RECAP: CFC#43 Phoenix tame Cheetahs, Flames get back on track & Wolverines get first win ever

The Citadel Phoenix has returned.

In spite being down 7-0 at the half and a slow start by the offense, the Phoenix rallied to defeat the Charles P Allen Cheetahs 27-7 in Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL) action under Friday Night Lights at CPA Turf in Bedford.

Pivot Simon Richardson completed 18 passes in 27 attempts for 306 yards and two passing touchdowns to spearhead the Phoenix offense.

Tyler Martin tallied a major and rushed for 137 yards on 22 carries.  One of the highlights of the game was Ian Farrell’s (124 yards on three receptions) 109 yard touchdown reception to increase the team’s lead 21-7 in the second half.

Benson Auld also scored for the Phoenix and had 24 yards on three receptions.  Jonah Williams caught an interception and ran it into the end zone for a 20 yard touchdown score.   Ethan Murphy racked up 65 yards on five receptions while Marcos Xidos added 48 yards on three receptions.

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With this win, the Phoenix remains the only undefeated team in the Nova Division (Tier 1).  Moreover, the Phoenix knocks the Cheetahs out of the CFC 50.  The Phoenix returns back to the rankings in the 43rd spot.

“We were down 7-0 at half but we were confident that things were eventually going to click,” commented Phoenix Offensive Coordinator Jon Dyer after the team’s win.  “Our offense couldn’t seem to finish our drives in the first half and although they played well, we just couldn’t put any points on the board.”

“We stuck to our game plan and things got rolling in the second half while our defense shut the door.”

Overall, Dyer was satisfied with how the team played against the Cheetahs.

“This was a good team win for us,” added the Phoenix Offensive Coordinator.  “We had a lot of people contribute on both sides of the ball.”

“Our offensive line led by [CFC 100] John Harvey and Ted Curran gave our quarterback time all game and eventually got our run game going. We didn’t turn the ball over and that’s always going to give you a good chance to win.  Aside from their first drive, our defense was lights out for the rest of the game.”

However, Dyer gave props to the Cheetahs for being a formidable opponent as well as exposing areas that the Phoenix clearly need to improve upon and shore up in the coming days.

“They’re a talented football team and we could very well see them again in the playoffs,” assessed Dyer.  “We’re going to need a better first half next time.”

“There’s a lot of things to correct but it was another great learning experience for our team and we’re happy we got the win.  We still have a long way to go and a lot to improve on but we’re a very motivated team right now.”

The Phoenix will face the Halifax West Warriors on Friday October 3rd, 2014 at CPA Turf in Bedford.  Kickoff is 8:00pm.  Meanwhile, the Cheetahs will try to get back into the win column as the team battles Auburn Drive Eagles on Friday October 3rd at Burnside Turf.  Game start is 4:30pm.

Here are the rest of the results from this past week’s action in the NSSAFFL:

Thomas Hoyt

NOVA DIVISION (TIER 1):

SIR JOHN A MACDONALD FLAMES 35, HORTON GRIFFINS 0:

At Acadia University’s Raymond Field, Thomas Hoyt scored two touchdowns and racked up 102 yards on eight receptions as Sir John A MacDonald Flames earned a 35-0 shutout victory over the hosts Horton Griffins.

Ryan Merlin also tallied a major for the Flames.

Pivot Seth Lane completed 16 passes in 20 attempts for 191 yards and two passing touchdowns.  Brock Samure was added two field goals (25, 33 yards) as well as three PAT’s.

Nick Bennett led the defense as he recorded a sack and had 10 tackles, including two for a loss. Anderson Recker had a fumble recovery and a sack.  Josh DeGruchy and Robie Holland each recorded a sack while Luke Profitt had a fumble recovery.

“SJA played a physical football game against a determined Horton team,” assessed Flames Head Coach Steve Majury in his postgame comments.  “The key variables for our football team were discipline and execution.”

“We really did a great job of reducing our penalties that destroyed us versus CPA last week.  It was a focal point in our practice week and the guys responded tremendously as the Flames played aggressive hardnosed football to the whistle.  Execution wise, we did a great job of taking what Horton’s defence was giving us without forcing things.  Defensively, we played hard and were very focused on responsibilities.”

Robie Holland

Majury was pleased with how the defense and special teams units performed against the Griffins.

“Our secondary played very well minimizing the pass game, yet were strong in run support,” evaluated the Flames Head Coach.  “Our defensive line, led by Robie Holland, Josh DeGruchy, Nick Bennett, Anderson Recker, Connor Gavin, Lucas Salmon, Luke Brigley, Matt McDonald and Luke Profitt were very dominating up front.”

“Nick Bennett had a 10 tackle performance with a sack and was dominant all evening.  Anderson Recker picked up four tackles with a sack while Robie and Gooch [DeGruchy] dominated the interior with tackles for loss and a sack.  Our LB’s were led by team captain Jack Chaisson’s five tackles followed by Liam Brennan and Brock Saumure (who also chipped in 12 points in the kicking game with his strong leg).  Our special teams units played extremely well and showed great execution and physicality in this game.”

Equally, Majury was impressed with the offensive unit’s play this past Saturday.

“Offensively, our run game was led by our running backs as Adam Bennett had a dominant game rushing for over 100 yards,” added Majury.  “Devan Stevens continues his hard running style with a 60 yard game and Owen McGowan continues his dominating physical play on the field.”

“Seth Lane had a great game completing 16 for 20 with two touchdown passes and just shy of 200 yards in the air.  Ryan Merlin had another tremendous game receiving and rushing the ball and was extremely physical.  Our go to guy on offence is Thomas Hoyt and he is in full stride right now with a 165 yard game and scoring two touchdowns.  Senior Dylan Lunney played well after an early season injury and we received strong contributions from Matt McVeigh, Robert Hemming, Dylan Burhoe and Mahil Ibrahim.  Lastly, we had a tremendous effort from our offensive line; this group is starting to gel and we expect big things from them as we move forward.”

While the Flames got back into the win column after suffering a tough defeat the previous week at the hands of the Cheetahs, the team is looking ahead to their next big challenge.

“Our goal is to improve each and every week, we struggled last week, but we rebounded well against a well-coached Horton team that played extremely hard for four quarters and was eager to put us to the test,” said Majury.  “We now shift our focus to a good Prince Andrew team where we will need to be extremely physical, intelligent and have high execution levels to have success.”

The Sir John A MacDonald Flames will battle the Prince Andrew Panthers on Monday October 6th at Burnside Turf.  Kickoff is 7:00pm.  Meanwhile, the Horton Griffins will travel to Truro to visit the Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars on Sunday October 5th, 2014 at 1:00pm.

PRINCE ANDREW PANTHERS 23, COBEQUID EDUCATIONAL CENTRE COUGARS 17:

At James MacPherson Stadium in Truro, Nick Green connected with Devon Dewolfe for a 30 yard touchdown reception as the visiting Prince Andrew Panthers got past the hosts Cobequid Educational Cougars 23-17.

Mark Kidston added a rushing major while kicker Nick Liberatore added three PAT’s in the win.  The Panthers defence forced the Cougars to concede a safety.

As for the defense, Matt Kelvey forced a fumble which enabled Payton Sheppard to run it in for another Panthers touchdown. Ben Deturbide recorded three sacks and had several solo tackles.

“It was a well-rounded effort on both sides of the ball,” commented Panthers Head Coach Joe Flemming after the win.  “It was a great battle in a great community.”

“It was nice to steal one on their home field. It’s the first time in over 14 years that PA has defeated CEC, maybe longer. So it’s a huge confidence boost, just when we need it most.”

The Prince Andrew Panthers will host the Sir John A MacDonald Flames on Monday October 6th at Burnside Turf.  Kickoff is 7:00pm.  As for the Cobequid Educational Cougars, the team will host Horton Griffins on Sunday October 5th at James MacPherson Stadium.  Kickoff is 1:00pm.

Halifax Warriors 1

AUBURN DRIVE EAGLES 34,  HALIFAX WEST WARRIORS 0 :

Stats not available at press time

SCOTIA DIVISION (TIER 2):

LOCKVIEW DRAGONS 78, DARTMOUTH HIGH SPARTANS 18:

At Burnside Turf, the Lockview Dragons crushed the Dartmouth High Spartans 78-18.

“We did not play very smart in the first half with more than 200 yards in penalties,” assessed Dragons Head Coach Mike Korecki after the win.  “It was a nice smart and all 41 players played.”

“Getting players ready for this season and the next is really important.”

Lockview Dragons will battle the Cole Harbour Cavaliers on Thursday October 2nd at Burnside Turf.  Game start is 8:00pm.  Meanwhile, the Dartmouth High Spartans will be looking for a win when they host JL Ilsley Judges on Thursday October 2nd at Burnside Turf.  Kickoff is 5:00pm.

JL ILSLEY JUDGES 38, SACKVILLE HIGH KINGFISHERS 21:

Stats not available at press time

COLE HARBOUR CAVALIERS 52, SYDNEY ACADEMY WILDCATS 0:

In Sydney, Joel Russell scored four touchdowns as the Cole Harbour Cavaliers trampled on the Sydney Academy Wildcats 52-0.

Galin Smith tallied two majors in the win.

Cole Harbour Cavaliers will host Lockview Dragons on Thursday October 2nd at Burnside Turf.  Kickoff is 8:00pm.  Sydney Academy Wildcats are on the road to meet Sackville High Kingfishers on Saturday October 4th at Burnside Turf.  Kickoff is 1:00pm.

West Kings Wolverines 2014

TIER 3:

WEST KINGS WOLVERINES 36, DR. JOHN HUGH GILLIS ROYALS 0:

At West Kings, the host Wolverines won their first ever game as they earned a 36-0 shutout victory over visiting Dr. John Hugh Gillis Royals.

Wolverines Head Coach Aaron Evans assessed the keys to the victory.

“Both offence and defence played an amazing game this week with Sam Lutz and Braden Patey as well as the whole defensive line standing out defensively,” said Evans.  “On offence, Kelton Harris, Josh ORielly and Connor Ryan as well as the offensive line stood out.”

“The whole team worked together today – probably the best so far this season.   We will continue to work on our offence to better utilize the first five minutes of the game instead of taking that time to get our heads in in. On defence, we will continue to work on our coverage on the outside. Overall, it was a great game from the Wolverines.”

West Kings Wolverines will travel to Canning to take on the Northeast Kings Titans on Sunday October 5th at 1pm.  As for Dr. John Hugh Gillis Royals, the team will visit Central Kings to take on the Gators on Sunday October 5th at 1:00pm.

CENTRAL KINGS GATORS 39,  AVONVIEW AVALANCHE 15:

Stats not available at press time

Photo credits:
Citadel Phoenix versus Charles P Allen Cheetahs:  Joe Chrvala
Sir John A MacDonald Flames:  Mark Kays

(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)

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