BY JASON THOMPSON
The Sudbury Northerners suffered a
heartbreaking 30-24 overtime loss to the Niagara Spears in a
back and forth struggle on Sunday in Ontario Varsity Football
League action.
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Although the game had no impact on the
Northerners playoff hopes, the Sudbury crew played a tough game
keeping up with a seasoned Niagara team that sits atop the
league with 12 points. The Northerners fall to 3-4 with the
loss.
Trailing 10-7 after the first half, the
Northerners regrouped and came through with a solid effort in
the second, matching in the Spears in ball movement and
defensive coverage.
Entering sudden death with 17 points apiece,
the Northerners looked to their only overtime experience - a
win against the Ottawa-Cumberland Panthers two weeks ago.
The Spears struck first in overtime only to
have the game equalled once again by a desperate Sudbury
offence.
A couple of pass interceptions and missed
opportunities later, the Spears landed the decisive blow,
following it up with solid defensive play to capture the
win.
Head coach Roger Sauve stood by his teamÂ's
gutsy performance against the Spears.
Â"We were in the whole game, we really should
have won,Â" said Sauve. Â"They got some points in the first
half off our mental mistakes and penalties.Â"
A confident Sauve likes his teams chances in
the final regular season game, an away game happening July 16
against the Limestone District Grenadiers (4-2).
The Northerners will be treating this game
like a playoff game knowing a win extends their season while a
loss signals the end of it.
Â"We can play with anybody in Ontario,Â"
boasts Sauve. Â"This is the best team in the other conference
and we took them to overtime.Â"
