NDA Jr. Football Playoffs - Barons win OT thriller

The Algonquin Barons avenged an early season loss to the West Ferris Trojans by beating them 8-7 Saturday afternoon in one of the NDA junior football semi-finals.

The game started off on a good note for the Trojans who scored on a long pass and run play as quarterback Ryan Leckie hooked up with receiver Steve Bertram. Devon Marson added the extra point to make the game 7-0. From then on the Trojans and Barons defenses clamped down and stopped some long drives by both offenses. In the third quarter the Barons scored a rouge by downing the Trojans punt returner in his own end zone making the score 7-1.

Late in the fourth quarter the Barons marched down the field with great running plays led by tailback Hugo Tessier and slotback Tyler Miller. The Barons eventually punched it in on a 5 yard run by fullback Junior Gauthier.

The extra point was then blocked. The Barons defense held off the Trojans last drive forcing the game into overtime. The Trojans had the first possession starting at the Barons 35 yard line. Despite making a first down the Trojans were not able to punch it in as the Barons defense led by Jonathan Wilkinson, Jamie Sneddon and Brandon Boyer held off the charging Trojans offense. It was then the Barons turn to start at the 35 yard line of the Trojans. The Barons ground game took over from that point on getting 2 first downs and getting the ball deep in Trojans territory. The Trojans solid defense held off the Barons stopping them on the 10 yard line. On fourth down the Barons offense decided to go for another rouge by punting the ball deep in the Trojans end zone. The Trojans punt returners were once again unable to make it out of the end zone sealing the victory for the Barons.

Algonquin now heads to their second NDA junior final in as many years. They will host the Widdifield Wildcats in the next Saturday. Game time and location will be determined later this week.