The Sarnia Sturgeon bantams played their home opener against the undefeated Oakville Titans at Germain Park on Saturday and came away with a convincing 54-14 victory. This marked the first time a football game had been played at Germain Park in many years. The location was due to the fact the city did not want the Sturgeon playing a tripleheader on each of their teams first home games of the season over concerns for the condition of the field at Norm Perry Park.
The Sturgeon, who split their first two games on the road, won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. Following the opening kickoff the Sturgeon defense came out hitting hard and stopped the Titan offence, forcing them to punt. On the home side’s first possession Hayden MacLean sped 29 yards around left end to score at the seven minute mark. Nic Paquette’s convert was successful. Again the Sturgeon defense held the Titans, and on the Sturgeon’s second possession, Mitchell Smiley scampered for an 88 yard touchdown run on a crafty reverse called by offensive coordinator Dave Elsley. Paquette’s second conversion increased the score to 14-0.
The Titans got on the board midway through the second quarter as they countered with their first major on a 2 yard run by bruising fullback, Mac Vanduzer. The Sturgeon replied with 2 touchdowns in the final 3 minutes of the first half, both on touchdown passes from quarterback Josh Elsley to Hayden MacLean, one for 22 yards and the other for 24 yards. Marco Parete ran for a two point convert on the first of these 2 touchdowns. The score at the half was 28-7.
The Sturgeon’s initial possession in the second half was an eight minute drive that culminated with a 14 yard pass frrom Elsley to Erich Maxfield. Later in the quarter Maxfield again scored on a 9 yard pass. The Titan’s lone score of the second half was a 19 yeard pass to Marcus Papin that was successfully converted by kicker Kimbal Mackenzie. The hard running twins, Alex and Marco Parete, each rumbled for a touchdown in the final quarter to complete the scoring.
The Bantams next game is at Norm Perry Park on Sunday June 20 at 3 p.m. against Forest City Thurderbirds.
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