First ever OVFL – OFC exhibition game played between Essex & Chatham-Kent

It was the first ever exhibition game pinning teams from different leagues against each other. The Chatham-Kent Cougars Varsity team of the Ontario Football Conference hosted the Ontario Varsity Football League’s 2010 champion Essex Ravens in a battle of four down verses three down football.

The Cougars held off the Ravens with a strong lead for most of the game, but Essex pushed ahead for the win in the final minutes for a final score of 28-24.

The first and third quarters were played three-down while the second and fourth were played four-down rules. Chatham will be playing CFL style three down football in the OFC this season.
Chatham’s Lee Purnell caught a nine yard pass from Zach Welten for a touchdown and had four more catches for 84 yards. Kicker Clark Green made a 38 yard field goal and converted all three extra points. Josh Wright had a 85 yard kick-off return for a touchdown and Jeremiah Hamilton had a 115 yard return for a touchdown and one interception. Josh Shuian made nine tackles and had one sack. Graham Smyth had five tackles with two pass knock-downs and Tristan Robinet had three tackles with one interception. Veteran Chris Verrall had 83 yards rushing while Cody St. Pierre and Dan Fox each had three catches for 45 yards.

The Chatham-Kent Cougars Varsity team hits the road on May 28th to face the Twin City Predators at Wilfred Laurier University’s Knight-Newbrough Field. Chatham’s first home game will be June 5th against the London Thunderbirds at 7:30pm at Chatham-Kent Secondary School under the lights.

We hope one day the leagues will be able to work together similar Essex and Chatham have demonstrated…

By: www.chatham–kentcougars.com

CFC NOTE: Essex scored all their touchdowns while playing 3-downs and Chatham’s lone offensive touchdown was during the 4-down period. Not all of the Ravens starters made the trip to Chatham to participate.