Mustangs and Renegades to meet in NS Spring League Midget championship (RECAP)

A rematch is on the horizon this upcoming long weekend in the Nova Scotia Indoor Spring League (Midget) Championship Game.

The Timberlea Renegades and Metro Mustangs won their semi-final matches this past weekend to set up a showdown on Saturday May 18^th, 2013 at East Hants Sports Complex.  Top ranked Mustangs crushed the fourth seeded Dartmouth Destroyers 41-6.  Meanwhile, the third seeded Renegades upended the second seeded Halifax Argos 17-16 in a thriller.

Last year in the Nova Scotia Varsity Football League (NSVFL), the Mustangs and Renegades met in the championship final.  The Renegades came away with the championship title after defeating the Mustangs 24-21.

Kickoff for the Nova Scotia Indoor Spring League Championship game on Saturday is 10:30am.

The following is a recap of this past weekend’s semi-final match-ups:

METRO MUSTANGS 41, DARTMOUTH DESTROYERS 6:

On Saturday evening, the Metro Mustangs punched their ticket to the championship game with a convincing 41-6 victory over the Dartmouth Destroyers.

Offensively for the Mustangs, running back Taylor MacDonald led the way for the victors as he scored three touchdowns, registered 75 rushing yards on seven carries, 26 yards on two receptions, 90 yards on two kick returns and 191 all-purpose yards. Running backs Tyler Robichaud (30 rushing yards on four carries) and Matt Zwicker (11 rushing yards on three carries) also tallied singles in the victory.

Quarterback Sean Muir had six completions in 11 attempts for 88 passing yards as well as a one yard rush.  Running back Will Chamberlain (32 yard carry) and wide receivers Brian Gough (47 receiving yards on two receptions) and Colin Murney (15 yard reception) also contributed to the Mustangs success with their offensive game execution.

Defensively, linebacker Jesse Boudreau had a stellar performance as he caught an interception as well as amassing two solo tackles and five assisted tackles.  Linebacker Mitchell LeBlanc (three solo, two assisted tackles), defensive back Will Chamberlain (two solo, four assisted tackles), defensive lineman Kyle MacDonald (two solo tackles), defensive back Matt Bayne (one solo and one assisted tackle), defensive lineman Malcolm Hyde (two solo tackles), defensive back Chris Young (three assisted tackles), defensive lineman Ben Ford (two assisted tackles), linebacker Brad Bevan (one assisted tackle), defensive lineman Dustin Buchanan (one assisted tackle), defensive back Gio Holmes (one assisted tackle) and linebacker Tyler Robichaud (one assisted tackle) all played a significant role in halting the Destroyers’ ability to get anything going offensively.

On special teams, kicker Colin Murney was successful on five conversions and two field goal attempts (28 and 25 yards) to accumulate 11 points for the Mustangs. Additionally, Murney registered 320 yards on 6 kickoffs for an average of 53 yards per kick as well as 110 yards on three punts for an average of 37 yards per kick.  Ryan Keays had four returns for 90 yards, Matt Bayne racked up 21 yards on two returns and Joe Doucet had a 20 yard return in the win.

“Taylor MacDonald had a very productive day with 191 all -purpose yards and 3 touchdowns,” commented Mustangs head coach Greg Bayne in his postgame evaluation.  “Running back Tyler Robichaud continues to run well getting a touchdown.”

“Matt Zwicker also punched in a touchdown.  Our kicker, Colin Murney continues his perfect kicking streak over the last three games of 17 of 17 completed PATs and five of five completed field goals with two rouges. Defensively, Jesse Boudreau had a great game with 7 tackles and an interception.”

TIMBERLEA RENEGADES 17, HALIFAX ARGOS 16:

On Sunday morning, the Timberlea Renegades took out the Halifax Argos in a close game.  The Renegades prevailed with a 17-16 victory.

Hayden Clarke got things going early on the first drive of the game, when he returned the kickoff for a 95 yard touchdown.

While the Renegades went into the half with a 14-8 lead, the Argos took over the lead early in the third quarter.  However, a field goal at 7:55 of the fourth quarter solidified the victory for the Renegades.

This was sort of a déjà vu for these two teams.  Players from the Renegades suit up in the fall for the Sir John A MacDonald Flames of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL) while players from the Argos compete for the Citadel Phoenix.  This past November, the Phoenix upended the Renegades by the identical score.  Moreover, a field goal in the last 30 seconds of the game gave the Phoenix a historical fifth consecutive title.

Ultimately, there were some key players that contributed to the Renegades success on both sides of the ball.  While the team is savouring the victory, the Renegades gave props to their opponents on Sunday.

“It was a hugely exciting game between two teams that have a lot of respect for each other,” explained Renegades head coach Alan Wetmore.  “It was a pleasure to be a part of a good, hard fought, clean football game.”

“On the Renegades first drive of the game, Hayden Clarke had a 95 yard touchdown reception. After that, as these two teams go, it was hanging on for dear life after that, There were a couple of lead changes and all of the players played great to try and win the game.  On defense, Josh DeGruchy played great and is evolving into a dominant player. Also Zack Léger at linebacker had a strong game.  On offense, quarterback Lorenz MacDonald really stepped up his game and his favorite target was Thomas Hoyt who had a very good game at receiver. Nate Rostek and Hayden Clarke lead the Renegades with their strong play making plays at crucial times.  “It was a great victory for our organization.”

Top photo courtesy of Cathy Connell

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