For the second week in a row, the Beefs got the two points in the standings but there is still a lot of work to do, especially on offense.
Facing the Ottawa Sooners, playing their first game of the season after an opening week bye, the Beefs were sluggish coming out of the chute. After an initial three and out by London, Ottawa took over the ball on their own 37-yard line and Sooners running back Rashaad Johnson rambled 60 yards on their second play from scrimmage to put the visitors on the Beefs 17-yard line. Ottawa managed to work the ball as close to the goal line as the 2-yard line but a costly holding penalty sent them back 10 yards and, eventually, they turned the ball over on downs. Not long afterwards, a DJ Fonti pass was intercepted by the Sooners and they started another drive from the Beefs’ 35-yard line. Three plays later, QB Humzah Rana connected with Tristan Hart for a 29-yard touchdown pass. Lacking a place kicker, Ottawa went for a two-point conversion but were unsuccessful.
Surprisingly, that was it for first half scoring as any potential scoring drives were stimmed by penalties. In the first half, the two teams combined for 22 penalties for 165 yards. A Brayden Rivard punt early in the third frame was fumbled by the Ottawa punt returner and London had the ball at the Ottawa 35-yard line. A 15-yard pass from DJ Fonti to Seth Raymer coupled with a 15-yard UR penalty put the ball close to the goal line. Elijah Prosper rambled in for the major at the 6:28 mark of the quarter. Rivard converted and the Beefs had a lead they would not relinquish.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Sooners conceded a safety to move the score to 9-6. Seven minutes later Rivard booted an 18-yard field goal to increase the lead to 12-6. From that point on the Beefs were pretty much in control and with just 9 seconds left in the game, Prosper burst through the line and rumbled 43 yards for a touchdown and Rivard’s convert ended the scoring with the Beefs coming out on top, 19-6. The offensive star for the Beefeaters was again Elijah Prosper who gained 170 yards on 29 carries and touchdowns. The Fonti brothers, Nick and DJ, chipped in 24 yards and 20 yards rushing respectively. Passing was not a large part of this contest.
Defensively, Clay Ritschard had a monster day earning 34 defensive points. Josiah Temperman-Okito and Sam Fadiya picked off Sooner passes while Ethan Grant was credited with a fumble recovery. Wes McFarland and Zach Hepburn had solid games as well.
Next Sunday the team travels to Brampton to face the GTA Grizzlies at 1:00 pm.
