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McGuirk catches game winning touchdown as Huskies defeat Mounties 15-8
Posted: Oct 12, 2024

McGuirk catches game winning touchdown as Huskies defeat Mounties 15-8

Tickets Photos Results Box Score
Game Leaders
Saint Mary's
Pa: Allan Young - 121
Ru: Malik Williams - 132
Rec: Cherokee Robinson - 32
Mount Allison
Pa: Spencer Joudry - 193
Ru: Shamar Parkinson - 33
Rec: Nolan Cheeseman - 67
Team Stats

HALIFAX, NS – Saint Mary's quarterback Allan Young found receiver Devin McGuirk for an 18-yard touchdown with 1:26 remaining to secure the Huskies second straight win, 15-8 over the Mount Allison Mounties on Saturday afternoon at Huskies Stadium.

Prior to the final home game of the regular season, Saint Mary's recognized 16 graduating seniors – quarterback Michael Petroschke, half-back Sebastian Howard, receivers Brycen Mayoh, Treh Bhullar and Devin McGuirk, offensive linemen Caleb Purdy and Omar Hashw, defensive linemen Aiden Hennessey and Josheiwa Byron, linebackers Noah Sferrazza Papa, Jeremiah Marriott and Isaiah Okoli and defensive backs Macklin McPhee, Max Van Nieuwkoop, Joshua Long and Gavin Nesterenko – before their final game at Huskies Stadium.

The first half was a defensive battle, as both teams struggled to find offensive momentum in windy and rainy conditions. Neither team scored in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, senior defensive lineman Aiden Hennessey (Calgary, AB) intercepted Mount Allison quarterback Spencer Joudry (Rothesay, NB) and appeared to take it 69 yards to the end zone, but a penalty on the return brought the play back to the Mounties 40 and Huskies kicker Adam Johnston (Rothesay, NB) was unable to convert a 30-yard field goal into the wind.

Mount Allison scored first as the Huskies conceded a safety, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead with 5:32 remaining in the first half. Saint Mary's defence was able to force another turnover, with senior lineman Josheiwa Byron (Brampton, ON) forcing a fumble that was recovered by defensive back Jahzonte Smith (Oshawa, ON), leading to a Huskies rouge off of a Cameron Brown (Hammonds Plains, NS) punt to cut the score to 2-1 at half time.

Midway through the third quarter, Johnston hit a 32-yard field goal to put the Huskies ahead 4-2.

Late in the third quarter, the Huskies defence had another big play, with Hennessey forcing a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Matthew Schill (Indian Head, SK), setting up a 16-yard Adam Johnston field goal extending the Huskies lead to 7-2.

The fourth quarter saw both teams finally find some offensive momentum – first it was the Mounties with Joudry completed passes to receivers Jack Arsenault (Sackville, NB) and Nolan Cheesemen (Upper Tantallon, NS) for 39 and 34 yards respectively, setting up a Joudry one-yard QB sneak for the touchdown. Mount Allison was unable to score a two-point conversion, but took a 8-7 lead with 3:26 remaining in regulation.

The crowd of 759 fans at Huskies Stadium came alive on the next drive, as the Huskies marched their way downfield, with great rushing from running backs Malik Williams (Ajax, ON) and Reece Wyke (Winnipeg, MB), working their way into Mounties territory. Under pressure on second down, quarterback Allan Young (Halifax, NS) found Devin McGuirk (Barrie, ON) in the corner of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown, as the Huskies Stadium crowd went wild. Saint Mary's added to their lead with a two-point conversion as Young found receiver Brycen Mayoh (Port Coquitlam, BC), extending the lead to 15-8.

The Mounties had two more chances to score a touchdown, but the Huskies defence came up clutch twice – first Joudry was flushed out of the pocket and brought down by linebackers Matthew Schill and Zachary Chiarotto (Winnipeg, MB) turning the ball over on downs. Mount Allison got the ball back with eight seconds remaining, but Joudry's hail-mary attempt was intercepted by Huskies defensive back Isaiah Atkins (Ajax, ON), and Saint Mary's held on for the 15-8 victory.

Running back Malik Williams was named Player of the Game for the Huskies, rushing for 133 yards on 24 attempts, while fellow running back Reece Wyke ran for 95 yards on 12 carries. Quarterback Allan Young completed 14 of 30 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, while receivers Trydell Mintis (five receptions for 28 yards) and Devin McGuirk (three receptions for 30 yards and the game-winning touchdown) led the receiving corps.

For the Mounties, receiver Nolan Cheeseman was a standout catching four passes for 67 yards, while running back Shamar Parkinson turned 13 carries into 33 yards. Spencer Joudry completed 12 of 24 pass attempts for two interceptions.

Once again the Huskies defence impressed, forcing four turnovers. Matthew Schill led the way with 7.0 total tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Senior linemen Josheiwa Byron (5.0 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble) and Aiden Hennessey (4.0 tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one interception) also created chaos in the Mounties backfield.

Mount Allison was led defensively by defensive back Ethan Doherty and linebacker Benjamin Michel, who each recorded 8.5 tackles.

The Huskies second straight win improves their record to 4-3 on the season. Saint Mary's will have a bye next week, before finishing their season on the road as they take on the STFX X-Men (3-3) on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. in Antigonish, NS, in a match-up that will likely decide who hosts an AUS Semifinal playoff matchup.

The Mounties loss drops their record to 1-5 on the campaign. They'll return home next weekend to host the STFX X-Men on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. in Sackville, NB.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics