(Posted
2 p.m., Oct. 25)
Bantam Panthers crush west end rivals in playoff opener
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
The
Cumberland Panthers team made short work of the Myers
Riders in the first round of the National Capital Amateur
Football Association playoffs last weekend and in the
process sent a message to the remaining post-season contenders
that they are the team to beat.
The
Panthers steamrolled to a 68-0 win over their traditional
crosstown rivals thanks to a balance attack from the air,
on the ground, and on special teams where kick returner
Brendon Shaw scored a 57-yard touchdown in the second
quarter. He also scored on a 75-yard run in the fourth.
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Cumberland
Panther quarterback Christian Veilleux eludes
a tackle against the Myers Riders at Millennium
Park on Sunday. The Panthers would go on to win
the game 68-0 to advance to the NCAFA semi-finals.
Fred Sherwin/Photo
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Quarterback
Christian Veilleux proved once again why he is the best
QB in the league, throwing a pair of touchdown passes
to Jake Ruby, and a third to Dante Spaduccini who also
scored on a 60-yard run in the opening stanza.
By
the time the final whistle blew, Veilleux had thrown for
101 yard on 10 passes, three of them for touchdowns. He
also ran the ball once for a three-yard touchdown.
Backup
pivot Zach Clouthier also got in on the action, throwing
a touchdown pass to Evan Scazighino at the end of the
third quarter.
Running
back Markaedyn Nelson rounded out the scoring with a touchdown
and a 21-yard field goal. He was also a perfect eight
for eight on extra point attempts.
The
Panthers defence put in a strong effort as well, limiting
the Riders to a handful of first downs, and refusing to
allow them to cross the 55-yard line. They forced the
Riders to turnover the ball twice on fumbles and concede
a late safety.
Linebacker
Justice Koradi led the way on defence with five solo tackles
and two assists. Schneider Jean-Baptiste had four solo
tackles and Nick Dignard had three, while Cyrus Behne-Switzer
and Camdem Barrett got credited for the fumble recoveries.
Next
up for the undefeated Panthers are the Rideau Redblacks
(5-3). The two teams will play this coming weekend for
a berth in the NCAFA championship. The other semifinal
will pit the Kanata Knights (7-1) against the Cornwall
Wildcats (6-2)
In
other playoff action involving the Panthers, the mosquito
team upset the West Carleton Wolverines 13-0 to advance
to the semis. Unfortunately, the peewee team lost 39-14
to the Bell Warriors, however, they will get a chance
to redeem themselves when they play in the B-Cup semi-finals
this weekend.
The
undefeated Panthers tyke team had the weekend off to prepare
for their opening playoff game which is also being played
this weekend.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
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