OVFL Recap: Junior Limestone District Grenadiers take the Raiders for a ride

[KINGSTON, ON.]

The Junior Limestone District Grenadiers took the Markham Raiders by storm on home field in Ontario Varsity Football with a huge upset of 51-14. The bantam and senior clubs also played at home against the Raiders. Bantam came out on top in double over time with a final score of 20-14. The varsity Raiders rushed their way to a victory over the Grenadiers with a 21-7 finish.

Head coach and offensive coordinator Mark Magee utilized all three of his quarterbacks for the matchup against the Raiders. All three quarterbacks threw for 11-of-20 totaling 343-yards and five touchdowns, including a 77-yard pass to Brett Byron from Robert Magee for a touchdown.

“All 3 of our quarterbacks threw touchdown passes which was very encouraging,” said Magee.

Defensively the Grenadiers played just as hard with a combined 53 tackles including 9 sacks. At the half time the Grenadiers had a commanding lead 42-7 but were able to stay focused and calm.

“When you jump out to an early lead it can be difficult to remain focused,” said Magee. “I thought our kids did an excellent job of executing our offence and defence once we had established the lead.”

Although the Raiders had a great game offensively (373-yards passing/rushing combined) they weren’t able to get any momentum going to get back in the ball game. The Grenadiers defence only allowed one more touchdown from their opponent while putting up 9 more of their own on the scoreboard.

Leading up to week four Magee will be working with the offence to build on their execution. They hit the gridiron against the Newmarket Buc’s (1-2) but Magee doesn’t want his boys to lose focus.

“We played Newmarket in a preseason scrimmage. They were a very tough opponent and our guys know this,” said Magee. “We will approach practice with a workman like approach with the objective of getting better as a team.”

A key player for the Buc’s is wide receiver #86 Dylan John who has 14 receptions for 296-yards. For Magee this doesn’t worry him. He has been coaching long enough to know that every team has multiple key players that can be a danger at any given moment.

“If you pay too much attention to one player, then someone else will make a big play,” said Magee. “We will look to play a solid game defensively and make sure where their playmakers are at all times.”

The junior Limestone District Grenadiers now hold a 3-0 record and are currently tied for first place a long with the Essex Ravens, Pickering Dolphins and Mississauga Warriors.

Next week both the junior and varsity Grenadiers travel to Newmarket and go head to head with the Buc’s at Ray Twinney Recreation Complex. Game times are 2pm and 5pm respectively on Saturday, June 16, 2012.

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