All four Kanata Knights teams were in action this weekend at the KRC field. The Tykes and PeeWees played first on the weekend in our first “Friday Night Lights” of the season. The Mosquito and Bantams teams wrapped up the weekend with Sunday games.
Tykes:
The Kanata Knights Tykes entered their game Friday night (Sep 5th) looking for their 1st win of the regular season, hosting the Gatineau Vikings. The desire to open the win column was clear from the start as the defense opened the 1st quarter with a heroic goal line stand, refusing to allow the Vikings to punch the ball in from the 2 yard line on 3 consecutive attempts. Quarterback Carter Poulin put the Knights on the board first with a rushing TD. The missed convert left the score 6-0. Still in the first half, a fumble recovery and 20 yard scamper by Kyle Morley made it first goal for the Knights with a chance to put the Vikings down by 2 touchdowns. This time, it was the Gatineau defense who came up with a goal line stand of their own. The effort clearly sparked the Viking offense who soon ran in a touchdown of their own and successfully kicked the two point convert to make the score 8-6 in favour of the visitors. Inspired teammates Michael Kraeker and Zach Smallwood contributed 7 tackles apiece, while Gavin Goyette introduced 6 Vikings to the KRC turf, including a touchdown saving stuff on the corner for a 0 yard gain. Evan Wilson was good for a tackle of this own in the Viking backfield and then increased the number of grass stains on the Gatineau quarterback's uniform for his first sack of the year. Thomas Berry took down 3 Viking ball carriers while Justin Talia and Brogan Lavigne added 1 takedown apiece. Unfortunately, some outstanding offensive speed was ultimately too much for the Knights as the Vikings offense outpaced them for a final score of 20-6. The Kanata offensive effort was punctuated with rushing totals of 25 yards by Connor Bland and 20 yards by Dylan LaChance. Jack Power added 7 rushing yards of his own while Doug Mathieson was good for a 5 yard run of his own.
Mosquito
The Knights mosquito team goes 2-0 with a 14-2 win over the Gatineau Vikings. The Knights defence ruled with touchdowns from defensive backs Grant Moser and Timi Amaebi-Okoro with a successful conversion from Logan McKenna. Middle linebackers Liam Mellor, Kyle King and Logan McKenna led the tackling combining for almost 50 crushing hits including several quarterback sacks. Robbie Clement and Tom Ogilvie both had interceptions and combined for 10 tackles. Amar Singh had a fumble recovery and 8 tackles in his strongest game thus far. Rookie players Kio Ohene-Djan, Jake Hessian, Keenan Tanti, Liam Bisschops, Brydon Gibson and Erik Thuswaldner added to the stats with numerous tackles.
Strong blocking from offensive linemen Will Johnson, Grant Murison, Aidan Wilson, Drew Clarke and Matt Sandell allowed quarterbacks Jake Hamm and Evan Yourth numerous pass completions to Joey McKiernan who accumulated over 70 yards in the air. Yourth also had 14 rushing yards and 50 yards in punts. Ben Sabourin pushed for 13 yards. Other key players on the offensive squad include Damian Marier, Tom Kenny, Andy Carmichael, Caleb Haukenfrers and Matthew McSheffrey.
PeeWee
The Peewee Friday Night Lights Game against the Gatineau Vikings was riveting. The Knights showed grit and determination throughout, but lost 14-7 in overtime.
John Ladurantaye, with 159 total rushing yards, scored the Knights’ touchdown on a 72 yard run, to lead 6-0 at halftime. Gatineau scored a second half touchdown to lead 7-6. Paul Lepage and Bradley Hills combined for 16 rushing yards. Tyler Anderson added 1 yard in kick off returns and a 12 yard reception from QB Nick Krzaniak. With minutes to play, John Allarie punted for a touchback, tying the score at 7-7; he had 173 yard in punting and 56 in kickoffs. In overtime, the Vikings scored a touchdown.
The defense was outstanding, led by Mitchell Graham’s 8 tackles, 2 sacks, and 15 punt return yards, and Carlo Cano’s 5 tackles, and 2 punt return yards. Stuart McGinn, Sebastian Mordak, Jordan Gorgichuk, Michael Zadra, Harrison da Costa, Joey Bélanger, Evan Swire, Vincent Galea all added several tackles. Nick Porter had one batted ball. Curtis Wagner picked off a Gatineau ball to give the Knights another chance to tie the game.
If this game is any indication of what is to come, players and fans are in for a very exciting season.
Bantam
The Knights Bantam team also left fans on the edge of their seats as they squared off against the Bell Warriors. Both teams battled for field position all game and were tied up at half time at 10 points a side. The second half was a constant battle for field position. The Knights put some points on the board by scoring a safety off of a punt. The Warriors, however remained determined and marched the ball down to the Knights 5 yard line with under a minute to play. After 2 solid stops by the defense, the special teams unit came on to the field to block a field goal attempt in the dying seconds. The Knights improve their record to 2-0 with a nail-biting 12-10 victory.
Fans are encouraged to come on out to support the Knights at our next home game, this Sunday, as Tykes, Mosquito and PeeWees host the Myers Riders starting at 9:15am. The Bantams travel to West Carleton to take on the Wolverines at 3:00pm. |
