NEWS RELEASE
HURONIA STALLIONS
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Varsity
The Huronia Stallions Varsity team outclassed the defending champion Oshawa Hawkeyes with a big 48-7 win. The victory secured homefield advantage for the 7-0 Stallions and officially eliminated Oshawa from playoff contention.
A critical fact that demonstrates how well the Stallions played was that Oshawa had yielded just 41 points in their six previous games this season before succumbing to the 48-point onslaught they were powerless to stop.
In the first half, the Stallions started the game with an onside kick recovery and methodically built a 17-7 halftime lead. With just 26 players dressed, the undermanned Stallions relentlessly dissected the Hawkeyes in all phases of the game.
The Stallions scored 31 second half points before finally taking a knee deep in Oshawa territory after the referees mercifully ran the clock through most of the fourth quarter. When the smoke finally cleared the highlights and big plays were a whirlwind of football excellence unseen in the long and storied history of the Stallions organization.
Offensively, the Stallions played their best game of the season putting up 27 points against a formidable defence. Quarterback Justin Winn completed 15 of 27 passes for 250 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Touchdowns were scored by receiver Christian Maciag on an excellent piece of route running, safety and running back Julian DiSabatino who weaved through the Hawkeye defence on a screen pass, and Will McCulloch who soared over an Oshawa defender on a jump ball in the end zone.
Defensively, the Stallions had a game for the ages by establishing a first in team history; three defensive touchdowns in a single game. The first was scored by defensive linemen Nico Burton who scooped up a fumble and took it 30 yards for the score.
The second was by Clayton Mrazek who dropped into the flats from the linebacker position and took an interception 35 yards to the house. The third was a 60-yard interception return touchdown by defensive halfback Nate Willems.
After the game, Stallions Defensive Coordinator Ed Shrubsole stated that Willems who finished with 6 solo tackles, 2 interceptions, one forced fumble, a flying pass break up, and the aforementioned touchdown, had reached an incredible caliber of play this season. Corner back Jordan Travis had a great game with an interception, fumble recovery, and field goal as the team’s kicker.
Registering quarterback sacks were defensive linemen TJ Pusey (2) and Anton Van Yzendoorn. Van Yzendoorn had a great game doing the dirty work blocking and covering kicks on special teams.
The Stallions next game is this Friday at 8pm against the 4-3 Etobicoke Eagles at Esther Shiner stadium in Toronto.
Junior Varsity
The Huronia Stallions Junior Varsity team improved to 3-4 on the season with a convincing 27-8 victory over the Oshawa Hawkeyes. The win clinched a playoff position for the young and improving Stallions and officially eliminated an undisciplined Oshawa squad from the playoffs.
The Stallions began the game in thrilling fashion by recovering an onside kick and then striking hard with a 50-yard touchdown strike on a trick play where Will Howard connected with Payton Plesh. Plesh who finished with 182 receiving yards and two field goals is developing into a star for the Stallions with his leadership and superb play. Howard scored a rushing touchdown to round out the offensive highlights.
The top defensive player was Kyle Nesbitt who finished the game with several solo tackles and four quarterback sacks. Linebacker Scott Laybolt recovered a fumble for a touchdown which was his second defensive touchdown in consecutive weeks. Ethan McKillican and Alex Linke registered quarterback sacks in a big day for the Stallions pass rush.
The Stallions next game is this Saturday at noon at Centennial Stadium in Toronto against the Etobicoke Eagles.
Bantam
The Huronia Stallions Bantam team will finish their season this Saturday at 10 a.m. at Centennial Stadium against the Etobicoke Eagles.
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