Bantam Chatham-Kent Cougars Headed to OFC Title Game

Bantam Chatham-Kent Cougars vs the Burlington Stampeders - Photo by Ian Formosa

The Bantam Chatham-Kent Cougars are heading to the Ontario Football Conference championship game next weekend, battling for a provincial title after defeating the Burlington Stampeders. The team took another step in their Cinderella season winning the Southern Ontario Final 13-10 in front of a hostile Burlington crowd.

Last year, this same age group of CK Cougars football players won a provincial Peewee title, and are looking to use their experience to win their secon OFC title in a row next Saturday against the Peterborough Wolverines in Hamilton.

“These gentlemen deserve this shot more than any team I have ever coached, going from 2-3 to now 7-3 on heart and determination,” Head Coach Kevin Pugh said.

Offensively , Jermaine Caldwell had 54 yards rushing, Ethan Smith had 21 and Justin Stevens had 24 from the backfield, earning every yard against a very game Stampeder defense. Ross Krieger had 20 yards rushing and Robby Wright had 30 with a touchdown on end arounds. Kelton Evans went 4 for 13 for 80 yards in the air with 1 touchdown pass to Ethan Smith on a beautifully designed screen pass of 55 yards. Jake Anderson had 1 catch for 23 yards while being double teamed all afternoon.

Defensively, the Chatham-Kent Cougars were ready for the power offense that the Stampeders displayed when they met 5 weeks ago at home. The line was anchored by Cole Johnson and Quentin Forgie, taking on double teams all day and standing their ground. Zack Kaniecki, Brady Pataki and Stephon Wilson shut down the middle, while Mark Kellet, Tanner Shuain, Denver Brown and Spencer Pugh shut down all outside success.

“These boys played their hearts out today, against an opponent who dominated us in our last meeting, which is an attribute to how much work they have put in and how far we have come as a team,” said Coach Pugh. “If we can play disciplined as a unit and trust in each other, there is no doubt in my mind that we will be successful in the final next week”.

OFC Championship Day kicks off at 12:30 Saturday with the Bantam Cougars facing Peterborough.