Physicality lifts JV Sabercats to convincing win (7 photos)

They expected a tough test but in the end, it wasn’t as tough as anticipated.

The Sault Sabercats junior varsity team scored a 40-0 victory over the Brantford Bisons on Saturday afternoon at Superior Heights to improve to 3-0-1 in Ontario Football Conference action.

“It was our toughest test and we responded,” Sabercats coach Jim Monico.

Looking for a more physical effort, the Sabercats responded, especially on defence.

“We were physical on defence,” Monico also said. “The defence was strong all game and made plays.”

Monico added the Sabercats goal is to not surrender a point for the rest of the regular season.

“That’s our goal for the rest of the regular season,” Monico said. “It’s a lofty goal but that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Kicking off to open the game, Kaden Fisher recovered a short opening kickoff to give the Sabercats the ball to start the game.

Michael Nicoletta with a 54-yard touchdown run to open the scoring on the Sabercats first drive. Convert by Daniel Bumbaco makes it 7-0 Sabercats.

Ryan Barnes ran the ball in from five yards out and the subsequent convert by Bumbaco would make it 14-0 Sabercats just over four minutes into the contest.

Brantford conceded a safety to make it 16-0 Sabercats late in the opening quarter.

Brantford would drive to the Sabercats 11 but couldn’t punch the ball in in the final minute of the quarter. The Sabercats would proceed to run the clock down to end the opening half.

In the third quarter, Barnes would pick up another major on a five-yard run just under two minutes into the quarter. Bumbaco would make the convert to increase the Sabercats lead to 23-0.

An 11-yard touchdown run by Fisher and a convert by Bumbaco made it 30-0 later in the quarter.

A 10-yard field goal by Bumbaco early in the fourth stretched the Sault lead to 33-0.

With just under seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Connor Ritchie carried the ball in from one yard out. Combined with the convert by Bumbaco, the Sabercats increased the lead to 40-0.

Nicoletta finished the day with 174 yards rushing on 12 carries while Barnes had 120 yards rushing on 14 carries.

Defensively, Aaron Grandinetti had three solo tackles and three assists.

Colby Fellinger and Patrick Sarlo had interceptions for the Sabercats.

The Sabercats return to action June 15 at home against Forest City. Kickoff at Superior Heights is set for 1 p.m.