Steelers prepared for playoffs

The Northern Football Conference playoffs are here and the Sault Steelers are in the drivers seat heading in.

Thanks to a 7-0 victory over the Toronto Maddogs last weekend in Toronto, the Steelers finished the NFC regular season with a 7-1 record. By way of their record, the locals earned top spot in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Their search for a Northern Football Conference title begins this weekend with a home date against the Toronto Raiders on Saturday night. The 7 p.m. start will mark the second time in three weeks that the Raiders have made the trip north to Sault Ste. Marie.

Just three weeks ago, the Raiders dropped a 49-3 decision at the hands of the Steelers. Josh Gauthier ran for three touchdowns in the victory while Chris Tulloch added a pair of touchdowns as well in the win. Gauthier ran for 103 yards on 13 carries while Tulloch added 44 yards on nine carries.

Brandon Lewis was strong defensively for the Steelers in the win with six tackles and a sack to go along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Other NFC playoff action this weekend includes Oshawa traveling to Toronto to take on the Maddogs; The Sudbury Spartans taking on the Milton Marauders; and the Oakville Longhorns take on the Tri-City Outlaws.

North Bay, Sarnia, and Quinte failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Semi-final action will take place on Aug. 12 while the NFC championship game is set for Aug. 19.