Big plays power Blues, Augies and Huskers in Week 5

Blues stay unbeaten, Augies surge, Huskers take control of second in pivotal Sunday slate of Orillia flag football

Amber Weiss of the Rick Grant Landscaping Blues flags Mitchell Hurtubise of McLean & Dickey Insurance during flag football action at the West Orillia Sports Complex.

Sunday night at the West Orillia Sports Complex delivered one of the most impactful slates of the Sunshine Superwash SportsKlub Football season so far, as three games packed with explosive plays and momentum swings reshaped the standings heading into Week 6.

With the Rick Grant Landscaping Blues continuing to separate at the top, the battle behind them tightened in a major way.

The night opened with the Rick Grant Landscaping Blues defeating the McLean & Dickey Insurance Thunderbolts 47-27, improving to 5-0-1 and once again showcasing the most explosive offence in the league.

It took one play to set the tone. Connor Woodbeck dropped back and connected with Andrew Billark for a 95-yard touchdown on the opening play from scrimmage, immediately putting the Thunderbolts on their heels. From there, the Blues never let up.

The Blues finished with over 600 yards of offence, including more than 500 through the air, with multiple quarterbacks contributing. Woodbeck, Tyler Richard and Rick Grant all found the end zone through the air, while Matt Planta added a 67-yard rushing touchdown that highlighted the team’s versatility.

The big play was the story. The Blues scored on touchdowns of 95, 95, 73, 67 and another deep strike that turned into a quick score, consistently flipping the field in a single play.

To their credit, the McLean & Dickey Insurance Thunderbolts kept pace offensively. Mitchell Hurtubise threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns, while Kayden Halloch added 178 passing yards and a score. Shawn Harrison was the primary target, finishing with seven receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

The Thunderbolts moved the ball effectively all night, finishing with nearly 500 total yards, but couldn’t match the efficiency and explosiveness of the Blues attack.

Orillia Synergy Healthcare receiver Raygen Hendley separates from Wagner Lawn Care defender Matt Bolduc during Orillia flag football action at the West Orillia Sports Complex.

The second game of the night delivered one of the biggest swings in the standings, as the Orillia Synergy Healthcare Augies defeated the Wagner Lawn Care Trojans 28-20.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Augies struck first when Alex Winacott connected on a deep pass that turned into a 71-yard touchdown to Blake Cruise, opening the scoring and shifting momentum. Cruise delivered another highlight early in the third quarter, breaking free for a 95-yard touchdown run, extending the lead and energizing the Augies sideline.

But the Trojans answered. Sam Skalosky led a strong response, throwing three touchdown passes, including two in the third quarter as the Trojans stormed back into the game. Martin Cunningham was at the centre of that push, finishing with 159 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, consistently creating after the catch and keeping drives alive. By the end of the third quarter, the Trojans had cut the deficit to a single point, setting up a tight finish. That’s where the Augies took control.

Winacott was nearly perfect, completing four of five passes for 140 yards and three touchdowns. A 58-yard touchdown play capped by Braeden Errico helped create separation, and Connor Flannery added another late score to secure the win. The Augies finished with 28 points on just 20 offensive plays, a level of efficiency that could make them dangerous down the stretch.

Santa's Nook Huskers captain Lucas Di Mattia jumps to make a catch while CMF Automotive defender Canyon Cairns locks in on the flag.

The night wrapped up with Santa’s Nook Huskers defeating the CMF Automotive Silver Bombers 26-18 in a game defined by explosive plays and quick responses.

The Huskers struck early behind Lucas Di Mattia, who led two scoring drives in the first quarter, one through the air and one on the ground, giving Santa’s Nook a 12-0 lead.

CMF responded in the second quarter with one of the biggest plays of the night, as Jesse Bremner connected with Ethan Phillips on a 95-yard touchdown that immediately shifted momentum. But the Huskers answered right back.

Calvin Hale delivered a deep strike that turned into a 98-yard touchdown, restoring control before halftime. CMF stayed within reach in the third quarter when Colton Thompson turned a reception into a 51-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 18-12. Still, the final moment belonged to Di Mattia. In the fourth quarter, he broke loose for a 76-yard touchdown run and added the two-point conversion, extending the lead to 26-12 and sealing the game.

Di Mattia finished with 200 total yards and three touchdowns, while Hale added 171 passing yards and two scores. Bremner threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns for CMF, while Phillips led all receivers with 162 yards and two scores.

After Sunday’s results, the standings have taken clear shape. The Rick Grant Landscaping Blues sit alone in first at 5-0-1, continuing to lead the league in scoring and point differential. The Santa’s Nook Huskers move into second at 3-2-1, while the Orillia Synergy Healthcare Augies improve to 3-3 and re-enter the heart of the race.

The Wagner Lawn Care Trojans, McLean & Dickey Insurance Thunderbolts, and CMF Automotive Silver Bombers all sit at 2-4, separated by narrow margins, with every game becoming critical heading into the final stretch.

Across the league, the individual races remain just as competitive. Colton Thompson leads all quarterbacks with 940 passing yards, with teammate Jesse Bremner close behind at 898. Mitchell Hurtubise continues to stand out with eight touchdown passes and strong efficiency.

At receiver, Ethan Phillips leads the league with 992 yards, followed by Vince Pitines and Hurtubise, who continues to contribute across multiple categories. On the ground, Lucas Di Mattia remains one of the most dynamic players in the league, leading in rushing while also ranking among the top passers. Defensively, Connor Flannery leads all players with 18 tackles, with several others close behind as defensive impact continues to shape games.

Now, attention turns to Week 6. At 7:00 p.m. on Sunday night, the Trojans face the Silver Bombers in a key match up for positioning in the middle of the standings. At the same time, the Santa’s Nook Huskers take on the Rick Grant Landscaping Blues in a battle between the leagues two top teams. 

The night concludes at 8:00 p.m., when the Orillia Synergy Healthcare Augies meet the McLean & Dickey Insurance Thunderbolts, with both teams looking to build momentum heading into the final stretch.

With the standings tightening and the margin for error shrinking, the second half of the season is now fully underway.

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