The Sault College Cougars capped off their inaugural season in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) with a spirited performance in Windsor, Ontario, on Saturday, October 11th facing off against the defending national champions, the St. Clair College Saints, in the opening round of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) playoffs.
Although the Cougars ultimately fell 49–37, the young squad gave the powerhouse Saints everything they could handle in a thrilling first-ever playoff appearance.
St. Clair opened the game strong, jumping out to a 15-point lead in the first quarter behind two field goals, a touchdown, and a safety. But Sault College came to life in the second quarter, striking back with 14 points of their own. League All-Star Sam Mustapha broke through for a 15-yard touchdown run, followed by a three-yard quarterback sneak from Gabe Barkley late in the quarter. Despite the comeback effort, the Saints responded with 12 more points to take a 27–14 lead into halftime.
Early in the third, the defending champions pressed their advantage, adding 10 points through a touchdown and two conceded safeties. Still, the Cougars refused to go quietly. Late in the quarter, Jon Davis electrified the crowd with a 57-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, giving Sault College a surge of momentum heading into the final frame with the score at 38–21 in favor of the Saints.
The Saints added a field goal and another touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the Cougars saved their best football for last. With just over three minutes to play, Sam Mustapha powered in for a 12-yard rushing touchdown. Then came what could only be described as the catch of the year—Jaiden Trudeau’s acrobatic grab on the two-point conversion.
The Cougars weren’t done yet. Jon Davis once again made a clutch play, recovering the onside kick to keep the comeback hopes alive. The offense charged down the field, capping off the drive with a 10-yard catch-and-run touchdown from Erron Beachey. Sault College went for two and converted—All-Star defensive lineman George Limb hauling in the pass from Barkley in the front of the end zone.
Barkley finished the game completing 13 of 31 passes for 178 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The Cougars’ defense stood tall throughout the afternoon, forcing key turnovers and limiting the Saints to field goals on several short fields. Defensive standouts included Ethan Greenwood with an interception and five solo tackles, Daik Gauthier with an interception and four solo tackles, Jon Davis with his memorable 57-yard fumble return, and Ethan Carchidi, who recorded six solo tackles.
After the game, head coach Paul Orazietti praised his young squad for their composure and fight:
“The moment was not too big for our guys today,” Orazietti said. “It was incredible to see how a first-year group of players handled the pressure of playing the national champions on their own field. We made big plays in big moments and showed tremendous heart. We had the powerhouse from Windsor sweating a bit—that was their closest game in almost three years.
Even though our ultimate goal was to win, we walk away proud. We’ve built a heck of a football team and laid the foundation for a successful Sault College program for years to come. We’re going to be a very dangerous bunch in 2026—I can assure you of that.”
