Augies rally late, Bolts surge, Blues escape in Week 3

Late touchdown lifts Augies past Huskers while Thunderbolts break out and Blues survive defensive battle

Week 3 of Sunshine Superwash SportsKlub Flag Football brought clear skies to the West Orillia Sports Complex. But the games themselves were anything but calm on Sunday evening. 

Three matchups unfolded three completely different ways, and by the end of the night, the standings tightened in a very real way. The Rick Grant Landscaping Blues are still on top at 3-0-1. But now, they can feel teams behind them closing in.

The night opened with a defensive battle, the Blues defeated the CMF Automotive Silver Bombers 7-0 in a game where one play made all the difference. The Silver Bombers, now 2-2, moved the ball all night. Colton Thompson kept the offence moving, and Ethan Phillips continued to look like one of the league’s most dangerous players, consistently creating separation and gaining yards after the catch.

But every drive stalled. A turnover, a miscue, a missed opportunity, and then the moment came. Rick Grant dropped back and found Matt Planta deep. Planta broke free for a 42-yard touchdown that flipped the entire game. Tyler Richard added the convert, and that was it, because the Blues defence did the rest.

The second game may have been the most important of the week in terms of the standings. The McLean & Dickey Insurance Thunderbolts defeated the Wagner Lawn Care Trojans 27-13, and in doing so, completely changed the middle of the table. The Thunderbolts move to 1-3, The Trojans drop to 2-2, and suddenly, everything is jammed together behind first place.

Early on, the Trojans looked ready to take control. Oswell James connected with Martin Cunningham for an early touchdown, continuing what has been one of the most explosive passing attacks in the league.

But this time, the response came fast and Mitchell Hurtubise took over. The Thunderbolts quarterback spread the ball across the field, extended drives, and found open receivers with confidence. He finished with 3 touchdown passes, showing a level of control the offence had been searching for. 

Hurtubise connected with Rachel Holmes on two of his touchdowns passes, displaying a natural chemistry with his speedy receiver. For the first time this season, everything clicked for the Thunderbolts.  

For the Trojans, there were still flashes of the team who started the season 2-0 and Bunny Bowl champions. The game ended with Adam Vastopa connecting with James who broke loose with a 77-yard touchdown catch, reminding everyone just how dangerous they are when they hit big plays. 

The final game of the night may have had the biggest long-term impact. The Orillia Synergy Healthcare Augies defeated the Santa’s Nook Huskers 13-8, improving to 2-2 and pulling themselves right back into the race.

The Huskers fall to 1-2-1, but remain one of the toughest teams to put away. This one was tight from the start. Through two quarters, neither team could find the end zone. Lucas Di Mattia worked to move the ball for the Huskers, while Mike Black continued to be a reliable target. On the other side, Connor Flannery and Nolan Inglis searched for openings, but both defences kept making plays.

In the third quarter, the game broke open when Inglis made the play of the night. A deep pass from Connor Flannery turned into a 77-yard touchdown, giving the Augies their first points and a spark they had been searching for.

But the Huskers answered. A safety cut into the lead, and shortly after, Ben Prinzen found Mike Black in the end zone to give Santa’s Nook an 8-7 lead heading into the 4th quarter. 

Inglis led the Augies final drive from behind centre. He was calm, controlled, and moved the ball efficiently before throwing an 18 yard strike to Flannery in the back of the end zone to regain the lead. 

The Huskers had one final chance, driving into Augies territory late, but Daniel Scabuzzo's 37 yard pass to Mike Black on 4th down was broken up by Flannery.  

After three weeks, the standings finally have shape.

Now comes Week 4 on Sunday night. At 8:30 p.m., the Huskers face the Trojans, while the Silver Bombers take on the Thunderbolts.

Then at 9:30 p.m., the game everyone has been waiting for. The Blues versus the Augies in a rematch of Power Bowl 38, the game that sealed the Augies’ three-peat.

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