Sabercats, Steelers drop road contests

HAMILTON -- The rigors of the road were not very kind to Sault Ste. Marie football on Saturday.

To begin the day, the Sault Sabercats fell 35-9 to Hamilton's Steel City Ironmen here at Ivor Wynne Stadium.

Matt Gauthier kicked a 23 yard field goal to give the Sabercats a 3-0 first quarter lead.

After the Ironmen answered back with a major score, Sabercats quarterback Ryan Maunu snuck into the end zone from one yard out to put the locals ahead 9-7.

But the Ironmen would then take control of the game making several key plays to score 28 unanswered points to close the game.

Maunu completed seven of 18 passes for 77 yards and led the team in rushing with 23 yards on three carries. Noah Rushon led the receiving corps with two catches for 37 yards.

Defensively, Kurt Morrison led the defense with 11.5 tackles at free safety. Tyson Vanderloo also had a strong game with a blocked punt, a sack and 4.5 tackles. Kevin Nanne added 7.5 tackles while Gauthier added 4.5.

*** SAULT STEELERS:

Later that day just minutes down the road at Nelson Stadium, the Sault Steelers opened the Northern Football Conference season with a 20-6 loss to the perennial defending champion Oakville Longhorns.