Gemini seniors moving on from loss to relegated Tier I Flames

Gemini James Strathearn (22) stretches for additional yardage against Aquinas Flames’ defender Mason Koch, as Tillsonburg teammate Hunter Vinnai (66) tries to create more space with a block. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

Aleks Hall had spent enough time in Ms. MacDonald’s Grade 12 English class to recognize his battered nasal passages as a metaphor.

Technically, his injury appeared to have been somewhat self-inflicted - the apparent product of a perfectly-executed tackle on London St. Thomas Aquinas Flames ball carrier Hudson Shipley. But his, and the broader Tillsonburg Gemini Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) senior football season-opening experience, had metaphorically been like a punch in the nose.

“Literally,” said Hall Friday, Sept. 25 at Glendale.

Left offensive guard/defensive nose tackle Cooper Feairs’ studies with Ms. Ferguson’s Grade 12 math curriculum went beyond simple odds calculations. But the fact the Flames listed roster and 30-plus member depth along the sidelines both easily doubled Gemini numbers.

“This is iron man football,” Feairs shrugged. “Just gotta suck it up and go.”

Throw in that both Tillsonburg’s starting quarterback and running back were out with injuries, and the fact Aquinas was relegated from the TVRA’s Tier I last season, and the 28-7 final in the Flames’ favour reflected a pre-game educated guess.

But after falling behind 21-0 after the first quarter, Tillsonburg’s ability to stiffen and answer with a fourth-quarter touchdown finished the day on a high note.

“All-in-all, we kept it within reason,” said coach Sean Van Beers. “Lots to learn - lots to build on.”

“It was tough, but it’s all about the effort moving forward,” agreed Tillsonburg’s Hezekiah Cato.

“The boys battled, kept giving the whole game,” added receiver/safety Kypton Lofthouse.

James Strathearn followed a powerful offensive line surge across the goal line for the Gemini major, adding the point after. The scoring play was set up by a 37-yard pass-and-run combination from Grade 11 quarterback Carver Schott to Lofthouse.

“I give him (Schott) credit for standing in there,” said Gemini coach Lee Janzen, noting the loss of starting QB Landon Dodsley to a hockey injury, left the backup rookie pivot in a tough spot.

The disparity in team numbers was also evident along the Gemini sidelines, in the event of cramping, injury or simple fatigue. At one point, Janzen told his son Terren, looking for a quick breather from roles on offence, defence and special teams, that he had to go back in.

“It was chaos, I was spinning,” said coach Janzen.

“If one guy goes down, it’s like filling in a puzzle,” said Lofthouse. “Fitting in pieces.”

In a sense, it could be argued it was a relief to get the Aquinas game out of the way early and focus on week two opponent, Aylmer East Elgin.

“Get better and get back out there as soon as you can and help the team,” said Hall.

“Continue to work hard at practice,” Lofhhouse concluded. “Next week’s a whole new week, gotta move on.”