Late TD lifts Hawks to U12 final

   Mason Cowie punches the ball in with 33 seconds left in the game

   to edge the Red Storm, 14-13, in a LMFA U12 semifinal

  October 31, 2021

By Rob J. Ross 

LONDON, Ont. - A last minute touchdown has lifted the St. Thomas Hawks to the London Minor Football Association U12 final.

Mason Cowie scored the decisive points on a one yard touchdown plunge, with 33 seconds left in the fourth quarter, lifting the Hawks over the Red Storm, 14-13, in a semifinal, at City Wide Sports Park.

"Hard fought. Every yard counted in that game. The kids executed. We battled hard," Hawks' head coach Patrick Desrosiers said. "Mason is strong body and we knew if we get that push we could punch it in."

With six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Donovan Lambert broke loose for his second TD of the game and a 13-8 Red Storm lead.

"We kept our composure. We talked about that all year, staying composed. Not letting games get out of hand in our mind. Stick to the plan. We had a plan coming in to the game," Desrosiers said. "Our defence stood up huge."

The Red Storm had the ball again with four minutes remaining in the fourth, but the Hawks forced a turnover on downs.

Then following a splendid over the shoulder catch and run by Brady Congdon for 25 yards, brought the Hawks deep into Red Storm territory, the offensive line went to work in the red zone.

"Our offensive line is huge," added Desrosiers. "They do all the work up front to allow our run game to manifest itself. They get the push that we can get the yards that we need. Those guys run hard."

The Red Storm led 6-0 early, on the first TD run by Lambert.

Congdon, who rushed for 115 yards in the game, tied the score at six with a four yard rushing TD. The Hawks missed the single point convert, but picked up two points on a safety with Mason Williams making the tackle.

"That safety was huge. That got us the two extra points," said Desrosiers.

St. Thomas led 8-7, at half-time.

Aston Walzak kept the Hawks' last minute drive alive jumping on the loose ball after it popped loose at the two yard line. Two plays later, Cowie reached across the goal line.

Hawks' Ben McCoubrey finished with 34 yards on seven carries. Cowie finished with 39 yards on 10 carries and a 15-yard reception.

The Hawks face the Wolverines in the U12 final, Sunday, November 7, at 12:15 p.m. The Wolverines won the regular season meeting, 47-29, on September 26.

"It's a relief but I love the challenge coming up. Wolverines are a great team," said Desrosiers. "I'm happy we have the opportunity to go for it again."

In 2019, Desrosiers was the defensive coach when the Hawks lost the U12 final.

U10 / U14 semifinals

The Hawks fell 35-28 to the Bulldogs in an U10 semifinals.

The Bulldogs bit the Hawks, 18-2, in an U14 semifinal.