OVFL JV: Ironmen shake off Spears


The Niagara junior varsity Spears football team lost their season opener on the road.
Niagara fell 17-14 to the Hamilton Ironmen at McMaster University in Ontario Varsity Football League action on Sunday afternoon.

On the first kickoff, Adam Evans ate up the field for an 80-yard return, which set up a touchdown by running back Dylan Smythe to give the Spears a 7-0 lead.

The Ironmen tied the game up in the late stages of the first quarter. Hamilton took the lead in the second and later kicked a field goal to go up 17-7.

Evans snagged a touchdown pass from quarterback Mario Villamizar to bring the score within three points, but Niagara couldn’t pull off an onside kick.

Despite the Ironmen regaining possession at the 50-yard line, the Spears forced a fumble with a just a minute remaining, but couldn’t muster any offence.

Corey Verkuyl and Mack Jones combined for 21 carries for 67 yards. Villamizar went 13-for-27 for 168 yards.

Linebacker Conner Haday made four tackles and assisted on eight. Connor Warnock collected two tackles and helped with another seven while defensive back Robert Purcha made five tackles and assisted on five.

Defensive lineman Jacob Moore made four sacks and assisted on three tackles.
The bantam (4 p.m.) and junior varsity (8 p.m.) Spears will each host the Brantford Bisons at Kiwanis Field on Saturday.

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