The Algonquin Barons are back on top in the NDA senior football world as they captured their third title in the past four seasons.
The Barons completed an unbeaten NDA season by defeating the West Ferris Trojans 31-6 in the NDA senior football final at Mike O'Shea Field in the Steve Omischl Sports Complex on Friday night.
The Barons got rolling early and often and the their offence was impressive on the ground as running back by committee set up with Jacob Dubois, Ryan Smetana, Mathieu Desbiens, Connor Filiatrault, Max Gélinas and Dayne Meyer – combined for over 200 yards on the ground.
The Barons built up a 25-0 lead at halftime. Barons fullback Dubois punched it in from the goal line on Barons’ first drive with a short field set up by a 60-yard kick return by Matt Bérubé.
On their second possession, a 30-yard run by Dubois set up a Dayne Meyer TD run from the goal line.
Late second, Meyer found Desbiens in the back of the end zone for a 15 yd TD strike. Ryan Smetana picked a bobbled snap an ran it in for the 2pt convert to make it 22-0 Barons at the half.
Max Dufresne, who already had three successful point after attempts, added a field goal just before the half to make it 25-0 Barons.
In the second half the Barons ground game continued to kill the clock - Meyer hooked up with Desbiens again in the back of the end zone mid third quarter for a 10 yd toe drag catch, and with a blocked point after attempt it was 31-0 Barons.
Meyer completed an amazing NDA season behind centre as the young quarterback threw 17 touchdown strikes and no interceptions in five games this season.
"Offensively, the Barons haven’t had a turnover," noted head coach Ryan Desbiens.
"That is something I have never experiences as a coach and is a testament to the quality of our players and in particular our offensive line."
West Ferris QB Nick Corbeil connected with WR Wes Buell in the end zone with time ticking down on the clock for a Ferris major.
The Trojans finally got on the scoreboard with a late touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Barons defend
Defensively, the Barons DE Jacob McGill was an absolute force, winning final MVP honours. McGill made 5 special teams tackles, 10 tackles on defence, including 3 sacks and 5 tackles for loss.
Mathieu Séguin added and INT, while NT Wyatt Grant and DE Sam Pannell made several tackles and kept pressure on Nick Corbeil (Ferris QB) all game. - The Barons secondary made up of CB Jack Ogletree, CB Sam Comeau, HB Matt Desbiens, HB Liam Cosgrove and FS Max Dufresne did an outstanding job of keep the West Ferris passing attack at bay.
Proud Barons moment
For head coach Ryan Desbiens, the Barons victory was a bit of redemption after a disappointing loss in the NDA final last year.
"All of our coaches are extremely proud of this group of young men," said the successful Barons coach.
"After last year’s heartbreaking loss to Scollard Hall in the final, we set a goal of redemption. It really was our motivating force throughout this past year.
"We started an off-season lifting program and added summer skills sessions and flag football as well to help develop our strength, speed and skill. To see this payoff is incredibly rewarding. To finish undefeated in the NDA is simply a bonus (first time in my coaching career at senior too). Not only with this senior championship, but also seeing a junior upset win 26-2 over West Ferris in the Jr Semi this past Wednesday is surreal.
"To be a school of 425 high school kids and being able to compete against schools with twice and three times our student body is a testament to the dedication and passion of our players, parents and coaches. This success would not be possible without them, and I am grateful," concluded Desbiens.
