Athletics - Cegep Vanier College

FOOTBALL NEWS
CHEETAHS DEFEAT BOL D'OR CHAMPS IN SEASON OPENER
August 30, 2010

Matthew Norzil with Spartiate in pursuit

Matthew Norzil scored on an electrifying 63-yard run to help lead the Cheetahs to a big win

The Vanier College AAA Football Cheetahs faced a tall order in their 2010 season opener on Saturday, August 28th.

They had to play an away game against last year's Bol d'Or champion Vieux-Montréal Spartiates before a partisan crowd of 1500 at their home CEPSUM Stadium of the Université de Montréal.

They responded magnificently to the challenge taking a hard-fought 31-22 victory.

Head Coach Peter Chryssomalis wasn't surprised. "Our team is stronger this year, bolstered by 13 veteran players embarking on their third year with the team, nine of them on defence. We also have tremendous leadership, not the least of which will be provided by our quarterback Jérémi Roch, who we fully expect to give us another league-leading performance, as he did last year. As long as he can stay healthy, his season should be huge."

After the Spartiates took a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Cheetahs responded in the 2nd quarter with 17 straight points courtesy of a TD throw from Jérémi Roch (left) to Vincent Cléroux and a two-yard TD run by Jesse Lacle. A field goal by Josh Macduffie rounded out the scoring run.

The Spartiates reduced our lead to 3 points after completing a 3rd quarter TD pass reception, but thanks to a tremendous 63-yard run by Matthew Norzil, the Cheetahs restored their 10 point lead.

Vieux-Montréal’s hopes of a comeback were dashed after a clutch interception by Alexandre Lefebvre-Tardif near the Spartiates’ goal line early in the 4th quarter.

Matthew Norzil was named Player of the Game for the Cheetahs. With 4 TD conversions and a field goal, Josh Mcduffie accounted for 7 points.

Among the new recruits for Vanier was the excellent offensive lineman Tim Mitchell who played last year with the Saint-Hubert Rebels. With size (6'5", 285 lbs.) and talent to match, Tim is a top prospect who figures to make a major mark in the AAA league on the Cheetahs offensive line. He was doubly happy about the team's big win on Saturday because it was also his 19th birthday.

(Portions of this text were adapted by Denis Lafontaine from an article written by Gilles Vachet of ruefrontenac.com on August 28, 2010.)

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