Blues capture Birthday Bowl, clinch first
- SportsKlub Staff
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Undefeated Rick Grant Landscaping improves to 9-0, locking up first place during wild six-game Mariposa Market Birthday Bowl weekend at West Orillia Sports Complex
The lights were brighter, the cheering was louder, and the stakes felt bigger. And once again, the Rick Grant Landscaping Blues delivered.
The undefeated Blues capped off a massive Mariposa Market Birthday Bowl weekend Sunday night with a 40-26 victory over the Wagner Lawn Care Trojans at the West Orillia Sports Complex, officially clinching first place in Sunshine Superwash Orillia flag football season while extending the longest winning streak in franchise history.
With just three games remaining in the regular season, the Blues improved to 9-0 and continue looking every bit like a juggernaut heading toward the Power Bowl playoffs.
The Birthday Bowl finale had the feel of a playoff game from the opening drive. The Blues came out aggressive immediately, attacking the Trojans through the air and pushing the pace offensively before the Trojans could settle in defensively. Connor Woodbeck opened the scoring with a 22-yard touchdown strike to Andrew Billark, giving the Blues an early lead and igniting the Birthday Bowl atmosphere.
The pressure kept coming. Rick Grant later connected with Matt Planta on a 23-yard touchdown play that pushed the lead to 19-0 in the second quarter as the Blues appeared to take complete control. But the Trojans refused to fold.
Braeden Price finally got the Trojans on the board with a touchdown reception from Oswell James before Tyler Hinds and James connected for another, cutting into the deficit and suddenly shifting energy. But for every time the Trojans created hope, the Blues responded.
Connor Woodbeck and Planta hooked up again in the third quarter for another touchdown, before Rick Grant connected with Vince Pitines for the dagger, as the Blues sealed the 40-26 Birthday Bowl victory and celebrated another defining moment in what is becoming a historic season.
The Birthday Bowl finale capped off a wild six-game weekend across Sunshine Superwash SportsKlub Football. CMF Automotive opened the weekend Saturday night with a 35-28 upset victory over Orillia Synergy Healthcare before the Blues defeated McLean & Dickey Insurance 35-22. The Trojans then earned a 33-13 victory over Mara's Nook to secure its place in the Birthday Bowl feature game.
Sunday’s action opened with CMF Automotive defeating Mara's Nook 41-35 in another offensive shootout before Orillia Synergy Healthcare bounced back with a 43-24 win over McLean & Dickey Insurance.
Only the top four teams qualify for the Power Bowl playoffs. The bottom two teams will meet in a consolation match at season’s end.
Orillia Synergy Healthcare remains second at 5-4, while Wagner Lawn Care and CMF Automotive are tied at 4-5-0 in a heated battle for playoff positioning. Mara's Nook is a game behind the pack at 3-6, and McLean & Dickey's Power Bowl hopes are fading at 2-7-0.
Week 8 action takes place Sunday night at the West Orillia Sports Complex with Orillia Synergy Healthcare facing CMF Automotive at 7 p.m., Rick Grant Landscaping meeting Wagner Lawn Care in a Birthday Bowl rematch at 7 p.m., and Mara's Nook taking on McLean & Dickey Insurance at 8 p.m.
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