The Horton Griffins and Auburn Drive Eagles did not disappoint.
Both teams could not settle the outcome of their game in Week 5 action in the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL). Consequently, the final score was 21-21 in one of CFC’s National Games of the Week.
The Griffins scored their first major in the game when Mackenzie Carr after he recovered a punted fumble in the end zone.
Cameron Davidson once again shined for the Griffins as he turned in his best performance of the season amassing 310 passing yards and scoring two majors in the game.
“Our defense played awesome again for us,” commented Griffins Head Coach Alec Hyndman. “We just missed by about 6’”a single point that would have won it for us with 34 seconds left.”
Overall, the team was disappointed with the outcome, especially with the fact the team ran into discipline and penalty issues during the game.
“It’s tough to come out of that game with a tie,” expressed Hyndman. “But we shot ourselves in the foot once again with dumb penalties.”
“We really need to focus on being more disciplined. We had three offsides from our wide receivers and three face masks on defense. Those can’t happen or a loss or tie is what the result is going to be again this week.”
Daniel Sule led the Eagles with two touchdowns. Quarterback Colin Cluette had 150 passing yards and two passing touchdowns to lead the team’s offensive game execution plan.
Kalem Beaver caught an interception and ran it into the end zone for 70 yard score. Kicker Dylan Wotton was successful on three conversion attempts.
“An excellent back and forth football game tonight at Burnside as two tough teams battled for four quarters and went back and forth till the final seconds for a draw,” commented Eagles Head Coach Chris Valardo after the win. Grade 10 QB Colin Cluette led an Auburn comeback with four minutes left in the fourth quarter with an 80 yard touchdown drive to tie the game.”
As a result of this game, the Eagles are 1-2-1 and the Griffins have a 2-1-1 mark on the season.
The Eagles will host Cole Harbour Cavaliers on Monday October 14th at Burnside Turf. Kickoff is 6:00pm. Meanwhile, the Griffins will host Northeast Kings Titans on Saturday October 12th at Acadia. Game start is 6:00pm.
Here are the other results from Week 5 NSSAFFL action:
COBEQUID EDUCATIONAL CENTRE COUGARS DEFEATS DR.JOHN HUGH GILLIS ROYALS (FORFEIT):
Dr. John Hugh Gillis forfeited this game.
The Cougars are now 2-2 on the season while the Royals slide to 1-4.
Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars will travel on the road this weekend to face the Citadel Phoenix in the Turkey Bowl on Sunday October 13th at Saint Mary’s Huskies Stadium. Kickoff is 1:00pm. As for Dr. John Hugh Gillis Royals, the team will host Sydney Academy in a game under Friday Night Lights on October 11th at 7:00pm.
DARTMOUTH HIGH SPARTANS 21, CENTRAL KINGS GATORS 11:
Dartmouth High Spartans got their first victory of the season as the team defeated Central Kings Gators 21-11. No player/game stats or comments were available at press time from either team.
Dartmouth High Spartans will travel to Tantallon to battle Sir John A MacDonald Flames on Monday October 14th, 2013 at 1:00pm. Meanwhile, Central Kings Gators will host West Kings Wolverines on Sunday October 13th, 2013 at 2:00pm.
HALIFAX WEST WARRIORS 19, NORTHEAST KINGS TITANS 1:
Running backs Tariq Karaballi and Aengus Lund as well as offensive line led the Halifax West Warriors to a 19-1 win over the Northeast Kings Titans.
Both Karaballi and Lund each rushed for over 100 yards in the game.
On defense, Brian Guye recovered a fumble and ran it into the end zone for a 105 yard touchdown score. Moreover, he recorded a couple of sacks.
Despite the win, the Warriors realized there are some key areas the team needs to work on if they are to enjoy further success down the stretch.
“As a team we have to work harder on being more mentally ready to play football as we seem to be making the same mistakes that are keeping us from scoring more points,” explained Warriors Head Coach Dave Kelly. “We have to work harder to get better as we have some from tough games coming up.”
Late in the third quarter, the Titans had a slim 1-0 lead after kicker Rodolfo Valdez missed a field goal attempt. However, the team was able to get a point. Overall, Valdez turned in a stellar performance for the Titans.
“We continue to see a great improvement in our team, but today too many penalties took its toll on us which we can`t afford to do,” said Titans Coach Scott Pope. “The penalties cost us field position which in turn gave Halifax West the opportunity to take advantage.”
“The game could have gone either way as I thought both teams played hard today.”
With this win, the Warriors move to 3-1 on the season. Meanwhile the Titans fall to 1-3.
Halifax West Warriors will host JL Ilsley Judges on Monday October 14th at Mainland Commons. Kickoff is 5:00pm. As for Northeast Kings Titans, the team will travel to Wolfville for a battle with Horton Griffins on Saturday October 12th at Acadia. Game start is 6:00pm.
PRINCE ANDREW PANTHERS 48, SYDNEY ACADEMY WILDCATS 0:
For the Prince Andrew Panthers, a successful road trip culminated into a 48-0 shutout over Sydney Academy Wildcats.
All three units played a key role in the team’s win.
“Prince Andrew had a good road game with all a great effort by every player on the team,” assessed Panthers Head Coach Joe Flemming after the win. “Our special teams functioned well, our offense moved the ball efficiently and the defense hit hard and often and put up points.”
“The standouts for our team were Nate Skeete, linebacker Darian Beals and kicker Matt Kelvey who amassed 12 points off his foot prior to signing off the game sheet. He was successful on every convert and hit 38 and 32 yard field goals.”
What impressed Flemming even more was how the team responded to this road game.
“I was impressed that our team was able to endure a four and a half hour trip to Sydney, get dressed and focused on the game,” added the Panthers Head Coach. “They stayed engaged for a full 60 minutes.”
“Road games like this tend to take a little fight out of you before you hit the field, but our guys were able to overcome that and played a good, well rounded game. As I’ve said before, regardless of the points on the scoreboard, as long as our team is better this week than last, and is striving to be better next week than this week. Our coaching staff is happy.”
Going into this upcoming week, the Panthers will focus on improving key areas of their game.
“This week, we’ll continue to focus on the fundamentals,” explained Flemming. “Despite having an overall great game, we can always improve.”
“We had some dropped balls and some high tackles which was a result of many factors including the colder weather starting to play a role. So we’ll be working on that and many other facets of our game in order to get better for next week.”
As for the Wildcats, Devon Marks and Jarrad Detheridge led the offense. Defensively, John Paul and Jonathan Denny turned in exceptional performances in spite of the loss.
“Prince Andrew exposed the inexperience on the Academy offensive line blocking two punts in the first quarter and using their speed and athleticism to create plays on both sides of the ball making it a long day for the Wildcats,” expressed Wildcats Head Coach Lorne Burke after the game. “I was happy with the way our team did not quit during any part of the game and am sure that the lessons our players learned in this defeat will go a long way in building our team in the future.”
The Panthers were appreciative of the hospitality the host team Wildcats provided before, during and after the game.
“’Lorne and his staff at Sydney Academy were great hosts,” said Flemming. “They have a great facility and made us feel very welcome.”
“They met us when our bus arrived and helped us get organized. They provided player of the game plaques for offence and defence, and made sure our boys left with lots of food and drinks from the canteen that their parents group had set up. It was a very nice gesture and show of sportsmanship. Not unlike Gillis, another of our favorite road trip locations, these guys do it right. Although it’s challenging for our city teams while sharing communal fields, I’m hoping as years go on, and our teams get their own home fields, that they too can create that great community feel for their games.”
With the victory, the Panthers improve to 4-1. Meanwhile, the Wildcats have an even 2-2 record on the season.
Prince Andrew Panthers will play Lockview Dragons on Sunday October 13th at Burnside Turf. Kickoff is 6:00pm. As for the Wildcats, the team will travel to Antigonish to face Dr. John Hugh Gillis Royals under Friday Night Lights on October 11th. Game start is 7:00pm.
JL ILSLEY JUDGES 41, SACKVILLE HIGH KINGFISHERS 12:
Joe Stuckless amassed 195 all-purpose yards, scored a major, booted two field goals and successful on five conversion attempts to lead JL Ilsley Judges to a 41-12 win over Sackville High Kingfishers.
“Joe is the man we turn to for the big play and he is certainly putting himself in contention for all-star consideration,” expressed Judges Head Coach Steve Saunders after the win.
On defense, Nick Tzaneteas caught an interception and ran it into the end zone for a 37 yard touchdown score. This was Tzaneteas second interception touchdown return in recent weeks. Despite playing with a broken finger, linebacker Lavante Gillis registered 11 tackles in the first half alone.
The Judges move to 5-0 on the season but the road does not get any easier as they are set to play three tough opponents to round out the NSSAFFL regular season.
“For a small team, we play tough as a unit but, we have a very tough road ahead to make it to the final four,” explained Saunders. “We have reached our initial goal of making a playoff round, now we have to see which path we end up on.”
“It’s too early to think about any playoff position right now as we have injuries to address and a few positional issues.”
Jalen Loppie scored both Kingfishers’ majors – 28 yard rushing and 89 yard receiving scores.
With the loss, the Kingfishers are 3-2 on the season.
JL Ilsley Judges will battle Halifax West Warriors on Monday October 14th at Mainland Commons. Kickoff is 5:00pm. Sackville High Kingfishers will take on CFCTOP50 Charles P Allen Cheetahs the opposition’s home on Friday October 11th. Game start is 6:00pm.
COLE HARBOUR CAVALIERS 57, AVON VIEW AVALANCHE 0:
“Hollywood” Russell scored three touchdowns and Joe Russell added a rushing major as well as nine PAT’s to lead the Cole Harbour Cavaliers to a 57-0 shutout win over Avon View Avalanche.
On defense, Gaylin Smith and Dakota Clyke-Dixon caught interceptions while Josh Bray had a Pick 6. Liam Day also turned in a standout performance on the unit.
Despite the windy conditions at Burnside Turf, Spencer Wells was able to pin those nine conversions that Russell kicked.
“Avon View’s players and coaches are to be commended for their valiant efforts last night,” commented Cavaliers Head Coach Peter Crouse in his postgame comments. “Cole Harbour was in the same situation two years ago struggling to get enough players to commit to the program but Avon View came out with 24 hungry players, played the entire game, and held their heads high throughout.”
“I am really impressed by what I saw from them last night and encourage them to continue to play inspired football. There was a very impressive effort by their running back turned quarterback (Cory Whitney). I’m glad that guy is in grade 12 so we won’t have to face him again but he is wonderful player! We still struggle with some mental errors and will need to address these this week.”
The Cavaliers are still undefeated with a 4-0 record while the Avalanche is still winless this season with a 0-5 record.
Cole Harbour Cavaliers will face crosstown rivals Auburn Drive Eagles in the Turkey Bowl on Monday October 14th at Burnside Turf. Kickoff is 6:00pm. Avon View Avalanche will enjoy a bye this upcoming week.
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