OVFL: Bantam Lions use aerial assault to advance to finals

Cambridge bantam Lions will fight for the Ontario Provincial Championship at the Rogers Centre this weekend after decimating the Brampton Bulldogs 26-12 on Saturday.

Brayden Hill started the aerial assault, hitting George Monaghan, who found a crack in the Bulldogs secondary, and outran the defence down the sideline for an explosive 28-yard touchdown reception.

Special teams put on a show in the second quarter.

Brandon Metz would first electrify the crowd with a 79-yard kick return for a touchdown after a Brampton score to give Cambridge back the lead.

Then, after the Lions’ defense pinned the Bulldogs deep in their own end and forced them to take a knee in the end zone for a two-point safety, Kaden Jespersen returned the ensuing kickoff 68 yards for a major score to give the Lions a 23-6 lead at the half.

Aaron Hoyte led the sack parade with a pair, while Brayden Ralph, Devin Keeling and Marcus Meredith had a sack each. Cambridge’s defence was stingy all night, creating four turnovers in the game.

Keeling and Jespersen had an interception each, while Danyel Sipes and Ralph would each pick up fumble recoveries.

Nathan McLean added a 20-yard field goal in the third quarter to go along with three extra points.
Cambridge will now play the Ottawa Myers Riders on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Toronto with the provincial championship on the line.