OMFL: Dolphins edge the Bulldogs in epic battle

The Ajax-Pickering Dolphins Peewee football team continued its winning streak by defeating the Brampton Bulldogs at Centennial Stadium.

It was a great game, with the Dolphins erasing an 18-14 lead in the last 23 seconds to preserve an undefeated season, and clinch the championship.

There was no doubt the Brampton Bulldogs would not come prepared this time around, after suffering their first loss in two years to the Dolphins in the regular season. Their tenacity was evident in the first 16 seconds, when their main receiver bolted to the end zone for a touchdown.

The Dolphins’ Bailey Grimes had a 45-yard rush after some spectacular blocking by Rasheed Tucker. Craig Gonsalves finished off the attack with the Dolphins first touchdown. D’Andrew Higgins booted the extra point, giving the Dolphins a 7-6 lead. The Bulldogs replied with another touchdown, to make the score 12-7.

At the opposite end, fullback Jaiden Cruz punched through the defense to give the Dolphins a 14-12 lead.

The Bulldogs, as it would seem, sealed the win with another breakthrough to the end zone for an 18-14 advantage with 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Everyone, except the Dolphins coaching staff, thought this game was over. With the clock ticking and 23 seconds to go, quarterback King Josiah Ambers made a pass to Jordan Wright, who high stepped his way around four defenders and broke loose into the end zone. The score was now 20-18 for the Dolphins with 10 seconds to go.

The relentless Bulldogs tossed a ball to their intended receiver, but it was intercepted by a quick stepping Rasheed Tucker, who sealed the win with a defensive touchdown as time expired.

Michael (Pinball) Clemons, who was present at the game, commented that it was one of the most exiting minor league football games he has ever watched.

The success of this Dolphins Peewee team must be attributed to dedicated and talented coaching staff and team managers Trevor McHaffie (head coach), John Peters, Rod Chung, Trevor Aitcheson, Greg Gonsalves, Hasson Abbas, Andrew Higgins, Stephen Duncan, Loni Dowe, Bonnie Munro and Chuck Sansanwal.

Players include Rasheed Tucker, Bailey Grimes, Jordan Wright, Craig Gonsalves, Quintyn Pettiford, Zachary Munro, Jaiden Cruz, Jayden Aprile, Kenneth Soutter, Tyrell Chung, Shandy Noel, Stephen Sullivan, Shomarie Peters, Cameron Tabatabaei, Brandon Romain, Jamani Bute, William Rock, Dimitri Mougos, Khalid Duncan, Josiah Ambers, Mickeal Gheorghian, Kevin Ibulu, Emmanuel Ndambi, D’Andres Higgins, Myles Sansanwal, Matthew Lopponen, Brendan Murphy, Tyler Hand, Jonathan Ibula and Will St. Hubert.

The other two Dolphin teams, the Bantam and Junior OV made it to the semifinals, and although they put up a gallant effort, were denied a win this time around.