UCC players play big role for Mustangs championship team

Ursuline Lancers players, from left to right, Sawyer Emmott, Landyn Bardoel and Wyatt Cross helped the London Jr. Mustangs win the he Ontario Summer Football League’s U18 AAA championship.

Three Ursuline Lancer teammates helped the London Jr Mustangs win the U18 AAA Ontario Summer Football League’s Provincial Championship on Saturday in Kingston at Richardson Stadium.

Sawyer Emmott, Landyn Bardoel and Wyatt Cross all contributed to the final 39-9 victory over the Burlington Stampeders.

Emmott played a defensive role for the Mustangs, while Bardoel was on the offensive line and Cross was a running back.

Mustangs head coach Greg Willson said the three players from Chatham-Kent played pivotal roles on the championship-winning team.

“One common trait you are going to hear about these three was their tenacity and aggressiveness was second to none. These three were some of the toughest players we had on our team,” Willson said in an email sent to Chatham-Kent Sports Network.

Sawyer Emmott was a stalwart player on defence, starting every game at Will linebacker.

“He was all over the field every game. Teams struggled running into the boundary all year because Sawyer always put himself in the right position to make a play,” Willson said.

Willson said Emmott was one of the team’s most aggressive players and did not shy away from sending the statement hits needed to swing the momentum in the Mustang’s favour.

In semi-final game against Cumberland, Emmott made a game changing interception in the third quarter that sparked a 28 point run to close out the game 37-12. At the time of the interception the Mustangs were down 12-9 and the momentum was in Cumberland’s favour until the interception.

“He was a great leader and a great player all year.”

Landyn Bardoel was the starting center for the offensive line. Willson said he was impressed at how quickly he transitioned into the offence, especially the run game.

“We ask our centers to do a lot, including making all of the ID calls, helping the rest of the line call their combos, and otherwise keeping the unit working as a group, rather than individuals. He rose to the challenge every week and continued being the leader that we needed on the offensive line,” Willson wrote.

Willson said in addition to his leadership, Bardoel was also a force that disrupted every defence they played.

“If we counted all the “pancake” blocks this year, I think Landyn would be at the top of the list. He was an excellent addition and he really developed into a great player that played a pivotal roll this year.”

Wyatt Cross (Agent 0) was the Mustangs best secret weapon. He was a tough downhill runner that took at least two defenders to take down.

“On top of being very strong and aggressive, he was also one of the fastest players on the field. He was very versatile, initially playing some slot back taking the jet sweeps and catching the ball down field,” Willson said.

Cross had pivotal runs in all of the Mustangs’ playoff games, including long touchdown runs against Cumberland and Niagara to help secure those wins.

“It was a pleasure having these three players on our roster this year. The impact they made cannot be overstated. Without them, I’m not sure this team would have had the success that it did.”

All three will be back playing for the Lancers in September.