2016 Canada Cup: Strong offensive attack propels Ontario to opening day win

By Kevin Hirschfield, special to Football Canada

Photo credit: Glenn Dickson

After falling just short in a bid to defend their Canada Cup title last year, Ontario is looking to get back on top in 2016.

So far, so good.

Chase Brown (London Jr. Mustangs) rushed for 173 yards and 3 TDs while Ryan Isenor (Cambridge Lions) ran for 121 yards and two majors as second-ranked Ontario pummeled seventh-seeded New Brunswick 55-0 to advance to the semifinals.

Ontario won the event in 2014, but lost 15-12 in the 2015 gold medal game to Quebec.

“There was definitely a bad taste in the mouth last year,” said Ontario coach Glen Mills. “I still think we had the best team in tournament, unfortunately we came up a little bit short.

“Hopefully we can get that national championship back in Ontario, that’s our goal, and I think we got the coaching and the pieces that will get us there.”

Ontario ran away with this one early.

New Brunswick was chasing Brown for most of the first quarter, as he scored from 14 yards and 3 yards out to give Ontario a 14-0 lead.

They kept coming in the second quarter. After a 1-yard run by QB David Maecker (Oshawa Hawkeyes), it was Isenor’s time to shine, as he galloped for an 84-yard TD run and a 28-0 Ontario lead.

Receiver Tommy Nield (Guelph Jr. Gryphons) hauled in an 18-yard td from QB Ben Maracle (Kingston Grenidiers) before the half was done to make it 35-0.

Offensive lineman Spencer Nichols caught a rare touchdown in the second half on a 1-yard pass from Maecker while Brown and Isenor each ran in TDs to round out the scoring.

New Brunswick was taking away nothing but positives even after the lopsided result.

“It’s an extraordinary opportunity,” said New Brunswick coach Chris Hopkins. “Our kids understood what they were up against. We still have a positive group, and when it comes to us, it’s not necessarily about the wins and losses, but the process.”

“I’m extraordinarily proud of my guys and I can’t wait continue on this week and continue to grow as a program.”

Next up for Ontario is a matchup in the semifinals against the winner of the Saskatchewan-Manitoba contest, while New Brunswick will battle the losing team.