The Concordia Stingers failed to take advantage of a golden opportunity to clinch first place in the QIFC, falling to the Bishop’s Gaiters 33-23 last Saturday afternoon at Concordia Stadium.
Bishop’s took it to Concordia early in the game, opening the scoring on a pair of field goals by kicker Rob Horstman. They added to their lead on a three-yard touchdown run by Andre Bynoe, putting the Gaiters up 13-0. Horstman added a 28-yard field goal late in the quarter, giving the Gaiters a 16-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Things became uglier for the Stingers at the beginning of the second quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, Gaiters pivot Sylvain Desrochers connected with receiver Dennis Halfpenny for a 58-yard touchdown pass, and the Stingers found themselves down 23-0.
The Stingers finally got on the scoreboard with just under nine minutes remaining in the half when quarterback Jon Kronemeyer handed the ball to running-back Jean Michel Paquette, who took the ball one yard into the end zone, reducing the margin to 23-7. The Stingers continued to narrow the gap less than a minute later when Kerry Clahane intercepted a Desrochers pass and returned it 38 yards for the touchdown making the score 23-14.
On the ensuing kickoff by Burke Dales, cornerback Max Arthur forced a fumble on the Bishop’s 21-yard line and Marc Trepanier recovered the ball for Concordia, giving them excellent field position. But they were unable to capitalize on the drive and were forced to settle for a single point. As the half neared its end, Stingers kicker Rob McCallum nailed a 36-yard field goal to reduce the Gaiters lead to five points at the half.
The Stingers were unable to get any closer in the second half, as Hugo Fortier took over at quarterback for Kronemeyer, who left the game with a rib injury. Gilles Colon caught a five yard touchdown pass from Desrochers to put the Gaiters up by a dozen points.
It was a rough afternoon for Kronemeyer and Fortier who combined to complete 15 of 39 passes for 158 yards and three interceptions.
“Our offence was horrible and our quarterbacks were brutal,” said Stingers coach Gerry McGrath after the game. “We got what we deserved, we were not willing to pay the price.”
The Stingers defensive line was visibly upset with their performance and they kept their words short. “The playoffs start next week,” said middle linebacker Graeme Burns.
This Saturday, the Stingers enter sudden death mode with a showdown against the Redmen in the QIFC semi-final game. McGrath hopes that his troops will bounce back from the loss and come out strong. “When we decide to play football, we are a solid team,” McGrath said.
Kickoff at Concordia stadium is at 1 p.m.
Bishop’s took it to Concordia early in the game, opening the scoring on a pair of field goals by kicker Rob Horstman. They added to their lead on a three-yard touchdown run by Andre Bynoe, putting the Gaiters up 13-0. Horstman added a 28-yard field goal late in the quarter, giving the Gaiters a 16-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Things became uglier for the Stingers at the beginning of the second quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, Gaiters pivot Sylvain Desrochers connected with receiver Dennis Halfpenny for a 58-yard touchdown pass, and the Stingers found themselves down 23-0.
The Stingers finally got on the scoreboard with just under nine minutes remaining in the half when quarterback Jon Kronemeyer handed the ball to running-back Jean Michel Paquette, who took the ball one yard into the end zone, reducing the margin to 23-7. The Stingers continued to narrow the gap less than a minute later when Kerry Clahane intercepted a Desrochers pass and returned it 38 yards for the touchdown making the score 23-14.
On the ensuing kickoff by Burke Dales, cornerback Max Arthur forced a fumble on the Bishop’s 21-yard line and Marc Trepanier recovered the ball for Concordia, giving them excellent field position. But they were unable to capitalize on the drive and were forced to settle for a single point. As the half neared its end, Stingers kicker Rob McCallum nailed a 36-yard field goal to reduce the Gaiters lead to five points at the half.
The Stingers were unable to get any closer in the second half, as Hugo Fortier took over at quarterback for Kronemeyer, who left the game with a rib injury. Gilles Colon caught a five yard touchdown pass from Desrochers to put the Gaiters up by a dozen points.
It was a rough afternoon for Kronemeyer and Fortier who combined to complete 15 of 39 passes for 158 yards and three interceptions.
“Our offence was horrible and our quarterbacks were brutal,” said Stingers coach Gerry McGrath after the game. “We got what we deserved, we were not willing to pay the price.”
The Stingers defensive line was visibly upset with their performance and they kept their words short. “The playoffs start next week,” said middle linebacker Graeme Burns.
This Saturday, the Stingers enter sudden death mode with a showdown against the Redmen in the QIFC semi-final game. McGrath hopes that his troops will bounce back from the loss and come out strong. “When we decide to play football, we are a solid team,” McGrath said.
Kickoff at Concordia stadium is at 1 p.m.
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