Sturgeon JV Post First Win; Bantam fourth in a row

The Sarnia Sturgeon Junior Varsity team posted their first win of the season Sunday in
Burlington with a gritty, come from behind win over the Stampeders. As has happened in
all their games this year, the Sturgeon fell behind early as the home side marched the ball
down the field on their opening possession, scoring on a 1 yard run by quarterback Troy
Downton. Before the quarter was over, a field goal by Marcus Critelli had Burlington up
by a score of 9-0.

The Sturgeon scored their first major in the second quarter after a physical ground and
pound drive. Hard running Curtis Robichaud capped this drive with a 2 yard run. Any
momentum the Sturgeon might have mustered from this score was erased when speedy
Jude Armson returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. A successful
convert increased the Stampeders lead to 15-6. The Sturgeon struck for their second
major with 2 minutes to go in the half on a 39 yard pass and run play from quarterback
Scott Campbell to Kyle Ross. Another pass to Ross earned the visitors a 2 point convert.
A Stampeders field goal on the last play of the half had the home team up 19-14 at the
break.
The Sturgeon took the second half kickoff and moved the ball down the field relentlessly
on tough inside running by Robichaud and Adam Garrett. After pinning the Stampeders
deep in their end for most of the quarter the Sturgeon were finally rewarded as Robichaud
ran off tackle for a major from 8 yards out. With the score knotted at 20-20 in the last 2
minutes of the game, and the Stampeders driving for the go ahead score, a key
interception by Adrien MacMillan turned the ball over to the Sturgeon offence. Three
plays later Campbell hit MacMillan for a 51 yard pass for the go ahead touchdown.
Adam Garrett added the convert to put the Sturgeon ahead for the first time in the game.
Robichaud’s interception on the Stampeders final drive iced the victory for the visitors.
Curtis Robichaud rushed 24 times for 148 yards and Adam Garrett ran for 71 yards on 18
carries. Scott Campbell was 5 for 12 for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns. Nathan McIntyre,
Jake Brimmer, Peter Fais, and Randy Beardy made big plays at opportune times on
defense.
The next game for the Sturgeon is Sunday July 11 at 3 p.m. when they host these same
Stampeders at Norm Perry Park.

Sturgeon Bantams Win Fourth in a Row

The Sarnia Sturgeon Bantams travelled to Oakville on Sunday for a return engagement
with the Titans. The 2 teams met on June 12 in Sarnia with the Sturgeon prevaling 54-14
and the Titans were determined to put forth a more competitive effort at home.
The Sturgeon kicked off to the Titans and on the opening play from scrimmage, Josh
Elsley intercepted a pass and returned it to midfield. On the first play from scrimmage,
the Sturgeon’s Mitchell Smiley scampered around the right side for a 55 yard touchdown
run. After picking up a couple of first downs the Titans again turned the ball over on
their second possession, once again on an Elsley interception. From this point both
defenses stiffened and the only other scoring in the half was a punt return for a
touchdown by the speedy Kobe Lundy of the Sturgeon. Sarnia took a 13-0 lead to the
locker room at halftime.
The Sturgeon received the second half kickoff and marched the ball down the field on a
10 minute drive thanks to the powerful inside running of the Parete twins, Marco and
Alex. This drive culminated on a 5 yard touchdown pass from Elsley to Hayden
MacLean. The only other scoring in the second half was on a short plunge by the
aforementioned Marco Parete.
The Sturgeon defense had several fourth down stands to turn back the determined Titans
and earn the shutout. Next week the 4-1 Sturgeon, who are currently in 3rd place, travel
to Chatham to take on the 3-2 Cougars in a game with serious playoff implications.