Northerners' forfeit hands Sabercats another win

It was Christmas in July as far as the Sault Sabercats are concerned.

On Wednesday the Ontario Varsity Football League sacked the Sudbury Northerners by forcing the team to forfeit all seven of their games played thus far in 2005 for using an illegal player.

On Canada Day in the Nickel City, the Sabercats turned in a poor performance and were upset by Sudbury 16-0.

The verdict by the league now gives the Sabercats a 9-0 victory in the record books and puts the team's record from 4-2 up to 5-1 and a share of first place with the Essex Ravens in the Adam Division West.

The Sabercats are back in action after a bye week on Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m. at Rocky DiPietro Field against the Cambridge Lions.

Reports indicate that the OVFL's decision on the Northerners is due to the fact that the team dressed an overage player listed under a younger sibling's name.

*** STOROZUK LEAVES TEAM:

Backup quarterback Mike Storozuk, who started the game against Sudbury, left the team this week for personal reasons.

In his absence, defensive rush end Frank Weise, who played quarterback at Sir James Dunn, will back up starter John Mullin as third stringer Peter MacNamara will miss this week's game.