The Cumberland Panthers U14 peewee team are NCAFA A-Cup champions after beating the Bel-Air Lions 27-20 at the Nepean Sportsplex Field on Sunday.
After watching the Panthers' U12 squad easily beat the West Carleton Warriors in the U12 mosquito final immediately before their own game, the U14 team was hoping to get off to a hot start after winning the opening coin toss.
Unfortunately for the Panthers it was the Lions who got off to a fast start, forcing Cumberland to punt the ball on their opening series and then returning the ensuing kick 70 yards for a touchdown and an early 7-0 lead.
After the Panthers forced the Lions to punt the ball on their next series, they fumbled the return, giving the ball right back to Bel-Air on the Panthers' 26-yard line. Then Cumberland's defence took over, forcing the Lions back to the 36-yard line after Bel-Air managed to move the ball down to the 15 after picking up a pair of first downs.
After the ensuing punt, the Panthers manufactured an eight-play, 102-yard drive, capped by a five-yard touchdown run up the middle by big Jesse Momo. After the extra point the game was tied 7-7.
A high snap on second down resulting in a 15-yard loss, and a poor punt by the Lions would give the Panthers excellent field position on the Lions' 29-yard line on their next series. Two plays later, Johann Atonfo ran the ball in from the 14-yard line behind the some excellent downfield blocking by Momo to put the Panthers up 14-7.
The Lions responded with a touchdown late in the second quarter after manufacturing a long drive of their own that included a trio of third down conversions to set up a one-yard run for a major score to knot the score at 14-14 heading into the halftime break.
The Panthers would retake the lead on a 28-yard run by Zachariah Ninaber on their first series in the second half.
The score remained 21-14 in favour of the Panthers until the fourth quarter when they had two touchdowns called back on the same series for penalties before Momo finally ran the ball in from the 41-yard line, breaking several tackles along the way.
The Lions would make things interesting with a touchdown late in the game to narrow the score to 27-20, but the Panthers would hold on for the win and the championship.
The most valuable player of the game honours were given to Jesse Momo who ran for an impressive 251 yards on 18 carries including 183 yards in the important second half alone. He also had a fumble recovery and scored two of his team's four touchdowns.
The defensive player of the game honours went to Keli Asem who had at least five solo tackles and assisted on many more as the Panthers held the Lions to just 113 yards in total offence.
The Panthers will no doubt enjoy their win, but their season isn't over just yet as they will play in the Fall Cup provincial championships on Nov. 16 at the TD Place Stadium along with the Panthers' U12 team.
TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d'Arc. For more info visit 
TRIVIA NIGHT from 6:30 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company. Exercise your grey matter before it turns to mush over the holidays. Reservations are a must to secure your spot. Send your team name and number of people to info@straydogbrewing.ca. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way.
OPEN MIC NIGHT at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way. Registration begins at 7 p.m. Music at 8 p.m. with your host Matthew Palmer.
THE ORLEANS BREWING CO. presents an acoustic concert by Justin Gow from 7-10 p.m. No cover with consumption. The Orleans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd. across from Precision Automotive.
NEW YEAR'S LEVEE hosted by the Orléans Conservatives from 7 p.m. at the Orleans Brewing Company (OBC), 4380 Innes Rd. across from Precision Automotive. Complimentary snacks for everyone and both the bar and kitchen will be open for business.
