NSSAFFL: Defending Tier 1 Nova Division champions concerned after forfeit by opposition in Week 2.
The Citadel Phoenix is disappointed after Week 2 action in the Nova Scotia Athletic Student Federation Football League (NSSAFFL).
While the team is 2-0 on the season and are now in sole possession of first place in the Nova Division, the team is not happy with the way they received the second win.
“Central Kings contacted us the day before the game to notify us they were forfeiting the game,” commented Phoenix Co-Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Jeff Lawley. “It was very disappointing news for our team to hear the day before kickoff.”
“This is the second time in three years this team has forfeited against us.”
Ultimately, the Phoenix wanted to earn the win, not have handed in this fashion as the players just wanted to have an opportunity to play.
“This is a very disturbing trend and we feel Central Kings should be severely penalized for this decision,” expressed Lawley. “They knew they were to play us dating back as far as June so to notify us the day before kickoff was extremely disappointing news.”
“Had we known earlier, we could have set up an exhibition game with an alternate opponent because we just want to play!”
Not only has this game forfeit been a concern but also the league reverting back to the alignment from two years ago and the adverse effect the “Mercy Rule” is having on blowout games.
The “Mercy Rule”, which was implemented for the 2013 season, can be implemented after the first half of the game. If coaches agree to sign off on the score sheet after the first half, that score is what is officially reported to NSSAFFL. Once it is signed off, one coach can ask to run the clock, thus ending the game. However, both teams can continue playing on but there is the expectation that players with less experience get the opportunity to play and that the winning team does not continue to run up the score. Therefore, any additional points accumulated after the first half (once the game sheet is signed off)) will not count nor will it be used in the case a tiebreaker is needed.
“We are concerned with the major disparity between teams this year,” added Lawley. “Just look at some of the scores from week 1 and that’s with the new ‘Mercy Rule’ in place this year.”
“As a league we voted 10-9 to return to this system in the offseason. We need better direction next year and a return to the Tiered system is absolutely necessary. Developing teams need to play developing teams and competitive teams need competitive games. It’s no fun for any team on either side to be involved in lopsided games.”
The league was contacted for confirmation; however, the league stated they could not comment on the game.
While the Phoenix leads the Nova Division, there is a three way logjam for the top spot in the Scotia Division as the Sir John A MacDonald Flames, Lockview Dragons and JL Ilsley Judges all won their games this past weekend.
Here are all the results from Week 2 in the NSSAFFL:
CITADEL PHOENIX DEFEATS CENTRAL KINGS GATORS (FORFEIT):
See above for story
The Citadel Phoenix will put their undefeated streak on the line as they battle the Charles P Allen Cheetahs on Thursday September 19th, 2013. Kickoff is 6:30pm at CPA. Meanwhile, the Central Kings Gators will play the Halifax West Warriors on Sunday September 22, 2013 at CPA. Game start is 1:00pm.
NORTHEAST KINGS TITANS VERSUS CHARLES P ALLEN CHEETAHS (POSTPONED):
Due to weather conditions, this game was postponed. The league has confirmed that efforts will be made to reschedule the game.
Charles P Allen Cheetahs will face one of the toughest tests of the season, when they host defending provincial champions, the Citadel Phoenix on Thursday September 19th, 2013 at 6:30pm. As for the Northeast Kings Titans, the team will be on the road as they battle the Cole Harbour Cavaliers on Sunday September 22, 2013 at Burnside Turf. Kickoff is 5:00pm.
SIR JOHN A MACDONALD FLAMES 54, HORTON GRIFFINS 0:
In the Game of the Week, it wasn’t much of a contest as the Sir John A MacDonald Flames crushed the Horton Griffins in their home opener 54-0.
This marks the second consecutive game that the Flames have kept their opposition off the scoreboard.
Hayden Clarke led the Flames offense as he scored three touchdowns and had 165 rushing yards on 10 carries. Nate Rostek also had two majors and 121 receiving yards in four receptions as well as 21 rushing yards on two carries. Devan Stevens (30 rushing yards, 4 carries) had two touchdowns and Thomas Hoyt (48 receiving yards, two receptions) also had a major for the victors.
“Lorenz MacDonald did a great job running our offence both in the air & on the ground,” commented Flames Head Coach Steve Majury of the offensive unit. “Hayden Clarke was tremendous in running the football; Nate Rostek was force in this game.”
“Devan Stevens had a great day on offence.”
As for the Flames defense, Zack Leger led the way as he registered eight tackles in the win. Donovan Blue chipped in with six tackles.
Not only was Majury impressed by the defense, but also the performance of special teams in the victory.
“Defensively, Zack Leger, Donovan Blue and Brayden Culligan played great football for us today,” said Majury. “Our defence was swarming to the football with great purpose.”
“Our Special Teams really did a tremendous job of bottling up Horton which was a necessity given the talent Horton has.”
There was one key that led to the Flames success in their home opener.
“We dominated the line of scrimmage as both our defensive line and offensive lines controlled the flow of the game which was a major priority for us,” reflected Majury.
However, the team gave props to their opposition for their effort on the field.
“Horton played hard for this entire game and given their youth combined with their skill, they are a team on the rise,” expressed Majury. “We respect them very much.”
While the team is now 2-0 and in a tie with Lockview and JL Ilsley for first place in the Scotia Division, there is still room for improvement.
“Going forward we have to reduce our penalties and protect the football if we are going to become a great team,” commented Majury. “We have great effort and desire but we need to make better decisions in certain game situations for us to improve.”
“We are getting better but we have so many areas of our game that require improvements.”
With first place on the line, the Sir John A MacDonald Flames will travel on the road to take on the Lockview Dragons on Saturday September 21st, 2013. Game time is 3:00pm at Lockview. Meanwhile, the Horton Griffins will try to get back into the win column as the team hosts the Cobequid Education Centre Cougars on Saturday September 21st, 2013 at Acadia. Kickoff is 7:00pm
HALIFAX WEST WARRIORS 19, DARTMOUTH HIGH SPARTANS 7:
It was the Javon Parris show at Mainland Commons last week.
The running back scored three touchdowns and rushed for 245 yards on 23 carries to lead the Halifax West Warriors to a 19-7 win over the Dartmouth High Spartans.
Warriors Head Coach Dave Kelly assessed the team’s performance in his postgame mortem.
“Our running backs were the difference in the game as both Javon Parris and David Nisbet both ran hard and were able to keep the chains moving for us,” reflected Kelly. “On defense, I think we played solid and didn’t give up any big plays.”
“Overall, we are a young team and have to keep working on the little things such as tackling better and overall blocking. We hope to improve as the season goes on.”
The Halifax West Warriors will battle the Central Kings Gators on Sunday September 22, 2013 at CPA. Game start is 1:00pm. Meanwhile, the Dartmouth High Spartans will tangle with their crosstown rivals, the Prince Andrew Panthers on Thursday September 19th, 2013 at Burnside Turf. Kickoff is 5:00pm.
LOCKVIEW DRAGONS 33, SACKVILLE HIGH KINGFISHERS 6:
The Lockview Dragons remain undefeated and are in a three way tie for first place in the Scotia Division after defeating the Sackville High Kingfishers 33-6.
In the defeat, the Kingfishers accumulated 184 offensive yards. Jalen Loppie led the Kingsfishers offense with 88 rushing yards.
On defense, Tyler Robichaud led the way as he registered 6.5 tackles, recorded a sack with resulted in a 16 yard loss and blocked a field goal. Kyle MacDonald racked up three tackles, recorded two sacks and a converted block in a losing cause.
The Lockview Dragons will host the Sir John A MacDonald Flames on Saturday September 21st, 2013 at 3:00pm. As for the Sackville High Kingfishers, the team will travel to Antigonish to battle Dr. John Hugh Gillis Royals on Friday September 20th, 2013. Kickoff is 7:00pm.
DR. JOHN HUGH GILLIS ROYALS 17, WEST KINGS WOLVERINES 15:
In spite of a great effort, the West Kings Wolverines were on the short stick of their home opener as they lost to the visiting Dr. John Hugh Gillis Royals 17-15.
Dylan Strubble and Kyle Gordon scored touchdowns for the Wolverines while Chris Jameson added a single point.
Wolverines Head Coach Aaron Evans said that penalties played a key factor in the team’s loss. However, there were some positives for the team in the game.
“We lost due to penalties against us,” explained Evans after the game. “We would have a 30 to 40 yard return only to have it taken away for silly penalties.”
“Our line started playing well towards the end of the second quarter and into the second half.”
With a hectic schedule on the horizon, the Wolverines will work on certain areas of their game in the next few days.
“We will be working on our offensive scheme this week coming,” said Evans. “We have a full week as well as the week after, travelling to Halifax then Sydney.”
The West Kings Wolverines will travel to Halifax to take on the JL Ilsley Judges on Monday September 23rd, 2013 at Graves Oakley Field. Kickoff is 4:30pm. As for Dr. John Hugh Gillis Royals, the team will host the Sackville High Kingfishers on Friday September 20th, 2013 at 7:00pm.
COBEQUID EDUCATIONAL CENTRE COUGARS 31, AUBURN DRIVE EAGLES 17:
In Truro this past weekend, the host Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars game the hometown crowd something to cheer about as the team won their first game of the season, 31-17 over the Auburn Drive Eagles.
Defensive back Andrew Murphy led the way for the Cougars as he recovered a fumble for a touchdown score and registered 9.5 tackles. He also has a 45 yard touchdown on a punt return.
Receiver Kyle Scott scored a major on a 95 yard punt return while receiver Tyren Desmond had a 20 yard touchdown reception.
Cougars Nick Zscheille was successful on four conversion and one field goal attempt.
On defense, linebacker Patrick Smith registered six tackles and recorded a sack while defensive tackle Andrew Gibson had three tackles and 1.5 sacks. Defensive back Keighan MacLean caught an interception in the win.
Offensively, running back Austin Wheeler accumulated 92 yards on 16 carries.
At halftime, the Cougars led 17-10.
“Special Teams was key to our win today,” reflected Cougars Quarterback Coach Thomas Shreve. “A punt return and kickoff return for touchdowns made the difference.”
“Andrew Murphy returned the punt for a touchdown while also recovering a fumble in the end zone to score the game’s first touchdown.”
As for the Eagles, quarterback Colin Cluett had and impressive game as he amassed 275 passing yards while throwing a touchdown and an interception.
Eagles Head Coach Chris Valardo commented after the game about the team’s defense and special teams.
“Our defense played exceptionally well only giving up 1 touchdown and a field goal,” evaluated Valardo. “Our specials teams gave up a punt return for a touchdown and a kickoff for a touchdown.”
“We also fumbled a pitch into our end zone in the first quarter for a touchdown.”
However, the Eagles Head Coach gave credit to the Cougars for the well-deserved win.
“It was another close game,” said Valardo. “CEC is an extremely well coached team and was prepared.”
“It was their home opener and we played in front of approximately 750 fans at the beautiful CEC stadium. CEC is a first class program and their kids played hard today made fewer mistakes than our team.”
In spite of the loss, Valardo sees a lot of promise with this year’s Eagles.
“We are an exciting team filled with grade 10 and 11 players and we are very excited about the Eagles potential,” assessed the Eagles Head Coach. “The first two games this year have both been one touchdown games into the fourth quarter against well coached veteran teams.”
“We are very pleased with the progress of team and look forward to having a bye week this week. We are confident we will continue to improve and hopefully we will continue to compete in each of our games to come.”
The Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars will travel to Wolfville to face the Horton Griffins at Acadia on Saturday September 21, 2013. Kickoff is 7:00pm. Meanwhile, the Auburn Drive Eagles will enjoy a bye week.
JL ILSLEY JUDGES 26, SYDNEY ACADEMY WILDCATS 11:
The JL Ilsley Judges ruined the debut of the Sydney Academy Wildcats in the NSSAFFL. In Halifax this past weekend, the Judges defeated the Wildcats 26-11.
Judges tailback Joe Stuckless led the way on offense as he scored two touchdowns and rushed for 187 passing yards.
Head Coach Steve Saunders was impressed by what he saw with the Wildcats’ size and physicality in their league debut.
“Sydney will play tough this season and will give teams a run for a spot in the tier playoffs,” commented Saunders after the game. “There is lots of talent on both sides of the ball.”
JL Ilsley Judges will host another new team to the NSSAFFL this week. The team will play the West Kings Wolverines on Monday September 23nd, 2013 at Graves Oakley. Kickoff is 4:30pm. In their home opener, the Sydney Academy Wolverines will battle Avon View Avalanche on Saturday September 21, 2013 at 3:30pm.
PRINCE ANDREW PANTHERS 40, AVON VIEW AVALANCHE 0:
Nick Green scored three touchdowns, added a two point conversion and rushed for over 100 yards as the Prince Andrew Panthers won their first game of the season 40-0 over the visiting Avon View Avalanche.
Nate Skeete and Mark Kidston also tallied majors for the Panthers. Kidston also rushed for 85 yards in the game. On special teams, Matt Kelvey was successful on three conversion and one field goal attempt. Darian Beals forced a safety on defense to give the Panthers an additional point.
“Mohammed Jalil had a strong game at running back as well,” added Panthers Head Coach Joe Flemming.
As for the defense, Kelvey led the way with several tackles while Terrence Brooks caught an interception. Beals recorded a sack while Tyshaun Boutilier blocked a punt which Robert Riley recovered during the game.
(NOTE: All teams were contacted for weekly recap)
Citadel Photo Credit: Cathy Connell
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