Mounties Fall Short in Matchup with Axemen

(photo by Joe Chrvala)

Mount Allison (0-6) would play host to Acadia (1-5) in what would be a must win game for the Mounties in order to reach the post season. We pick up action at 5:37 in the first quarter as Mount Allison would put the first points on the board courtesy of a 46 yard touchdown pass from Jason Bertrand to Gary Ross. On Mount Allison’s next possession the offense would march down to the Acadia 1 yard line. The Acadia defense would hold steady however in shutting down the Mounties offense on three attempts to get the ball over the goaline. Acadia would opt to concede a safety before the end of the quarter to put the Mounties ahead 9-0. Not willing to surrender the Axemen would strike back with 15 unanswered points on a safety, a 44 yard touchdown pass from Kyle Graves to Josh Pearsall, and two field goals by Kicker Mike Godfrey. As the game drew on, with weather continuing to get worse, the Mount Allison offense would be held scoreless in the second half with their only points coming of another conceded safety. The final score of a game highlighted by tough play from the Mounties would be 28-11 for Acadia. Statistical leaders for the game included Mount Allison’s Gary Ross who with 10 catches for 109 yards would break the AUS record for single season receptions. Acadia improves to 2-5 while Mount Allison falls to 0-7 with their final game of the regular season next Friday, 7:00 at St Francis Xavier University.

Mounties drop matchup with Saint Marys at Moncton's Rocky Stone Memorial Field

(photo by Joe Chrvala)

Despite cold and damp weather Mount Allison (0-4) would play Saint Marys (3-1) in front of an excited crowd of approximately 1500 at Moncton’s Rocky Stone Memorial Field. The Mounties would begin the game on offense only to go two and out on their first drive. On the subsequent possession Saint Mary’s offense would bust a 61 yard run leading to a 1 yard touchdown plunge, the first of 3 touchdowns for Devon Jones, putting the Huskies up 6-0 at 11:43 in the first. The extra point was added by Justin Palardy. Looking to answer back Mount Allison would start their drive on their own 26 yard line, marching all the way to the Huskies 32. The drive did not result in points however as the Mountie’s offense would turn the ball over on a third down conversion attempt. Working hard to get the ball back the defence would force back to back two and outs for the Huskies offense at 4:20. However on the third possession they would reach the end zone on a 4 yard touchdown pass from Jack Creighton to Carl Hardwick ending the quarter with the score 14-0 for the Huskies.

At 13:38 the Huskies offense would use a 40 yard screen pass to put them in position to score with 1st and 10 on 11 yard line. However a “bend but don’t break” mentality would allow the Mountain defence to force a fumble courtesy of second year DE Ryan Downe, recovered by his other bookend Zach Nixon at 12:35. The second play of the possession would result in an interception by Huskies #32 returned to Mount Allison’s 4 yard line. Saint Mary’s would capitalize on a 3 yard touchdown pass from Creighton to Jones putting Saint Mary’s ahead 21-0 at 10:51. Following back and forth play Jones would add his last major at 6:32 on a 4 yard run making the score 28-0. Trying to put Mount Allison away for the game, Saint Mary’s would recover an onside kick at 6:28 and scored again on a 5 yard pass from Creighton to Hardwick making the score 35-0 at 3:04. This would finish a half that was all Saint Mary’s and would prove to be difficult for Mount Allison to come back from.

The only highlight of the second half was a 65 yard run at 3:58 in the third by Gary Ross. This would set up Mount Allison’s first points of the game on a 1 yard sneak by QB Jason Bertrand however the score would remain 35-7 until the end of regulation. Player of the game honours would be awarded to Saint Mary’s Devon Jones with a career game of 12 rushes for 123 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 receiving touchdown. For Mount Allison it was Gary Ross with 233 all purpose yards.

Mount Allison drops to 0-5 and will play their second interlock game in a matchup this Saturday, Oct 17th at Laval.

Mounties Lose to Huskies in Friday Night Matchup.

(photo by Joe Chrvala)

The sell-out crowd of Huskies Stadium would be the site of the best Mountie first half this year.

Saint Mary’s (3-1) opened what would be a back and forth first half battle with an onside kick, courtesy of Justin Palardy and recovered by F. El Fateh. This lead to the first scoring drive of the evening for St. Marys with a touchdown pass from Creighton to Murray on a 25 yard toss at 13:10 of the first quarter. The Mounties would answer with an 11 play, 78 yard drive of their own capped off with a touchdown pass from Jake Hotchkiss to Jarred Collett at 8:51 in the first. The see saw battle continued as Saint Mary’s Palardy would add a 15 yard field goal at 4:47 making the score 10-7. However, Mount Allison would find the end zone again before quarter time on an 18 yard touchdown strike from Hotchkiss to Stehr putting the Mounties up 14-10.

Following back and forth stalled drives we pick up action at 9:08 in the second as the Huskies would drive the field only to be forced to settle for another field goal. After a 9 play 65 yard drive the Mounties evened up the score on a 16 yard field goal by kicker Olivier Eddie. Saint Mary’s would add another touchdown and field goal before the end half to make the score 24-18 at the break.

A team who has proven not to surrender all year would continue this into the second half only to be held scoreless by a strong Huskies’ defence. The final score was 47-18 at the end of regulation. The Mounties now begin preparation looking to bounce back in the second game of the home and home series. Game time is 7:00 at Moncton’s Rocky Stone Field and will be the broadcast on Eastlink.

Strong Third Quarter by Mounties Not Enough to Overcome Visiting Redmen

(photo by Sue Seaborn)

The Mounties first interlock matchup of the 2009 season would be with the visiting (1-2) McGill Redman. McGill running back Anthony Hamilton put the first points on the board at 12:22 in the first quarter with a 53 yard touchdown scamper, the extra point added by Austin Anderson making the score 7-0. Not to be outdone the Mounties would answer back with a 90 yard punt return for touchdown courtesy of Gary Ross, the first touchdown in what would turn out to be a record breaking day for the 4th year receiver and return man with 289 total yards on the day. Olivier Eddie would follow up with the extra point to notch the score at 7 a piece with 9:42 remaining in the first quarter. We pick up action again at 4:54 in the first quarter with the score 10-7 for McGill following a field goal by Anderson. Opting to take the ball at their own 35 the Mounties would burn the McGill defence on a 55 yard screen pass from Hotchkiss to Ross. However, Mount Allison would be forced to settle for a 15 field goal by Olivier Eddie to even up the score at 10. McGill’s Anderson would kick another 36 yard field goal to make the score 13-10 at quarter time.

With back and forth stalled drives the score would remain until 4:50 in the second quarter when McGill’s Hamilton would add his second major of the day on an 85 yard screen pass. The Mount Allison offense looked to answer back on the next possession much like they had done all game, only to be picked off by the Redmen defense in an athletic play at 4:11 giving the Redmen excellent field position on the Mount Allison 30. They would capitalize on this field position a few plays later with a 4 yard touchdown pass from Jonathan Collin to Charles-Antoine Sinotte, following a botched extra point McGill would lead 26-10. The biggest highlight of the second quarter would be a 31 yard pass from Hotchkiss to Gary Ross, placing him in the AUS all-time top ten for receiving yards. Eddie added a 17 yard field goal to make the score 26-13 at half.

The Mounties would come to life again at 5:27 in the third. With the score 32-13, Mountie’s quarterback Jake Hotchkiss would connect on a 35 yard touchdown toss to Adam Molnar to close the gap to 32-20. On the very next play Mount Allison’s Bradley Daye recovered a surprise onside kick by knocking it out of bounds at 5:26, completely shifting the momentum and putting the Mounties 1st and 10 in McGill territory. The Mounties would continue to close the gap with a 25 yard touchdown pass from Hotchkiss to Ross at 2:41 making the score 32-27 (XP by Eddie) and placing Gary at number eight all-time in AUS pass receptions. McGill would score once more before quarter time on a 1 yard sneak by Jonathan Collin to put the Redmen ahead 38-27. The fourth quarter however would be all McGill with three more interceptions and another touchdown to leave the score 49-27 at the end of regulation.

The Mounties (0-3) faceoff with Saint Mary’s (2-1) next Friday, Oct 3rd at 7:00 PM under the lights at Huskies stadium in Halifax. This will be the first game of a home and home series as Saint Mary’s will visit Moncton’s Rocky Stone the following Saturday, October 10th.

Mounties Fight to Last Whistle in 27-20 Homecoming Loss

(photo by Sue Seaborn)

In front of a homecoming crowd of approximately 1500 at McAuley Field, the Mount Allison Mounties continued their tradition of tough play in a game that would come down to the final whistle. Back and forth action would leave the game scoreless until 8:13 in the 1st when Xavier’s Anthony Alix would make number one of his three first quarter field goals to go up 3-0.
With the game 9-0 St.FX at the start of the 2nd quarter, Mount Allison would begin to settle down and play Mountie Football as a 39 yard pass from Jason Bertrand to Adam Molnar would set up a 1 yard plunge by Mountie touchdown leader Scott Brady. Olivier Eddie would add the extra point to close the gap to 9-7 at 13:00 in the Second Quarter where it would remain going into the half.

The Mounties would get off to a rough start in the beginning of the third quarter. Two offensive penalties would place them on their own 6 yd line, resulting in a safety to put the X-men ahead 11-7 at 10:42. However the Mounties would not be willing to surrender just yet, shutting down the X-men defence on their next two drives forcing them to punt on the Mountie’s 40 yard line. The deep punt and ensuing return would result in a safety as the X-men would tackle the Mount Allison return man to make the score 13-7 halfway through the third quarter. Before the end of the quarter X-men quarterback Steve Snyder would connect with wide receiver Nick Guest who managed to find his way through the Mountie’s secondary for a 68 yard touchdown making the score 20-7 at 5:27 in the third. This would be the score until an exciting final 3 minutes in the fourth that left Mountie fans thinking comeback.

Following a 99 yard touchdown pass from Snyder to Akeem Foster at 3:36 in the fourth, Mount Allison would begin to battle back from their 20 point deficit. While not kicking to Gary Ross most of the game, the X-men would decide to with 1:29 left in the fourth only to have Ross return the ball to the X-men 10 yard line. This return would lead to a 3 yard touchdown pass from Jason Bertrand to Ben Stehr at 1:06 to make the score 27-14. Bertrand and Ross would then connect on a 30 yard touchdown to close the gap even further with 9.6 seconds left and the score 27-20. The Mountie comeback would rest on an onside kick; however this kick would be recovered by X to leave the score 27-21 at the end of regulation in a great homecoming match. Mount Allison kicks off the first match of interlock next week Saturday, Sept 26th with a home game against the visiting McGill Redmen.

Mount Allison fans wishing to cheer on their team this year in Laval will be excited to know that a bus trip will be made available giving you the opportunity to support your Mounties on the road. The trip will provide everything you need to see Mount Allison play Laval including transportation from Sackville to St. Foy PQ, two nights hotel accommodation , BYOB tailgate party and one ticket to the big game. The bus will leave Sackville on Friday, Oct 16th and return Sunday, Oct 18th. This is an amazing deal for the price of $250.00 taxes included.

“Breakfast with the Team” will also take place this year before the big game in Laval at L’Hotel des Gouverneurs Dining Room on Sat, Oct 17th at 9 AM. The price will be $15.00 with taxes and gratuities included. Those wishing to take part in both of these great events should contact Mona Estabrooks (’79) at meestabrooks@mta.ca or (506)364-2303.

Tough Loss for Mounties in Season Opener

(photo by Joe Chrvala)


Following a hard fought training camp the 2009 Mounties opened their season at Acadia’s Raymond Field on a balmy 23 ˚C afternoon. We pick up action at 5:35 in the first quarter as Acadia quarterback Keith Lockwood would put the first points on the scoreboard with an 11 yard touchdown pass to Devon Jones. The extra point added by #77 Mike Godfrey would put Acadia up 7-0. Godfrey would also kick a 13 yard field goal at 1:21 in the first quarter making the score 10-0.


The second quarter opened with the Mountie’s beginning their offensive drive at their own 20 yard line. A long strike from rookie quarterback Jake Hotchkiss to third year wideout Jarrett King down the seam placed the Mounties on Acadia’s 36 yard line. However a sack to stall the drive, putting the Mounties out of field goal range, would force the offense to settle for a rouge courtesy of 5th year kicker Olivier Eddie making the score 10 – 1 at 12:15 in the second quarter. With the Axemen backed up on their own 32 after a solid stand by the Mounties defense, they would be forced to punt. A bad snap and kick would give the Mounties excellent field position on Acadia’s 41 yard line. Behind by 9 points the Mounties would seize this field position to close the gap. A 30 yard pass from quarterback Jason Bertrand to wide receiver Adam Molnar in the face of pressure from the Axemen defense put the offense 1st and goal on the 9 yard line. Scott Brady would score Mount Allison’s first touchdown of the season with a 1 yard run at 9:23 in the second quarter, Eddie added the extra point to make the score 10-8 Acadia. A 33 yard pass from Lockwood to Jones put the Axemen on the Mountie’s 1 yard line, quarterback Kyle Graves would cap the drive with a 1 yard sneak making the score 17-8 with 3:09 left before the half. Another 30 yard pass from Lockwood to Stu Clow for a touchdown at 1:51 would make the score 24-8 Acadia going into the half.


The first play from scrimmage at 14:23 in the third quarter would result in a Mountie fumble recovered by Acadia on the Mountie’s 45 yard line. Not willing to surrender, the Mountie’s defense would halt the progress of the Axemen offense forcing them to settle for a 30 yard field goal by Godfrey to put Acadia up 27-8 with 12:42 left in the third frame. A second fumble, once again recovered by Acadia on Mount Allison’s 45 yard line, and a 44 yard touchdown pass from Lockwood to Jones would make the score 34-8 at 11:28. The Mounties began to show some life again following a defensive stand that forced Acadia to punt in their own territory with 2:00 left in the third. The punt was shanked and returned by the Mountie’s Jermaine Oram who was knocked out of bounds at the 2 yard line. This would lead to Scott Brady’s 2nd touchdown run of the day at 1:09 making the score 34-15 and the end of the third quarter.


Acadia would add another 24 points in the fourth quarter to leave the score 58-15 at the end of regulation. Player of the game honours would be awarded to Acadia’s Keith Lockwood (28 for 39, 435 yards, 4 TDs) and Mount Allison’s Akwasi Antwi (8.5 tackles, 1 for loss). The Mounties look to rebound next Saturday, Sept 19th with a homecoming matchup against St. Francis Xavier University at 2:00 PM MacAulay Field.

5th Quarter Club Newsletter

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