Steelers going to the NFC championship game (UPDATED)

The Sault Steelers will get another shot at a Northern Football Conference championship.

On Saturday night in Oshawa, the Steelers defeated the Oshawa Hawkeyes 32-23 in the NFC semi-final to earn a berth in the championship game next Saturday night at 7 p.m.

The Steelers will have to claim the title on the road as the Tri-City Outlaws will host the championship game after defeating the Oakville Longhorns 36-28 in the other semi-final.

Josh Gauthier led the Steelers offense with 113 yards rushing on 23 carries and two touchdowns including a five yard scamper late in the first quarter to give the Steelers an 8-0 lead.

Dan Swystun's 32 yard field goal with four seconds left in the first half gave the Sault an 11-7 lead.

In the third quarter, the Steelers took over after Oshawa returned a punt 56 yards for a touchdown to take their first lead of the game.

Matt Gauthier grabbed an interception and returned it 31 yards for the score and brother Josh followed with a 10 yard scoring run for a 25-14 Steelers win after 45 minutes.

Oshawa attempted to rally in the fourth quarter and pulled to within two points but Kyle Gauthier sealed the victory with a 112 yard kick return with 2:10 remaining.

Steelers quarterback Travis McLean completed 11 of 22 passes for 118 yards while receiver Dan Leduc led the receiving corps with three catches for 50 yards.

James Albidone anchored the Steelers defense, leading with eight tackles.

*** SCORING SUMMARY: 1 07:06 SSM B. McCarthy, Rouge n/a SSM 1-0 1 13:51 SSM J. Gauthier, 5 yard Rush D. Swystun SSM 8-0 2 13:02 OSH P. Dixon, 4 yard Reception D. Sevugny SSM 8-7 2 14:56 SSM D. Swystun, 32 yard Field Goal n/a SSM 11-7 3 02:23 OSH P. Dixon, 56 yard Punt Return D. Sevugny OSH 14-11 3 6:10 SSM M. Gauthier, 31 yard Interception D. Swystun SSM 18-14 3 13:49 SSM J. Gauthier, 10 yard Rush D. Swystun SSM 25-14 4 05:26 OSH M. Weatherilt, 1 yard Rush E. Davis - 2pt SSM 25-22 4 05:33 OSH D. Sevigny, Rouge n/a SSM 25-23 4 12:50 SSM K. Gauthier, 112 yard Kick Return D. Swystun SSM 32-23

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