This one was over by the midway point of the opening quarter.
While intercepting three passes during their opponents first four possessions, the Sault Sabercats led the Newmarket Storm 30-0 at that point.
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The Cats were up 52-0 at halftime and went on to secure a 58-0, Ontario Varsity Football League victory in Newmarket.
“We played almost perfect football on both sides of the ball,” said veteran linebacker Pat McGrath, who returned an interception 24 yards for one of the Sault majors. “We made very few mistakes and got everyone some playing time.”
Coupled with last week’s 42-27 win in Mississauga, the 2-0 Sabercats have outscored their opponents 100-27 so far, heading into this Saturday’s home opener against the Guelph Bears (2-0).
Start time at Rocky DiPietro Field is 1 p.m.
“We played well, we played tough and there wasn’t just one thing you could point to as a key,” said Cats head coach Steve Nott, whose defence held the Storm to just 11 yards of net offence in the opening half. “We did a little bit of everything. We knew going in that we were bigger and the more-talented team. And our no-huddle offence didn’t give them a chance to make adjustments.”
Among the standouts on offence were quarterback Michael Campbell, slotback Josh Fritz and tailback Trevor Plumley.
“Campbell was huge for us,” Nott said.
Playing just the first half, Campbell completed 11 of 15 pass attempts for 189 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He also carried three times for 25 yards.
Fritz caught eight passes for 134 yards, including a five-yard major. And Plumley ran 23 times for 109 yards, scoring from 16 yards out.
“Everyone executed very well,” Campbell said. “Our offensive line was great, the receivers did a good job blocking, we ran our screens very well and the running game was very well-executed.”
Fritz was on the receiving end of a number of successful screen passes.
“I was confident we could beat them, but I was surprised by how much we dominated them from the start,” Fritz said. “We have a lot of talent and skill on both sides of the ball and everyone showed up to play tonight (Saturday).”
Jimmy Castellani, Sean Plumley and Jake MacDuff scored two touchdowns each for the Sault.
Castellani, who carried eight times for 47 yards, scored on runs of one and 21 yards.
Sean Plumley was on the receiving end of six and 41-yard scoring strikes, finishing with three receptions for 50 yards.
Both of MacDuff’s catches went for majors. He caught scoring strikes of 11 and 17 yards.
MacDuff also scored a two-point conversion, catching a pass from Campbell.
Trevor Plumley ran for a two-point conversion for the Sault’s other points.
“I’m excited about this team,” said Mc- Grath. “This win was huge for us.”
Besides McGrath, Gabe Hunt, Iain Hutchison, Erik Bringleson and Brandon Hazelton also made interceptions. Bringleson added a fumble recovery and third-string quarterback Brandon Corelli threw his first OVFL touchdown pass, hitting Fritz from five-yards out.
“I’m really looking forward to showing everyone at home what we can do,”
Fritz said of the club’s home opener. “Hopefully, we can go to 3-0.”
“I’m expecting Guelph to be a better team than Newmarket,” Nott added.
“We’re hoping to see someone who’ll give us a test. And we want to show people in the Sault how talented we are and what we can do.”
Notes: Rhys Mahler led all Sault defenders with 3.5 tackles. Hazelton had 2.5 while McGrath and Max Sullivan were credited with two tackles each.
Posted By PETER RUICCI, THE SAULT STAR
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