IN THE TRENCHES
The Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs played host to the Stamford Hornets in high school football action.
The A.N. Myer Marauders senior football team entered Friday’s opener against the Centennial Cougars on a roll.
Myer, which has won two straight Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association Bowls, defeated eight-ranked London Catholic Central 26-10 in preseason action and fared well in a scrimmage against ninth-ranked Huron Heights. The Marauders’ play pushed them to fifth in Canada in the rankings.
Myer opened Niagara Region High School Athletic Association play with a 47-13 victory over Centennial Friday.
“Our ultimate goal is to complete a threepeat of an OFSAA bowl championship,” Myer head coach Dave Buchanan said. “We are very aware that many teams will be looking to knock us off the top, but that just comes with success.”
Buchanan knows high school football success comes in cycles, but is optimistic things can continue given the work ethic of the school’s junior team..
“We have a much better structure in place compared to a few years ago which hopefully will allow us to compete for years to come,” he said.
Myer returns many key players this season.
“We will possess a lot of speed and be able to pass very effectively with Tre Ford as our QB,” Buchanan said. “Our defence should be very strong as we have quite a few players with a lot of football experience and talent.”
Buchanan was disappointed the NRHSAA and Niagara Catholic Athletic Association have gone their own ways with football and other sports.
“With the split, there are no real winners in this situation,” he said. “I think it’s ultimately bad for kids and the rivalries that many of us enjoyed. It’s done and we will move on.”
Myer expects to do well in the NRHSAA league and, if it makes it through the league, knows it will face a strong challenge from the Catholic representative in the local OFSAA Bowl playdown.
“Every season is different and just because we have a great team on paper, doesn’t mean we will win,” Buchanan said. “A lot of things have to fall into place.
Leading the way for Myer against Centenial were: Tre Ford, 225 yards passing, including 15- and 30-yard TD passes to Jake Andrews; Tyrell Ford, 70- and 75-yard punt returns for majors; Lucas Hamilton, 10yard TD run; Tyler Hildrebrant, 70-yard rushing major; and, Rushon Dagelman, 30-yard TD run.
Replying for the Cougars were Wyatt Flagg, who plunged into the end zone on a third-and-goal and Carl Paulemont, on an eight-yard quarterback keeper.
Bulldogs 36 Hornets 0
Reid Wiley returned punts 50 and 40 yards for majors and caught a 37-yard TD pass from Nathan Jordan to lead the Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs to a 36-0 victory over the visiting Stamford Hornets Friday in NRHSAA Division 1 senior football play.
Josh Ferguson scored on a 45yard run for the Bulldogs and Riley McKinnon added a one-yard TD run. Blake Halliday had an interception for Churchill and Mike Vendittelli recorded a sack.
“For the first game, we had our jitters but we played a pretty solid game compared to last year,” Churchill head coach Peter Perron said. “Stamford plays up for us and we play up for them and the score wasn’t totally indicative of where other team is.”
He sees lots of room for improvement.
“We’re not where we want to be right now, but I was proud of out effort and intensity.”
Churchill’s goal is to be one of the top two teams in the league.
“We have to work hard to get there but that is our goal,” Perron said.
Chase Bowden had 70 yards rushing and an interception for the Hornets.
“More than half my kids have never played before, but they played hard and never quit,” Stamford coach Brad Martin said. “All the mistakes we made we can fix through reps in practice”
He’s confident the Hornets will be a competitive squad by season’s end.
“We’re building towards the end of the season and the playoffs,” Martin said. “We’re young and we will get better.
Golden Eagles 35 Saints 0
The Thorold Golden Eagles opened NRHSAA Division 2 play Thursday with a 35-0 road victory over the St. Catharines Collegiate Saints.
Leading Thorold were: Evan Ferguson, nine carries for 140 yards and two TDs; Matt Christie, five carries for 40 yards and two majors; Kaleb Dionne, 50-yard TD reception from Tyler Broderick; and, sacks from Layne Kares, Jared McIntyre and Lani Babajide.
Phoenix 21 Raiders 16
Matt Morris caught three touchdown passes from Grade 10 quarterback Ethan Reid, helping the St. Francis Phoenix open the Niagara Catholic Athletic Association senior football season Thursday with a 21-16 victory over the Holy Cross Raiders.
Alex Payne had a strong game at receiver for the Phoenix and Nathan Prantera picked off a pass.
Aiden Buis scored a TD for Holy Cross and Sebastian Balsom booted three field goals. Pat Zizak had a fumble recovery and Eric Dunnett a fumble recovery for the Raiders.
Mustangs 16 Gators 0
The Saint Michael Mustangs shut out the Lakeshore Catholic Gators 16-0 Thursday in the opening NCAA senior football game for both schools.
Harry Walker and Max Nazartchyk scored majors for Saint Michael and Carlos Calderon had a twopoint safety on defence.
“There’s a lot of things to work on,” Saint Michael coach Brian Carter said. “We got the victory and we will move forward improving all aspects of our game.”
Carter liked the quadrupleheader of Catholic teams Thursday.
“It was enjoyable to have all the Niagara Catholic schools play together on the same day to kick off the season.”
Redcoats 27 Flyers 7
Owen Friesen rushed for more than 200 yards and scored on runs of 70, 50, 20 and 10 yards to power the Governor Simcoe Redcoats to a 27-7 victory over the Eden Flyers Thursday in NRHSAA Division 2 senior football action. Bill Kilptarick added a twopoint convert on a pass from Kurt Allen.
Performing well for Eden were: Keaton Bruggeling, TD and interception; Cody Wall, good offensive game; and, strong defensive games from Caleb Johnston and Will Bonner.
“We have a small bench with many new, young players,” Eden coach Jordan Smith said. “A lot of young guys got their feet wet and they’re excited to play Collegiate next week on our renovated field.”