OVFL: Peewee Warriors outlast Ironmen

The Hamilton Ironmen peewee team traveled to Mississauga to take on the Warriors in Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) action Saturday afternoon. It did not take long for the action to start.

On the first play from scrimmage, the Warriors Kevin-Foster Verdier squeezed out of the ‘scrum’ to appear and with a ‘flat top’ type defense there was only him and one man to beat between him and the end zone. Verdier beat that man and scampered 68 yards for the first touchdown of the game. Jovan Burgess completed the score with a one point convert, putting the Warriors up 7-0 on the second play of the game. The Warriors scored again in the opening frame, this time receiver Keysean Powell took a Devin Condlin pass to the house for the touchdown. This time the convert was not completed putting the home team up 13-0 in the opening frame.

The Ironmen, one the stronger peewee squads, fought their way back, methodically moving down the field of play. After a big catch by Robert Heppenstall took the ball down to the one yard line, running back Tafari Delisser punched it in from that yard out. After successful convert attempt the Ironmen now were only down 13 to 7. On the touchdown, Warrior player Alex Sutcliffe went down with an apparent dislocated elbow, and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation – speedy recovery Alex.

The second half started the same way the first half did – with a huge play by Verdier – this time it was on a punt return. After the Hamilton kicker punted over the head of Verdier, he picked it up at the Warrior goal line and proceeded to run by most of the Ironmen for a 75 yard return. Unfortunately an illegal block brought the ball back to the Warrior 30 yard line. With 1:16 remaining in the third quarter, Warrior running back Jovan Burgess carried the ball in from three yards out for the Warrior’s third TD of the game. The Warriors attempted a 2 point convert but were unsuccessful, putting the home team up 19 to 7.

What ensued was an exciting fourth quarter. The Ironmen once again went to the air with a tremendous pass and run effort by #82 Robert Hippenstall, this time finishing the play for the 40 yard score. Again, Carson MacRae finished the play with the one point convert. With 10:38 remaining and the score of 19 to 14 and it was anyone’s game.

The Warriors next drive saw the offense take the ball over half and looked poised to score. A ‘mis-play’ on a toss play put the Warriors back 2nd and 19. A few plays later the Warriors attempted a fake on 4th down, only to be thwarted by the Ironmen defense.

It was the Warrior defense that came up big in the final frame, stopping the Ironmen on every drive and giving the ball back to the Warrior offense. The Warriors pounded the ball with some exceptionally tough running by Verdier. That drive ended up in a successful field goal (Burgess) putting the Warriors up 22 to 14 with 1:22 remaining. The Ironmen put in a valiant effort in the last drive but a sack by Warriors defensive lineman Derek Reeves put the game out of reach. Final 22 to 14

Players to Watch:

Mississauga

QB Devin Condlin 6 (picture)
DB Ryan Bartlett 10
RB Kevin-Foster Verdier 24
DB/K Jovan Burgess 27
RB Lucas Hodgson 40
DL Ronald Banaay 61
DL Thomas Silvaroli 64
DL Jack Cassar
DL Derek Reeves 96

Hamilton

DL Dimitri Viahaas 50
LB Brandon Eddie 59
DL Maxwell Guy 64
FB Vincenzo DiDiomede 77
REC Robert Heppenstall 82