Maritime Football League
2009 Game Summaries

Week 9: July 24-25 "Quarter-Finals"

By Jamie Ross
Published in the Times-Transcript on Monday July 27, 2009
Appeared on Page B1

Riverview Mustangs moved one step closer to capturing their third straight Maritime Football League championship on Saturday, defeating the Prince Edward Island Privateers 56-13 in a quarter-final match at Dobson Field.

"It's single elimination from here. Every game is a championship game to us," said Riverview head coach Rob Weir. "We're only looking as far ahead as winning the next game."

The Mustangs came out strong in the first quarter of Saturday's game, scoring on their first possession courtesy of a 25-yard touchdown rush from running back Shea Lenehan.

Lenehan would find the end zone again for a TD just minutes later, putting his team up 14-0 in the early minutes of the first quarter.

But the Privateers didn't go quietly, and responded on their next series which was capped off by a Chris Mutch pass to Mitchell Murphy, cutting the score to 14-6 after one quarter.

The ensuing kickoff was run all the way back to the Privateer 10-yard line by Mustang Josh Scott, and the drive was capped off by Lenehan again, who scored a third TD on a two-yard run.

The Mustangs would score again before half time, and once again it was from Lenehan who did it on a 12-yard run.

The score was 28-6 at halftime.

Lenehan would score his fifth touchdown in the contest in the third quarter to set a team record for the most touchdowns by a running back in a game.

Privateer quarterback Mutch would hook up with Murphy again for a 65-yard touchdown pass and convert to make it 35-13. But that's as close as they would get.

Jordan Kenny added two more touchdowns for Riverview in the second half.

The decisive victory puts the Mustangs up against the Saint John Wanderers in a semifinal match up set for Sunday at Dobson field. Game time is 4 p.m.

The Wanderers defeated their Port City counterparts the Longhorns 27-0 on Friday to earn a semifinal berth.

Weir said though the Wanderers have had a rocky seasons up until this point, they've won when they've had to.

"They always come out to play. They're hard nosed they managed to beat a team that beat them handily earlier in the season."

Weir expects to see a different Wanderers team in the semifinal, as they've added a number of players since the two teams last met, when the Mustangs won 37-0.

In the other semifinal, the Halifax Shockers will travel to Fredericton to square off against the Capital City Gladiators Saturday.

The Shockers earned their spot in the semis with a 17-8 victory over Dartmouth on Saturday, while the Gladiators defeated the Moncton Marshalls 13-0 on Friday to make the next round.

The Marshalls will face the Knights in a consolation semifinal Saturday in Dartmouth.

By Jon MacNeill
Published in the Telegraph-Journal on Saturday July 25, 2009
Appeared on Page C7

SAINT JOHN - A Port City rivalry was renewed with force on a soggy Millidgeville field Friday night as the Saint John Wanderers crushed the Saint John Longhorns 27-0 in the first round of playoff action.

The win advances the Wanderers to the Maritime Football League's semifinal, where they'll face the winner of today's duel between the Riverview Mustangs, ranked first in the East, and the P.E.I. Privateers, ranked last. The Longhorns will spar with the loser of that match in the tier two semifinal. Those games are set for next Saturday.

Jon Haines got things going for the Wanderers early in the first quarter when he returned a punt for a 45 yard touchdown run. Doug McPhee kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead at 9:30.

"I said to the guys, 'don't kick it to Jon Haines,' and they kicked it to Jon Haines and he scored a touchdown because that's what he does," said a noticeably frustrated Eric Sabean after the game.

"I loaded our punt team to stop (Haines) and he blew right through us," the Longhorns coach said.

The Longhorns almost answered a few minutes later, advancing towards the Wanderers end zone off a smooth 25-yard pass from Reece Roche to Justin Robichaud. Jordan Blizzard closed the gap with a couple of runs to set the Longhorns up two yards shy of the line, but a fourth down charge through the middle was stoned by the Wanderers defence.

That was about as close as the Longhorns got to their opponents end zone for the rest of the game.

Early in the third quarter Haines punched in his second touchdown of the night, stemming from a couple of strong runs from Charlie Harroun. McPhee kicked again for the extra point.

"Tonight people got a chance to see what Jon Haines is all about," Dave Grandy, the Wanderers head coach, said.

Haines had been out most of the season, only returning to the turf for the last couple of games.

"It was good to see, and I think the boys elevate their game when they're playing behind (Haines). It really fires 'em up"

Blizzard tried to spark some life into his Longhorns with a 35-yard run, but the advance was called back by a holding penalty at the scrimmage line.

"That sucked the wind right out of us, it was the turning point," Sabean said.

The Longhorns were plagued by holding and objectionable conduct penalties all game as tension rose between the Port City rivals.

"We were our own worst enemy that whole game, and we paid for it," Sabean said.

"It was the worst game for mental mistakes that I've ever been involved with."

Harroun propelled the Wanderers to a 20-0 lead late in the third quarter with a two yard touchdown dash. Haines clinched his third touchdown of the night in the last eight minutes of action off a 10 yard sweep. McPhee nailed the extra point for a 27-0 win.

"We've been waiting for this team to show up all year, and tonight these guys came out and played the smash-mouth football that we wanted them to play," Grandy said.

The Wanderers had something to prove Friday night, having lost to the Longhorns 20-0 earlier in the season for the first time in league history.

"They got the best of us in the first game, and we just came out and wanted this one a little bit more tonight," Haines said.

"With these two teams it's a heated rivalry every game, it always has been since they came into the league."

By Rob Touchie
Published in the Daily Gleaner on Saturday July 25, 2009
Appeared on Page B3

Capital Area DQ Gladiators player-coach Jamie Edwards was very direct and to the point about his team's performance Friday night in its Maritime Football League playoff match against the winless Moncton Marshals at Chapman Field: "If we play the way we played tonight against the winner of the Halifax-Dartmouth game, we'll get our back-sides handed to us, no doubt about it."

The Gladiators came out flat and played listlessly throughout the game but were still able to defeat the undermanned Moncton team 13-0 in a rain-soaked and penalty-filled game.

"Penalties were an issue throughout this game," said Edwards, who led an effective Gladiators defence that held Moncton to 135 total offensive yards. "To be very frank, I am just glad that it is over."

The Gladiators actually started the game well, scoring on their first possession. They led off with six straight and effective runs, leading to a 10-yard screen pass to fullback Jay Thomas, which set them up with favorable field position for a touchdown run from 12 yards out by quarterback Brendan Cornford, who recovered well from a fumbled snap to put the Gladiators up 6-0.

"Our game plan was to run the ball on these guys and burn off the clock," said Edwards. "Things were going well out there but then the rain really started to come down and we seemed to lose some focus, started playing undisciplined football and gave them every chance to get back in the game."

Fortunately for the Gladiators their defence stood tall and the Moncton team never mounted any real offensive threats, even though they were able to get the ball inside the Gladiator red zone on occasion via turnovers and penalties.

The running game of the Gladiators was effective and sustained throughout with Josh McArthur running for 115 yards on 20 carries and Tommy Broad gaining 120 yards on 17 rushes. Cornford ended the night with 120 yards passing with five completions on 12 attempts. Jeff Taylor caught three of Cornford's passes for 85 yards, one for a 65-yard gain at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

"Brendan played well tonight, but that ball was wet and on that particular play we saw that the ball was dry and we thought we should try something long while the ball was dry," said Taylor. "After that the rain really started coming down and the ball just started to get like a wet medicine ball. It was impossible to do anything through the air after that."

Moncton player-coach Shane Mosher agreed that the conditions played a factor in the game, but felt his team performed admirably.

"We played our butts off out there tonight," said Mosher who sat out the game with a broken right arm. "The Fredericton team seemed to relax a bit and it showed but with only 19 guys dressed tonight, and losing two more in the first half to injury, we just didn't have anything to throw at them "¦ especially when that rain started to come down."

The Marshals have had personnel issues for the entire season, consistently dressing only 19-20 players each game against teams dressing 30 or more.

"When we finish the season next week with our consolation game, we'll have to sit down with our management and restructure for next season," said Mosher. "We just didn't want to fold before the end of the season but I am sure that we'll get things straightened out and headed in the right direction for next year."

The night wasn't without highlights, however, as offensive lineman Erik Watson caught a beautiful 25-yard touchdown pass from Cornford to start the second quarter, which Zach Cann converted with his point after kick. The play was a result of a 65-yard scamper from the speedy Broad beginning deep in the Gladiators zone.

"Watson is such a force out there, whether he's blocking or catching the ball for us," said Edwards. "Unfortunately, we'll probably use him solely in a blocking role when we play the Halifax area winner."

The Gladiators will be back in action next weekend when they host the winner out of the Halifax-Dartmouth game and Edwards fully expects the Gladiators to put this undisciplined debacle behind them.

"We didn't play our game here tonight. Our discipline was an issue for us throughout, as were turnovers," said Edwards. "You can be sure we'll be practising hard this week and we'll come out and follow the game plan next week"¦or else"¦."

Edwards didn't need to finish his thought, the shaking of his head and disgusted expression on his face said it all: the Gladiators have unfinished business that begins in practice this week and continues next weekend when their opponent from the Halifax area comes to town.

Published in the Times-Transcript on Saturday July 25, 2009
Appeared on Page C3

FREDERICTON - Moncton Marshals are still winless in the Maritime Football League.

Fredericton's Capital Area Gladiators beat the undermanned Marshals 13-0 in a rain-soaked, penalty-killed quarter-final playoff game last night at Chapman Field in Fredericton.

Meanwhile, the first-place Riverview Mustangs (7-0) host the Prince Edward Island Privateers (2-5) in a quarter-final game today. Game time is 4 p.m. at Dobson Field in Riverview.

Last night, the Gladiators defence held the Marshals, who have not won a game this season, to just 135 total offensive yards.

The running game of the Gladiators was effective and sustained throughout with Josh McArthur running for 115 yards on 20 carries and Tommy Broad gaining 120 yards on 17 rushes.

Quarterback Cornford ended the night with 120 yards passing with five completions on 12 attempts. Jeff Taylor caught three of Cornford's passes for 85 yards.

Moncton player-coach Shane Mosher agreed that the conditions played a factor in the game, but felt his team performed admirably.

"We played our butts off out there tonight," said Mosher, who sat out the game with a broken right arm.

"The Fredericton team seemed to relax a bit and it showed but with only 19 guys dressed tonight and losing two more in the first half to injury, we just didn't have anything to throw at them, especially when that rain started to come down."

The Marshals have had personnel issues for the entire season, consistently dressing only 19-20 players each game against teams dressing 30 or more.

Mustangs ready to play hard in playoff run
Maritime Football League post-season begins this weekend

By Sean Hatchard
Published in the Times-Transcript on Friday July 24, 2009
Appeared on Page D1

Yes, the Riverview Mustangs are undefeated. And yes, the Mustangs have to be considered the odds-on favourites to win a third straight Maritime Football League championship in two weeks time.

But no, the McIntyre Cup isn't handed out that easily, Riverview head coach Rob Weir said this week. While the Mustangs rolled to a perfect 7-0 regular-season record, they don't expect their playoff march to go that easily.

Riverview hosts the P.E.I. Privateers in a quarter-final playoff game tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Dobson Field.

The Mustangs placed first in the Eastern Conference at 7-0. The Privateers were fourth with a 2-5 record. In their lone meeting of the season, Riverview won 42-12 at home in Week 4.

"I expect P.E.I. to come over here with a full squad, I expect them to come here playing to win and I don't think they'll roll over at all," Weir said.

"This is a team that has beaten one of the top four teams in the league (a 29-21 win over the Capital Area Gladiators earlier this month) and has played other top teams really tough this season."

The Mustangs have been the class of the league in 2009, outscoring their opponents 241-72. That leaves a nagging question though. Will they ever lose? Could their first defeat come in a playoff game?

"It's better to be winning than losing for sure, but there's no doubt that the perfect record stays in the back of your mind. We try not to focus on that too much," said Weir, in his second season as Riverview bench boss.

"We try, instead, to focus on the fact we're a strong team that is pushing forward and believes in itself."

The Mustangs game plan for tomorrow will call on shutting down the Privateers passing game and forcing them to instead try to run the ball against a talented Riverview defence.

"We had a decent game against P.E.I. and we're certainly not taking them lightly," said Weir. "This is a game where if we thought it was going to be an easy game, we could very well go out there and lose, but we're not going to do that. We're taking this seriously."

Quarterback Donovan Boucher heads a Mustangs offence that also includes the emergence of running back Shea Lenehan, who started the season at slotback, but moved to the backfield when star running back Steve Cormier was injured early in the season. Cormier remains out of the lineup with a ligaments injury. Weir calls Lenehan the best running back in the league this season.

A rugged Riverview defence -- that allowed a league-low 72 points in seven games -- is led by captains Jon Forbes, a safety, and A.J. Gallant, a slotback-turned-defensive lineman.

Since the Mustangs were founded in 2005, they boast a 38-5 lifetime record in the regular season and playoffs combined. That includes league championships in each of the past two seasons.

"I think we play as a team better than any other team in the league. The guys support each other, they work hard in games and in practices and trust the men beside them to do their job," Weir said.

"The other great thing we have is depth. We've had trials and tribulations this year, we've had injuries this year and the replacement guys have been just as good as the guys they've replaced."

In other quarter-finals, the Moncton Marshals (0-7) visit Capital Area (4-3) tonight at 8 p.m. in Fredericton, Saint John Longhorns (3-4) take on the Saint John Wanderers (2-5) tonight and Halifax Shockers (6-1) host the Dartmouth Knights (4-3) tomorrow.

The four quarter-final winners will advance to Maritime Bowl semifinals next weekend. The four losers will play in Mariner Bowl consolation semifinals.

Gladiator Gillingham heading to Mount A

By Rob Touchie
Published in the Daily Gleaner on Friday July 24, 2009
Appeared on Page B1

It's been quite a year in football for Capital Area DQ Gladiators offensive tackle Andrew Gillingham.

Just a year ago he was heading into Grade 12 at Fredericton High School, about to begin his second year of playing organized football.

Tonight he will suit up against grown men in the Maritime Senior Football League, as his 4-3 Gladiators take on the 0-7 Moncton Marshals in playoff action at 8 p.m. at Chapman Field.

In a few weeks, Gillingham will pack his bags and head to Mount Allison University to try and contribute to the rebirth of the storied Mounties football program, which last year finished at 2-6 in the Atlantic University Sport Football Conference, as they open training camp for their 2009 season.

Oh yes, along the way he was named the top offensive lineman in New Brunswick High School Football League for the 2008 season. Not bad progression for a football neophyte, someone who wasn't even the best offensive lineman at FHS in 2007, let alone the entire province.

"I was shocked," said Gillingham of the honour. "It was just a wicked feeling to win something like that."

The jump to CIS football, however, will present new challenges and a stronger, faster and smarter game, which will be a substantial test for the six-foot-three, 270-pound Gillingham.

"I've been working at the Y four days a week on my strength and two days a week on foot speed," said Gillingham of the challenge of AUS ball. "I think I'll be OK. Erik Watson (Gillingham's fellow offensive tackle and former CIS player) has really helped me out in practice, in terms of advice on school, how to prepare for the season and what to expect on the field."

The Mounties will decidedly look to New Brunswick and Maritime recruits to lift themselves from the depths of AUS football - this season and in the future.

"When we went to the Vanier Cup in '84 and '91 the Mounties were stockpiled with players from New Brunswick and the Maritimes," said Mounties defensive coordinator and Maritime recruiting coordinator Peter Estabrooks, who played on the '84 team. "We realize that if we are going to be successful, it starts in our backyard with prize recruits like Andrew Gillingham."

One does not need to look far into the Mounties football history to see Fredericton products making substantial and significant impacts on the field, with names like former FHS Black Kats Sean Hickey, Allison Brooks and Ronnie Squires coming to mind, having led the Mounties to AUS and CIS successes through most of the '90s.

The Gladiators are currently showcasing some of Fredericton's present AUS football talent, with Mount A players Tyler Doak, Elliott Hicks, Ryan Downe, Chris Munn, Dylan Sullivan, James Wilde and Gillingham the new breed of 'Fredericton Mounties.'

"The Mounties are New Brunswick's football team and we are very proud of that," Mount Allison head coach Kelly Jeffrey said. "The key to our success will be in attracting the top players from the Maritimes with a passion for Mount Allison University, like Andrew - who was sought by many schools."

The Fredericton work ethic is not lost on Jeffrey who sees the stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway between Fredericton and Sackville as a major pipeline for gridiron success for his Mounties.

"I have always been impressed with the athletes we get from Fredericton," Jeffrey said. "They are very tough kids who come ready to compete and it's a connection that is a must for our program."

The Mounties will bring 14 rookie linemen into training camp, along with four returnees on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball - leaving 18 players fighting for nine starting jobs along the two lines. For Gillingham that means intense competition, something his coach on the Gladiators thinks he is more than up to.

"CIS football provides a lot of structure and opportunity to learn, which will help Andrew, who is new to the game and has so much potential and a great work ethic," said Gladiators player-coach Jamie Edwards, himself a former CIS star lineman with Bishop's University in Lennoxville, Que.

"Andrew is a really smart and mentally tough kid, who has more than held his own in the Maritime league "¦ and with his long arms and frame, I think physically and athletically he will match up well in the AUS."

For now though, Gillingham and the Gladiators are only concerned with the task at hand: beating the hapless Marshals tonight and advancing to host a Maritime Bowl semifinal game next weekend.

"In football you can never count anyone out," said Gillingham of the Moncton team that has only scored one touchdown all season - that coming in their first game. "They show up every night and they go all out.

"We are not taking them lightly, at all."