Last-second TD lifts Tyke Bengals to 1 of club’s 2 NCAFA triumphs’

By Charlie Pinkerton

The Myers Orleans Bengals were the big winners from the National Capital Amateur Football Association championship weekend, taking home two ‘A’ Cup titles on Nov. 6 and appearing in 3 of 5 top-level finals.

“Having three teams out of our club in it, it’s beautiful,” says Bengals president Mike Johnson. “It shows me what we’re doing is working.”

The Johnson family wound up being responsible for the most electrifying moment of championship Sunday.

In the Tyke final, the Cornwall Wildcats and Bengals were knotted in a close game throughout. Quarterback Nick Connors led the way for Cornwall’s run game and with two minutes left, he scored a rouge point to put the Wildcats ahead 15-14.

With time winding down and the Bengals in their own territory, runningback Tristan Johnson scampered his way to the endzone with a single tick remaining on the clock, lifting Orleans to victory in spectacular fashion 21-15.

“We tell them to work very hard through to the end,” smiles Bengals Tyke coach George Zigoumis. “That’s the only way to put the odds in your favour. We’re really proud of the kids. It was a great effort.”

In the Mosquito A Cup final, the Bengals overcame sloppy play to beat the Myers Riders 18-6 and complete an undefeated season. For the majority of the game, the teams were gridlocked in a field position battle.

Leading 10-6 with a minute and a half remaining, Charles Asselin sealed the game for the Bengals. Orleans opted not to punt on a third down play near midfield and Asselin broke away from the Riders defence for the score.

“Charles is one of our MVPs,” underlines Bengals Mosquito coach Ron Barbeau. “He’s a great football player. He does quarterback, he does receiver, he does everything. We knew if we got him outside (on the third down play, he could win it). We put the season in his hands.”

The Bengals weren’t able to win a triple crown, falling to the Bel-Air Norsemen in the Midget city championship. Michael Charrette opened the scoring for the Norsemen with an interception return for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.

The Norsemen defence forced three turnovers inside their own 20-yard-line in the final quarter and cruised on to a 25-2 victory.

The North Gloucester Giants took the Peewee A Cup final over the Cumberland Panthers 14-6, while the Gloucester South Raiders beat the Bell Warriors 24-0 for the Bantam A Cup.

“When we see the parents coming out and having that spirit that they showed this weekend, it really shows what we’re doing is right,” Johnson highlights.