Ontario defeats defending champion, Quebec to advance to gold medal game

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In the first of two semi-final games at the 2014 Football Canada Cup at Griffiths Stadium at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Ontario defeated three-time defending champion, Quebec 30-16 to earn a berth in the gold medal game on Saturday July 12.

Following a Quebec single on the opening kickoff, a Deshaun Stevens pick six to put Ontario up 7-1.

Later in the half, Ontario gambled on 3^rd and 2 at the Quebec 45-yard line. The gamble paid off as quarterback Kevin John found receiver John Wotherspoon for the touchdown strike to widen the Ontario lead 14-3.

An interception by linebacker Tchad Ayotte gave Quebec great field position at the Ontario 6-yard line. With their backs at the end zone Ontario’s defense stood strong, holding Quebec to a field goal to make the score 15-6.

Ontario widened their lead to 23-6 as quarterback Tristan Arndt found Jevante Stanley in the end zone. The play was set-up following a fumble recovery at the Quebec 25-yard line.

After a field goal made it 15-6, Zacharie Quiviger responded following his turnover, running the ball in from the 2-yard line to narrow Ontario’s lead 23-16.

Jevante Stanley cemented the Ontario win with a 56-yard touchdown run to make the final score 30-16.

Quebec head coach, Pat Boies acknowledged penalties and mental errors played a large part in deflating the defending champion’s sails.

“On our side we made too many mistakes at key moments to win the game. Ontario played a good game, it was a physical battle,” said Boies.

“Early in the game our quarterback made a bad read and threw the ball into one of the top defensive player’s hands. We kept having the discipline problems that we had in game 1 – we made a great play on defense and get an objectionable conduct [penalty] that stops the drive.”

“It rattled our kids a bit but they never gave up and fought ‘til the end.”

“I thought it was a physical football game, both teams came out and played hard,” said Ontario head coach Glen Mills.

“I was proud of our kids, I think we got a little too excited sometimes, took some crazy penalties but you know what, our defense played lights out – they did an outstanding job. Jevante Stanley does what he does and took it to the house to end it.”

Game 7 – Players of the Game

This post is also available in: French