Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
Looking for their first victory of the 2026 season, the Sault Steelers welcomed the visiting Sudbury Spartans to Rocky DiPietro Field in Sault Ste. Marie on Saturday, June 6. The Spartans entered the contest with momentum after earning a convincing 45-7 victory over the Tri-City Outlaws on May 30.
Sudbury wasted little time asserting themselves offensively. At the 10:55 mark of the opening quarter, Braedan Beggs powered through the Steelers’ defensive front for a three-yard touchdown run. Beggs added the convert to give the Spartans an early 7-0 lead.
Just 30 seconds later, the Spartans capitalized on a Steelers turnover. Sault quarterback Matt Gauthier’s pass was intercepted by Kolby McLean, who returned the ball 11 yards for a touchdown. Beggs was successful on the conversion, extending Sudbury’s advantage to 14-0 with 10:25 remaining in the first quarter.
The Spartans continued to add to their lead moments later when the Steelers conceded a rouge, making it 15-0 at the 10:20 mark.
Sudbury’s offense struck again with 6:46 remaining in the quarter as quarterback Adam Rocha connected with Victor Paajanen on a 21-yard touchdown pass. The successful convert increased the Spartans’ lead to 22-0.
Following the ensuing kickoff, Beggs booted the ball through the Sault end zone for another rouge, pushing the lead to 23-0.
With 4:07 left in the opening frame, Beggs found the end zone once again, this time on a 23-yard touchdown run. The convert was successful, giving Sudbury a commanding 30-0 lead after one quarter of play.
The Spartans added to their advantage just 12 seconds into the second quarter when Gauthier was forced to kneel in his own end zone for a safety, making it 32-0. Sudbury closed out the first-half scoring at the 5:10 mark when Beggs connected on a field goal from the Steelers’ 35-yard line to give the visitors a 35-0 halftime lead.
The Spartans’ defense continued to shine in the second half. At 11:18 of the third quarter, Nolan Tarni intercepted a Gauthier pass and returned it for a touchdown. Beggs added the conversion as Sudbury increased its lead to 42-0.
Just 66 seconds into the fourth quarter, Rocha and Paajanen connected once again, this time on a 14-yard touchdown strike. The successful convert pushed the score to 49-0.
Sudbury completed the scoring with 71 seconds remaining in the game when Beggs split the uprights on a 15-yard field goal, sealing a dominant 52-0 victory over the Steelers.
The loss drops the Steelers to 0-3 on the season as they continue their search for their first win of 2026.
Visit Freeze Frame Photos by Bob Davies photo gallery of the Sudbury Spartans versus Sault Steelers in OP5FL action.
The Sault Steelers will return to action on Saturday, June 13, when they travel to the University of Guelph to take on the Tri-City Outlaws. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
