Barons and Bears to meet in NDA Jr. Football final

The Algonquin Barons advanced to their fourth NDA junior football final in as many years with a hard-fought 26-21 victory over the West Ferris Trojans Saturday afternoon at É.S.C. Algonquin field.

The Trojans found the end zone on their opening drive as QB Jake Tougas hooked up with Tight End Skylar Hennigar for a 15 yard catch and run play. Kyle Decosta booted the convert to make it 7-0 Trojans. On their ensuing drive, the Barons drove downfield thanks to the hard running of backs Michel Bédard, Zach Wilkinson and Rhys Libby. Once in the red zone, however, the Trojan defence came up big, recovering a Barons’ fumble on the West Ferris two-yard line.

After moving the ball 40 yards downfield, Tougas was picked off by Barons defensive back Brad Bérubé. The Barons capitalized on the turnover, as tailback Michel Bédard found the end zone from a few yards out. Scott Hunter added the convert to tie things up at 7.

On their next series, Algonquin found the end zone again as tailback Rhys Libby scored from 5 yards out. Hunter once again added the convert to make it 14-7 Barons at the half.

Algonquin scored on their first possession of the second half, as Libby rumbled 20 yards for the major. The failed convert made it 20-7 Barons.

The Trojans, however, answered back. Utilizing a solid passing attack, the Trojans were able to close the gap by the end of the 3rd quarter as Thomas Hamilton found the end zone for six. The blocked convert now made it 20-13 Barons.

In the fourth, the Trojans scored with 3 minutes remaining in the game, as Tougas hooked up with Scott Pawson for a 20-yard pass and run play to make it 20-19 Barons. Tougas then found Ryan Scott in the end zone for the 2-point conversion. The Trojans now led 21-20.

With just over a minute remaining in the game, Bédard found the end zone from 35 yards out to give Algonquin the victory.

The Barons will now face the St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Bears next Saturday at Cundari Field for the NDA championship.

Submitted to BayToday.ca