Brockville Rams push Sydenham to the limit at EOSSAA opener

Nov 12, 2014

In the early going of their EOSSA (Eastern Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association) semi-final game at the Point, the Sydenham Golden Eagles looked like they might make mincemeat out of the Brockville Rams. 30 short seconds into the game the Rams fumbled a kick by Mike Bashall, and Sam Moyse scored a touchdown in the next play. After a successful conversion, the Eagles were up 7-0.

Sydenham's defense shut down a push up the middle by the Rams and then Bashall scored again, on a long pass from Dylan Fisher, putting Sydenham at 14-0 just half way into the first quarter.

Early in the second Sam Moyse made great catch and although he was rammed hard by Brockville he miraculously held on to the ball, sparking a drive down the field that led to a touchdown on a run by Tyler Cancian

The Rams fought back hard nad finally put 7 points on the board, and Sydenham responded with a field goal tobe up 24-7 at the half.

At the start of the third quarter, Sydenham marched down the field again, mixing their passing and rushing games, all culminating in another touchdown by Tyler Cancian, bringing the score to 31-7.

Brockville then mounted a sustained comeback, scoring twice in the third quarter, and after makingonluy one of two conversions they were down 31-20. After dominating play in the foruth, the Rams finally scored late in the game and after a two-point conversion the score was 31-28.

Then Sydenham finally maintained possession near the end of the game and managed to run the ball until the clock ran out, clinching the win and sending them to the EOSSA final.

Following the game Brockville coach Pete Atkinson said he was pleased with how his team fared. “Sydenham attacked quickly and got a great lead but my guys persisted, stuck with it and stayed with them and came roaring back in the second half, making for a very close game."

Sydenham coach Mike Love said he found the game “a little more nerve racking” than he and his team preferred it to be. “Brockville had a very strong second half and we kept giving them opportunities and they kept taking advantage of them but at the end of the day, we got a win and that is what we wanted.”

The Golden Eagles will play the EOSSAA final against the Almonte Thunderbolts on Friday Nov. 14, at 1pm at the Invista Centre, Kingston. The winner of that game will go on to the National Capitol Bowl in Toronto.