Three wins for the Stampeders in front of full grandstands

From noon to 10:30pm on Sunday May 30, fans had every type of game experience as the four Burlington Summer Stampeders rep football teams kicked off their seasons to full bleachers. The crowd was most electrified by a dramatic Varsity win in the closing seconds of the game.

Young QB Keeps Composure for 4th Quarter Comeback

Featuring the return of Stampeder Alumni and newly signed Toronto Argonauts Quarterback Danny Brannigan in a special pre-game coin flip and kick-off ceremony, head coach Neil Lumsden’s Varsity Stampeders game started off looking like it would be a close match-up against the Hamilton-Wentworth Panthers. The first quarter ended tied seven all. The second quarter was marked by penalty trouble for the Stamps, a Wentworth touchdown, and ended with a field goal from the Panthers with a score of 7-17. In the third, the only point scored was a massive punt through the end zone to add one more for the Wentworth team.

There was a glimmer of hope when Ryan DiRisio scored a touchdown rushing at the beginning of the fourth and another with two minutes left to the game. The defence did its job, allowing yards but no scores. Starting quarterback, Will Finch in his first start with the Varsity squad, began lighting up his wide receivers in the fourth quarter, resulting in the second DiRisio touchdown. Only 45 seconds were left on the clock when the Stamps got the ball back for Finch to go to work. With nine ticks to the game he found Russel Culvert in the end zone. A two point conversion with a pass completion to Ian Stewart sealed the deal with a final score of 28-25 in the electrifying finish.

“It was incredible to see the composure of the young quarterback Will Finch,” said Summer Director Jay Davison. “The varsity players are really big and applied a lot of pressure to the QB and the receivers.”

The varsity team takes on the 1 – 0 Forest City Thunderbirds June 6, 6;00 p.m. at Notre Dame High School.

Jr Varsity 1 Team Blows Out Hamilton-Wentworth Panthers 50 – 0

The Hamilton-Wentworth Panthers JV team could not have anticipated what was ahead of them. The powerful first junior varsity Stampeders team, with head coach Sean Williamson, completely shut down any offensive game they tried. Jesse Kamp, Bryce James and Addison Olah anchored the defence with four tackles each. Kamp added an interception to the effort. The team dominated the game from the middle of the second quarter to the final buzzer.

Quarterback Eric Morelli had 44 passes including one touchdown completion as well as one rushing, complimenting the running game led by Mercer Timmins with 92 yards total rushing. Timmins contributed two touchdowns others were scored by Brady Switzer, Wes Livermore, Bennett Megarry, Jack Woolfry.

The team takes on the 1-0 Forest City Thunderbirds from London 3:30 p.m. June 6 at Notre Dame High School.

Jr. Varsity 2 Stampeders Fight to End, Fall Short

The Toronto Jr Argos came to Burlington’s Notre Dame High School field to play, demonstrated by the TD run on first possession at the beginning of the first and second halves. The Argos edged out the Burlington JV2 Stamps 24-19 Sunday evening, under the lights, when the Stamps offensive effort in the final minute of the game was cut short by an interception.

The Stamps defence ensured the game against the Argos was not a romp, with strong efforts to force turnovers. It started with a goal line stand in the first half, setting the stage for three Toronto quarterback sacks by Jack Thorne, Cole Masnaghi and Travis Dietl. The lead tacklers were Jude Armson with six and Jack Thorne with three.

The Stamps offence was anchored by Jonathon Howard with 107 yards rushing. He scored two and added one conversion. The third TD was a reception from Stamps QB Troy Downton to Charlie White, a demonstration of the team’s strong passing game, completing 15 of 29 passes for 117 yards.

“The Jr Argos team was bigger, stronger and executed very well,” said head coach Ken Looker. “What went wrong tonight can be fixed. The team didn’t give up when we were down by two scores. We are going to get better as a team.”

The Jr Varsity 2 Stamps have a bye next week. Next game is 5:00 p.m., June 13 against the Chatham Cougars at Notre Dame High School field.

Bantam Stampeders Convert for Win

The Bantam Stamps kicked off the home opener on Sunday at noon against the Hamilton-Wentworth Panthers with a battle of the defences. The Stamps, steadied by head coach Mike Ramsay, pulled out a tying touchdown from a hand off form quarterback Brayden Care to Justin Veltri with four minutes left in the game. Kicker, Adam McIntosh, scored the game winner with the point after conversion.

The Bantam Stamps take on the 0-1 Forest City Thunderbirds on June 6 at Notre Dame High School with kick off at 1:00 p.m.