The Warriors didn’t have a lot of jump in the first half against the London Falcons last night at TD Waterhouse Stadium on the University of Western Ontario campus. In fact, they found themselves trailing by nine points at the break.
But the Warriors did a little soul searching and came out firing in the second half, exploding for three touchdowns en route to a 28-16 triumph.
“We didn’t change much at the half,” said coach John Simas. “The players just did a little gut check. We were moving the ball okay, but we did a couple of dumb things in the first half and we weren’t very good defensively.”
But the Warriors came to life over the final 30 minutes. The defence rebounded and shut down the Falcons in the second half.
And Mississauga's balanced offensive attack, featuring the arm of quarterback Jahmari Bennett along with the running of Jahmeek Murray and Jordan Wilson-Ross, was more than the Falcons could handle.
“We knew we could run against them (Falcons),” said Simas. “Our scouting showed they have a decent defensive unit, but they don’t tackle well.”
Murray and Wilson-Ross took advantage of that.
Wilson-Ross, who joined the team just a few weeks ago after playing rugby in Wales, rushed for 160 yards on 21 carries and a pair of touchdowns. Murray had 107 yards on 10 carries and one touchdown.
Bennett completed nine of 12 pass attempts for 160 yards and one touchdown. The TD reception was by Natey Adjei, who hauled in the pass after it had been tipped twice.
David DiVito converted all four majors.
With the Essex Ravens losing to Niagara yesterday, it sets up a huge season finale next Saturday night between the Warriors and the Ravens at the Valleys. Game time is 7 p.m.
The Warriors beat Essex last season to win the OVFL championship. It will be homecoming week for the Warriors and the team is asking former players to attend the game.
“We’re hoping all of our four ex-Warriors show up,” said Simas.
In other games Saturday, the Junior Varsity Warriors beat the JV Falcons 23-20 in overtime to remain undefeated on the season at 7-0.
The OVFL Peewee Warriors won 38-0 over Etobicoke and the Peewee Warriors of the Ontario Minor Football League lost 20-12 to Halton.
