Sport Slices

John Boultbee and his father Bill enjoying the game!

Under a brilliant November sun, the Queen’s Golden Gaels defeated the McMaster Marauders 32-6 last Saturday in Kingston. The Gaels dominated all aspects of the game from the opening kick off.

A strong westerly wind had a deciding influence on the outcome of the game. The Gaels went with the wind in the first quarter, and hemmed the Marauders into their end of the field on several occasions. Rather than chance a punt on third down, McMaster conceded safety touches on three occasions, adding six points to the Gaels’ scoreboard.

Queen’s added a touchdown by converting a turnover in the first quarter. Matt Vickers picked off an errant throw at the Mac 35 yard line, and Marty Gordon rambled in from the one to place the Gaels in front 13-0.

Queen’s running backs Jimmy Therrien and Gordon ran at will throughout the game. Despite the wind, Gaels’ quarterback Danny Brannagan threw for 161 yards on twelve completions.

The Queen’s offensive line proved to be the difference in the game. They blasted holes for the running backs, and held the Mustang defenders at bay, giving Brannagan time to read the defense.

There was constant pressure on the McMaster quarterback Kyle Quinlan the entire four quarters. Rush ends Osie Ukwuoma and Shomari Williams combined for twelve tackles and two sacks. Matt Vickers and Belleville’s Jimmy Allin combed the secondary, allowing Quinlan only 12 completions on 36 attempts.

Belleville Sports Hall of Fame inductees Gord Smith and Rick Locke were on hand for the Gaels’ triumph. Smith, a retired official, kept his eye on things from the press box. Locke was an outstanding running back for the Marauders. He went on to coach thousands of athletes at Quinte Secondary School in Belleville.

Next Saturday, the Gaels will meet the University of Western Ontario Mustangs for the Yates Cup in Kingston. The Cup will be awarded for the 102nd time. Game time is 1:00pm at Richardson Field.

The Mustangs knocked off the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks 26-16 in Waterloo on Saturday to earn the right to play in their third consecutive Yates Cup. Nathan Riva ran for 279 yards on 42 carries to lead the Stangs.

Western quarterback Michael Faulds completed 14 passes on 29 attempts. He is the CIS all-time passing yardage leader with 10 811 yards, just 97 yards ahead of the total that Brannagan racked up at Queen’s.
Note: Jimmy Allin elected to remain at Queen’s this year following four outstanding seasons with the Gaels. In 2007 and 2008 he was awarded the Bob Howes award as the Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. Laurier fullback Peter Quinney also hails from Belleville. Both got their careers started in the Belleville Minor Football League.

James Hurst
sportslices.blogspot.com
8 November 2009