OVFL: JV Ironmen snap Niagara Spears playoff hopes with big win

“Our defence played really well once again,” said McGuire, “we gave up a couple big plays but we shut down their running game which was what we wanted to do first and foremost. They’ve got a really good back in Mackenzie Jones, obviously he’s going to make some plays, but we did a great job limiting his yardage.”

While the defence was busy shutting down Niagara’s top offensive threat, the Spears’ defence was having a hard time trying to solve Hamilton’s.

“Liam Putt played beautifully. He’s had an unbelievable season for us. For him to move from number three on the depth chart last year to our starting quarterback this season, he’s really proven himself,” praised his coach, “he can throw on the run, he can throw in the pocket, he takes off and runs for first downs when he has to, he can do it all.”

Do it all he did. Putt showcased exactly why opposing defences should be afraid of Hamilton moving forward. After settling for an Anthony Bellardini field goal early in the game, Putt played lights out the rest of the way connecting with his favourite targets, speedster Donta Smith and the sure-handed Marc Fournier for majors. Putt also ran one in himself off a QB draw while running back Stefan Sarabura also scored on the ground for Hamilton.

While Putt has put together an excellent season at quarterback, it’s clear that his receivers have been a big part of the team’s success and were once again on their game last weekend, despite an uncharacteristically slow start.

“We dropped a few passes early on,” observed McGuire, “but the guys regained their composure and made some big plays after that. Mackenzie Sajder made a beautiful catch across the middle on a fourth down, I think that one really ignited our offence.”

With Niagara a distant memory, Coach McGuire is now preparing for their next test, which will come this weekend in Cambridge when the Ironmen will face off against the Lions at Rogers Field. McGuire knows that playing Cambridge at home will not be an easy task.

“They’ve got a good back in Tyler Gibner and a good quarterback in Matthew Skalos,” he stated, “they run a good counter, a lot of shotgun and wishbone style offence. We’re going to watch some film on them this week to give us a better idea of what they do well, we already know what we do well.”

While McGuire has been trying to incorporate the running game into the offence a little more in recent weeks, he recognizes that his team’s strength is in their passing game. Expect him to continue to rely on the hot hand of Liam Putt and his elite receiving corps throughout the remainder of the post-season.

With the offence running on all cylinders and the defence seemingly improving at will, the Ironmen have good reason to be confident heading into Cambridge.

“We played Cambridge in the preseason, we know that they’re a strong team,” McGuire admitted, “it’ll be a good test, but the way we’re playing right now…we’re a very difficult team to play against.”

The Hamilton Ironmen (7-2) will continue their post-season run in Cambridge where they’ll try to tame the Lions (7-1) Saturday night at Rogers Field. Game time is scheduled for 8:30pm.