It was an absolute nail-biter in Sturgeon Falls on Thursday as the undefeated junior Trojan football team (3-0) visited the junior Franco Cite Patriotes (2-1).
The tight contest ended with the Trojans coming back in the second half to win 27-26.
The Patriots took the opening kick off and ran and passed their way through the Trojans’ defence like a hot knife through butter. The touch down was scored by Logan Lavoie and a two-point conversion was successful.
The Trojans offence methodically worked their way downfield and Ashton Stanley ran in a touchdown. The Trojans attempted to tie the score, but a two-point try was thwarted.
The Patriotes offence went to work and Logan Lavoie scored his second of the day. Two point conversion no good.
The Trojans offense scored when Ashton Stanley ran in his second touch down of the day. Carson Cleator converted. The Patriotes drove on the Trojan defence once again and scored in the late stages of the first half. Near halftime the Patriotes turned the ball over on a kick return and the Trojans almost scored as Ethan Estabrooks threw a beautiful pass that slipped through the hands of Sean Kelly. Halftime score was Patriotes 20 Trojans 13.
The Trojans received the second half kick off and went to work on the ground on a drive capped by a touchdown scored by Caedan Carriere and converted by Carson Cleator, tying the score at 20. The Patriotes’ Jacob Aubertin snuck the ball into the end zone. Two point conversion unsuccessful.
The Trojans answered with Ashton Stanley’s third of the game and Carson Cleator put the Trojans up by one point. The teams went back and forth and the Trojans drove the ball down to the Patriotes fifteen yard line before turning it over on downs. It was up to the Trojan defense to protect the one-point lead with three minutes left in the game.
The Trojans D let the Patriotes run and pass their way to the Trojan three-yard line. Somehow the Trojans stopped the Patriotes.
The Trojans got the ball at their own three-yard line and ran out the clock to win 27-26 in one of the most exciting junior NDA football games this season.
Barons edge Raiders
The Algonquin Barons earned their first victory of the season by defeating the Chippewa Raiders Wednesday afternoon by a score of 20-19. Barons touchdowns were scored by Hunter Periard, with two, and James McGill on a pass from QB Logan Roy. Raphael Dohoun kicked two converts.
Chippewa was led by Jacob Miller with two touchdowns, along with a touchdown run and pass from QB Allistair Bridges.
Conner Amond kicked one convert for Chippewa. Both teams conclude their regular season next week.
