The Cumberland Panthers U10 tyke team has gone from underdogs to odds on favourites to win the National Capital Amateur Foortball Association (NACAFA) A-Cup city championship after steamrolling past the previously unbeaten Orleans Bengals in the semi-finals on Saturday.
In their only previous meeting this season, the Bengals easily beat the Panthers 28-0.
In fact, they won everyone of their eight regular season games and quarterfinal playoff game by an average of 26 points. Their defence allowed a total of just 90 points in those same nine games.
After finishing the regular sason with a 5-2-1 record, the Panthers entered the playoffs as just the 6th seed. In the quarterfinals, they came back from a 12-0 halftime deficit to beat the Kanata Knights after scoring the game-winning touchdown in the final minute.
In Saturday's semi-final, the Bengals lead 28-8 mid-wayn through the second quarter and looked to have things under control. Their offence was able to find the end zone on five of their first six series, while their defence had limited the Panthers to just 28 yards and zero first downs in 11 plays. The only anomaly on the scoresheet was a 50-yard touchdow run by Panthers' quarterback Noah Armstrong on the opening play of the second quarter.
After Bengals quarterback Cole Baxter scored his second touchdown of the first half to put his team up 28-8, the Panthers responded with another long touchdown run, this time by Jason Kavanaugh, to narrow the deficit to 26-16 after Lucas Fopa kicked his second straight two-point conversion.
The Panthers defence then forced the Bengals to turnover the ball on downs after Baxter had to temporarily leave the game with a minor injury and his replacement, Nash Hill, was sacked for a loss on a third and four play.
After taking over the ball on the Bengals' 29-yard line, the Panthers needed just three plays to find the end zone again and make it a two-point game, trailing 28-26, which is how the first half ended.
The Panthers' defence stopped the Bengals again on the opening series of the second half to set up a go ahead touchdown touchdown pass from Armstrong to Noah Ayoub. Fopa's fourth two-point convert of the game would give the Panthers a 34-28 lead.
From there the rest of the game was all Panthers, as their defence gained more and more confidence and asked more questions of Bengals' offence which was unable to answer back.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, the Panthers offence shifted into high gear and added three more touchdowns on three straight series to make the final score 54-28.
Armstrong ended the game with 207 yards on 17 carries and four touchdowns, He also threw for a touchdown to Ayoub. The Panthers other two touchdowns were scored by Kavanaugh who ran the ball nine times for 77 yards.
The Bengals leading player was Cole Baxter who ran the ball 25 times for 140 yards and three touchdowns.
The Panthers will face the North Gloucester Giants in the A-Cup final next Sunday after the Giants beat the Myers Riders 48-32 in Saturday's other semi-final. In their only previous meeting this season the Giants beat the Panthers 48-24 on Aug. 24.
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The U10 Cumberland Panthers will be joined on A-Cup Sunday by the U12 mosquito team which beat the Gloucester South Raiders 38-10 on three rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown by quarterback Nico Scarfone. Channing Mailhot scored a rushing touchdown as well.
Despite dominating play throughout the first half, Celtic only had a 1-0 lead at the break thanks to a goal from Luca Piccioli in the 32nd minute.
As play resumed in the second half, Celtic kept up the pressure but were unable to add to their lead. Their inability to capitalize on their superior play would come back to haunt them as Holy Cross eventually scored the equalizer in the 10th minute off a miscue and a deflection inside the Celtic penalty area.
The score remained tied through the remainder of regulation time, which meant the game and the championship would be decided on penalty kicks.
After both teams scored on their first three tries, Celtic's first half hero Piccoli missed on his attempt, sending the ball high over the crossbar leaving St. John's only needing to score on its final shot to win the game.
Despite the loss, the Celtic can still boast an impressive resume that includes six provincial championships, three national championships, and now a silver.
SDBC TAPROOM CONCERT SERIES presents Quite Alright live and in concert at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Advance tickets $7 available at 
PUMPKINS & PINTS pumpkin carving event at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Cost $10. Your ticket gets you your own pumpkin and materials so you can get creative and carve out your masterpiece. There will be prizes and other surprises. All ages. Space is limited so RSVP today by visiting 
TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d'Arc. For more info visit 
OYSTER NIGHT every Wednesday from 6-9 pm at the Orléans Brewing Co. Two types of oysters served with lemon, Tobasco, horseradish, salt and mignonette. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd., next to McDonalds.
FINAL ORLEANS FARMERS MARKET OF THE YEAR from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot at the Ray Friel Recreation Centre on Tenth Line Road. Shop the freshest seasonal produce, meat and dairy, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts and more while getting to know the folks who grew and made it.
BOOZE AND BREWS BASH at the Royal Oak Orléans, 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. (corner of Jeanne d'Arc) 10 pm to 2 am. Dance the night away when DJ Kwizz starts spinning the tunes at 10pm!! Prize for the best costume!! Pints of Molson Canadian for $6.95 & shots of Jameson's for $5.95.
