The Hamilton Ironmen junior varsity team (CFC #3) visited the Mississauga Warriors (CFC #4) on Saturday and their top 5 rankings were re-affirmed with the game result. Both teams played a tremendous game and the star of the game for the Warriors was Tyrelle “Tre” Ivey-Crichlow and the hilite for the Ironmen was taking advantage of coverage breakdowns by the Warriors, specifically by QB Kyle Van Wynsberghe and a variety of his receivers.

Big play after big play after big play. If you are a ‘true’ football fan this was the game for you. More exciting than most pro and college games, with all the drama and intrigue anyone would want.

It was a ‘tale of two halves’. The first half dominated by the Warriors. The third quarter was a wash. But the most important fourth quarter was the Ironmen’s quarter.

The first quarter was without any major scores, but it did have some major plays. Namely a bad snap by the Warriors on a punt that was recovered eventually by the Ironmen. Two plays later the Warriors Spencer McIntosh fell on a Ironmen fumble to give the ball right back to the Warriors. The biggest offensive play of the quarter was when Warrior QB Nate Hobbs hooked up with Tre for a big pass play. Unfortunately, the Warriors turned the ball over on downs soon after.

The 2nd quarter saw many of the same big plays but the Warriors began converting on offense. The opening drive saw the Ironmen drive down the field. A big sack by Warrior Miguel Dasilva backed the Ironmen up out of field goal range. On the next play a big draw run by Drew Cummings saw the visitors get back within field goal range. A couple plays later the 29 yard attempt was wide and the Ironmen went up 2 to 0 after the rouge was conceded.

What ensued may have been the play of the game. Tre took a Nate Hobbs pass, and after breaking a variety of tackles, took the ball 80 yards for the games opening touchdown. While no punt return stats were available at press time, we are sure that Tre had upwards of 200 yards in returns and well over 150 in receiving. We look forward to seeing the final stats.

The next Warrior series again saw Tre do the bulk of the work. He took a big catch down to the Ironmen 5 yard line, then was rewarded on the next play with a TD. This took place with only 2:36 remaining in the half.

The Ironmen responded this time on a 72 yard pass and run play from Van Wynsberghe to Cummings. Make the score 13 to 9 with 2:16 remaining.

The Warriors got into hurry up mode and put together a great drive. Catches by Tyler Price and #23 (not on roster) hilited the drive. The Warriors were first and goal but after 3 unsuccessful attempts they gambled on fourth down and it did not pay off as the Ironmen stopped them on the 2 yard line with 36.7 seconds to go in the half.

Time to go get your halftime snacks? Nope. The next play the Warriors stripped the ball and recovered on the 10 yard line. Three plays later, and with 13.7 seconds remaining, Hobbs found Alex Zulys for the TD. Halftime score 20 to 9.

The second half saw Tre continue his fabulous returns. The Ironmen coaches began yelling at the punt team for their lack of success. A tribute to Tre’s success indeed.

The Warriors started the half with QB John Perovic and he had some early success on the drive. Unfortunately for him a great play by Hamilton free safety Robbie White when he stepped in front of a receiver down the middle and picked the ball off. The Ironmen drove the field only to miss their 3rd field goal attempt of the game (which will give further intrigue later). It was 20 to 10 Warriors with 3:57 remaining in the third quarter…a score that would continue through the end of the quarter.

4th quarter

The first drive of the fourth quarter by Hamilton stalled and the punt team came out. Tre was at his tricks again (part of Hamilton’s problem was the punter had such a great leg he was out kicking the coverage – and letting Tre catch the ball in the air), this time returning the punt to the Ironmen 22 yard line. On the first offensive play the Warriors ran an 8 yard run play, but coupled with a facemask, the ball was placed on the one yard line. The next play the Warriors RB ‘SN’ Elad pounded the ball in from the one yard line to give the Warriors a 27 to 10 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Cue the comeback.

The Ironmen coaches must have known something the rest of us did not. That their repeated unsuccessful deep passes would eventually pay off. The beauty of four down football.

The next drive saw a few unsuccessful deep passes mixed in with one first down pass play. A big pass to Tyler Walker, plus a roughing the passer penalty, brought the ball down to the one yard line. Next play, Justin Lloyd pounded the ball in from a yard out. 27 to 17 with 7:48 remaining

On the next kick off the strong leg of Santino Gallo paid off when he out kicked the returners and put the ball in the end zone. The Warrior returner decided to bring the ball out only to get to the three yard line. “MO” had changed sides.

Four plays later the Warriors were forced to give up a safety making the score 27 to 19.

While the next two drives resulted in no scores for both teams, the second Mississauga possession saw it started with another big return by our boy Tre. But what happened on the next play may have been the CFC ‘turning point’. A bad center / quarterback snap exchange resulted in a fumble and Hamilton recovered the ball. Next play, 53 yard TD pass (corner pattern – no deep third coverage to be found) to Walker. The Ironmen tried a two point attempt to tie the score but were unsuccessful. 27 to 25 with 3:09 remaining

The Ironmen attempted an onside kick but Mississauga recovered the ball with good field position. Time for the Ironmen defense to step up and they did. After giving up a first down run on the first play the Ironmen forced the Warriors to punt after 3 unsuccessful plays. A 10 yard punt by the Warriors contributed to their last drive success. Hamilton started the drive on their own 30 yard line with 2:01 remaining.

Van Wynsberghe saved his best for last. He completed short, successful passes to Marc Fournier and Jake Williams to move the chains. Anthony Cedri chipped in with a big first down reception of his own. Fournier caught his 2nd pass of the drive setting up a run by Tyler Walker that brought the ball down to the Warrio 15 yard line. The strategy changed from scoring a touchdown, to running the clock down and setting up a field goal. Which put may Ironmen fans in the stands worried because of the lack of field goal success. The next play Van Wynsberghe mishandled the snap and almost lost the ball. Not to worry, with 5 seconds remaining Santino Gallo lined up for 20 yard field goal and this time split the uprights.

28 to 27 Ironmen

Players to Watch:

Hamilton

RB Drew Cummings 1
REC Emmett Putt 2
QB Kyle Van Wynsberghe 9 (picture)
RB Justin Lloyd 21
DB Kelvin Martinez 22
LB/K/P Santino Gallo 39
OL James Medeiros 50
OL George Assaf 59
OL Paul Connor 68
DL Domenic Filice 95

Mississauga

DB Mark Nespeca 1
RB Jahvari Bennett 2
REC/RET Tyerelle ‘Tre’ Ivey-Crichlow 5 – CFC player of the game
DB Justin Bowman 7
RB SN Elad 22
DB Malcolm Chaka 27
LB Chis Kotselidis 35
LB Spencer McIntosh 51
LB Brendan Kutlesa 55
OL Bijan Amirkhani 58
OL Hiroki Kinoshita 61
REC Joshua Perez 83
REC Alex Zulys 85
DL Gurjant Singh 97