The Hamilton Piranhas practically cruised to the AA title at the Early Bird last month. Whereas they engaged in some closer battles this time around, they still emerged as the top tier champions with convincing results. No team is unbeatable of course, but the Piranhas are certainly carrying an aura of invincibility that will be difficult to dissipate. Congratulations on an amazing start to 2009 guys!

The Ottawa Capitals, a team that looked like it was going to fold in the off-season, was one of the squads to offer a challenge to the defending Ontario champion Piranhas. With a slew of talented new faces, namely the infamous Hughes and Hughes qb/receiver combo, the Capitals took Hamilton by storm, knocking off the number two and three ranked Gaels and Spartans in shoot-outs before falling to the Piranhas in the finals.

With the Dolphins making waves at the early Bird and the Capitals making a splash at Hamilton, our top division has some promising contenders. Stay tuned!

Quarter-Finals

Hamilton Piranhas 22 vs Ottawa Express 15

Kitchener Gaels 28 vs Hamilton Dolphins 6

Ottawa Capitals 34 vs Burlington Spartans 31

Toronto Trojans 42 Lightning Football 23

Semi-Finals

Hamilton Piranhas 35 vs Toronto Trojans 0

Ottawa Capitals 38 vs Kitchener Gaels 37

Finals

Hamilton Piranhas 34 vs Ottawa Capitals 21

For the second tournament in a row, the Burlington Spartans dropped to the A-side after overtime quarter-final converts. Also, for the second tournament in a row, the Spartans would go on to win the title, and the ever-important 46 points. While they dominated their way to the championship, they earned an important morale victory in the semi-finals over the Hamilton Dolphins, who defeated them in Early Bird AA quarter-finals. Congratulations Spartans!

Quarter-Finals

Lightning Football 20 vs Hamilton Bengals 19

Burlington Spartans 29 vs Toronto Dirty Birdz 8

Hamilton Dolphins 22 vs Scar Raiders 15

Mississauga Rebels 14 vs Ottawa Express 12

Semi-Finals

Mississauga Rebels 20 vs Lightning Football 8

Burlington Spartans 34 vs Hamilton Dolphins 18

Finals

Burlington Spartans 28 vs Miss Rebels 0

The London Colts had an outstanding Hamilton Bowl result, besting several teams ranked far higher than them. Ranked 8th in tier three, the Colts, after an easy round-robin showing, would string together four consecutive victories over several tier two opponents to capture the BB title. Congratulations on your excellent 9 and 1 start guys, we can’t wait to see more!

Quarter-Finals

Toronto Gators 24 vs Ottawa Spartans 22

Ottawa Underdogs 24 vs Hamilton Hornets 14

London Colts 26 vs Ottawa Seminoles 20

Mississauga Enforcers 20 vs Hamilton Hogs 14

Semi-Finals

Toronto Gators 38 vs Miss Enforcers 23

London Colts 20 vs Ottawa Underdogs 6

Finals

London Colts 27 vs Toronto Gators 18

The Cobras and Jaguars each posted 1 and 1 round-robin results to find themselves competing in the CC division. After defeating St Catherines Ti and Hellcats, both squared in a very competitive one-point decision, one in which the Cobras came out victorious. With this title, the Cobras improve to a .500 win/loss record heading into Kingston. Good luck guys!

Semi-Finals

S.O. Cobras 38 vs S.C. Ti-Cats 14

W.P. Jaguars 14 vs S.C. Hellcats 6

Finals

S.O. Cobras 20 vs W.P. Jaguars 19

Posting a respectable 1 and 1 round-robin record, the Burlington Hardknocks would step up their play on both sides of the ball for the next phase of the tournament. Winning three consecutive play-off games, the Hardknocks accumulated 69 points, only allowing a single touchdown against. Impressively, the Hardknocks earned their first Trillium Title. Congratulations on a great start guys!

Quarter-Finals

Hamilton Hitmen 9 vs T.O Killer Beeezz 6

Burl Hardknocks 7 vs T.O. Hustlin’ Owls 6

Miss K Gators 24 vs Markham Mustangs 6

Miss Enforcers 18 vs Burlington Broncos 12

Semi-Finals

Hamilton Hitmen 37 vs Miss Enforcers 0

Burl Hardknocks 15 vs Miss K. Gators 14

Finals

Hamilton Hitmen 21 vs Burl Hardknocks 16

 

The two time defending Ontario and Canadian champions, the Ottawa Devils, opened the 2009 Trillium Tour at the Early Bird last month, unbeaten and crowned with the top title. Unbeaten champions are words we hear/see/use often when recounting a Devils tournament performance these days. In fact, only one team all of last year managed to defeat them (Toronto Rebels) and they would face off in a contested championship match at the Hamilton Bowl.

Before advancing to that match up, the Devils had to hold off the highly improved Toronto Wolverines in the semi-finals, which they would barely do in a 21 to 18 decision.

While the proud ladies from our nation’s capital aren’t as bolstered talent-wise as they’ve been in the past, the Devils are finding ways to win by utilizing their experience and still talent-rich roster. They’d use every ounce of their resources to stop their rival Rebels with a hard fought 26 to 22 victory, and a second consecutive AA Trillium title. Congratulations ladies!

Semi-Finals

Ottawa Devils 21 vs Toronto Wolverines 18

Toronto Rebels 17 vs Toronto Shock 15

Finals

Ottawa Devils 26 vs Toronto Rebels 22

 

The Toronto Rockets were a flawless 2 and 0 heading into their preliminary play-offs. A close 28 to 21 decision to the Wolverines saw the Rockets slip into A division play, and make a return to unbeaten ways. Against the London Rebels and Ottawa Jets respectively, the Rockets would post consecutive one-sided scores to earn their first title of the season. Well played ladies!

Semi-Finals

Toronto Rockets 20 vs London Rebels 6

Ottawa Jets 20 vs Landell Lightning 6

Finals

Toronto Rockets 32 vs Ottawa Jets 14

The Toronto Thundercats, unbeaten in round-robin play, continued their winning ways throughout their play-offs. Their most impressive win had to be their championship victory over the Scarborough Lady Raiders.

Beating a talented team is tough enough, but having to do so twice in a tournament/in one day is even more difficult. The Thundercats achieved this of course, impressively earning their first title of the season. Congratulations ladies!

Quarter-Finals

Toronto Venom 13 vs Burlington Enemy 0

Toronto Thundercats 25 vs Scar Raiders 14

Hamilton Shockers 19 vs Ottawa Angels 18

Semi-Finals

Scar Raiders 19 vs Toronto Venom 6

T.O. Thundercats 26 vs Hamilton Shockers 14

Finals

Toronto Thundercats 12 vs Scar Raiders 6

Toronto’s Landell Thunder made their Trillium Tour debut in Hamilton. With a last place ranking, little was expected of this new team, but with ace sister squad, the Landell Lightning, who helped coach them, we weren’t surprised at their positive tournament result.

After posting a respectable 1 and 1 round-robin record, the Thunder slipped into the B play-offs where they pulled out two close victories to win the title. Welcome to the league ladies and congratulations on your early success!

Semi-Finals

Landell Thunder 12 vs Toronto Sting 2

Markham Marauders 9 vs Toronto Jaguars 8

Finals

Landell Thunder 6 vs Markham Marauders 0

The Toronto X-Men, despite losing 2 out of 3 games on Saturday, were looking good on the field, as only 3 combined points separated their losses. Dropping into B division, the X-Men continued their strong play, and it showed on both sides of the ball. Earning 3 straight victories, the X-Men totalled 93 offensive points, cruising to capture their first title of the year. Great tournament guys!

Quarter-Finals

Toronto X-Men 37 vs K. Stampeders 6

Burlington Squires 19 vs Ottawa Knights 0

Oshawa Buckeyes 19 vs Mississauga Gridiron 0

F.C Fury 34 vs Miss Pyhom 0

Semi-Finals

Toronto X-Men 28 vs F.C. Fury 15

Oshawa Buckeyes 21 vs Burlington Squires 19

Finals

Toronto X-Men 28 vs Oshawa Buckeyes 7