Sask scores 31 unanswered points in exciting 4th quarter comeback against Ontario East

(London, ON) — Saskatchewan defeated Ontario East 33-27 after being down by 25 in what was an unbelievable fourth quarter comeback victory in the third game of the 2012 Football Canada Cup, hosted by the Ontario Football Alliance (OFA) at TD Waterhouse Stadium on the campus of Western University.

Ontario East took an early first quarter 10 point advantage after quarterback, George Papadakos (#7) connected with receiver Malcolm Carter (#1) on a 47-yard fade route followed by a 35-yard Michael Domagala (#15) field goal. The second score was set up by a Tyler Ling (#23) Ontario East interception.

To open the second quarter, Ontario East conceded a safety touch to put Saskatchewan on the board.

A second Domagala field goal made the score 13-2 midway through the second quarter. A second first half interception by Ling led to a Pelle Jorgen (#23) touchdown run, widening Ontario East’s lead to 20 with just over one minute left to play in the half. Ontario East stopped Saskatchewan’s next drive on a Ryan Gallagher (#55) interception which set up a 38-yard Domagala field goal to end the first half 23-2 in favour of Ontario East.

A Domagala 20-yard field goal along with an early third quarter rouge gave Ontario East what seemed to be a comfortable 27-2 advantage.

Cue the comeback. Down 25 points at the end of three quarters, Saskatchewan scored 31 unanswered points. Saskatchewan’s comeback began on a bad snap on an Ontario East punt which resulted in a Saskatchewan 1st and goal on the Ontario East 3 yard line. Running back, Brandon Grasdal (#23) scored back-to-back touchdowns making the score, 27-16 with just over 5 minutes remaining.

Saskatchewan’s defense held strong and Saskatchewan scored on a precision 40-yard strike from Noah Picton to Richard Sandini. The two point conversion on a pass to Thompson put Saskatchewan within three of Ontario East, 27 to 24 with 3:30 left to play.

Ontario East’s fate was sealed when an Ontario fumble on the following kickoff return was picked up by Marcus Hall and returned 15 yards for a touchdown, giving Saskatchewan a 31-27 lead after the PAT. With Ontario East looking to reply, Hall came up with an interception which he returned to inside the Ontario East 20 yard line with 1:20 remaining.

Ontario East’s defense held strong. Taking over inside their own 10 with 17 seconds to play, Ontario East conceded a safety to make the final Saskatchewan 33, Ontario East 27.

Saskatchewan will now play Québec on Wednesday at 4 pm ET while New Brunswick awaits Ontario East at 1 pm.

Players of the game:

This post is also available in: French