Saturday’s game was an intense, hard-hitting affair featuring some of the League’s most dominant players. A fumble on the Spears’ first possession set up the game’s first points, as league-leading running back Matthew Pham’s 2-yard rushing TD gave the Falcons an early 7-0 lead. Both defenses proved stingy, as the teams traded punts on each the next four possessions. The Spears knotted the score in the second quarter, as quarterback Nick Coutu connected with Jedd Gardner on a 14-yard TD pass. London took an 8-7 halftime lead on the last play of the quarter after Joey Rattazzi missed a 32-yard field goal attempt and settled for a single.

The momentum swung Niagara’s way early in the third quarter, as Ryan Chmielewski brought down the Falcons punter at mid-field. The Spears’ physical play on the line of scrimmage and a punishing running game eventually wore down the Falcons defense, as Ricky Savage put the Spears back on top 14-8 with a 2-yard rushing major. London wasted no time in responding however, as Brendan Allen returned the ensuing kickoff 103 yards to regain the lead 15-14. But Julian Tropea’s 24-yard field goal late in the quarter gave the Spears a 17-15 lead they would not relinquish. Savage extended the lead to 24-15 with a 1-yard plunge, and the teams traded field goals in the fourth quarter (Rattazzi from 26 yards, Tropea from 16 yards) to round out the scoring. A late interception by Spears safety James Savoie snuffed out the Falcons’ final attempt to get back into the game. Final score: Niagara Spears (9-0) 27 – London Falcons (7-3) 18.

OFFENSIVE STATS – VARSITY
QB Nick Coutu (1st half): 3/7 passing for 39 yds, 1 TD
QB Evan Burke (2nd half): 2/6 passing for 30 yds
RB Jerimy Hipperson: 11 carries for 104 yds
RB Ricky Savage: 14 carries for 83 yds, 2 TDs
RB Brandon Carrier: 4 carries for 52 yds
WR Jedd Gardner: 2 catches for 21 yds, 1 TD
WR Jason Gagnon: 2 catches for 35 yds
K Julian Tropea: 3/3 PAT, 2/2 FG (32 & 16 yds)

DEFENSIVE STATS – VARSITY
LB John Surla: 6½ tackles, 1 BB
LB Ryan Chmielewski: 6 tackles, 1 sack
DL Shane Baxter: 4½ tackles, 1 BB
DE Steve Cecchini: 4½ tackles, 1 sack
S James Savoie: 4½ tackles, 1 INT
LB Tyler DeMoel: 3 tackles, 1 BB
DL Rob DelPriore: 3 tackles

NEXT UP: The Varsity Spears (9-0) will travel to Essex for the Adam Conference championship game against the Ravens (9-0) next Saturday, August 11th at 7:00 pm. In the Wettges Conference final, the Mississauga Warriors (9-0) will host the Etobicoke Eagles (9-1).

Etobicoke is the only team to have ever defeated the Niagara Spears since the team was formed in 2005. Over the course of three seasons, the Spears have posted an impressive 23-1 regular season record and are 6-1 in playoff action. The Spears captured the OVFL championship in 2005 and narrowly lost to the Eagles in last year’s championship final.