Maritime Football League
2008 Game Summaries
  

Week 10: August 2-3 "Semi-Finals"

 
John Forbes of the Riverview Molson Mustangs runs over Ted Richard of the Halifax Shockers yesterday during league playoff action at Dobson Field.
 

Mustangs to play for title
Riverview will face Saint John Wanderers in Maritime Football League championship

Times-Transcript

Published August 4, 2008
Appeared on page D1

The Riverview Mustangs will play for the McIntyre Cup league championship this weekend after beating the Halifax Shockers 13-7 yesterday in the Maritime Football League playoffs.

In front an energized home crowd, the Maritime Bowl semifinal ended just before a sudden downpour overtook Dobson Field. The Mustangs now move on to the MFL Maritime Bowl championship game against the Saint John Wanderers Saturday at 4 p.m. at Dobson Field.

In yesterday's game, Halifax scored in the first quarter with a 25-yard pass from quarterback Chris Livingston to AJ Tufford. Halifax was successful in getting the extra point.

In the second quarter, Riverview scored on a one-yard run by Steve Cormier. It was the only score in the second quarter. Riverview's Jordan Beyea was successful in getting the extra point. Halftime score 7-7.

In the second half, Riverview scored on a four-yard run by Steve Cormier. The extra point was unsuccessful which brought the game to its final score.

"We had hoped to take advantage of Halifax's cover zero and that's when they have all their player off playing very tight on the line," said Mustangs head coach Rob Weir immediately following the game. "They adjusted to our adjustments quite well so we had to change our tune a little bit half way through the first quarter."

Weir said his team found their strategic footing in the fourth quarter.

"We went from the 15-yard line, the link of the field, to eight and nine yards at a time to shoot up at least 13 minutes of the last 15 minutes," he said.

In their only previous meeting this season, Riverview gave Halifax a 30-0 beating back in June. But before the teams met again yesterday, Weir said the Mustangs weren't about to take anything for granted, noting how Halifax had become a much stronger team over the summer.

The Wanderers beat the Dartmouth Knights 41-29 in the other Maritime Bowl semifinal on Saturday. In their previous meetings this season, the Wanderers overtook the Mustangs 36-26 in an early July game.

"Saint John is a tough team, much like Halifax," said Weir. Anticipating a huge home team crowd, the Mustangs head coach said their championship game play strategy would be a "state-secret" up until kick off.

Meanwhile, the Moncton Marshals lost 41-7 to the Saint John Longhorns in a Mariner Bowl semifinal yesterday in Saint John. Moncton's touchdown was scored by Olivier Eddie in the second half.

The Longhorns will host Fredericton's Capital Area Gladiators Saturday in the Mariner Cup consolation trophy championship game. The Gladiators defeated the P.E.I. Privateers 28-21 in the other Mariner Bowl semifinal on Saturday.

 
 
Johnathan Hachey of the Saint John Wanderers takes off with the ball with Dartmouth Knight Ryan Moxsom on his tail during the semifinal game at Millidgeville North Field Saturday. The Wanderers advanced to the Maritime Football League's AAA final with a 41 to 29 win over Dartmouth. Saint John travels to Riverview to take on the Mustangs Saturday at 4 p.m. The Saint John Longhorns advanced to the AA final with a 41-7 win over the Moncton Marshals. The Longhorns are at home Saturday at Millidgeville field to face the Capital Area Gladiators at 2 p.m.

Telegraph-Journal

Published August 4, 2008
Appeared on page C6
 
 
ON THE RUN: Capital Area DG Gladiators running back Andrew Hickey breaks away with the ball from a would-be tackler from P.E.I. during playoff action in the Maritime Senior Men’s Football League at MacKenzie Field in Oromocto on Sunday. The Glads defeated the Privateers from P.E.I. 28-21 to advance to the Mariner Cup final against the Saint John Longhorns in Saint John on Saturday.
 

Taylor puts grid lock on Mariner Cup semi

By Mike Power
Daily Gleaner

Published August 4, 2008
Appeared on page B4

Jeff Taylor knows desperation football when he sees it, and that veteran knowledge helped him make a game saving interception.

Taylor and The Capital Area DQ Gladiators built up a 28-6 lead and then desperately hung on to beat the Prince Edward Island Privateers 28-21 Saturday afternoon at Oromocto's MacKenzie Field in front of 48 fans.

The victory propels the Glads into the Mariner Bowl final this weekend against the Saint John Longhorns in Saint John. The Longhorns defeated the Moncton Marshals 41-7 in Saint John in the other semifinal Saturday.

The Mariner Bowl involves the four lower ranking teams from regular season play in the Maritime Senior Men's Football League. The top four teams compete for the Maritime Bowl.

Taylor, the former FHS Black Kat and original member of the Gladiators, was a presence all day long and never more than with the game on the line.

Taylor already had one interception and a touchdown to his credit when he stepped up to pick off Privateers' quarterback Mitch Murphy in the Gladiators end zone with what would have been the game tying score along with the convert.

With two minutes left on the clock, Murphy, a thorn in the side of the home team all day, was marching his team down field using a pounding and successful ground game when he opted to fire a frozen clothesline into the end zone to receiver Chris Mutch.

Instead, Taylor stepped in front of the intended recipient and grabbed the ball killing the drive and all but ensuring the win.

"Time was getting short for them," Taylor said of the pick. "I thought they would have to try to put some big yards up at some point (in the drive).

"I could tell when (Mutch) went right down the seam that something was coming. There was no move whatsoever. The quarterback looked at him the whole way so I just turned into the receiver and ran the route."

Almost makes it sound easy.

But there was little easy about the game as the Privateers came to play, particularly after the Gladiators built up their maximum lead. For that, you can partially thank rock and roll.

"I think we just got tired," said Taylor who played both sides of the ball all day long. "First, you have the heat and we were also without a couple of guys who are a big part of the team. They were away watching The Eagles (in Moncton)."

Indeed, the loss of defensive stalwarts Trevor O'Leary and Ben Thompson who had checked into Hotel California for the weekend began to show after Gladiators quarterback Brendan Cornford completed a 49-yard scoring pass to Andrew Hubbard just a few minutes into the second half.

That would be the last real sustained offence the Glads would mount and P.E.I. would begin pounding away led by the antics of Murphy who was multi-dimensional threat on every snap.

"We had to make sure when we rushed we had to keep the outside closed off," Taylor said. "If he got out and turned the corner, he was dangerous. Plus, he has the passing option so it was hard to get guys to come up out of coverage on him."

The Gladiators penchant for penalties also helped the P.E.I. offence. For example, the drive that got them back on their feet, the answering march after Hubbard caught his touchdown ball, was sustained by six flags against the home team.

"That was a sign we were tired," Taylor said. "But also a lack of discipline on our part. We don't practice enough and it showed."

The result was a six yard scoring run by Murphy just before the end of the third quarter, followed by a two point convert to put the game back on the table.

Murphy would find receiver Corey Chaloner with a six-yard scoring pass with seven minutes to play to close the game to within a touchdown but that would be as close as they would come.

In the first half, the Gladiators got points from an 15-yard scoring run by Andrew Hickey, a 20-yard pass from Cornford to Taylor and a five yard run by Hickey. All four scores were converted by Zac Cann.

P.E.I.'s only score of the first half came on a 25-yard pass from Murphy to Mutch. Murphy slipped while trying to kick the convert.

At Saint John, Jordan Blizzard had a pair of first quarter touchdowns in the Longhorns rout of Moncton. QB Reece Roche threw a pair of touchdown passes to Jim Mather, another to Justin Cavan and scored on a three-yard keeper.

  
 

Refocused Wanderers set sights on playoffs

Telegraph-Journal

Published August 2, 2008
Appeared on page C7

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Vito's Alpine Wanderers had an empty feeling the last time they left the gridiron.

The Port City pigskin squad dropped a 31-26 decision to the Halifax Shockers last weekend to close out the Maritime Football League's regular season. As a result of the loss, the Wanderers finished with a 7-1 record and second overall.

The first-place Riverview Mustangs also finished with a 7-1 record as did the Dartmouth Knights.

The Mustangs took top spot on account of a tie-breaking formula while Dartmouth finished third. The determining factor in the final standings was the least points allowed versus common opponents.

Regardless, it will take two more wins for the right to hoist the MFL championship trophy.

The Wanderers' pursuit of that prize begins with today's semifinal at 4 p.m. at Millidgeville Field. The other semifinal goes Sunday at 4 p.m. at Dobson Field in Riverview, where the Mustangs host fourth-place Halifax (6-2).

"We're going to use it as a motivational tool,'' Wanderers head coach Dave Grandy said about last weekend's loss. "It was definitely a gut check. We lost a game and at the end of the day, it's not a big deal, but it has definitely motivated us.''

The Wanderers were second-best offensively and second-best defensively in the 10-team circuit this season. Still, statistics are often irrelevant once playoffs begin, and Grandy's group offers plenty of experience.

"(Quarterback) Jon Hachey is our leader and he steps up in big games,'' the Saint John coach said.

On the defensive side of things, Grandy said his team will have to thwart the efforts of Dartmouth quarterback Vince Williams and running back Mike Lynds.

"They have a strong passing attack,'' Grandy said. "I expect our secondary to have a big day. Our defence has played great all year.''

The Wanderers' sideline boss said last weekend's loss to Halifax wasn't a typical game.

"We only had two starting secondary players and the rest were all rookies,'' Grandy said.

"We had a good day offensively. We ran the ball really well and we threw the ball, and I expect the same thing against Dartmouth. Jon Hachey is our leader and I expect a big game out of him.''

A Wanderers' win today would set up the possibility of playing the other 7-1 team in next Saturday's Maritime Bowl VII.

"We don't care who wins between Riverview and Halifax,'' Grandy said. "We have one game we have to win against Dartmouth, and that's what we're concentrating on.''

Meanwhile, today's other MFL playoff action includes a pair of AA semifinal contests for the right to play for Mariner Bowl II next Saturday.

The Prince Edward Island Privateers (2-6) will visit the Capital Area Gladiators (3-5) at 4 p.m. in Oromocto, while the Saint John Longhorns (5-3) welcome the Moncton Marshals (1-7) to Millidgeville for a 2 p.m. kick-off.

 
 

Mustangs host Shockers in MFL playoff opener
Moncton visits Saint John in consolation semifinal

By Sean Hatchard
Times-Transcript

Published August 1, 2008
Appeared on page B4

The Riverview Mustangs only have to look back to last week to realize they have a worthy opponent in their Maritime Football League semifinal on Sunday.

The defending champion Mustangs host the Halifax Shockers in a semifinal at 4 p.m. at Dobson Field with a trip to the Maritime Bowl league championship game on the line.

The Shockers are coming off a 31-26 upset victory over the previously undefeated and first-place Saint John Wanderers during the final week of the regular season last Saturday.

That Halifax win helped Riverview clinch first place, thanks to a three-way tie-breaker for top spot -- between the Mustangs (7-1), Wanderers (7-1) and Dartmouth Knights (7-1) -- which was decided on a point-against versus common opponents ratio.

The Shockers finished fourth at 6-2.

"Playing Halifax is no picnic. To finish first and play Halifax is not a good prize," Riverview head coach Rob Weir said last night.

"They are a good team with a very strong defence and a very good linebacker corps. We're going to have to go out and play some good football to beat them."

And while the Mustangs hammered the Shockers 30-0 in their only meeting of the season in Week 4, Weir expects Halifax will have a different team this time around.

"They didn't have their starting quarterback in that game, so I expect them to be a stronger offensive unit," he said.

"And they're kind of known as giant killers. They beat the Wanderers in a semifinal last season, so they don't always play as well in the regular season but they're ready come the playoffs.

"This is why you play the game. It's sudden death playoffs and that's what makes football so exciting."

Riverview defeated Halifax 23-0 for its first MFL championship in last year's title game.

The Mustangs enter the playoffs on a three-game winning streak. Their only loss of the season came in a Week 6 36-26 setback to Saint John.

"We've looked pretty good the last couple games. We've dealt with some highs and lows this season, but we're eager to play to our full potential now," Weir said.

Riverview starting quarterback Kelly Nichols returned late in the regular season from injury, allowing backup pivot A.J. Gallant to move back to his natural position at slotback.

Second-place Saint John hosts third-place Dartmouth in the other semifinal tomorrow. The Maritime Bowl championship game is scheduled for Aug. 9.

Meanwhile, the fifth through eighth-place teams are competing for the Mariner Bowl consolation championship trophy. Semifinals will see the eighth-place Moncton Marshals (1-7) visit the fifth-place Saint John Longhorns (5-3) Sunday at 2 p.m. and the sixth-place Capital Area Gladiators of Fredericton (3-5) entertain the seventh-place P.E.I. Privateers (2-6) tomorrow.

The Marshals, who were awarded the eighth and final playoff spot on a three-way tie-breaker, lost to the Longhorns 20-11 in their only meeting of the season in Week 4.

"You don't get too many second chances and we have to make the most of this one," said Moncton head coach Dan Fougere, whose team is on a five-game losing streak.

"The Longhorns are a tough team and they'll be tough to beat, but we have our core guys around and we can make a game of it. If we all come to play football, I think we should do all right against them."

 
 
Gladiators hosting P.E.I. in semifinal

Daily Gleaner

Published July 29, 2008
Appeared on page B1

Capital Area Gladiators, 31-0 winners over Moncton Marshals in Moncton led by Andrew Hickey scoring a pair of rushing touchdowns and Andrew Hubbard running for another, will host seventh place P.E.I. Privateers in Maritime Mariner Cup senior football semifinal action Saturday at MacKenzie field in Oromocto. Game time is 4 o'clock.

Glads finished sixth in the 10-team circuit with a 3-5 record while the Privateers finished 2-6 in seventh. Glads quarterback Brendan Conford hooked up with Jeff Taylor for the fourth Glads TD against Moncton. Zach Cann booted three converts, Bobby McIntyre passed to Hubbard for a two-point conversion and the Glads defence added a safety.

The other playoff matchups include No. 3 Dartmouth Knights playing at No. 2 Saint John Wanderers in Saint John Saturday.

Sunday matchups feature No. 8 Moncton at No. 5 Saint John Longhorns in Saint John and No. 4. Halifax Shockers playing at No. 1 Riverview Mustangs.

 
 

Saint John Longhorns enter playoffs as top AA seed

Telegraph-Journal
Published July 28, 2008
Appeared on page B8

The Saint John Longhorns ended the Maritime Football League regular season on a positive note with a 35-18 road win over the Prince Edward Island Privateers Saturday.

Jordan Blizzard was once again the star for the Longhorns, scoring three touchdowns on 250 yards rushing. The 18-year-old also scored a rouge on a missed field goal, kicked four conversions, and added 100 yards returning punts and kickoffs. Dan Tibbetts, on a six-yard reception from Reece Roche, and fullback Nathan Doherty, on a 22-yard dive, had the other majors for Saint John, which finished in fifth place with a 5-2 record.

Longhorns coach Eric Sabean can's say enough about Blizzard, last year's rookie of the year.

"He became such a priority (for the P.E.I. defence), everything else would open up. He'd go one way and three linebackers would follow him," said Sabean. "And he's a humble kid, that's why I like him so much. He had three touchdowns and I wanted him to get a fourth because I really want to push for him to be an all-star, and he said, 'No, give it to one of the other guys.' "

Linebacker Andrew Hamilton led the Longhorns defensively, Colin Broemeling had two sacks and Josh Smith had one. Mike Curwin intercepted P.E.I. pivot Mitch Murphy early in the second quarter to set up the Tibbetts TD.

In other action, the Halifax Shockers shocked the previously undefeated Saint John Wanderers with a 31-26 win in Halifax, the Riverview Mustangs shut out the University of New Brunswick Saint John Wolves 63-0, the Capital Area Gladiators topped the Moncton Marshals 31-0 and the Dartmouth Knights beat Super City Mean Green 35-0.

The Wanderers, Knights and Mustangs all finished with 7-1 records, but Riverview takes the top seed through a convoluted tie-breaking formula. They'll take on the fourth-place Shockers (6-2) again on the weekend in the AAA semifinals, while Dartmouth and Saint John will tangle in the other semi.

The Longhorns will enter the MFL playoffs as the top seed in the AA section, where they will take on the eighth seed.

The Wolves, Marshals and Mean Green all finished with 1-7 records. Moncton and Super City each forfeited a game this season, throwing an additional wrench into the tiebreaker formulas. The Wolves attempted to accommodate the Halifax expansion squad by agreeing to a rematch Sunday on only 24 hours rest, but Super City was unable to field enough players for the trip. Super City ends up with the eighth seed anyway after the labyrinthine formula is applied.

The other AA semifinal will pit the Gladiators (3-5) against the Privateers (2-6).