SACKVILLE, N.B. - The Gaiters and Mounties matched-up for the third time this season on Saturday. After travelling to New Brunswick last weekend, the Gaiters returned to Sackville on Saturday with vengeance and defeated the Mounties 23-5 in the Subway AUS Semifinal and earned a berth in the 2021 Loney Bowl.
Louis-Philippe Gregoire (Jonquière, QC/Cégep de Jonquière) continued his dominance this season with 76 rushing yards, 62 receiving yards and one touchdown on the day. Quarterback,
Mason McGriskin (North Bay, ON/West Ferris S.S.), completed 12 of 21 attempts for 208 yards, his longest for 47-yards.
Oliver Burnett (Fredericton, NB/Fredericton HS) was the lead receiver for the Gaiters in Sackville with three catches for 94 yards.
The Gaiters' defense was on display throughout the contest, with the highlight being an 86-yard pick six by
Jake Kelly (Markham, ON/Bill Crothers S.S.) right before halftime. Kelly was named the Subway Player of the Game for his performance. Fifth-year senior,
Remi Desbiens (Sherbrooke, QC/Cégep de Sherbrooke), totalled 7.5 tackles during 60 minutes of play including four sacks and five tackles for a loss of 27 yards. He also had one forced fumble.
Julian Wytinck went 20 of 34 for 146 yards for Mount Allison while Aidan O'Neal added 35 rush yards on four carries for the Mounties.
The Gaiters started the game quickly, pushing the tempo early on offense. The Mounties were able to hold off the Gaiters until the 6:35 mark of the first quarter when
Mathe Mitayango (Winnipeg, MB/Miles MacDonald C.I.) scored the Gaiters first touchdown of the day on a 15-yard carry.
The contest was primarily played between the thirties for the rest of the first half and neither team was able to add to their totals until the final minute of the second quarter.
Jake Kelly (Markham, ON/Bill Crothers S.S.) intercepted a Julian Wytinck pass and returned it 86 yards for a Gaiters' touchdown. The purple and white took a 14-0 lead into the break.
Following halftime, the Mounties started the third quarter quickly as Aidan O'Neal returned the second half kickoff for 76 yards but the Gaiters' defense held the Mounties to a field goal. After exchanging possessions, the Mounties conceded a safety to make the score 16-3 after 45 minutes of competition.
Mason McGriskin (North Bay, ON/West Ferris S.S.) completed a 35-yard pass to
Louis-Philippe Gregoire (Jonquière, QC/Cégep de Jonquière) who found the endzone with just over 8 minutes to go in the final stanza. Bishop's conceded a safety late in the fourth but, it didn't matter, as the game ended with a score of 23-5 in favour of the visitors.
The win is the Gaiters' first of the season over the Mount Allison Mounties and, as a playoff game, was arguably the most important game of the season. The victory secures Bishop's a spot in the conference final, the 2021 Subway AUS Loney Bowl, on Saturday November 20 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
Next Up
The Gaiters head to their second straight Loney Bowl next Saturday November 20th at StFX. The match-up will mark the third between the two teams this season and the Gaiters will look to secure the conference title.
Stay tuned to www.gaiters.ca and #GaiterNation or @BishopsGaiters on social media to follow the Gaiters.
