OVFL Recap: VR Grenadiers squeak by the Wildcats in forth-quarter battle

[CORNWALL, ON.] From start to finish it was another nail biting game for the Grenadiers. From last week’s game against the Ottawa Myers Riders having a score of 6-5 in the first three quarters, to being chased around by the Wildcats this week with a marginal lead at half time and trailing in to the fourth.

On Saturday, June 2, 2012, the senior varsity Limestone District Grenadiers traveled to Cornwall to play with a win hungry Wildcats club in the Ontario Varsity Football League. The Grenadiers came in to week two after a victory over the Riders while the Wildcats are still licking their wounds from a loss against the Etobicoke Eagles.

It was to no surprise that field conditions weren’t 100%, given the time of year and Mother Nature’s contribution. But the Grenadiers were able to put points up on the board and chalk another “W” in the record books.

It was another slow start for the senior club, after thirty minutes of play the score was 6-2 in favour of the Grenadiers after having #21 RB Dischaine Thompson run in for the touchdown. Thompson ran for a total of 132-yards, thirty-six being his longest and six first downs.

Despite numerous attempts the Grenadiers didn’t see the scoreboard again until 5:24 remaining in the game. In a spectacular 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] down pass by starting quarterback Tyler Filson to Travis Pascoal allowing the Grenadiers to escape from deep in their own zone. The play allowed the offence to gain field position that eventually led them to their game-winning touchdown. From the Wildcats one-yard line Filson handed off to running back Damon “Shaggy” Brant to score and once again found Pascoal for a successful two point convert to give them a three point lead.

“Offensively, there were indications that we can be effective and move the ball with consistency,” says head coach Ken Dearborn. “There were several modest marches engineered (in today’s game) that were ended with penalties or missed assignments.”

Overall the offence incurred 130-yards in penalties, most of which Dearborn feels were preventable.

(Contributed photo)

They always say slow and steady wins the race, perhaps the Grenadiers can relate to this. In their season opener against the Riders no points were exchanged for almost forty-five minutes. It’s not until late in the fourth quarter that things seem to come alive.

“I don’t know what it is about the fourth quarter, but we seem to be able to come up with the clutch plays, we seem to have more energy,’’ says Tyler Filson, starting quarterback for the Grenadiers.

“We’ll have to pick it up earlier (in games) if we’re going to be (serious playoff contenders).’’

“In the end, it was a great team win,” said Bob Mullen, defensive coordinator.

After Saturday’s 14-11 win against the Wildcats, the Limestone District Grenadiers now 2-0 hope to extend their perfect season. In week three they go head to head against the Markham Raiders on June 9, 2012 on home field at Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute in Kingston. Kick off is set for 4:30pm. All three divisions for the Grenadiers play at home for a triple-header.

SEE OVFL SCORES CLICK HERE.

HOT PLAYERS:

OFFENCE:
QB #18 Tyler Filson
RB #21 Dischaine Thompson
WR #26 Travis Pascoal

DEFENCE:
DB #22 Matt Pendergast
LB #54 Josh Hill
LB #42 Joshua Dumaresq

SPECIAL TEAMS:
DB #43 Hayden Peters