Wildcats top Bears

The defending NDA champion Widdifield Wildcats topped the St. Joseph Scollard Hall Bears 24-10 in a cold rain soaked game on Friday night at Cundari Field. The Wildcats used a strong running attack and solid defence to keep their perfect record intact.

Early on, the story was definitely Widdifield running back Blaine Leblond. The shifty tailback carried the ball for over a hundred yards in the first half alone and left several Bear defenders grabbing air on long runs.

Widdifield opened the scoring on their first drive of the game after a 40 yard punt return by Jordan Prudhomme. Leblond and the Wildcat offence then drove the ball down to the 5 yard line where quarterback Pat Rideout was able to punch it in on an option play.

Scollard was able to move the ball early against a strong Wildcat defence but they were unable to get into the red zone in the first half.

Early in the second quarter, the Wildcats repeated their first drive of the game as Leblond marched the ball deep into the Bears territory and Rideout once again punched it in from 2 yards out on a QB sneak.

“The weather was okay early and we took advantage; the O-line was blocking really well so we stuck with the run most of the way,” said the pivot of his team’s first half success. “This team really goes flat out when we get the chance,” added Rideout.

Kicker Dan Cobbledick converted his second extra point of the game to put the Wildcats up 14-0.

As the first half drew to a close the weather began to play a factor in the game as the rain poured down on the field throughout the entire night. There were several dropped passes by both teams and Leblond did turn the ball over on a fumble midway through the second quarter, however the Bears were unable to take advantage.

Scollard came out in the second half and were able to get deep into Widdifield territory with some strong running by Nick DeVuono who replaced starter Gabe Rubio after he went down with a concussion. The Bears were able to come away with an Anthony Nucara 30 yard field goal to make the score 14-3.

The rest of the game was filled with turnovers as the field and the ball both became very slick. Widdifield linebacker Cam Gummo started the turnover trend making a diving interception on an attempted screen pass.

That set up a 40 yard touchdown scamper for Leblond who got outside on the Bears defence and used his speed to go in for the score. Cobbledick missed the extra point making the score 20-3.

The Bears answered right back however as defensive lineman Matt Coleman blocked a punt to give the home team good field position. Scollard QB John Kapitanchuck then found DeVuono on a screen pass and he went streaking down the sideline for a 60 yard score to pull the Bears within 10.

Early in fourth quarter Rideout and Leblond fumbled an exchange that the Bears recovered at the ‘Cats 35 yard line. Two plays later Kapitanchuck was intercepted by Ben Johnson who brought the ball back all the way to the Bears 40 yard line.

After a single on a missed field goal by Cobbledick made the score 21-10, Kapitanchuck was again intercepted as the rain soaked ball got away from him and fell into the waiting arms of defensive back Blake Martel.

“The defence really came together tonight,” said Gummo “it was a good game all around for us,” added last years NDA defensive co-MVP.

Cobbledick added a late field goal to push the score to 24-10 and the Wildcats ran out the remaining clock after the Bears turned the ball over on downs.

Widdifield head coach Sean Mullan was pleased with his team’s effort but noted that there are tougher tasks that lie ahead.

“Scollard played us tough; we were really happy with our execution in the first half and the defence played well,” said Mullan.” We are going to have to be better next week and if we have hopes of repeating we are going to need to play better than we did tonight,” added the bench boss.

Scollard head coach John Whittet said that his team really had some positives that they could take from the loss.

“I was really proud of the boys, we didn’t really have much to work with in this weather and they did a pretty good job,” said Whittet. “The message at half time was to come out and win the second half and they did. If that’s not a building block I don’t know what is,” added the coach.

Scollard, now (2-2) on the season, will face the Algonquin Baron (1-2) next week while the Wildcats (4-0) will gear up for a rematch of last years final against West Ferris (4-0).