THE DALHOUSIE TIGERS FINISH FIRST IN THE AFL

It was grey, overcast, mild and with a little bit of wind - ideal weather for football, as the Black and Gold played their last game of the regular season at Wickwire Field.  Both offences were lack lustre in the first two Qs.  Dal opened the scoring as Liam Masner kicked his first of two FGs.  The first from 24, the second from 18 and he added a punt single making the score, 7-0 with 3 minutes remaining in the half.

Maybe the O was resting on their laurels after the big win in Saint John the week before.  Or was it because of the great news of the Hurricanes last minute heroics in defeating UNB, almost assuring the Tigers of first place.

But Dal’s D had come to play, and a tough Falcon QB, Logan McNamee was sacked numerous times and gave up three INTs in the first 30 minutes.  Connor Strampel, Oranye Egbuna and AJ Irving made great steals.  The Falcons had also given up a safety.

With 42 seconds remaining in the first half, Brennan Hynes, one of Dal’s three headed rushing monsters, scored from 16 yards out.  Masner made the PAT and the Dalhousians were up 16-0 at the half.  The Black and Gold O finished drives better in the 3rd Q.  Jonas Anderson completed a long pass to Connor MacDonald and three consecutive runs later Caden Quong scored a 7 yard major.  Hynes added a second TD, while Masner converted both. A second safety by Saint John put the Tigers ahead 32-0, late in the 3rd quarter.

McNamee, who made some punishing runs in the second half, gave up another pick, this one to Matt Irvine early in the 4th Q. Dante Gabrielli, now in at QB, made the best long run of the game, but the drive stalled.  

The third head, Matthew Thomas, was now making some good runs, but the Tigers turned the ball over on downs.  Prosser MacDonald was now in at quarterback and the O line was now dominating a tired Falcon D.  Thomas had multiple carries for first downs, with a three yard TD culminating the Black and Gold drive with 2:20 remaining.  PAT by Masner was good and the Tigers had their fifth victory, 39-0, and first place in the AFL.

With the regular season over, the #2 Reds will be home to the #3 Hurricanes while the #4 Falcons will return to Wickwire in the other semi-final.  Day and time to be determined.  GO TIGERS!

SUNDAY WAS GRADUATES AFTERNOON

Jim Wilson, team founder, has organized a great group of young students, to help with everything football on the Dalhousie campus. We thank the following who are graduating:

Student executive - Jordan Ronan, Naomi Johnston, Maggie McColl and Andrea Combs. Trainers - Brenna Worrall, Lexi Gavsie, Emma McNeil and Brooke Romano.  Spirit Crew - Paisley Warren.  Players - Mathew Lawton, Steve Sorensen, David Arevalo, Max Parker, Julian McCarty, Matt Irvine, Brennan Hynes, Sam Martin, Lucas Ferracuti and Evan Collins.

THANKS!  We look forward to your return as DALHOUSIE ALUM!

GO Tigers!!!