McCausland scores Parkside's points in 8-7 win over Bessette in junior football
November 4, 2023
By Rob J. Ross
LONDON, Ont. - Brendan McCausland did a little of everything and now the multi postion player is heading to his first championship game.
McCausland scored a touchdown and kicked two singles (rouges), carrying the Parkside Stampeders to an 8-7 win over the London Bessette Bulldogs, Friday in a Thames Valley Regional Athetics (TVRA) junior football semifinal at City Wide Sports Park.
"It feels amazing because I've been playing for many years and I've never been to a final," said McCausland, in Grade nine yet standing six-foot five inches. "Our defence stepped up and won us the game 100 percent. Our defence has been a key part of our team all season."
Bessette led 7-0 mid second quarter, on a coverted touchdown.
The Stampeders blocked a Bulldogs' field goal attempt with 43 seconds remaining in the first half.
Thirty seconds later, McCausland was completing a 65-yard pass play running into the end zone.
The extra point was missed, leaving the score 7-6 Bessette at half.
Bessette threatened to add to their lead in the third quarter, bringing the ball to the Stampeders' 15 yard line, but the Parkside defence held the Bulldogs off.
McCausland tied the game on a single, after Connor Ward gained major yards for Parkside.
With 2:05 left in the fourth quarter, McCausland booted the ball through the end zone for the winning point.
"In my head I was saying all I need to do is get it through the end zone," said McCausland. "A lot of excitement."
Parkside faces London CCH in the final, Friday, November 10, location and time TBA.
"We're looking forward to it and we're happy to come out on top today," Parkside head coach Scott Chesney said. "Defence stood on their toes this game and held us in there both halves. Solid performances from our linebackers, Cole Surmacz, Logan Dore and Carter McBurney. D-line stood out for sure. Eric Poole, Gray MacIntyre, did an outstanding job keeping them to seven points."
CCH dumped Laurier, 20-2 in their semifinal.
"We have some stiff competition. CCH is good," Chesney said. "We're really going to have to work to figure out how to get some points against CCH."
During the regular season, CCH blanked Parkside, 8-0, on September 28.
The Stampeders head to their first title game since 2017. That year Parkside defeated East Elgin in the TVRA final before winning the school's first WOSSAA junior football crown defeating CCH.
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