Woodbecks light up Orillia flag football Week 1
- SportsKlub Staff
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Woodbeck brothers throw for 394 yards as Blues erupt for 55 points; Billark scores four TDs, while Di Mattia, Westbrook and Price highlight a star-studded opening night
SportsKlub Orillia flag football is officially underway, and opening night at the West Orillia Sports Complex offered a little bit of everything.
There were familiar stars doing familiar things, returning players making an immediate impact, rookies announcing their arrival and two new teams playing the first games in their franchise histories on Sunday night.
Most importantly, more than 80 players came together despite some off-and-on rain and fall-like temperatures, to kick off another season of the weekly hangout that happens to play football. And while the road to Power Bowl 40 has only just begun, Week 1 provided plenty of performances worth celebrating.
None was bigger statistically than Andrew Billark's. The Rick Grant Landscaping Blues receiver turned four receptions into a staggering 207 yards and four touchdowns as the Blues opened their season with a 55-14 victory over the Mariposa Building Services Trojans in the highly anticipated Power Bowl 39 rematch.
Billark's performance was part of an offensive explosion for the Blues.
Connor Woodbeck continued the momentum from his breakout spring season, completing six of seven passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns. His brother, Hayden Woodbeck, was nearly as effective, completing five of seven for 157 yards and four scores. Between them, the Woodbeck brothers finished 11-for-14 for 394 yards, eight touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Vince Pitines was everywhere. The speedy veteran caught three passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns and intercepted two passes on defence. Captain Matt Planta added a touchdown and an interception. It was an emphatic start for a Blues team coming off back-to-back Power Bowl appearences.
Di Mattia leads Huskers; rookies make immediate impact
The Wagner Lawn Care Huskers also opened the fall Orillia flag football season with a victory, defeating the expansion Speaking of Wildlife Scouts 27-6. Veteran captain Lucas Di Mattia led the way with another impressive all-around performance.
Di Mattia completed four of six passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns and then made his presence felt on the other side of the ball with two interceptions.
But some of the night's biggest stories came from players making their SportsKlub Football debuts. Dominick Hill wasted virtually no time introducing himself.
The Huskers rookie caught three passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns, immediately establishing himself as a player to watch as the season unfolds.
Fellow newcomer Marcopolo Calvillo made an impact in several different ways, breaking loose for a 70-yard rushing touchdown and recording a game-high five flags on defence.
Josh Ayers, meanwhile, showed again why he can be one of the Klub's most dangerous downfield options when healthy, recording 95 receiving yards and a touchdown.
The final score didn't take away from several memorable moments in the first game in Scouts history. JJ Healy recorded 140 receiving yards, while rookie Harrison Laugalys threw for 135 yards and intercepted a pass defensively.
Lucas Scriver earned himself a permanent piece of Scouts trivia. The rookie caught a 30-yard touchdown to score the first touchdown in Speaking of Wildlife Scouts history. Scriver also led his team with three flags.
For a brand-new group playing its first game together, it was the beginning of a season that will be about much more than one night's result.
Silver Bombers produce plenty of fireworks
CMF Automotive entered the fall with plenty of intriguing pieces, and several of them made an immediate impression against McLean & Dickey, leading to a 31-16 victory.
Reigning quarterback of the season Jesse Bremner picked up where he left off in the spring. Bremner completed six of seven passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught a 50-yard touchdown and intercepted a pass on defence.
Matthew Stinson's first SportsKlub game provided another encouraging performance. The rookie threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns without an interception and added a sack defensively.
Ethan Westbrook put together one of Week 1's best all-around stat lines, recording 164 receiving yards and two touchdowns to go with three flags and an interception.
Luke Phillips also made his presence known immediately. The rookie recorded 75 receiving yards, completed his only passing attempt for 45 yards and came away with two interceptions on defence.
For McLean & Dickey, veteran Mitchell Hurtubise threw for 125 yards and two touchdowns while adding an interception defensively.
Rookie Jackson Denne scored a 40-yard touchdown in his first SportsKlub game, while Kayden Halloch also found the end zone. Colby Shaw and Seamus McGee each finished with 75 receiving yards.
Price makes his presence felt in return to Augies
There aren't many names more closely associated with the Hot Shots Sandblasting Augies than Braeden Price. On Sunday, he reminded everyone why.
After sitting out much of the spring season, Price returned to the Augies and generated 219 yards from scrimmage, catching two passes for 164 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another 55 yards and a score.
His quarterback partner Zach Moreau also took advantage of an expanded opportunity.
Moreau, who showed flashes during his first two SportsKlub seasons, completed five of 10 passes for 209 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Braeden Errico added a receiving touchdown and a sack. The Augies also received immediate contributions from their newcomers. Brynnen Shelswell-Gilbert recorded a game-high five flags in her debut, while Brandan Piitz contributed on both sides of the football.
Across from them, the expansion Orillia Synergy Healthcare Monsters had plenty to celebrate in their first night together, defeating the Augies in the closest game of the night, 19-18.
Ethan Barber continued the strong start to his SportsKlub career, catching three passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns while adding three flags.
Lucas Ginger completed five of seven passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns in his debut, while captain Andrew Westelaken threw for 100 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.
Lucas Barber caught five passes for 85 yards in his first game, and Bailey Yeoman scored a touchdown while contributing 48 rushing yards and two flags.
ONE WEEK DOWN, 11 MORE TO GO
It's tempting after an opening night like this to start drawing conclusions. That's part of the fun. But it's also only Week 1.
There will be breakout performances nobody sees coming, new friendships formed on the sidelines, players discovering roles they didn't expect to have and teams that look completely different in October than they did in August.
Eventually, the standings will come into play. The Turkey Bowl and Pumpkin Bowl will arrive. Four teams will earn their opportunity in the Power Bowl semifinals, and two will play for another piece of SportsKlub history in Power Bowl 40.
But long before any trophy is handed out, there are a lot of Sunday and Monday nights still to enjoy .That's what SportsKlub has always been about.
The touchdowns, stats and Power Bowls give everyone something to play for, but they're also an excuse to get together once a week, play a game, meet new people and have some fun.
Our hope is that when the season ends, you'll remember a lot more than the final standings. Week 1 was a pretty good start.
Follow the Orillia flag football action all season long on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
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