ONTARIO WEST CAPTURES OPENING GAME OF 2011 FCC AGAINST N.S.

The opening game of the Football Canada Cup saw Nova Scotia play Ontario West in a windy game in Lethbridge, Alberta.  Both teams went through an early ‘feeling out’ process in the opening frame with a back and forth defensive affair.  The wind was a major factor early on in the game, with both quarterbacks and receivers misplaying many passes.

The first touchdown of the game was scored by Ontario West when they converted a fumble recovery on a Nova Scotia punt return fumble.  QB Will Finch marched the offense down the field and converted on a scramble run TD to put Ontario West up 7 to 0 with 7:48 remaining in the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter Nova Scotia looked to take advantage of blocked punt recovered deep in Ontario West territory.  A few plays later an interception in the end zone by Ontario West defensive back, Jake Gatza (Burlington) nullified any score by Nova Scotia.

Later in the quarter Ontario West completed their second fake punt of the half on a nifty run by running back Morgan Lavoie (St. Catharines) for 37 yards.  Ontario West settled for a Clark Green 21 yard field goal just before the half to give Ontario West to take a 10 to 0 lead.

The second half started the same way the first half did with a back and forth defensive battle.  At 5:06 of the quarter, after a great punt by Green, the Ontario West defense stuffed the Nova Scotia offense on two successive plays, forcing the Maritime team to give up a safety bringing the score to twelve to zero through the 3rd quarter.

The play that looked to seal the victory for Ontario West was a ‘scoop and score’ touchdown by David Peter Mainse.  Mainse picked up a Cody Cluett (Nova Scotia QB) fumble and returned it 37 yards for the score putting Ontario West up 19 to 0 with 10 minutes remaining. The Ontario West offense capitalized on two late drives.  Receivers Alex Frkovic and Jake Frimeth caught touchdowns; the first from Will Finch and the second from James Roberts.  Ontario West won by a final of 33 to 0.

Nova Scotia defensive linemen Adam Melanson and Jacob Rigby played strong games.  A’dre Fraser of Nova Scotia was injured early in the game.

Will Finch threw 21 passes for 13 completions for 187 yards and 1 touchdown.  He also had 61 yards rushing.  Jake Frimeth led all receivers with 124 yards on 10 catches and one touchdown.

Players of the game

Most valuable defensive player- Nova Scotia: #51 Keith Langille

Most valuable offensive player- Nova Scotia: #18 Brian Jones

Most valuable defensive player- Ontario West: #27 Jadon Johnson

Most valuable offensive player- Ontario West: #10 Will Finch

This post is also available in: French