OVFL: Defensive showdown on Varsity Field in Guelph

With less than a minute to go Guelph Bears kicker Phil Germain lined up to take the kick with the score 27-28 for the Cambridge Lions. Germain easily chipped in the 18-yard field goal to give the Bears the 30-28 season opening victory.

“It was really stressful, a lot of pressure,” Germain said. “But I practised a lot before the game because I knew it was going to come – I don’t know, I had a feeling. I practised a lot and it made good, I guess. It was perfect.”

As Head Coach Jeremy Macleod predicted his defensive stars showed up to play. The defence recorded five interceptions including two returns for touch downs by Stewart Vandermade and Lucas Dipieri, Vandermade had two Ints on the game.

Guelph’s offence didn’t get it in gear until the last drive of the game when two put the two minute drill to good use and drove the left of the field to set up the game winning field goal.

After the game Macleod said “[our new offensive system] did the job, I can’t wait to see it when it’s running on all cylinders. Everybody stepped up and played a full 60 minutes. There were a lot of penalties and a few turnovers. But as to be expected, this is a system that only gets better as the time goes by.”

The Guelph Bears have put in place a new offensive system this year, the Jet, which is a first in the OVFL football system.

“Thanks to the offence, they got it really close,” Germain said of the winning field goal. “I was getting nervous when they were at the 40, but they got it inside the 20.”

“It was a tough game, but the guys have heart,” Bears head coach Jeremy Macleod said. “We preached that in practice and they showed it today. The defence stepped up when we needed them to make plays and they did. The offence drove the field in the last seconds of the game. It was sloppy, but we’ll take it.”

The Bears opened the scoring the first time they got the ball as Nick Parisotto returned a punt 116 yards for a touchdown. “I think might tie the OVFL record. Not a 100% though would have to check.” Bears Head Coach Macleod said following the victory.

The Bears will be at home Saturday when they host the London Mustangs at Varsity Field. Game time at Varsity Field is 5 p.m.

JUNIOR VARSITY

The Junior Bears were dropped 67-14 by Cambridge in the junior varsity league opener for both teams. Ryan Finoro had a 50 yard reception for a touchdown and a 1 yard rushing TD. Despite being sack 12 times QB ‘Job’ went 11-21 for 210 yards and a TD. Aidan Fraser was a big target for Job 5 receptions for 81 yards.

Head coach of the JV Bears said following the loss “We will fix our mistakes and get prepared for London on Saturday at 1 pm.”

They’ll play the London Junior Mustangs Saturday at 1 p.m. at Varsity Field.