(Posted 2 p.m., Oct. 30)
Panther tykes 'ship-bound after posting impressive semifinal win
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

Orleans Panthers running back Shilo Mukendy ran for five touchdowns and threw for another in a 49-0 win over the Nepean Eagles in their NCAFA semifinal match-up at Millennium Park on Oct. 28. Fred Sherwin/Photo

The U10 Cumberland Panthers have punched their ticket to the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA) championship game after downing the Nepean Eagles 49-0 at Millennium Park on Saturday.

The Eagles were in large part masters of their own demise thanks to a decision to move their star offensive player to defence in an effort to stop the Panthers' quarterback Shilo Mukendy who was averaging five TDs per game heading into the contest.

To say the move was counter-productive is an understatement. The player in question barely laid a hand on Mukendy who ran roughshod through the Eagles defence on his way to another five-touchdown performance. He also threw a touchdown pass to Isiah Wallace in the second half.

Playing against a well-coached, well-drilled defence without their star player at running back, the Eagles offence was totally ineffectual. They failed to pick up even one first down in the first half and barely got the ball across midfield the entire game.

The only team standing between the Panthers and the NCAFA A-Cup championship are the Cornwall Wildcats (4-4) who upset the Kanata Knights (6-2) in the weekend's other semi-final.

The two teams will square off at Millennium Park on Sunday, Nov. 6. Game time is 11 a.m.

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)

Visit www.orleansonline.ca's main page