Blue Bombers survive ‘gut-check’ with last-second win over Knights

Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers wide receiver Gavin Laidman skies to pull down a crucial third-and-ten 43-yard reception during his squad’s final drive against solid double coverage from Woodstock College Avenue defensive backs Kaleb Krupp (19) and Kole Phelps. (Jeff Tribe).

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

One second. One yard. One play.

And one of the best high school football games one may hope to see, coming down to the wire.

“We stop that, what a game, we let it in, what a game,” Woodstock College Avenue Knights coach Jaimen Allison summed up following a 24-19 Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) senior boys football loss Oct. 3 to the visiting Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers. “You tip your hat.”

Cameron Delwo carried the winning touchdown over the goal line for IDCI on a final-play, all-or-nothing quarterback sneak. Operating exclusively out of the shotgun (snapping the ball to the quarterback a few yards deep) until this point, the ‘under-centre’ exchange was inserted into the Blue Bombers playbook during a hasty couple of practice runs in front of his team’s bench during a defensive time out called by the Knights.

“We saw them watching, but you’ve got to believe in the guys up front,” said Delwo, who followed his centre James Lyttle’s lead block in for the score.

Although giving up size along the line, Lyttle credited the Knights for being ‘solid in the trenches’ all game long. Lyttle snapped the ball, put his head down and drove, finding himself amidst a pile of humanity, uncertain who was yelling in celebration until he saw an official raising both arms to signify an IDCI touchdown.

“Just a sigh of relief,” said Lyttle.

On paper, IDCI had come into the game as favourites. Still, Bombers coach Nick DiCiocco pointed to the Knights experiencing a tougher schedule, and as expected, rising to the inter-county challenge.

“This was our first gut-check,” said DiCiocco. “Hats off to CASS.”

The Blue Bombers built a 12-0 lead on late first-quarter touchdowns by wide receiver Gavin Laidman and running back Nathan Burton, answered with 4:24 remaining in the half by CASS quarterback Teshaine Peach, converted by place-kicker Kaleb Krupp.

Peach gave the Knights their first lead of the game on a third-quarter four-yard keeper to the right, cutting up and crossing the goal-line with a second effort. The point after try was blocked (unofficially by Laidman), leaving the score at 13-12 in favour of the home team.

The ensuing Blue Bombers drive stalled, but a quick kick pinned the Knights on their own 10-yard line, negative field position exacerbated by the loss of Peach for the series, who took a knee to the chest. CASS picked up one first down, but Ingersoll’s Spencer Krajewski turned a second-and-ten pass attempt into a 37-yard pick six, lifting IDCI into an 18-13 lead.

Following the ensuing kickoff, the Knights took over on their own 23, Peach linking up with Krupp on a second-and-seven pass and run play covering 64 yards to the IDCI 20. Peach picked up a crucial third-and-one first down before breaking outside to his right for a ten-yard major and a 19-18 CASS advantage, held there as Lyttle (unofficially) blocked Krupp’s PAT.

An IDCI fumble and CASS recovery by Ryan Austin on the ensuing kickoff was negated via an offside penalty, the Blue Bombers subsequently taking possession on their 40 with 2:40 remaining in the fourth quarter. On third-and-ten from there, Delwo linked up with Laidman on a crucial 43-yard pass completion to the CASS 27, the Grade 11 Bombers receiver essentially winning a jump ball in double coverage to find redemption for what his own high standard considered earlier ‘drops.’

“That’s exactly how it feels,” Laidman agreed following the contest. “Struggled all game, but what matters is how you finish, and we finished strong.”

The Bombers drive continued on a third-and-one-half-yard option pitch to Burton who got around the right end, cutting back to the middle of the field where Krupp made a touchdown-saving tackle at the two. With time winding down, the Knights defence drove the Bombers back on first and goal from the two and subsequently five, however a face-masking penalty on the second play gave IDCI a first-and-goal from the one with one second remaining.

“We put our O-line to the test and they came through,” DiCiocco summed up succinctly.

The Bombers lifted their TVRA Williamson Division record to 3-0 with the victory, the Knights standing at 1-2. Despite the result not going their way, Peach said the game had been ‘amazing’, offering many positives for CASS to build on.

“We’ve just got to go back to practice, clean up a few things and we’ll be ready to go next week.”

“That was a great showcase for what football has become in Oxford County,” Allison added in conclusion, a competitive yet respectful contest. “You tip your hat to them, a great game… great game.”

TVRA Southeast Senior Football

Sept. 25

Aylmer East Elgin 18, Woodstock College Avenue 6

Sept. 24

Ingersoll DCI 35, London Beal 0

Sept. 18

Woodstock College Avenue 35, Tillsonburg Glendale 28

Sept. 17

Ingersoll DCI 42, London Montcalm 7

IDCI touchdowns: Dominic Espino 2, Burton, Logan Janzen, Qurron Kelly. PAT Connor Thomson 6.

TVRA Southeast Junior Football

Oct. 3

Ingersoll DCI 21, Woodstock College Avenue 7

Oct. 1

Strathroy DCI 19, Woodstock St. Mary’s 6

St. Mary’s touchdown: Noah Simas.

Sept. 25

Aylmer East Elgin 35, Woodstock College Avenue 0

Ingersoll DCI 35, St. Mary’s 0

Sept. 18

Tillsonburg Glendale 16, Woodstock College Avenue 0

Sept. 17

Ingersoll DCI 43, London Montcalm 8

Woodstock St. Mary’s 6, London Regina Mundi 0