Elisha Lerner
Elisha LernerThe Redmen wrapped up their 2011 season this past Saturday at Percival Molson Stadium, finishing with an 0-9 record after losing to the Concordia Stingers by a final score of 58-30. The game was preceded by a ceremony honouring former Redmen head coach Sonny Wolfe for his 36 years coaching in the CIS. Wolfe stepped down earlier this month after the Redmen lost their sixth consecutive game of the season, ruling them out of a playoff berth.
On top of the mid-season coach change, the team has been a revolving door at the quarterback position, rotating three players all year. For the final tilt, the Redmen offence went back to basics by starting senior Ryne Bondy.
Concordia took the lead early in the first quarter when running back Raul Thompson rushed for 35 yards into the Redmen end zone. McGill retorted promptly as Bondy connected with slotback Bobby Mikelberg for a touchdown. The back and forth battle continued well into the second quarter as the Redmen vied to catch up to the Stingers on the scoreboard. Concordia padded their lead with two field goals, whilst the Redmen minimized the score gap with a 28- yard pass for a touchdown to wide receiver Michael Chitayat, and a 43-yard field goal by kicker Austin Anderson. The first half ended with the Stingers ahead 20-17.
In the third quarter alone, Concordia quarterback Reid Quest threw for four consecutive touchdowns. He registered 356 yards by the end of the game, including 23 completions in 31 attempts. By the end of the third quarter, the gap had widened to 48-17.
Sophomore linebacker Max Caron registered six solo tackles and two assists, breaking the Quebec conference record for tackles in a single season. He also intercepted two of Bondy’s passing attempts, returning one for 96 yards and a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
Although the Redmen offence was not able to keep up with the Stingers’ scoring barrage, Bondy found good rhythm with Chitayat (12 receptions for 155 yards) and Mikelberg (10 receptions for 145 yards). “It was a tough one. We moved the ball well on offence, but we just didn’t put enough points I guess,” Bondy said.
Also contributing to the McGill scoreboard was sophomore linebacker Brenden Carriere who blocked a punt and recovered it for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Mistakes by the Redmen defence proved to be costly as they ignited many of the scoring opportunities for the Stingers. Quest rotated amongst four receivers as his passing game repeatedly ripped apart the Redmen defence. “That was a very disappointing defensive performance, probably our worst in two years. Our offence finally moved the ball so the way I feel right now is that our team wasted a really good offensive day, ” interim Head Coach Clint Uttley said.
Bondy broke the Quebec conference record for single-game passing attempts with a total of 65, 35 of which were completions, for 494 yards. “Well, I would rather have the record for completions,” Bondy joked. “When we have a lot of attempts [it] means we are probably down on the scoreboard or we are not running the ball well, so I’d rather have a more balanced attack but it’s something that’s cool I guess.”
The game was the last of their CIS career for six Redmen veterans – Bobby Mikelberg (SB), Michael Chitayat (WR), Ben Thompson (DL), Austin Anderson (K), Renaud Collard-Seguin (DE), and Courtney Bishop (LB).
The Stingers, who improved their regular season record to 4-5, will begin their playoff run against the conference leader Laval Rouge et Or in the Quebec Conference semifinals next Saturday.
As for the Redmen, the offseason will be a time for adjustment and building as Uttley looks to revamp the coaching staff and work on CEGEP recruitment strategies. Despite the winless season, Chitayat remains positive of the team that he is to leave behind.
“We came somewhere this season even though the record wasn’t amazing,” he said. “I think next year going forward all the steps are in place—good coaching staff and a lot of talent.”
