Alberta blanks Ontario West 35-0 to set up 2011 finals rematch with Quebec

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Alberta scored early and often to shutout Ontario West 35-0 in the last game on day 2 at the 2012 Football Canada Cup, hosted by the Ontario Football Alliance (OFA) at TD Waterhouse Stadium on the campus of Western University in London, Ontario.

Alberta set the tone early in the contest as Ryder Stone took the opening kickoff 105 yards for the major.

Later in the quarter, the teams traded turnovers but neither was able to capitalize. First Ontario West’s Nick Parisotto fumbled a booming Daniel Ellis punt which was recovered by Alberta. Next Ontario West defensive back, Justin Francois intercepted a Boston Rowe pass however Ontario West later missed the attempted field goal wide right.

Alberta continued to press in the opening quarter. First defensive back, Jordan Rae intercepted Ontario West quarterback, James Robert’s. Robert’s was intercepted once again, this time by linebacker, Brad Friesen, giving Alberta the ball near the goal line. Alberta would capitalize on the second interception as Ryder Stone’s 8-yard touchdown run extended Alberta’s lead to 14.

Ontario West partially blocked an Alberta punt with 25.3 seconds remaining to end the first half but was unable to capitalize.

Ryder Stone’s third touchdown of the day opened the second quarter scoring at 8:05 of the third quarter, putting Alberta up by 21. With 5:56 left in the third quarter an Alberta 20-yard fake field goal run by Adam Zajdel made the score 27-0.

Ontario West was unable to capitalize on another opportunity to get on the board after Alberta’s 2nd down shotgun snap sailed over quarterback, Chris Merchant’s head forcing to a 3rd and long punt. Ontario West blocked the punt, taking over inside the Alberta 10. After losing yardage on first down, Robert’s second down play action pass went incomplete, setting up 3rd and goal from the 6. Alberta’s defensive front came up with the critical 3rd down stop to preserve the shutout.

Down on their own goal line, Merchant gave Alberta some breathing room after a 48-yard completion to receiver, Scott Hannah. Boston Rowe replaced Merchant at QB to convert a 3rd down QB sneak. A 30-yard Rowe run followed by back-to-back Stone rushes set up first and goal at the 8. Rowe called his own number on a 3-yard keeper to make the final score 35-0.

With the win Alberta now moves on to face Quebec in 2011 gold medal finals rematch on Saturday at 7 pm ET. Ontario West will face Saskatchewan in the bronze medal game at 4pm.

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