Grenadiers defeat Cornwall; advance to conference final

As they have throughout the season, the Kingston Grenadiers capitalized on big defensive plays Sunday as they defeated the Cornwall Wildcats 48-29 in an Ontario Varsity Football League Wettges conference semifinal in Cornwall.

Playing at Joe St. Denis Field, the Grenadiers got a pair of touchdowns from the defence, as Connor O’Neil and Harry Robinson returned interceptions 10 and 31 yards, respectively, for major scores.

The Grenadiers also sacked the Cornwall quarterback five times.

The win gives the Grenadiers a spot in the conference final against the undefeated regular-season champion Ottawa Myers Riders, who won the other semifinal 41-6 over the Toronto Thunder.

When the teams met in the regular year, Ottawa posted a 51-18 victory on opening day but after a 2-2 start, the Grenadiers head into the conference final having won five of their last six games.

Kingston’s other touchdowns came from Konner Burtenshaw and Dylan Fisher, both on one-yard runs, and Harris McEachern and Jeremy Pendergast, both on passes from Fisher of nine and 14 yards, respectively.

Fisher finished the day with 16 completions from 27 attempts for 244 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He spread it among seven diffferent receivers, with McEachern catching four balls for 77 yards and Pendergast four for 62 yards.

Burtenshaw carried the ball 11 times for 107 yards.

Mike Bashall kicked five converts and a 40-yard field goal. Connor O’Neil ran for a two-point convert.