Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos

On Saturday, July 12th, under persistent rain and slick field conditions at Rocky DiPietro Field, the Sault Steelers hosted the Sudbury Spartans in their final regular season game of the 2025 Ontario Power 5 Football League (OP5FL) campaign.

Looking to avenge a 28-8 road loss to the Spartans on June 14th at James Jerome Sports Complex in Sudbury, the Steelers came out determined to end their season on a high note in front of their home fans. Despite a strong start, the Spartans pulled away for a 24-4 victory.

The scoring opened at 10:55 of the first quarter when Ethan McCorkell booted a 31-yard field goal to give the Steelers a 3-0 lead. Sudbury answered back at 4:55 when quarterback Adam Rocha connected with Victor Paajanen for a 27-yard pass, setting up a two-yard touchdown run by Paajanen. Mateo Bedoya added the convert to make it 7-3.

As time expired in the first quarter, Rocha added a 35-yard field goal to extend the Spartans’ lead to 10-3. The Steelers clawed one point back at 9:30 of the second quarter when the Spartans conceded a rouge, narrowing the gap to 10-4.

Sudbury surged ahead late in the half. With 1:20 remaining, Rocha found Paajanen again—this time for a 7-yard touchdown pass. A two-yard touchdown run by Taggart Zuck with just 32 seconds left, followed by another Bedoya convert, gave the Spartans a commanding 23-4 lead at the break.

In the third quarter, the Steelers conceded another rouge at 4:26, giving Sudbury the final point of the contest and sealing a 24-4 win.

Visit Freeze Frame Photos by Bob Davies photo gallery of the Spartans versus the Steelers in OP5FL action.

With the loss, the Sault Steelers wrap up their 2025 OP5FL season.