First loss of the season for Varsity Stampeders

The Burlington Varsity football Stampeders with a record of 6-0 met the undefeated Twin Cities Predators (5-0-1) on Sunday, and lost a thrilling 30-28 contest, in the final moments. Burlington tied or led for the entire game until 23 seconds remained on the clock. Six Stamps turnovers on the day proved to be the difference.

The Stampeders scored first in last two minutes of the first quarter and the Predators tied it with just over two minutes left at the half. The Stamps came out strong after the two half scoring on their first possession in the third. Burlington increased their lead to 21-7 early in the fourth quarter on a Ryan DiRisio TD. The turning point came when Twin Cities responded with a 85 yard kick off return to move back within 7 points of the lead. A spectacular 30 yard diving TD catch by Ian Stewart, restored the two touchdown difference. Twin Cities promptly moved down the field to move back within 7 points.

With less than a minute remaining the Predators, after stopping the Burlington offence, scored a touchdown to move within a point. Being one point back in the standings, Twin Cities went for the 2 point conversion but was stopped by the valiant Stamp defence. As Burlington held a slim 28-27 lead, the Stamps prepared for the onside kick, but the Preds were able to pick up the ball on the short kick. With 23 second remaining, the Preds moved to the 35 yard line and kicked a solid 3 pointer to put them in the lead 30-28. Burlington responded with one last effort moving to the 45 yard line, but the Evan Short kick with the clock running down to zero, missed the uprights by a few yards.

DiRisio scored two majors, one rushing and one with a catch, ran for 156 yards and caught two other passes. Quarterback Will Finch delivered a strong passing game with three completions to Stewart, another three to Brendan Conway, including a TD reception, and Trevor Reid caught four.

The defence was tough on the Stamps side of the ball with interceptions from Randy Williams, Nigel Henry and Alex Maj. Jordan Thompson delivered three sacks, Luke McQuilkin seven tackles, and Tanner Care another six.

“A lot of great things happened today, but we lost a game we should have won.” said head coach Neil Lumsden after the game. “We’re in this together, we’re going to bounce back together.”

The Stamps play their season final game in Toronto on Sunday July 25 at 5pm against the 2-4 Jr Argonauts as they prepare for the playoffs.

Junior Varsity tier one team remain undefeated

The hushed home crowd in the first half had much to celebrate by the end of the game when the home team won 38-7 against the second place Twin Cities Predators to remain in first place, moving to 7-0. The game was much more competitive than the score would leave you to believe.

The crowd was shocked when the Predators held the Stamps scoreless in the first quarter, the first team to accomplish this feat in the season. Even worse, the Predators scored first and took the lead in the second quarter. But not for long. On their next possession after the Twin Cities score, they scored and tied the game 7-7. The defence held the Predators to four and out, but with a bad snap, the Stamps took over the ball on the three-yard line. Less than a minute after their first score, they pulled ahead 14-7 taking that lead into the locker room at the half. The Stamps scored again on their first possession after the half and again on a punt return to continue the scoring frenzy.

Three touchdowns were score by Mercer Timmis who rushed for an unbelievable 232 yards, and one each from Blake Culver and Wes Livermore. Livermore’s was on a punt return. Jack Woolfrey carried for 44, Greg Coffin 28, and Leigh Szela for 27. Andrew Zeibart added three with an 18-yard field goal and was a perfect five for five for point after kicks in addition to the three tackles he delivered on defence.

The defence came together and shut down the strong Predators team. Jesse Meyers had nine tackles, Addison Olah and Troy Murphy each had six, Kyle Hallett and Bryce James added four. Jesse Kamp recovered a fumble and Jack Gatza had two interceptions. The defence was helped by Livermore’s kick-offs pinning the Predators deep in their own territory. He averaged 40 yards, with one 60-yard effort.

The Junior Varsity tier one squad will be in Predator territory as the home and home series with number one and two teams in the league go to Kitchener-Waterloo Saturday July 24 at Knight-Newbrough field with a 5pm kick-off.

The Junior Varsity tier two team will travel to Toronto with the varsity and bantams for a match up Sunday July 25.

Bantam Stampeders go to 7-0

The Burlington bantam Stampeders are still undefeated after hosting the Huronia Stallions at home Sunday July 18 at Notre Dame secondary school with a 35-0 win.

The defensive effort was very strong shutting out the Huronia team. Christopher Lebert led the defence with six tackles, Ben Leavitt contributed five tackles along with a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter. Chandler Bradshaw added another five each along with a sack. Carter Gladman added another sack and blocked a punt, ran for 45 yards before being tackled just before the end zone, setting up the next TD. Mitchell Stodulski picked up an interception in the fourth quarter, Clayton Weir forced then recovered a fumble.

Anchored by quarterback Brandon Smyk, the offence had a lot of production. Michael Parent ran for 91 yards, one for 56 yards, had delivered one TD. Justin Veltri also had 91 yards rushing, one TD, and his longest was 40 yards. Eric Kells and Smyk each scrambled in for touchdowns, Smyk hit Kells in the end zone for one last TD in the fourth.

Adam McIntosh was perfect in the kicking department, scoring five of points after in as many attempts. His strong kick-offs, averaging 30 yards, with two almost 50 yards long, gave the Stallions difficult field position the entire game.

“We played as well as we have all season long in the first half.” said head coach Mike Ramsay. “We lost intensity in the second half. We have a lot of things to work on to get ready for the playoff series.”

The Bantam Stampeders will kick off the battle against the 0-7 Toronto Jr Argos next Sunday at Eugene Melnyk field. Game time is at 11am.