Page 58 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 131

58 Issue #131 December 2023 www.sportsenergynews.com

Cornwall Wildcats Conclude a Season of

Triumphs Despite Final Game Loses

By Molly Kett Wildcats showed a lot of grit and
no-quit attitude for the whole game,
he Cornwall Wildcats Football despite losing a few key players
TClub has wrapped up a season to injury. The players fought hard
marked by triumphs, growth, and until the end and congratulated the
memorable moments across multiple Dolphins on their victory. A special
age groups. Coaches Chris Leonard, moment for Even Guerin #66,
Aaryn Purdy, and Kirby Camplin winning Offensive player of the
provided insights into the successes game at the Provincial Fall Cup.
of their respective teams, despite Aaryn Purdy, coach of the U10
losing their final games of the season.
team, celebrated a thrilling win in
Chris Leonard, coach of the U12 the NCAFA A-Cup finals against
team, noted the team’s exceptional the Cumberland Panthers. “For the
performance in the National Capital playoffs, we ended up winning the
Amateur Football Association NCAFA A-Cup finals against the
(NCAFA). Cumberland Panthers, 36-32,” Purdy Photo Submitted
stated. The victory solidified the U10
“The U12 Cornwall Wildcats
football team had a remarkable Wildcats as A-Cup champions.
season, going undefeated in the “I was on the field with my defence,
regular season and the playoffs,” and we stopped Cumberland in the
said Leonard. The Wildcats scored final seconds of the game,” said
370 points while allowing only 30 Purdy. Unfortunately, in the end, the
points over ten games, showcasing team also lost 38-14 to Durham in the
their talent and determination on four-team divisional championship.
both offence and defence.
Kirby Camplin, coach of the U14
Coach Leonard highlighted key team, acknowledged the challenges
victories, including a dominant 30-0 faced by the U14 Wildcats against
win in the A Cup Championship the Oshawa Hawkeyes in the Ontario
against the Cumberland Panthers. Fall Football League, losing to the
“The NCAFA A cup Championship team 42-7.
MVP was J.T Nadeau who played on
“We were undefeated all season,
defence, offence, and many special won the Nick Atherton championship,
teams,” Leonard noted, emphasizing
and our reward for that was playing
the team’s well-rounded excellence.
against the OFFL (Ontario Fall
The Wildcats qualified for the Football League) champion,” said
Provincial Fall Cup Championship, Camplin. “They won their league for Photo Submitted
a tournament that features the best the second year in a row. And they
players moving up in all age groups. the players’ faces as they dedicated
teams from across Ontario. They were as advertised. Big and fast and
We’re very optimistic about that,” themselves to the end goal of winning
faced a tough challenge in the well coached and we just couldn’t
said Camplin. the Championship,” Leonard shared.
Durham Dolphins, a very strong and get it done.”
aggressive team that had gone 8-0 In reflecting on the season, As the season concluded, the
Despite the loss, Camplin
in the regular season and had won Coach Leonard acknowledged the Wildcats are poised for future success.
the Eastern Ontario Football League expressed optimism about the future. emotional rollercoaster after the The coaches, players, and the entire
(OFFL) Tier 1 Championship. “A lot of these kids that are at Provincial Fall Cup Championship. Wildcats community are ready to
Unfortunately, the Dolphins had U14 move up in age group. The “Immediately after losing The build on the lessons learned and the
the Wildcats’ number on this day, good thing is our U10 and U12 are Provincial Championship, you bonds forged during this exceptional
winning 42-12. Nevertheless, the both strong, so there are lots of good could see the emotions and tears on season in Cornwall football.