Varsity, Bantam Cougars Claw Out Victories Over Panthers

Chatham-Kent Cougars Bantams vs Hamilton - Photo by Ian Formosa

Sunday, the Varsity Chatham-Kent Cougars improved their season record to .500 with a dominant 37-0 win over the Hamilton Panthers in Ontario Football Conference action.

Chris Verrall had 2 rushing touchdowns, while Wallaceburg’s Lee Purnell caught a touchdown pass from Kyle Ross. Graham Smyth, who’s been a leader for the varsity Cougars all season had a return for a touchdown, and Clark Green kicked 2 field goals. 

Next game for the Varsity Chatham-Kent Cougars is on the road next Saturday against London Forest City Thunderbirds.

The Bantam Chatham-Kent Cougars went into hostel territories Sunday in Hamilton and came out with a hard earned victory to improve to a 3-3 record on the season and a shot at a playoff birth.  The final was 36-8, with all the Chatham-Kent Cougars getting into the game with ample playing time.  The offensive line and defense as a whole finally came together and worked as units to give them their largest success all season in both areas.  Matt Lee, Daniel Vaughan, Caleb Brown, Cam Fletcher, Zack Nicholson, Josh Gleeson and Nate Krieger all rolled through the line on offense and gave the Cougars the push they needed to move the ball through the Hamilton Panthers’ defense.

Offensively, Jermaine Caldwell had 88 yards rushing with 2 touchdown runs of 19 and 35 yards.  Ethan Smith had 57 tough yards rushing, Ross Krieger had a 42 yard touchdown run, and Liberty Rountree chipped in with 2 runs for 11 yards.  Kelton Evans completed 3 passes on the day but 2 were for touchdowns on the first two series to Jake Anderson for 26 yds and 50 yards.  Owen Dorsers converted 4 of the touchdowns before being hurt. Sean Harris converted the 5th TD and a single on a missed field goal.  Ross Krieger also punted well into the wind with the only two punts he had. The tips Krieger been receiving from varsity punter Clark Green really paid dividends today.  In total, the Chatham-Kent Cougars moved the ball for 210 yards rushing from 8 different ball carriers and 77 yards in passing.

Defensively, the Cougars finally came together as a unit and were very effective, eliminating any progress by the Hamilton Panthers for the first 3 quarters, with their only scoring play coming late in the game with the Cougars bench unloaded.  Tanner Shuain had 2 interceptions and a fumble recovery while Cole Gregg also had an interception.  Spencer Pugh had a sack while Quentin Forgie and Zack Kaniecki also had fumble recoveries.  All the defence played great, playing disciplined football, with Mark Kellet, Austin Miller and Brady Pataki playing exceptional, shutting down any chance of a run game the Panthers could muster.