:

In a game rescheduled to Monday evening at Burnside, the Spartans got past the Warriors. With this victory the Spartans are now in sole possession of third place in the Nova Division with a 5-2-0 record and 10 points. The Spartans will take on the Cheetahs on Friday evening at Burnside Turf with a 7:00pm game start.

Meanwhile, the Warriors are in fifth place in the Nova Division with a 3-4-0 and six points. The team will play the Gators on Saturday evening at Raymond Field. Game time is slated for 5:00 pm at Acadia.

(Photo courtesy of Kori Thompson CP Allen Cheetahs Photo Gallery)
website: [URL]http://cheetahsfootball.ca/Gallery or www.cheetahsfootball.ca