The JV Hamilton Ironmen visited the Niagara Spears last Saturday in OVFL playoff action. The Ironmen were hoping to keep their playoff run alive as they faced a tough Niagara team who did not want to end their season at home. Both teams started the game getting a feel for each other until Domenic Bellardini (Bishop Tonnos H.S.) put the Ironmen ahead with a 37 yard field goal. The Spears responded with two touchdowns and a field goal to go ahead 16-3 at halftime.
But the Ironmen were not ready to give up on their season; quarterback Quinn Spera (Sherwood H.S.) handed the ball off to Bellardini who gave the Spears a steady dose of ground and pound. Bellardini scored Hamilton’s first touchdown and pulled the Ironmen within six points. Hamilton’s defense stepped up in the 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] quarter, led by Bellardini, Melvin Baughan (Sherwood H.S.), Mark Fidani (Bishop Tonnos H.S.), and Taylor Gradwell (Sherwood H.S.), and did not allow Niagara to score and putting Hamilton’s offense in good field position. On Hamilton’s ensuing offensive drive Spera scored on a quarterback sneak to put the Ironmen in front 17-16.
Unfortunately it was not Hamilton’s day as the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] quarter bounces did not go their way. Niagara came back with three 4[SUP]th[/SUP] quarter touchdowns to pull ahead and crush the Ironmen’s hopes of advancing to the Conference finals. The Spears won 37-17 and will advance to the Conference finals next week at the Rogers Centre to face the Cambridge Lions.
Hamilton’s head coach Ken McGuire and his coaching staff are extremely proud of the way their team responded in the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] half to come from behind. Even though it was not enough to pull out a victory, the Ironmen played physical Hamilton football. After the game, coach McGuire horseshoed his troops and reminded them of a great season they had and to be proud of their accomplishments. The coaching staff would like to congratulate and wish the best of luck to the players who will be leaving the JV squad, their presence and leadership helped their teammates grow.
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