July 25, 2010

 
The Sarnia Sturgeon had high hopes for this season but encountered difficulty getting off the mark at the beginning of the year, losing their first 3 games.  Since then, however, they are the hottest team in their division, winning their last 4 games.  The latest victory was a come from behind victory over the first place Oakville Titans on Sunday at Norm Perry Park.  The Sturgeon spotted the visitors a 17-2 lead after three quarters before roaring back with 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter for a 23-17 victory.
 
The Titans ran a sophisticated spread offence led by the precision passing of quarterback Mike Malo.  Malo was pressured all game long by the Sturgeon front four and his scrambling ability was tested.  There were numerous dropped passes by the Titan receivers.  The Sturgeon defence tightened at opportune times, minimizing the deficit until the offence began firing on all cylinders.  Key sacks by Brandon Burns, Dylan McMichael, Randy Beardy and Brett Boersma thwarted several Oakville drives.  Brett Boersma reorded the only points for the Sturgeon in the first half on a safety, as the homeside trailed 17-2 at the break. 
 
A forty-five yard fumble recovery and return by Nathan McIntyre ignited the Sturgeon offence who scored their first touchdown earely in the fourth quarter on a 42 yard pass from quarterback Scott Campbell to Adrien MacMillan and a 9 yard run by Campbell.  

On their next possession, Curtis Robichaud rumbled into the endzone and a successful convert knotted the game at 17 with 8 minutes remaining.  The Sturgeon defence stiffened and a high snap on fourth down when the Titans were in punt formation gave the Sturgeon possession at the Titan 38.  Three plays later Curtis Robichaud attempted a 40 yard field goal that fell short.  The Oakville return man fumbled the ball on the return and the Sturgeon recovered inside the 10 tard line.  From here, Robichaud bulldozed his way into the endzone for the go ahead touchdown.  The Titans had one last possession but this drive ended on a fumble.  The Sturgeon were able to run out the clock with power running up the middle.
 
The Sturgeon are right back at it Wednesday night with their final regular season game at Norm Perry Park at 8 p.m. when they host the Chatham-Kent Cougars.  A victory by the Sturgeon will result in them hosting a semi-final game on Sunday August 1 against the Toronto Junior Argos with kick-off slated for noon.