Defence helps varsity Sabercats to win (6 photos)

In a game between two of the Ontario Football Conference’s best varsity teams, it was the Sault Sabercats defence and some timely offence that helped the team remain unbeaten.

The Sabercats picked up a 24-10 win over the Chatham Cougars Saturday evening at Superior Heights.

“It was a battle,” said Sabercats coach Matt Premo. “Our defence played lights out.”

“In the fourth quarter our defence stepped up and the offence moved the ball,” Premo added. “We’re happy with the win.”

The Sabercats got on the board first with a single point after Chatham couldn’t return a Sault punt out of the endzone with 4:26 to go in the opening quarter.

The locals got the first touchdown of the contest just under two minutes into the second quarter as Jordan Robinson-Wright hit Rob Wright. With a convert by Gabe Spina, the Sabercats took an 8-0 lead.

Chatham got on the board midway through the second quarter as Ben Bernard caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Darion Hadden. The subsequent convert made the score 8-7 Sabercats.

The Sault took a 15-7 lead as Tyler Brechin caught a pass from Robinson-Wright and took it into the endzone. With a convert by Spina, the Sabercats led 15-7 with just under six minutes to go in the half.

A 23-yard field goal by Cameron Creechan sent the game into the half with the Sabercats leading 15-10.

With 2:16 to go in the fourth quarter, Chatham surrendered a safety, giving the Sault a 17-10 lead.

A one-yard touchdown run by Jacob Jurich and convert by Spina capped off the scoring with 13 seconds to go.

Offensively for the Sabercats, Jordan Robinson-Wright completed 22 of 31 pass attempts for 153 yards.

Pagnotta ran the ball 14 times for 121 yards while Dylan Forsyth caught six passes for 65 yards while Wright had five catches for 60 yards.

Defensively for the Sabercats, Jurich had four solo tackles and three assists.

The Sabercats improve to 4-0-1 with the win.

The Sabercats enjoy a bye week next weekend before returning to action at home on June 30 against Waterloo.