Mounties open season with win over Gaiters

(SACKVILLE, NB) The Mount Allison Mounties opened their 2022-23 season in style with a hard fought victory over the Bishop's Gaiters on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.

Coming off a bye in week 1, the Mounties were looking to avenge a semi-final loss to Bishop's that ended their 2021 season.

Straight out of the gate Bishop's established the run game with the combination of Marco A. Briones and David Chaloux. With runs of 3, 9 and 6 yards the Gaiters seemed to be on a roll before a holding call off a 30-yard play brought the ball back to their own 33. Bishop's would finish with 143 yards on the ground on the day.

Both teams would trade quick two-and outs with their offense trying to solve the defensive fronts and settle into a rythm. The only point of the 1st quarter would come from Mounties rookie kicker and punter, Graeme Maither as his 52-yard punt sailed through the end zone on their second drive. 

The Gaiters started to move the ball well throughout the second quarter. With good field position off a short punt, they got on the board at the 10:33 mark with a 27-yard field goal from their kicker Noah Laursen. Bishop's quarterback Mason McGriskin began finding his receivers with an 11-yard pass to Cedric Maurice and 16-yard pass to Nykolas Pierre-Masse.

Mount Allison would lean on their defense for much of the second quarter as third-year defensive back John Agette came down with the game's first interception. The turnover led to the longest play of the afternoon as local Sackville native quarterback Justin Vogels found Adam Shambemiradam on a 41-yard pass down the Mounties sideline. A penalty would put an end to the drive and hand the ball back to Bishop's with less than a minute left in the second quarter. After a quick two-and out, Mounties special teams came alive as Adryon Thompson blocked the punt attempt and recovered it for a 23-yard touchdown that electrified the hometown crowd.

At the half the score was 8-3 in favour of the Mounties.

Heeding the words of their coaching staff, the Gaiters came out hungry in the third quarter and commanded 4-minutes more time of possession than their New Brunswick rivals. Mason McGriskin would orchestrate a 12 play, 68-yard drive that ended with three points. 

Bishop's added to their point tally with a 45-yard pick-6 from Unionville, Ontario's Jake Kelly. The Gaiters would end the quarter with a team safety and go up 15-8.

The start of the 4th quarter brought some personnel changes for the Mounties as rookie quarterback CJ Valenti came into the game. Alongside fellow rookie running back Brandt Burzuk, the pair would make their mark with consistent plays to move the sticks. Another blocked punt by Mountie special teams and recovered by Adam Bennett gave them a shot to tie the game with 3:40 left on the clock. A crucial third down conversion pass to James Laceby was capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run by the Red Deer product Burzuk. 

Spectators at Alumni Field were once again kept on the edge of their seats as the Mounties regained possession on Bishop's 44 following a short punt. Left with the decision to kick a 35-yard field goal, Coach Fraser sent his rookie kicker who made no mistake to put his side up three. AUS All Star free safety Lucas Cormier all but sealed the win for the home side with the second interception of the game.

Subway Player of the Game Reid MacKay had 10 total tackles to go with one sack. Seven other Mounties had four or more tackles in the game.

Bishop's quarterback Mason McGriskin finished at 11/25 for 112 yards and two picks. Cedric Maurice led both teams with 145 total scrimmage yards. 

Mounties quarterbacks Vogels and Valenti went 4/14 for 61 yards and 11/19 for 94 yards respectively, with Vogels registering one interception. Mount Allison receiver Nolan Cheeseman had five receptions for 33 yards while Adam Shambemiradam went for four catches and 66 yards.

Mount Allison (1-0) will host Saint Mary's in Sackville on September 10th at 2:00 pm.

Bishop's (1-1) have a bye next weekend and will next see action on September 17th when they host St. FX at 2:00 pm.