SHERBROOKE (CFL.ca wire) — Two time defending Canada Football Cup champions Manitoba defeated Eastern Ontario 11-10 yesterday afternoon to earn themselves a berth in the U-17 final.
With five seconds remaining in regulation, kicker Brett Cameron recorded a single to break a 10-10 tie. Cameron also recorded a field-goal earlier and the game and his strong kick-offs consistently helped his team win the battle for field position.
“I think my dad would be proud,” said the son of former CFL star Bob Cameron. “He’s been my personal coach ever since I started playing football.”
The elder Cameron had a lengthy CFL career as the kicker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“Dad couldn’t make it today but hopefully he’ll be here Friday for the Gold Medal game. We were nervous before the game because Ontario is a good team. We were expecting a close game but we we’re confident because we’d won the last two U-17 titles.”
Running back Adam Mazonita was named the offensive player of the game for Manitoba while Matthew Arnold was named the defensive player of the game.
“All the teams here in Sherbrooke had a good chance of reaching the final,” said Manitoba head coach Scott Norris. “We still committed too many errors and we will need to perform better on Friday if we want to win the Gold Medal. We need to start playing like champions. The first game didn’t mean anything but from this point on there is no room for error.”
“Each team has its own unique style and we were playing a very good team today,” said East Ontario head coach Lee Barette who saw his team take an early 7-0 lead after quarterback Johnny Sullivan hooked up with running back Brandon Gillander for the game’s first score.
Gillander was named the offensive player of the game for East Ontario while Ettore Lattanzio was named the top defensive player.
Scoring Summary:
1st 04:17 East Ontario – Gillanders B 5 yd pass from Sullivan J (Crapigna T kick)
Manitoba 0 – East Ontario 7
2nd 00:08 Manitoba – Cameron B 44 yd field goal
Manitoba 3 – East Ontario 7
08:23 Manitoba – Coates R 2 yd run (Cameron B kick)
Manitoba 10 – East Ontario 7
4th 07:13 East Ontario – Crapigna T 14 yd field goal
Manitoba 10 – East Ontario 10
12:00 Manitoba – Cameron B rouge (punt)
Manitoba 11 – East Ontario 10
Players of the Game:
Manitoba
Offensive: Adam Mazonita
Defensive: Matthew Arnold
East Ontario
Offensive: Brandon Gillander
Defensive: Ettore Lattanzio
