Stallions eye home-field advantage in first round of playoffs

The Huronia Stallions varsity team won a thrilling 42-30 shootout over the Toronto Junior Argonauts Friday to improve to 5-2 on the season.

The score went back and forth all game until a big third-down stop by the Stallions in their own end was followed a few series later by defensive back Caleb Nunes’s game-clinching interception return for a touchdown.

In defeat, Toronto’s Treyion Charles was the Player of the Game. Charles amassed an incredible 270 combined rushing and receiving yards, which included two highlight-reel touchdown runs.

The Stallions were led on offence by tailback John Shields, who slashed through the Toronto defence with 18 carries for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Adam Zussino had an impressive and mistake-free game as he completed several passes in key situations and extended drives by scrambling for first downs. Zussino totalled 105 yards rushing on six carries and passed for 157 yards and a touchdown to wide receiver Dylan Beck.

Beck had a strong game with two key catches and several solid blocks to extend downfield runs by the Stallions’ backs.

Terrel Cook recovered a fumble for a touchdown and Devin McGuirk kicked two field goals to round out the scoring.

The Stallions were led defensively by the outstanding play of Brandon Johnston, Nunes, Max Malo, Dylan Martin and Austin Currie.

In his first game back from injury, Martin contributed six tackles while Johnston and Currie had nine tackles each and Malo continued his steady play with a key interception.

The Stallions’ next game is tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Barrie Sports Complex in Midhurst, where they will face Peterborough in the regular-season finale. The Stallions will earn home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a victory or a Toronto loss.

Junior varsity

The Huronia Stallions junior varsity team won its fourth consecutive game 36-12 over Toronto last Saturday to improve to 5-2 on the season.

Jacob Tanguay had one of the finest individual performances at the junior varsity level in Stallions history. He caught a touchdown pass, returned a punt for a touchdown and kicked four field goals, including a 47-yarder.

Hayden Greenly rushed for a touchdown to round out the scoring.

The top defensive player was Kody Pain, who had several key tackles.

The Stallions took on the first-place Peterborough Wolverines Friday in Midhurst. Results were not available at press time.

Bantam

The Huronia Stallions bantam team fell to 5-2 on the season with a 36-6 loss to the undefeated Peterborough Wolverines last Saturday.

The Stallions played Peterborough tough and held them to 15 points in the first half until they yielded a critical scoring drive in the last minute of the first half.

The Stallions’ offence came to life in the second half, led by the rushing of Nik Brennan and Bradlee Kitchikake. First-year bantam quarterback Nick Dejesus connected with receiver Mick Tomcyzk for the lone Stallions touchdown. Slotback Kail Dava had two skillful receptions, which included a one-handed effort in double coverage on a fourth down.

Joshua Comstive was the top lineman and Issichar Sookwah and Justin Janicki were the leading defenders.

The bantam Stallions’ next game is today at 2 p.m. at the Barrie Sports Complex in Midhurst against the Clarington Knights.

Photo credit: Shelby Koomen